We had 2 bus rides to the airport - and the sun had come out so we had a pleasant wait between buses at the harbour and ate our packed lunch in the sun at the airport. Good flight home, on time.
Thursday, 16 March 2017
Homeward bound
We had a long chat with the owner of the airbnb apartment about the economy, the possibility of Cyprus uniting and getting rid of the border etc. He also told us that the authorities had started the refurbishment work 4 years ago but still were not ready for their big year as European Capital of Culture 2017. He blamed corruption and the number of public holidays.
We had 2 bus rides to the airport - and the sun had come out so we had a pleasant wait between buses at the harbour and ate our packed lunch in the sun at the airport. Good flight home, on time.
We had 2 bus rides to the airport - and the sun had come out so we had a pleasant wait between buses at the harbour and ate our packed lunch in the sun at the airport. Good flight home, on time.
Our last day
I checked 3 weather websites and they all had different forecasts - however rain featured in every one. It was our last day so we were determined to go out and I was desperate to see a part of Cyprus which has retained it's charm so we were going to visit Polis and Latchi harbour as recommended by the guidebooks. We went for the 11 o clock bus but it went past us with the driver waving his arms. As it was a coach with darkened windows it was hard to know if he didn't stop because he was full or because that sort of bus didn't stop en route. We walked to the bus station to ensure we could get onto the 12 o clock bus. It did stop en route so I presume the previous bus had been full.
We walked from Polis to Latchi and had lunch sitting by the beach then carried on to the harbour area where we had an ice cream. The photo shows Jess in the sun but I had to wait and wait and snap it quick when the sun made a brief appearance!
At the bus stop.....waiting and waiting....
Walking to Latchi
A bit of the old town in Polis
We walked from Polis to Latchi and had lunch sitting by the beach then carried on to the harbour area where we had an ice cream. The photo shows Jess in the sun but I had to wait and wait and snap it quick when the sun made a brief appearance!
At the bus stop.....waiting and waiting....
Walking to Latchi
A bit of the old town in Polis
Monday, 13 March 2017
Sunday. Where is the sun?
We woke today to a forecast of 70% heavy showers all day long but we would not be defeated. We set off to catch a bus up the coast to Coral Bay which is supposed to be a beautiful bay with lovely beaches. About 5 minutes away from the apartment the heavens opened and we sheltered in a shop. The rain was torrential and soon the roads were flooded. Once it finished we got to the bus stop in the dry.
I was disappointed with Coral Bay. The town leading down to the beach was full of English pubs etc. The bay had natural beauty and the weather was wild but the beach was not up to much. We walked a little way along and found a closed taverna which had a roof we could shelter under if the ominous clouds in the distance came our way. Outside the taverna was a small amphitheatre type structure which we sat on to have our lunch. As it was still dry we took it in turns to stand in the middle and played charades!
Well that was enough of Coral Bay so we got the bus back to Paphos harbour to visit the Kato Paphos Archeological Park. This is a complex of excavated Roman villas and mosaic floors - which are really well preserved and full of colour. I was amazed how the mosaic artists even managed to show facial expressions. There was a forum and an odeon (like a small amphitheatre) and the site is right next to the sea so a lovely setting.
On our way home we had to get some supplies at the supermarket - so lucky; whilst we were in there there was another outburst of torrential rain. So we had a good day out and didn't get wet.
I was disappointed with Coral Bay. The town leading down to the beach was full of English pubs etc. The bay had natural beauty and the weather was wild but the beach was not up to much. We walked a little way along and found a closed taverna which had a roof we could shelter under if the ominous clouds in the distance came our way. Outside the taverna was a small amphitheatre type structure which we sat on to have our lunch. As it was still dry we took it in turns to stand in the middle and played charades!
Well that was enough of Coral Bay so we got the bus back to Paphos harbour to visit the Kato Paphos Archeological Park. This is a complex of excavated Roman villas and mosaic floors - which are really well preserved and full of colour. I was amazed how the mosaic artists even managed to show facial expressions. There was a forum and an odeon (like a small amphitheatre) and the site is right next to the sea so a lovely setting.
On our way home we had to get some supplies at the supermarket - so lucky; whilst we were in there there was another outburst of torrential rain. So we had a good day out and didn't get wet.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Paphos
Last evening there was a storm with loud thunder and dramatic forks of lightning. Great to watch from the balcony but not so great when another storm came in during the night and woke us all up.
This morning it was pouring with rain and the skies looked dark and ominous all around. At about 10.30 it seemed to be clearing up so we headed out. Disaster! The roads were running with water and it started to rain again. We got very wet and Jess got sprayed by a car driving too close to the pavement so we gave up and came home. We were dispirited as the wifi had stopped so we faced a gloomy day in the apartment.
The weather forecast was bad but actually after an early lunch we decided to chance it and we managed a good afternoon out without being caught in the rain.
We walked through another part of the old town which, once again was full of roads and pavements in the process of being relaid. It was a long walk to the Tomb of the Kings but we enjoyed ourselves once there. Jess disappeared for a while as she found one tomb in which you could keep on going underground. The complex has a lovely setting right by the sea and the spring flowers were blossoming.
We were inside having a coffee when the next downpour came. Once it had blown over we carried on down to Paphos harbour for a wander around. At about 4 o clock the restaurant owners were battening down for another spell of bad weather and closing up - I presume custom must stop after lunch this early in the season.
Hallelujah the wifi was back on when we got home and Martin was able to watch the England v Scotland rugby match.
This morning it was pouring with rain and the skies looked dark and ominous all around. At about 10.30 it seemed to be clearing up so we headed out. Disaster! The roads were running with water and it started to rain again. We got very wet and Jess got sprayed by a car driving too close to the pavement so we gave up and came home. We were dispirited as the wifi had stopped so we faced a gloomy day in the apartment.
The weather forecast was bad but actually after an early lunch we decided to chance it and we managed a good afternoon out without being caught in the rain.
We walked through another part of the old town which, once again was full of roads and pavements in the process of being relaid. It was a long walk to the Tomb of the Kings but we enjoyed ourselves once there. Jess disappeared for a while as she found one tomb in which you could keep on going underground. The complex has a lovely setting right by the sea and the spring flowers were blossoming.
We were inside having a coffee when the next downpour came. Once it had blown over we carried on down to Paphos harbour for a wander around. At about 4 o clock the restaurant owners were battening down for another spell of bad weather and closing up - I presume custom must stop after lunch this early in the season.
Hallelujah the wifi was back on when we got home and Martin was able to watch the England v Scotland rugby match.
Friday, 10 March 2017
Travelling to Paphos
Today we packed up and caught the intercity bus to Limassol en route to Paphos. The bus was full of both tourists and locals. We sped along and arrived early. The scenery was the same all the way and not very inspiring.
We had an hour between buses so we ate our lunch on the pier by the marina - it had rained this morning but the sun came out just in time for us. We entertained ourselves 'people watching' including the 8 chaps doing some repair work on the pier - 2 working and 6 watching and discussing!
Our next bus which would take us to Paphos was over 20 minutes late - we were waiting by a taverna with no actual bus stop but there were a group of us so we had confidence we had the right place. This time the scenery out of the window was much more varied and interesting to look at; vineyards, farms, orchards, rivers and gorges.
The airbnb owner came to collect us at the bus station with her teenage son who spoke English and was the one who showed us round the apartment. We are 1km north of the old town in a residential area. The apartment is great and there is a chess board, cards and dominoes so I expect there will be a few competitive games in the evenings. (There is a TV but as in the other apartment it is all greek to us!)
This afternoon we decided to check out the Old Town. This year Paphos is a European Capital of Culture. In addition the town has been given €23.6m in EU structural funds and it seemed to us that they have dug up every road around the town but not finished many. The paving industry has benefited as the pavements and pedestrianised areas are all having new paviers fitted. Unfortunately there are many empty shops so some areas are completely devoid of life but have lovely new paving.
The area around the Town Hall has been spruced up and had to be finished first ready for the Capital of Culture opening ceremony.
On the whole there is more character here than in Larnaca and I expect that the harbour area and the Archeological Park we are visiting tomorrow will live up to our expectations.
We had an hour between buses so we ate our lunch on the pier by the marina - it had rained this morning but the sun came out just in time for us. We entertained ourselves 'people watching' including the 8 chaps doing some repair work on the pier - 2 working and 6 watching and discussing!
Our next bus which would take us to Paphos was over 20 minutes late - we were waiting by a taverna with no actual bus stop but there were a group of us so we had confidence we had the right place. This time the scenery out of the window was much more varied and interesting to look at; vineyards, farms, orchards, rivers and gorges.
The airbnb owner came to collect us at the bus station with her teenage son who spoke English and was the one who showed us round the apartment. We are 1km north of the old town in a residential area. The apartment is great and there is a chess board, cards and dominoes so I expect there will be a few competitive games in the evenings. (There is a TV but as in the other apartment it is all greek to us!)
This afternoon we decided to check out the Old Town. This year Paphos is a European Capital of Culture. In addition the town has been given €23.6m in EU structural funds and it seemed to us that they have dug up every road around the town but not finished many. The paving industry has benefited as the pavements and pedestrianised areas are all having new paviers fitted. Unfortunately there are many empty shops so some areas are completely devoid of life but have lovely new paving.
The area around the Town Hall has been spruced up and had to be finished first ready for the Capital of Culture opening ceremony.
On the whole there is more character here than in Larnaca and I expect that the harbour area and the Archeological Park we are visiting tomorrow will live up to our expectations.
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