I thought this was super cool. The International Space Station high above Mallorca. Hi astronauts!!
Category: Mallorca
Feliz Christmas
Merry Christmas Everyone. Wishing you peace, love and happiness for 2022.
Nit de l’Art
Sometimes I forget to post about the coolness of Mallorca. There are always so many fun events, amazing restaurants and of course the beaches ….. I could go on and on about Mallorca and I will try to add more MALLORCA to my blog. Cuz it’s one helluva island.
So let’s talk about something going on this weekend – Nit de l’Art in Palma. It’s the island’s most important art event (even though I’m a bit partial to Art Night in Campos) and this year it takes place on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September.
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of this special event in Palma where museums, art galleries and art studios open their doors until midnight for people (thousands attend every year) to wander in and out and see the newest art – paintings, sculptures, installations and more. This year includes a special guest, director Christian Tran will present his film Terres Barceló and after there will be Q & A. So very exciting!
Oh, and did I mention drinks? Bars are open, drinks are flowing and peeps are gathering.
I’m a bit of an artist myself and like to dabble in a bit of creativeness here and there. The art shown on this page is mine and for sale. I will be posting more soon with a link at the top of my home page so keep an eye out. You can send me an email at kim@nuehlen.com if you want to make an offer on a painting. And go to Nit de l’Art !
Sant Joan Festival
It’s that time of year again! Sant Joan festival in Spain. Many different versions around Spain – tonight in my sleepy Mallorcan town we will be heading to the beach for some BBQ, lighting LOTS of candles around us and possibly dip our toes in the ocean. This is all to celebrate the summer solstice.
BUT the best one to experience is in Menorca. The Sant Joan festival in Ciutadella. Which is CRAZY! Looks super cool but I would rather have the tamer version of it. And it allowed me to come into full contact with the horses! Something I doubt would be possible for me at the Sant Joan festival.
Check out these pics from the Sant Joan festival in Ciutadella. Insane in the membrane.
and this …..
Wowzers. That is A LOT of people. But that is the Sant Joan fiesta. Es normal.
The smaller festival that I attended the other year in Menorca was in Es Mercadal and called Sant Marti. The horse is the common hero of all the local saint’s day festivals celebrated in all the Menorcan villages during the summer and clearly shows how authentic the island customs are. The drivers and horsemen, dressed up in the outfit called “de just” (of the just man) in a combination of black and white and they ride Menorcan-race stallions in a long procession or parade (qualcada) which goes through all the main streets and squares of the town.
During the two days of the holiday, strict protocol is observed, mixing religious acts which are closely observed, with moments of collective fun especially during the “jaleos” which take place in the main square and where the horses, horsemen and public take part to an equal extent in the show.
And this Jaleo is what we went to on Sunday morning at 11 am in the Plaça Constitució. It was, in a word, fantastic. First, the riders rode in a procession through the street showing off themselves and their gorgeous horses. And then the fun begins! They ride into the public circle in twos while the spectators (me!) try to touch the horse while it rears up. This went on for about an hour. I am allergic to horses. Seriously, all I have to do is look at a horse and I start to get welts on my face and arms. But after 15 minutes I was ready to get into the game. Screw allergies! It was so much fun.
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If you get a chance to go to the Sant Marti or the Sant Joan festival I highly recommend it. And make sure you wear clothes that can get dirt, sand, horse slobber and more on it. NO HIGH HEELS! No. Muy ridiculo – and don’t think I didn’t see it.
Happy Summer Solstice! xo
Falling For You
It’s officially fall, y’all. The weather is rainy and colder. Time for turtlenecks, fireplaces, darker nights, blankets, pumpkins and cuddling. Ahhhh, I love the smell of a fire.
Bye summer, you were fantastic. See you next year. Mwuah.
Dia de les Illes Balears
March 1 is always Balearic Day here on the islands. All schools take advantage of this day to make it a long weekend (they call it puente – a bridge). Hey, I am NOT complaining, cuz it means I get a few days off myself. Today was a lovely day (a bit windy) of sleeping late, catching up on some cleaning and laundry, a little exercise and some new t-shirt designs.
This date commemorates when the Balearic Islands’ Statute of Autonomy came into effect on March 1, 1983. And if you’re on the island it’s not too late to join in the festivities. Or just go out to dinner and celebrate with the locals like we are about to do.
No matter when you visit Mallorca (or any of the Balearic islands), a gorgeous spot is right around the corner.
Picture taken from a hike north of Andratx in the Tramuntana mountains, gorgeous!
Sea Skies
C O S T A D E C A N Y A M E L :: M A L L O R C A
Sea and clouds as far as the eye can see.
Laos ~ Colonia St. Jordi, Mallorca
Another one of my favorite restaurants in Colonia St. Jordi is Laos. They actually advertise it as restaurant – bar – chillout, considering what level you are on.
The bottom level is the restaurant with a patio out front, a covered outdoor area and then my personal favorite, the inside where you watch the chefs make the food – I love to do that. Of course, then I start watching for my food and I tell Felix – hey! I see ours, it’s coming out soon. And then it’s served to another table. Patience is a virtue.
The staff is super friendly. Laos is run by a sister – brother team and they couldn’t be nicer. Or sweeter. The normal Spanish bread and aioli (which I find so tasteless and boring) most restaurants typically serve is not the thing here. Nope. A most delicious chicken pate covered with an orange sauce and a fresh, personal-sized, homemade baguette plus yummy olives is their “amuse bouche”. And damn it’s good, don’t say no to that.
The menu is quite large (and in many languages) from salads to steak tartare to lamb chops to salmon. And they offer half portions or full portions to most of the selections (which I think is cool). But my most favorite thing about Laos is that every month they have a specials menu – three appetizers, three entrees and usually one dessert. And the first time we go every month I always try one of the specials. Last month they had salmon ravioli and oxtail on the specials menu and we ordered that the entire month. It was THAT good.
After you’ve eaten to your hearts content. Have a delicious dessert – my favorite is Crema Catalan (pretty much crème brûlée (so many accent marks with that one!) with a strawberry sauce on top – so freaking delicioso).
When you are full and happy, you can head to the top floor which is their chillout area. Overlooking the one of the main streets of C. St. Jordi and just a block over from the sea, its the place to be. With its open windows, the fresh breeze and a cocktail in your hand, you can relax and let the cool tunes and mellow vibes wash away all your problems.
It’s Saturday and we are planning to go to Laos tonight. See you there!
LAOS RESTAURANT Av. Primavera, 26, 07638 Colònia de Sant Jordi 971 65 58 73
GOING NINETY MILES 