Ibiza

In the summer of 2018, we were heading back into the Med on Nauplios for some summer cruising.

Our good friends Kate, Liam and Maddie were keen to meet up somewhere - we were looking all over at where would be convenient and eventually agreed on Ibiza.

Neither myself or Crawford  had been to Ibiza (well I think Crawford had flown there and drooled at the yachts from the aircraft window but apart from that) and we had heard what a gorgeous place it is for cruising boats. I had only ever really heard of the islands nightlife/rave/clubbing reputation and wasn't  really sure what we would find. 

What a surprise - like with anyone (and everyone I speak to) who has spent any time on Ibiza, we were very quickly taken under its spell. There is definitely something about this place which catches you out and makes you want to never leave. 

Looking back at the history of Ibiza, due to its location between Africa and the Pyrenees, it has always been a prominent maritime location. Maybe due to this, or its good supply of natural minerals,the island has seen many attempts at rule from the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Catalans, Muslims, Norweigans etc. etc 

Consequently, many battles have been fought for  this beautiful place, but since around the 1200's it has been under Spanish rule. 

From the 70's, the island acheived democratic status with the other Balearic islands (Mallorca, Minorca, and Formentera) but is still a Province of Spain and the main language is a dialect of Spanish/Catalan. 

In the 60' and 70's, on the other side of the world,  the "hippy" (hipster) movement was springing up as a result of a strong anti war feeling (After the second world war, and then Vietnam)

The hippy movement started in San Francisco but soon spread to Europe and throughout the world, hippies were looking for venues to live a peaceful, free existence .

Despite Spain being under a dictatorship (Franco) Ibiza was relatively untroubled, and appealed to the influx of hippies who were starting to settle on the island.

A long period of time followed, when hippies were settling  in communes and country houses on Ibiza, they organised music events and festivals which exacerbated the popularity of the island - intellectuals, writers and artists started to visit - Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Freddie Mercury, to name a few all visited the island. 

In the 90's as the music festival, nightclub and "rave" industry was ramping up,  Ibiza changed the law, to force any nightclubs to become indoor spaces, (This was to help reduce noise pollution) halting the open air/festival vibe. 

At the same time, many big nightclubs, discos and electronic events in London and Europe were starting to be popular and Ibiza - where the red tape wasnt quite as arduous as in London, was the ideal place to expand and promote these huge clubs. 

Disco tourists from Europe and London  started to arrive in droves, and Ibiza became known as "the party island" 

Im not sure how they have done it, but Ibiza has managed to compartmentalise the disco/clubby areas and it would seem "clubbers" and "non clubbers" still have an amazing experience on the island. 

Unfortunately, we didnt manage to get to any clubs in Ibiza and so at the moment Im a "non clubber"  I do, however, still have an ambition to go back to Ibiza and become a "clubber" I quite like the idea of these day clubs on the beach/ or maybe a Craig David pool party - all clubbed out and partied by 8pm and time for bed.  By the time we get back to Ibiza I'll probably be circa 70 years old, so lets hope I can still make it! 

We did manage to get out and about and spent a lot of time in San Antonio bay, where there is a cracking anchorage with a fairly easy dinghy dock or two. (Be careful however and protect your tender from the jagged rocks - ours did get a bit scratched) 

Around San Antonio, there are plenty of bars/restaurants/beaches and it is quite a big tourist venue, but equally, a 5 minute walk up the coast, and you come to some amazingly quiet Cala's or bays with just a small beach bar. The place is just so full of delightful surprises. 

Anyway, here are the photos 

Kate, Liam and Maddie had a quick night on the boat before they went to their hotel - Poor Oirish Liam was sweltering in the 40 degree August Ibiza heat and was unsurprisingly keen to get some AC

We met up later in the week with the Downes and their friends the Wilkinsons,  had some more sunset fun, then they came back to the boat at Cala D'hort - this is another good anchorage (usually) with a couple of nice beach restaurants, on the West Coast of Ibiza. 

Unfortunately that night, we, not only had a really strong swell, making the boat move about all night, but "Below Decks"  had anchored up next to us and they were having a very loud party! 

We are used to it and slept through it all, but that, the no AC and being on a hot, sweaty, swelly boat, I think may have put Kate, Liam and Maddie off sailing for life! Hopefully when we get our Catamaran with AC they will be back. 

More visitors later in the month from Joseph and some of his friends - Jack, Sophie and Sam -  their main objective, really, was to drink beer, do some sailing and get in the water.  I think we did all that. 

That was the first time I had been introduced to the term "ridiculous" as a compliment. I had made a bog standard Chilli con Carne and Jack was saying "This is  ridiculous" I was a bit flummoxed until someone translated. Quite funny. Ridiculous. 

I think its quite clear from all these photos that we had a lovely time with Kate and Guy, exploring more beautiful places on the island. 

Kate was involved in a search and rescue after a guy on another boat found himself in a predicament of being pinned onto some rocks by the wind. 

We happened to be sailing into the bay to hear the shouts of "HELP HELP HELP" as this poor guys yacht was pinned against a rock. (It was quite windy)

Me being a hard hearted bitch, wasnt too bothered (well I was, but we were trying to get our boat under control) but Kate was really quite upset by this guys obvious distress. 

Luckily, one of the big power boats from the water sports bar on the beach quickly rushed out to help him and got him safely anchored. 

Kate and Crawford later popped over with a nerve settling beer for the poor guy.  Luckily he was fine. 

Over the August Bank Holiday Weekend Alison made a quick trip out to the isle and we spent some time on buses touring around - doing the stuff my husband doesnt like - sightseeing! The beautiful Ibiza town definitely needs a good couple of days of exploring. We also explored the cocktail menu in this cute little bar.🤣