Revelation.

*Possible documentary idea.

A little something that has inspired me to look deeper into my ancestry.

First family funeral, 

But I don't feel sad, 

Because honestly, 

I hardly knew you, 

My biological grandmother.

I can't imagine what it must have been like for you. Growing up with the knowledge that you were given away at birth.

I imagine it must feel like the highest form of rejection. You're the puzzle piece that has never quite fit, even after a lifetime of trying to finish it.

Perhaps that's why I've had such a sheltered upbringing. You wrap me up in cotton wool so nothing like that can ever hurt me the way it hurt you.

I understand now and I'm glad I came to support you that day. And I'm happy that after all these years you're finally finding who you are. 

Yes I was sad, but not because of her but because of you.

From death brings a new life and I say embrace it.

Majorca Travel Blog #8

Wednesday 7th August 2013.


Day 7: A Final Day Abroad.

We've pretty much done what everyone else does on their last day abroad, plan to pack everything we haven't had the chance to do into one 12 hour slot. When in reality we just lazed around by the pool (as the seas were too choppy to pedal boat) and had yet another mid afternoon siesta.

You know, the thing I hate most about sand is that it gets everywhere. And after a collection of minuscule bugs choose to crawl up the inside of your leg, drawn to you like a scarab beetle to warm flesh, you just can't shake that subconscious niggling feeling inside your eardrum that sparks whenever you decide to remotely enjoy it.

To make matters worse, there was a topless woman laying in the shade round the corner from us (bit pointless) next to a bird that decided to bury itself in the already bug infested sand. Regardless, I continued to watch a straw hat with a black band bob its way towards the shore as I complained about the everyday problems of living in a house share.

Sweating like a pig from the heat, I decided to take my mind off of the current situation by weaning myself back into working university life and catching up on some law reading. This time last year consisted of a riveting read by Karl Marx and "The Communist Manifesto" (still haven't got around to blogging) which I remember being situated amid the copulas amounts of "50 Shades of Grey."

Majorca Travel Blog #7

Tuesday 6th August 2013.

A day in a doodle.

Majorca Travel Blog #6

Monday 5th August 2013. 


Day 5: Aqualand. 


Now I wouldn't say Aqualand was one of those spontaneous trips you'd take as a family for some quality bonding time, especially at 41 euros a ticket (plus all the additional fees they don't warn you about). It is however, a water park that's certainly suitable for the summer season.

Leaflet Provided at Hotel (With Additional Notes).

Like every year before it, this would be the "big trip" of the holiday (i.e. the most expensive) and for us, it was a toss up between a western themed adventure (which I was keen to do last year but had a bad experience with a ranch), aquatic Marineland (which included a dolphin show) or Aqualand - the bog standard ride orientated theme park. 

As you can probably already tell, I am by no means a regular at theme parks (afraid of heights) and I swore before arriving that I wouldn't go on anything that was even remotely detached from the ground.



2 hours on a perfectly air conditioned coach (no travel sickness) and we were sat like passive zombies recovering from the 7am wake up call requested from reception. 

Entry was pretty speedy despite having to fight our way through the rowdy crowd for a souvenir photo with a scarlet macaw, which we mistakenly took for a parrot after being told about their distinguishing green feathered head's (my brother is studying the rainforest at school). 

We passed a Mr. Bean lookalike dressed in one of those Arabian money suits (think Aladdin's Abu) and despite being a fan, my brother still refused to have a picture taken with him. 

Majorca Travel Blog #5

Sunday 4th August 2013.


Day 4: Sunday Morning Siesta.


It's the renown day of rest back in England, but over in Majorca it's got to that point where I just can't stand the heat. 

So we decided to retreat and have a Sunday morning siesta, basking in the chilling comfort of a prepaid air conditioner. 

Not much happened after that. 

1. I woke up moody after (just about) recovering from the 2 large plates of bacon and pancakes I had eaten for breakfast that morning. Along with a developed bout of sunstroke.

2. Proceeded to check on the already scabbed over mosquito bites, with my leg now having swelled up to twice it's original size (it gets worse before it gets better, right?). 

Majorca Travel Blog #4

Saturday 3rd August 2013.


Day 3: Pirate Sea Adventure.

Only subtract the pirates and add boisterous boys dressed up in complementary skull and bone bandannas with marker pen on their faces, waving around inflatable swords.

Made worse by the fact I get incredibly sea sick, so when the time came to see the pirate caves, what I was actually faced with was a plastic bag full of that morning's breakfast. 

This was one trip that definitely didn't float my boat.

Leaflet for Glass Bottom Cat. From Cala Bona to Pirate Caves (See Blue Line).

A round trip from Cala Bona to Sa Coma to Porto Cristo ("Port of Christ") to the Pirate Caves - said to be one of the many havens for the smugglers back in the day. Despite the water being a little choppy, you can't knock the fact that in Majorca it's easier to just hop on a boat than it is to catch the bus.

Majorca Travel Blog #3

Friday 2nd August 2013.


Day 2: Balancing Bird Bobbing On Boat.

We were sitting by the bay at Cala Bona, watching the boats as they sounded their way through the most minuscule of spaces, whilst accompanied by a colossal strawberry sundae (despite the bog standard holiday tum kicking in).

It was here my mother and I were discussing alliteration (refer to title).

Coaster With Picture of Bay. Collected From Cafe in Cala Bona.

The sun was a scorcher, despite various attempts at cooling myself down (sweating buckets). I spent most of the time poolside, working my way through 3 sunbeds until I settled for a much sturdier chair (I blame the aubergine).

I floated around on an inflatable ring like a backed up ship, with the only possible danger being caught in the crossfire of a splash war. Little did I know as I struggled to get my already incredibly burn't legs free, a massive hole was opening up ready to envelope the water surrounding me.  

Majorca Travel Blog #2

Thursday 1st August 2013. 


Day 1: Deep Fried Aubergine.

Sitting outside the apartment and it smells suspiciously like rotten eggs (got to love the Spanish sewage system, especially in this heat).

It's a terraced area that opens out onto the lively street (if you ignore the coincidentally placed shrubbery), and remember those dodgy tribute acts I referenced in my last entry? Currently strumming their imaginary guitar to knock off country western music.

Still, you can't beat a bit of cheap entertainment.

Majorca Newspaper Picked up From Local Supermarket.

We started the day with a hearty McDonald's breakfast at Gatwick Airport around 5am, after being picked up by a taxi roughly an hour beforehand. Having already set off with a rather devastated and disorientated young boy with fresh cuts and grazes, I on the other hand, was functioning off 3 1/2 hours sleep and was so overtired I felt (and acted) like I'd been on the laughing gas for a week. 

Majorca Travel Blog #1

Wednesday 31st July 2013.

Day 0: The Holiday After The Night Before.

Map of Majorca Provided for Tourists at Hotel.

The Coast of Cala Bona/Cala Millor.

Off to Majorca (Mallorca) tomorrow. 

Cala Bona to be more precise, mere meters from its coastal twin Cala Millor and I already know what to expect.

It's familiar territory for our household as we've taken trips here every summer for the past few years. Same company, same travel agent, same hotel and same location. Always slap bang in the heart of the action.

Every year seems to top the last, only this time it's for real. That's right I've decided to take the plunge, this'll be my last family holiday. Perhaps even my penultimate holiday abroad in a long while considering the student budget doesn't allow for luxuries.