Mallorca looks like such an amazing place, Lois. That Sa Calobra Road must be quite the adventure in a bus with so many switchbacks and turns. Thanks for sharing.
Lois, I love that this adventure story featured, "spelunking" - what a great word. And, in case you're wondering, it translates into "espeleología," in Spanish (and, also in Catalan).
Hey Bill, thanks for the Spanish and Catalan lesson. I think "espeleolgia" is more descriptive and makes more sense than "spelunking". Creeping up and down caves is not my normal passtime, but I have been known to do some very unusual things in my travels.
Best to you, Bill. And thank you for reading Expect the Unexpected. I do appreciate my regular readers.
JoL I’m surprised. I thought a mountain dweller like you would be very comfortable zipping around hairpin curves and narrow, treacherous roads. The trick is to keep your eyes on the road and, whatever you do, don’t look down!
Lois, as always I was transported by your wonderful journal and gorgeous photography of Mallorca. The Dragon caves and the reference to the Night Templars instantly cross-referenced in my mind to the book IVANHOE by Sir Walter Scott and the part the Night Templars play in that novel.
One part of the narrative made me take deep breaths and that was when you went up the hairpin turns of The Sa Calobra Road. There is no question that I would have needed to take dramamine to make it up there without a sickness bag. I even had trouble going up Mt. Tamalpais and when we got to the top, many people had trouble breathing. I'm better at low elevations.
Enough of me - you continue to be my favorite travel writer.
Sa Calobra was treacherous! It caught me off guard as it was the last thing I expected to encounter in Mallorca. I have been over some very steep roads in my travels, but Sa Calobra stands out as the most nerve-wracking.
The Knights of the Templar have left their footprint all over Spain. Apparently, they even buried their treasure in the Dragon Cave!
Best to you, Sandy! I always look forward to reading your Substack.
What a great read...including that climax with the road climb and then the palpable sense of relief with your walk back to your hotel through narrow streets at the end.
Mallorca sounds and looks amazing! I've never been. Congrats on pivoting from Spanish immersion after finding out about Catalan. Those things happen when traveling, as you already know.
I remember seeing quite a bit of Catalan in Barcelona a few years ago, so I'm guessing it's quite prevalent in that part of Spain.
Mallorca looks like such an amazing place, Lois. That Sa Calobra Road must be quite the adventure in a bus with so many switchbacks and turns. Thanks for sharing.
Great pictures. Those roads!! 😮
Thanks, Wyrd. It was a real adventure and certainly unexpected!
But of course, you were expecting that. 😄
Yes, of course. I expect the unexpected. :)
Lois, I love that this adventure story featured, "spelunking" - what a great word. And, in case you're wondering, it translates into "espeleología," in Spanish (and, also in Catalan).
Hey Bill, thanks for the Spanish and Catalan lesson. I think "espeleolgia" is more descriptive and makes more sense than "spelunking". Creeping up and down caves is not my normal passtime, but I have been known to do some very unusual things in my travels.
Best to you, Bill. And thank you for reading Expect the Unexpected. I do appreciate my regular readers.
I was with you all the way til the bus ride on that road! Will meet up with ya on your next journey.....but I'm walking!!
JoL I’m surprised. I thought a mountain dweller like you would be very comfortable zipping around hairpin curves and narrow, treacherous roads. The trick is to keep your eyes on the road and, whatever you do, don’t look down!
Lois, as always I was transported by your wonderful journal and gorgeous photography of Mallorca. The Dragon caves and the reference to the Night Templars instantly cross-referenced in my mind to the book IVANHOE by Sir Walter Scott and the part the Night Templars play in that novel.
One part of the narrative made me take deep breaths and that was when you went up the hairpin turns of The Sa Calobra Road. There is no question that I would have needed to take dramamine to make it up there without a sickness bag. I even had trouble going up Mt. Tamalpais and when we got to the top, many people had trouble breathing. I'm better at low elevations.
Enough of me - you continue to be my favorite travel writer.
Sandy, how kind of you! You made my day.
Sa Calobra was treacherous! It caught me off guard as it was the last thing I expected to encounter in Mallorca. I have been over some very steep roads in my travels, but Sa Calobra stands out as the most nerve-wracking.
The Knights of the Templar have left their footprint all over Spain. Apparently, they even buried their treasure in the Dragon Cave!
Best to you, Sandy! I always look forward to reading your Substack.
What a great read...including that climax with the road climb and then the palpable sense of relief with your walk back to your hotel through narrow streets at the end.
Mallorca sounds and looks amazing! I've never been. Congrats on pivoting from Spanish immersion after finding out about Catalan. Those things happen when traveling, as you already know.
I remember seeing quite a bit of Catalan in Barcelona a few years ago, so I'm guessing it's quite prevalent in that part of Spain.
Always enjoy your adventures!
Cheers