Mahon in Menorca

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

                              

Our port lecturer had been raving about the “sail-in” for Mahon for days and we all were disappointed when we learned that we were due to arrive in port prior to sunrise due to the additional time changes.  However, good fortune shown down as a ferry boat arrived outside the entrance to the port at the same time and because of their tight schedules, they had priority.  We were detained long enough to allow us to “sail-in” as the sun was rising and the little town and it’s inhabitants were coming to life. 

By the time we were ready to dock, our ship was listing to the left (port side) as most of the passengers on board were hanging over the decks, camera in hand. We spent part of that time on the Lido deck enjoying breakfast, but we were able to see the harbor come into view from our verandah as it is on the port side.  Have you ever wondered the origin of the word “POSH”?  It stands for a code when English travelers sailed the early ocean liners across the Atlantic.  They were encouraged to book the port side over to America and the starboard side home thus insuring the best views both ways as well as the most sunshine and warmer cabins. 

   

Mahon is the capital city (town) of Menorca.  It is situated on one of the largest natural harbors in the world.  The largest natural harbor is Pearl Harbor.. Mahon is strategically situated in the middle of the Western Mediterranean providing a protection to ships in bad weather and, historically, protection from enemy vessels.  Built to defend against the threat of British invasion, the Fortress of Isabel II still guards the fjord-like entrance to the Port of Mahon. Forts dot both sides of the entrance into the harbor. 

  

Menorca’s stone megaliths are the legacy of the island’s ancient culture. The rock formations can be spotted from the sea.  A wonderful museum displaying the deep culture of the island was located in an old convent of the Franciscan Order.  It also housed a photographic exhibit depicting the horrors that exist in Sierra Leone.  It brought us to tears.  

 

The museum was located in the same building as Eglesia de Sant Francesc.  The church was very large and contained many wonderful statues.  A float depicting Christ carrying the Cross was on display.  It is the custom in Spain to have a procession of religious floats during Holy Week. 

                                      

The major portion of this city sits on the top of a cliff.  A grand staircase allows access to the old city center.  A slow stroll through the narrow roads and passageways makes it possible to recognize the heritage of the colonial style from the 18th century in many of the buildings.  The two other churches we visited were also baroque in style and were filled with old elaborate statues.  Floats for Holy Week were on display in El Carme.  We had hoped to attend an organ concert at Santa Maria Church, but daylight savings time must have struck again.

              

The streets of this cosmopolitan city were perfect for people watching.  There are fountains, palm trees and children’s playgrounds mingled in with the businesses and cafes. The houses are whitewashed with large wooden doors and ornate ironwork.  Many of the lanes end with an overlook featuring a view of the harbor.  Across from the beautiful Georgian houses is a arch from the only remaining part of the old city wall.   

           

Before we returned the the ship, we checked out the local markets.  The former Carme Cloister now boasts a wonderful homemade food market.  The aroma of the fresh bread drew you into the shops.  The other stalls were filled to the brim with fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, cheese and flowers. Mahon’s most famous culinary tradition is salsa mahonesa, better known as mayonnaise, a local invention.  Small cafes dotted the market and it was evident that the residents of Menorca like to savor long luncheons as most shops close for the afternoon to accommodate this habit. 

   

A short distance from here our noses alerted us to the presence of a fish market.  Mercado del Pescado is built on top of an old bulwark dated in the 18th century.  Fishing is a major part of the economy.  They even “farm” fish in enclosures in the harbor.  The fish market was closing down for the day, but we were welcomed in for a great photo op.  We were particularly fascinated in watching the market preparation of an octopus.  Yummy! 

  

  

After walking for nearly four hours on cobblestone streets we returned to the ship for lunch and a quick rest stop.  We planned to return to the lower portion of the harbor and relax in a sidewalk café while continuing the people watching.  However, the rest stop turned into a nap and the next thing we new it was time for “sail-out”.  We skipped dinner in the dining room and had a snack on the Lido deck while listening to the port lecturer “talk” us out of Mahon.  We had a totally different view as we sailed through the “Spanish version of the Norwegian Fiords”…our Norwegian Captains words…

We thought you might enjoy an occasional story about some of the more unusual antics of our fellow Prinsendam passengers.  We heard a few days ago that there is a lady on board traveling alone who brought her own linens and washes them every day in the self- service laundry.  We did not hear if this is paranoia is restricted to her nautical housekeeping.   

What better way to leave Mahon, than to see the “green flash” as the sun set over the island.  It was a very intense flash and seemed to last an instant longer than those we’ve seen in the past.  We didn’t capture it on camera as we were busy downloading today’s photos. We did, however, get a nice ocean sunset a few minutes later.

                                  

Tomorrow is a sea day as we sail past Sardinia and Corsica on our way to the Italian Riviera.