Mahon (Mao), Menorca, Spain
This is our first visit to the island of Menorca, and its capital city Mahon, locally called Mao. We will now have been to three of the four inhabited Balearic Islands--Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca. We have yet to set foot on the fourth populated island, the much less visited Formentera.
I have scheduled another walking tour today, so Will is going to spend his time on the ship. I am glad I have my cane with me because there are many steps up and down that are difficult with my limited depth perception. Mahon is an interesting city and I am able to keep up with the group.
We exit the ship directly onto a street of bars and restaurants far below the high rocks on which the central city sits.
We soon approach a series of decorative stairs that will take us up to the main town. There is a newly-built elevator adjacent to the stairs, but the tour is advertised for "exuberant" walkers, so our guide leads us right past the elevator entrance.
At the top of the stairs stands the Parròquia de la Mare de Déu del Carme (1550), a neoclassic monument that is the city's largest religious building.
The church's former cloister, next door, now houses a modern city market.
As we climb up farther from the church and market, we have wonderful views over the lower town and Mahon's wide bay.
Almost at the top we reach Constitution Square and the Santa Maria Church (1748-88), with its glowing interior.
On the square one of my fellow passengers, who does not understand any Spanish, unknowingly stands as examplar of the message on the sign:
Prior to entering the main commercial square, we stop by the remains of the only surviving medieval city gate.
As we walk our way back down to the Encore--on a less glamorous set of stairs and ramps--we enjoy more fine views of the harbor.
The reward for all the walking is a stop at a bar across the street from the ship for tapas and wine or beer.
The Encore sails out to sea just before dusk as we enjoy snacks and drinks on the upper deck.
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