We’ve been hearing for years that Palma was a special place, and frankly, with our experience to date in the Balaerics we had our doubts. But one look at the amazing collection of moored yachts as we entered the harbor and we knew it was true.

Palma’s backdrop isn’t bad either, highlighted by this wonderful church (begun in the 12th century).

This must be the mega-sailboat capital of the known world.

There are probably 100 sailboats over 80 feet here, several dozen of which are in excess of 140 feet.

And perhaps a thousand yachts in the 40 to 60 foot range.

There is every imaginable rig and hull shape.

And a number of radically cool designs. To get an idea of the scale of this sleek single sticker look carefully at the base of the cap shroud. That speck is a crewmember.

There are also some interesting stinkpots.

A few of which are larger,

or extra large. What we would call the bling boats seem to be absent. Perhaps they are at Ibiza still.

We’ve got a stack of detailed photos to share, for which you will have to be patient. Today it it is the overview, and this gets our vote as coolest boat so far.

Palma Harbor is busy with paddlers and day sailors.

We are now in the world of stern to mooring. It has been 13 years since we dealt with this process, last in Papeete, Tahiti, aboard Beowulf.

We have two stern lines rigged, and four fenders to a side. The marina crew is helpful, takes the stern lines, and hands across the bow mooring lines.

The process goes without a hitch.

The Club Nautico staff is friendly and efficient, and not at all indifferent to a little yacht like Wind Horse.

Palma has an amazing collection of businesses devoted to yacht service. We met these folks picking up cushions for cleaning at a nearby yacht. The skipper said good things, and we gave them our saloon cushions and awnings to wash and scotch guard. They came back looking almost new after five years of use.

We are a short walk from the old section of Palma.

There are hundreds of restaurants.

And wonderful architecture. We’ll have more to say about this later.

The combination of boat watching, maintenance infrastructure, and historical ambiance, put Palma at the top of the list for cities eligible to be assigned to our approved folder.

We’ll leave you with a few photos of the surrounding sea-scape.