August 27, 2005
We spent ten memorable and relaxing weeks in the Balearic Islands. Prior to our arrival in the Mediterranean, we had been told by many people to �hide� somewhere during the crowded summer months of July and August when the phenomenon known as �Med madness� took place and not to �poke our noses out� until September. The Balearic Islands, being one of Europe�s main summer playgrounds, would especially be overrun with tourists and boats. We were also told that we would spend much of our time in marinas. Instead, we anchored our entire time in the Balearics and even enjoyed a few nights of solitude. We found that we could always find a good spot if we arrived at an anchorage before noon and didn�t move on the weekends when the local boats came out. By choosing our routes and times of arrival at anchorages, we ended up surviving �Med madness� and having a most enjoyable time in the Balearics.
The Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares) consisted of three main islands: Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca, with the small island of Formentera and Isla Esplamador lying just south of Ibiza. We made landfall in Formentera on June 13, and after three days anchored in Cala Sabina and two days off Esplamador, we headed to Ibiza, 8 nautical miles away.
Each of the islands in the Balearics had it own distinct character. Ibiza drew a young crowd and was known as the �party� island with many discos. The hippies of the 1960�s settled in Ibiza and Formentera, and their lifestyle could still be seen. We spent fifteen days enjoying the island of Ibiza and some of the beautiful coves (calas) along its western and rugged northwestern coasts. |
