Ban the beat box!

For the first time in many years, I had to use my elementary German to order a round of beers and nibbles and, to be quite honest, it was quite nice to be able to remember what I had learnt during the year I studied it at school. However, I was not in Germany - I was here in Majorca, in Cala Ratjada to be exact.

That said, the resort is a gem and extremely popular with British hikers and bird watchers which flock to the island pre and end of season when it is a bit cooler and calmer. Those that were around were keeping clear of the beach. I've seen it in Magalluf and along the Playa de Palma but I thought that was about the limits of the 24-hour party fever in Majorca.

Shrewd supermarkets, especially those just before one hits the lovely beach, rent out giant cold boxes for the day which their punters fill to the brim with alcohol and head off to the beach with two men needed to carry the booze filled boxes. And, close behind is the beat box carrier. Nothing like the ghetto blasters which were carried perched shoulder high in the 80's, now these are enormous machines pumping out sounds at full volume and each gang of revellers will set up camp on the beach and then compete to see quite literally who can make the most noise of all. And before you know it, you are surrounded by chanting groups of lads and lasses, swigging back the cava and belting out their favourite sounds.

This merits a fine in Capdepera, other resorts should follow suit if Majorca wants to “up” its image.