Thursday, June 26, 2008 Vamos a la Playa By Jinggoy Salvador
SUMMER'S twilight is before the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe. Pretty soon, the streets of the popular European summer destinations will be filled with tourists and the locals will take their leave from work and head off to somewhere giving way to their visitors to enjoy their cities.
After a freezing winter and locked up in the warmth of their homes, then much-awaited summer comes. It's great business for the entrepreneurs, but dreaded time for some. When tourists swarm their area, they fly off to somewhere quiet.
But tourist, I am not. You can call me a student. I am traveling to learn about the culture of the places I visit. Yes, I immerse myself and get to know the locals and how they live. That includes swimming with them, visiting them in their quaint little shops, have cervezas and vino with them and check out what music they are into and how they dance in these tunes -- in their clubs.
At daytime, I surrender myself to the call of the rushing surf, the glorious shining sun.
Ibiza is not only famous for their clubs and nightlife but also for their beaches. This island reaches its highest level of visitors for these attractions and that happens every summer -- from June to September, the ideal time to go. The weather is just right, it can get hot but their summers have cooler temperature and their winter is milder than of Northern Spain. The temperature doesn't change that much and we have to thank the Mediterranean climate for that.
If you are a beach bum like me, then we need to be in the island for more days than we have originally planned for. Why, you ask. Newsflash: there are more than 60 beaches to see in Ibiza! How many days does one need to enjoy the number?
Beaches are accessible through cars or bikes and it will take you half an hour to get to the other side of the island and ten minutes by walking to the nearby resorts. Each shoreline has it's own charm, some a small cove, some have a long stretch of sand. If you don't like this one, hop on that bike and head to the next. The choice is all yours.
One important tip is to know what to take with you on these day trips -- your picnic basket, tanning oil or sun block and your own parasol. Unless you want to burn under the scorching summer heat and turn into charcoal rather than a tanned god, then come as you are.
As for the packed lunch, not all beaches have a resto you can run to when you're in need of nourishment. You might end up in the virgin beach so it is best to be safe than hungry and thirsty. But the more popular ones within the Santa Eulalia, San Antonio and Ibiza towns, there will be some a tour beck and call, so if you're hungry, by all means go grab a meal.
"Beach-ing" in the Mediterranean means relaxing, more especially after a night of frenzied partying. Or to put it more realistically, since clubbing ends when the sun is high up, it's the ideal place to head to and get that much-needed shuteye with the sea breeze lulling you to sleep. After all, in Ibiza, the beach is as essential as the club scenes or nightlife.
On this part of the globe, the beach crowd has less inhibitions and being at the beach means being as close to nature as possible. Thus, the natural look is nothing special. Nude bodies come a dime a dozen. I have seen it all and they came in all shapes and sizes and ages.
But not all beaches in Ibiza are nudist unlike in Barcelona and Formentera. The Southern and the Northern sides of the island are or the ones that are secluded and lesser tourist and nudity is never a big deal.
Beaches along the more popular party towns of Ibiza and San Antonio tend to be the most crowded when summer comes because of the endless partying during that season. These areas are not nudist beaches but there are certainly no restrictions if you would want to take your swimwear that is if you're on the beach of course.
If you're one of those who would prefer to relish a peaceful retreat after clubbing 'til noon the next day and stray from the populated shores, there are some beaches like Cala Xarraca to go to. The cliffs are the most interesting feature here. Cala d'Hort on the other hand, has a spectacular view of neighboring islands. Cala Boix beach is unique because of its black beaches.
And, Cala Benirras is famous for its variety of nightly performers. From hippies to musicians, to circus acts of fire breathing and juggling, you will be entertained.
Believe it or not, as the original settlers of the modern times, the hippies were not drawn by the clubs and nightlife of the island. They decided to settle here simply because of the breathtaking view of the sun when it sets and they beat their drums each single day end.
As for you, once you can find your spot along the beach, then you can go get your sleep or enjoy people watching- don't stare though, it's rude, swim, tan, revel in the wonders o the blue skies behind the glistening turquoise sea, snorkel, dive, parasail or just simply wait for the day's climax, the sun setting.
Aaah, a great tan from the sun and energized like solar powered batteries, you are ready to take on the night again and head to another beach by noon tomorrow. Como vives!
