Beginning of February 2023 was all set for a two week trip to the Balearic Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean. The journey would begin in the Majorcan capital of Palma.
Flight to Palma Majorca
Was flying with EasyJet from Gatwick Airport. Had a late morning flight so no early rises. Was leaving my car in the long stay carpark for two weeks. What I like to do is park up the night before take the shuttle to the terminal and stay in a hotel for the night. Breakfast in the morning then a simple walk to departures from the hotel. These travel photography trips are a one off and I will pay a bit extra for convenience. With EasyJet I pay extra for speedy boarding and a seat up front. You can then carry on two bags and bypass baggage reclaim on arrival. With speedy boarding you can be on the plane first and make sure your luggage is in the lockers above you.
At the Gatwick airport hotel I was still up at dawn and took a walk outside. The sky was a fiery red and captured the above with the telephoto lens on my mobile phone – the Samsung Galaxy S20.
Palma Majorca Arrival
On arrival in Palma made my way outside to the bus stop. It was cold! They are having a cold spell throughout the Mediterranean even into North Africa. Concerned now not have the right layers, although this was mostly a walking and photography holiday not beach. Still pays to monitor the weather and temperatures leading up to your departure. Was staying one night in Palma before moving onto the southern edge of The Serra de Tramuntana,
Palma Cathedral
Checked into my Palma city center hotel then headed down to Palma Cathedral, the most obvious subject and landmark to shoot in Palma Majorca, Straight off the bat had some very dramatic late afternoon light. Dark moody clouds behind the cathedral and with the building being front lit by the sunlight.
This type of light not last long so just pulled out the camera and started shooting. Not know where the best compositions were to be taken from. Usually with a building rather than face on want to take from the side to add some depth and dimension.
Next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina originally an Arabian fort.
The palace was also catching the late afternoon sunlight quite nice with the dark moody clouds behind. Both buildings give a good sense of location.
Stuck around the Cathedral area until the light faded. Got a nice shot of Palma marina as the moody light was fading. Only remained for the evening to have some Spanish Tapas and beer then rest up in the hotel.
Palma Bay Sunrise
With the Spanish time one hour ahead it meant sunrise would occur around 8AM so not to early. Headed out to the seafront not really knowing what to expect. There had been a lot of rain in the night and the skies were still quite moody and blustery.
Nice scene with the February moon setting over the The Serra de Tramuntana in the background. The Tramuntana where I would be heading after checkout but no rush. A pano might have come out better as all the detail is far away in the background, there is no foreground.
Looking the other way east towards the concrete resort of S’Arenal the sun was rising into the morning moody clouds casting some contrasting golden light. I would spend my last night in Majorca in S’Arenal but that was two weeks away. Wanted to be close to the airport to avoid any travel anxiety on my return journey home.
Although the light was not great had to get one of Palma Cathedral during the morning. Then back to the hotel for some breakfast, check out and take the bus to the next stop for 3 days Sant Elm at the southern end of the Tramuntana.
Check out the Majorca travel photography photo gallery