April & August. 1999 
23 
arc no dangerous wild animals in S'Albufcra made me 
feci rather more confident about walking around the 
park without fear Birding on my own was therefore a 
most enjoyable experience. It was always quite refreshing 
to walk or cycle, an the clear tracks between the reeds. 
During my bird walks. I enjoyed the hesitant Cetn's 
Warbler and its insistent staccato song, the jerky flight 
of the Fan-tailed Warbler, and the peaceful flight of the 
Marsh Harrier and the sight of the water birds 
swimming All these and more were delights offered 
by the park 
One morning, I cycled slowly on a long wet and 
muddy track towards the old farmhouse. There was lots 
to see from both sides of the track Each time I saw or 
heard something interesting, I stopped to enjoy It I 
watched the numerous wetlands full of life, Coot, Purple 
Gallinules, gulls, and many more Occasionally I heard 
the wild cry o! a Water Rail hiding within the reeds As 
I approached the farmhouse. I could fed the warmth 
from the nsing sun on my face. A group of feral pigeons 
made a sudden noise from the nearby pine trees 
Reaching the gate to the farmhouse I put the bicycle 
down and stood still, watching the awakening nature. 
There was the soft and delicate colour of the cattle egrets 
feeding on the insects in the Held, lots of small birds 
feeding on the nearby’ bushes, a group of gulls flying 
high in the sky I stood there for about an hour. In the 
middle of all these. It was a lovdy way to start my day 
One evening, as a group we visited one of (lie hide* 
overlooking a wetland. We sat there, each one of us 
with a pair of binoculars enjoying the spectacular views 
of the water birds. Several Cools were swimming in 
the water, the Mallards were sitting by the shore There 
was a Common .Sandpiper picking its way along the 
shore, several ducks flew- in shortly followed by a Grey 
Heron. It was as if there was a party, with the water 
providing all the delights required 
Our day off was spent louring other parts of the 
island. We drove to the coastal mountains, the tormentor 
IVninsula The approach to the mountains begins on .1 
long straight road that bypasses the beautiful beaches. 
Then a winding road starts as the mountains near When 
we reached them die air was cool and there was a b reive 
We climbed up through the hard limestone, stopping 
occasionally to identify special plants which grow 
between the hard limestone rocks From a viewpoint 
we watched the pleasant combination of the blue water 
and the buildings behind the open view of the 
surrounding hills and cliffs. 
From there, we drove to the Lluch Monastery I 
was told this is a spiritual heart of Mallorca The mad 
to the Lluch is even more winding When we reached 
there, we quickly settled down to have a picnic Aflcr 
ibis we toured the surrounding areas The Lluch 
Monastery is in a beautiful setting with its cultivated 
fields and an interesting looking valley that runs below' 
it. Lots of sheep could be seen grazing, we could hear 
the bells hanging around their necks. It was interesting 
to me to sec wild goats wandering in the nearby hills 
On our w-ay back we had a stop and a short walk, passing 
through fields of almonds That was the first time 1 had 
seen almond irees. We stopped again at Rillcnsa Town 
and Chris, our guide, took us to have a cup of coffee at 
a rather fine hotel by the beach. In the evening we 
crowned it all with an outing for dinner. 
Other experiences were cooking together, which 
gave me a few tips on cooking methods. Now I know 
how to make some Spanish and English dishes. Going 
out to assist with shopping was another experience that 
gave me a chance to see many things and to make 
comparisons with Kenya Wfc visited the local market 
On our way to the market, we passed large farms with 
windmills on almost all of them. Wfe spotted hundreds 
of Yellow Legged Herring Gulls feeding in the fields 
When we arrived at the market it was busy, people 
buying and selling, the stalls full, with a variety of 
commodities, from fresh produce to household items 
Wfc walked around the market. It was different and yet 
it reminded me of a typical market back home in my 
small village. Bui there I was walking on the narrow streets 
of a typical Mallorean market, mingling with these local 
people, trying to bargain and buy using this “strange" (to 
me i Mallorean language that I barely knew anything of 
It was a different and rather exciting experience 
On my last evening in Mallorca I cycled through the 
park with my binoculars around my neck. It was quiet 
with the soft sound of the whispering reeds, the most 
characteristic planl of the park. I cycled slowly towards 
ihe area adjacent to the power station I watched the 
sun setting on top of ihe hills, On the nearest wetland I 
watched more than ;i hundred cormorants sitting on ihe 
dead branches of ihe trees. I was thinking that the next 
day I was going to be on that aircrafl. returning home 
I felt like rewinding everything back to the beginning, 
as if this was not enough No one can ever know just 
how thankful I am to have taken part in such an 
experience as this. 
All these experiences have left me with a memory 
filled with the images of the island. Environmentalists 
say “think globally and act locally". I like the idea, but 
how could I even hcg$n to think effectively and globally 
lie fore travelling globally'' But now when I think of 
nature it is not only about the loud ringing voice of the 
Fish Faglc in Uke Naivasha. or the choruses of the 
Rock Hyrax at the cliffs close to Lake Baringo I can 
also let my mind wander around the Mallorean Island. 
I can clow my eyes and hear the whispering sound of 
the reeds in the Parc do* S'Albufcra. the scolding alarm 
calls of the Sardinian Warblers from the reeds Or 
imagine that I am watching the beautiful colours of the 
Runted Lady Butterfly flying over the sand dunes or 
listening to the high pitched voices of the frogs of 
Mallorea. It is one world and I am most definitely 
thinking globally now 
Evaluation 
First of all. I have to commend Earthwatch for initiating 
such an inspiring and educational project. The Mallorean 
cxpencnce was a great thrill and the knowledge I have 
gained lias definitely changed a pan of me forever. 
