Something a bit fishy……

Today, we started early in the pool followed  by eggy bread and tomatoes, obviously tomatoes!

While Bea had her mid-morning nap, we went to the nearby town of Inca. The third largest town on the island, a centre for leather work.

It is a mish mash of architecture, not altogether beautiful.

There were some pretty parts though.

We saw another Joan Bennasar sculpture.

I forgot to mention that Pete bought a traditional Mallorcan pastry the day before in Sa Pobla, eye wateringly expensive.

Called the ensaimada, its heritage debated but most say it is Arabic in origin, from the times the island was occupied. The inside tasted like marmalade, after googling I found out it was from pumpkin. So sweet, I didn’t like it but everyone else did, even Bea. Traditionally eaten for first or second breakfast or in between, or in the afternoon, so basically any time. Puddings like this are considered a moment of joy and celebration in Spain.

We popped to a supermercado, it was the cheapest one yet. One squid ot two.

In the afternoon we travelled to Palma to the aquarium. I often worry about places like this, how ethical they are. What I found out was that they are involved in many conservation projects (particularly the blue fin tuna) and education activities. They are also involved in rescue and rehabilitation projects, we saw a massive turtle going through this process.

This was the start of the aquarium. It was at this point Pete asked for his mobile phone back, I had lost it! I rushed back to the ticket booth, someone had thankfully handed it in, so catastrophe averted!

Bea was so excited and enthusiastic about everything she saw, jumping up and down on our leg and laughing infectiously. It made the experience even better, seeing it through her eyes.

Seeing Bea this entranced was wonderful!

There were lots of activities, some for older children and adults, such as swimming with stingrays and sharks. I prefer thinking of the way Pete had done it the previous day at the beachor when we swam with sharks in Belize in the Caribbean last summer, as the people doing it were seen in see through tanks, it all seemed a bit intrusive,

I thought these were very cute, they also stuck out of the sand, looking a bit like stargazy pie.

Bea’s favourite fish were the orange, white and black stripey ones, so we got her a t-shirt with one on.

This was a great activity and Bea loved it. Just a pile of sand and lights, the more you built it the more lava. Flattening it down, it became green grass. The next activity was colouring outlines of fish, seahorses etc. Bea and Annie coloured pictures in, Annie did really well keeping in the lines!

A man scanned it, then the appeared on an underwater scene on a huge screen.

This was a truly amazing fact, this is how much milk a balleen whale consumes daily.

This was a funny activity, you have a picture taken in a booth and then it comes up on a big screen. I tried doing it but think I pressed the wrong buttons.

I travelled back with Annie. Joab and Bea. My job was to keep Bea awake. It was really a tough job! Eyelids flickering  down at a rate of knots. ‘I collapsing .’ She exclaimed.  We made it home so she could have a final plunge in the pool before bedtime.

We decided to have a look at some other resorts, to see if they would be Bea friendly.

First stop was Alcudia old town with its restored medieval walls, which encircle the old town. Narrow streets full of over priced restaurants and gift shops.

Inhabited since the Bronze age, it has a long history. Tourism began in around the 1920s. Probably welcomed initially, the tide has turned and tolerances are running thin. Anger towards developers building 6 new bar areas, trying to get round the planning laws, has infuriated many locals. Anti-tourist graffiti etc evident in many places we have visited.

Tourists are seen as unwelcome pests.

We started walking to the port, but the heat was unbearable.  We wanted to eat somewhere but it was easier said than done. The places we passed in the old town were very much style over substance, and the places we passed were shutting up shop. As well as the age-old issue of very little that was vegetarian.

After a cooling beer, our reconnaissance mission took us to Can Picafort. Voted the second best beach in Mallorca and the 22nd best one in Spain. The sand and water depth seemed perfect for Bea,which was reported back to Annie and Joab. I even included videos!

I was so glad not to be driving. There were zebra crossings every few yards, great for pedestrians but a bit scary, as people popped up from nowhere.

Looking at the news before bed, I read there had been more demonstrations in Palma. Thousands have protested in Mallorca, with organizers claiming the island’s tourism model “impoverishes workers and enriches only a few.” Fighting against over tourism and the need for affordable housing is understandable, as the numbers who visit here is enormous.