Due to all the changes going on over the last few months blah blah blah 
before we left for this holiday I did think it may be my last dance on Ibiza, however cos we'd had an almost non-exstent summer in England both our minxy levels were high and we giddily got up at 4.30am for our early morning flight to Ibiza. Got to the airport ridiculously early as per normal, as I'd done my usual trick of telling Tom our flight was earlier than in was when he'd booked the taxi Straight thru check in, duty free, breakfast and then the bar and then boarded our flight, landing in Ibiza at about midday Saturday to glorious (much needed) sunshine. Picked up the nice red free hire car and Tom drove to PDB. As I mentioned when we were there in June and numerous other people have said thru-out the summer, PDB is like a ghost town in the day - where all the pre/post Space casualties on the streets 
I miss them Anyway we decamped at Passion for food, smoothies and wines and then went to meet the owner of the private apartment which was our home for the next 10 days. We'd stayed here before - a big 2 bedroom apartment right on the beach in PDB behind Passion and 2 mins from Space so perfect location for us. We quickly unpacked, stocked up on supplies and went for a wander down the beach. Again confirming what we'd noticed in June and other people have said Bora Bora is deserted in the day, we stopped off for a drink there for old times sake and at 4.30pm then did turn the music on and a couple of people half heartedly tried to get a bit of atmosphere going but failed
In the evening we quickly met up with some friends who were coming to the end of their holiday for a quick drink and then drove over to Cap Negret for sunset and dinner at La Torre. Wow what an amazing place (thanks Sandi and Steph for the recommendation) - the setting is stunning, the people who work there couldn't be nicer and the food was excellent - stuffed aubergines to start, chicken for Tom and prawns for me, washed down with a bottle of pink champagne and the bill was a very reasonable 75 euros. They've also got the loveliest dog in the world there It was a lovely first night to the holiday and one of the nicest 'normal' nights I've had in Ibiza.
Sunday we chilled around the pool for a couple of hours, Passion for breakfast and then went to Tantra so Tom could watch Chelsea v Man U (so one reasonably happy husband), then back to the apartment to wait for everyone's favourite pizza delivery man so after a couple of hours madness with him , we headed into Space for about 8pm. My first thought was 'how quiet??' In all my years of going to Space I've never seen Space so quiet on a Sunday, the sunset terrace slowly got a bit busier but then at 9pm this live act (Moon Unit) came on and completely cleared the few people who were on the dancefloor. I don't know what possessed Darren Hughes to book such an act but if it was to empty the sunset terrace then it did the trick There was literally 3 people on the dancefloor, they were so bad I just wished more people had been there to see them to witness it I feel for anyone who may have been going into Space for the first time at that moment Fortunately they finished at 10pm and Alfredo came on the decks (I love Alfredo, he sums up to me all what Ibiza should be about ) and he realised he had his work cut out to create an atmosphere on the sunset terrace so he didn't disappoint from the moment he started with Underworld, thru Depeche Mode, Yeke Yeke, the Pink Panther theme tune - it was a proper terrace set with everyone dancing and smiling like loons
At midnight we went onto the new terrace (Smokin Jo, Paul Woolford) but it was all a bit flat, fortunately 2ManyDjs were playing the closing set and brought the atmosphere back to how Space should be imo so we left at the end as two happy bunnys. As We Love sesh's go Alfredo and 2ManyDjs made the day for us but the rest of it was def not We Love as its best.
We emerged Monday lunchtime and drove to Es Cavallet for a few hours in the sun and then went to the lovely restaurant La Escollera for a late lunch. A bit more sunbathing and then in the evening we went to Ushuaia bar on PDB beach for drinks and food - not sure if this is a new bar but it's the first time we'd stumbled on it and it's just what PDB needs - lovely bar with big beds, comfy seats - especially now that Bora Bora is a shadow of its former self (but more of that later).
Tuesday was Tom's birthday so he had to start the day off with half of the Passion menu, then we drove up to Benniras and had a few hours sunbathing there, then went for a drive round the north-east, climbed a mountain (well a big hill ) and then went to Sol d'en Serra. Back to Passion for Tom's second Passion birthday meal and then we headed down to Bora Bora about 9pm to meet up with friends for pre-Garnier drinks. It's sad to see what Bora Bora has become imo, since Gee left it's been a bit hit or miss but this year it just a shadow of what it used to be - a few people dancing inside, nobody dancing outside, security walking round looking like they have guns and would shoot you for having fun A few jugs of sangria warmed us up tho and then we headed into Space a bit before midnight for Monsieur Garnier for the bargain-tastic price of 20 euros. Garnier played inside first til about 3am and the moved onto the new terrace and both sets were out of this world Space was busy (new terrace and inside were both open but parts of it were closed off) and a good atmosphere but not as busy as I thought it would be especially as there was very little else on this night. Anyway a cracking night all round
We went back to our apartment and carried on so Wednesday was a bit of a lost day - it's days like this I so miss the no daytime clubbing cos the weather was a bit cloudy and that was one of the best things about September how you'd often 'accidentally' end up in Space for an impromptu daytime sesh At night we just made it down to Ushuaia for drinks and a bit of food.
Thursday we drove around the south stopping off at Sa Caleta, Cala Jondal and then Cala Conta where we sunbathed for a few hours and then went to Sunset Ashram for a late lunch - good food in a lovely location. Then we popped in to Sandi and Dom's villa for roses and then quickly headed back to the apartment for a quick change and then meeting everyone at Bora Bora again before Space. Bora Bora was pretty much as it was on the Tuesday night, it really has lost that magic it had about it, it's fine for a meeting place before a night out but the days of dancing on the tables and the whole place going off seem long gone We headed over to Space and got in for the again bargain-tastic price of 10 euros, the only room which was open was the new terrace but this was already nicely busy. Wally Lopez played before Danny T who was reallyreallyreally good, altho it was Danny T who everyone had come to see, and when he finally came on he played from 3.30am til 7am - it was a good Danny T set, not vintage Danny T but I think that may be cos we've been so spoiled with him before seeing him playing 6+ hours at a time. Left at the end in the biggest hole EVER and went back to our apartment for more minxiness so Friday was a completely lost day
Saturday we just did a bit of sunbathing in PDB and then in the evening drove to Cap Des Falco but someone was getting married there so the place was closed off (some people eh) so drove over to Khumaras - poor Khumaras was dead, I've never seen it so quiet even when it first opened years ago and was a bit undiscovered - it had apparently rained there a bit earlier and some people may not have known it had reopened after it was closed for drugs but I still couldn't believe how quiet it was, we almost had the bar to ourselves. After sunset we drove round to Sa Capella where we had a table booked and had a lovely last meal - soup for me, salmon spring rolls for Tom, then salmon for my main and a big hunk of cow for Tom, with a nice bottle of wine and unlimited after dinner shots the bill was a reasonable 95 euros for excellent food and service. Back to the apartment for a few Baileys nightcaps and then made the most of our last night of sleep.
Sunday we took the car back to the airport and then had the final Passion of the holiday and made our way into Space about 5.30pm, the place quickly filled up this week and within an hour was properly going off to Jonathan Ulysses, Jason Bye played next and then the unexpected bonus of the holiday was Alfredo turning up to playing the closing set (not sure where Tom Novy was who was meant to be playing - maybe he's been sacked for his endless wafflings over the music) but Alfredo was just perfect to close the sunset terrace with lots of classics and closing with Iggy Pop - Passenger
We quickly used our pass-outs after the sunset terrace closed and then went back in and saw the end of Hell who was pretty good. Lawler played next who was a real disappointment imo - I couldn't believe this was the same DJ who used to close the terrace of old with the whole place going off Space was busy, not as busy as previous We Love Closings but by far the busiest club we went to all holiday. Saw a bit of Woolford after Lawler who was ok but still not really peak time terrace music imo and then after a final drink left at the end with Ferd and his Barry for a final destroying They left to go back to their apartment and we dragged ourselves to the airport for the 10.30am flight back to London - people always think we're mad for getting a flight back straight after Space but I quite like it, one minute you're in Space, the next few hours are a bit hazy and then before you know it you're home in your own bed Fortunately the airport was deserted (again I wondered where everyone is cos we always get this same time flight back and the airport is normally heaving) still it was nice not to have to negotiate many 'normal' people and it was a nice straightforward flight back to Gatwick, taxi and then bed.
In all the years I've been to Ibiza I've never seen the place so quiet especially at this time of year (I would even say this September was quieter than our trip in June) but sometimes this was quite a nice thing cos it does give you a bit more room in the clubs. However everyone we spoke to who works out there tho has said it's been their quietest season ever and a lot of businesses have really suffered - a lot of this they feel is due to the change in laws but obviously other wider factors have had an impact too. For me personally the new laws have had a massive effect, for years Ibiza has been this free party island, whereas now yes it still has some of the best club nights in the world but there is nothing that really separates it from anywhere else.
So will we be going back?? After 13 years going at least twice a year for holidays then I've seen so many changes to the island, most of which I've come to accept but I think if it still wants to be seen as this clubbing capital of the world, then this year has been a change too far. Don't get me wrong I still love Ibiza and had an amazing holiday and it holds some of the best memories of my life but I think in future my love affair with Ibiza is going to be just restricted to a short fling (ie a cheeky long weekend) rather than a full-on love affair (spending 3/4 weeks holiday a year over there ).
before we left for this holiday I did think it may be my last dance on Ibiza, however cos we'd had an almost non-exstent summer in England both our minxy levels were high and we giddily got up at 4.30am for our early morning flight to Ibiza. Got to the airport ridiculously early as per normal, as I'd done my usual trick of telling Tom our flight was earlier than in was when he'd booked the taxi Straight thru check in, duty free, breakfast and then the bar and then boarded our flight, landing in Ibiza at about midday Saturday to glorious (much needed) sunshine. Picked up the nice red free hire car and Tom drove to PDB. As I mentioned when we were there in June and numerous other people have said thru-out the summer, PDB is like a ghost town in the day - where all the pre/post Space casualties on the streets I miss them Anyway we decamped at Passion for food, smoothies and wines and then went to meet the owner of the private apartment which was our home for the next 10 days. We'd stayed here before - a big 2 bedroom apartment right on the beach in PDB behind Passion and 2 mins from Space so perfect location for us. We quickly unpacked, stocked up on supplies and went for a wander down the beach. Again confirming what we'd noticed in June and other people have said Bora Bora is deserted in the day, we stopped off for a drink there for old times sake and at 4.30pm then did turn the music on and a couple of people half heartedly tried to get a bit of atmosphere going but failed In the evening we quickly met up with some friends who were coming to the end of their holiday for a quick drink and then drove over to Cap Negret for sunset and dinner at La Torre. Wow what an amazing place (thanks Sandi and Steph for the recommendation) - the setting is stunning, the people who work there couldn't be nicer and the food was excellent - stuffed aubergines to start, chicken for Tom and prawns for me, washed down with a bottle of pink champagne and the bill was a very reasonable 75 euros. They've also got the loveliest dog in the world there
It was a lovely first night to the holiday and one of the nicest 'normal' nights I've had in Ibiza. Sunday we chilled around the pool for a couple of hours, Passion for breakfast and then went to Tantra so Tom could watch Chelsea v Man U (so one reasonably happy husband
), then back to the apartment to wait for everyone's favourite pizza delivery man so after a couple of hours madness with him , we headed into Space for about 8pm. My first thought was 'how quiet??' In all my years of going to Space I've never seen Space so quiet on a Sunday, the sunset terrace slowly got a bit busier but then at 9pm this live act (Moon Unit) came on and completely cleared the few people who were on the dancefloor. I don't know what possessed Darren Hughes to book such an act but if it was to empty the sunset terrace then it did the trick There was literally 3 people on the dancefloor, they were so bad I just wished more people had been there to see them to witness it I feel for anyone who may have been going into Space for the first time at that moment Fortunately they finished at 10pm and Alfredo came on the decks (I love Alfredo, he sums up to me all what Ibiza should be about ) and he realised he had his work cut out to create an atmosphere on the sunset terrace so he didn't disappoint from the moment he started with Underworld, thru Depeche Mode, Yeke Yeke, the Pink Panther theme tune - it was a proper terrace set with everyone dancing and smiling like loons At midnight we went onto the new terrace (Smokin Jo, Paul Woolford) but it was all a bit flat, fortunately 2ManyDjs were playing the closing set and brought the atmosphere back to how Space should be imo so we left at the end as two happy bunnys. As We Love sesh's go Alfredo and 2ManyDjs made the day for us but the rest of it was def not We Love as its best.
We emerged Monday lunchtime and drove to Es Cavallet for a few hours in the sun and then went to the lovely restaurant La Escollera for a late lunch. A bit more sunbathing and then in the evening we went to Ushuaia bar on PDB beach for drinks and food - not sure if this is a new bar but it's the first time we'd stumbled on it and it's just what PDB needs - lovely bar with big beds, comfy seats - especially now that Bora Bora is a shadow of its former self (but more of that later).
Tuesday was Tom's birthday so he had to start the day off with half of the Passion menu
, then we drove up to Benniras and had a few hours sunbathing there, then went for a drive round the north-east, climbed a mountain (well a big hill ) and then went to Sol d'en Serra. Back to Passion for Tom's second Passion birthday meal and then we headed down to Bora Bora about 9pm to meet up with friends for pre-Garnier drinks. It's sad to see what Bora Bora has become imo, since Gee left it's been a bit hit or miss but this year it just a shadow of what it used to be - a few people dancing inside, nobody dancing outside, security walking round looking like they have guns and would shoot you for having fun A few jugs of sangria warmed us up tho and then we headed into Space a bit before midnight for Monsieur Garnier for the bargain-tastic price of 20 euros. Garnier played inside first til about 3am and the moved onto the new terrace and both sets were out of this world Space was busy (new terrace and inside were both open but parts of it were closed off) and a good atmosphere but not as busy as I thought it would be especially as there was very little else on this night. Anyway a cracking night all round We went back to our apartment and carried on so Wednesday was a bit of a lost day - it's days like this I so miss the no daytime clubbing cos the weather was a bit cloudy and that was one of the best things about September how you'd often 'accidentally' end up in Space for an impromptu daytime sesh
At night we just made it down to Ushuaia for drinks and a bit of food.Thursday we drove around the south stopping off at Sa Caleta, Cala Jondal and then Cala Conta where we sunbathed for a few hours and then went to Sunset Ashram for a late lunch - good food in a lovely location. Then we popped in to Sandi and Dom's villa for roses and then quickly headed back to the apartment for a quick change and then meeting everyone at Bora Bora again before Space. Bora Bora was pretty much as it was on the Tuesday night, it really has lost that magic it had about it, it's fine for a meeting place before a night out but the days of dancing on the tables and the whole place going off seem long gone
We headed over to Space and got in for the again bargain-tastic price of 10 euros, the only room which was open was the new terrace but this was already nicely busy. Wally Lopez played before Danny T who was reallyreallyreally good, altho it was Danny T who everyone had come to see, and when he finally came on he played from 3.30am til 7am - it was a good Danny T set, not vintage Danny T but I think that may be cos we've been so spoiled with him before seeing him playing 6+ hours at a time. Left at the end in the biggest hole EVER and went back to our apartment for more minxiness so Friday was a completely lost day Saturday we just did a bit of sunbathing in PDB and then in the evening drove to Cap Des Falco but someone was getting married there so the place was closed off (some people eh
) so drove over to Khumaras - poor Khumaras was dead, I've never seen it so quiet even when it first opened years ago and was a bit undiscovered - it had apparently rained there a bit earlier and some people may not have known it had reopened after it was closed for drugs but I still couldn't believe how quiet it was, we almost had the bar to ourselves. After sunset we drove round to Sa Capella where we had a table booked and had a lovely last meal - soup for me, salmon spring rolls for Tom, then salmon for my main and a big hunk of cow for Tom, with a nice bottle of wine and unlimited after dinner shots the bill was a reasonable 95 euros for excellent food and service. Back to the apartment for a few Baileys nightcaps and then made the most of our last night of sleep.Sunday we took the car back to the airport and then had the final Passion of the holiday and made our way into Space about 5.30pm, the place quickly filled up this week and within an hour was properly going off to Jonathan Ulysses, Jason Bye played next and then the unexpected bonus of the holiday was Alfredo turning up to playing the closing set (not sure where Tom Novy was who was meant to be playing - maybe he's been sacked for his endless wafflings over the music
) but Alfredo was just perfect to close the sunset terrace with lots of classics and closing with Iggy Pop - Passenger We quickly used our pass-outs after the sunset terrace closed and then went back in and saw the end of Hell who was pretty good. Lawler played next who was a real disappointment imo - I couldn't believe this was the same DJ who used to close the terrace of old with the whole place going off
Space was busy, not as busy as previous We Love Closings but by far the busiest club we went to all holiday. Saw a bit of Woolford after Lawler who was ok but still not really peak time terrace music imo and then after a final drink left at the end with Ferd and his Barry for a final destroying They left to go back to their apartment and we dragged ourselves to the airport for the 10.30am flight back to London - people always think we're mad for getting a flight back straight after Space but I quite like it, one minute you're in Space, the next few hours are a bit hazy and then before you know it you're home in your own bed Fortunately the airport was deserted (again I wondered where everyone is cos we always get this same time flight back and the airport is normally heaving) still it was nice not to have to negotiate many 'normal' people and it was a nice straightforward flight back to Gatwick, taxi and then bed.In all the years I've been to Ibiza I've never seen the place so quiet especially at this time of year (I would even say this September was quieter than our trip in June) but sometimes this was quite a nice thing cos it does give you a bit more room in the clubs. However everyone we spoke to who works out there tho has said it's been their quietest season ever and a lot of businesses have really suffered - a lot of this they feel is due to the change in laws but obviously other wider factors have had an impact too. For me personally the new laws have had a massive effect, for years Ibiza has been this free party island, whereas now yes it still has some of the best club nights in the world but there is nothing that really separates it from anywhere else.
So will we be going back?? After 13 years going at least twice a year for holidays then I've seen so many changes to the island, most of which I've come to accept but I think if it still wants to be seen as this clubbing capital of the world, then this year has been a change too far. Don't get me wrong I still love Ibiza and had an amazing holiday and it holds some of the best memories of my life but I think in future my love affair with Ibiza is going to be just restricted to a short fling (ie a cheeky long weekend
) rather than a full-on love affair (spending 3/4 weeks holiday a year over there ).
There is no doubt the authorities have taken a sledgehammer to crack a nut and could well pay the price. At a time when the world is in crisis, they have potentially destroyed thier own economy. To hear someone who has always been so very positive about the changes over the years, to post the above, it tells a tale imho.
I think the opening and closings are quiter now due to the clubs spreading the openings over such a long period (aswell obviously the new regs and the credit crunch), i remember years ago the openings and closings were over say a 10 day - 2 week period. I could be wrong 
?