Lordos Beach Hotel Larnaca

... Green Line I found women dressed in Muslim clothing, signs written in Turkish and an entire world oriented towards Istanbul. The Turkish Lira replaces the Euro, and instead of in modern stores, commerce still takes place in tiny mom and pop storefronts. I would walk past a crumbling one story building held up by who knows what, and inside a man would be crafting something with his hands in a darkened room such as a century ago.

Coming around one ...

... faster than anyone I have ever seen in the 85+ club. Whatever precious cargo that yellow bag held didn't survive the five foot journey through security, and I left the screening checkpoint to the tune of a good ole fashion cuss out session by the old man.

There must have been something in the water today because not ten minutes later I also watched a ginormous American woman curse out our gate agent because the seat on her previous flight from ...

... D cell batteries, condoms, lube, lighters and cigarettes. Now how is that for before, during and after needs all in one stop?

There is a lesson to be learned here from all this. Think about it for a moment...20 years ago this type of display much less selection in Bulgaria would have been unthinkable under communism. In 2009 in our supposed home of the free such a display still is unthinkable. I mean we can't even look at the ...

All packing and cleaning is underway !!! Only 36 or so hours left before we hit the tarmac at Larnaca !! Just need to get the dog wormed and de-flead (not that he has them !), groomed and then buy him a travel box for the flight !

Fingers crossed all our accommodation arrangements have been made for Athens and Samothraki !

Sunday, July 5th, 2009
This began one of the longest driving
days of the entire trip. If you get the chance look at a map of
Cyprus. We left Nicosia and headed to Agia Napa. En route we
stopped at a fishing village and several famous beaches. From there
we headed to Larnaka where following conflicting signs to the
Larnaca, Cyprus lantian1979

... in Turkey, relatively speaking. The
Turkish side was a bit more run down, however, signs of EU
intervention abounded demonstrating new agreements and a desire to
preserve the past. We came upon the top site in Northern Nicosia,
the Selimiye Mosque which combines medieval Christian architecture
with Islamic influence to create a most stunning Mosque. While
walking around the grounds, a gentleman by the name of Rammadan
(pardon the spelling) came and spoke ...

... hours later we emerged into the manic crowds lining the Larnaca Airport arrivals hall. There, amid the throng of bodies was our good friend Mary. After we managed to beat our way through the crowds we scuttled off to the car. On our way back Mary announced Hugh is in hospital. We thought it was strange that he didn't come to greet us, most unlike him. It turned out Hugh had decided, in his infinite wisdom, to borrow a mate's angle grinder and have ...

Spent a week in a resort hotel in the city of Limmosal. Toured the entire island except for the Turkish portion on the top third of Cyprus.

Most of the tourist signs are in 1) Greek 2) Russian and last but not least 3) English.

This ...

... and then a Greek Cypriot spoke about the issues that concern this community. This issues is very complex and I don't see much hope for a solution and most of the people seem to be not very concerned with the status quo. This afternoon we heard from two people that where part of the original group that promoted bi-communal activities (basically dialogue sessions) where university students gathered to get to understand each other better. They began their work in the 1980's. Both lectures ...

... tried, but it was't something we would eat again. Again, a BIG thank you to all the people who fed us, housed us & drove us around. We really appreciated it and you know that you are welcome at our place anytime! It rained just as we arrived at the airport....included thunder & lighting. We decided that it was Cyprus crying because we had had a great time and it didn't want us to leave! :0) But we are ready for the next adventure in Vienna! We will see you again Cyprus.