Thanks to all those regular posters who's contributions always greatly enhance the quality of every visit I make. This humble review is a meagre effort in comparison but hope you enjoy anyway.
Thursday
We arrived around midday; another painless car pickup from BK rent a car and then proceeded to spend the afternoon at Talamanca. Had a glorious Dorada and Sea Bass and couple of bottles of wine at the Fish Shack. Only slight criticism was the lack of alioli. Then checked in to the beautiful Atzaro. Was a bit disappointed at first, as we were in the annex part, but we were then overjoyed to find that the room had a completely private patio/bed/chillout area, with a beautiful view of the island. We had booked the gastronomic package for a couple of nights so dinner would be at the hotel. There was a wine tasting/matching event this evening which unfortunately meant we didn't get to choose from the menu. The food was disappointing (and cold), but then it is difficult trying to mass cater for everyone at the same time. The wine was disappointing too. Had a reasonably early night, but very eager and excited about the upcoming adventures.
Friday
A glorious breakfast was followed by a lazy day lounging around drinking cocktails. Dinner this time was from the a la carte menu. Beautiful lobster to start, monkfish main and washed down with a Rioja Blanco and a Cepa21. We then wandered down to our local and had a rather messy 3 or 4 hours. What a great place Aura is. Never actually eaten there but really like the funky little room, and best of all its free! Can't remember much about getting home or the rest of the evening other than at one point being suddenly amazed at the symmetrical qualities of nuts. They even split in two perfectly along their line of symmetry to help accentuate that point. Ah… But what about those pistachios I hear you say? They have external shell symmetry but not necessarily internal nut symmetry??? And don't get me started on those pesky misbehaving walnuts, always thinking they are so exclusive.
Oh dear. Time for bed.
Saturday
Checked out of Atzaro and now for the real fun to start. Checked into Pikes with our smiling faces and met our friends who had just arrived, thanks to the recommendations of kimajy and McRackin, and we weren't disappointed. Spent the afternoon on the Cava Sangria round the pool. Headed over to PdB worried that if we got sucked into Ushuaia closing that we would end up carrying on and spoiling tomorrow's events. Not to worry Bora Bora was busy with lots too keep you occupied. Spiderman spinning his web, and the minesweeping vagrant who soils his pants (MVWSHP) were keeping everyone entertained with their antics. We managed to extract ourselves reasonably early and after a couple of drinks at the hotel bar and a mini-party for 4 on our fantastic verandah we were safely in bed for 1.
Sunday
Finally the day had come. I've tried and failed couple of occasions to make it to Amnesia Closing, but nothing could stop me now. After a good old hotel fryup to line our stomachs we made it to Amnesia around 9. We queued for 10 mins and paid 70 Euro on the door. (Note – others were going straight in with tickets, there seemed to be no time restrictions). I'm a great fan of daytime clubbing but have never gone "fresh", so couldn't quite believe the full on assault to the senses that hits you as you walk onto the terrace. Every sight, touch, smell, taste, sound was magnified immensely. Even the balance, temperature and kinesthetics too. To be honest it really took me quite a while just to cope with this full on battering of the senses. I had to keep moving in and out of the dark room just to get on top of the situation. Eventually I managed to get a grip and wow what an experience! Here is some very badly taken video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW5yRwgCc9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4dFDIDYmtc
We eventually left just before it finished, with the plan to go to PdB to pull ourselves together and push on through for Space. We had a few drinks at Bora Bora, and met a lovely couple from Rochdale. Then unfortunately a young guy took a turn for the worse just behind us and we were faced with the rather surreal sight of MVWSHP administering CPR to the young chap who was struggling. I've never seen a more inappropriate paramedic in my life, but I do have to say that it really was quite touching to see his obvious concern for a fellow free spirit in distress. He really was quite upset. The qualified paramedics then arrived and carried the ill chap away on a sun lounger. Really hope he was ok. This rather upsetting scene put paid to the plans for a 24 hour session, and we retired to the hotel which was surprisingly quiet. Not to worry we had another private party on the verandah where the nut based inanity continued until the wee hours.
Monday
The penultimate day was spent mooching round the pool, couple of hours at Salinas (whilst driving past DC-10 but not convincing the team of the merit of a visit, even though the bass bins actually shook the car as you go past) Then we made the trip to Cala d'Hort a mere 30 mins too late to catch Es Boldado. Backup plan was to eat at a sunset bar near café del mar. We chose the sunsea bar where I ate perhaps the chewiest and overcooked lobster ever. Please avoid. This was followed by one final session on the verandah and off to bed.
Tuesday
Not much to say. Great Eggs Benedict at the hotel then got the plane home.
Another fantastic visit over.
Hasta la próxima, mi querida amiga
Thursday
We arrived around midday; another painless car pickup from BK rent a car and then proceeded to spend the afternoon at Talamanca. Had a glorious Dorada and Sea Bass and couple of bottles of wine at the Fish Shack. Only slight criticism was the lack of alioli. Then checked in to the beautiful Atzaro. Was a bit disappointed at first, as we were in the annex part, but we were then overjoyed to find that the room had a completely private patio/bed/chillout area, with a beautiful view of the island. We had booked the gastronomic package for a couple of nights so dinner would be at the hotel. There was a wine tasting/matching event this evening which unfortunately meant we didn't get to choose from the menu. The food was disappointing (and cold), but then it is difficult trying to mass cater for everyone at the same time. The wine was disappointing too. Had a reasonably early night, but very eager and excited about the upcoming adventures.
Friday
A glorious breakfast was followed by a lazy day lounging around drinking cocktails. Dinner this time was from the a la carte menu. Beautiful lobster to start, monkfish main and washed down with a Rioja Blanco and a Cepa21. We then wandered down to our local and had a rather messy 3 or 4 hours. What a great place Aura is. Never actually eaten there but really like the funky little room, and best of all its free! Can't remember much about getting home or the rest of the evening other than at one point being suddenly amazed at the symmetrical qualities of nuts. They even split in two perfectly along their line of symmetry to help accentuate that point. Ah… But what about those pistachios I hear you say? They have external shell symmetry but not necessarily internal nut symmetry??? And don't get me started on those pesky misbehaving walnuts, always thinking they are so exclusive.
Oh dear. Time for bed.
Saturday
Checked out of Atzaro and now for the real fun to start. Checked into Pikes with our smiling faces and met our friends who had just arrived, thanks to the recommendations of kimajy and McRackin, and we weren't disappointed. Spent the afternoon on the Cava Sangria round the pool. Headed over to PdB worried that if we got sucked into Ushuaia closing that we would end up carrying on and spoiling tomorrow's events. Not to worry Bora Bora was busy with lots too keep you occupied. Spiderman spinning his web, and the minesweeping vagrant who soils his pants (MVWSHP) were keeping everyone entertained with their antics. We managed to extract ourselves reasonably early and after a couple of drinks at the hotel bar and a mini-party for 4 on our fantastic verandah we were safely in bed for 1.
Sunday
Finally the day had come. I've tried and failed couple of occasions to make it to Amnesia Closing, but nothing could stop me now. After a good old hotel fryup to line our stomachs we made it to Amnesia around 9. We queued for 10 mins and paid 70 Euro on the door. (Note – others were going straight in with tickets, there seemed to be no time restrictions). I'm a great fan of daytime clubbing but have never gone "fresh", so couldn't quite believe the full on assault to the senses that hits you as you walk onto the terrace. Every sight, touch, smell, taste, sound was magnified immensely. Even the balance, temperature and kinesthetics too. To be honest it really took me quite a while just to cope with this full on battering of the senses. I had to keep moving in and out of the dark room just to get on top of the situation. Eventually I managed to get a grip and wow what an experience! Here is some very badly taken video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW5yRwgCc9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4dFDIDYmtc
We eventually left just before it finished, with the plan to go to PdB to pull ourselves together and push on through for Space. We had a few drinks at Bora Bora, and met a lovely couple from Rochdale. Then unfortunately a young guy took a turn for the worse just behind us and we were faced with the rather surreal sight of MVWSHP administering CPR to the young chap who was struggling. I've never seen a more inappropriate paramedic in my life, but I do have to say that it really was quite touching to see his obvious concern for a fellow free spirit in distress. He really was quite upset. The qualified paramedics then arrived and carried the ill chap away on a sun lounger. Really hope he was ok. This rather upsetting scene put paid to the plans for a 24 hour session, and we retired to the hotel which was surprisingly quiet. Not to worry we had another private party on the verandah where the nut based inanity continued until the wee hours.
Monday
The penultimate day was spent mooching round the pool, couple of hours at Salinas (whilst driving past DC-10 but not convincing the team of the merit of a visit, even though the bass bins actually shook the car as you go past) Then we made the trip to Cala d'Hort a mere 30 mins too late to catch Es Boldado. Backup plan was to eat at a sunset bar near café del mar. We chose the sunsea bar where I ate perhaps the chewiest and overcooked lobster ever. Please avoid. This was followed by one final session on the verandah and off to bed.
Tuesday
Not much to say. Great Eggs Benedict at the hotel then got the plane home.
Another fantastic visit over.
Hasta la próxima, mi querida amiga
roll
I like it up there too.. they put on some really great nights and recall being pretty wasted by the time we were finally "moved on" earlier in the year.