Around Alcúdia

To round out our tour of Mallorca, we continued north by bus from Lluc to Alcúdia. We picked Alcúdia because it is an ancient settlement. However, we ended up staying at Alcúdia Port, a mile away, as accommodation rates are lower; more availability and competition. Now I realize the same is true with all the little towns. The old settlements are up and away from the coast. The new vacation accommodations were built right along the coast. The north end of the island really seems to attract bicyclists. More than half the guests at our hotel are bicyclists. There are bicycle rentals of every grade at various places. Unfortunately we had to scrap our plans to bicycle due to rain and wind.

We did have a tour of Alcúdia; walked on the medieval wall. The Roman ruins closed at 2pm but we could see some of them from the outside.

On our first full day we walked north along the coast to Coll Baix, very scenic. We scrapped plans to summit Talaia, as it was completely in the rain clouds. Never to concede easily, instead of returning on the roads, we went home by way of Coll de na Benet, which turned out to be an ordeal; a test. It rained the whole time; the wind was so strong I could feel the sting of the raindrop on my face, needless to say the umbrella was inoperable. I was walking crouched like an old lady to lower my center of gravity in order to not be blown over. John held on to me when there were gusts. The few seconds I stole away from my struggles, I realized otherwise it would have been a beautiful ridge walk. In any case, it was a most memorable hike.

Having been traumatized by rain and wind, the next day we stayed in until the sun came out. We had a walk south along the coast and imagined the summer crowds. Maybe the next time we would take the ferry from Barcelona to Alcúdia, provided the carbon footprint tradeoff is indeed favorable.

The old city wall of Alcudia.

Sun-Ling catches me in action in the old city.

Roman Ruins.

The view from our room balcony at EIX Alcudia Hotel (open year round in Alcudia Port).

Starting our walk.

Many beaches at Alcudia are man made.

The mostly recreational fleet at the Port.

Many homes had well-tended gardens.

Looking back to Alcudia Port from Alcanada.

Alcanada is perched above the shore with many hotels, apartments, and residences. Here's a shot of the Hotel President.

Alcudia Island was just offshore for a good part of the walk.

A golf course!

Walking along the shore before heading up. Lots of brown seagrass in places.

The weather turns rainy.

A gigantic Balearia ferry (from Barcelona?).

Turning towards Coll de na Benet.

A short video Sun-Ling took when the wind and rain had us pinned down on Coll de na Benet. Link: https://flic.kr/p/2nd2ene

More miserableness on Coll de na Benet.

The next afternoon, the sun came out and we walked on the beach towards Playa de Muro. These two shots are looking back at Alcudia Port.

We saw a group of swimmers (triathletes?) practicing open water swim starts and exits (with a group of onlookers on the pier).

Replentishing the beach.

Looking out to sea.

Some scenes from Playa de Muro. It's quite the outdoor sports spot.