Cyprus
I stayed at Christabelle Hotel Apartments in the heart of incredible Ayia Napa. The hotel is located at walking distance from everything: Multiple supermarkets, the butcher, sights, shopping, restaurants and bars, and the harbour. If you want to visit the best beach, go to Nissi Beach.
The airport is in Larnaca and it takes app. 45 minutes to get to Aiya Napa. If you are riding in a Cypriot taxi, it is a little quicker as they drive fast.
There are a lot of great experiences in Larnaca: An aqueduct, which carried water from the mountains to the monastery; A salt lake; And an impressive beach walk.
In Limassol, a new marina was built in 2014. It cost 400 million Euros and it is only very rich Russians and Chinese who can afford to dock their boats.
On the opposite side of the island are Paphos and the most important sight: Tomb of the Kings. A grand piece of nature where kings were buried during ancient Greek times.
The divided capitol
Cyprus is divided. There is a Turkish Cypriot part to the North and a Greek Cypriot part to the South. The island became divided as a consequence of the Turkish invasion in 1974. Hence why, the capitol, Nicosia, is also divided. This is marked by barbed wire fences across the city. Nicosia is the only divided capitol in the world.
The UN has been present on the island, as a peacekeeping force, since 1964, and is still there today. The UN Buffer Zone runs along the border, creating a neutral space between the two parts of the island, where civilians cannot access.
In 2008 a pedestrian border crossing opened on Lidras street, the main shopping street in Nicosia. It is a requirement to show your passport, before crossing the border.
I have not crossed it myself, and I have only visited the Greek Cypriot part of Cyprus, which is amazing. The scenery, the locals, the food, the weather, everything is incredible.
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