Majorca - Part 1 (The Jinty Days)

It must be almost 18 years since I was last in Majorca. Stories of Palma Nova, Magaluf and, of course, the Santa Lucia, are part of our family folklore so it was high time to let Iain into a little of the magic. The cost of flights from Bordeaux to Palma was less than €250 (total for the three of us!) but we managed to use our Emirates air-miles with Easyjet and actually got our flights for free which was a brilliant way to start off the trip. It was just so easy. Two hours up to Bordeaux in the car, and then just over an hour on the plane to Palma. A bit of prior research and a very strong recommendation from Alan had us booked into the Rosa Del Mar apartments for a week and I was genuinely excited to get back and see how much the place had changed since my childhood. We had a short 15min taxi ride from the airport and as we arrived into Palma Nova I was surprised to find myself very emotional. Memories of holidays with not only Jinty and Anders, but with Kathleen, John and Steven, Gail McCrink and of course all the friends we met over the years. The emotions kept coming when we saw mum wandering up the hill at our apartments (so at home in this place), coming to welcome us. It was such a lovely feeling to be back, and there was definitely an element of missing my dad as he just loved this place so much too and this was my first time here without him.

We had three full days with Jinty who was, of course, staying at the Santa Lucia. We spent these days between our apartments, her hotel, the beach and Jinty's two favourite hangouts: The Orion and The Lady Diana. It's amazing how little has changed, but in the same vein, how modern it also is. There's much less tat for sale in the shops (although, you can still buy penis shaped bottle openers) and many of the cafes, bars and restaurants have been thoroughly modernised, attracting more than your typical Brits Abroad clientele. The food was generally brilliant. GF options everywhere, and our apartments did a great buffet which was clearly marked for all allergens. We also found an excellent Indian restaurant so got our spice fix before heading back to France. I think the greatest joy of these three days was just having Jinty proudly taking us round all her places and (re)introducing us to everyone she knows. Amazingly, I also got a chance to see Miguel. He's the head of the hotel bars and restaurant now and is sadly showing the stress of the role. He kindly gave us access to the brand new roof terrace of the hotel which was really cool, and Jinty was in her element, getting the VIP treatment! I was a bit sad to see the hotel in its current state though. Don't get me wrong, its beautiful, modern and immaculately clean but now that it has an "Adults Only" status, it just doesn't have the fun vibe that I remember so fondly. Gone is Emilio and the Drag Nights, Anette and her rifle shooting, and Ian Scambler on the keyboards in the cocktail lounge with three deep at the bar till 2am. Now, its subdued bingo nights for blue rinses and Sandyhills Jaikets, and Iain being asked to leave because he had the gall to bring William into the lobby. I guess all those people that were coming here with their kids 25+ years ago are now retired and are looking for something different, but familiar. Just like Jinty. 

Anyway, it was a lovely few days catching up, and letting William spend time with his gran in her home from home. The highlight was probably some old guy buying Iain a whiskey because he looked like Prince Harry. Gold. 

On the way to Bordeaux. Silence is Golden. 

First night at The Orion

Where it all started...

Kids' buffet at our hotel : ideal set up. 

The stark different between the Jinty's hotel and our apartments...

Three days in Magaluf...

 Partying at the Lady Diana...

 Post Lady Di curers...

Always with an accessory... 

 Final sangrias before airport transfer arrived....

After Jinty left, we went for a meal at an Indian restaurant and it was absolutely wonderful. It's so difficult to get a good curry in France so this was absolute joy. Delicious food and an awesome view too. What's not to like? (We ended up going back another twice!)

LM :)