Margaret's birthday!

We decided to go into the city of Palma by bus. The journey took around 20 minutes on a packed bus standing all the way after waiting for the bus which was 30 minutes late. Not a good start to the day.

However, when we arrived it had all been worth it as we had magnificent views of the cathedral and started to wander around the old streets of the city.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma known as La Seu was constructed between 1229 and 1601 and has the 2nd highest nave of Gothic cathedrals at 44 metres.

Lunch was a simple affair of ham and cheese on toasted bread in a local café.

After lunch we continued our wandering around the medieval quarter...

...and visited the Arab baths, the Banys Àrabs, which are set in a delightful garden which is worth a visit in it's own right.

The baths themselves are not believed to have been public baths but attached to a palace dating from the 10th century when the city of Palma was known as Medina Mayurqa and are virtually all that remain from that time of Arab rule over this island.

Inside, it is like a mini Mezquita in Córdoba with the columns and arches. 

Each column is different as they are believed to have been built using pieces from Roman times - recycling even then!

This wonderful relic from the past is certainly worth a visit.

The garden is a tranquil haven especially today when there is so much hustle and bustle around the city.

Walking around the relatively quiet streets the are interesting sights to be seen...

Interesting courtyards lie behind closed gates...

...and wonderful traditional architecture abounds, even though the museum was closed.

A birthday treat - an ice cream in the Plaza Mayor.

It's just as well he is holding on to that pole otherwise he would take off!

His arm must get tired after hovering there for hours.

On leaving the Plaza Mayor we went down lots of steps, I hadn't realised we were at that height...

...to walk along Las Ramblas...

...a wide, tree lined street which is the centre for kiosks selling plants and flowers.

The entire street is just so colourful, Margaret loved all the flowers...

...and because it was her birthday...

...I agreed to take a photo of her with them.

Back to the hotel after a more comfortable journey than we had experienced in the morning and a photo of the bouquet I bought for Margaret. A wonderful day out!