So here we are in Cyprus. The house is gorgeous and just remote enough to have us sneering at the other people in cars with red plates (meaning TOURIST - WATCH OUT!).
We're about a half hour from the nearest town - itself rather proud of just how untouristy it is (despite this Internet cafe) and at the foot of the mountains here. All absolutely gorgeous.
Yesterday we bought food in the morning and drove higher into the mountains for a trek through the forest. Today is a longer trek into the remoter regions in a bid to find a monastry that makes some of the best wine on the island - gotta love those monks.
Cyprus is gripped with Eurovision fever too. We saw the semi-finals last night and every news story today has been about Saturday's big finale. In fact it was the first thing anyone here said to us - upon seeing Jude's Dutch passport at the airport a local told us "They made it through yesterday. The Netherlands are in the final"
It's good to be back in Europe... the sunshine helps too.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
This won't be us
You're not allowed to be nude on the beaches of Cyprus.
Too devout is my best guess. Followed by too nasty a thought - especially with the million and one Brits flooding in via JetTz4Less and DeathRattleAir
Have read with some amusement that there have been several Germans arrested having defrocked close to the Baths of Aphroditie. The glare bouncing off their blue white bodies having alerted police and air traffic controllers both to their exact location.
Still despite a lack of Togs Off opportunities it's going to be a good trip - and we'll be leaving for the airport in about an hour (3.30 being plenty long enough for a 5.50 take-off especially when you already have your boarding passes and a belief that check in luggage is for losers)
Despite my 'check in bags' only rule though we're not Overhead crammers. It's a very American thing. Take one huge bag, too large to lift and them waddle down the aisle taking out eyes and crushing feet as you go before demanding help lifting the damn thing (note - if you can't lift it it's not CARRY ON) and bemoaning the size of the overheads.
Nope our carry on is carry on sized. Regulation weight. And packed beautifully.
So eight and a half hours to London, two hours to clear customs, change terminals, check in with Cyprus air and board our flight and then four and a half hours to the wrong side of the island where a man named George will give us the keys to a Corsa (or something)
Waaaa-hey (as Cheggers still says)
Too devout is my best guess. Followed by too nasty a thought - especially with the million and one Brits flooding in via JetTz4Less and DeathRattleAir
Have read with some amusement that there have been several Germans arrested having defrocked close to the Baths of Aphroditie. The glare bouncing off their blue white bodies having alerted police and air traffic controllers both to their exact location.
Still despite a lack of Togs Off opportunities it's going to be a good trip - and we'll be leaving for the airport in about an hour (3.30 being plenty long enough for a 5.50 take-off especially when you already have your boarding passes and a belief that check in luggage is for losers)
Despite my 'check in bags' only rule though we're not Overhead crammers. It's a very American thing. Take one huge bag, too large to lift and them waddle down the aisle taking out eyes and crushing feet as you go before demanding help lifting the damn thing (note - if you can't lift it it's not CARRY ON) and bemoaning the size of the overheads.
Nope our carry on is carry on sized. Regulation weight. And packed beautifully.
So eight and a half hours to London, two hours to clear customs, change terminals, check in with Cyprus air and board our flight and then four and a half hours to the wrong side of the island where a man named George will give us the keys to a Corsa (or something)
Waaaa-hey (as Cheggers still says)
Stars in their eyes
I know that Cyprus is a working trip for Jude (hence the computer, the books and the suits)... and that for people in the UK it's a bit of a Sharon trip but I'm really looking forward to it.
We have a car. We have a private villa. We have a short connection in London. We have no insurance. What could go wrong?
We have a car. We have a private villa. We have a short connection in London. We have no insurance. What could go wrong?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Gearing up
So we’re slowly getting ready for Cyprus. Jude is picking up a dog sitting friend from the airport. I’m back from a ‘need ink’ run to Staples (boarding passes and forms for Jude’s Visa renewal) and am about to rush to the pet store.
Outside it’s sunny but freezing – and the flower boxes are protesting. Inside temp is saying 90F, outside it’s 50F. I tell you, this is a greenhouse.
Anyway short post today. The guy in the pick is andy – he’s coming to Cyprus for conference too. Was his BBQ the other day. And he has the innocent niece…
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Siz-ling
According to the forecast our time in Cyrpus is going to be hot. We leave on Tuesday and while the village that we're staying in is going to be around 29c; the city where we're then heading for a conference is going to be 37c. That's hot. Which is good.
I love the heat. It can't be too hot or too humid for me. I like to feel the pounds burn and sweat off. I like the lethargy that baking leaves you feeling. I like the 'old people stay indoors' warnings and I like watching the British boil like lobster on the beaches.
Not that we'll see many beaches. We have a villa with a pool. And we have a hotel in the city. It's not going to be a 'club 18-30' type experience.
That said I do have responsibility for a teenager whose parents at least to be of unusual virtue. She's very excited by day trips. I shall endeavor to ensure that The Baths of Aphrodite aren't all that Cyprus leaves marked indelibly on her brain. Nothing heavy - just more cocktails, speedos and near misses.
I love the heat. It can't be too hot or too humid for me. I like to feel the pounds burn and sweat off. I like the lethargy that baking leaves you feeling. I like the 'old people stay indoors' warnings and I like watching the British boil like lobster on the beaches.
Not that we'll see many beaches. We have a villa with a pool. And we have a hotel in the city. It's not going to be a 'club 18-30' type experience.
That said I do have responsibility for a teenager whose parents at least to be of unusual virtue. She's very excited by day trips. I shall endeavor to ensure that The Baths of Aphrodite aren't all that Cyprus leaves marked indelibly on her brain. Nothing heavy - just more cocktails, speedos and near misses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)