What is Cyprus like? In a nutshell it’s small, hot, dry, friendly, populated by people who shout a lot and who have no idea how to drive. In a word, it’s heaven.
The country is divided since 1974. In the North you have the Turkish Cypriots, in the South you have the Greek Cypriots and the UN is in the middle. While a certain animosity exists between both sides it doesn’t affect the traveler apart from the fact that moving from one side to the other requires a little paperwork. It’s worth making the effort to experience the whole island because there is a lot to see and you will be made to feel very welcome whatever side you visit.
Great food
If you like good food but you are concerned about your figure then you seriously need to consider going somewhere else. Or alternatively, lose a couple of stone before you go and you just might be lucky enough to fit in the front door when you get back home. Leave the main tourist spots and you will find many local farmers who also operate little restaurants during the summer and they are gems.
A sixteen course mezze is not just a meal it is an occasion. Cypriots like to socialize and a meal for them is a time to chat and relax so when you go out for dinner be prepared for a long evening sitting under the stars, and don’t be surprised if the owner joins you at the table. Everything in Cyprus is done at their pace and it’s similar to that of a snail. So chill out and enjoy the food sensation that won’t leave you having to sleep rough.
Driving can be scary
Cyprus is a small place by car but driving is not for the faint hearted. Some experience of driving armoured vehicles for the military or off road driving in Afghanistan would be an advantage. Cypriots have their own style. It mainly involves one hand hanging out the window, no use of indicators and a complete lack of interest in stop signs or traffic lights. They don’t park their cars they just abandon them. A space may be too small to take the entire car but as long as the front wheel fits in then that’s good enough. The fact that the rest of the car is blocking the entire street is irrelevant.
If you like peace and quiet then a hearing impairment may be an advantage. Cypriots are loud and they shout a lot at each other. They say that it comes from the fact that families regularly eat together outdoors where noise isn’t an issue. They might sound aggressive but they are far from it.
This is a country that has a glorious climate and where rain is a stranger. It might take a while to get there but when you do, you won’t want to leave. July and August can be hot with temperatures hitting forty degrees plus so air conditioning is a must unless you’re a fan of sleep deprivation.
I miss it?
It’s strange being back. I keep expecting to meet you guys. Went to Pyle yesterday and took a photo outside the station and thought I was going to start crying. 🙂
Don’t be sensitive ?. Your article took me back to the island
It must have predicted this text Trevor, we booked for two weeks again for next April.
We thoroughly enjoyed our last and our only visit. Looking forward to it. Any tips on visiting Nicosia? visa required etc?
Hi Matt, no visa required. If you’re travelling to the north side you have to pay for car insurance for driving there. Think it’s about ten euro. Lovely part of the world. Very cheap to eat out and make sure to visit the old town in Famagusta.
Petek Café, in old city Famagusta and Fish restaurant in Bogaz – famous cusine, isn ‘t it Trev?
Hi buddy, I’m back here at the moment with a friend of mine. Just home from Dherynia after a meal with Michael and Marianna from Azias. I was talking about you with my friend and I was telling him about the good times we had. It’s not the same here without you guys.