Note to self - check topography BEFORE signing up for cycling trip. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Mallorca, a Spanish island located east of Valencia, is picture perfect beautiful. If you love dramatic stone cragged mountains, mixed with a multitude of small farms, buildings of peach colored stone, groves of olives and orange, vineyards, the occassional meandering sheep or horned goats and Med beautiful beaches without the crowds - then this is a place you want to visit.
On our first day, we peddle from northern Pollenca's cobble stone square and old world charm to make our way to coastal Alcuidia, the island's only remaining medieval walled city. We then pass through Port de Pollenca and some of us were ready to stop right there to enjoy the endless beaches. (We ARE on vacation.)
By the way, did you note the word "mountains" above? We leave the coastal region for a "long gentle incline." (This is bike guide speak for the four kilometer climb, with switchbacks and no guardrails.) The Serra Tramuntana range runs 55 miles parallel to the east coast and rises over 1,300 feet. Was it worth it? See for yourself. We think the view from Miador des Colomers was simply amazing.
The blue waters in the distance is the coastal areas of Alcuidia and Port de Pollenca. (Yes, please be impressed.) Once the top is reached, you find amazing views. Add in the beguiling guitar playing and love padlocks, reminiscent of those found on Paris' Ponte des Erte bridge, and you begin to get the feel of this place.
Mallorca is a difficult to define blend of raw and rough with tender and warm. The colors range from the sun bleached grey green of olive trees and parched terra cotta land to deep pine, rich sienna and riots of Bougainvillea's deep magenta, punctuated with the inevitable basket of orange and yellow citrus. Pancake flat to steep mountains are somehow no surprise here. There is a sense of calm and then suddenly you find your heart is racing. You thought you knew yourself and then.....
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