The flight to Ibiza was the rowdiest flight we’d seen across all our travels. The plane ride was a feast for the senses. Amongst the general excitement from holidaymakers we could hear intoxicated males perform a periodic chant of 'werhay', with those stood up and socialising, we could see the queues of both toilets meet in the middle, and amidst the plane air and variety of perfumes, we could smell a combination of booze, sweat and urine in the atmosphere. While it felt uncomfortable, it was weirdly exciting in comparison to all the other flights we've taken. And with us being on the Vienna origin flight, we can only imagine how much worse the British ones were.
We landed to meet a few friends at the airport and it was so great to initially catch up. Having booked £60 rental cars we were not surprised to learn the collection point was off-site and we were greeted with carnage at the shuttle bus queue. The scene would have been more fitting on an Indian train platform during Mumbai rush hour. We did our best Karen impression to secure a spot but unfortunately didn't make it on to the shuttle. With it only being a 1km walk away, Gabs and I decided to use our feet to get to Centauro. Finally, a 2h wait later we’d got the cars and picked the others up from where we left them in the airport, on our way to our Villa.
The villa was outrageous.. up in the hills, with an outdoor pool area overlooking Ibiza town. It had 5 lovely bedrooms, a suitable kitchen, lounge and a downstairs man cave/games room complete with table tennis table. An amazing find, well done Hugo. That night some of us early arrivals went to a nearby local town for an amazing dinner at Restaurant Can Limo served by the friendliest waiter. The generous Peruvian/ Spanish pours on cocktails and pour your own digestifs were a great touch, adding to a lovely first night before retiring to bed early ready for the wedding events.
Now we're in our 30s 'pre night out fitness' has replaced 'pre-drinks' as a way to prep ourselves for big events. Here, opting for the endorphins, workout sweat glow and the temporary tightening of our ever sagging faces, over trying to maximise drink consumption. As such, Ali took Gabs and I for a gruelling 6.5km jog up and down the Ibizan hills, in which he left us in the dust gasping for air during the final stretch signifying just how easy the whole run had been for him (he did the same run the next day in half the time). On top of that, Emma had been wanting to do some yoga together since she qualified and feeling bad I hadn't yet obliged, I convinced the others to join a class she had prepping to lead. It was amazing and she is clearly a natural yogi. Others have even mentioned the class to be a highlight of their trip. Although perhaps a slight miscalculation on the difficulty level given Gabs and I were longing for shivasana after the 5th round of yoga food, following the post run fatigue.
With everyone starving we cooked up a carby feast and got ready for the first event at Experimental beach. Charlie and Martyn had hired the whole place out and the venue was even more impressive than the otherworldly drive we experienced to get there through the Ibizan salt flats. It was a great evening with long overdue catch ups, spicy margs on tap and a golden hour so perfect even I got out my phone for some group photoshoots.
The wedding day started with some more yoga where Emma had really started to find her groove and combined the flow with perfectly complimented playlist. Yet another great session working up the appetite followed by another great brunch but we perhaps ate too slowly and there was momentary panic as our taxi had arrived with very few of us ready. And thus followed the so very common scene of half dressed wedding guests running around passing hairdryers and irons onto one another. In the end everyone was ready on time and looked outstanding. After travelling the world and seeing many different types of people, all shapes and sizes, I honestly do have a very good looking bunch of friends.
The wedding was flawless from the moment we arrived all the way to the early morning cab ride back. The venue, Ca Na Xica, was a boutique hotel consisting of a perfectly white villa, unique swimming pool and lush olive tree filled gardens, all which would give a Conde Naste Travel photographer content for months. Charlie looked absolutely stunning and Martyn, seriously dapper as they rocked up together in a vintage motorcar creating a scene fitting for a classy 1950s Audrey Hepburn movie. The groomsman all handsome in their matching outfits, and the bridesmaids were kitted out in wonderfully colourful dresses, each unique and perfectly suited to the wearer, yet somehow looked part of a perfectly matched set. They looked like models posing for Balearic high end fashion house's summer look book (see pic below). The humanist ceremony, lead by the couples friend Saskia was a perfect blend of comedy, sincerity and emotion and had everyone laughing and in tears.. I don't think I have been on the verge of hysterical crying so many times as when Martyn was reading his vows. A ceremony highlight of ours being the tying of a rope by everyone together to signify the coming together of the couple. This especially made us all feel like we were really part of it.
This dinner was a classy affair, set up wonderfully against an idyllic balearic backdrop, and following the tone of the ceremony, Claudia performed one the best maid of honour speeches I've heard. She took us on a hilarious, heartfelt journey of their friendship over the years, all whilst the best man had his head buried in his palms, questioning how on earth he was going to follow it. Well, follow it he did, and had everyone in fits of laughter for the entirety to a point where Ali had even got his notes app out to jot down a few lines. The incredible band played dance classics fit for the island and kicked off the evenings party where notably Marta's moves stole the show and more specifically the lead singers attention, as a nervous Rich watched from the sidelines. We danced the night away, with only Hugo taking a momentary break, making a bee line for the waiter when the Espresso Martinis were announced, at a speed that would have caught the attention of an Olympic sprinting coach. As weddings go, it was a solid 10/10. Well done Charlie and Martyn and a massive congrats to you both!
The rest of our Ibizan trip was a great way to spend some extended time with friends. Something that we never really get to do anymore without the other goings on of a wedding or a festival. Gabs had organised a boat trip taking us around the island involving some swimming and amazing lunch at a beach club. The big day out was topped off with a night out at Pikes Hotel. It was quite a few of our first Ibiza clubbing experiences and we all really tried to get into it but likely tired from the week's events, we made an early exit back to the villa. Other days included hangover ones spent lazing by the pool, ordering glovo meals, binge watching Derry Girls and having movie nights. On our last day Rich and Marta has put on a huge tasty BBQ and nicely closed out European leg of the world tour, making us even more excited to come back and spend more time with friends and family.
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