pafos | Clune Gap Years

02.03.26

James finally got his hands on the blog ….

Last night after a pleasant drive from Famagusta, we arranged the very modern Aliana hotel in old town Limassol. Another large and comfortable bed – not too firm for Katherine. We decided to treat ourselves to a nice meal on our last night in Cyprus – Places to eat – the first taverna was fully booked – peak time for Cypriots on a Sunday evening – we had a drink at two tavernas – K on mojitos and me on vino rosso! The second inn was very noisy – pop music blaring from speakers and resident DJ. So no conversation. We then repaired to the “Steak House” for some more vino and Negroni for K… I had a good chicken dish – K had steak.

*Our hotel central so K and J able to have a drink out at the same time … oh joy, mojito*

We started Monday doing our own guided tour of part of Limassol – K had a self guided walking downloaded. The usual mix of churches, museums and other attractions. Finishing our walk with brunch.

*Th small square apparently is a nightlife hub*

*New Greek Orthodox cathedral … nice light through the windows*

*The promonade had better sculptures than the Agia Napa Sculpture Park*

Driving towards Paphos, we stopped at Kolossi crusades castle – 14th century. We were only a short time in the castle when the ticket lady said they were closing! There was an alert that a drone attack was a possibility on the RAF base in Akrotiri close by – part of the Iran problems…

We piloted our rented Baby Blue Nissan March car – freshly valeted – to a petrol station en route to the airport – next stop the rental company – the nice young man dropped us at the terminal building. We got through security and passport control fairly quickly – new style passport control – scan, photo and the machine issued a ticket to hand to the staff member – saving time. We saw immediately that our flight was delayed by one hour – concerned as quite a few flights were cancelled or delayed due again to the Iran problems… no sign of any departures or arrivals outside. Gladly we took off only two hours late…

20.02.26

A week after arriving home after Turkey & Georgia and returning Jez to the UK, I found myself in a blue funk. Ridiculous as we love living in Crete. Life is good etc. But I realised my mood was as I didn’t have a trip planned. Ryan Air fly from Chania to Paphos several times a week. €79 return … for both us us. They get you on luggage €174 to add 2 x 10kg small flight bags. Still a cheap trip… I got planning!

We cleaned the house. Cleaned ourselves. Dropped Corrie at a wonderful lady, Sam, and her family for 10 days. Strange to be off travelling minus 🐕. But not travelling. This doesn’t feel like travelling. This is a holiday.

J drove to the airport. ABBA (traditional setting off music) was playing. But he didn’t chair dance and drive off the road. Like I did in Jez, setting off for Morocco.

Ryan Air superb. On time. Leg room. Wide seats. Only a 1hr 10 short hop. Hire car collected. Lidl shop done. We even found the apt without too much difficulty. Basic but ok.

Aphrodite Trail

21.02.26

Slowish start may be something to do with Gordon last night. As in gin. Drove up to the NW point. It is here that Aphrodite used to shag Adonis. Bathe and walk to sleep off her exertions under an oak tree. The trail was busy (relatively) but stunning. One of those it is really good to be alive. Fabulous views. A long uphill but strategic benches for water stops. At 78 J was faster than a few youngsters!!! Ice cream reward … my first ice cream in about 3 weeks … that must be a record.