Sunday, October 28, 2018

Mallorca Getaway

So many great memories were made during our recent trip to Mallorca!

Mallorca is a small island off of Spain.  Brian first visited this island 17 years ago when he was a student at FUS studying abroad, during his 10-day break.  And so now, during the students' 10-day break, we spent 3 full days (and an additional 2 travel days) in Mallorca.  It's a 2 hour plane ride from a town about an hour from us - and we were able to get super cheap flights!

We rented a car in the capitol of Palma and drove an hour to the other side of the island, near Sa Coma.  We stayed at a family friendly resort (Protur Safari Park Aparthotel) and it was great!!  Rain was forecasted for every day we were there.  Thankfully, only one day was really rainy and we spent that day in Palma at the Cathedral and the Aquarium (it was barely raining in Palma)!

The first morning we headed to the beach... which was 10 minutes away by bike -- 5-passenger-bike that is!!

























Pictures at the resort:









Special kids' area at the resort:















Special kids' pool at the resort:









So much food!!





Mini-golf at the resort:













Palma Cathedral:



On the drive to Palma, Francis gagged and threw up.  We didn't have a change of clothes -- so Brian gave Francis his shirt... thankfully (for everyone's sake!) soon after arriving in Palma I was able to get Francis a new shirt & some shorts at a souvenir shop!





Antoni Gaudi (whose work we saw in Barcelona) helped renovate the canopy of the cathedral:



The side chapel is very unique... installed by an artist from Mallorca, Miquel Barcelo, it's designed to be a modern take on a well-known New Testament parable:

"The installation, constructed from 2001 through 2006, is located in the right-hand apse of Saint Peter’s Chapel and represents the miracle of Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fish for his followers. Cracked ceramic covers the chapel’s walls creating a cavelike feel while sculpted fish, bread, fruit, and human skulls feature prominently in the panoramic relief. The chapel’s stone furniture and darkened stained glass windows complete the scene’s dramatic effect."











After the Cathedral, we were off to - in my opinion - the best aquarium in Europe!  It was inside & outside, had big pillows to sit down and observe the large tanks, 2 playgrounds - including an indoor one with slides & balls!

















We visited the monastery Santuari de Cura run by the TOR Friars on top of a mountain near Palma!







So what was the kids favorite part of our Mallorca getaway?!..... the toys you could put a coin in (or not!) and ride in the lobby!  They spent so much time here and continually begged to go back!



The sweet memories made by us as a family definitely made the trip worth it! :)



We're so thankful for these wonderful opportunities to be together as family and see more of the world!