Mallorca

I knew that part of Erin's trip would overlap with this first weekend of my spring break, so a few months ago, I began to research where we should go! As I found, Mallorca is a BEAUTIFUL island right of the coast of Spain....a 50 minute flight from Barcelona. And our flight was OUTRAGEOUSLY cheap, as well as our hotel.

Friday morning, Erin and I woke up extremely early. We finally got to Mallorca and checked in at our hotel. I was absolutely exhausted, practically falling asleep while walking. Erin had to do everything in her power to keep me awake. So we walked down the beach, ate some great pizza and ducked in and out of little souvenir shops. Once we were finally able to check in, I had to crash. Erin ended up going to a small bar and reading her new Ernest Hemingway book. After my nap, Erin and I hung out at hotel and watched the sunset.

(Took this picture of my lovely cousin on our hotel balcony as we watched the sunset.

Isn't she the greatest?!)

That evening, we went into town to this fun area. However, on the way, we met a man who we will call "Killer" as that was the e-mail address he gave us. Although he was creepy, he led us to this fun area and FUN doesn't even cover it. We found this great little Italian restaurant where there was the best gnocchi pasta. The most memorable part of this dinner was the great conversation I had with my cousin. She and I were able to reminisce in great memories of our sweet Grandma Helen.

Afterwards, we were trying to figure out what to do. So we began walking and all of a sudden we hear a familiar phrase....

"Rah rah ah-ah-ah! Ro mah ro-mah-mah. Gaga Ooh-la-la!"

It was coming from this very small but cute bar, and it was as if it was SIGN that we were meant to go. Inside, we sat down to have a drink where we met this elderly gentleman who happened to take a liking to my cousin...hence the picture below.

(Erin and her boyfriend, Mr. Old Bar Owner Dude.)

This bar was absolutely perfect. It was playing a VH1esque channel with music from the 70s to now. It really couldn't have been more perfect. We ended up staying there all night. Eventually after a few glasses of wine, we became the loud American girls in the place, but we were having too much fun to notice. After awhile, we decided it was best to leave, but not without having a crepe. We ducked into this tiny shop and ordered delicious crepes. Then we took a cab back to our hotel after stopping and getting some chips and gatorade at the gas station. It was an amazing night.

(Erin and I at "our" bar. Not the greatest picture, but from the greatest night.)

Saturday morning, we woke up and walked on the balcony and the wind had died down!! Thank goodness. Because Friday was a bit breezy, and I was freezing. In fact, it was so gorgeous that we just sat out on our terrace and read and listened to music all morning. We even got tan from sitting out there. Well Erin got red, and even I did. I had no idea the sun would be that strong considering how it wasn't extremely hot outside.

Afterwards, we went on a walk on the beach and found this tidepool. Erin lovessss tidepools so we spent awhile just looking at it, exploring, and taking pictures. It was a gorgeous day outside, so we couldn't help it.

(Erin and I on the beach in Mallorca.)

(Erin exploring the tide pool.)

(Mallorca was GORGEOUS. This place must be poppin during the summer.)

We walked down the entire island and found a fun restaurant to hang out and people watch. Eventually we made it back to the hotel, and we relaxed for awhile. We couldn't figure out where to eat, so we went back into Palma, the big city on the island, and there was a very cool concert going on. The whole area was blacked out, they turned off all the lights, and on the ground, people were laying votive candles everywhere. It was majestic looking. We sat down to have coffee at this adorable cafe and in their menu was this picture...

I thought it was BEYOND perfect. Everything I could ever want to say to my cousin on this little piece of paper! After our coffee, we walked around to find a restaurant. Mallorca is not like other parts of Spain that eat at 10 o'clock at night. Places closed a lot earlier. We were feeling rather discouraged but decided to keep walking around, until we hit JACKPOT. We found a strip of really cute little restaurants. Once again, we had delicious Italian food and had another great waiter. He even gave us a free shot of Baileys and took one with us. It was a great time. After the sun and sunburns and the late night before, we couldn't wait to go back and crash at the hotel.

Sunday morning, Erin went off to explore while I was a lazy bum and stayed in bed. I eventually made my way to the pool and was actually able to lay out. It was cold, but not freezing, so I toughed it out. It was a great relaxing day. We also rented bikes for a couple hours and just rode up and down. I had not ridden a bike in awhile, but it was a blast. That night, we saw that there was live music playing at our hotel, so we thought "PERFECT!" And waited to go down to the show. We got a glass of wine, grabbed the checkerboard and played until the show started. Well after awhile, we noticed that entire crowd was made up of little grandmas and grandpas, and we were confused why the music hadn't started. Except it had.....there were all these little couples dancing at the front of the room to the live music coming out of the speakers. It was not quite what we expected....but extremely memorable. We ended up just hanging out at the hotel, but eventually we got hungry. Being the horrible Americans we are, we went and got fast food. But in our defense, it was only after we searched restaurant after restaurant after restaurant....they were ALL closed. It was just a weird random funny night.

Monday morning, we continued to explore the area, and landed at this cute restaurant and played cards all morning. Then it was time for us to head to the airport and go back to Barcelona. That night, Peter, Erin and I went to Plaza Real to have paella. The next morning, we were all waking up early again...Erin to go back home and Pete and I to head to Prague.

The next morning, Erin and I said our goodbyes as we headed off in our completely seperate directions. I had the most amazing time with my cousin. How blessed am I to have her in my life, and what extraordinary memories we will have to look back on the rest of our lives! Love you!

(One of the greatest sunsets God has ever given me to watch!)

You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.

-Revelation 4:11