We were due to land in IBZ at 2:45, which we thought would get us to the Hotel (Fiesta Club Don Toni) too late to enjoy a Friday night out. However the Disco Gods must have been smiling upon us, because not only did the flight arrive 20 minutes early, but just as we were walking through baggage claim a case fell off the carousel at our feet, and would you believe it, it was ours. Furthermore, the ever reliable BK rent a car bus was waiting for us, and we were at the hotel and checked in for 3am – a record turnaround. However the best efforts of the Disco Gods were wasted as we decided to show some restraint and get an early night.
For the first time ever in Ibiza we were up before 10, and as a result we made our virgin trip to Formentera. We headed to Playa Mitjorn, via a cheeky beer in San Francesc. TBH, I wasn't that impressed with Playa Mitjorn, maybe because there were too many old people's bits knocking about (including my own – when in Rome
). I think the beaches and the bits are just as good on Ibiza, so I don't think I'll be spending 120 Euros going there in future. We did have a nice lunch (dorada and cava sangria) at one of the chiringuitos however.
Saturday night was spent at the Zoo project. We got there about 7:30, and got straight into it in the seal pit. Never been there before but TBH(2) I wasn't that impressed with the setup. The sound quality wasn't great, and getting in and out of the pit when you're in a state was pretty hazardous. But the worst thing was the entertainment. I don't get on with the entertainment that the superclubs put on at the best of times. To me it's just a distraction, so a zookeeper teasing a man in a gorilla suit with a banana was never going to appeal particularly now Crackerjack is no longer on TV. Nevertheless we were well and truly toasted thanks the BYO, and it was an enjoyable session.
We were planning to go to Defected, but thought it rude not to pop in to Privilege for Reclaim your Mind on the way, free wristband and all. As soon as we got in there we realised what was missing from the Zoo project, and that was a thumping bass and good sound system. This immediately “lifted our spiritsâ€, particularly one of the DJs (don't know his name but he looked like a larger version of Mar-T), who was playing some wind instrument infused house. (I'm sure I heard trumpets, bassoons, sax, tubas, clarinets – but it could have just been me at that point). We departed at 6, but it was quite apparent that we wouldn't be sleeping. So, after rather haphazardly buying rizlas, cigarettes and a lighter via 3 different transactions (due to being incapable of realising that each item was needed until I reached the point in the construction process that required their inclusion), we enjoyed a couple of well earned doobies, and watched the sun come up. After a further few hours of codsh1t involving being convinced that the wings of the fan in the room were flapping instead of rotating, and the sudden ironic realisation that Basil Brush actually dressed like a foxhunter, we decided that food might be the answer and tried and failed to force down a Passion breakfast and smoothie. We then decided that alcohol might be the answer, and I was most surprised to discover that a morning after carajillo at Ushaia causes a temporary resurgence in serotonin of the most pleasing variety. A couple of beers further, and I'm glad to report that we finally found sleep.
After a couple of hours slumber we decided that food was necessary so we headed over to Ushaia, where I had the most disappointing meal (Caesar Salad) of the holiday. No anchovies, pre-bought croutons and unseasoned. A jug of sangria later and we decided to wander down to Bora Bora where the party was in full swing, and Spidey was giving it his customary big licks. After a couple of drinks we decided to get ready for WLS closing and see a bit of Alfredo. Despite some reports to the contrary about his sets this year, I thought he did a great job, and Funkagenda followed who played one of the sets of the holiday (IMO). Ok, it might have been a bit cheesy at times but it put a big smile on my face – and closing with Rock the Casbah is always going to get my vote. We wandered inside where an unknown Scandinavian looking DJ with a bob was banging it out. However I couldn't cope with it on the dance floor, as someone mentioned previously it was just too loud. Next on was Basement Jaxx on the Sunset Terrace. They were playing much deeper and darker stuff than I expected, but once again I wasn't quite “getting into itâ€. As per 1MoreBrighton's experience, we were now relying on locally sourced ingredients, as the imports had run out. You can always tell if you're not “getting into it†in Space because you;
a) actually notice the tiny Spanish cleaners pushing their trollies through the middle of the dancefloor or
b) you don't find the plebs who start pushing the trolley with the cleaner the remotest bit funny. (By the way does anyone know why they only need to this dancefloor cleaning ritual in Space?) So with heavy legs we retreated back to the hotel shortly after Basement Jaxx's set.
After 3 nights of hectivity in PDB we retreated to the peaceful idyll of C'an Atzaro. Only problem was that it was cloudy in them there hills. So after a fantastic lunch at C'an Curreu (Cod Confit and JohnDory, and lovely bottle of Pasa Blanca), we drove back to Salinas in search of sun and to listen to the ledge that is Jon Sa Trinxa. A couple of jugs of sangria and a doobie providing the most acceptable companionship. We drove past DC-10 slowly, and were severely tempted to join the heaving throng, but having booked the gastronomic package at Atzaro, it would have been a complete waste to turn up for dinner like a pair of food manouevring, gurning imbeciles. This proved to be a wise move, as we had the tasting menu and this was without doubt the meal of the holiday. The best olives and aioli, gazpacho, cod cream, pesto prawns, goats cheese and summer fruits, sea bass, steak, and a couple of desserts. All washed down with a Cadac, and a Cepa 21. We'd had steak at Alain Ducasse the week before for the wife's birthday, and the steak we had at Atzaro was without doubt on a par – FANTASTIC!
We woke up on the final day to more clouds, so again had to go to the coast for sun. Cala Salada was the choice after throwing a dart at the map. An average lunch at the beachside restaurant was had, along with a sunset and beers at Cafe Del Mar, before returning to Atzaro for dinner. Scallops with pickled mushrooms, tuna carpaccio, monkfish, and roast lamb, washed down with a Milmanda and more Cepa21.
We awoke the next morning to the unfortunate news that our flight wasn't affected by the strikes in Spain, and we'd have to go home. So after dropping the car off, and being amazed again that Ibiza must have the cheapest car hire in the world (59 Euro for 5 days), we took got on the plane to return sadly to dear and dreary old blightly.
My reflections on 2010? The isle was busier than 2009, but we did do less clubbing than normal. As we advance in years we are definitely noticing the food experience competing with the clubbing experience. And there's nowhere else on earth that you can combine such high levels of world class food with world class clubbing, so see you in 2011.
Where are all the reviews of Space and Amnesia closings? Come on Guys! Help us through these dark and dank Autumnal days.
For the first time ever in Ibiza we were up before 10, and as a result we made our virgin trip to Formentera. We headed to Playa Mitjorn, via a cheeky beer in San Francesc. TBH, I wasn't that impressed with Playa Mitjorn, maybe because there were too many old people's bits knocking about (including my own – when in Rome
). I think the beaches and the bits are just as good on Ibiza, so I don't think I'll be spending 120 Euros going there in future. We did have a nice lunch (dorada and cava sangria) at one of the chiringuitos however.Saturday night was spent at the Zoo project. We got there about 7:30, and got straight into it in the seal pit. Never been there before but TBH(2) I wasn't that impressed with the setup. The sound quality wasn't great, and getting in and out of the pit when you're in a state was pretty hazardous. But the worst thing was the entertainment. I don't get on with the entertainment that the superclubs put on at the best of times. To me it's just a distraction, so a zookeeper teasing a man in a gorilla suit with a banana was never going to appeal particularly now Crackerjack is no longer on TV. Nevertheless we were well and truly toasted thanks the BYO, and it was an enjoyable session.
We were planning to go to Defected, but thought it rude not to pop in to Privilege for Reclaim your Mind on the way, free wristband and all. As soon as we got in there we realised what was missing from the Zoo project, and that was a thumping bass and good sound system. This immediately “lifted our spiritsâ€, particularly one of the DJs (don't know his name but he looked like a larger version of Mar-T), who was playing some wind instrument infused house. (I'm sure I heard trumpets, bassoons, sax, tubas, clarinets – but it could have just been me at that point). We departed at 6, but it was quite apparent that we wouldn't be sleeping. So, after rather haphazardly buying rizlas, cigarettes and a lighter via 3 different transactions (due to being incapable of realising that each item was needed until I reached the point in the construction process that required their inclusion), we enjoyed a couple of well earned doobies, and watched the sun come up. After a further few hours of codsh1t involving being convinced that the wings of the fan in the room were flapping instead of rotating, and the sudden ironic realisation that Basil Brush actually dressed like a foxhunter, we decided that food might be the answer and tried and failed to force down a Passion breakfast and smoothie. We then decided that alcohol might be the answer, and I was most surprised to discover that a morning after carajillo at Ushaia causes a temporary resurgence in serotonin of the most pleasing variety. A couple of beers further, and I'm glad to report that we finally found sleep.
After a couple of hours slumber we decided that food was necessary so we headed over to Ushaia, where I had the most disappointing meal (Caesar Salad) of the holiday. No anchovies, pre-bought croutons and unseasoned. A jug of sangria later and we decided to wander down to Bora Bora where the party was in full swing, and Spidey was giving it his customary big licks. After a couple of drinks we decided to get ready for WLS closing and see a bit of Alfredo. Despite some reports to the contrary about his sets this year, I thought he did a great job, and Funkagenda followed who played one of the sets of the holiday (IMO). Ok, it might have been a bit cheesy at times but it put a big smile on my face – and closing with Rock the Casbah is always going to get my vote. We wandered inside where an unknown Scandinavian looking DJ with a bob was banging it out. However I couldn't cope with it on the dance floor, as someone mentioned previously it was just too loud. Next on was Basement Jaxx on the Sunset Terrace. They were playing much deeper and darker stuff than I expected, but once again I wasn't quite “getting into itâ€. As per 1MoreBrighton's experience, we were now relying on locally sourced ingredients, as the imports had run out. You can always tell if you're not “getting into it†in Space because you;
a) actually notice the tiny Spanish cleaners pushing their trollies through the middle of the dancefloor or
b) you don't find the plebs who start pushing the trolley with the cleaner the remotest bit funny. (By the way does anyone know why they only need to this dancefloor cleaning ritual in Space?) So with heavy legs we retreated back to the hotel shortly after Basement Jaxx's set.
After 3 nights of hectivity in PDB we retreated to the peaceful idyll of C'an Atzaro. Only problem was that it was cloudy in them there hills. So after a fantastic lunch at C'an Curreu (Cod Confit and JohnDory, and lovely bottle of Pasa Blanca), we drove back to Salinas in search of sun and to listen to the ledge that is Jon Sa Trinxa. A couple of jugs of sangria and a doobie providing the most acceptable companionship. We drove past DC-10 slowly, and were severely tempted to join the heaving throng, but having booked the gastronomic package at Atzaro, it would have been a complete waste to turn up for dinner like a pair of food manouevring, gurning imbeciles. This proved to be a wise move, as we had the tasting menu and this was without doubt the meal of the holiday. The best olives and aioli, gazpacho, cod cream, pesto prawns, goats cheese and summer fruits, sea bass, steak, and a couple of desserts. All washed down with a Cadac, and a Cepa 21. We'd had steak at Alain Ducasse the week before for the wife's birthday, and the steak we had at Atzaro was without doubt on a par – FANTASTIC!
We woke up on the final day to more clouds, so again had to go to the coast for sun. Cala Salada was the choice after throwing a dart at the map. An average lunch at the beachside restaurant was had, along with a sunset and beers at Cafe Del Mar, before returning to Atzaro for dinner. Scallops with pickled mushrooms, tuna carpaccio, monkfish, and roast lamb, washed down with a Milmanda and more Cepa21.
We awoke the next morning to the unfortunate news that our flight wasn't affected by the strikes in Spain, and we'd have to go home. So after dropping the car off, and being amazed again that Ibiza must have the cheapest car hire in the world (59 Euro for 5 days), we took got on the plane to return sadly to dear and dreary old blightly.
My reflections on 2010? The isle was busier than 2009, but we did do less clubbing than normal. As we advance in years we are definitely noticing the food experience competing with the clubbing experience. And there's nowhere else on earth that you can combine such high levels of world class food with world class clubbing, so see you in 2011.
Where are all the reviews of Space and Amnesia closings? Come on Guys! Help us through these dark and dank Autumnal days.
