Spring Break 2015 - Larnaca, Cyprus

The Island of Cyprus

Why Cyprus for Spring Break?  Well, let's see... it's warm and sunny this time of year; it's still the off-season, which means the seaside resorts are less expensive; and the flight from Kiev was less than 3 hours at a cost of only $145.  So the answer is, why not Cyprus?!

The resorts along the Mediterranean in Larnaca were in the process of getting ready for the beach vacation season.  It was interesting to watch as our resort, The Golden Bay, went through a transformation from quiet and a bit dingy, to busy and sparkling clean.  From poolside bar to beach lounge chairs and outdoor café, the place really came alive.

 

 

We did have a chilly start to one of the days we were there.  Even the "resort cat" was looking for a warm spot to take a nap.



 But it was a perfect morning for wind-surfing.

 By afternoon, the sun was shining bright and it was warm enough for bathing suits.

 

 Wednesday night was "Cyprus Night" in the resort dining room.  We enjoyed delicious Mediterranean cuisine and entertainment.

 

I was invited to help with the "balancing glasses of water on your head" dance.  I didn't have to balance anything on my head, thank goodness.  I just had to place one of the glasses on his head.  

 

 

On Friday we took public transportation from our resort to downtown Larnaca for a walking tour.  It was Good Friday (called Long Friday) for the Greek Orthodox church, but most of the stores and restaurants were still open for business.

 

 

A medieval castle on the beach



The street along the sea

An Islamic minaret, a sign of the multicultural history in Cyprus.  Today, part of the island belongs to Greece, and the other part belongs to Turkey. 

We visited several local pottery shops on our tour. 

The kids in our tour group were fascinated by an artist at one of the local pottery shops.

I really wanted that huge glass and clay dragonfly, but even the artist advised against trying to travel with it.  So we bought these crazy beach birds instead.  I think they will look great in our S.C. house. 

 

Lazarus Church

The churches in Larnaca were preparing for the Long Friday procession through town with these beautiful, fresh flower Epitaphs.



Our tour guide recommended a local "Mom and Pop" restaurant for lunch.  I'm glad we took her advice.  The food was good, but the experience was priceless. 

 

Overall, it was a very relaxing week.  It was just what we needed before the hectic, event-filled, final two months of school.