The 40-year-old version
In August I turned forty. As mid-life kicked down the door, barging my thirties to the curb; with no immediate urges to buy a sports car, nor reach for the Just for Men… I think I’m actually fine with this supposedly daunting new chapter!
Getting greater, later
Truth be told: I actually prefer being forty! Thirty-nine just felt like it’s pointless, younger brother. I’m apparently at the age I should have the skills, experiences and means necessary for an enjoyable life? Okay so maybe I haven’t had my million pound idea just yet, but neither did these guys until a bit later:
Stan Lee. Arguably the GOAT when it comes to comics. He didn’t create the first of his Marvel Superheroes until he was 40 (the company is now worth £40 billion)
Henry Ford didn’t revolutionise travel, until he founded his Ford Motor Company aged - yes you guessed it - aged 40 (now valued at £80 billion)
And for the stationery aficionados out there ; Arthur Fry didn’t co-invent the post-it note until the grand old age of 43 (over 50 billion now produced a year)
So time’s still seemingly on my side for greatness! Plus with all those wise words I was given, like “forty is new the new thirty” and “don’t worry, life begins at 40”… then I’m equally happy I welcomed mine in style, as my better half orchestrated a surprise trip to Eivissa!
“Displaying a particular set of skills reminiscent to Liam Neeson in Taken, she arranged everything from flights and accommodation, to kitty sitters, even tracking down my then boss online to coordinate annual leave… without even a flick of suspicion my side! ”
Throw in the minor obstacle of getting double vaccinated within 14 days of flying, and it was like something out of a movie script. Her face apparently dropped as I cancelled my pre-arranged second jab she’d secretly organised: “Eastbourne, I’m not going to Eastbourne!”, instead getting it done last minute in Brighton with a day to spare… ignorance as they say, is bliss!
Flights, camera… action
Missing all the clues she’d left around the house (including a strategically placed Ministry of Sound Ibiza Annual on the coffee table), it took a slightly more obvious nod towards our cinema light box for the big reveal to finally hit home… ‘Ibiza 2021 baby!’
As my excitement calmed, we had just a week before we were due to fly. It really was touch and go on whether we’d be allowed to go, but as Boris came good; keeping our destination off the red list - we finally had the all-clear to travel!
The surprises didn’t end there: as two of our close friends revealed on the day they were joining us for the celebrations! As we crammed their car boot with our dusty suitcases, our journey felt a little zombie apocalypse, with Gatwick airport eerily empty and the plane just as quiet. Anyhow, the delight as our plane’s tyres screeched onto the Ibizan runway was more exciting than ever.
Fun and sunshine
After a few days of sun and sangrias in San An, my thirties finally disappeared as the big day arrived. Greeted with a rainbow of envelopes and parcels that morning, the smallest contained a pin badge of a roller boot; a subtle clue we were checking into one of my favourite places in the world that afternoon… Pikes!
That name alone probably makes you think I’m some sort of fishing fan, or maybe a gymnastics or diving enthusiast; in all cases you’d be wrong. But what if I were to say “Club Tropicana, drinks are free, Fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone!”… as for many, Pikes is well known for being the venue where George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley and god knows how many supermodels famously filmed the music video for one of Wham!’s biggest hits.
Founded in the 1970s by the late, great Tony Pike (the moustached guy 40s into the video), Pikes has grown into a haven of 25 stylish, quirky apartments playing homage to some of the famous guests its welcomed over the years. Think megastars like Grace Jones, Bon Jovi and most famously Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (he loved the place so much they even made his favourite room a dance floor)…!
Taken over in 2011, Pikes is now run by business partners Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle - best known for co-founding Ibiza super night Manumission and more recently, Ibiza Rocks. The perfect duo to see Pikes host some of the finest DJs, music and cocktails the island has to offer!
Welcome to wonderland
Situated on the outskirts of San Antonio, just a short cab ride up a dusty beaten track. We head towards the green, mountainous backdrop which plays host to our destination. The stones on the drive make a distinct crunching sound as the cab pulls in at the entrance. Excitement levels at this point are in overdrive!
We first fell in love with Pikes in 2017, when it played host to our friends wedding. The place just has a magic about it, with secrets and surprises around every corner. From the tiger at the entrance; the gigantic rollerboot in the tennis courts; or the disco balls sparkling from the palms - there is just nowhere else like it.
As we drop our bags off for our second visit, no sooner have we freshened up before we find ourselves taking our seats in Pamelas. Our table affords us some spectacular views of the surrounding lush greenery and bright blue, cloudless skies.
A feast fit for a King (and Queen)
We indulge into a delicious Sunday roast (‘beefa’ of course)… easily the best food I’ve ever had on the island (and a far cry from the alioli, jambon and crisp baguettes I’ve usually lived on). We even have birthday bubbly and a drinks tab, kindly paid for by friends back home. This is the life!
Over the next few days we sit by the pool, sip on cocktails and make friends with some larger than life characters! All against a backdrop of eclectic beats provided by some of Pikes resident and guest DJs.
On our final evening, as I sit back and sip on a glass of wine, surrounded by friends as I tuck into some stone baked pizza fresh out the oven. The beauty of Pikes is the party comes to you, as Pete Tong arrives to play a surprise set in the booth next to the pool. As the sun begins to set, l take a moment to absorb everything around. Great food, company and surroundings.
As we load our bags to take us to the airport, I’m reminded by the giant signage ‘You can check in, but you can never check out’. Thanks Pikes, I look forward to bringing back this new, even older version of me back soon!
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