I am currently an Information Agent for a well-known multimedia broadcaster. I enjoy films, music, r...
I am currently an Information Agent for a well-known multimedia broadcaster. I enjoy films, music, reading, playing computer games and having a right good old-fashioned night out on the tear.
Member since:16.07.2000
Reviews:43
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In late April, four friends and I jetted off to the island of Cyprus in search of sun, sea and fun. Whilst the weather was by large pretty lousy, we found the latter two without much trouble.
We spent a week in the resort of Paphos, which is situated a short bus journey away from Paphos Airport. On arrival at the apartment which would be our home for the next seven days, the first thing we noticed was that the apartments (called the Kefalonitis Apartments) were immaculately clean. As we found out later on, the maid service was also excellent.
What we didn't know was that we had arrived just before the start of the tourist season, which was due to kick off - you guessed it - the day we left. However, although this meant that there were fewer people about than there might have been, we were undaunted.
There are many historical sites to check out in the area - the Baths Of Aphrodite and The Tomb Of The Kings to name but two. Rental of a small 4x4 is relatively cheap, but well worth it for some of the rather bumpy roads you'll face on the way to these places. In fact, we had a great day taking the 4x4 around what can only generously be described as "the back roads", often teetering above an unprotected 100-foot drop into the sea! However, away from the tourist areas you will find some very beautiful areas indeed.
Now, as I said the tourist season wasn't in full swing so the nightlife wasn't, either. That said, there are still numerous bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs, with the harbour area in particular a good nightspot. Drinks worked out about 50p-£1 cheaper than back home, and with one Cypriot pound being roughly equal to one pound sterling, the exchange rate is fairly easy to work out in your head. Decent three course meals were available for well under £10, as well as various more pricey ones if you want to splash out - although in terms of U.K. restaurants these would be described as expensive at all. I would in particular recommend the Flambe Master in the Harbour area of Paphos. Once your order is taken, the chef cooks your meal for you beside the table, which was a very nice touch.
The thing I particularly liked about Cyprus was the locals. They are very friendly indeed, particularly staff in the bars and restaurants. We hardly had one meal were we weren't given a complimentary dessert or drink.
One criticism I would have of Paphos is that the beaches aren't great by any stretch of the imagination, and to make matters worse, most of them are rocky rather than sandy. I possibly wouldn't recommend Paphos then to lovers of sandy beaches.
The only other thing that went wrong with the holiday was the weather; on the first day I experienced my first ever Saharan Sandstorm, and no, that isn't a cocktail. What this meant was that it rained all day, but the amount of sand floating about in the air meant the sky looked a strange yellow colour and the rain left a reddy-yellow residue on everything. On another evening, we had a particularly spectacular thunderstorm. And of course, on the morning we left, the sun finally decided to make an appearance. We were reassured though by all the locals that this was the worst weather they'd had in April for many a year.
Still, weather notwithstanding, the friendliness of the people as well as a good general atmosphere made for an enjoyable holiday experience, and I would have no hesitation in recommending Cyprus to anyone.
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Advantages: It is very friendly, drive on the Left hand side, and mostly speak English Disadvantages: You can't lay on the beaches in the winter, and the evenings are cold.
elinor.z 07.03.2008 (20.05.2008)
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Review of Paphos (Cyprus)
Jul 18th, 2000
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