So we decided to get away again for a cheeky 3 and a half weeks, rather than stay in the UK until late November before we leave for our big trip to Oz and NZ.
First impressions of Larnaca are that it feels like a city thats just been thrown together without much thought, just a random selection of apartment blocks, restaurants, shops, hotels, businesses and building sites in no particular order, and with what looks like a man made beach! Compared to our previous experiences on our travels across Europe this is not one of the best , but the weather is good, we’ve got a nice apartment and it’s cheaper than staying at home, so nothing to complain about really. We’ve got a couple of trips booked and more beaches to explore so I’m sure it will be onwards and upwards from here.
So we’ve now explored the 3 main beaches in Larnaca and Kastella and Mackenzies are the best.
We also had a look around the old town, not a lot to see but what we did see was very nice as you can see from these images. We also had our first meal out, went to a traditional Cyprus taverna with a sea view, very nice indeed.
Day 7 in Cyprus and we went on a guided tour to Farmagusta and the abandoned city of Varosha. Our guide for the day was a lovely and interesting lady called Eleni Ellinas. I would highly recommend her if you want to see this city. She has great knowledge of Cyprus history, is very engaging and has a personal history with Varosha. Her contact details are +357 99444531.
The walk around the abandoned city, abandoned since 1974, was very surreal. It’s a bit like being transported back in time, walking streets of a once vibrant city. Everyone had to leave at a moments notice due to the Turkish invasion. You walk past what were once peoples homes and businesses, even a block of apartments being built, the crane still in place, a rusting hulk standing tall after 50 years of neglect.
It was then off for a lovely swim at this beach, which was once used by the inhabitants of Varosha.
The day finished with a walk around the medieval section of Farmagusta, there was some very impressive historic buildings and architecture to admire.
We hired a car for a couple of days, used ACE cars which were very good and affordable.
Visited a lovely village called Kiti, not far from the airport. You must go and see a really old church, Angeloktisti Bysantine church. There is an amazing mosaic in there which is 1700 years old. The stones are just 5mil and they are the natural colour, not been painted, and noone has worked out where they have come from.
Then went to Governors beach, a lovely little tranquil set of 3 little sandy coves. Didn’t spend much time on the beach as the weather turned, but we had a fabulous lunch at a taverna overlooking the sea.
Towards the end of our week 2 in Cyprus we went on a wine and food tour in the Troodos mountains. This is highly recommended, we used Cyprus Taste Tours who were very good. Only a small group of 6 of us, enjoyed 3 different wine tastings which were quite generous and a meze lunch with more wine. Also visited a lovely village called Omodos, great day out.
