Friday 30 April 2010

Heading Home


Last day in Cyprus. Coach picked us up this afternoon then off to Larnaca International Airport. Had hotel breakfast, then sat poolside until pick up... Weather overcast and stormy looking, but hopefully no problems and flight will be on time. (Went online and according to flight stats the flight is indeed on time)

I'll relax and believe it when I've my seat belt on looking out the Eurocyria 737 - 800 window en route home ......

Thursday 29 April 2010

Paralimni

Took it easy with a trip to the local village of Paralimni. TAXI !!! costs 12€ plus tip (My tip was, stop using your mobile phone while driving well over the speed limit) anyway, took the taxi as the bus service this time of year is a hit and miss. Taxi dropped us off outside a jewelers near the main square, the driver told us that the owner of the shop was his cousin and he would give us discount and when we wanted a taxi back just to ask his cousin to give him a call and he would come back and collect us . Very nice of him I thought but one white knuckle ride a day is all I can take thank you.
There are two large modern churches in Paralimni and a small 13th – century church which now stands in the centre of a traffic roundabout. There are some lovely coffee shops by the square to sit and people watch, or should I say traffic watch….
My little swamp duck loved the thought that there was a Marks and Spencers at the square (20th – century) I love it too as it was closed and moved to another place where I’d no intention of going to.
Got some local knowledge about the bus service and it was running on the hour every hour. Caught the bus 1.5€, what did totally piss me off that when the bus stopped tourists came from everywhere and surrounded the door way pushing and shoving to get on first. What I could make out of the accents they were mostly Germans followed by Italians (Nothing new there then) I did voice my opinion on their ignorance and I’m sure most understood but none was willing to reply to my comments. (I did see the driver smile)
What’s a holiday without a visit to a local supermarket (My LSD thinks) while finding out where the bus stop was she had also ascertained the location of a supermarket on the bus route back. A shopping we did go…..
Back to Pernera and into Mojitos for dinner and a few glasses of bubbly. Back to the hotel a little rest and then a stroll along the seafront pathway for an evening coffee before heading back to be well and truly beaten at jack change it………

Wednesday 28 April 2010

A Life On The Ocean Wave

Got to stay in bed a little longer today. Up at 8am to head for our day out on a catamaran. I was really looking forward to it, snorkeling, kayaking, drinking, oh yes, it was the VIP cruise I’d booked for my little swamp duck and I.
Picked up by coach and taken to our departure point. Only around 30 people onboard so loads of space… Had a few beer before going onto the cocktails. First to view Famagusta Bay. It was starting to heat up so the catamaran anchored at Green bay for a 20 minute swim stop. I hung back to see the expression on peoples faces as they jumped into the water….glad I did, it confirmed my suspicions that the water was cold. I’ll wait until we stop at Konnos bay. On the way there the captain let me have ago at the helm (Steering wheel) It was great fun, but there was nothing much I could have hit out there any way.
Dropped anchor again now it’s time for kayaking, only one person so far going for it so here goes…. Wee buns, had a great time but back to the cat to let someone else go. (Nobody was interested in doing it until they saw I could do it, then there was a queue for the two kayaks onboard…
Got my snorkel gear on and into the water, equipped with my camera and water tight camera pouch. Wow… underwater there was sand and more sand to photograph, but then again there beer back at the cat. Back on for a lovely lunch, followed by cocktails. Time to kayak again…. Going well and I spots a speed boat coming around the bay so I went to side of the cat away from the wake…. Safe my arse, in I went (Think the sea term is capped sized) Grab the oar, the kayak, my camera, hope my sun glasses don’t fall off or my contacts come out and swim back to the cat… (Did I feel cat with everyone watching)
A fantastic day had by all…….

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Coach Trip


Up very early (Daft O’Clock) watched the sunrise before walking to a nearby pick up point for our coach trip to the Troodos Mountains and Nicosia. A fantastic trip which visits quaint villages and a look at the worlds only divided capital of Nicosia.
Aircon all the way, we were the first pick up (Along with eight holiday reps on their training course (MSBs)
Then after pick ups in Protaras, Agia Napa and Larnaka we headed for Lefkosia (Nicosia) for a brief stop before making our way to the hills.
The photo was taken out of a window on the sixth floor of Debenhams in Nicosia…. Honest. If you look closely at the photo you can see the Turkish flag embedded into the hillside (Long story)
So many tourists in the divided capital, a walking tour was in progress as we walked through and I heard a guide say something about Venatians while pointing to some structure. I just had to say it “If it wasn’t for the Venatians it would be curtains for everyone” (I know, old but gold)
Up the mountain for lunch and few stops on the way down, what a fantastic day. Saw a big part of the island and learnt a lot about the history. On a scale of one to ten it has to be a ten.

Sunday 25 April 2010

Holiday First Aid Kit


A perfect holiday essential, don't you just love it.
Roll on more nights

What a Place

Woke up this morning and decided to head out and get my little swamp duck something nice from the local bakery for breakfast. (Closed, it’s Sunday) walked for ages and had to return empty handed. She forgave me… Down to the hotel pool for a swim and make a buck eijit of myself getting onto a lylo, (Who gives a friar tuck. I’m on hol)
Missed the welcome meeting yesterday so thought we’d catch it today. (Only because we saw the rep when we were in the bar) Booked a trip for tomorrow to the Troodas Mountains and Nicosia, also booked a Catamaran Leisure Cruise for Tuesday (Fun in the sun).
Had a pint in the hotel bar then booked a taxi to take us into Pataras. Had a dander around Fig Tree bay, a few pints and then dinner. Taxi back to hotel (Up at daft O Clock in the morning for the tour) had a coffee in the bar before heading to the room to update the blog, oh yes and open a bottle of the sparkly stuff.
My little swamp duck suggested we have a game of scrabble on our balcony . I had the smart ass feeling I can’t lose so I said yeah… great idea. I’ve never beaten her before but just had this feeling tonight’s the night. Was I wrong or was I wrong…. I was in front with a good few points, early in the game I’d put LATE which was a double score word. My LSD added the letters TRANS which took the word score to 60 (Two double word scores) GAME OVER
Another thing that has caused me concern is a sign I saw in the hotel elevator… my family will know why…lol



Saturday 24 April 2010

First Full Day

Day one for real. On an island we’ve never been to before so lets test the water. Water, that’s the thing, let get bottled water, drink fec all out of a tap (Unless it’s beer of course). Had a lovely stroll into Protaras along the coastal path to buy odds and ends (Water, Cava and Red Wine) had a few pints in various bars there then back to the hotel. (By taxi, thanks George €7) then siesta time.
Was awakened by birds singing the afternoon chorus, and some youngsters playing by the pool below.
Up showered and out for dinner. Had researched online places to eat before traveling. One of the top places for our area was Mojito bar and grill. It did what it said on the tin. Great food and a fantastic atmosphere. Booked again for later in the week.
Tomorrow who knows what’s instore for us. One thing that is freaking me out is that used toilet paper (YES, USED) has not to be flushed down the normal route. It goes into a special pedal bin beside the loo (SPECIAL, WHAT A LOAD OF DUNG)

Enroute

So, arrived at Belfast Intertrashional Airport for our Eurocypria flight to Larnaca. Could not wait to reach the airport. Left home really early (Now there’s a surprise) and was first to check in,. then security (Belts off, Jackets off, cheesed off etc where the staff were very pleasant unlike George Best Belfast Shity Airport, where the staff could do with training in how to smile and be civil) departures here I come. Fancied a look in Currys at the duty free. NO Currys. In fact the place was nearly in the close down mode @ 21.00 (9 o’clock for those who don’t know) made it to the bar which I can only describe as: It made JD’s look like the Merchant.
After a couple of top of the range Magners on through to Duty Free we went. Better value in Tescos believe me.
Gate 21 I’ll head there with my little swamp duck. (Seeing that’s where the plane is boarding from.) More cider but this time served by a very pleasant young barman. Started to people watch and had clocked this middle aged blonde earlier in the first bar boring the dung out of this young guy sitting at the next table to her. Oops, she's on our flight and she has now captured a young couple and giving them her thoughts on the Volcanic Ash subject. I could see the young lady was not impressed and the guy more or less told blonde to shut it as his girl is not a great flyer.
Boarding onto our Eurocyprot 737 – 800 was fast. Brill, in our seats 2a & 2b and no one beside us. Time to relax.. ANNONCEMENT “For your in-flight entertainment you can purchase headphones at €4, please do not use your own headphones as they may interfere with the planes system” (Interfere with profits more likely)
Anyway at this time of typing we are well and truly airborne, the seatbelt light has been turned off, those who forgot to go to the loo before boarding, are now queuing, some with their legs well crossed., and the trolley dolly is on her way up the aisle, (I suppose you could say I’m sad, as I do have my Advent netbook with me, and other travelers (Passengers) are looking at me as if I’ve two heads. But I do want to blog about my holiday)
We’ve just popped our first bottle of Lanson Champaign, (I live a champagne lifestyle on a diet coke wage) I just love holidays….
The flight has been airborne now for over an hour and I can see land below covered with many lights, not a cloud in the sky I recon we are somewhere over England (Smart ass me)
Dinner is served. Be right back.
4 am now (Local time) wherever that is, we had our meal ages ago (Chicken, veg and potato wedges (Nice). After a couple of episodes of Still Game on my ipod (so funny) I thought I’d continue the blog as I can’t sleep. Listening to the Priests now, would love to put it on the loud speaker to freak the rest of the passengers out… they really are a sour bunch, well the ones I can see when I look back.
Quote of the flight goes to my LSD, I got up from my seat and she asked “Are you going to the loo” I had to reply “No, I’m nipping outside for a smoke” The guy in front of me started to laugh which didn’t go down to well with you know who. I’d love to have a sleep but I’m too excited.
Unless there are any developments from now till we land (Touchdown) I’ll not type anymore… don’t want to bore you too much, not yet anyway………633 words will do for now….