Up The Farway Tree

Cyprus

We got back last weekend but I have been rather caught up this week!  Will summarise the holiday in pictures :-)

Paphos harbour

Small castle in Paphos - view from top of castle

Andrew with the very small castle!

Paphos is a national heritage site due to ancient ruins and the uncovering of many mosaics.  These would have been on the floor of villas previously on this site.  The heritage site is massive and they are still working to uncover items.

Above sunset is from the veranda of hotel bar.  The picture below is from where we had lunch in the hotel everyday.  There was a private cove at the beach, although the beaches are largely rocky in Cyprus.

Hotel pool

Ready for dinner

Andrew braved the pool - it was rather chilly!!!

If we didn't like the evening entertainment we played cards :-)

These pictures are at the Tombs of the Kings.   Although no kings were ever buried here, it was a burial site.  There are tombs carved out of the rock - that's me standing in the entrance to one below.

Monastery and Hermitage

Andrew with his Godparents, Pat and Andy, who now live in Cyprus

Above, my wee water shoes for wandering about rock pools!  I did go in the sea one day with them :-)  Below, the beach at the hotel with Andrew looking out to sea.

Making a 'handy heart' - the symbol that the organ donor battlefront campaign are using :-)

Undersea Walking!!  We basically had to climb down a ladder at the end of a pier (see last pic) and they lowered these massive diving bells onto your head - they weigh about 30kg but as soon as your head goes under water they are weightless.  You then climb the ladder down to the sea bed and then they walk you out away from the pier.  It was really choppy that day we went so they had to take an instructer down per person to make sure we didn't fall over or float away!  The equipment stays on land, and there is air being pumped into the diving bells - so you breathe normally and it doesn't fill with water.  The instructers then had bread to feed the fish and we all got given some.  I really loved that - although the fish were quite nippy!!  I managed not to fall over (which is a surprise).  My lungs were great but my ears were really sore with the pressure change - but i was just so glad I was able to do it!!

We had a lovely time and managed to relax.  It's a shame that work awaits when you come home, but that's life eh?  I will be back later to post about the halloween party and a change in venue!