The ses Figueretes promenade is bustling with life and it is not only because the weather is good and people are eager to watch the sunset overlooking the sea, the main reason for such an atmosphere in the area is that the Three Wise Men – Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar are about to disembark at the pier. There are neighbors in the area who are grateful that their Majesties of the Orient have opted for their neighborhood to start their journey, which this year has had to be modified due to the remodeling works of Avenida Isidor Macabich.
“We think it’s great that the parade starts here,” says Sergio Clemente, resident of ses Figueretes, after explaining to his daughter, Lola that her favorite wise man, “the one with the white beard”, is called Melchior. The little five-year-old can’t contain here excitement accompanied by her grandparents Piedad Carrasco and José Manuel Sánchez and their uncles Omar and Ruben. She is on the sand next to the dock so that she can get a close-up view of The Three Wise Men from the East as soon as they set foot on land. She has asked them, she explains as if it were a secret, “for Animal Crossing and Lego Princesses”.
The disembarkation is scheduled at 6:30pm, but Alba and Pau aged four and eight, and their parents, Elvira Ortiz and Isidoro Roselló have been sitting on the promenade since 5:45pm. “We came early so we could see the Three Wise Men in the front row,” explains the family, residents of Jesús
Nearby there are about twenty members of the Voluntaris d’Eivissa Association who take pictures of each other before doing their job, to act as a “human fence” on the stretch that goes from the pier to the promenade to safely escort the floats.
Excitement in the air for the Three Wise Men
“They’re coming!” shout some children as they excitedly point to the illuminated boat silhouetted on the horizon. The ship’s horn sounds and everyone applauds and responds to the greetings of Their Majesties from the East. At the dock they are greeted by the mayor of Ibiza, Rafa Ruiz and a small entourage of royal messengers. “Who wants to go to see Betis when you can greet the Three Wise Men up close?”, one hears comments from the crowd.
As soon as they set foot on the ground, the Three Wise Men start high-fiving and taking selfies. “Have you been good?” asks Balthazar to a group of children eager to greet and touch their idols.
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