2004 Europe

Mahon Stairs and Central Plaza, at the Top



May 16 – Back in Mahon (above) (Mao in Catalan, pronounced ‘mayo’ as in mayonnaise, which was invented here) today, on the island of Minorca (Menorca in Catalan). If you remember, last time I wrote about this island I spelled it both ways. The spell checker likes the Spanish form and the island’s maps use the Catalan form. The island is part of Catalonia, a province of Spain. The speak both Catalan and Spanish, but are proud to be Catalan and prefer to use it. We are visiting one new place, the old capital of Citudella. It’s amazing what a difference two weeks can make. Lot more wild flowers in bloom including a bright red poppy. The weather is warm and sunny. Citudella was the original capital of Minorca until the British moved the it from there to Mahon in the 1700s. It’s on the extreme west end of the island. Mahon, the current capital, is at the extreme east end.



First we went back to the city of Fornells. Since we’d been here before, Diana and I sat at a café on the plaza and had coffee and a traditional Menorcan pastry called an ensaimada (below). It was a spiral of soft bread, like a cinnamon roll, with powdered sugar on top. It looked sweet, but was only mildly so, much less sweet than a Danish or doughnut. Just the bread and the powdered sugar, no nuts, no cinnamon, no nothing. With the local coffee it was very good.

Then we drove through a seaside area that, for lack of a better description, looked like a very nice condominium association. It overlooked a small bay and was gorgeously maintained. It was called Fornells de la Playa. Might be a great place to retire.



We then continued directly across the middle of the island to the west end and the city of Citudella. It was founded very early in prehistory, but the present city was started during the Moorish era. Later the British greatly expanded it and many British colonial buildings are still in use. You can easily identify most of them as they are painted what the locals call ‘British Red’ (below). It was a beautiful city with a lot of amenities for tourists. Jet skis, windsurfers, boats, bikes, scooters and the like are available for rent. Minorca does not have large sandy beaches, but the few small sand beaches they do have are here or close by. We took a walking tour of the city. I stopped at the Cathedral of Menorca formally called ‘La Catedral Basilica de Menorca’ in Catalan. It was started in 1228 and was finished in 1300. In 1953 Pope Pius XII consecrated it as a Basilica and in 1987, on its 700 anniversary it was established as a Cathedral. It has a beautiful rose window. It was difficult to get a pic but I did get some video. It also had interesting Stations of the Cross, carved wooden frames with paintings depicting the station.



After that it was up Mt. Toro once again and then back to the ship. I had lunch downtown at the same restaurant of the infamous ‘Fried White Bait’. This time I had a traditional Menorcan lunch of eggs, fish, salad, fries, and little mashed potato hushpuppies (below) . It was very good. You guessed it; I took a pic!! I’m getting to like these food pics. (Evelyn, you inspired me.) Just wait ‘till Italy. Mama mia!!!



Tomorrow we will the in San Tropez. I wonder if I will see Bridgett Bardot. Guess I’ll have to keep my eyes open.

(c) 2004 Rod Longenberger