Day No. 190 - Ibiza awakes from hibernation

When we wake up this morning, we are again standing in our riverbed near Beach Benirrás. - But tonight another van has sneaked in here. It is not completely in the riverbed, but in our exit. - The color is familiar. It is Ashley, which we met a few days ago on the cliff above the Platja Pou d'es Lleo.

After the shower, we are in our home office to maintain the last few days in the blog. - The writing has come a little too short. - I complete the text on Formentera and Torgit makes a few thoughts on the awakening of the island. - We will spend the day on the beach today, because not only is the sun shining, but it is the first absolutely windless day we have experienced in Ibiza. - We enjoy it very much to lie in the sun. I go for a swim first. - The water seems warmer today as well. - Then we sit with our muesli on our picnic blanket at the beach. - The most relaxed day on our tour. Is it because of the sun. We don't know. In any case, I take advantage of the day and go swimming several times.

Torgit: We have been here in Ibiza for a few days now, since the end of February. When we arrived here it was still winter, it was not only cold but also windy. Two weeks before, violent storms swept over the island, up to hurricane strength. We experienced the foothills on the Spanish mainland. Everywhere here we see the damage to devastation. Fallen trees, board nailed villas at the sea, half collapsed wooden roofs and also the sea has carried away much and spit out again somewhere else on the beach. When we arrived it was quiet and peaceful, as if the island was waiting devoutly, holding its breath to see if that was all or if more storms were coming. Many stores and restaurants were still closed and deserted, some with funny slogans on the closed doors, like 'we charge our battery'. Everything was quiet.

Now we see how the island slowly awakens from its winter sleep. We see more and more craftsmen. The island comes to life, hammering and sawing breaks the silence, it smells of fresh paint. The island licks its wounds, restores itself and makes itself pretty.

Fields are being tilled, tractors plow everywhere, birds flutter excitedly around them and peck at the freshly broken earth crumb. The island becomes more and more colorful, everywhere it blooms in all colors. The almond trees pink, white the rock roses, yellow blooms the fennel and the yellow daisy shines in front of the old brown stone walls. A blue sea of flowers pours over the slopes.

The ancient fig trees that I love so much are sprouting the first light green leaves, the branches already supported so that they can bear the heavy load later. Next to the omnipresent fresh green of the pine trees. In between the enchanted, gnarled trunks of the Savina. Over everything lies the smell of wild herbs, rosemary, thyme and lavender.

At night it is still cool, during the day it is already nice and warm, the sun laughs with power from the bright blue sky and chases away the cool humidity of the morning. A paradise for flora and fauna.

And for us, too, of course. We enjoy the closeness to nature and watch the small salamanders scurrying shyly around our van during our first coffee in the morning. Everywhere it rustles in the undergrowth. We are happy.

I can only agree with Torgit. We are happy! - Today at the beach gave us a lot of energy. - I especially enjoyed swimming. Later we drive Hector to our beloved riverbed. Tomorrow we want to explore the island a little more.

At sunset, we go to the beach again - where a Spanish woman is sitting and drumming meditatively. The sounds of the drum seem to pulsate over the water. Shortly after sunset, the sky changes color again. The blue hour is perfect. - The drum falls silent. The drummer comes to the water where Torgit and I stand, enjoying the moment. - Then she tries to clamp a heart stone between two branches and take a picture. The whole thing seems very meditative. I try to capture this moment as well. - Afterwards I speak to her and show her the photo. She smiles and tells me that it is really a kind of meditation for her to photograph this stone. - Sometimes I am a little insensitive. - But she was very happy to see the photo. We introduce ourselves to each other. I send Victoria, which is her name, the picture. - A beautiful evening seems to literally sink into the sea. - We walk back to Hector. Relaxed and happy.