About Vanessa

Hola Amigos, thanks for visiting Menorca Blue.

I’m an Australian who for the past 6 years has been living in Menorca with my Menorcan man and his three amazing children. I love Menorca and even though I’ve come to know the island as an outsider, I’m privileged to experience everyday life as a local.

My Mediterranean Life in Menorca

Menorca Blue was started to offer advice on how best to discover the island and experience the wonderful Mediterranean lifestyle it provides.  We hope this site will become an indespensable resource for locals and visitors, presenting a true reflection of the engaging culture, beautiful landscape and friendly community that makes this island special.

‘How has an Australian ended up in Menorca?’

My story starts with a dream home built before I was born, and continues in the same house which I now call ‘Casa dulce casa’.

Scooter Adventures

My Polish grandfather and English grandmother retired here 40 years ago and enjoyed many of their last years in Menorca. They built their retirement home in typical Menorcan whitewash, bougainvillea and terracotta tile style and immersed themselves in the community and culture. My lasting memories of Menorca from my childhood visits include shades of bright blue sea, charming Menorcan people, old sandstone architecture, scorching summer days, beautiful black stallions and the sound of the Jaleo from the Sant Joan fiesta.

After 12 years away from the island, I started visiting regularly each year whilst I was working in London. However I missed the sun and sea that I had grown up with in Sydney, and the beauty of Menorca was irresistibly alluring. In 2006 I decided to leave behind my prestigious job in concert touring and move to Menorca to renovate the house for my parents in Australia.

Menorca Blue… What’s it all about?

My reason for starting this site is to share with readers my intimate knowledge of the island as I share with any friend who comes to visit me. Australians are famous for travelling where we know we have a friend as guide to show us the best of the local lifestyle. Mi casa, su casa. There is no better way to travel, and no better way to discover Menorca.

Menorcans are proud and protective of their small island. This website is also a way of showing my appreciation for my new home and supporting the community at the same time.

A few of my favourite things about life in Menorca…

• Cruising on our boat to one of many secluded beaches, or fishing on calm turquoise sea
  
• Big long lunches of homemade paella and sangria with my Menorcan family & friends
• The fiestas of Sant Joan in Ciutadella. The best week of the year!
• Warm summer nights eating fresh seafood and sipping cocktails on the terraces of restaurants and bars in the Port of Ciutadella.
• Camping on the boat with the kids and waking up to the serenity of dawn
• Celebrations dancing with friends to the latest Balearic House tunes in Cova d’en Xoroi
• Exploring the countryside in winter on weekend excursions with my family
• Loved ones living no more than 10 minutes from home who always pop in to say ‘Hola’
• Spectacular sunsets every single day

Poc a Poc (bit by bit in Menorquin) you will see this site grow.

There is no rush in Menorca; everything is done Poc a Poc. There is so much to discover about Menorca and thankfully there is always mañana to do it!

Learning two languages simultaneously has been a rewarding challenge. You will see both languages pop up frequently in my writing because that’s what it’s like here: one life in three languages mixed into converstation every day.  I’ve learned a lot about people and communication this way. Language isn’t just about grammar it’s about understanding. Communication in any language naturally improves the more you live it. Like the best food and wine of Spain, I highly recommend you try the local lingo too.

Cala Escorxada

I’ve started writing a section on the blog with more personal perspectives from living here called the ‘Weekly Peek’.
Through photographs I will be sharing a new view of the island and stories from my experience of the Menorcan lifestyle. If you are curious to know more start here with…
‘¡Aço es Vidassa! Take a peek inside the charmed life of Menorca, the Mediterranean island I call casa.’

I would love to hear from you and I read and reply to all comments. If you want to get in touch with me personally please do so either via e-mail or Facebook. Hasta luego!

E-mail – blog@menorcablue.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MenorcaBlue
Twitter – http://twitter.com/menorcablue
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/menorcablue
Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/menorcablue/