Travel for Pennies

I’m back in Santa Maria, Spain after spending 3 nights and 4 days in Ibiza and wow! I feel so partied out; I did way too much partying. Ibiza is a slam of an island and it most definitely lives up to its clubbing reputation. Every night, after crashing in my room at one of the best hotels Ibiza has, I’d go nuts at one of the main clubs, one doesn’t open until 1am! Some of the better clubs are out of town, so I had to get a bus from the city, which is a ride unto itself, because of how they were driven, like I was on a rollercoaster. The lines outside the clubs are very long and it can take hours to get in. Once at the door, they searched me for cameras, they won’t let you in if you have one, I hid my camera phone in my underwear, but by the time I got inside, my cell was gone. Must have slipped out and I didn’t notice.

The most difficult time I had in Ibiza was to decided which club to go to each night. There are way too many excellent clubs. I decided to go to Privilege my first night, which is tauted as the biggest club in the world, and I can confirm that. I brought a dozen bottles of spirits with me from Santa Maria, I put them in a big ice bucket and put that in the hotels tub. It’s cheaper to drink before going into the clubs. One drink at any of these fantastic clubs can cost up to 15 Euros. That’s on top of the 50 Euros paid to just get inside. So, I drank before I when clubbing and after I got back to my hotel.

I’m pretty sure I made it to the beach at least once, I think on my first day, but all my other time was either sleeping it off in my hotel room or at the clubs, or on my hotel balcony pumping up the music and being a nuisance to my hotel neighbors. Oh, I do remember that I went out to a record shop to find some new music. I checked out several shops and almost all the tunes were on the top ten list. I already had those on my MP3. It’s amazing how much of Ibiza’s a blur and how much fun I had. I’m most definitely be back.

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Of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, Ibiza has the reputation of the place to go for the 24 hour party vacation.  However, the Summer Solstice Celebration taking place this June, is about much more than partying ’til you drop.  The weekend celebrating summer begins June 19th with a hike of three, of the many, beautiful beaches on the island’s coastline.  Tour guides will provide healthy drinks adn wholesome treats along the way.  The hike ends with yoga on the beach.  That evening, the organization Greenheart, will have members speaking about the goals the group has for the island and details about the projects they are working on currently to reduce pollution and promote sustainable living on the island. Shankara will provide live entertainment for the close of the evening.

The next day will bring people to the largest open air market on the island, San Jordi.  In the section with five star hotels, Ibiza merchants offer the best in artistic goods and bargains.  The spirit of the market is joyous and colorful.  There will be tours offered later in the afternoon to one of the most pristine and unspoiled beaches on the island, Salinas, the area that is protected from development and a reserve for the indigenous plants, animals and marine life.  There are a few relaxing cafes and restaurants along the reserve where one can continue relaxing and socializing after a day spent hiking, swimming and scuba diving in the lagoons.  There will be an organized cleaning session for the beach with members from Greenheart, with a party for all those involved to follow, celebrating the care of the environment and those taking part in doing so.

The final day of the three day celebration begins with pilates on the beach.  La Casita Verde is the home base for Greenheart, and there will be performances and art exhibits all day.  One of the projects the group continues is the Aloe Vera plantation.  There will be seminars on the health benefits of the plant and the various recipes one can utilize.  There is also an organic farm located on the property and the meal provided that day will be organic and vegetarian , with specialty juice drinks available, coffee made from carob, and a variety of health conscious deserts.  As the progresses there will be film festivals and workshops relating to climate change and the dangers of not stepping up to protect the environment.  All is not instruction however, as there will be various stages with performances by dance companies, and music, with a drumming workshop intended for all to participate.  And in the tradition of the island, the party will continue on into the evening, but with just a bit more awareness, to the planet and to one’s own physical well-being, than is what one experiences in the dance clubs and bars.

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