“A thalassophile is someone that is completely drawn to the sea in all its forms. Someone who can’t get enough of the sun, salt, and sand. They’ll be at the beach when it’s warm and sunny, and will still be at the beach taking a walk even if it’s cold and windy. They’ll go to the ocean when they’re having a bad day for solace, and they’ll party at the beach to celebrate life.”
“We’re naturally drawn to aquatic hues and people associate this color with qualities like calm, openness, depth and wisdom. We are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what’s broken.” -Carolyn Gregoire
I grew up being a sea creature. Give me my mask and snorkel, and I could entertain myself for hours in the water. Florida girl in my veins, I was accustomed to endless summers, and it didn’t matter if it was lakes, rivers, springs, or beaches, I was swimming in them. In central Florida we grew up going to the lake for fun and it didn’t matter that alligators were lurking somewhere nearby in the tall reeds. Where we lived, too, just so happened to be the home of the largest artesian springs in the world; clear and cold, it was a place to behold. Not too far away were the freshwater spring rivers where on most days we would encounter manatees and get to swim with them. After a move to the west coast, our new reality was white sandy beaches, palm trees, and Gulf of Mexico, bath water. A boating day usually promised dolphins and magical sunsets.
It is said that people who live near the water are the happiest. It’s called the Blue Factor. Infusion with coastal living is linked to better physical and mental well-being. Although this could be a generalization and every body is uniquely inclined, I have found for myself that throughout my life I’m happiest when I’m living by the water. Thriving, is more like it; and landlocked feels a bit like suffocation. I had to face the facts: I was a mermaid. This in mind, I found myself settling in Saint Lucia, a next-level haven. Caribbean waters with volcanic rock islands and lush mountains were a new soul-gasm. After a couple of years, I moved on and joined yachting, filling my passport with Bahamas trips and more endless-summer living. There is really no place on earth like the Exumas. Gradients of teals and turquoises that will blow your mind, and not only white– but pink sand beaches.
And so, as my nomadic life goes, it was time to swim on. At last, I had made it to the Mediterranean, to the beautiful island of Mallorca. With about 300 coves, (called locally, “calas,”) to explore, I had my work to do. By grace, I found an amazing one-bedroom apartment on the northern coast of the island right in Port de Soller. I could stumble out to the beach from my doorstep, and from the rooftop I could slurp in sights of jewel-toned waters within my horseshoe, port paradise. I took to snorkeling along the rocks out to sea and soon made friends with a resident octopus. Practically every day after working I was out there. This was a lot of tangle for my hair, which at the time was down to my waist. Matching the changes happening in my life, it became clear I had to get rid of anything weighing me down energetically. The hair and all attachments had to go. Chopped to my chin, I would fully immerse into my sea creature self and swim every day, receiving all the beautiful benefits of the ocean.
“Ocean air contains a high percentage of ions. These mainly come from ions of sodium, magnesium, chloride and sulphate present in sea water. Sodium, the main positive ion found in sea water, is also found in extra-cellular fluids in our bodies. These fluids, such as blood plasma, bathe cells and carry out important transport functions for nutrients and waste. Positive magnesium ions are also used by the body and are an ingredient of some medicines like Epsom salts, which are commonly used to treat aches and pains. Negative chloride ions also play an important physiological role in the central nervous system and in transporting protein around the body. Therefore, it is thought that the extra charge helps our bodies take in oxygen and thus increases oxygen flow to the brain.” – Rhiannon Buck
Going to the beach here in Mallorca is not the same as going to the beach in Florida. Florida beaching is lazy beaching. You drive up, hunt for parking for 20 minutes, then spill out with your cooler and umbrella onto the wide sand beach. In Mallorca the beaches are packed like olive oil sardines, with noisy locals, and Germans and English tourists. The better option is adventuring to coves, which give you a little more privacy, a chiller vibe, and a more interesting coastal topography! At these calas, the color gradients in the water are also more pronounced– so, visually stimulating and satisfying for the aesthetic eye. But mother nature makes you work a bit as a cost for such beauty. There’s always a dusty path hike down involved, which in the end, is so worth it. If you’re lucky you can snag a spot on the cala’s spit of sand beach, (if there’s even sand) but more times than not, you’re laying your towel on the bordering smoothed over limestone rock surfaces. Sometimes beaches are even not of sand or limestone, but of pebbles. An entire expanse of an infinite variety of uniquely colored rocks and sizes. Heaven hearing the waves wash over these shores. Also be prepared, topless tanning is normal in Spain, and some places are even nude friendly. And though it’s unlikely you’ll be encountering sharks as in the Caribbean, you might spot a tiny jellyfish, or “medusas,” as they’re called here.
Mallorca’s coast is of course best appreciated by sea, and as a freelancing yacht chef I was able to hop on a sailboat and enjoy the visions when I could steal time too. Sapphire waters sparkle below combined dry and deep green mountainous ridges. Memorable sunsets melting into sea. This place speaks to me like none other, soothing my longings . . . whatever they be . . .
Thalassophile Sea keeper Light Illustress show me your spark divine in nature, productive in spirit altogether a concoction spiced with balmy resonance A force to be recognized blow like the sultry breeze skimming ocean tides swoon like enveloping sea caps move with me groove to this eternal heartbeat gaping and resounding like wind strings harmonizing an eternal welcome song Together we are one Together we breathe Together we dance in love, in devotion, in playful synchronicity diving into the infinite wellspring a playground to your fruition
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Christin Marie Writes 