Much a do about nothing: each passenger will have to pay all of 150 ptas with the new tax on flights which the government in Madrid plans to apply. Considering that the airport of Sont Sant Joan has an average of 15 million take offs and landings per year, the final result will be the grand figure of 2.500 million pesetas. In response to the frenzied protests from the charter airlines and the tourist sector in general, Antoni Ramis, the local Minister of Finances, flew to Madrid trying to work it out so that this tax would not be applied in Mallorca. He is well backed by public opinion, since most Mallorcans consider the new tax affects them more than it does the mainlanders.

The folk-rock twosome, America, made it big in the 70s with their hits Ventura Highway and A Horse with No Name. Then nothing was heard of Gerry Beckley (photo on the left) and Dewy Bunnel for years. According to Beckle, leader of the band, "the time has come to go back to the studios". For the moment this pair of tireless singers have programmed a concert at the Palma auditorium for September 28th as a part of their European tour commemorating their come-back. Let's all hum along!

As of October 10th there will be a new boat service between mallorca and the mainland. The Spanish boat company, Transmediterranea, is responsible for this new fast boat which will sail between Palma (leaving at 8 am) and Barcelona (leaving at 17 pm) every day but Mondays. It will take 4 1/2 hours and cost 4.900 ptas one way and 8.900 round trip. Advantage over flying, which is just as cheap and a little faster: for 10.800 ptas (one-way) you can take your car along with you.