Day 2 – Palma de Mallorca – Cargill Travel Blog

The early night on day one meant that I was then awake at 05:30. I have a slight Pinot headache. I had read a text the night before that I was now on a maritime network, which cost something like 30p/MB (post blog note: it’s actually £5-10 per MB 😯) so now my mobile data was firmly switched off. Plus I only bought the on board WiFi for Lisa, so I was in a world without internet. With idle thumbs I decide to start this darn blog…

With breakfast ordered the day before, we had a nice chilled out morning ahead. At 07:30 with Lisa still in a deep sleep, I thought I’d open the curtains to see where the hell we were. And we had indeed arrived in Palma, Majorca. Happy days, on goes the mobile data again. Not been to Majorca since that holiday in Palma Nova in the 90’s.

I woke Lisa up by opening the balcony doors. We both took a look and there wasn’t too much to see tbh. I started to boil the kettle but was reminded by Lisa that there was no milk.

Breakfast arrived. There was more dishes than expected, and the guy that brought it explained each. I’d basically misunderstood what they meant by “identify number” on the tick sheet and ordered American breakfasts, when I thought it was 2 sausages, 2 eggs, etc. Lisa said she wasn’t eating it, she had cereal. Time for fat boy to step up, but I drew the line at 4 eggs.

With breakfast done, we headed out. I was wearing contacts for the first time in years, and my long sight was great but just couldn’t read close up, so phone was being held at arms length or Lisa had to read for me. I’m Mr McGoo. This was seriously affecting my googling.

Gangway was on deck 3, we were temperature tested on way out and tapped the sea passes to let them know we were out. We joined a big queue hoping it was for the taxi rank – it was. After about 15 mins we got our cab, fending off the many “taxi tour” vendors. €19 later we were at the beach, Platja de Can Pere Antoni, which was pretty isolated and quiet so we walked along a bit.

Saw some potential spots to set up camp but thought we’d try and get in a beach club at the end of beach. No joy, they were fully booked but we stayed for a Diet Coke and watched an old pot-bellied guy do weird stretches in front of several cormorants that were not phased. He did this the whole time we were there, at least 20 mins.

Our ship, Wonder of the Seas is in background

Headed back to one of the spots we saw. Talked to the custodian of the straw brollies, no hourly rate just €19 for 2 beds, ok cool we’ll take it. Loved the little locker at the top of the brolly, for storing valuables. Also asked where nearest ATM was, and got some directions.

Set up next to a couple, who I later heard the wife say jokingly to her husband “I didn’t think you liked curvy women” referring to a nearby topless woman with giant, probably augmented, knockers.

The beach was so lovely, so relaxing, and with the little locker we both got to go in the sea. Cold at first, with waves, but wonderful. While we swam, got taking to an American lady that lived in Hamburg and it was the last day of her holiday. She was really nice, a bit of a free spirit. Referring to the sea she said that nature offers great entertainment, and she was right. Then went on to talk about Hitler. We all agreed that he was a prick. Trump, Putin and Boris too.

She swam off and we swam some more, rolling with the waves. After telling me not to wee in the sea, Lisa wee’d in the sea. But she said only a little. Then we rested on the beach, soaking up the sunshine, it was glorious and very relaxing.

Our plan was to leave at 13:00, find an ATM to get cash, and buy Taci’s for the girls. The ship was leaving at 15:30, so we’d agreed to taxi back by 14:00 to allow for mishaps and avoid panicking. Lisa’s stress levels suddenly ramped up, despite the plan being firmly on track. The walk to the ATM continued under a Lisa-shaped cloud.

First ATM we found looked like part of the console of the Starship Enterprise. All in Spanish, but with some graphics, think it wanted the card inserted, then tap it on contactless. Sacked it after 3 attempts, and the one next to it. Changed direction, walked to next 2 machines on outstretched Google map. No joy. This is bullshit. Lisa’s stress had become unmanageable. Ok I’ll search for a taxi rank, ok? There’s one, next to 5 banks, but we gotta walk some more.

We found the taxi rank, mission ATM was formally aborted. One taxi in rank. Didn’t actually look like a rank tbh. Next to it, a little Sikh shop, with the revered Taci’s. Grab five bags, pay, leave, secure taxi, bosh. All smiles again, now with no fear of walk of shame on being late to the boat. Biggish queue in Terminal at security. Plastic trays etc, no belt today, one less thing. We board ship with plenty of time to spare.

Go straight to Solarium. Check-out two towels, grab some loungers. Lisa spots the hot tub that partially hangs over the side of the ship. We have a dip, it’s lovely.

Lisa is hungry so we go Mexican again. More quesadilla. I make a taco with chicken and rice. And cover a bowl of tortillas with chilli. Mmmmmm. I wasn’t even hungry.

Back to room to watch for late-comers from the balcony. 15:30 came and went, along with several drunk looking people, and an old couple with cases being hurried by the crew. Saw one unhappy guy get turned away and the ship finally left at 16:20. Got dressed for dinner which was at 18:00 in the Solarium Bistro today, the only different dinner venue for the week. We go for a cocktail in central park and mooch, then dinner.

Lisa liked this dinner more than last night. Think it was because it was a buffet. Some people are wearing tuxedos and swanky dresses (it’s a smart dress night). And some are wearing casual stuff. We’re in between. Our seat was by the window, and hardly anyone there initially, which suited us.

We finish food (chicken, salmon, wedges, Baba ganoush, breadcrumbs zucchini) nick a stack of tea bags, and mooch some more until the show at 20:00. No serious drinking tonight.

Show was a British magician which was ok. Venue is lovely. Then we mooch, shops, a cheeky pint, Lisa beats me at connect 4 again, Lisa plays basketball game. More mooching, lots of people in best togs having pics taken on stairs, next to a car. Then bed.