Hell is a nice island in the middle of the sea

De: Elias Hasapi

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

The Spanish euphemistically call 'balconing' the habit of foreign tourists jumping from balcony to balcony or from their room's balcony into the hotel pool when they return euphoric from their nightly revelries in the Balearic islands, often with disastrous consequences.

They say the cause is drugs and alcohol, but people get high in Berlin or Miami without thinking of practicing such a dangerous 'sport'. Perhaps, as a possibility, it could be that they take 'something' that keeps them awake, thirsty, seemingly alert and active, spending money, making rich the discos, but with a complete lack of a sense of danger as a terrible side effect...

January 2002 was a crucial date in the history of Ibiza. In that year, the Spanish currency, the peseta, was replaced by the euro. For months, even years, the island's businesses had to retrieve the undeclared income they had buried in the ground during years to escape taxation and exchange it for the new currency. Billions of pesetas were converted to euros, and once laundered, in many cases, reburied.

Also in that year, new synthetic drugs began to gain popularity, indirectly supported by the major clubs. Unlike classic drugs like heroin, the new pills kept customers awake, allowing the clubs to remain open almost 24 hours a day, generating incredible profits. After-hours venues emerged, and morning and afternoon sessions at beach clubs and hotels also made a comeback. DJs became superstars without any knowledge of music and, what's worst, audience knew it but didn't mind it.

With the help of chemistry, visitors could, if they wished, party non-stop for 24 hours. The clubs subtly supported those new drugs, regardless of the consequences they would have on their clientele.

To make matters worse, the Spanish tax authorities set their sights on this bottomless source of money, not for what it earned, but for what was underreported.

In this seemingly cheerful and uninhibited setting, the characters of this novel move about. If you are planning to travel to Ibiza next summer, maybe you would think about. Or maybe you will become a character like the ones of this novel, who knows.

'Ibiza' is one of the toughest and most ruthless novels ever written about the island. Come and read the most unkown story, the one nobody will tell you ever, the one in the background of your holidays. It's fun...or not.