Hust got back to Ciao after four years, will try and do four reviews a week in 'Clarkson' style as I...
Hust got back to Ciao after four years, will try and do four reviews a week in 'Clarkson' style as I love his work!
Member since:10.12.2003
Reviews:7
Travelled to Majorca in 2004 where we had an apartment on the Royal Golf Course near Palma Nova.
My Dad had told me about the caves from 10-15 years beforehand and how beautiful they were, what he had no way of knowing was that the caves are now a major tourist attraction, we actually drove past having seen the queues and went to Porto Christo and had a drink overlooking the beautiful fishing boats. Having waited until about 3.30 (when the tourist buses leave to get back to Palma Nova/Magaluf) we entered the caves.
The queues were still quite bad but I would imagine nothing like as bad as they would be earlier in the day with the tourist buses.
On the way in we learnt a deal about the caves, they were mentioned in 'Clovis Dartetor' by Jules Verne and that the engineer Burgias (I think correct) designed the caves and completed his project to illuminate the caves and lakes in 1935.
Although this was interesting I would have like to have seen some pictures of the actual construction work in progress instead of a pictur of Jules Verne and one of the engineer by the opening of the tunnel - I think this is a big opertunity that they have missed!
I seem to remember that there was quite a walk from the tunnel entrance to the lakes, having checked on their website (look for Cuevas Del Drach) I have found that the cave trip is actually 1.200 meters long up and down and they state that there are 250 steps, they also recommend sensible shoes but I would say that, considering the trouble my girlfriend had in flip-flops, trainers are a must.
The caves are kept at 20 degrees centigrade (about 70 Fahrenheit) however it feels warmer because the humidity is very high.
The stalactites and stalagmites are very pretty but after about half the course you do feel that time is dragging a bit! The stalactites and stalagmites are verry prettily lit with yellow uplights that really do show them off well. It is a bit disappointing that photography is not allowed as the effects are truly breathtaking.
It is also worth mentioning that at no point do the caves feeel claustrophobic at any point having been well designed to give a feeling of openess and, surprisingly, airiness.
After the walk, which certainly burnt off the drinks from lunchtime, we arrived at a pier which I think was concrete but certainly very slippery!
A boat then approached from across the lake, a violinist playing a long, mournful song - the affect being quite spine-tingling. The boat ride takes you round the lake, the mournful music actually making it seem like the scene from Harry Potter in Voldemorts Cavern. The water is incredibly still and the whole scene is very tranquil - until you see the lights from another boat which really, really startles you!
The boat trip seems like it is over before you have even started and you then have the option to either walk to the exit over a rickety wooden slatted bridge or to take a boat trip.
Although the time was now about 5 oclock, there was quite a queue for the boat so we walked across the bridge, which was unsettling due to a feeling of trepidation over the worthiness of the bridge and claustrophobia due to crowding for the first time in the trip.
The exit is certainly a welcome relief.
Notes:
Price - Adults € 10.50 Children under 8 free Tours are in groups but without commentary (presumably due to language barriers) Credit Cards are not accepted.
Definately take one of the later tours as they WILL be the least busy.
Take your own drink, if necessary as the bar and souvenir shop are extortionate.
Remember that Porto Christo is literally a ten minute walk away and about 10 minute drive from the beachside bars, from which you can see a beautiful sunset on the East coast of Mallorca (well we did - I cannot predict the weather for you!)
Hope you enjoyed reading this article.
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Oct 1st, 2009
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