Day 16 Mediterranean Adventures: Mallorca

Overnight from Barcelona we traveled to Isla Majorca (Palma de Mallorca).  Don't worry about how to pronounce it as we heard every version.  ( "my  YOR kuh" was the most used.) This is the largest of the 5 Balearic Islands and is a self governing Spanish province. The population of the island is about 735,000 and the town where we are is 420,000.  It is a popular European holiday destination with a temperate climate, usually much cooler this time of year.  Today was a brutally hot one in the upper 80s with nearly as much humidity.  We all suffered in the heat.The area was settled by the Romans at one time, then the Moors and Arabs from North Africa until the 13th century. The island is only 187 km from African coastal areas

We enjoyed a more leisurely breakfast with our tour leaving at 9:30.. 

Of interest on our tour were the Castillo Bellver, a pearl factory, the bullring and another cathedral! ( ABC)

. Castillo Bellver (beautiful view) is a splendid Gothic fortification, over 600 years old. It was originally built as the summer home for the Mallorcan Kings, but ended up being used as a prison for most of its history.  There is a museum with Roman artifacts, some are from the archeological dig at Arizzo, Italy.  Jerry wanted a good group shot of the 4 of us so he can use it when necessary to position us in numerous places we may not have taken a photo.

On the way to the cathedral, we stop at a pearl factory where they manufacture pearls with a secret process using glass and powdered fish scales.  The finished "pearl" is barely distinguishable from its natural cousin.   Across from the pearl factory was  a bullring.  The old sport of bull fighting is alive, but faltering.  The sport has actually been banned in Barcelona and some other parts of Spain. 

On to another cathedral.  ( we have lost count of how many) This one is the Seo Cathedral, one of the most recognizable city landmarks.  Started in the 13th century, it took 300 years to complete. It is the final resting place for Mallorcan kings.  There are Antonio Gaudi influences throughout the edifice as well as spectacular side chapels (16 of them) and splendid stained glass windows.     

We complete our morning tour with a walk through the old city center and a stop at an elderly olive tree that our guide said could be 1,000 years old.  It does indeed have quite the character.  After a lengthy walk back to the bus, we are on our way back to the cool haven of our ship, welcomed with an icy towel to cool us down.  As we have heard throughout the Mediterranean for over two weeks, the weather here in Mallorca is unseasonably hot and humid for this time of year.