About midday we headed off further west to look for a pleasant place to spend the day. Along the western cliff face around from El Toro was sheltered from the swell but we were also looking for some more interesting scenery. There was another sheltered spot with aqua water over a sandy bottom at the end of the arm of the marina at Porto Adriano, but it may not have been quiet enough as they were reconstructing the marina wall. So we went further on to the Cala de Santa Ponca, a very wide, attractive and peaceful bay surrounded by large hotels and extraordinary houses hugging the cliff tops on seemingly impossible sites, with beautiful aqua water for swimming and even a little snorkelling. Certainly a great spot for our usual late lunch of quiche, cheeses with fresh figs and crusty baguette plus lots of fresh stone fruit.
(We had passed another interesting anchorage south of Cabo Malgrats, sheltered by Isla de los Conejos, which we would like to return to when the wind and swell are suitable again and we need to also look a little further on at Cala Fornells. The marina at Santa Ponca is also attractive.)
Another yacht from Australia (La Boheme) anchored near us during the afternoon and Anna and Gregory came aboard to swap yachting stories for a while. It's the first time we have encountered another Australian ship this year.
As it was a magnificent late afternoon we reluctantly headed back to Palma, a two hour trip under motor (of course the wind had changed so that it was on the nose again and lightening anyway). We needed to be back in time for a special dinner appointment at 9.00 pm. We took Luke and Bron to Simply Fosh at the Rectori restaurant in the 14 C convent, now renovated into a very modern hotel.
Our dinner was indeed special:
. Belinis all round
. Bread rolls with REAL aioli (I must make some)
. Chef's gratis starter of avocado foam with a little salmon gravlax at the bottom of the tasting glass
. Entrees (with Mallorcan Sauvignon Blanc - Nivea, 2008) of corn-fed chicken and ham ravioli with pea consomme; 2 X salad of grilled octopus with chorizo sausage slices, potato pieces, rocket and passionfruit dressing; cuttlefish with black rice (magnificent tastes - much better than it sounds)
. Mains (with Mallorcan red - Vinas de Albaricoque Crianza 2005) of gnocchi with mushroom and baby spinach; 2 X crusty Mallorcan Sea Bass with bok choy, herb potatoes and red pepper sauce; porterhouse with mushroom risotto;
. Desserts of strawberry and lemon cream gazpacho with white chocolate ice cream; roasted peach with caramel sauce and almond ice cream; strawberry creme brulee.
After dinner we walked through the centre of old town to the Abaca "bar" but we couldn't even stand at the beautiful bar counter as the main room and courtyard were overflowing with people. We soon realised that on Friday nights at midnight they sprinkle hundreds (perhaps thousands!) of rose petals from a second floor balcony over the people below. The sprinkle turned into a stream of multi-colored petals with the 1812 Overture playing in the background and the finale was all red petals. An extraordinary scene but not suitable to stay for a drink. Just as well because we were all pleased to catch a cab home to bed, even though it was the last night for Luke and Bron.
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