Andy Maunders, a 42-year-old British native of Norwich, made a life-changing decision twenty-five years ago when he booked a vacation to Ibiza. At the age of 18, his primary objective was to party hard. It was during the mid-90s, a time when the island was synonymous with debauchery, Andy ventured from the UK to experience the island’s famed beaches, wild adventures, and alcohol, all in the pursuit of a good time.
At the conclusion of his scheduled two-week stay on the island, Maunders found himself reluctant to leave. “I always felt like I had one more week left,” he shared with The Sun online newspaper. “Then it became two more weeks, and before I knew it, I never went back home,” he recalled. Even today, he admits that he has never taken the time to ponder his decision to reside in Ibiza. “I’ve never consciously thought about it,” he confessed. It was an impulsive choice that arose from his initial experience of “falling in love” with the island.
Despite having a job, nuclear family, and girlfriend in his hometown located in the county of Norfolk, England, the Briton made the bold decision to abandon it all and extend his vacation indefinitely, which would ultimately become a permanent stay on the island.
According to his interview with The Sun, Maunders admitted that he still doesn’t fully grasp the reality of living on the island, despite being there for a quarter of a century. However, he has noticed significant changes since his arrival at the age of 18. He confessed that his lifestyle has evolved from the “drinking heyday of the late 1990s and early 2000s” to a more tranquil existence.
During the height of Ibiza’s nightclub scene, Maunders was able to secure a job on the island, where partying was a daily routine and nightclubs were the main attraction for European tourists. He told the British tabloid that the island’s allure during that time was rooted in electronic music, drugs, and sex, with many travelers flocking to the island to experience the famous club scene.
Maunders also reminisced about the wild festivities in Sant Antoni, where British binge tourism has remained one of the primary sources of income for the municipality to this day. He fondly recalled the “ridiculous” jobs he held during his early days on the island, including his favorite job in his first year, which involved distributing free beer and sangria. Nowadays, he manages a bar in Sant Antoni and noted that the atmosphere has evolved into something more upscale and sophisticated. “There are fewer people who come to just drink, drink, and drink,” he observed. “Now, we have customers who request the wine list and display more respect while still having fun,” he added in his interview with The Sun.
While there may be a hint of nostalgia in his recollections of 90s-era Ibiza, Maunders affirmed that he still loves the island’s current atmosphere and has never once entertained the idea of returning to the United Kingdom.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.