S'ALBUFERA DE MALLORCA - NATURAL PARK

Bon Dia!

Breakfast

This is how Bobby retrieves our toast from the toaster.

SA POBLA / PORT D'ALCUDIA

Today we rented bikes to ride in the largest nature preserve and wetlands in the Balearic Islands. It's a warm day, but the breeze we receive as we ride, makes it a very pleasant experience. In truth we didn't see many birds, but riding bikes through the overgrowth was more than enough to satisfy.

I loved this bike!

I think Gayle liked her bike too.

Bobby with his aura showing.

The group taking a break. A nice German man took our picture.

Lovely! It went on like this for several miles.

These Spanish gates are made from split wood already in the curved shape. Each "slat" is from one piece.

We see them everywhere and each is unique and different.

We have our bikes rented for most of the day and even though we are done with the ride in the preserve, it's the midday break, "siesta" which is taken each and every day between 2 and 5 PM. 

The bike shop is closed. 

So, we set out to find lunch and end up in a place on the beach with cool breezes, beautiful views, delicious sangria, but not very good food...can't have it all! The Mallorcans really like the square white wonder bread with processed ham and cheese here. We can't understand it, but have had it several times in several different places.

I don't get it?

The water is a brilliant aqua color turning to dark blue.

We suddenly realize it's a topless beach! 

Hahaha!

We return our bikes and head to Capanet where I read there was a glass blowing shop.

CAPANET

The crest of a glassblower adorns the outside of the building.

The interior is huge and looks as if there was a fire at one time.

An assistant adding molten glass.

A finished chandelier.

I love this window!

After a cafe con leche and an ensaimada (a traditional Mallorcan pastry) at the adjoining restaurant we  head to Pollenca, our "home town" for site seeing and dinner.

POLLENCA

A centuries old olive tree in the courtyard of one of many Catholic churches in the town.

Gayle and Bobby in a park donated by Joan March who was a Mallorcan and one of the richest men in the world at one time. He gained his wealth through nefariousness means, starting as a tobacco smuggler.

Gayle and I just happened to pass by this church as it was opening for mass. It had the most amazing interior which totally surprised us because the exterior was rather plain.

Esglesia de Nostra Senyora dels Angels

(Our Lady of Angels)

The ceiling and rose window.

Nave, apse and altar.

 It's clear that at one time the community of Pollenca depended on the ocean for it's livelihood and fashioned the dome of the apse in the shape of shell. The retablo is from an earlier Jesuit church and was retrieved when the Jesuits were expelled from Spain in 1797 by King Charles III.

The floor tiles in the church. 

The "gallo" (rooster) or "gall" in Catalan, is the symbol of the city of Pollenca. 

This may be the crypt of someone revered in the community. 

It was encased in glass with an ornate, but dark painting hanging above.

The exterior statue of Our Lady of Angels with pigeons.

Tomorrow will be our last day and Gayle and I are going shopping in Pollenca.

Bona Nit!