We woke up to Halloween (after an extra hour of sleep as summertime ended in Cyprus), with a couple of trick or treating lunatics delivering cups of tea in dog and cat masks who were trying to keep up the traditions of the date. The day dawned warm and pleasant and the pool saw some use in the morning. The morning was spent lazily as befits the last day in Cyprus. Lunch was some delicious pita bread sandwiches full of salad and meat bought from a local deli.
After lunch we had to pack and get ourselves ready to leave. After sad hugs and leavings, we left at about 3 p.m. This had been a really fun and relaxing week and we were sad to leave although looking forward to our week in Greece. Porridge said his goodbyes to Rosie Bear and as those who meet on holiday always do, he promised to write regularly and keep in touch….we’ll see. Homer got back into his suitcase compartment in his usual relaxed way as of one who has traveled much.
The drive to Larnaca airport was quick and uneventful there being a very good highway all the way through Limassol and other towns. The landscape is quite barren and scrub-filled but there are also a lot of mansions and villas, many of which are not occupied. It appears that there was, as in other places like Florida, a building boom which went (at least temporarily), bust when the economic downturn came.
Processing at Larnaca was very fast indeed and we had dropped the car, checked and were sitting having a cup of coffee in just a very few minutes. When we went to the gate we were a little surprised to find a large crowd of fully ‘burkaed’ and white robed Moslems waiting at the gate. After events of the last few days, this caused us some amusement but not really any discomfort. The flight left on time at 6.30 p.m. and was uneventful. Arrival at Athens was amazingly smooth and we were through immigration, collected baggage and into a taxi in less than ten minutes.
After a half hour ride into Athens, we arrived at our hotel The St George Lycabettus ‘Boutique’ (!) Hotel which is in a small street near the Lycabettus Hill. We had dinner in the rooftop restaurant with a wonderful night view of the Parthenon.
Our hotel room which promised an outside view, delivered this, but also delivered a large building site opposite. At 4 a.m. on 1st November, a large diesel excavator started up and at 7 a.m. work started in earnest. On the good side, this will make sure we get up in the mornings, on the bad side; this will make sure we get up in the mornings.
Today we plan to walk some and perhaps reach the Acropolis. Later in the week we hope to take some trips outside Athens.
More later.
I can't upload photos right now but will when I get home.
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