Famagusta / Varosha - Cyprus

Went on a Jeep Safari today to Famagusta and the ghost town of Varosha. The town being under the control of the UN since the Turkish invaded the north of the island on Monday 15 July 1974 the ruling military  in Greece staged a coup in Cyprus with the collaboration of its supporters in order to achieve immediate Enosis (union with Greece). Makarios, whose aim was to achieve Enosis in the long term, was overthrown.
There is a kind of no mans land across the north east of the island from Kerynia to Famagusta.
You will need to take your passport and require a temporary visa which will get stamped in and out. On the south side this is patrolled by British forces who have 3 bases on the island. This being part of the deal after being under British rule since the Ottoman Empire,was handed back to Republic of Cyprus in 16 August 1960.

There are empty houses,hotels,shops etc and all fenced off with wire and empty oil drums along with no entry,photo and so on. You can clearly see the devastation of what was once the richest city in the med. I once saw tv programe that showed the original Nicosia airport and apart from vandals and being deserted it lies the same as the day of the invasion. Another landmark is a crane on one the waterfront hotels which we are told was finished on the day of the event where time has really stood still.

While relations between the two parts of the country have improved there is still a division of opions some wanting total independance from mainland altogether.

All that aside if you get a chance to go then do. I am told you can see some of it from top of the Debenhams store but I cannot verify that. The view from the many boat trips are somewhat distant due to the exclusion zone and you need some strong binoculars.

Aiya Nappa - Cyprus

We took the local Famagusta bus to Aiya Nappa which went via Protaras town and Greko bay. For 2 euros for a return trip where you can hop on and off all day was a bargain. (osea.com.cy/index.php) However the age and quality of the bus did vary somewhat but could be put down to part of the travelling experience. If anyone has been on the Yellow vintage buses in Malta you will get the idea. Having said that the council has invested substantially in improving bus routes and improving timetables. That said don't rely on the timings we waited for over 35 minutes for a bus that was supposed to be there on the hour. If you need to be somewhere on time get a taxi there are plenty of them and most look like limo.

Still on he subject of busses there is a Red Tour bus that does trips around villiages and the ghost town of Famagusta but this does not start till the second week of May.

 The party town of Aiya Nappa was more of a ghost town. With many of the bars and resturants still closed from the winter hibernation. It was hard to imagine the place sprawling with teenagers that have escaped for a holiday "Wiv me mates". I`m sure give a few more weeks the place will be transformed to it`s busy self.

For the more adventurous if you head down to the harbour you can go paragliding,jetskiing ride a doughnut or take a trip on  glass bottom boat. There is the popular yellow submarine style but this James Bond looking Galaxy caught my eye. Morning trips 11:00 ~ 14:30 are 20 euro. Afternoon trips 16:00 - 18:00 are 40 euro the trip is also longer.
There are simply loads of boat trip options along the harbour from 5 euro upwards it reall depends how long you want on the water and if food is provided.

You can take a trip on the The Black Pearl,which leaves daily from the harbour. Join Jack Sparrow and the pirates with lunch provided.

One of the things that you probably will not see unless you take a trip on the Shirley Valentine is this surfing dog Keo who takes a break with Captain Kristos in Greko Bay

As I am doing this from the Kindle I will add the pictures and edit it later so excuse the typos.

Protarus - Cyprus

On first arrival we were greeted with names on the board and our own taxi limo to the Crown Resort hotel. The driver who lived in the next villiage had actually lived in Manchester had in fact married a girl from there. He also gave us a few tips on what to see.

The morning whilst hazy and breezy to start with soon went leaving a bright sunny day. Went for a walk along the new promenade to Protarus beach which was unbelieveably quiet.
After lunch and a swim in the pool (I am writing this from the Kindle on the sunbed) having been forced to listen to the best that 50's and 60's music had to offer.
Still at 27 degrees it beats working 12 hours in a fridge called my office.
Think it's a trip to Larnica tomorrow oh and the entertainment tonight hmmn?

a bientot