Cap de Formentor and Palma

On our final full day on Mallorca we decided to drive up to a famed lighthouse and an infamously winding road.  We drove out of Cala Millor, the area of the island where we were staying and things seemed quite calm but after about 30 minutes (about half way) things started to get windy.  Benjamin, who has the weakest stomach, was

about to get carsick so we pulled over and he and I switched spots.  He sat up front and I went to the back.  Unfortunately, he got his weak stomach from me and I was pretty

uncomfortable in the back.  But, I'd much rather be queasy, knowing I can take care of myself, instead of being worried that he will throw up all over the back seat of the car.  Legend has it that when I was growing up there was not one trip to the Oregon Coast when I did not throw up in the back seat of the car.  My mom would always be worried about me getting sick and was always on the ready to get me a beach pail to throw up in.  Apparently, according to my older sister, Kim, the bucket she normally grabbed first was hers (Kim's) and she was mortified. 
So, anyway, I understood Benjamin's pain and we had no beach pails so the back seat for me was the best solution. 

After about 30 more minutes of winding roads, we arrived an incredible rocky view point.  There was just one spot left to park - there were only about 20 total.  I can see how
We walked down to the lookout area and it really was breathtaking.  Sitting 300 meters above the coastline gives you an incredible view of the water and the craggy hillside.  After living in Berlin - one of the

flattest places I've ever lived-  the hilly, jagged mountainside was comforting.
this would not be quite as enjoyable in the high season.  Actually, we were told that the road is closed to cars 6 months of the year an

only tour buses and bicycles are allowed. 
After some time spent looking at the view and taking some pictures, we started talking to a couple cyclists on the way down and they asked if we were going to continue up to the lighthouse.  We hadn't planned to but they said that it was a must see so we climbed back into the car and drove up and around and up and around on some of the tightest hairpin turns I've ever been on.  Apparently the local joke is a priest and the local bus driver (driving the route to the lighthouse) are at the gates of heaven and only one can enter.  The bus driver is chosen to walk through the pearly gates because he has caused more people to pray.  Marty was pretty cool going around the turns, I was in the back trying not to get sick and also trying not to freak out.  Josie and Benjamin just

kept saying "WHOA" 
The cyclists were right.  It was a must see.  They were also right in saying that between a car or a bike they'd prefer to bike the road rather than drive it.  I'm sure the way up is a bitch but the way down (with assured brakes) would be pretty amazing.
On our final morning on Mallorca we packed up the car and spent a couple of hours in the capital city of Palma before our late afternoon flight back to Berlin.

Mallorca was wonderful.  It wasn't at all what I expected but it reminded me a lot of a few of my favorite places - namely, Mexico, Cuba and Barcelona.  I don't think I'd ever want to go there in the high season but this quiet, slower island life was nice for a long weekend.