As I was checking in at the Hostal Terramar, Bob the receptionist(who became a great mate) asked if I was looking for work. I was supposed to be on a break before joining my family on holiday but what student isn't looking for work. A friend of Bob's was working on a charter yacht in the harbour and was in urgent need of a deck hand as the owners were arriving to start their cruise the next day. I had planned to blag about my skills but was taken on without interview and handed a hose. Had a brilliant two weeks cruising with wealthy swiss and returned to the Terramar. Two days later Bob had a job painting boats and then another weeks charter. And so it went on. the Terramar is a great place to base yourself for work on boats. At any time there are 20-30 day-workers living there swapping tips and experience. I'll be back next year and hope to top the 5800 euros I made in 4 months last year

Just being in Palma de Mallorca is an experience for itself! Above the beautiful weather, beaches, clubs and shops, you can enjoy food!! If you are out, and feeling just a bit hungry, not for a whole huge meal, but a snack, you are ready for tapas!! A great place to visit and endulge in delicious tapas is definitely a place called FIROL. It is nicely decorated, all in wood and stone, there is always a musician with a guitar, creating a great feeling, and great food! :)

If you're in Palma de Mallorca for the night and need a reasonably priced place to stay - check out Hostal Brondo. The location is perfect, right in the middle of the old town, off a major Placa, a walk from all the windy side streets, the cathedral, and the ocean. The rooms are pretty clean and spacious, and the owners are continuously working on improvements. It's a bit overpriced for what it is, but so are a lot of things on the island.

When in Mallorca, the best way to see the island and find refuge from the invasion of package tourists is to rent a car. It´s very cheap (about 3000 pesetas per day)and the minimum driving age of 23 is highly negotiable, especially during the offseason. You´ll have several small, manually-operated vehicles to choose from. It´s best to pick one with four-wheel drive for climbing up those steep Mallorcan mountains. Drive safely! Off-roading in Mallorca can be very dangerous. If you don´t know how to operate a stick shift, Mallorca is no place to learn!

If you´re visiting Mallorca, be warned that you´ll often find it difficult to practice your Spanish. While the multi-lingual capacity of the locals is convienent for those with no Spanish language skills, it also means you´ll find it difficult to experience the local culture. There are more biergartens per capita than in Munich and you´ll be approached by souvenir hawkers speaking German. There are several ways to avoid the German invasion. First of all, do not stay in large hotels with large groups of package tourists. Stay as far away from Palma or Magaluf (frequented more by U.K. families.) Secondly, rent a car and explore the island, staying clear of any tourist traps. Finally, go during the off-season and look for local bars in downtown Palma. Of course, you could hang out with drunken middle-aged Germans, scarf down Bratwurst, and wash it down with a cold Warsteiner. But, you could have gone to Munich for that, right?

Rumor has it that Ernest Hemingway visited this bar in Palma on his vacations to Mallorca. Fact or fiction, this place draws a crowd even during the off season. The photographs and memorabilia on the walls attest to its long, storied history. Try a mojito-it tastes horrible-but it was Hemingway´s favorite, so pay the man some respect. Then you can switch to a more traditional drink (translation: something without a weed sticking out of it.)

When in Palma de Mallorca, stop by "Barcelona", a flamenco bar in the nightclub district near the cathedral. The small, intimate atmosphere lends well to the flamenco music. Weekends are the best time to catch the simple setup: one singer and one guitarist, often with no dancers. Even if you don´t understand a word he´s saying, you´ll feel his pain. There´s no cover charge, but you´re expected to buy at least one drink. No complaints here--they´re generous with the liquor.