Today is my first day solo. I’ve been with my traveling companion 24/7 for the last 3 weeks. Her absence feels a bit like a missing appendage and simultaneously invites me to stretch my wings. I have 3 more days on the Island and I’ve choosen to keep the bike and explore some new areas. 

I set my sights on the Santuari de Cura. It is an old monestary (mid 1800’s) originally a school for studying Latin that eventually closed until the Franciscan’s took over the property in 1913. The town is Randa, south of Palma in the wide open plains and farmland. The monestary sits atop the only “mountain” in the area at 534 meters. This provides 360 degree views with a bit of a climb for the reward. 

The landscape and flavor of Mallorca changes like the weather on a moody day. I began in Palma, biking along the waterfront with beaches and high rise hotels, winding through cruiser tourists less secure on thier bikes than me. 10 kilometers later I find my way onto lovely side roads lined with dry rock walls, green weeds filling the air with pungent aroma and a banner of blue sky above open fields inviting my body to loosen up after the contrast of tourist filled sidewalks. Before long I pass through a small town with a church whose steeple caught my eye. The terrain is flat and open, and I’m wary of the one large mountain/hill in the distance. I sense the monastery must be on top of it, and it turns out I’m right.

After a quick stop for fruit I find my way to the hill and climb! The landscape changes again back to pine trees and limestone rock. The grade gets my attention (9% and 6%) and I’m proud to say I rode it all. These stone crosses mark the road route. 

While the Santauri de Cura is quite lovely, I was most taken with a small chapel on the way up called Sant Honorat. It is an active religious community that lives in silence. People are welcome to visit the chapel and enjoy the beautiful vista and nature, but a silent respect is requested. The chapel is the first one to strike me as uplifting. I am awed and impressed by the chapels, but not uplifted. Images of the christ on the cross and serene mary are often dark and heavy to me. Something about Sant Horonat struck me.  (Perhaps it was all the endorphins released from riding up the hill?)

After this magical chapel I arrived at the monestary to a full view of the Tramuntana Mountains! A true gift. The wind picked up and dark clouds gathered giving yet another flavor to the landscape. The day ended with dinner and a sunset view! Oh to be alive is good. Thank you again Mallorca.