CYPRUS

CYPRUS

THURSDAY, 22 MAY 2008

We feel comfortable to be back in Lanarca. It is not a 5 star marina, and not well organized, but there are lovely people here and we do feel relaxed now we are through the more difficult areas. Also, the weather here is glorious with sunny, hot days and cooler nights.

There are severe water shortage problems in Cyprus, so there are heavy restrictions. In the marina we can only use water from their supply 3 days a week. This has an impact on our planning our exploring Cyprus as we need to fill our water tanks (we don't like to make water unless it's from seawater outside the harbour), and to wash the boat down thoroughly after all the dust in the Red Sea.

FRIDAY, 23 MAY 2008

We head off in a hire car west along the coast road and have lunch at a seafood restaurant in the tiny town of Sactishoufos right on the water (suggested by Andreas from the marina - this is near his home town). This is a pleasant start to our relaxing times in the Mediterranean.

Then we travel n.west into the lower Troodos mountains area. The country is very dry and barren, until we begin climbing into the higher, cooler areas. We pass by endless very old terraces which aren't used now. As we come nearer the delightful villages we pass many terraced slopes with vineyards and orchards of almonds, hazelnuts and cherry trees. Throughout the area are vineyards and the famous Byzantine churches with their frescoes and pitched wooden roofs.

Lofou is our first stop and we are well entertained having a cup of tea in the courtyard of a family run restaurant.

The next village, Vouni, is where we decide to look for accommodation. This is a delightful hilltop town. Several men are sitting outside a small cafe. One of them speaks excellent English and invites us to have a drink with him. He went to Adelaide to follow his friend to study at Roseworthy Agricultural College. He married an Australian girl and lived there for 45 years. He is still an avid Pt. Adelaide supporter. (His father-in-law was mayor of Pt. Adelaide for some time).

This is wonderful luck for us as he organizes us to stay in the ground floor of a beautiful old house. Hollyhocks are in full bloom everywhere adding their slash of colour.

We are recommended a small restaurant down the hill. It is only open on Friday and Saturday nights, and they serve their own wine which is very good. It is a very quiet evening in Vouni because many of the inhabitants have gone to a nearby town for a funeral. However, slowly more people come here, and we have an interesting night as most of them are ex-patriots and very friendly. The dinner is like a slow Greek feast as small dishes of great variety are produced over a long period of time.

SATURDAY, 24 MAY 2008

We continue our drive through this small pocket of greener areas where there is extensive vine planting. The vines here are not trellised.

We walk through Omodus along its cobbled streets and its stalls, including many handcrafts, especially their embroidery, lace work and silverware, and then the Monastery. We find it touristy here after yesterday’s visits as busloads of people arrive.

Next we venture to Argos, another small town, where locals are setting up market stalls and sitting in groups having coffee. From here we visit the Byzantine church near here.

We take the road back along the river valley with its green and more productive areas and head south back to the coast to Aphrodite's birthplace, the goddess of love and beauty and the protectress of Cyprus. This mythology is still celebrated with spring flower festivals.

After strolling along this famous beach we have lunch higher up overlooking this area.

Then we continue east back along the coast by-passing Limasol and back to Zygi where we turn north for a short distance to Kalavasos, another delightful small town.

Returning to Larnaca we visit Angeloktisti church in the village of Kiti. It has rare 6th century mosaics. Just out of Larnaca is the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke built in honour of the prophet Mohammed's aunt who died here after falling of her horse. It is now one of the most important places of Muslim pilgrimage.

There are many memorials throughout the country from the 1955/59 conflicts with the British. In 1960 Cyprus gained independence. Since 1974 the northern part of the island has been under Turkish occupation and you need a passport to cross this line.

We plan to be back to the marina for the Saturday's use of water, and spend some time washing down and cleaning Impulsive.

We have enjoyed the cuisine here, which is typically Greek with a blend of oriental dishes. The famous Cypriot "haloumi" cheese is delicious, and the "mezedes" is a continual feast of the local delicacies. Ross enjoys the local Keo beer, and some of the red wines.

SUNDAY, 25 MAY 2008

We are so excited when we wake up this morning as we are flying home tonight for 9 days. We work hard to leave the boat clean and organized.

We then visit the old Byzantine church of 10th century in Larnaca. Lazarus spent much of his time here as Larnaca's first bishop.

Now we drive to Nicosia (Lefkosia). This is where the demarcation line is for the Turkish occupation in the north. The old town is surrounded by a sandstone fortress wall and moat. It is very hot here today but it is fascinating to walk through the old town to St. John's Cathedral. Lunch in this area at Hippocrates, outside in a small, shaded, narrow lane is a pleasant and cool interlude.

A very kind man from the marina, who Ross helped with his yacht, takes us to the airport and we are soon on our way to Australia.

TUESDAY 27 MAY & THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2008

Our time in Australia is very special. Of course, it goes all too quickly but we are thrilled to have the time here seeing as much of family and friends as possible. Seeing our mothers are well, our grandchildren blossoming and their parents all fit and happy is very satisfying and comforting. Also, catching up on some of our personal affairs is helpful and easier than from the boat.

FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2008

We arrive back to Impulsive about lunch time. Mark, and his wife Sandra, from Sydney, have been here for several days and Mark is already underway with the list of things to be dealt with on the boat. They are both great company so we are pleased to have them here with us.

Needless to say, the boat is looking like an active workshop, so Sandra and I feel the best help we can be is to disappear from the scene. We stroll along the palm-lined promenade enjoying walking by the beach with its colourful umbrellas and lounges, and on the other side the many cafes and restaurants lining the street. Sandra needs some final shopping exploits so we have fun following these up.

Sandra leaves for Australia tonight to meet family commitments. I will miss her company over the next few days while Ross and Mark work on Impulsive.

SATURDAY, 7 WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2008

Ross and Mark work from dawn to dusk on the yacht along with a support group from Larnaca, who are lovely people and very co-operative. Ross is experiencing a steep learning curve. This proves to be a very worthwhile exercise for many reasons, including finding issues "about to happen" which would have caused problems sooner rather than later.

Ross feels more competent now to tackle the different problems that may arise - there are always mechanical and electrical with yachts. They have also stocked up on spare parts.

Mark has been marvellous with all this. He actually extended his stay here to ensure everything is left ship-ship.

We have had fun in the evenings. The restaurants have been varied:

1. Along the promenade (not such good cuisine).

2. The Black Turtle (this is fantastic - the delicious mesedes cuisine, live Greek music, singing and dancing, very friendly waiters and waitresses and a great atmosphere). This all proves to be a very unusual birthday for me.

3. An Italian restaurant (Il Spagettini) - recommended to Mark and Sandra by a local, serving excellent pastas.

4. Gallery 1900 (we really enjoyed being here with its bar below, artwork, little balconies and friendly mother and son service (they have lived in Australia).

5. Zephrios - a seafood restaurant right on the water. We benefit from the long walk there and back on this balmy night, by the sea.

During this time we catch up with Mike from Il Novia, one of the yachts in our flotilla out of Salalah. We hoped to catch up with him in Cyprus, and can't believe it when we discover we are tied up on the other side of the break wall from him.

This is a very busy time for me too. We are meeting Heather and Scott and their families in Rhodes on June 15th, so the boat needs to be ship-shape by then. We are so looking forward to this special time, so want to be properly organized.