Majorca No 2

Hi Family, Friends, Davenanters and Bloggers,

The sound of drilling woke me up this morning at 8.15am. They are renovating the Hotel and the noise is getting on my nerves - not best pleased! I had the full works for breakfast (Sandra, there was no egg man) and then walked around the corner to catch the open top sightseeing bus. The charge for the tour of the city was €15, the ticket is valid for 24 hours and passengers can get on and off as many times as they want to. I stayed on for the whole tour and it took about an hour and a half and we were given headphones to plug into the bus to hear a commentary in a language of our choice. I had a German man sitting next to me so, after I sorted out his headphones, conversation was a little difficult! The best three photos I took are:

The Cathedral with the Royal Palace on its left and the mountains in the distance:

Castell de Bellver - a 700 year old castle that over looks Palma Bay:

Palma Port with only one cruise liner (Tuesdays are quiet days in the Port):

After the tour I came back to the Hotel and there it was on the floor of my bathroom, the biggest cockroach I have ever seen! It was stuck on its back, flinging its arms, legs and other long bits around. It was totally gross so I put a glass over it, took a photo and called housekeeping to remove it. I feel totally creeped out by the whole thing. What with the drilling and the cockroach, its not looking good for this Hotel. Flabergastamoomoo (Tilly).

Any requests to see the photo?

In the afternoon I learnt how to use the local buses - quite simple really. When you get on the bus you pay the driver (how quaint) €1.50, job done! It costs the same for one stop or to stay on the bus all day - not that desperate yet!

I took the bus, and embarked on a pilgrimage, to see the Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro which is on a hill to the west of Palma. When Miro died his wife, Pilar, converted his house and studio into an art centre. At the centre there is an exhibition of his paintings, drawings and sculptures. It cost €6 and I thought this was excellent value for money - unlike the bus tour that was very over priced. I loved it and it was right up my street - and Eleni you would have loved it too.

Some photos of his paintings - the first one has Palma Cathedral in the background and the second one is a series of paintings called The Dogs:

Two very large tapestries by Joseph Royo inspired by Miro's work:

At the exhibition we were given an insight into his collaborations with the music and dance world. The photos below are of the programme and costumes he designed for the ballet Arlequi  (Harlequin):

This is a photo of his studio:

And lastly, my favourite sculpture of the day called Maternite. 

My day finished with a selection of Tapas in a bar near the port. Marvilisimous (Tilly).