Cyprus Experience

In a country churchyard

Advantages: "Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife…."
Disadvantages: "….shut the gates of mercy on mankind." (Thomas Gray)

...been left in possession of Agios Prokopios Church. When you enter, the door creaks and they rise in a flurry of wingbeats to find their way out through the broken windows around the high central dome. Their droppings pattern the floor, in layers beneath their perches, in blotchy spots elsewhere. Provided you can avoid treading on the more thickly caked areas, the echo of your footfalls will replace the frantic fluttering once the birds have flown ...
...those that are derelict. Agios Prokopios stands out simply because it is prettier than most, and the contrast between the tranquillity of its location and the conflict that underlies its condition seems that much more marked as a result. Presumably, unless the divided people of the island discover some common ground on which to build a future together, this church, like the others, will continue to deteriorate and will eventually fall down. It is ...

torr 03.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Agios Prokopios

The Point

Advantages: "You don't know what you've got…"
Disadvantages: "…till it's gone." (Joni Mitchell)

...of the point of the Karpaz Peninsula. It is about a mile long and of soft sand. Behind the beach are dunes that become progressively more grassed over as you retreat from the shoreline, until you come under the shade of maritime pines. When my wife and I found our way down to this beach at midday on a sunny spring morning, we were the only people there. Having parked our hired car out of sight back down the bumpy track, we went to walk barefoot along ...
...is easy to identify the Karpaz Peninsula. It’s that pointy bit at the top right-hand corner, about forty miles long to its north-eastern tip. Some people have likened it to a panhandle, others to a unicorn’s horn or even to a dagger pointing at the underbelly of Turkey. To me it seems most to resemble a finger, in three knuckled sections tapering towards the nail at the end. The first, widest section is best approached along the north coast, taking ...

torr 23.04.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Karpaz Peninsula, Cyprus

Going, going….

Advantages: Ruins (and scenery, and wild flowers in Spring)
Disadvantages: Ruined (or on the way to becoming so)

...It was saddening to find Northern Cyprus, which we had hoped might be at least to some degree protected from over-development by its diplomatic isolation, beginning to go the same way. * History * Where to begin? From neolithic times, Cyprus has had its fill of history and the resultant indigestion is felt acutely to this day. Practically everyone who was ever anyone around the Mediterranean has staked a claim to it at one time or another, usually ...
...limestone ridges that parallel the northern coast. Here they could be used as lookout posts on alert for invading fleets, as well as fortified refuges after any invasion. All entail a bit of climbing to be seen in full, and all more than repay the effort. St Hilarion, just inland from the port of Girne, is the most easily reached and has a well-preserved and well-presented interior. Kantara, the most remote, affords astounding views eastward over ...

torr 05.04.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Northern Cyprus

Perfect for Young Families and Singles Alike

Advantages: Very friendly, sunbeds reasonably prices, lovely weather year round
Disadvantages: Price and beach could be cleaner

...the last three summer's on Coral Bay Beach I thought I would share my experience. Accessibility - Coral Bay is easily accessible by bus from Paphos areas and is 15 minute car or taxi ride from Paphos Harbour. There is plenty of parking and we managed to park practically on the beach every day, we arrived about 10am and holidayed mid September. Value for money - I found the food and drink at the beach bar expensive although the staff were extremely ...
...Nightlife. The shops in Coral Bay itself are basic but adequate, the supermarkets aren't cheap but aren't grossly expensive either. We ate in Coral Bay several nights and my favourite restaurant was an Italian I believe it was called Palm Bay or similar the Bruschetta was to die for! It is exactly what you would expect from a holiday resort type place, I don't find Cyprus cheap in general at all and visit there as my parents live in Pathos. ...

ThePalmTree23 22.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Coral Bay, Cyprus

Yabadaba do or dont?

Advantages: Well designed and in a great position
Disadvantages: Expensive and the entertainers

...start on reviewing it. The Bedrock Inn is in a god location of the square. It's very hard to miss! The design of the Inn is fantastic. The DJ box is an egg which looks pretty cool. The rest of the bar is made from rocks and even the stools are caveman style. It is a spacious place even when it is jam packed with people. There are three bars to get your drinks from so you aren't fighting over getting your round of drinks in. It is well planned and ...
...they are efficient. Your drinks are done quickly and your glasses are taken away when you are finished. They are very energetic and smile alot. Obviously when you go out you expect the prices of your beloved booze to be higher than other places. Here it is. Although I didn't see the bill I was told it was higher than other places. Onto the dreaded entertainers. The night we went into the bar there were 2 men up as a performance. I hated them. They ...

matjacks 07.08.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bedrock Inn (Bar/Cafe), Ayia Napa