Having had a holiday home in Menorca for many years at San Jamie it was always our intention to become residents here for our retirement.
Why then, 10 years ago, did we choose Cala Llonga? A good question and well… for several reasons!
Primarily it was a residential area, that had a very active, forward- thinking residents’ association (very important when it comes to keeping an urbanization in the condition most seem to take for granted, and sadly with some benefiting from the excellent work done on our behalf to help keep the value of the area at a premium without having contributed to the cost of it) and secondly because of its prime location on the northern shore of one of the most attractive, natural harbours in the world.
San Jamie gave Pat and our four children many wonderful years as a holiday location but a seascape is a line between sea and sky and waking up to that during the days and long very black nights of winter would certainly become a bore. Living on the edge of this wonderful harbour, we awake to an ever-changing world – ships and boats of all sizes are passing our home daily. We see ferries, cargo ships, cruise ships, naval craft, fishing boats and of course the numerous pleasure craft from the beautiful private yachts, the multi-masted sail boats down to the more conventional yachts, power boats, ribs etc. There is also a very active junior yachting fraternity learning their skills every weekend come summer or winter with dozens of them racing around the port, a great sight to see such interest from such young people.
When the sun sets and the lights on the southern shore start to come on, the harbour sparkles and offers yet another new image to feast your eyes on with the reflections in the water giving yet another dimension.
You should never get bored when you have such a beautiful, busy environment on your doorstep with an ever-changing land and seascape to enjoy viewing.
We also have a great social side to living in Cala Llonga; we have an annual residents’ AGM followed paella party for all on the beach/play area, we also have the Aparthotel with its restaurant, bar and pool/terrace area for social gatherings where you can get to know your neighbours, meet friends and have a drink, a snack or a full meal. The families that live in the urbanization be it resident or holiday home have a really great time in a really great place.
We are very privileged to live in such a delightful area of this beautiful and safe jewel in the Mediterranean and we should also never forget the handful of people who give up their free time to help keep our urbanization that way, you certainly have my thanks.
Ken Gibbon