Excitedly, we pack small overnight bags & grab a taxi to Valencia airport, only 15 minutes away!
Bruce is more than content to rest up for a while at the camping park, whilst we escape to the island of Mallorca for 5 nights…….to celebrate my birthday!! 🥳  Yippee!

The short, 50-minute flight delivers us into Palma, the capital of Mallorca.
We remembered Mallorca because it was where disgraced Australian businessman, Christopher Skase, escaped to in 1994! Australian police were unable to extradite him back to face his bankruptcy & many criminal charges. He died in Mallorca in 2001 of cancer.
This is the view as we approached the Palma airport. The population of Mallorca is almost a million with half a million in Palma, the capital.

Our wonderful Hotel Hispania, is a 25 minute drive from central Palma & overlooks the Mediterranean. We take in the spectacular views from the hotel rooftop top Skybar! …..l can’t believe we are here!

We’re treated to a large suite which is modern & recently renovated. This is definitely a bit of luxury after the confined space in good old Bruce!.….Yes, Mark found a desk & is still working!

We can even enjoy the magical, blue Mediterranean ocean view from our balcony!

I check out the friendly, poolside mermaid & yet another great pool!

The whole place is going crazy here with Futbol (soccer/ football) fever! It’s Euro2024 Futbol championships & the streets are buzzing with thousands of the younger set, all proudly wearing matching team colours. The pic below has our hotel in the background.

Apparently, our hotel is right in the middle of the area most popular with the young Germans! It seems that soccer teams come here at the end of their soccer season to let their hair down, party & watch their team on the big screens, which are everywhere! Unfortunately for them, Germany didn’t make the European finals this year .

We wander the seafront & past the large Mega Park, music venue, which is swarming with many avid party goers! The menu at this local restaurant is catering to the Germans with schnitzels, steaks etc.

It’s my Birthday today & Mark spoils me with a 4 hr catamaran cruise along the Mediterranean coast! The local bus takes us into Palma to board our cruise at 10am.
It’s a cloudy, overcast day but still a balmy 30 degrees.

Our captain anchors in a cove & Mark is one of the first to dive eagerly in…. amongst the fish & the not so warm, aquamarine sea! He gives me the royal wave of approval!

We take it nice & easy as the captain barbecues fresh fish & chicken for lunch! This is definitely the way to go!

Mark is particularly pleased as the crew hoist the sails on our return trip!  With the light winds, it makes for perfect gentle sailing conditions for me!

On our return, we cruise past the enormous, famous, 13th century church, which dominates the city of Palma.

To cap off my special birthday celebrations Mark has searched for a recommended local Spanish restaurant. Restaurant Las Lomas is a fantastic find & is set back a few streets from the busy tourist strip.

For entree we both share & devour this scrumptious plate of Galician fried octopus & patatas (potatoes)! We love it!

Our main courses didn’t disappoint either! Super large plate of local grilled vegetables & pork tenderloins & frites for Mark! …..Yes, he did manage to leave his plate empty! Ha!
 

Back at our hotel rooftop Skybar, we wait & catch the sun setting over the Mediterranean….. such a memorable birthday celebration!