Day 5 Lefkosia  (Nicosia)

 Day 4 Limassol

It was a relaxed start to the day, beginning with a catch up call to Ginny and Harri, then breakfast at home. I'm really loving the crunchy muesli with fresh strawberries.

Soon we were on the road to Limassol, but thought it best if we check out the venue for tonight's catch up with all the relatives. Google took us all around the back streets but we did find it, no problem.

Then we drove to the port area of Limassol with the vague plan of touring the castle and old town. The marina was gleaming with expensive yachts. One was called Happy Wife and happy Life. It was for sale. Looks like wife was not happy.

The old town was interesting and full of tiny spaces with studios and other artistic pursuits. We briefly went into a photography studio to see the work of a female photographer. it was about 10.30 and the streets were curiously empty. The restaurants were open but lacking patrons. We took the opportunity to visit the pharmaceutical museum. This was of particular interest to John, who is, after all, a plant and machinery valuer.

 

John and I popped into the cathedral, which was in an area that is being redeveloped. It looks like it will house high end shops and residences in a couple of years.

We found our way to the sea front and walked a short distance along the Molos, to a cafe for the obligatory coffee and berry smoothie for me. The sun was shining and the sea was a glorious ultramarine.

We worked our way back to the castle which also serves as a museum and took in the views across the city from the rooftop. 

Lunch was in one of the many restaurants that surround the castle. The area was buzzing now with tourists and local ladies doing lunch. The atmosphere had changed completely. Wary of having a big lunch before a big dinner with our relatives, we all opted for salads of various sorts. Even these were enormous and we left some behind. A family of cats helped me to finish off a chicken salad. They were quite picky, leaving behind and ends that were too tough for them. 

We could hear a marching band playing and followed the music. It was a police band with a police escort of three police on bikes. They were heading to meet up with a group of young women that were raising money for a cancer project. There was some sort of ceremony with professional photographers recording the event.

After a walk back through the marina, we headed home for a rest before going out for the evening.

After what seemed like a very short rest we charged out again for Kato Polemidia, and Maria;s restaurant. and the food started to arrive. Toulla invited us out for dinner with all the family at her brother Pano's  place. Cousin Pano was so pleased to see us. sheftalies, gyro. dips, breads and all the Cyprian fare was brough in large quantity. Even more exciting than the food was the stream of rellos that began to arrive. There was of course, Andrew, Nicoletta and Marianna. There was Xenia and her daughters. There were Xenia's grandchildren and sons in law. Then another uncle and wife arrived after finishing a late shift at work. We felt proper special. I felt terrified as I dredged up any Greek I could summoned to explain and ask my way through the night. Eventually the questions got trickier with me being asked about distant Australian Cypriot rellos and their health and whereabouts. I looked like a proper dunce when I had no idea. I was so grateful for Danae's and Lefky's occasional translations but even that did not help at times.

Yes there were more invitations to meet more rellos on Saturday afternoon and a plan was hatched to ditch the Sunday trip to Lania market and in its place a big rello convoy to Morphou for a special church service. What completely lovely open hearted people. It was close to midnight before we all disappeared into the darkness of the car park and we have no idea why but Johnny left carrying four large boxes of all the left over sweets.

Luckily the road home had barely a car on it and we were soon home and in bed.