Published in an Australian Magazine.
An opalescent sea caught in a cloudy shrine. You are well arrived in Ibiza. The location attracts a large range of people. Some come in their twenties and just want to party hard, the others are seduced by the north coast wild nature. Even VIP take Ibiza as the place to be in summer; did you spot Neymar or Doutzen Kroes on the Spanish beaches ?
Ibiza cannot be reduced in one word or one world. This paradise was built for sure as an adult entertainment park. If you walk down the streets near Playa d’En Bossa, you can’t run away from the neon-lit bars and its promoters. Anyway, the Ushuaïa Beach Hotel et Hard Rock Hotel made this spot the international young clubbers’ mecca. The concept relies on a few key-words, which can’t fail when it comes to party: luxury, electro-music, exclusivity, architecture and technology. And this is in these huge buildings with a bird-eyes view on the sea, and among crazy-designed restaurants, that David Guetta or Paris Hilton perform gigantic shows. This is enough to convince a thousand of hard-up students to spend almost 100 euros to gate crush the clubs every night. But what wouldn’t we do to be part of this high point nightlife location (and to bring back the perfect selfie from holiday) ?
The entertainment industry could have gobbled up any nature-shaped side of the island. But happily it split in two parts, and the place kept some magic locations, lost between some sweet wooded valley and translucent sea. A few miles away from the road, one can find the perfect dream cala. If you like white sand or vertiginous riffs, you’ll have the opportunity the turn as a one-day Indiana Jones explorer.
Along the road
Visiting San Antonio, on the west-coast of the island, is the occasion the share a peaceful moment, far from the dizzying pace of Ibiza. Life can finally slow down. We discover the pleasure to walk around and get lost in the many narrow streets surrounded by Spanish-styled buildings. The main street, bordered by small balconies above it, leads to the harbour and its beach. The nightlife wakes up when the sun dies in the West, and many half-dressed young people turn around the clubs in a breakneck carnival atmosphere.
Not far from there, Cala Tarida offers his rocky flank to the sultry rays of light. We swim in a turquoise-coloured water, which darkens where grow the regional algaes. A few solid rocks emerge from the sea, and a pack of braves wait for diving. When comes dinner time, don’t forget to book your table in Cotton Beach Club, which boasts two white-designed restaurants and a lounge music which turns the location classy and unique. Take the opportunity to use their private beach and personal showers, before moving in confortable sofas with a panoramic view.
If you are not afraid to hand around nudists, don’t hesitate to trudge until Punta Galera beach, where the landscape is breathtaking. There is a miraculous mud, wich displays a real wellness bath before swimming in the sea. Dont forget your snorkel mask, as a wide range of fish species live there.
And if you want to come back to the hippie roots of Ibiza, don’t forget to visit Benirras Beach, in the north, not far from Cala San Vincente. Ibiza was the land of welcome for the writers, artists or Franco opponents, in the 40’s. It turned as the GQ of the boho community in the 60’s. At this period, the « peluts » hang around the party-lovers as the clubs like Amnesia or Pacha grew up, in the 70’s.
