December marks a massive swing in the dynamics of our wonderful White Isle. The tourists have all but disappeared, summer seems a million miles away and we start to get truly festive.
We have so much more time on our hands to enjoy the run up towards Christmas and New Year. The weather has been a little more rainy than usual this year, but it's done very little to dampen our enthusiasm!
Here's a little recap of what's been going down during this first half of December…
Football on Formentera
We generally don't need an excuse to hop over to Formentera, so when we heard that the Formentera football team were going head-to-head with the giants that are Seville in the Copa del Rey (King's Cup), we jumped at the chance to make a day trip over to our sister island.
We headed off early doors on the ferry which was doing a brilliant package deal including ferry ride, transfers to the stadium plus entry. Bargain! There was no excuse not to go!
After exploring the deserted island during the day, we braved the elements to watch our team lose 5-1. But this couldn't possibly detract from the fact that we were there en masse to cheer them on all the way. A brilliant day out!
Christmas lights and ice skating
The turning on of the Christmas lights is always a winter highlight for us. Now that Vara de Rey, the usual location or this is under construction, the tree and market stalls have moved into a much bigger space near the new bus station. We joined the hordes of families and watched the local school choir sing along to the big switch on.
Best thing continues to be the sobrassada (raw, cured sausage from the Balearic Islands made with ground pork, paprika and salt and other spices) stall where a small glass of wine, plus this sausage spread on homemade bread is still just €1! Merry Christmas indeed!
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is a tiny little speakeasy tucked away in the back streets of Sa Penya, the gypsy area of the Old Town. It opened in May this year, and proceeds to dish out a multitude of top-class cocktails throughout the summer to thirsty workers and tourists alike.
This winter, Paradise Lost is open from Thursday to Sunday serving up their usual carnival of decadent drinks in quirky tropical surroundings.
Thursdays now see The Brothers Grimm from Pikes on Sundays fame hosting Tales Of The Unexpected playing eclectic tunes to discerning punters.
Sundays are The Domingo Sessions, where Ibiza's finest DJs are invited to play the kind of music they would play themselves at home on a Sunday evening.
Think roaring fires, cosy sofas, board games, hugs, rugs, Bloody Marys, good company and a mixed bag of tunes.
Love From Ibiza Does Winter Wonderland
Love From Ibiza is a charity set up to raise funds for a number of topical causes, this time for refugees who need some love this Christmas time. On Saturday 3 December they transformed the gorgeous Lamuella restaurant on the San Joan Road into a festive fantasy, complete with a Santa's Grotto, fairytale princesses, mulled wine and mince pies.
Friends and families from all around the island congregated and spent the afternoon in the sunny courtyard checking out the stalls of trinkets and handmade cakes and gifts whilst the kids ran around enjoying the first taste of Ibiza's true winter. And of course, with it being this island, we not only had a Christmas carol singalong, but there was also a DJ playing all afternoon! We particularly enjoyed the delicious homemade curry that we ate and JamFace Jo's glitter stall!
Saving Fabric
On Wednesday 7th December, the gang from Rejekts, namely Iain Taylor, Terry Francis and Nathan Coles descended upon Pacha to celebrate the fact that we managed to Save Fabric.
We love a mid-week boogie and with the Thursday being a national holiday, there was no excuse not to get involved! Excellent music was provided by all including Ibiza Resident DJs Ryan O Gorman and Lisa Chadderton.
We are super grateful that Pacha is still open and allows free entry to us residents out of season!
Look out for the next instalment of the Ibiza Winter Diary which will have more tales of Ibiza's wonderful winter!
WORDS | Leena Sharma
