May 5th – Saturday
Our start was not too early, with a drive to Luton Airport, a bit after 9.30. I had booked parking at the long term parking – amusing as it is all the way around the airport, where if you could hop a couple of fences, it would only be a couple of minute walk. We just missed a bus, but it did not take long for another one to come along. All was smooth until we got to security where the guy wanted to test Airyen’s water – would have been fine, but they held it by the drinking area and swabbed the same area ! Our 11.55 flight was ok, the little one got a bit bored, so we ended up walking a fair bit. Arriving at Palma, we git the bags, met up with the Tui reps and then got a small car transfer with just us to the hotel, where we checked in.
We then went to the room and settled down before going to the pool area to relax a bit, and get a drink – All inclusive is not really all inclusive. We then went to dinner just after it opened – there was not a great veg choice – lots of chips was the main attraction.
After dinner we went to the room, cleaning ourselves up before going down to catch the tail end of the show that was going on – magic and circus acts, but as were quite tired we called it a night. It was a cold night as there was no heating and the rooms cooled down quick.
May 6th – Sunday
We had our early morning alarm for the session 1 breakfast in the room for Airyen (weetabix), it was then time to get ready and then down for breakfast. Breakfast was easier for us vegetarians. After we joined the introductory talk happening outside, then we told the reps about the cold and lack of food choice.
Getting ourselves ready we headed to the beach (which required going out on the street as no hotel seemed to have beach access). We had a walk along most of the busy Sa Coma beach before going on the sand and finding a place to sit. We got all of our feet wet in the freezing water then had some fun playing with A and sand. All going well until he attempted to eat the sand… We then decided to head back and go poolside – not that the water was any warmer.
We had our lunch then back to the poolside for a while, to lounge in the sun. Eventually the heat and time got us up back to the room, where we got ready for the evening. Extra blankets for the night had been delivered.
We then went down and booked a car for hire for the next day before going for dinner – well the choice was not great again, so we managed to talk to the Mater De about food for the next day. She said she would make us a special meal. We then watched a bit of the show going on before calling it a night.
May 7th – Monday
As normal A’s first breakfast was in the room bright and early. After the breakfast for us all downstairs we went up to get ready. This included making kichri in the microwave as the cooker was not working.
We went down to the shop where we booked the car – not as new as they said it would be, but not a problem. Getting ourselves ready we started our day tour. First part was to drive past Calla Millor towards Arta. Here we got of the highway and drove through the town into some of the small streets getting a good look around.
After making it out of the town, we drove to Alcudia. The main areas were quite busy but luckily we found parking in street not too far away. Loading up the push chair, we walked into the walled city and had a slow wonder up the main thoroughfare.
It was lunch time so we stopped at a cafe in the middle area called Sa Placa, where we ordered the local bread smeared with tomato, deep fried mushrooms and some bread. Airyen had the kichri as well. The mushrooms were different and not to Bhavnis liking – mashed with lots of cheese. Anyway some more photos later and then we were back into car and driving to Polenca.
As we got to Polenca we had to spend quite a bit of time looking for parking, all the streets were busy. Eventually after a good 20 minutes we found a space. We realised we had forgotten Airyens water bottle in the restaurant in Alcudia, but we managed to phone them and asked them to keep it for us.
Making our way into town was a bit of a random walk until we found the old city and the nice area (everywhere else was closed). The central square had steps leading to the top of the hill, and lots of cafes around and it was inundated with cyclists. We could not climb up with the push chair, but by using the side streets we got a little bit higher, then it was a coffee break for me. Talk about laid back service though! Getting back to the car was a bit more of a challenge as we had to use land marks to see where we had come from.
Now time for the return journey, we drove to Alciudia, Bhavni went and got the bottle and some ice cream. Then all the way back to the hotel, dropping the car off – not even a signature needed. We chilled in the room for a bit before going for dinner where we had a special dinner – Veg Paella – slightly undercooked but nice. We watched a bit of the evening show but then called it a night.
May 8th – Tuesday
As normal Airyens first breakfast was in the room, followed by all of us going nice and early for breakfast in the restaurant. Then it was time to go to the pool with Airyens inflatable. A bit of chilling and walking in the really cold water and relaxing pool side until lunch time. (Went to the room first).
After a bit longer pool side we then cleared up and decided to go for a walk in the town, going to Carefor where we bought snacks and tomatoes. Then we took a walk to Castillo de sa Punta, a old fort nearby. The path was in parts good, but in other parts really bad for the push chair. By now it was quite cloudy, but there was a nice cafe there, after seeing the fort, where we had a drink with a view. There were not really any English tourists here. After walking back we did some packing then went for a bit to the soft play area for Airyen before dinner. Bhavni was not feeling great so joined Airyen and I a bit later for dinner – a vegetarian lasagne. We did not go to the evening show.
May 9th – Wednesday
A final first breakfast for Airyen in the room, before we went down for our breakfast. Then a bit of final sorting out before checking out (with a long queue due to check-ins) and then chilling near the pool. It was then a last lunch, some playing in the playground then waiting for the coach for the easy journey to the airport. We checked in and went through security, then sat in cafe (putting Airyen to sleep). The flight was mostly ok if a little bit confined.
At Luton the long queues to security were a joke (as we cant use id gates with Airyen). I split and went through the Id gates, picked up all the bags and push chair then got on the coach to the parking, Were I sorted out the car. Bhavni was only 15 mins behind, but she could just jump in car. Then the short drive to home.