July 28

What a fantastic day! We began with the beautiful drive up the rugged west coast to the villages of Estellencs and Banyalbufar, both nestled into the mountainside, with row after row of terraced gardens. Vines are being replanted now in Banyalbufar, which was a wine area many years ago before the Pholoxora disease destroyed the vines. We drove down from the village to Balyalbufar PlatJa, a very unusual beach for Mallorca because it seemed to be dark pebbles, but we didn't climb down the cliff face steps to find out as it was quite a long, steep climb. Some locals were obviously enjoying the surging waves though, judging by the squealing laughter in the distance. We found a great place in the village for lunch. Sitting on the terrace gave us a view of the terraces and the water way below and the food was typical Mallorcan fare because everything was fresh and tasty. Liz and Sandy had mixed seafood (prawns, fresh fish, smoked salmon) with salad, I had the local juicy melon with jamon and Greg had the farmhouse bread covered with shredded tomato and served with jamon and machengo cheese.

We drove on to Deia to show Sandy and Liz another beautiful village but also because the little food store is well stocked with goodies that I like to buy. Greg and I never tire of coming up this coast to visit the villages because it is great scenery and we may not see it again in future years.

What made the day so special was the discovery when we arrived in Valldemossa on our way back to Palma. It was the fiesta in memory of Saint Catalina Thomas who was born in the town in the early 1500's. The time was nearly 8.00 pm and people were starting to gather at cafes and the homes along the route of the parade so we took up a post at Cappuccino Cafe, opposite the area set up for the town officials and began the night with cocktails. It was the most beautiful parade we have ever seen - little carts decorated with flowers, vines and grapes, with seating only for little children dressed in traditional costumes, being pulled by donkeys led by two or three generations of the families also dressed in traditional costumes. The children's role was to throw wrapped lollies (candies for our US friends) from straw baskets to the children waiting along the route. The village band played a range of traditional instruments, including some type of bagpipes. The most spectacular part of the parade was a group of dark-cloaked horsemen on glorious tall black horses, but unfortunately we didn't find out their significance to the memory of Saint Catalina. While we enjoyed snacks and drinks and watched in amazement the procession passed back and forth until after 11.00 pm. when it was time to head back down the valley to home. We just couldn't believe our luck in coming across such a special event and even securing a perfect position to view it all. I think that Liz's special treat was the helium filled "balloon" on a stick - it was a pretty palomino horse. (It will be interesting to see her packing to go home on Tuesday.) As Sandy said about the night: "It was a happening!"

Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra