The hot Cyprus

Kalimera or kalispera, depending when one is reading this

Just so I don’t forget some of the most important trips outside the country’s borders, I felt I should write about this specific one: Cyprus, October 2010.

I’ll try to remember the daily trips but probably I’ll forget lots of points of interest :D

Anyway, us 4 (me, Vic, Ady Rau & Adina) got there on a Sunday afternoon, after a mere 2 hours flight from Bucharest. “There” being the airport of Lanarca, one of the newest of Cyprus, very well maintained.

First thing you notice is the driving on the wrong side (or should I say, the right side, ha!)

The oversized van that Geta and Claudiu rented for us, eventually fitted us all plus our 7 kilos bags.

We got to the house (looking more like a small mansion) in one hour and, to celebrate our arrival we’ve ordered the “traditional” Greek pizza - extra large super supreme from Domino’s.

Second day: I woke up with a weird calling outside: Antony-mou, Antony-mou…I thought it’s just a loud neighbor yelling at his friend (but I found out later the guilty neighbor was a cute talking parrot)

In the courtyard there was a big fig tree with large ripped figs, yum…

Among the points we’ve visited that day (and afterwards): Apolo’s temple, a Roman arena, Aphrodite’s rock and spring; Venetian bridges; Kyrenia and Kantara Castles and the Turkish side of Cyprus.

The high point of the trip: me overcoming my everlasting fear of getting water inside the ears. The remedy? Snorkeling!!! Even though there were no spectacular scenes, being able to see clearly underwater is a great feeling. Next step: scuba diving.

Speaking of phobias, this trip started a new one: off-road driving, especially when hungry. The rise in the adrenaline’s level it’s not worth it…

Another thing that started on this trip: being dependent on “The Big Bang Theory” sitcom. This coming Thursday we’ll be up-to-date with all the episodes.

I should also mention their dishes: Cyprus food is good, not great; too less spices for my taste and too many fish based meze. Also, what’s up with that aversion against garlic?

The drinks: do not try Keo (their traditional beer) and also, the Carlsberg is weird there…Romanian beer is better ;)

What else? Ah, the wild donkeys from the northern part – cute but dusty, almost look like they were domesticated (we’ve even touched one).

As for the cities: we didn’t get a good chance to visit them (as we were on a strict schedule), but what I’ve seen, I’ve liked: clean, white buildings, blending with a couple of higher steel & glass ones; very good roads and touristy taverns everywhere. On all of them the customary water tanks, proving the importance of unsalted water on that dry island.

The prices? A little too high for what they were offering, but, as every country that relies on tourists to bring the majority of income, it’s understandable.

Over all: a beautiful, small region, where you’d be happy if you'd really love the heat and which makes you want to visit its big sister; but that, hopefully, will be another story.