Gwinn told us about Ibiza (an Island off the East coast of Spain) and its reputation for being The Nightclub Capital of Europe. The first night we found an anchorage in Puerto de San Antonio. Of course we found the spot where the ferries run back and forth all night. Between the ferry rocking the boat and the Paradise Nightclub rocking our ears, it was a sleepless night for the crew. In the morning it was much calmer and so we finally pulled the dinghy motor out of the garage and with Gwinns help mounted it onto the dinghy. Off to shore we went. We walked around a bit to see the bungee cord ride that we only witnessed from the boat the night before. All we could see were the two huge poles all lit up with lights and the bungee harness which was also all lit up going up and down, up and down. It took us a while to figure out what it was. On shore, we sat at a bar and had early cocktails and watched the beach activity.
The next day we sailed to Formentera, another island nearby. We were lucky and came across an unused mooring in Puerto El Espalmador which we picked up for the night. Apparently you are supposed to call and "reserve" the mooring but the gentleman in charge told us we could stay on this one for the one night. The island is private and they have put in these moorings so people won't anchor but still some did. Around 11pm as I was going to bed I heard lots of popping noises outside. There was a huge yacht off our port beam that was firing off HUGE FIREWORKS. They were awesome and the whole harbour enjoyed the show. I can't believe they did that off of their boat??? Anyway, the next day we dinghied around and found a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and a beach bar for the guys. We enjoyed that until around noon when we figured they might cut us off of the mooring ball so out we headed.
It was now Friday and the last weekend in August (for all those European holidayers) and we found out that the last Monday of every month is a holiday in the UK so it was an extra busy three day holiday weekend and crowded but we found a berth in Marina Botafoch in the Puerto De Ibiza. We got lazy and didn't ask the price before tying up so the $230 Euro per night rate was a bit shocking but it was a supply and demand thing...they told us it was High Season. We were going to stay two nights but decided one was plenty. The Island has a population of 72,000 of which a third live in the capital, Ibiza and they get about 65,000 visitors on a busy weekend. The city was founded during 6th century BC by the Carthaginians. They improved the agriculture, tunny (tuna) fishing, and olive cultivating. They also manufactured a purple dye from molluscs. By the 3rd century BC the island was minting its own coin. Anyway, so it is Friday and this is the day we decided to go do the Nightclub thing. With Gwinn as our chaperone, we started the evening around 9pm with dinner at K5...a place Gwinn had been before and we just loved it. There are 3 seatings for dinner, we were the first at 9pm. After dinner, you can enjoy after dinner drinks in the 'reception' tents which are rooms decorated like Arabian tents with lots of red lights and hookahs going around, etc. We were there until midnight or so and decided it was time to hit the nightclub. We had chosen "Pacha" for our evening. There are quite a few Nightclubs to choose from and the entrance fees vary quite a bit. This one cost $60 Euro per person. My first Coke Light drink cost me $8 Euros which is about $10 US dollars and is only 8 oz...amazing???? I really can't explain everything I saw that night...it is something everyone should witness at least once in their life though. We stayed until 5am to watch the DJ "Justice" since he was the star of the evening (sorry, I don't know my techno DJ's very well). There were still people everywhere when we left but none of us could hear very well. We had a great time...thanks Gwinn!!!!
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