Again, we are free-lancing our sight-seeing. If you haven't figured us out yet we prefer to manage our own time, picking and choosing what we actually want to see. Plus there is the advantage of staying longer in one place.
So we jumped on one of the many shuttle buses provided by the Cruise Line.
We were dropped off at La Escollera, the seaside promenade opposite the Cathedral in downtown Palma.
La Seu Cathedral overlooking the harbour ...
Of course today as we started our exploration walk a fine drizzle started to dampen things, us included (and no we didn't bring the umbrella)!
Then the heavens opened with a downpour. We quickly popped into a shop that had rolled out a rack of umbrellas, purchased one and we were off ... now truly damp and wet (soaked)!
Time to pop in somewhere for a coffee and warmth ... ah, look there's a Cappuccino Grand Café here too!
Wonderful start to our day in Palma.
Ah that's better and we continued with our walking tour.
What a beautiful city! Both Señor Honey and I commented that we could do a long stay here.
As I'm writing about the beauty, lushness, the old and new of this city ... I'm searching for some photos and then realized they are on my camera from which I'm unable to download to my iPad.
So, I'll will do an updated post once we get home to share the other pics (which I think are more reflective of the beauty that we saw in Palma).
Also, realized I have many photos of our first day in Barcelona plus our day in Valencia.
La Llotja is an unique building designed by the architect Guillem Sagrera ... the School of Merchants, the guild behind La Llotja was founded in 1403 by the King of Aragon. They controlled and protected the local commerce and were responsible for the maintenance of the Port of Palma until the 19th century. The building was originally built as a Merchant's Stock Exchange.
It has had many uses over the years, a grain warehouse, barracks and during the Peninsular War (1808-1814) it was a cannon factory.
Gothic style chapel circa 1600
Look at these solariums, many of the buildings here have them ...
After our self guided tour, we returned to the ship for a late light, lunch and some pool side napping ... tonight dinner was at the Polo Grill (Steakhouse) where we enjoyed the most delicious melt in your mouth filet mignon followed by some scrumptious, sweet treats!
Key Lime Pie ..
A "Quintet" ... a sampling of everything! The best!
Tomorrow we are at sea all day ...
