Fresh Prince
Active Member
I was on Ibiza from 9.9 to 16.9
Before you read this - it's long as novel, but it's for my own
reference, so just skip parts if you don't like to read
All the people that I mention as friends, are just that, and I don't want
to name them for their own privacy, but you know who you are
This year's Ibiza for me has been something that's landed like from
heaven straight into my lap. In beginning of the year I wasn't planning
to go at all, but since my summer plans got screwed up, and since I had
a very good friend from Spain working on the white isle, she invited me
over, I finally managed to book a trip in september.
I can't express how grateful I am
Main goal was to go see Armin but I knew Ibiza is more than just music,
taught by my last year's experiences I wanted to go to as many parties
as I could, and I've really did my best considering all things.
Right then before I left I've been reading all the reviews from various
people, and was worried because many have said it's not been the same
this year, basicly less people, and less partying than usual.
I arrived to Ibiza airport at few minutes past midnight.
It was a night flight so I didnt get to see any scenery, but I did see
the fireworks going off from somewhere in Ibiza Town.
I thought this might be a nice welcome gift, and I sure wasn't wrong.
I took a taxi to San Antonio, my friend worked 'til late so she couldn't
have come picked me up, anyway when I got there it was like 1am, and since
we had a flat right next to west-end I could see right away there's plenty
of party people and that there'll be nothing to worry about.
Now I know my friend for about 1.5 year, but this was the first time we've
actually met, although we have some mutual friends, I was very excited and
nervous over that too, so I quickly unpacked and changed and we went out to
dinner at 1am, lol, I thought this might be late to go and do something, but
it's just to show I've forgotten the time works different on the island.
We had a pre-party drink at Play 2 in the west-end.
We decided to go to Cream night (Tiesto, Montana), so I got a 40 euro ticket,
which was kinda cheapest one, my friend got a pass for almost any night on the
island, as apparently most people that work there do, well you have to know
the right people to get them, but it can be done.
We took a taxi as loads of people do, because the bus service is really poor.
When I got to amnesia it was the best feeling in the world, the club was packed,
Tiesto played solid although I'm not big on technical details but my friend
said that both him and Montana didn't mix so well, anyway I enjoyed the club
very very much, must have stood under the ice cannon for like 5 times or so,
such an amazing feeling every time Worth every cent of the ticket.
Didn't buy any drinks because I got few before club, and paying 8 euro for
3dcl bottle of water which costs like 0.30 cents is a robbery, same goes for
beer 10/1 eur. That turned out to bug me through the nights at big clubs,
but what can you do, you just accept the fact that you're on Ibiza and that's the
way things are. At the party I also met another 2 friends that I met in London
like 5 months ago and we had a great time party reunion, it would also turn out
I'd staying with them for last 2 nights of my vacation. The sound system was
different than last year which I noticed right away, and at the end of the night
my ears were beeping for another 2 days.
We took a taxi back home again because bus was nowhere to be seen.
There were a lot of flashy dressed people waiting for the buses.
What I like about the whole thing is that there's no dress codes, you can go in
club with shorts and flip-flops, bouncers are nice, and clubs are great.
I had a Vandit key chain that my friend had put keys of the flat on for me,
and I lost it, someone had nicked it probably while I didnt see,
that was the only downside of the night.
I woke up on friday morning bit tired but feeling good, my friend has a small
german shepherd that was very very hyper-acive doggy, it would bite things and
jump around etc.. was funny. Although it had wrecked my phone charger and a pair
of socks. And there were few times when I had to clean the pee-pee and doo-doo, lol
Living on 7th floor over San Antonio bay provided a great view, the day was hot and
sunny, and immediately forgot about my worries it wouldn't be as warm in september.
I got dressed and it was time to hit the beach, went to my favorite bar, Mambo
On the way I stopped at one of clubs' shops where my friend worked and we met up
later on the beach. It was a great and sunny day, perfect to lie on the beach
and drink a cold beer while listening to chill out music coming from the bar above.
I had plans for the evening to go see Pete Tong while he did the show.
Had been thinking also about going to the party later at Pacha but it was at another
part of the island and club tickets for it were on of the most expensive ones.
I had been there only a day and I've already spent almost 100 euro, so I had to
consider how much big time clubbing I'd do.
Went home to get changed and got dressed for the sunset at Mambo, it was packed as
always and people clapped hands at sunset as always, taking photos, videos,
and fire jugglers acts came on, and I saw the snakeman with his python again.
Went over to stands where they sold misc. stuff, was funny to see they accept credit cards.
When we got home we took the dog out for the walk, after that I was already a few
drinks down, and didn't really want to spend 60-70 eur for a night out on the other
part of the island, so we decided to go to Play 2 in west-end (yes again lol), I love
that place for some place, it's full of British and music is house-tech with always
a good DJ, and drinks are cheap too, girls and all.
My friend didn't like it that much though so we went to Bar M for a drink first,
it was very nice, and we had a lot of fun.
But at Play 2 soon I stuck around alone, got with some Spanish chick, we danced etc.,
but was kinda silly, so I went on alone, while having a drink met 2 guys from UK,
and we had lot of laughs and went for a snack
out after clubbing. I was well drunk that night, but it was memorable.
Was suppose to meet the 2 guys from Play 2 at Mambo at 13h, but I only got there at like 15h
had to get some sleep, the whole night/day thing already got to get to me, but I'm not
the one to sleep the day away, definetly needed my swim and sun bathing.
My friend joined me but the sea was very uncalm that day, waves were high, and it was windy.
So I went back to our building where we had a swimming pool on like 13th floor.
When I got up there were maybe like 5 people there, but the view was stunning.
Spent the afternoon there, and contrary to my wish to have a quiet evening,
beers and vodka were on for the night. My friend got a new nickname for me, the crazy british, lol
Can't say I can blame her, for some reason I like the way they go crazy and aren't
snotty or whatever, you can go out clubbing and they'll always be up for a riot.
Of course many will disagree and say they're loud, drunken hooligans, I suppose it's
true but as I said every coin has 2 sides.
I got on my balcony, my friend was at work, so I was alone, I befriend a window neighbour,
a girl from Colombia, I don't think she understood much what I was saying, but I kept inviting
her to go out to parties but she was into work routine, was funny.
By the time my friend got home, I was well under influence, but we had fun, and
fooled around until about 3, I went to my last night at west-end, there was a "big party"
Charlie's Angels I believe it was called with Sophie Sugar, Vicky Devine and my friend from
Ireland played, who I didn't even recognise at first until I met her friend in the crowd,
also got to meet a well known trance duo, and we all went to girls' apt. for an after party.
Got home at 9am in another state of world lol, woke up my friend and told her 3 times what
happened... after some sleep I woke up at 15h, had a lunch cooked and ready, and after it
we went to beach and had a cup of coffee. I thought I feel ok, but I was still on after
effects from last night, after 30min. in the sun I went home to sleep again.
Was suppose to go see Above & Beyond at Eden, but it was looking really bad.
I was sick as a dog and had many visits to toilet, my friend finished work and brought me
some aspirins, but I was in no state to go out, so we stayed in.
I woke up at around 3 thinking I could go out, but decided better not if I'm to live.
On monday morning we got up and I had an english breakfast to restore my strength,
decided it's time to go look for t-shirt print shop for our big night tomorrow at amnesia.
After walking all around San Antonio I found one across the street of the flat lol
Made an order and went to beach by Sun Sea bar and Coastline cafe, on recommendations of
my friend who got sick of me going to Mambo all the time and west-end, so I decided it's time
for a change. It was a nice sandy beach and I spent the day gathering strength for night at
Priviledge - Manumission. We picked up the t-shirts in the evening and went to Mambo for sunset,
it was again very nice and full of people. She had to go to work at 21-00h, so I got stuck alone
again for 3h not knowing what to do, I went down to west-end and sat down and had a look at
crazyness that went on. Until 3 Brits (2 guys and a girl) come by and ask me where the west-end
is, I thought it was funny, and said 'that's it', lol I asked them to come along as I didn't
have anything to do, and we went on a had a drink, or two, and we also went to Mambo.
They didn't have any plans for the night, but didn't feel like going to Manumission,
after few drinks and talk and laughs we became well friends and one decided to go with us,
I walked them back to hotel, and we went to Pussycat bar to get the tickets, 43eur cheapest in
town... my friend finished working, so me and my UK friend went back to flat, and we had a drink
before taking a taxi and going to club. We got to Priviledge at about 2, and the parking lot and
all was very full, got it, and had really a nice sight to see, 2 huge dancing floors with 50ft
ceilings divided by a swimming pool, with outside galleries and terraces, the place looked amazing,
we went further up the floors to get close to he stage where Ficherspooner were to play, there were
lot of extravagant dancers and they played some sort of house-tech, then when the band got on
it was like party had stopped and everyone looked at them, they played well I suppose but I'm not
into rock concerts and specially not if it's at a club, after a couple of songs they took a break
and music kicked in again, to me it was like an OFF button, didn't like it much, the whole scene
looked like there's a CD playing, but people were partying, I don't know, I was probably still well
tired from sunday, and thought I'd go crazy if I stayed there. My UK friend met some girl and stayed
with her, while I pleaded with my friend to let's get the hell outta there, which we did only unless
I wasn't to go to west-end again lol, it was painful decision but I said yes, got home at around 4
and had a late snack, and went to sleep. Probably for the best because the best party was yet to come.
On tuesday my friend had to clean and pack her things because we were leaving the flat because her
lease has come to and end, and we went to live on in apt. of 2 friends, I packed my stuff, and
didn't have much left to do, so I went to hotel of my UK friends while she went back to work.
Met them at hotel, my friend that went to Manumission was well wasted so I chilled on the beach
with other 2, we had taken a water ride on a "banana" that's actually what looks like a small
rubber boat turned upside down, but it was hilarious and well funny.
Boat dragged us around the bay and you had to hold on real strong not to fall off.
And we had decided that next day we will take a ride on the bigger attraction called the "FlyFish".
Anyway they were planning to go to Space to see Carl Cox for the closing party while I headed to
Sun Sea bar and Amnesia for Armada Nights closing party with my friend.
I got home took a shower, and we went off and got to the place around 21h, well early, but we
were going to have a dinner. The setting of the bar is beautiful, and they have a terrace with a
ship-like bar with swimming pool, with great cocktails, and skillfull barman.
Next door at Coastline there was a big pre-party for Dave Pearce's closing party at Eden with
laser and dancing acts, girls and fireworks. Quite a show even from a far.
We had a beautiful dinner and our 2 friends from Ireland joined us, both of them played before Armin
and we had some drinks etc. when they got on, I went around to take some photos etc., there was a
video wall projection of Armin, and sound system was nice too, but place wasn't packed or anything,
it was very nice. Armin got in around 23.30 and went straight for the decks, it felt very nice that
from all the people around the dj booth there, he walked in and shook hands with me, so he started to
play immediately, but although at this time I could recognise most songs I couldn't ID any for some reason.
I was nervous with all the people jumping around, and I wanted to get my and my friends stuff signed,
which finally happened when Armin turned around to talk to us, I had a home made CD of Armin van Buuren Feat.
Justine Suissa - Simple Things, since it's an iTunes exclusive and it'll probably never see a CD release
I thought it'd be nice to make one myself, Armin seemed amused by it, and I also had the United promo CD
cover from 1999 with me, that I'm not sure he even recognised anymore, but it's a 1st CD of Armin that was
printed. I was gratefull for all the attention and went over to have our 2 t-shirts signed too,
one (mine) was specially funny as I had printed a photo of Armin as baby with headphones, it's a genuine
pic. and he couldn't hide surprise, lol Said something like OMG, after all that he kept on playing until 24h
He said he's in for deserved break, touring around all the time, me and my friend who he knew from Spain and
Ibiza were talking to him, and he was very surprised I am staying with her.
I also got to know Maykel Piron, who seemed to have recognised me, we had a nice chat, and he seemed a good person.
Above the Sun Sea bar - Armin showed me 2nd floor, and said this is where the ARMADA was born.
Also in attendance was a group from Holland, a couple of TMF competition winners, and some Armin PR.
I didn't recognise anyone from the crowd except the one girl from Godskitchen in Birmingham,
I forgot her name, but she's always wearing a kilt-like thing that says Armin or Armada, blondie,
probably someone that frequents GK knows her, met her the next night at Meganite pre-party too.
Me and my friend went back to the flat to change clothes to our new Armin signed t-shirts and went
to get a taxi to amnesia. We got to the club at 1 and it was still well empty, Markus Shulz was playing
a set that seems like oldie goldies to me, but I wasn't into it, was waiting for Armin to come on.
Since the club was empty I thought it'd be nice to have a walk around, I went into the terrace, and it
looked well amazing as a club on it's own even, people started coming, as there were LOADS of free tickets
passes all around San Antonio for this night, I'm guessing they wanted to make sure the Space wouldn't take
all the crowd. Markus Shulz pumped the crowd more and more, and by 3am the place was packed and pumping,
I had my camera with me, unlike at Priviledge at Amnesia they don't search you at all, and many people had cameras.
Armin got on the decks at 3.30am and was suppose to play until 7.
The whole night went on great, and I had managed to put together somewhat of a tracklist unlike at Sun Sea bar.
It really bugged me that drinks were well expensive, but I had 3x 10 euro beers anyway, I knew I'd hate myself
in the morning, but what the hell. Wasn't even drunk or anything.
So party went well on, and everyone had a great time, there were some walking sticks acts by some crazy
looking mascaras, and ice cannon again proved to be the best thing next to sliced bread. Can never get enough of it.
Saw some guy even dance with a mop! a real toilet mop lol, and pointing to Armin,
my friend thought it was well funny, I think it was silly really but didn't manage to take a pic.
So anyway at 5.53 I notice a guy running to Armin on balcony and I got the impression it's over.
So suddenly Armin stops playing for maybe 5sec.
He raised his hand etc.. and put on another song, I thought maybe it will go on, but then I saw Armin
go over to the party on the balcony and telling them to cheer the crowd with waiving hands and this to me
signalled it's really ending, but on Ibiza that's almost unheard of, specially when party is suppose to go on
until 7, and not many people noticed this I think. So after the song, and all cheering, Armin stopped at exactly
6am, people were thinking there'll be encores and all, but Armin just thanked everyone by some hand gestures
and disappeared in the back. People were shocked and no one could believe it's over.
To be honest the place wasn't as full at 5.30 as it was at 3.30, I thought this was the reason
that Amnesia would stop the party, but it'd be a stupid reason.
So anyway bouncers came, Amnesia ceiling opened, lights went on, and everyone was told to go out.
People were well pissed, and I thought myself whole world should hear about this.
So anyway we got out, and the bus service was really bad again.
Of 4 buses none went to San Antonio but all the Ibiza Town, so we had no choice to take taxi again
and go home "disappointed".
It wasn't until next 2 days that I heard the reason for this was that the police ordered all parties
stop because that morning the schools started in Spain, but whatever... it's just a stupid reason,
schools start at 9, and Ibiza is small, but apparently it's for kids safety, but personally I think
most people drive with taxis there anyway. Well either way that was the end of Armada at Amnesia for this year.
Good news here is that I met my friend from Italy and he had a minidisc with him, so I'm hoping
he managed to record the set, for now the tracklist I could remember/ID.
2005-09-13 Armin van Buuren Live at Armada Nights Closing Party at Club Amnesia on Ibiza (ES)
01 Armin van Buuren Feat. Gabriel & Dresden - Zocalo
02 Mode Hookers - Breathe
03 Armin van Buuren - Who Is Watching (Feat. Nadia Ali) ( ? Remix)
04 Markus Schulz Feat. Departure - Without You Near (Dub ? )
05 ID (sounds like Nothing (93 Returning Mix)?)
06 Alex Stealthy - Able To Forget
07 Red & Blue - Driller
08 Way Out West - Killa (Orkidea Remix)
09 Dogzilla - Without You
10 Marcel Woods - Advanced
11 Andy Moor - Halcyon (Alex M.O.R.P.H. remix)
12 ID
13 John Marks - Do it again (Ron van den Beuken remix)
14 ID
15 ID
16 Police - Message In A Bottle (Sander van Doorn Remix)
17 Armin van Buuren - Shivers ( ? Remix)
18 ID (guitar strings tune)
19 ID
20 Randy Katana - Play It Louder
21 Bart Claessen - Playmo (1 st play)
22 ID (sounds like 'cues' on repeat)
23 ID
24 ID
25 ID
26 Paul Van Dyk featuring Wayne Jackson - The Other Side ( ?Remix)
end+encore
27 ID
Running time: cca. 150min.
Went to sleep at 7 and got up at 2pm, it was moving day, my friend had 5 big suitaces to pack and get ready
felt almost sorry but there wasn't much we could do, but by 15h we had it all packed, brought it down,
in front of the building and had a taxi bring us to 2 of our other friends from Ireland that we stayed with.
Went we got there they were still sound asleep, and it was kinda awkward to carry around all the suitcases,
we had to leave the little dog in the old flat until the evening, it's a female mut btw. that someone left in front
of the pet store and my friend had taken it. After all this she had to go to work from 16-24 and I can imagine she
was very very tired, but there was nothing for me to do, so I went to the beach to my UK friends,
they were chilling on the beach after Carl Cox night, and said that Space was full of weird people,
mostly Spanish who kept "dancing" if you could call it that, by bumping into you and hitting eachother,
and whole place was just crazy... they couldn't stand such crowd so they left home at 4.30
We took a ride on the FlyFish and that's easily the single most fun I did the week, it's like a rubber
boat for 6 people where you have to hold for the handles and there was 4 of us on, so it wasn't crowded,
the guy took us on a ride for about 20min., we literally bounce off and on eachother and fall into water
few times, it was hilarious, no one could stop laughing!
I was so hungry I had lunch for 2 people, so later we decided to go to Meganite pre-party to Ittaca,
and before that even a Villareal - Man u CL game at local restaurant.
So I went home to get ready, when my 2 friends from Ireland said they know a great Thai food restaurant
up in the hills where Armin has been yesterday, a place called 'Banyan Palace', and what a palace it is,
we took a taxi because it's pretty far, and when you get there it's like a temple, at night it looked
amazing with all the little lights and wooden tables, and interior is all art.
We had an amazing dinner, and waitress did say Armin comes often when we got into conversation,
at the end we also got free drinks. Took a few photos of it, just couldn't help it.
So we get out to catch a taxi, and a couple that my friends knew stepped out, and they are like chatting
and say bye's and we get into car and drive, and they're like 'do you know who that was', and I was 'no?',
they say the girl is Ann Savage - the UK DJ, that was well funny, and I must say she's well fit.
On the ride home I stopped by my UK friends while the Irish went home, we watched the Man U game to the end
while they had dinner, and we headed off to Meganite pre-party, my friend that I'd gone to Manumission with
persuaded me to go with him, and it was good too we got cheap 15 eur tickets at Bay Bar.
So we get to bar Ittaca where the pre-party was and Mauro Picotto just casually walks in with drink and
a cigarette, it's not often you see such DJs, he seemed very cool guy.
He started to play from midnight, during his set, they closed the doors, and "pre-"party was very good,
people jumped behind the decks to have a pic with the man every 5sec. but he seemed to enjoy it.
Even so that when he ended playing at 1am, he just kept on, as if he didn't want to stop,
the music was more housey than techno he usually plays and whole vibe was very good.
So me and my friend go over to my friends that I had dinner with because they were going to Meganite too,
but once we got home we found out that they'll be going at 5, which was too late, so we decided to go
on our own. In the mean time I get sms from my friend that she finished working and that she's feeling tired
and won't go to party, we originally planned to go see Erick Morillo at Pacha, but I was low on money,
and that trip could cost me 80 euro easily, so I decided to go to Meganite instead, whole night cost me 20 eur.
She went to her old flat to get the puppy but had also lots of kitchenware to move, no way I could let her do
it alone, so we went over, delayed going to club, me and my UK friend grabbed all the things, like 10 bags,
and go down to taxi station, I can't begin to explain the funny feeling when there's clubbers all around you
when you're trying to haul a taxi armed with 10 bags. And taxi drivers are real pain in the ass, they have
some sort of code of their own, where you're driven by them for prestige and not money.
So anyway somehow we manage to get a taxi, and move all the things to new appt.
We went to local 24/7 store to get ike 6 Breezers, and we decided to drink them in front of the Priviledge,
it was like 3am, and more people were actually going out than in, I believe it was Fergie playing so I can't
blaim them. After we finished drinks, we went in and just got in time for Mauro's start, Priviledge was only
1/2 open this time, but crowd seemed nice, they stopped the music, and he took the mic and thanked everyone
for support, his set was bit different than one from Ittaca, but me being a layman in techno I couldn't really
comment on it, it was nice anyway. The crowd however was incredible, But everyone was nice too, so it was no
problem, it's just that whole place really stank. Music was good but I missed the ice cannon from Amnesia,
instead they had fireworks, which is nice, but not exactly the same. Mauro played from about 3.30 to 5.30
then Chris Liebing came on, I had no idea what the deal with this guy is, but soon you get the picture,
he put on the headphones on his forehead, took down the CDJ or something, started to unplug cables, all
while playing some hard tracks, and jumping like mad man, I thought he'll start throwing things into crowd lol
He was more like a circus act, but still played solid, probably better than Mauro earlier.
They also threw full case of t-shirt into the crowd, my friend caught one. They stopped the music
to thank all the people for visiting and support, which I thought was a nice touch, considering
the way Armada ended. I met a guy from TA USA section that I recognised from the pics, thought
that's very memorable too. We had a nice chat and took pic.
We left at about 6.30 so I am guessing Priviledge broke the law because
it didn't stop at 6 and there was no police around, no taxis either however, so we had to walk to main
road to literally wrestle for any 1st arriing taxi.
Next day when I woke up, my friend worked from 11-14, so I took her to lunch, being my last day there
she was still tired but got rest I guess for not going out previous night.
We went to some restaurant in middle of San Antonio, and then to the beach at Coastline Cafe,
just chilling there in the sun, made us thirsty so we decided to go to Mambo for coffee.
So we come down, sit by a table and I look up and no one else but Markus Shulz was sitting there with
his family and having lunch. I tought it'd be rude to bother them so I didn't, I sent an sms to my
friend from US who's a big an and knows him about it, thought it was neat.
After that she had to go to work for evening shift, and I walked over to beach where my UK friends were,
just caught them for 10min. as they were leaving to get ready. So we decided to meet up at Mambo
for one last sunset. I went home and got ready, everyone in the appartment was still sleeping and it was
like 19h, that's what Ibiza is like I guess, party all night, sleep all day. Passed by my friends' store
to say hi to her, and went down to Mambo, just caught the last glimpse of the sunset, and then I walked around
to see if I could find my friends from UK, I was watching the fire jugglers acts, and imagine who I see again -
Markus Shulz, this time I thought what the heck, I'll go over and say hi, and so I did, and we had a nice
chat, he introduced me his family, we took a pic, and said bye's, I extended greetings from my US friends,
his fans that I know. Pacha pre-party was on and there were lovely scantily clad girls walking around,
and I thought that Deep Dish will play at Mambo for pre-party, but they didn't show up.
Went back to my friend's store at 21h and chilled with her til' her shift ended at 23h, and we went home,
It was my last hour, and I felt really sad, I wasn't leaving just music and sun, and beaches, but
all the great friends I met, but I knew at same time I was lucky to have such an amazing time.
And I've decided days before even that next year and probably years beyond to be back again!
I had packed everything earlier in the afternoon and my friend walked me to taxi stop,
we said goodbye and I thanked her again for all the lovely time and all the things that happened,
on my drive to airport I could barely breathe, I felt really depressed and I just collapsed and
took a nap on the airport seats. My flight to Venice wasn't on until 2am, when I finally got on,
I slept all the way through, and then also driving home for 3h wasn't fun, I tried to catch some sleep.
Finally got home at like 7.30 and just dived into bed.
Unpacking wasn't fun at all either, I looked at all the posters and flyers I got, and I got many
and just got teary eyes. But it was all great, and that's all that counts, I tried to follow my motto:
"don't expect anything" - which I did and was awarded with a such great vacation, it's good to know
I'll meet all the people I met at parties around soon, so it's not only Armin that I follow around, hehe
But he's something that binds us all together, the music he brings us, and that's priceless I suppose.
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Some photos for now below,
http://fp.badne.ws/ibiza_2005/
will have to wait till next week for album as I'm busy.
Before you read this - it's long as novel, but it's for my own
reference, so just skip parts if you don't like to read
All the people that I mention as friends, are just that, and I don't want
to name them for their own privacy, but you know who you are
This year's Ibiza for me has been something that's landed like from
heaven straight into my lap. In beginning of the year I wasn't planning
to go at all, but since my summer plans got screwed up, and since I had
a very good friend from Spain working on the white isle, she invited me
over, I finally managed to book a trip in september.
I can't express how grateful I am
Main goal was to go see Armin but I knew Ibiza is more than just music,
taught by my last year's experiences I wanted to go to as many parties
as I could, and I've really did my best considering all things.
Right then before I left I've been reading all the reviews from various
people, and was worried because many have said it's not been the same
this year, basicly less people, and less partying than usual.
I arrived to Ibiza airport at few minutes past midnight.
It was a night flight so I didnt get to see any scenery, but I did see
the fireworks going off from somewhere in Ibiza Town.
I thought this might be a nice welcome gift, and I sure wasn't wrong.
I took a taxi to San Antonio, my friend worked 'til late so she couldn't
have come picked me up, anyway when I got there it was like 1am, and since
we had a flat right next to west-end I could see right away there's plenty
of party people and that there'll be nothing to worry about.
Now I know my friend for about 1.5 year, but this was the first time we've
actually met, although we have some mutual friends, I was very excited and
nervous over that too, so I quickly unpacked and changed and we went out to
dinner at 1am, lol, I thought this might be late to go and do something, but
it's just to show I've forgotten the time works different on the island.
We had a pre-party drink at Play 2 in the west-end.
We decided to go to Cream night (Tiesto, Montana), so I got a 40 euro ticket,
which was kinda cheapest one, my friend got a pass for almost any night on the
island, as apparently most people that work there do, well you have to know
the right people to get them, but it can be done.
We took a taxi as loads of people do, because the bus service is really poor.
When I got to amnesia it was the best feeling in the world, the club was packed,
Tiesto played solid although I'm not big on technical details but my friend
said that both him and Montana didn't mix so well, anyway I enjoyed the club
very very much, must have stood under the ice cannon for like 5 times or so,
such an amazing feeling every time
Worth every cent of the ticket.Didn't buy any drinks because I got few before club, and paying 8 euro for
3dcl bottle of water which costs like 0.30 cents is a robbery, same goes for
beer 10/1 eur. That turned out to bug me through the nights at big clubs,
but what can you do, you just accept the fact that you're on Ibiza and that's the
way things are. At the party I also met another 2 friends that I met in London
like 5 months ago and we had a great time party reunion, it would also turn out
I'd staying with them for last 2 nights of my vacation. The sound system was
different than last year which I noticed right away, and at the end of the night
my ears were beeping for another 2 days.
We took a taxi back home again because bus was nowhere to be seen.
There were a lot of flashy dressed people waiting for the buses.
What I like about the whole thing is that there's no dress codes, you can go in
club with shorts and flip-flops, bouncers are nice, and clubs are great.
I had a Vandit key chain that my friend had put keys of the flat on for me,
and I lost it, someone had nicked it probably while I didnt see,
that was the only downside of the night.
I woke up on friday morning bit tired but feeling good, my friend has a small
german shepherd that was very very hyper-acive doggy, it would bite things and
jump around etc.. was funny. Although it had wrecked my phone charger and a pair
of socks. And there were few times when I had to clean the pee-pee and doo-doo, lol
Living on 7th floor over San Antonio bay provided a great view, the day was hot and
sunny, and immediately forgot about my worries it wouldn't be as warm in september.
I got dressed and it was time to hit the beach, went to my favorite bar, Mambo
On the way I stopped at one of clubs' shops where my friend worked and we met up
later on the beach. It was a great and sunny day, perfect to lie on the beach
and drink a cold beer while listening to chill out music coming from the bar above.
I had plans for the evening to go see Pete Tong while he did the show.
Had been thinking also about going to the party later at Pacha but it was at another
part of the island and club tickets for it were on of the most expensive ones.
I had been there only a day and I've already spent almost 100 euro, so I had to
consider how much big time clubbing I'd do.
Went home to get changed and got dressed for the sunset at Mambo, it was packed as
always and people clapped hands at sunset as always, taking photos, videos,
and fire jugglers acts came on, and I saw the snakeman with his python again.
Went over to stands where they sold misc. stuff, was funny to see they accept credit cards.
When we got home we took the dog out for the walk, after that I was already a few
drinks down, and didn't really want to spend 60-70 eur for a night out on the other
part of the island, so we decided to go to Play 2 in west-end (yes again lol), I love
that place for some place, it's full of British and music is house-tech with always
a good DJ, and drinks are cheap too, girls and all.
My friend didn't like it that much though so we went to Bar M for a drink first,
it was very nice, and we had a lot of fun.
But at Play 2 soon I stuck around alone, got with some Spanish chick, we danced etc.,
but was kinda silly, so I went on alone, while having a drink met 2 guys from UK,
and we had lot of laughs and went for a snack
out after clubbing. I was well drunk that night, but it was memorable.
Was suppose to meet the 2 guys from Play 2 at Mambo at 13h, but I only got there at like 15h
had to get some sleep, the whole night/day thing already got to get to me, but I'm not
the one to sleep the day away, definetly needed my swim and sun bathing.
My friend joined me but the sea was very uncalm that day, waves were high, and it was windy.
So I went back to our building where we had a swimming pool on like 13th floor.
When I got up there were maybe like 5 people there, but the view was stunning.
Spent the afternoon there, and contrary to my wish to have a quiet evening,
beers and vodka were on for the night. My friend got a new nickname for me, the crazy british, lol
Can't say I can blame her, for some reason I like the way they go crazy and aren't
snotty or whatever, you can go out clubbing and they'll always be up for a riot.
Of course many will disagree and say they're loud, drunken hooligans, I suppose it's
true but as I said every coin has 2 sides.
I got on my balcony, my friend was at work, so I was alone, I befriend a window neighbour,
a girl from Colombia, I don't think she understood much what I was saying, but I kept inviting
her to go out to parties but she was into work routine, was funny.
By the time my friend got home, I was well under influence, but we had fun, and
fooled around until about 3, I went to my last night at west-end, there was a "big party"
Charlie's Angels I believe it was called with Sophie Sugar, Vicky Devine and my friend from
Ireland played, who I didn't even recognise at first until I met her friend in the crowd,
also got to meet a well known trance duo, and we all went to girls' apt. for an after party.
Got home at 9am in another state of world lol, woke up my friend and told her 3 times what
happened... after some sleep I woke up at 15h, had a lunch cooked and ready, and after it
we went to beach and had a cup of coffee. I thought I feel ok, but I was still on after
effects from last night, after 30min. in the sun I went home to sleep again.
Was suppose to go see Above & Beyond at Eden, but it was looking really bad.
I was sick as a dog and had many visits to toilet, my friend finished work and brought me
some aspirins, but I was in no state to go out, so we stayed in.
I woke up at around 3 thinking I could go out, but decided better not if I'm to live.
On monday morning we got up and I had an english breakfast to restore my strength,
decided it's time to go look for t-shirt print shop for our big night tomorrow at amnesia.
After walking all around San Antonio I found one across the street of the flat lol
Made an order and went to beach by Sun Sea bar and Coastline cafe, on recommendations of
my friend who got sick of me going to Mambo all the time and west-end, so I decided it's time
for a change. It was a nice sandy beach and I spent the day gathering strength for night at
Priviledge - Manumission. We picked up the t-shirts in the evening and went to Mambo for sunset,
it was again very nice and full of people. She had to go to work at 21-00h, so I got stuck alone
again for 3h not knowing what to do, I went down to west-end and sat down and had a look at
crazyness that went on. Until 3 Brits (2 guys and a girl) come by and ask me where the west-end
is, I thought it was funny, and said 'that's it', lol I asked them to come along as I didn't
have anything to do, and we went on a had a drink, or two, and we also went to Mambo.
They didn't have any plans for the night, but didn't feel like going to Manumission,
after few drinks and talk and laughs we became well friends and one decided to go with us,
I walked them back to hotel, and we went to Pussycat bar to get the tickets, 43eur cheapest in
town... my friend finished working, so me and my UK friend went back to flat, and we had a drink
before taking a taxi and going to club. We got to Priviledge at about 2, and the parking lot and
all was very full, got it, and had really a nice sight to see, 2 huge dancing floors with 50ft
ceilings divided by a swimming pool, with outside galleries and terraces, the place looked amazing,
we went further up the floors to get close to he stage where Ficherspooner were to play, there were
lot of extravagant dancers and they played some sort of house-tech, then when the band got on
it was like party had stopped and everyone looked at them, they played well I suppose but I'm not
into rock concerts and specially not if it's at a club, after a couple of songs they took a break
and music kicked in again, to me it was like an OFF button, didn't like it much, the whole scene
looked like there's a CD playing, but people were partying, I don't know, I was probably still well
tired from sunday, and thought I'd go crazy if I stayed there. My UK friend met some girl and stayed
with her, while I pleaded with my friend to let's get the hell outta there, which we did only unless
I wasn't to go to west-end again lol, it was painful decision but I said yes, got home at around 4
and had a late snack, and went to sleep. Probably for the best because the best party was yet to come.
On tuesday my friend had to clean and pack her things because we were leaving the flat because her
lease has come to and end, and we went to live on in apt. of 2 friends, I packed my stuff, and
didn't have much left to do, so I went to hotel of my UK friends while she went back to work.
Met them at hotel, my friend that went to Manumission was well wasted so I chilled on the beach
with other 2, we had taken a water ride on a "banana" that's actually what looks like a small
rubber boat turned upside down, but it was hilarious and well funny.
Boat dragged us around the bay and you had to hold on real strong not to fall off.
And we had decided that next day we will take a ride on the bigger attraction called the "FlyFish".
Anyway they were planning to go to Space to see Carl Cox for the closing party while I headed to
Sun Sea bar and Amnesia for Armada Nights closing party with my friend.
I got home took a shower, and we went off and got to the place around 21h, well early, but we
were going to have a dinner. The setting of the bar is beautiful, and they have a terrace with a
ship-like bar with swimming pool, with great cocktails, and skillfull barman.
Next door at Coastline there was a big pre-party for Dave Pearce's closing party at Eden with
laser and dancing acts, girls and fireworks. Quite a show even from a far.
We had a beautiful dinner and our 2 friends from Ireland joined us, both of them played before Armin
and we had some drinks etc. when they got on, I went around to take some photos etc., there was a
video wall projection of Armin, and sound system was nice too, but place wasn't packed or anything,
it was very nice. Armin got in around 23.30 and went straight for the decks, it felt very nice that
from all the people around the dj booth there, he walked in and shook hands with me, so he started to
play immediately, but although at this time I could recognise most songs I couldn't ID any for some reason.
I was nervous with all the people jumping around, and I wanted to get my and my friends stuff signed,
which finally happened when Armin turned around to talk to us, I had a home made CD of Armin van Buuren Feat.
Justine Suissa - Simple Things, since it's an iTunes exclusive and it'll probably never see a CD release
I thought it'd be nice to make one myself, Armin seemed amused by it, and I also had the United promo CD
cover from 1999 with me, that I'm not sure he even recognised anymore, but it's a 1st CD of Armin that was
printed. I was gratefull for all the attention and went over to have our 2 t-shirts signed too,
one (mine) was specially funny as I had printed a photo of Armin as baby with headphones, it's a genuine
pic. and he couldn't hide surprise, lol Said something like OMG, after all that he kept on playing until 24h
He said he's in for deserved break, touring around all the time, me and my friend who he knew from Spain and
Ibiza were talking to him, and he was very surprised I am staying with her.
I also got to know Maykel Piron, who seemed to have recognised me, we had a nice chat, and he seemed a good person.
Above the Sun Sea bar - Armin showed me 2nd floor, and said this is where the ARMADA was born.
Also in attendance was a group from Holland, a couple of TMF competition winners, and some Armin PR.
I didn't recognise anyone from the crowd except the one girl from Godskitchen in Birmingham,
I forgot her name, but she's always wearing a kilt-like thing that says Armin or Armada, blondie,
probably someone that frequents GK knows her, met her the next night at Meganite pre-party too.
Me and my friend went back to the flat to change clothes to our new Armin signed t-shirts and went
to get a taxi to amnesia. We got to the club at 1 and it was still well empty, Markus Shulz was playing
a set that seems like oldie goldies to me, but I wasn't into it, was waiting for Armin to come on.
Since the club was empty I thought it'd be nice to have a walk around, I went into the terrace, and it
looked well amazing as a club on it's own even, people started coming, as there were LOADS of free tickets
passes all around San Antonio for this night, I'm guessing they wanted to make sure the Space wouldn't take
all the crowd. Markus Shulz pumped the crowd more and more, and by 3am the place was packed and pumping,
I had my camera with me, unlike at Priviledge at Amnesia they don't search you at all, and many people had cameras.
Armin got on the decks at 3.30am and was suppose to play until 7.
The whole night went on great, and I had managed to put together somewhat of a tracklist unlike at Sun Sea bar.
It really bugged me that drinks were well expensive, but I had 3x 10 euro beers anyway, I knew I'd hate myself
in the morning, but what the hell. Wasn't even drunk or anything.
So party went well on, and everyone had a great time, there were some walking sticks acts by some crazy
looking mascaras, and ice cannon again proved to be the best thing next to sliced bread. Can never get enough of it.
Saw some guy even dance with a mop! a real toilet mop lol, and pointing to Armin,
my friend thought it was well funny, I think it was silly really but didn't manage to take a pic.
So anyway at 5.53 I notice a guy running to Armin on balcony and I got the impression it's over.
So suddenly Armin stops playing for maybe 5sec.
He raised his hand etc.. and put on another song, I thought maybe it will go on, but then I saw Armin
go over to the party on the balcony and telling them to cheer the crowd with waiving hands and this to me
signalled it's really ending, but on Ibiza that's almost unheard of, specially when party is suppose to go on
until 7, and not many people noticed this I think. So after the song, and all cheering, Armin stopped at exactly
6am, people were thinking there'll be encores and all, but Armin just thanked everyone by some hand gestures
and disappeared in the back. People were shocked and no one could believe it's over.
To be honest the place wasn't as full at 5.30 as it was at 3.30, I thought this was the reason
that Amnesia would stop the party, but it'd be a stupid reason.
So anyway bouncers came, Amnesia ceiling opened, lights went on, and everyone was told to go out.
People were well pissed, and I thought myself whole world should hear about this.
So anyway we got out, and the bus service was really bad again.
Of 4 buses none went to San Antonio but all the Ibiza Town, so we had no choice to take taxi again
and go home "disappointed".
It wasn't until next 2 days that I heard the reason for this was that the police ordered all parties
stop because that morning the schools started in Spain, but whatever... it's just a stupid reason,
schools start at 9, and Ibiza is small, but apparently it's for kids safety, but personally I think
most people drive with taxis there anyway. Well either way that was the end of Armada at Amnesia for this year.
Good news here is that I met my friend from Italy and he had a minidisc with him, so I'm hoping
he managed to record the set, for now the tracklist I could remember/ID.
2005-09-13 Armin van Buuren Live at Armada Nights Closing Party at Club Amnesia on Ibiza (ES)
01 Armin van Buuren Feat. Gabriel & Dresden - Zocalo
02 Mode Hookers - Breathe
03 Armin van Buuren - Who Is Watching (Feat. Nadia Ali) ( ? Remix)
04 Markus Schulz Feat. Departure - Without You Near (Dub ? )
05 ID (sounds like Nothing (93 Returning Mix)?)
06 Alex Stealthy - Able To Forget
07 Red & Blue - Driller
08 Way Out West - Killa (Orkidea Remix)
09 Dogzilla - Without You
10 Marcel Woods - Advanced
11 Andy Moor - Halcyon (Alex M.O.R.P.H. remix)
12 ID
13 John Marks - Do it again (Ron van den Beuken remix)
14 ID
15 ID
16 Police - Message In A Bottle (Sander van Doorn Remix)
17 Armin van Buuren - Shivers ( ? Remix)
18 ID (guitar strings tune)
19 ID
20 Randy Katana - Play It Louder
21 Bart Claessen - Playmo (1 st play)
22 ID (sounds like 'cues' on repeat)
23 ID
24 ID
25 ID
26 Paul Van Dyk featuring Wayne Jackson - The Other Side ( ?Remix)
end+encore
27 ID
Running time: cca. 150min.
Went to sleep at 7 and got up at 2pm, it was moving day, my friend had 5 big suitaces to pack and get ready
felt almost sorry but there wasn't much we could do, but by 15h we had it all packed, brought it down,
in front of the building and had a taxi bring us to 2 of our other friends from Ireland that we stayed with.
Went we got there they were still sound asleep, and it was kinda awkward to carry around all the suitcases,
we had to leave the little dog in the old flat until the evening, it's a female mut btw. that someone left in front
of the pet store and my friend had taken it. After all this she had to go to work from 16-24 and I can imagine she
was very very tired, but there was nothing for me to do, so I went to the beach to my UK friends,
they were chilling on the beach after Carl Cox night, and said that Space was full of weird people,
mostly Spanish who kept "dancing" if you could call it that, by bumping into you and hitting eachother,
and whole place was just crazy... they couldn't stand such crowd so they left home at 4.30
We took a ride on the FlyFish and that's easily the single most fun I did the week, it's like a rubber
boat for 6 people where you have to hold for the handles and there was 4 of us on, so it wasn't crowded,
the guy took us on a ride for about 20min., we literally bounce off and on eachother and fall into water
few times, it was hilarious, no one could stop laughing!
I was so hungry I had lunch for 2 people, so later we decided to go to Meganite pre-party to Ittaca,
and before that even a Villareal - Man u CL game at local restaurant.
So I went home to get ready, when my 2 friends from Ireland said they know a great Thai food restaurant
up in the hills where Armin has been yesterday, a place called 'Banyan Palace', and what a palace it is,
we took a taxi because it's pretty far, and when you get there it's like a temple, at night it looked
amazing with all the little lights and wooden tables, and interior is all art.
We had an amazing dinner, and waitress did say Armin comes often when we got into conversation,
at the end we also got free drinks. Took a few photos of it, just couldn't help it.
So we get out to catch a taxi, and a couple that my friends knew stepped out, and they are like chatting
and say bye's and we get into car and drive, and they're like 'do you know who that was', and I was 'no?',
they say the girl is Ann Savage - the UK DJ, that was well funny, and I must say she's well fit.
On the ride home I stopped by my UK friends while the Irish went home, we watched the Man U game to the end
while they had dinner, and we headed off to Meganite pre-party, my friend that I'd gone to Manumission with
persuaded me to go with him, and it was good too we got cheap 15 eur tickets at Bay Bar.
So we get to bar Ittaca where the pre-party was and Mauro Picotto just casually walks in with drink and
a cigarette, it's not often you see such DJs, he seemed very cool guy.
He started to play from midnight, during his set, they closed the doors, and "pre-"party was very good,
people jumped behind the decks to have a pic with the man every 5sec. but he seemed to enjoy it.
Even so that when he ended playing at 1am, he just kept on, as if he didn't want to stop,
the music was more housey than techno he usually plays and whole vibe was very good.
So me and my friend go over to my friends that I had dinner with because they were going to Meganite too,
but once we got home we found out that they'll be going at 5, which was too late, so we decided to go
on our own. In the mean time I get sms from my friend that she finished working and that she's feeling tired
and won't go to party, we originally planned to go see Erick Morillo at Pacha, but I was low on money,
and that trip could cost me 80 euro easily, so I decided to go to Meganite instead, whole night cost me 20 eur.
She went to her old flat to get the puppy but had also lots of kitchenware to move, no way I could let her do
it alone, so we went over, delayed going to club, me and my UK friend grabbed all the things, like 10 bags,
and go down to taxi station, I can't begin to explain the funny feeling when there's clubbers all around you
when you're trying to haul a taxi armed with 10 bags. And taxi drivers are real pain in the ass, they have
some sort of code of their own, where you're driven by them for prestige and not money.
So anyway somehow we manage to get a taxi, and move all the things to new appt.
We went to local 24/7 store to get ike 6 Breezers, and we decided to drink them in front of the Priviledge,
it was like 3am, and more people were actually going out than in, I believe it was Fergie playing so I can't
blaim them. After we finished drinks, we went in and just got in time for Mauro's start, Priviledge was only
1/2 open this time, but crowd seemed nice, they stopped the music, and he took the mic and thanked everyone
for support, his set was bit different than one from Ittaca, but me being a layman in techno I couldn't really
comment on it, it was nice anyway. The crowd however was incredible, But everyone was nice too, so it was no
problem, it's just that whole place really stank. Music was good but I missed the ice cannon from Amnesia,
instead they had fireworks, which is nice, but not exactly the same. Mauro played from about 3.30 to 5.30
then Chris Liebing came on, I had no idea what the deal with this guy is, but soon you get the picture,
he put on the headphones on his forehead, took down the CDJ or something, started to unplug cables, all
while playing some hard tracks, and jumping like mad man, I thought he'll start throwing things into crowd lol
He was more like a circus act, but still played solid, probably better than Mauro earlier.
They also threw full case of t-shirt into the crowd, my friend caught one. They stopped the music
to thank all the people for visiting and support, which I thought was a nice touch, considering
the way Armada ended. I met a guy from TA USA section that I recognised from the pics, thought
that's very memorable too. We had a nice chat and took pic.
We left at about 6.30 so I am guessing Priviledge broke the law because
it didn't stop at 6 and there was no police around, no taxis either however, so we had to walk to main
road to literally wrestle for any 1st arriing taxi.
Next day when I woke up, my friend worked from 11-14, so I took her to lunch, being my last day there
she was still tired but got rest I guess for not going out previous night.
We went to some restaurant in middle of San Antonio, and then to the beach at Coastline Cafe,
just chilling there in the sun, made us thirsty so we decided to go to Mambo for coffee.
So we come down, sit by a table and I look up and no one else but Markus Shulz was sitting there with
his family and having lunch. I tought it'd be rude to bother them so I didn't, I sent an sms to my
friend from US who's a big an and knows him about it, thought it was neat.
After that she had to go to work for evening shift, and I walked over to beach where my UK friends were,
just caught them for 10min. as they were leaving to get ready. So we decided to meet up at Mambo
for one last sunset. I went home and got ready, everyone in the appartment was still sleeping and it was
like 19h, that's what Ibiza is like I guess, party all night, sleep all day. Passed by my friends' store
to say hi to her, and went down to Mambo, just caught the last glimpse of the sunset, and then I walked around
to see if I could find my friends from UK, I was watching the fire jugglers acts, and imagine who I see again -
Markus Shulz, this time I thought what the heck, I'll go over and say hi, and so I did, and we had a nice
chat, he introduced me his family, we took a pic, and said bye's, I extended greetings from my US friends,
his fans that I know. Pacha pre-party was on and there were lovely scantily clad girls walking around,
and I thought that Deep Dish will play at Mambo for pre-party, but they didn't show up.
Went back to my friend's store at 21h and chilled with her til' her shift ended at 23h, and we went home,
It was my last hour, and I felt really sad, I wasn't leaving just music and sun, and beaches, but
all the great friends I met, but I knew at same time I was lucky to have such an amazing time.
And I've decided days before even that next year and probably years beyond to be back again!
I had packed everything earlier in the afternoon and my friend walked me to taxi stop,
we said goodbye and I thanked her again for all the lovely time and all the things that happened,
on my drive to airport I could barely breathe, I felt really depressed and I just collapsed and
took a nap on the airport seats. My flight to Venice wasn't on until 2am, when I finally got on,
I slept all the way through, and then also driving home for 3h wasn't fun, I tried to catch some sleep.
Finally got home at like 7.30 and just dived into bed.
Unpacking wasn't fun at all either, I looked at all the posters and flyers I got, and I got many
and just got teary eyes. But it was all great, and that's all that counts, I tried to follow my motto:
"don't expect anything" - which I did and was awarded with a such great vacation, it's good to know
I'll meet all the people I met at parties around soon, so it's not only Armin that I follow around, hehe
But he's something that binds us all together, the music he brings us, and that's priceless I suppose.
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Some photos for now below,
http://fp.badne.ws/ibiza_2005/
will have to wait till next week for album as I'm busy.