Outdoor Activities

Every year around 35,000 cyclists visit Mallorca.  Some are cycle-tourists enjoying the many splendors of Mallorca in a nice relaxed way but others are elite, professional cyclists who come for training purposes. During the months of September to October and January to May, when the climate is mild and agreeable, almost spring like weather, unlike the Central European climate which usually experiences rain, snow and intense cold spells, is the most popular time to see the cyclists congegating on the island. Mallorca’s road network totals 1.250 kilometers of whcih 675 are secondary or small, narrow, local roads, with an average width of 6.5 metres.  This wonderful secondary road system offers a diversity of itineraris with a sparse amount of traffic, which is reflected positively in as far as the safety of the cyclist is concerned.

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An ash cloud from Iceland’s spewing volcano halted air traffic across a wide swath of Europe on Thursday, grounding planes on a scale unseen since the 2001 terror attacks as authorities stopped all flights over Britain, Ireland and the Nordic countries.  This event has caused absolute havoc with thousands of flights being cancelled and passengers stranded in airports all over Europe.  At the moment here in Mallorca we have no sign of this ash cloud although it has been reported that it is on its way. 

The ash plume, which rose to between 20,000 feet and 36,000 feet (6,000 meters and 11,000 meters), is apparently sitting  above the Atlantic Ocean very close to the flight paths for the majority of  routes from the U.S. east coast to Europe.

Unfortunately with the cloud drifting south and east across Britain, it was necessary for the country’s air traffic service to ban all non-emergency flights until at least 7 a.m. (0600GMT, 2 a.m. EDT) Friday. Irish authorities also closed their air space for at least eight hours, and aviation authorities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Belgium took similar precautions.

Here in Mallorca, almost at the start of the tourist season we are hopeful that this ash cloud will disperse naturally before coming down as far as the Mediterranean.

The consequences are appalling for this species and as Ocean spokesman for Greenpeace, Celia Ojeda, said yesterday, the only authority on earth which could now protect this ‘endangered’ species and in particular the breeding grounds set up in Balearic waters, is the Spanish government.

As the bluefin tuna have not been listed as a protected species by CITES, along with other endangered flora and fauna, the safety of the breeding grounds, here in the Balearic waters is no longer safe!  With the protection from CITES it would have meant that although selling of the tuna would have been allowed to continue it would only have been possible at national level and not exported globally.

Ecologists have already warned that there is an imminent danger of extinction of the bluefin ‘just around the corner’ unless concerted action is taken to halt the process.

Celia Ojeda confirmed that the consumption of bluefin tuna is limited in Spain and that the majority 80% is exported to Japan.  She also said that unfortunately the Spanish government has stated that it will not ban fishing in the Balearic sanctuary as the waters are in an international zone which affects other countries, Italy, Malta and Greece to name a few.  Reportedly, a government spokesman for Spain said that Spain did not want to be the first to ‘break the accord’.  This attitude has been severely criticised by Greenpeace.   Ms. Ojeda said it was only the Spanish government who could rescue the situation.  The Ministry for Marine Affairs has the right to demand that other EU states recognise specific marine reserves allowing endangered species the chance to recover their numbers.

The Balearic government formerly asked Madrid, earlier this month, to extend legal protection to the bluefin tuna breeding grounds in the islands’ waters.  The area in question covers approximately 50,000 square kilometers bordering Minorca, Cabrera, Mola, the Cabo de Berberia (Formentera) and the Bledes Islands (Ibiza).

The tallest of the Maltese Falcon’s three, freestanding and rotating, masts reaches incredibly more than 58m. She also carries 15 sails which gives her a sail area of 2,400 square metres.  The Maltese Falcon was designed by Gerard Dijkstra, with the interior and exterior styling by Ken Freivoch, and launched in 2006 by Perini Navi.

“We are very excited to be taking part in The Superyacht Cup again this year. For us, it is all about combining the excitement of the sailing and the fun of the social events. And Palma is such a great location; we are really looking forward to it,” commented Chris Gartner, Captain of Maltese Falcon.

That being said actually finding somewhere to berth an 88m yacht is not easy, but Astilleros de Mallorca, a long-term supporter and Silver Sponsor of The Superyacht Cup, have agreed to accommodate Maltese Falcon for the duration of the event. Their deep outer pontoon, facing the Superyacht Cup Village, is able to provide a central berth with easy access and, of course, is close enough to soak up the wonderful, exciting, atmosphere which takes over the regatta village each afternoon after racing.

Of course with only 18 – 20 spaces available on the dock it is really time for those who want to be in there to get their places booked.  No doubt there will be quite a few from last year returning.  We look forward to seeing who is ready to have another go this year and compete in this exciting Superyacht race. Can’t wait to see the Maltese Falcon in Palma, surely an incredible sight that those of us living on the island will be privileged enough to enjoy. In the meantime it is nice to know that due to the excellent feedback last year the sponsors are very keen to support the Superyacht Cup again this year.  All is looking good for this year’s Superyacht Cup in Palma de Mallorca.

Find out more on this amazing island at www.adsmallorca.com and take a break on one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean.

Celebrities include Michael Douglas, Elle MacPherson and the Spanish singer Miguel Bosé.  The campaign is to have the blue fin tuna added to the list of species which are under the threat of extinction.  Non-goverment organisations supporting the campaign have said that Spain, as it holds the EU presidency and is thereby licensed to claim a large part of the blue tuna market, is now uniquely placed to follow up the protected breeding ground project which has started in the Balearic Island.

Let’s hope with this sort of support and backing the blue fin tuna is not just added to the list, but that through the protected breeding project something can be done to increase the numbers of this particular species, and thereby enhance the possibility of it being taken off the list in the foreseeable future.

According to Reuters, some of the London economists are looking to the pound’s continued growth in value over the next six months and the euro being dragged down to 84 pence by the beginning of the summer holiday season, which would be fantastic for all who have booked their holidays.

This news has been welcomed by the British tour operators and travel agents.  With just a sudden rush in sales at the beginning of the year, the big freeze had all but frozen the summer holiday market.  The travel industry are bracing themselves now for a surge in bookings for summer holidays once the country has thawed out.  A travel industry source was quoted yesterday as saying, ‘Many Britons were fed up with having endured two washout summers and were already determined to find some guaranteed sun this year, but the weather over the past few weeks is only going to increase the number of Britons desperate to get away and enjoy some hot weather this year.’

Please don’t forget, there is more to Mallorca than just sunshine and beaches, we have the most incredible landscapes. Mallorca is an island full of diversities that caters for so many different and exciting activities.  For more information on all that is available on this beautiful island go to http://www.adsmallorca.com where you will find an amazing amount of information on the island and all that it has to offer.

With the upturn of the pound and the predicted growth in value, this news will be of benefit to Mallorca and its summer tourism industry.