Mahon and onwards

DecaDance's Web Diary
Chris White and Jeanna Coleman
Tue 16 Aug 2011 15:59
Position: 39:52.10N 004:07.89E - Cala en Porter, Menorca 

 

 

Hello Jean!  You were right, Mahon was gorgeous.  It's Chris's favourite place so far (although he does tend to say that every time we stop off somewhere new).  We spent hours wandering; initially along the waterfront where short stretches of crumbling and flaking terrace alternated with freshly revamped whitewash and traditional Menorcan green shutters.  We braved the hills in the heat to explore the criss-cross of side streets; a mix of ancient fortifications, colonial houses and the more modern.  It's a huge natural harbour (that thankfully hasn't been ruined with ugly buildings), and we marvelled at cruiseship doing a full 360 with not much room to spare.  Chris's only comment on the size of the harbour was his usual, "Well, you wouldn't get an aircraft carrier in here."

 

 

We spent another day touring the fortress on the headland.  Fascinating buildings and history and magnificent views all round, but it's just a little bit hot for the long stretches without shade this time of year.  We got great snapshots of our little anchorage on the way back and then it was time to prepare for a morning departure.

 

 

You need a lot of money to refuel in Mahon, and even more patience.  We hovered for nearly three and a half hours although we were fourth in the queue, and during that time more boats joined us, everyone circling, keeping their eye on their position and fending off cheeky queue jumpers.  We got to know a boat full of italians quite well that morning and our morning departure turned to one o'clock.  So off we headed clockwise round the island with no particular destination.  We eventually plumped for Cala en Porter.

 

 

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