Ali Bon Tempi
Active Member
Bit of a biggun this one. Not sure you need this much info but I've written it now so here you go!
A one week hol with the Mrs, the first time just the two of us have been together since 2001. Been many many times since but either with friends, in separate groups of have worked out there.
Saturday
Arrived at Leeds Bradford airport bright eyed and bushy tailed only to be told there was a 3 and a bit hour delay – rubbish! Undeterred we collected our £5 refreshment voucher and hit the bar, only to find out that it cannot be used on alcohol – rubbish…again!
Hey ho, keep smiling and all that. Eventually got a bit annoyed as our new take off time came and passed and still no update. Ended up leaving 4 and a half hours late with the only explanation given as ‘it's the summer, we're busy and you have to expect delays' – thanks a lot Jet2, dos customers lost here!
Finally arrived at the Hotel Real Playa in Talamanca very late, bit tired and doing our best not to get mega angry only to be told that they had over booked us and we had to go back to Figueretas to the Mare Nostrom for the first night!!!!! Not ideal to say the least and the Mrs gave them both barrels but what can you do? We did manage to get upgraded to a sea view room, from B&B to All Inclusive and also got a free safe and free car parking for the rest of the stay.
Arrived at our second hotel pretty p****d off to say the least. Dumped bags and went down the street and got some tapas and Sangria (can't remember the name of the place) before heading back to sleep and start our holiday again the next day!
On a side note I later found out that the first overseas holiday my parents went on was to Ibiza (I knew that bit) and that they stayed in the Mare Nostrum – must have been about 1972ish…..not sure its been decorated since!!
Sunday
Managed to put a beach bag together, chucked the cases in the car and headed off to Cala Vadella for the day (couldn't check in at the Real Playa until after 2pm!!!). Stopped on route at the Sports Café in Playa to say hello to some friends and to pick up some sandwiches and beers. Lovely day, nice and hot but with a great little breeze. Stayed until just after 6 and headed back to Talamanca again via the Sports Café to see another friend who was not around the first time. Checked in finally and in fairness we were given everything we were promised.
Grabbed a shower and attempted the find the Fish Shack but went the wrong way out of the hotel along Talamanca beach and in the end settled for a meat alternative. Don't recall the name but a similar premise to the Fish Shack, choose your meat and veg and salad from the butcher type counter and, tell them how you want it cooked and take seat. Cracking meal, simple but delicious and with wine, beer and coffee it came to about €75. Not bad considering the Mrs had a massive fillet steak (I took on a kebab, some chorizo and a lamb chop)!
Monday
DC10 day! Decided to stay around the pool today and take advantage of the All Inclusive we were given. Now I wouldn't want to eat and drink at the hotel every day but what was provided was not bad and on days like this the upgrade came in handy. Lounged by the pool all day breaking only for lunch and then went to get ready. Headed over to DC10, calling in at the Sports Café (again) and in the process ran into more friends meaning we didn't arrive at DC10 until just before 9. This was my first visit but the Mrs has been loads but not since 2007. Her opinion is that the atmosphere was much more British and that the music was not as good. I thought the atmosphere was great, friendlier than I had been told and the music, for me was spot on. Quite tough underground house music that everyone seemed to enjoy. Was mega busy when we arrived so popped out a few times to the chill out bit outside – great to people/carnage watch!!! Stayed until 3ish and all in all a great time. A few beers when we got back and off to bed.
Tuesday
Just missed breakfast today but the advantage of the All Inc is that we could grab a coffee and toasty before shooting off to Cala Nova for the day. What's happened to the beach here???? It's disappeared almost, room for 2 rows of sun beds and that's it!!!! Anyway, found a spot right at the end and chilled for a few hours. Was a bit cloudy today but still nice and warm and the gentle breeze was welcome after a night of disco dancing! Went for a late lunch at somewhere else where I forget the name. Basically it was the last larger restaurant towards the left hand side of the beach. Had some lovely muscles in a tomato and slightly spicy sauce and also some garlic bbq prawns with a nice white wine. Coffee and tip included it came to about €60.
In the evening we went into Ibiza town, did some people watching and then went Comidas San Juan for dinner. Proof that you can get great food and cheap in Ibiza. The menu is all in Spanish and the staff pretty much only speak Spanish but this added to the charm Had calamari to share to start, as this was from the main meal section this also came with salad and roast potatoes – I tried to explain we wanted this as a starter but my Spanish is poor (some say non existent)! Prawns again as a main and also the Dorado (I think), simple but very well cooked. Two bottles of wine, coffee plus tips and we left €50..b..b..b..bargain!! Took in some more drinks and more people watching and got home full, happy and a bit drunk – good times!
Wednesday
Met up with friends at there house in Santa Eulalia and after a wander round went to Ses Savines for lunch. Four of us shared four different salads and a portion of muscles, some water and a bottle of wine and it came to just €50 with a tip, winning! Moved on to Calla Llenya (new beach for me) for some afternoon sun bathing and it was bubbling hot here (just like soup in a pot!) and quite busy. Slept off lunch and just relaxed until about 7. Dropped off our friends in Santa Eulalia and headed back to chill and then get ready for Subliminal.
Met up with a good friend around 11:30 and off to dinner. I can't stress enough that if you are going to Pacha then go for food first, makes the night for me and also works out very cheap (by Pacha standards). The only thing I'd say is that this is the first time I've been that it was made clear that there is a minimum €70 a head spend if you want to go into the club after. Can't recall what I had to start but the Mrs had sea bass with pesto and mozzarella and my friend and I both had the grilled ox with foie and caramelised apples. Couple f bottles of wine, a cocktail and some coffee and then headed in just before 2. My chum had to leave pretty much straight away as he had an early flight the next day so the Mrs and I had a drink on the terrace before heading inside to catch the end of Basement Jaxx. Not sure what the rest of the set was like but have to say the last 20(ish) minutes was a cheese fest of the highest order. The crowd seemed to like it but was a bit much for me. Not sure who then came on before Morillo but they were keen to carry the vibe on! It wasn't that the music was bad it was just the fact that it was anthem, anthem, and anthem without any real thought into what to play – basically it was a bit like a best of Ibiza CD being banged out! I personally prefer a more well thought out set. Morillo eventually came on around 4 and stared out a bit similar but then improved and in the end the night was pretty good!
Thursday
Off we went to Cala Xarraca for the day (another new beach). Pretty easy to find but quite a steep road you have to get down to get there. Pitched up outside the only bar/restaurant and just had a nice chilled day. The beach is a bit stoney and so was the sea as you get in but it was nice once you were in. Saved money by taking some beers and sarnies again today and just refuelled the batteries after the night before! Headed home just after 6 to get ready as we had a reservation at my fave restaurant, Sa Capella.
Arrived at 9:30 and had the choice of a table inside or on the terrace. As the Mrs had never been before she chose inside so that she could take in the stunning setting. As we sat down the Mrs pointed out the little secluded table for two up the stairs and I cursed myself for not r=thinking about that before and requesting it when I booked!!! As normal the service was excellent and the food top notch. Had the Ibizan Prawns to start and the Broccoli and then moved on to the fillet steak with mushroom sauce and the confit of duck. The starters were great but the mains were amazing. No desserts, just some coffee and Baileys along with the free chupitos they give you, well it's actually the whole bottle they leave with you but I didn't want to ruin the next bit of the night by having too much. We paid the bill (€170 with at tip) and then took the remainder of our drinks outside to a now empty terrace. Picked a table for two on the far side and decided now was the time (after 11 years) to pop the question…….the lady from Del Monte, she said yes!!!! A great finish to a great night and also a massive relief after spending the holiday trying to move a diamond around without the Mrs finding it and also trying to find the right moment/setting to ask!
Friday
A well deserved lay in today. Had a light lunch at the hotel and then went to Cala Tarida for the afternoon. Soaked up the sun and had a couple of beers before falling asleep a little too long. Cue rush to get back and get ready so that we could head over to the rocks near Cala D'hort to watch the sunset, it was pretty much a race against the sun and I'm glad I decided not to wait until now to propose!!! We made it just in time (about 32 seconds to spare) to see the sun set and to take some photo's before heading over to Es Boldado for dinner. Even though we were advised against the house special we decided to take on the Bullit! The waiter, who was great with his recommendations and explanations of the menu and which wines to choose suggested that the Bullit may be a little too much for the two of us, especially after already tucking in to the bread and aioli. I took this as a personal challenge and can safely say he was right and I was wrong!!! The meal itself was superb but there was too much food and I was left feeling a bit bleugghhhhh afterwards. I will defo be going back to this restaurant. The service and setting was superb and the meal plus wine and coffee was not unreasonable at €100 with tip. Straight back to the hotel to sleep off the monster meal and to make sure we were up to enjoy the last day.
Saturday
Packed and left the case with the reception we took final advantage of the pool and a few drinks before showering and heading to Playa D'en Bossa where we met a friend and then went to Figueretas for food. We chose the last restaurant on the promenade if you were heading from Figueretas to Ibiza Town along the cost, name escapes me. Shared a lovely seafood Paella with the Mrs, our pal had the steamed mussels, both excellent. Shared a bottle of Cava and then popped back to the Sports Café in Playa D'en Bossa to say our good buys before heading back to the airport. Car dropped off, Pacha bag purchased for the Mrs, couple of drinks and off back to blighty!
Thoughts
Another great holiday, new beaches visited, DC10 off the to-do-list although I'll defo be back. It's been said a thousand times but get a car and drive around and see the island. Do a bit of research before you go for restaurants. You can spend a fortune or very little and should never have a bad meal (we certainly didn't)! Save money by taking some beers/sarnies to the Beach some days and then you can splash out on other occasions!
A one week hol with the Mrs, the first time just the two of us have been together since 2001. Been many many times since but either with friends, in separate groups of have worked out there.
Saturday
Arrived at Leeds Bradford airport bright eyed and bushy tailed only to be told there was a 3 and a bit hour delay – rubbish! Undeterred we collected our £5 refreshment voucher and hit the bar, only to find out that it cannot be used on alcohol – rubbish…again!
Hey ho, keep smiling and all that. Eventually got a bit annoyed as our new take off time came and passed and still no update. Ended up leaving 4 and a half hours late with the only explanation given as ‘it's the summer, we're busy and you have to expect delays' – thanks a lot Jet2, dos customers lost here!
Finally arrived at the Hotel Real Playa in Talamanca very late, bit tired and doing our best not to get mega angry only to be told that they had over booked us and we had to go back to Figueretas to the Mare Nostrom for the first night!!!!! Not ideal to say the least and the Mrs gave them both barrels but what can you do? We did manage to get upgraded to a sea view room, from B&B to All Inclusive and also got a free safe and free car parking for the rest of the stay.
Arrived at our second hotel pretty p****d off to say the least. Dumped bags and went down the street and got some tapas and Sangria (can't remember the name of the place) before heading back to sleep and start our holiday again the next day!
On a side note I later found out that the first overseas holiday my parents went on was to Ibiza (I knew that bit) and that they stayed in the Mare Nostrum – must have been about 1972ish…..not sure its been decorated since!!
Sunday
Managed to put a beach bag together, chucked the cases in the car and headed off to Cala Vadella for the day (couldn't check in at the Real Playa until after 2pm!!!). Stopped on route at the Sports Café in Playa to say hello to some friends and to pick up some sandwiches and beers. Lovely day, nice and hot but with a great little breeze. Stayed until just after 6 and headed back to Talamanca again via the Sports Café to see another friend who was not around the first time. Checked in finally and in fairness we were given everything we were promised.
Grabbed a shower and attempted the find the Fish Shack but went the wrong way out of the hotel along Talamanca beach and in the end settled for a meat alternative. Don't recall the name but a similar premise to the Fish Shack, choose your meat and veg and salad from the butcher type counter and, tell them how you want it cooked and take seat. Cracking meal, simple but delicious and with wine, beer and coffee it came to about €75. Not bad considering the Mrs had a massive fillet steak (I took on a kebab, some chorizo and a lamb chop)!
Monday
DC10 day! Decided to stay around the pool today and take advantage of the All Inclusive we were given. Now I wouldn't want to eat and drink at the hotel every day but what was provided was not bad and on days like this the upgrade came in handy. Lounged by the pool all day breaking only for lunch and then went to get ready. Headed over to DC10, calling in at the Sports Café (again) and in the process ran into more friends meaning we didn't arrive at DC10 until just before 9. This was my first visit but the Mrs has been loads but not since 2007. Her opinion is that the atmosphere was much more British and that the music was not as good. I thought the atmosphere was great, friendlier than I had been told and the music, for me was spot on. Quite tough underground house music that everyone seemed to enjoy. Was mega busy when we arrived so popped out a few times to the chill out bit outside – great to people/carnage watch!!! Stayed until 3ish and all in all a great time. A few beers when we got back and off to bed.
Tuesday
Just missed breakfast today but the advantage of the All Inc is that we could grab a coffee and toasty before shooting off to Cala Nova for the day. What's happened to the beach here???? It's disappeared almost, room for 2 rows of sun beds and that's it!!!! Anyway, found a spot right at the end and chilled for a few hours. Was a bit cloudy today but still nice and warm and the gentle breeze was welcome after a night of disco dancing! Went for a late lunch at somewhere else where I forget the name. Basically it was the last larger restaurant towards the left hand side of the beach. Had some lovely muscles in a tomato and slightly spicy sauce and also some garlic bbq prawns with a nice white wine. Coffee and tip included it came to about €60.
In the evening we went into Ibiza town, did some people watching and then went Comidas San Juan for dinner. Proof that you can get great food and cheap in Ibiza. The menu is all in Spanish and the staff pretty much only speak Spanish but this added to the charm Had calamari to share to start, as this was from the main meal section this also came with salad and roast potatoes – I tried to explain we wanted this as a starter but my Spanish is poor (some say non existent)! Prawns again as a main and also the Dorado (I think), simple but very well cooked. Two bottles of wine, coffee plus tips and we left €50..b..b..b..bargain!! Took in some more drinks and more people watching and got home full, happy and a bit drunk – good times!
Wednesday
Met up with friends at there house in Santa Eulalia and after a wander round went to Ses Savines for lunch. Four of us shared four different salads and a portion of muscles, some water and a bottle of wine and it came to just €50 with a tip, winning! Moved on to Calla Llenya (new beach for me) for some afternoon sun bathing and it was bubbling hot here (just like soup in a pot!) and quite busy. Slept off lunch and just relaxed until about 7. Dropped off our friends in Santa Eulalia and headed back to chill and then get ready for Subliminal.
Met up with a good friend around 11:30 and off to dinner. I can't stress enough that if you are going to Pacha then go for food first, makes the night for me and also works out very cheap (by Pacha standards). The only thing I'd say is that this is the first time I've been that it was made clear that there is a minimum €70 a head spend if you want to go into the club after. Can't recall what I had to start but the Mrs had sea bass with pesto and mozzarella and my friend and I both had the grilled ox with foie and caramelised apples. Couple f bottles of wine, a cocktail and some coffee and then headed in just before 2. My chum had to leave pretty much straight away as he had an early flight the next day so the Mrs and I had a drink on the terrace before heading inside to catch the end of Basement Jaxx. Not sure what the rest of the set was like but have to say the last 20(ish) minutes was a cheese fest of the highest order. The crowd seemed to like it but was a bit much for me. Not sure who then came on before Morillo but they were keen to carry the vibe on! It wasn't that the music was bad it was just the fact that it was anthem, anthem, and anthem without any real thought into what to play – basically it was a bit like a best of Ibiza CD being banged out! I personally prefer a more well thought out set. Morillo eventually came on around 4 and stared out a bit similar but then improved and in the end the night was pretty good!
Thursday
Off we went to Cala Xarraca for the day (another new beach). Pretty easy to find but quite a steep road you have to get down to get there. Pitched up outside the only bar/restaurant and just had a nice chilled day. The beach is a bit stoney and so was the sea as you get in but it was nice once you were in. Saved money by taking some beers and sarnies again today and just refuelled the batteries after the night before! Headed home just after 6 to get ready as we had a reservation at my fave restaurant, Sa Capella.
Arrived at 9:30 and had the choice of a table inside or on the terrace. As the Mrs had never been before she chose inside so that she could take in the stunning setting. As we sat down the Mrs pointed out the little secluded table for two up the stairs and I cursed myself for not r=thinking about that before and requesting it when I booked!!! As normal the service was excellent and the food top notch. Had the Ibizan Prawns to start and the Broccoli and then moved on to the fillet steak with mushroom sauce and the confit of duck. The starters were great but the mains were amazing. No desserts, just some coffee and Baileys along with the free chupitos they give you, well it's actually the whole bottle they leave with you but I didn't want to ruin the next bit of the night by having too much. We paid the bill (€170 with at tip) and then took the remainder of our drinks outside to a now empty terrace. Picked a table for two on the far side and decided now was the time (after 11 years) to pop the question…….the lady from Del Monte, she said yes!!!! A great finish to a great night and also a massive relief after spending the holiday trying to move a diamond around without the Mrs finding it and also trying to find the right moment/setting to ask!
Friday
A well deserved lay in today. Had a light lunch at the hotel and then went to Cala Tarida for the afternoon. Soaked up the sun and had a couple of beers before falling asleep a little too long. Cue rush to get back and get ready so that we could head over to the rocks near Cala D'hort to watch the sunset, it was pretty much a race against the sun and I'm glad I decided not to wait until now to propose!!! We made it just in time (about 32 seconds to spare) to see the sun set and to take some photo's before heading over to Es Boldado for dinner. Even though we were advised against the house special we decided to take on the Bullit! The waiter, who was great with his recommendations and explanations of the menu and which wines to choose suggested that the Bullit may be a little too much for the two of us, especially after already tucking in to the bread and aioli. I took this as a personal challenge and can safely say he was right and I was wrong!!! The meal itself was superb but there was too much food and I was left feeling a bit bleugghhhhh afterwards. I will defo be going back to this restaurant. The service and setting was superb and the meal plus wine and coffee was not unreasonable at €100 with tip. Straight back to the hotel to sleep off the monster meal and to make sure we were up to enjoy the last day.
Saturday
Packed and left the case with the reception we took final advantage of the pool and a few drinks before showering and heading to Playa D'en Bossa where we met a friend and then went to Figueretas for food. We chose the last restaurant on the promenade if you were heading from Figueretas to Ibiza Town along the cost, name escapes me. Shared a lovely seafood Paella with the Mrs, our pal had the steamed mussels, both excellent. Shared a bottle of Cava and then popped back to the Sports Café in Playa D'en Bossa to say our good buys before heading back to the airport. Car dropped off, Pacha bag purchased for the Mrs, couple of drinks and off back to blighty!
Thoughts
Another great holiday, new beaches visited, DC10 off the to-do-list although I'll defo be back. It's been said a thousand times but get a car and drive around and see the island. Do a bit of research before you go for restaurants. You can spend a fortune or very little and should never have a bad meal (we certainly didn't)! Save money by taking some beers/sarnies to the Beach some days and then you can splash out on other occasions!
