A night out with the locals

On June 20, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Ibiza, Life, Parties, People you may have heard of, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

Things happen in Ibiza. Nice people pick you up from the side of the road at Es Caliu restaurant and take you to VIP at the hottest gig in town.

“Who is this guy?” I asked my hostess once in the car. “You know” she replied, “He sings that song: “I need to know now, need to know now, can you love me again?” “Oh, yes, I do know it!” “He’s phenomenal” she said.

We drove through the wilds of the Ibizan countryside towards the setting sun and the even wilder environs of San Antonio.

On arrival at Ibiza Rocks Hotel we were yellow wristbanded and ascended to the VIP area. Upstairs from the balcony, we took a view – literally. From our premium vantage point we could see the by now infamous swimming pool and a young buoyant crowd, eager to see their peer perform.

It was so happening, with the buzz of a singer about to appear on stage who I feel we’ll be hearing about for years to come, that I struggled to keep up.

The charisma of John Newman’s performance was something to behold. A strong voice, a unique look and a way with words: “I know you’re all here for the week you’ve saved up all year for – so let’s ‘ave it tonight!”

Hands were in the air and R – the hostess with the mostest turned to me excitedly: “This is it! This is the song!” Everyone sang along to an anthem less intangible than those of the 90’s – closer to the heart, and transmitted from a man who wears his on his sleeve – enhanced by a voice that’s still in my head today.

The after party took place at a small rustic hotel, deserving of a guided tour such is its history on this island. I stood in reception and took in the illustrious photographs adorning the walls.

Suddenly there was a commotion at the entrance. I heard the the Northern tones of a dominant force and immediately made my way through the fray to introduce myself.

“For goodness sake, how old are you with a voice like that?” “I’m 24” he replied. He smelled lovely, hair slicked back with a blonde streak, a gold necklace around his neck ..and I spotted some white socks. “Are they a tribute to Michael?” I asked. “No! Don’t look at the feet!” “But I love your look! It’s different. Where did you get that interesting pendant though?”

“Thank you” he said. “I try, I try. Oh…I designed the necklace myself.”

Of course he did. It goes without saying.

The holy grail of food selfies

On May 30, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

We sat up at a breakfast bar for our first meal of the day which is in no way an insignificant repas here at Club Med (www.clubmed.co.uk).

“Have you been to this village before” a lady next to me asked. “Yes, as a matter of fact this is my fifth time here.” “I’m not surprised” she replied. “We’re from Niagara Falls – near Toronto – and we’ve tried to come here numerous times in the last few years to no avail; it’s always full! Last September the minute booking opened for Da Balaia summer 2014 we checked in.”

“Well, the food is so outrageously good for starters” I said. “Oh, yeah, we’ve been to a few villages in the Caribbean and while they’re excellent – they knock it out of the ballpark here.”

My second five course meal that day included fish carpaccio with a Portuguese sauce followed by fillet of Ling accompanied by creamed spinach, mashed potatoes and crispy courgette and aubergine beignets. I tried to draw the line at that before moving on to the cheese course and dessert, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible: I’d spotted the fillet of chicken pan fried in garlic and Jerez vinegar and I was a goner.

Dessert presented amongst other options a chocolate fountain surrounded by strawberries, and Crepes Suzette with orange brandy sauce.

I just about made it to the end of the ‘Spectacle’ in time to see ‘Le Grande Surprise” take place on stage. From a distance I could make out a tower of coupe glasses over which the Chef de Village poured bottle after bottle of champagne to pumping music. Even from this place at the back of the room I could see his teeth were dazzling white. Instinctively I touched my newish braces. Club Med was being good to them, but they were certainly getting a work out.

That night I dreamed a Chinese dentist checked on how my teeth straightening was going. He informed me he’d have to take a tooth out. “But, that’s the one that’s most crooked!” I cried as he approached me with a dangerous looking implement.

They say too much cheese before bed gives you bad dreams. I woke up thinking about what I’d eaten the day before… Clearly my nightmare was fromage fuelled, but it’s a side effect I can live with when the pictures are this good.

Tweeted by Club Med 4 June 2014

Getting my shorts on

On May 25, 2014March 30, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Music, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

‘Home’ again for the fifth time to Club Med in Portugal (www.clubmed.co.uk).

I woke early – 8am – for holiday time. But, that’s what happens here. The energy surges when you realise there’s much to be accomplished from pilates and golf to the spa and the Crazy Signs.

Ah yes, the Crazy Signs. It’s been a year and a half since I last partook. I wondered how I’d feel about them now. Would the sound of the theme tune ‘Madison’ get me going again, even though I consider myself somewhat more sedate these days? I’d have to wait and see. For now though, aqua gym provided a spectacle in the sunshine with the music steadily getting louder.

It could only be a matter of moments before the Chef de Village appeared.

I wandered into lunch. There he was, resplendent in vibrant green Bermuda shorts with a brilliant white shirt and an equally sharp looking team of G.O.s around him. I recognised him from a holiday at Club Med, Beldi in 2006. Greying hair now with an even deeper tan, he looked reassuringly in control of the situation.

A snooze and beach session later, I showered and got ready for the evening.

It was hard not to be gripped by the post-dinner show – Indiana Jones – especially since I knew the Crazy Signs followed and I was curious to know how I’d react.

Post Indiana finding the Ark of the Convenant, the nightclub beckoned. “Have you got the ‘new’ Michael Jackson?” I asked the DJ. “Sorry, non, but I’ll get it for you – come on Monday evening and I’ll have it” he replied.

I held tight and waited for the familiar music to start. The Responsable Animation took the stage as a different tune came on. I lined up anyway – but hey, I was out of the loop! I went with my instincts and followed the lead. It was all new! Things had changed since I last crazy signed.

The third song came on – another one I thought I didn’t know – but wait a second maybe I did… “Avancez! Avancez!” David commanded from the stage. “It’s easy, it’s easy!” or did he say, “It’s cheesy, it’s cheesy?” Either way we went for it. “Step to the right, step to the left, take it back one time. Right leg! Left leg! Jump!”

Turned out, it was just as much fun as it has always been.

A soft centre

On May 17, 2014March 30, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, Ibiza, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

I was reminded of Club Med last weekend as I stepped inside Aguas de Ibiza (www.aguasdeibiza.com) and was immediately offered a welcoming glass of cava and the friendliest reception I’d experienced in a while.

From outside, this hotel presents a tough exterior, physically all curved stone and large plate glass windows with an attitude that says: ‘Take me seriously – I offer five star service and a spa to die for.’

I wasn’t going to argue. My flight had been delayed and I was looking forward to some pampering. But, reception weren’t going to let me go that easily. Alison asked me how I was, and proceeded to give me a thorough introduction to an eco hotel with a heart. A smiling Vicente stood patiently waiting to take me to my room.

Upstairs, the curtains opened to reveal a view over the outside pool, the bluest Mediterranean sea and some very fancy switches on the wall. Vicente took me through it. “Don’t worry about closing the curtains, switching off the lights or the air-conditioning when you leave” he said, “That all happens automatically – it’s part of our eco system. We save a lot of energy in this hotel – even the water gets re-used!”

I was impressed. He’d barely been gone two minutes when I cocooned myself in the white fluffy bathrob and padded down to the spa. A Roman bath, various thermal pools including a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and ice bath awaited to say nothing of the ‘rain‘ showers. I helped myself to a Jasmine tea and got going.

At the end of the following day, I felt I’d availed of all the treats this hotel offered. I was particularly taken by the fact that every time I paused for so much as a minute at reception, I was offered a glass of something sparkling and a friendly chat.

“We’ve got the first two starred Michelin chef in Ibiza – Sergi Arola – arriving in June to cook at our new restaurant ‘Vi Cool’ on the roof” Catalin told me. Vicente showed me exactly where, and I wondered if it could possibly get any better.

My final night had me eager to be up in time in the morning. Should I set my alarm? I referred to Aguas de Ibiza’s room ‘manual’. Apparently I could request they remotely open my curtains to wake me up with sunlight: Naturally. It made perfect sense.

The delight of a Tight

On March 28, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Fashion, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

I tore myself away from ‘Cauchemar en Cuisine avec Philippe Etchbest’. As reality shows go, it had it all. A woman sat sobbing her heart out through false eyelashes, head in hands, muttering something about Beaujolais. Two substantially apportioned gentlemen looked on unsympathetically as one of them bellowed at her ‘Mais OU est LE CANARD??!!’

Outside my window in Paris the sun decided to shine and I took my cue. I’d spotted a particularly fancy lingerie/hosiery shop around the corner from our B&B, and the love of a good pair of tights and all things underwear related spurred me on.

Les Caprices looked like a treasure trove of goodies – and it was. An array of brightly coloured patterned mannequin legs adorned the windows. From the sublime to the super sublime – Les Collants had all. I opened the door and stepped inside.

It was hard to know where to look, and I started practically hyperventilating at the wondrous eccentricity of shelves and walls crammed full of coloured stockings and tights. No order seemed apparent, but on pointing to a particularly fetchingly festooned leg and asking where it was, the long haired gentleman assistant immediately went to the source. His looks were incongrous to the setting – perhaps more suited to a hippy commune in Ibiza – and his colleague’s, an African lady with short cropped hair and an eclectic outfit, also not quite what one might expect of this 50’s style emporium.

Even in my limited French, I managed to express my delight and enthusiasm: “C’est fantastique!! Superb!” I exclaimed and mentioned how there was nowhere like this in London. “Uh, but the French, they say it is much better selection in Londres”, L’homme replied. Well, they’re wrong. In London certainly nothing of this higgledy-piggledy haphazard charm in Bas Collants exists – au contraire, it is generally way too ordered and structured, a bit like we’ve all become.

A couple of carefully chosen pairs later, I said goodbye to the noble assistants of Les Caprices. They were gracious in their adieus and I told them I was already looking forward to my next visit. Back at the hotel, Philippe and contestants were still going strong. He appeared to be asking them to tidy up the backyard of the restaurant. Perhaps it was opening tonight? There was a lot of ‘Okay, okay’ and mention of the ‘Poubel’. The next shot showed him in the church – praying no doubt for the reappearance of Le Magret du Canard and an early retirement.