Now something I’ve never done in writing is a book review. To be honest I’m not really a reader of books. I love an autobiography which I would normally take on holiday. But as circumstances have prevented me from taking one for the past two years my reading has become non existent. I do though love to promote Mallorca and over the last month I’ve been lucky enough to meet and interview two people who not only love Mallorca, they have written about it.
Neither of these books are conventional which is what I love about them. All the writers have taken what is an amazing subject and looked at it in a totally different way.
Firstly I met Mark Edwards just before Christmas, who has written a book called Faces of Mallorca with his co-author Steffi Schultz.
Its a new book that seeks to show the island’s character through personal and moving photos & stories of the Mallorcans themselves.
Combining stunning imagery with moving stories, the book shows an eclectic range of Mallorcans as they share their hopes and dreams with the reader. The authors interviewed well-known people on the island, such as tennis trainer Toni Nadal, Michelin starred chefs, artists and musicians. But they also feature many more unknown people like fishermen, cloistered nuns and even an Indian sun dancer.
After interviewing Mark I knew it would be a book that my Mother would love for Christmas. Sure enough she said to me in the new year that she hasn’t been able to put it down.
Stand outs from the 59 people featured for me were, Toni Nadal(Rafa’s Uncle) who wrote the foreword and someone who I’ve been lucky enough to interview in the past. Antonia Montaner the lamb lady of the restaurant Es Verger in Alaro. Who I remember was featured in one of Rick Steins programmes of Mallorca and he said it was the best lamb he had ever tasted. The restaurant also gets a mention in the other book below. Xisco Campos who was the legendary former Captain of Real Mallorca and finally Jorge Munoz. He was the pediatrician for both of our boys at Son Espases and a really lovely guy. The photography is stunning and the stories behind the people are very interesting.
To find out more about the book, please visit:
http://www.facesofmallorca.com
https://www.instagram.com/facesofmallorca/
https://www.facebook.com/facesofmallorca
I’ve met Lizzie Graham on a few occasions talking about her business Natura Cavall. She is a great character who like me shares a passion for her business and the island of Mallorca. Natura Cavall means natural horse, which describes the journey they are on as they bring together horses from all walks of life, loving them, dedicating their time and energy to them here on Mallorca. In their excursions you will get to know the most unspoilt corners of Mallorca. You can sleep outdoors, swim with the horses in the sea or discover historical sites in the mountains of Mallorca. They will design your individual horseback riding experience.
Anna, Lizzie’s sister lives in Scotland. She is a Commercial and travel photographer and has so far written two books. Whilst exploring the islands a few years ago both sisters agreed that there wasn’t a book promoting the Balearics and more importantly all of the off the beaten track places that people would visit more if they actually knew about them. In my opinion there couldn’t be a better pair of people to put this together and it’s taken them three years of travelling across all of the Balearic Islands. It’s a must for all tourists visiting the islands and without doubt for those of us that live here. The book itself will be out soon for us to discover the hidden gems across all of the islands but I asked them to pick out at least one of their favourites from each of the islands.
IBIZA
Dip in the mysterious tidal pools of Atlantis, hidden at the foot of the towering cliffs, and watch the sun setting over the legendary island of Es Vedra
MENORCA
Hike the Cami De Cavalls trail from the Parc Natural Albufuera de Es Grau to the lighthouse at Cap Favaritx stopping to dip in all the remote beaches along the way
FORMENTERA
Visit Cap de Barbaria and look for the mysterious, hidden hole in the lunar landscape, climb down the ladder and wander through the cave to find a glorious sea view open up in front of you
MALLORCA
Gallop along the wild beaches from Son Real to Son Serra on a beautiful horse and enjoy a swim on horseback. Keep an eye out for the ancient talaiots.
MALLORCA
Feast on roast lamb at the mountain refuge of Es Verger before heading off to explore the wild trails in the Trumuntana mountain range
Wild Guide Balearic Islands by Lizzie Graham & Anna Deacon is out on March 1st through Wild Things publishing. Available in Mallorca via Amazon.es and in the UK in all major retailers online and in store.
We seem to be on the right path to normality and this gives us a perfect chance to find out more about our islands.
Take care everyone and enjoy your Weekend!
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.00-10am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
Dad Taxi Mallorca 