March 26, 2008

Pictures from the Roman ruins at Kourio.

March 26, 2008

Hi there. I can’t believe that Joel has been here a week already. Also, Stephen and Cathy, friends from Cairo are on holiday here. They are staying in the village of Peyeia on the other side of Paphos. So Dale and I are having fun playing tour guide for all of them. We are taking lots of pictures – mostly to watch and see if Joel’s tan improves, but also as a reminder of what he is seeing and doing. Mind you, we really should be taking pictures of some of the meals he is getting, both at home and at some of our very favourite restaurants.

We have done a couple of walks/hikes nearby, including up in the hills, and closer to home in the orchards – it is wonderful to eat an orange right off the tree. We are also finding some time to sit by the pool – Dale and Joel have even been in, albeit not for long (brrrrrr).

Joel really enjoyed Aphrodite's Sanctuary and the museum in Kouklia. He was very amazed by the artifacts which are all local, including the mosaic 'Leda and the Swan'.

The sea caves at Peyeia were well worth seeing, and Dale even took a picture of the ice cream cones we had afterwards. The last couple of days we have spent at Paramali Beach, where Stephen Kite-surfed one day, but the wind was far too strong for Dale both days. Apparently the Coptic Winds were in. Joel and Cathy and I had a lovely shelter behind the grassy dunes where we read and chatted – and had lovely picnic lunches. Today after watching some very skilled Kite-surfers, we went to the Roman ruins at Kourio. Cathy is teaching a segment on the Romans to her class when she gets back to Cairo, so she was very enthusiastic about the place.

The time is going very quickly though, so we will have to squeeze in a few more sights for Joel before he goes home. Tomorrow is supposed to be calm, so (unless things change) we are planning a hike up in Koili near Peter and Linda’s.

I guess that is all for now. I hope all is well with you.

Take care.

Love,

Laurel

March 20, 2008

Well, I hope we did all that we were supposed to in Comox. What a whirlwind. We had such a lovely time connecting with friends and relatives – including Church, Laurel's Book Club and her Bible Study Group. Unfortunately duties got in the way, and we never did manage to get up the ski hill. We are planning a trip back in the summer provided Dale's schedule doesn't get crazier than it already is; also providing the motor-home gets up there before we do. By then we won't have to worry about renewing passports or getting stuff to the accountants for income tax. Maybe we will get in a game or two of golf? Oh, and of course, Dale needs to fly his airplane. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for this fun-filled plan.
Here are a couple of photos we managed to get while there. It sure is tough getting the four of us together these days, so it was even more amazing to get most of the family together at Auntie Lydia's, and the rest at The Edge.
Joel came back to Cyprus with us, as he is between contracts, and needed some sunshine. If it doesn't take too long, I will send a couple of him too at the Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite's birthplace). So far, the weather here has been cooperating, we just have to make sure that Joel doesn't get a sunburn. We'll send more as we tour him about - and hopefully you'll notice his tan as it improves!
Bye for now.
Love,
Laurel

March 4, 2008

Guess what?  We are not freezing in Delaware.  We were when we first got here, but the last couple of days it has been 18C.  There is a flash flood warning for tonight, but hopefully it will be cleared up enough for our flight to Comox tomorrow.  Especially since it becomes sleet and snow on our way through Toronto.

Dale has enjoyed his ground school and simulators while I have been shopping and trying to get ahead with my Greek lessons.  It is a bit difficult since the instructions for each lesson are also in Greek - thank goodness by my Greek/English dictionary.  One of my purchases while here is the Rosetta Stone language course.  I figured I would supplement my lessons with this, since I have been finding it such a struggle.  I don't even remember having to learn definite/indefinite articles, the genitive/possessive, or the accusative in English.  Now we are working on the past tense.  Hopefully it will click soon.

Shopping, though not my cup of tea, has been worth it.  Prices here are very competitive, especially with the Canadian dollar being as strong as it is.  And I have started on my list of things that I can not get in Cyprus (or will not buy because of the price - vitamins being the worst).  Funny things like vanilla extract are not to be found; while sheets and blankets are all of a different size.  

So, as you see, all is well, and we are so looking forward to our visit to Comox.  I will probably fill you in on all that once we get back to Cyprus.  Take care and bye for now.

Love,

Laurel