Published: 14.10.2023
MARKUS:
How wonderful to be at Tanja's side again for a short time after a six long week break, to have the backpack on her back and to be able to help shape this blog.
The almost two weeks as tour stops in short form: Barcelona - Punta Prima - on foot along the coast to the north to Arenal d'en Castell - hitchhiking to Ciutadella - by bus to San Xiroguer - on foot along the south coast to Sant Tomas - final stop at Maó and Barcelona.
The Cami de Cavalls runs almost entirely along the coast of the island, completely circles it for 180 km and is perfectly marked. Not even we managed to get lost.
Well, Menorca, what can I say? Simply beautiful, green and rocky at the same time, incredibly clean and sustainably managed and with beaches and bays that can easily compete with Southeast Asia. While the east coast (with the exception of Maó) and the north are very little developed for tourism, there are a few tourist centers in the east and south, but even these are reasonably relaxed - compared to other islands and TUI travel destinations.
We start comfortably and relaxed in a - for our other requirements - luxury loft in Punta Prima, enjoy yoga by the pool and the limited offer of just three restaurants open, so that even the stress of choosing is not a problem. After Tanja and I have thoroughly celebrated our reunion and love, we go to Cami on the fourth day.
We spend the first night on Cala Mesquida beach, where we meet the Israeli "Oak" and his dog "Dog" in the morning. Oak has been living on Menorca as a dropout for twenty years and apparently likes to name things after their essence. He presents us with his collected treasures (glass cut by water), gives us his breakfast (a pomegranate) and it is enchanting how much he wants to let us share in himself and his life. We drink coffee, learn about the advantages of the sea over a conventional toilet and discuss politics and the Middle East conflict. Terrible and cynically sad how much "Oak" was not only confirmed but surpassed in its ideas about spirals of violence and militarism just a few days later.
We continue on the northeast coast, where we pitch our tent on the steep slope thirty meters above the sea and enjoy the sunset.
The rest (see above) is quickly told: running, marveling at nature, discovering one lonely and beautiful bay after the next, getting food, carrying water, learning a few words of Spanish via the app...
Of course, many people cross our path here too; be it the Spaniard who, when we ran out of water on the way, first gave us his and then, without our knowledge, organized a lift that just picked us up on the way and took us to the next town. What a man. Or the 18-year-old Slovenian who dreams of a traveler future, but still - completely normal - has concerns and concerns and, above all, asks Tanja about her experiences. Or, or, or... ultimately, we're happy to keep to ourselves this time; We haven't seen each other for too long to share our valuable time together in nature and while traveling.
While my travel time is now over for a long time, Tanja continues. Off to Valencia...