Michaels Beach Hotel Apartments Larnaca

And to think yesterday my biggest worry was not seeing anything interesting at all in Cyprus. What I saw today absolutely blew me away and had everything I look for in my travels...it was gritty, raw, real and not sanitized for the tourists. To date this is the most fascinating stop on my world tour. I didn't find any natural beauty or spectacular ruins but what I did find is a pretty amazing human interest story. I feel kind of stupid now worrying about ...

... than I have spent on airfare for this trip. Public transport between the airport and downtown Larnaca where I am staying had quit for the day so I had to suck it up and take a 10 Euro taxi ride. Yep. $15 bucks down the tubes in a flash. Do you guys realize that taxi ride was more than it costs to fly Ryanair between London and Marseille or between Malta and Pisa$$$???

Funny thing is I did actually roll up into my cheap hotel in a Benz but I saved ...

... tacky racy lingerie, all proudly displayed on clear plastic hangers. It's like the perfect dessert after shopping for your pleasures in Billa. Maybe our friend from Finland could stop by Sofia on her way home and try out her newfound "prettiness" as she called it.

I've left all that shopping madness behind and have made it to Larnaca, Cypress. I've got plenty of time here to explore and see what this desert island has to offer.

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 !

... all just fit and seemed perfect. On the return to Paphos we spotted
the spot where Aphrodite was born from the sea and her temple up on a
cliff. It was a very long day but one filled with several
interesting sites. I almost forgot...in Larnaka we happened upon the
church of St.. Lazarus where he was finally laid to rest.

... us. He struggled with his
limited English but made the most valiant effort. He simply was
trying to tell us that the troubles between Christians and Muslims
and Jews and everyone should not be. That this minor difference of
religion should not be causing so much trouble, so much difficulty
amongst the people of the world. He was a very nice man and it was
an unforgettable experience.

After a day of driving and walking
around it was an early night.

... Cyprus several times before, we spent much of our time in the Famagusta area in the east of the island. When we arrived in early April the countryside was awash in a sea of wildflowers, a kaleidoscope of colours covered the island, it was a real sight to behold. Our base was in the village of Ayia Thekla, situated on the coast, and we have the luxury of being able to open the garden gate and dip our toes in the blue Mediterranean. A track runs ...

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 ...

... Cypriot part, there is very little poverty evident (even thought the buildings are run down. The hotel we are staying in would make the Winchestery Mystery House look like a simple maze. This building has so many stairways and levels and doors that go nowhere--its a challenge just to find the path back to the room. The weather is very hot -- it feels like home. Later . . .

... can "discuss" various things happening. Amalia here... I was glad that David has met most of my relatives now. There are still some we didn't get to catch up with as being here for only 6 days is not long. However, we have had actually a very relaxing time here, and was good to have a longer stop. Thinking about the overall trip we have managed to plan a "big" stop at each 1/3. After the flurry of countries in Europe we are seeing next ...