Sailing sites
The website I used to find my crew for the Atlantic Crossing. Free for boat owners and very cheap for crew looking for a boat. It worked for me and the crew were also impressed by it, give it a try if you fancy sailing somewhere?
Sailing Friends
Floris Niewenhuis and Natalie Appels, crew on the Blue Dolphin for the Atlantic crossing, Great photos and some interesting stories (if you can read Dutch!)
www.caribbeanescape.blogspot.com and www.lagoon42.com
Brad and Elisa from another Lagoon 42 "Web of Lies". We met in St Davids Boatyard Grenada and only spent a couple of weeks together, but got on great! The first site is their blog, worth a read, the second is the promotional site for their boat "Web of Lies" which is now for sale to fund a normal life!
Graham and Chrissie are diving enthusiasts, who use their yacht as a means to explore great dive sites! Graham ran a charter yacht company here in the Caribbean, but now just enjoys life!
James Waters, the Shore Captain. If you've bought a yacht to enjoy when in Mallorca and need someone to look after it whilst you're away, James is the man. He's been in the yachting industry for nearly 50 years and if he can't do it himself, he knows everyone who can!
James was looking after the Blue Dolphin when I bought it and has saved me hundreds of pounds since I've been in Mallorca.
There are over 700 Harleys on Mallorca, every Sunday there is a meet, where about 60 of them set off from Palma and cruise the islands roads. If you're interested in Harleys, check out the site.
Santa Ponsa
This is the local monthly magazine for Santa Ponca, If you're thinking of going somewhere sunny, I loved this place! Check it out here!
Craig and Dawn run the Rugby Klub bar in Santa Ponca, Loud, Abusive and fun! During the day, Dawn is friendly and polite, but at night, Craig arrives, prepare to be insulted, but enjoy yourself and get drunk! This was my first local when I arrived in Santa Ponca in February and they had only just taken over the bar (Formerly Mickeys) but they've had a great first season and are making it a success!
The Canny Lad Mallorca
Matt and Jackie took over here last year and became two of my best friends on the island. It's a friendly bar with a huge terrace and lots of TV's showing all sport and all the soaps (except when sport is on!) They haven't got a website yet, but when they do, I'll make this link real!
www.santaponsascene.com/rumba.html
Jerry, Mags and Jet (the black labrador) took over the bar this year and have also had a great season. My friends Dave and Lisa (Ocean Lady) were regulars here and have dragged me in for the odd Grand Prix and football match, next thing I know, I'm a regular here too! It's a small bar on the quieter side of the bay, but one that you can guarantee to have a chat with someone and if you visit once, you'll come back again!
The best breakfast in town! Terry and Sharron came out from Portsmouth a few years ago, with dreams of serving cocktails and doing the odd toastie! Instead they run a true british cafe, sweating over the frying pans in the heat, but they really can cook a good breakfast! Just go for the normal English, as the Big Breakfast is too much (even for me!)
Diving Links
Barbados
Eco Dive www.ecodivebarbados.com
Andrew Western
Andrew took us for our PADI Open Water training. He took the booking at short notice and fitted us in. We had limited time, but he gave us excellent training, concentrating on the important skills, but covering everything in the Open Water course.
Andrew took us to 4 wrecks as well as 2 reefs during the dive training, making it a lot more exciting than sitting in a pool!
Andrew is very environmentally aware and will take you to the best dive sites in the area. I strongly recommend Andrew for both beginners and experts alike.
Tel: (246) 243 5816
email: dive@ecodivebarbados.com