For many, summer left some time ago, but until last Friday we had clung to hints of warmth in sea breezes and barefoot island life, suspending belief that it would end. Now it has! And we find ourselves in a new world, but before we go into Barcelona overload (apologies in advance) we wanted to share with you some of our last special moments and some reflection from the magical time we spent on the white isle.
“THE SENSE OF ISOLATION THAT CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE ALLOWS A SERENE SPACE TO WORK AND THINK. THERE’S A TANGIBLE VIBRATION”.
– Conde Nast
For decades Ibiza has been attracting artists and creative people from around the world and we were aware of the islands reputation for being a place of mysteries, magnetic energies and a birthplace of creativity. Arguably the world’s most renowned bohemian destination, none have held an aura of appeal quite as long Ibiza. The island means many things to many people and, while it continues to evolve, Ibiza will forever be part of us and our journey…
“IMAGINE THAT ST. BARTH’S AND TULUM HAD A LOVE CHILD, A BEAUTIFUL, FREE-SPIRITED DAUGHTER WITH A GENTLE, HIPPIE SOUL AND A TASTE FOR THE GOOD LIFE, AND YOU’D BE GETTING CLOSE TO THE TRUE IBIZA”.
– National Geographic
If this summer has taught us anything, it’s to keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable. We didn’t ever foresee ourselves living within the castle walls of D’alt Vila – a UNESCO world heritage site perched on a hill, on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. But after a blind leap of faith, one hell of an apartment search later and notices handed in, we did just that.
Our apartment was located inside the 16th-century Renaissance city walls, positioned down a cobbled white-washed alleyway in the heart of the medieval quarter. We entered and left our home via a drawbridge known as la Puerta del Mar (The Gate of the Sea) through a tunnel of stone arches which glowed with warmth at dusk. In the evenings we often sat drinking wine next to cannons, above sheer bastions, staring out to the sea.
We spent our weekends making use of the white beaches and coves of the north, driving to secluded bays with a boot packed full of picnics, a giant swan inflatable, a trusty bottle of rosé and of course our cameras.
As well as frequent boat trips to Ibiza’s smaller ‘sister island’, Formentera in the south; often returning back to the port wild-haired and unkempt, sun-kissed and beach bags full of sand, after a day dipping in crystal clear shallow waters and taking siestas on the warm shores.
“THE SOUTH IS A HEADY, VISCERAL PLAYGROUND OF BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, SUGAR CUBE VILLAGES, AND EXTRAORDINARY SUNSETS. THE NORTH IS THE LAND OF OLIVE GROVES, ANCIENT CHURCHES, AND SHEER CLIFFS PLUNGING DOWN TO INKY HORSESHOE CALAS…”
“…EVERYWHERE IS THE LIGHT: THE HIGH, BRIGHT, COLOURLESS LIGHT WHOSE EXTRAORDINARY QUALITY IS KNOWN THE WORLD OVER, WHOSE UNEARTHLY CLARITY HAS SEDUCED WRITERS AND PAINTERS FOR AEONS”.
– Maya Boyd on Ibiza.
It’s not to say that this season of our life was without hurdles, learning how to run and grow a company remotely came with its share of issues (read more about them here) – but our surroundings encouraged gratitude and appreciation that every day was teaching us something integral to the next chapter. Following a tough day or set back, we would grab a pizza (and more often then not our favourite red) and head towards our favourite spot at the top of the castle.
“IN THOSE DAYS, WE DIDN’T COME TO IBIZA TO CHANGE OUR LIVES. WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO, BUT WE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT”
– Conde Nast
Although we felt like the summer would never end, the days got shorter, the restaurants emptied and the beaches required knitwear. As bittersweet as it was to pack up our things and leave the island, we know we will be back; but we are sure when we do, it will be with different eyes. Experiences like that just cannot be replicated.
