January 25, 2008

We're back! Three days without internet and it feels like we've stepped off the planet. Last week we left off to do some touring on the motorbike. We ended up going into the village of Peyeia to check it out for Stephen and Cathy who will be visiting there from Cairo next month. It is a beautiful spot - way up in the hills with spectacular views. Unfortunately, it is not too near the sea, where I know Stephen will want to spend many hours kite-surfing, but I am sure he will manage. Peyeia is a bit too far out of the way for us, as you have to go down all the way into Paphos before hitting the motorway, which would add an extra hour each way to the Larnaca airport - which it seems Dale flies into more often than the Paphos airport, which is ten minutes away.

Dale also mentioned that we were putting in a gas fireplace last week. Well - due to all things Cypriot, especially the time element - it was only half done, and is supposed to be finished this coming Wednesday. At this rate, summer will be here, and we will be wondering what on earth we wanted it for in the first place! We really only had one very cold week - which I am afraid to tell that the low was 4C. Yes, I am a wuss. But I swear my blood has thinned out, and I remember being that cold in Winnipeg. So, that being said, I think I will pick up a few more winter things on our trip to Comox in March. I hope you are all still speaking to me by then.

Dale has now headed off to Cairo, to fly with Adam for a bit, then back on the Global when things quieten down on the CJ3. We had a lovely time in Ayia Napa. It was sunny and during the day reached about 17C. We drove up to Paralimni and wandered about for a bit. Three churches of note are the contemporary church of Ayios Georgious which is exceptionally large. Next to it is an older church dedicated to the same saint, dating back to the last century. Ayia Anna is the oldest of the three, dating back to the 13th century. They are side-by-side in a large square, surrounded by various shops, including more shoe stores than any mall I have ever been in. And I just love the selection - everything is so fashionable and very European. What fun!

The next day we were off to the caves at Cape Gkreko. We did a huge hike all around the Cape in search of the caves, only to discover them by car further down the road. But it was a lovely day and a lovely hike, and we saw other caves high up on the sides of the bluff. We also found the ones closer to Ayia Napa, but never did find the one pictured in the guidebook. In the evening our hotel featured a Carribean buffet followed by a quick game of Bingo and a cute little comedy act that had to rely on acting instead of language, since there were Brits, Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, and of course us. All in all, a fun day.

Today we found the Monastery in Ayia Napa. The original cave forms the orthodox chapel, and the rest is Venetian architecture. It is on a very large parcel of land in the centre of the town, with terraced gardens and it looks like newer barracks behind closed gates and a new modern church out front. We then checked out of our hotel and headed for Larnaca to do a quick tour. We had lunch at a seaside restaurant, then found a medieval fort to wander around in until we had to leave for the airport. We will have to go back to the east side of the island again later, as there are so many more places to go and things to see and do.

Meanwhile, I will try and download some pictures and send this out. I hope you are all well and we look forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Laurel
http://www.villas2let.com.cy/category-about-ayia-napa (cut and paste - just ignore the ads)