I simply must document this trip to Mallorca—a journey so dramatic yet, in hindsight, absolutely “perfect.” I’ll start with the most hilarious part: the car rental saga. In my next post, I’ll dive into the detailed itinerary, complete with fun activities and budget-friendly accommodation recommendations. If you’re working with a similar budget, feel free to follow along!
Let’s begin with the car rental story. As the title hints, I accidentally left my original Chinese driver’s license behind. We had initially booked a Toyota from RecordGo for 155 euros, including full insurance, for four days. However, due to a delayed flight, we didn’t land until 11:30 PM. Exhausted but hopeful, we made our way to the RecordGo office and joined the line.
It was then, as I opened my black booklet, that I realized the critical plastic-covered pages were still at the driving school—leaving me with nothing but an empty cover. The tension in the air was suffocating, and my travel partner looked ready to strangle me on the spot.
We pleaded with the RecordGo staff, but they stood firm in their refusal. Defeated, we booked an Uber back to the hotel and immediately began brainstorming solutions. Thanks to my teammate’s impressive research skills (and a lifesaving tip from Xiaohongshu), we discovered Wiber might be a viable option.
At midnight, we placed an order online: a Nissan Juke for 120 euros for four days, opting for self-pickup. We submitted our passport details and a photo of my Chinese driver’s license, though we still had to wait anxiously for Wiber’s verification process.
It was a sleepless night filled with uncertainty…
The next morning, we took a taxi straight to the airport, determined to explore every possible solution. Our plan? Try RecordGo’s self-service machine first, then approach other rental companies if necessary. If all else failed, we’d have no choice but to abandon the rest of the trip and stay cooped up in the hotel.
Just as we stepped into the RecordGo store around 10 AM, a miracle occurred—an email notification popped up with Wiber’s self-pickup code! Unbelievable! This actually worked?! What a godsend of a car rental company—my personal savior!
With renewed energy, we grabbed some bread from Paul near the airport, calmed our nerves, and hopped onto the shuttle bus, which runs every 15 minutes, heading to the Wiber parking lot just across from the airport. At the pickup point, we entered the code into the self-service machine, and with a cheerful “ding,” retrieved the car keys.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, we were overjoyed—it was nearly new, boasting only 2,000 kilometers on the odometer, immaculately clean inside and out. A definite thumbs-up 👍!
Returning the car proved just as seamless. We refueled at a nearby gas station, drove back to the drop-off point, documented the car’s condition as evidence, and handed the key directly to the staff. And just like that, it was done!
During our five-day island adventure, the car performed flawlessly without a single hiccup. We clocked a total mileage of 550 km, spending roughly 60 euros on 95-octane gasoline.
In my upcoming post, I’ll share what I believe was an exceptional itinerary, featuring highlights such as exploring the charming old town, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, dining at popular local eateries, visiting several iconic Calas, watching dolphins at sunrise in Alcudia, and staying in unique accommodations like a serene garden hotel and a historic monastery hotel. Stay tuned!
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