Cyprus Boxing Day

Another relaxing day in Cyprus today on our way to Paphos, but first, another PCR COVID test for the flight on the 27th. This was our fifth test on this trip. Thankfully we are negative again.

Paphos Harbour. Sol Alter statue. Staring at Petra tou Romiou, the birthplace of Aphrodite.

Petra tou Romiou

Archaelogical site of the Tombs of the Kings

our beautiful neighbor Georgina

great food. Lots on wonderful dips and we just had to have pizza from Bella Napoli.

attended a mass at the Agios Neophytos Monastery

Christmas day in the disputed North

Spent Christmas in the capital city of Nicosia which is divided between the Greek South and the Turkish north. We went to both sides which is separated by the Green Line United Nations zone. It was an interesting process going into the disputed north with two checkpoints, one on each side separated by a 50 foot buffer zone. We went from Christian churches to islamic mosques in a matter of minutes. The Turkish north is not recognized as a legit country by any nation except Turkey. Cyprus has a very complicated history which is too long to summarize here, but lets just say they've been taken over more times than Larry King has been married.

While at a restaurant in the Turkish north Paul met and shook hands with a former President (Supposedly). He amused a nearby local by immediately sanitizing his hands after the handshake.

Turkish coffee anyone?

great coffee shops everywhere

Northern Flag

green line, markets and street scenes

great street art

best döner kabob

Christmas in Cyprus

Merry Christmas from Cyprus! We flew in two days ago and all is well, but it wasn’t easy getting here. We had to have a COVID PCR test before the flight, proof of vaccination and complete the on-line Cyprus Pass. In Egypt we must have gone through 3 or 4 security check points. Then once we arrived in Cyprus we were taken by bus and to a separate location for a PCR test. I couldn’t believe how organized they were with the testing – very impressive. So we are both negative (results were emailed within a few hours) and look forward to the next COVID test in a few days before we fly back to the states. So far for this trip we’ve had four tests. The price we pay now to travel.

Cyprus is so relaxing with crisp clean air, lots of open spaces to walk along the Mediterranean Sea, and super friendly people. And the food – awesome! Ate a cheese filled pasty yesterday that was out of this world and then a Christmas lunch in the mountains where we ate kabobs, Tzatziki and salad. We started lunch with a complimentary shot of local grappa and then a glass of local white wine. It was on the top of the Troodos Mountains that we found some snow. Later a walk on the boardwalk in Limassol which is the city we are staying for a few days. The weather is cool and at night cold, which is perfect for me. Walking the boardwalk decorated with Christmas lights, we could see several cruise ships lit up like Christmas trees floating off the coast.

Just had to. LOL

Beautiful clean water on the boardwalk in Limassol

Limassol city scenes

Ayai Napa Cathedral in Limassol dedicated to the Virgin Mary

Lunch

Merry Christmas!!!! Photo taken by Paul Kennedy