Cyprus

Alexander Hotel and nearby beach

Landed in Larnaca and hired a car to drive almost the entire length of Cyprus (west to east) to Pafos on the south-eastern corner of the island.  There at the Alexander the Great hotel (what else would it be called?), by an incredible coincidence, we met Sheila and my Dad who had flown out the previous day to meet us for the week.

Pafos is surprisingly nice - big enough to be interesting, but not as big and commercial as Limassol and  Larnaca.  The town is a UNESCO world heritage site on account of the ruins and mosaics in the area.

Greek ruins at "Tomb of the Kings" site

Our first day was spent going around the so-called "Tombs of the Kings" which date back to about the fourth century BCE and whilst impressive probably contain the remains of no royalty at all.  But it pays to advertise!

We took the local bus to get there, but there is a wonderful seaside walk that takes you back to Pafos harbour.

Wet Day - Trip to fishing port

Cyprus has a number of Greek and Roman ruins, so whilst we were there we also visited the mosaics of the Roman governor's palace in Pafos and the extensive 4th century CE Roman ruins just outside Limassol.

We also took a trip inland through the mountains, visited a few small churches, and foolishly spent the afternoon in Nicosia - sad to say not the most inspiring capitol I have ever visited.  The fact that it is currently split in half by the Turkish occupation is about the most exiting thing to be said for it.

4th C Ruins outside Limassol

A week in Cyprus was probably enough, but the 7 days we spent there were fabulous - enough to keep you interested and enough time to just chill out and relax.

On the way home we detoured via Dubai, again courtesy of Emirates, and then via Bangkok - just in time for Wiwat's mother's birthday.  A very easy date to remember as it is the same day as my sister Lisa and also 3 of my friends.