Spain 16,

Oct. 5. 2026,

Hi Everyone,

My ferry boat from Ibiza arrived at 10:30. There was a long line up of about 20-30 motorcycles waiting to get off the boat. We all started up are engines together, you can imagine the noise, and proceeded in single file off the boat. Everyone nodded to each other and off we went, as if we had known each other for years and were in the same motorcycle gang.

My hotel, Juan Miro Museum is a 4* located 5km from downtown Palma, the major city in Majorca. It was impossible to find, and much too expensive to be in the old city. This hotel proved to be much less costly and has all the luxuries that one expects in a 4*.

I dropped off my luggage, parked my bike on the sidewalk which is apparently acceptable here and headed off for late night refreshments at 11:30. The manager gave me explicit directions, ride down the hill, turn right and you will find many small restaurants open at this late hour. I came upon 1 restaurant and had a few tapas. Somehow, I managed to head off in the wrong direction. Very soon I was on an autoroute going I am not sure where. Unfortunately, I had neglected to bring along my GPS and had a vague idea of the name of the hotel. It came across my mind that I may be obliged to sleep at another hotel along the way. Just in the nick of time, I spotted a sign for Palma. I followed the sign and arrived at a gas station. I asked directions from a young man filling up his tank who suggested that I consult the GPS on my phone. Why didn’t I think of that? The elderly should not be allowed to travel alone in a foreign country. I consulted my GPS and what to my surprise, my hotel was listed in living colour with the correct directions of how to get there. Off I went hoping to have enough battery life and 15 minutes later I was back at my 4*.

My 4* has a buffet with no fewer that 50 items to choose from. The cook, from Ghana prepared a 2 egg tortilla with an assortment of vegetables for me. I added another dish of fruits with yogurt and I was set for the day. I decided to take the bus to town instead of the bike. It is easy to park the bike but it means that I must carry around the heavy helmet. The bus trip took 20 minutes and passed through downtown. Palma is much bigger than Eivissa and shopping area id very well developed for the local population,

I got off the bus and wandered through the old, walled section of town. I was pretty much alone until mid day when the tourists woke up and flooded the streets. The old city has the usual narrow, windy streets with the usual shops dedicate to the tourist population. I eventually arrived at the cathedral but did not enter as I was unwilling to pay the 6Euro entrance fee. I settled for the basilica which was much more modest and probably at least as old.

I had a capuchino at the town square and walked along the waterfront. It is Sunday afternoon, sunny, 28C, not a cloud in the sky, blowing 10-12 knots and not a single boat out sailing. It is the same everywhere in Europe and North America. People buy boats, leave them in the harbour and never use them. It takes both time and knowledge of sailing to sail a boat or even to sail a motor yacht. People don’t have the time or energy to learn how to use their toys. Eventually the boats are sold at a loss.

I walked along the waterfront, eventually walking up the steep hill to my hotel. The journey took the better part of 2 hours. I spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool, swimming and reading my book.

Love,

Brian