Sun Hall Hotel Larnaca

... of Northern Cyprus behind the Green Line is only recognized by you guessed it...Turkey. In fact, the old airport of Lefkosa is in the Turkish part and as a result of the illigitimacy of the Turkish Republic, only has flights to Turkey. This is why Larnaca and Paphos on the coast have the main airports for the rest of the country.

In Skopje a simple bridge took me from Europe to the Ottoman Empire. In Sarajevo it was as easy as crossing an ...

... there.

Cypress has been a crossroads since those times from World History class and Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Byzantines and English have all found their way here. If people could make it here in 1000BC, why can't an American travel across the island in 2009AD? I am just having the hardest time in ALL my travels EVER trying to get around this island.

So the road to Cyprus on my BAe 146 proved to be much easier than the roads within it ...

... 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

Saturday, July 4th,
2009—Nicosia
The drive up to the capitol city of
Nicosia was uneventful and our attempts at locating the hotel were
good but we ultimately had to park and find tourist information to
assist. Even after that we had a bit of trouble but thanks to a good
navigator we found the hotel, checked in and headed back into the
walled city for lunch. After lunch, we just started to wander around
and we took pictures of the winding ...

... all over the world by midnight on the 18 of April.) My family was worried we would miss this big ceremony in jeruselum but we had it right in front of us on the plane. On the next plane ride I sat next two brothers one was my age and one was 10. They were jewish and the 7th grader was getting back from his bar-miztvah trip just like me. Esther

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 ...

... Best way to learn is to immerse yourself ina culture! Then off to one of my Theo (uncle) Xeni & Thea Elle(aunty) in Larnaca for a coffee and bite to eat before heading off to Limassol. This is the city that my mum comes from. We were going to stay first with my Theo Christaki & Thea Yannoulla & their vivacious 9 year old daughter Georgia....she reminds me a lot of Leonie at that age...just non-stop. Their home in Limassol was an hours drive from Larnaca. We are ...

... my old university friends. Finally, back to London to pick up whatever I left behind and return to New York to look for a job. Needless to say, this itinerary is flexible. I'll see what way the wind blows and will inevitably take a few side trips along the way. Some places may not be as interesting as I thought and others may grab my heart and demand I stay longer. Thankfully, I have the opportunity and freedom to make this journey my own.