Picture taken on our first day in Cyprus (September 10)
Yiannis' office. This is where I do a lot of my work, too.
Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friends in Cyprus
Thursday September 10
I saw that Jayne was up about 7.30am, and thought that was early. I got up, too. Anyhow, it was half way through the day that I realized if forgot to set my watch two hours ahead.
We went out to get some coffee. As we walked passed Yiannis’ office in the apart.. Complex I saw him and he saw us.
We went inside and greeted each other. I saw Agnus, there, too (his worker). It was great to see him.
The office had been done up real nice since I was last there. He also has other work being done on the building. I noticed that he closed off the entrance to the Valana Hotel.
After we chatted awhile, we went to get some breakfast at a place called Shakespeare. Then we went to my bank to take care of bank business. I noticed when we walked down the main street that there were three new coffee cafes. I mean this is really getting crazy - they were all next to each other, too. There is another section where there is a row of coffee cafes (as I call them).
I got everything straighten out. In fact, the guy remembered that he sent the bank cards to Ecuador.
Then Jayne and I started walking some more. We stopped at Starbucks. I just had coffee and Jayne didn’t have anything. Since we didn’t have coffee with our breakfast, I thought I would get one now. Anyhow, the small cappuccino was 3.50 eruos.
I realized at this time that my watch was wrong. I said let’s go and see Clive and Mary as we were to meet them for lunch. I saw Clive washing the car.
We all had a nice chat and drinks at the hotel that they are staying at (until Saturday). Then we walked over to see Yiannis, as Clive and Mary hadn’t seen him since they were last here.
Yiannis has an internet cafι there. I had told him when he first opened up the western union office there, that he would be good to put some computers there for internet. I mentioned that to him today, and he said, ‘Was that you who told me?’ And I said yes.
I saw that Jayne was up about 7.30am, and thought that was early. I got up, too. Anyhow, it was half way through the day that I realized if forgot to set my watch two hours ahead.
We went out to get some coffee. As we walked passed Yiannis’ office in the apart.. Complex I saw him and he saw us.
We went inside and greeted each other. I saw Agnus, there, too (his worker). It was great to see him.
The office had been done up real nice since I was last there. He also has other work being done on the building. I noticed that he closed off the entrance to the Valana Hotel.
After we chatted awhile, we went to get some breakfast at a place called Shakespeare. Then we went to my bank to take care of bank business. I noticed when we walked down the main street that there were three new coffee cafes. I mean this is really getting crazy - they were all next to each other, too. There is another section where there is a row of coffee cafes (as I call them).
I got everything straighten out. In fact, the guy remembered that he sent the bank cards to Ecuador.
Then Jayne and I started walking some more. We stopped at Starbucks. I just had coffee and Jayne didn’t have anything. Since we didn’t have coffee with our breakfast, I thought I would get one now. Anyhow, the small cappuccino was 3.50 eruos.
I realized at this time that my watch was wrong. I said let’s go and see Clive and Mary as we were to meet them for lunch. I saw Clive washing the car.
We all had a nice chat and drinks at the hotel that they are staying at (until Saturday). Then we walked over to see Yiannis, as Clive and Mary hadn’t seen him since they were last here.
Yiannis has an internet cafι there. I had told him when he first opened up the western union office there, that he would be good to put some computers there for internet. I mentioned that to him today, and he said, ‘Was that you who told me?’ And I said yes.
We Leave for Cyprus
Wednesday September 9
I got a call from Clive to say that Norman will not be able to pick us up at the airport as he’s in hospital with a chest infection. He said that Norman’s wife will pick them up at Pafos and take them to Limassol. Then Clive said he’ll pick us up at Larnaka airport, using Norman’s wife’s car.
This is very nice of them, as they would be getting in limas sol only a couple of hours before.
I got up about 6.30am and started to get ready for our trip. I woke Jayne up at 8.00am.
The taxi arrived about noon and the cost to the airport was £35 , which isn’t bad. It took the drive a while to get to Kinver and it took 45 minutes to the airport.
Since we had plenty of time, we had something to eat, then went to another place to read the newspaper.
The plane departed on time about 6pm.
When we got in, I thought I would have to fill out a landing form, but I didn’t. the customs guy did look at my passport longer, then looked for a page to put the stamp inside. That was the fastest I’ve been through an airport in the EU.
The baggage took about 30 minutes to come in. I don’t know what the wait was for. It came in in dribs and drabs.
I saw Mary in the crowd. We kissed and hugged and I interdicted her to Jayne. Mary called Clive to bring the car around. Then we headed back to Limassol.
Clive took us to an all night bakery so we could buy something for the morning. This was nice of him. Then he took us to Yiannis’ apartment complex. Mary gave me the key at that time (room 306).
We all took the luggage to the room. It’s a studio flat with a double bed, sofa and kitchen table. It also has a little balcony with a view of the Valana Hotel.
It was about 2am local time. (when we arrived it was about 12.30am, which made the flight about 4.15 long)
I got a call from Clive to say that Norman will not be able to pick us up at the airport as he’s in hospital with a chest infection. He said that Norman’s wife will pick them up at Pafos and take them to Limassol. Then Clive said he’ll pick us up at Larnaka airport, using Norman’s wife’s car.
This is very nice of them, as they would be getting in limas sol only a couple of hours before.
I got up about 6.30am and started to get ready for our trip. I woke Jayne up at 8.00am.
The taxi arrived about noon and the cost to the airport was £35 , which isn’t bad. It took the drive a while to get to Kinver and it took 45 minutes to the airport.
Since we had plenty of time, we had something to eat, then went to another place to read the newspaper.
The plane departed on time about 6pm.
When we got in, I thought I would have to fill out a landing form, but I didn’t. the customs guy did look at my passport longer, then looked for a page to put the stamp inside. That was the fastest I’ve been through an airport in the EU.
The baggage took about 30 minutes to come in. I don’t know what the wait was for. It came in in dribs and drabs.
I saw Mary in the crowd. We kissed and hugged and I interdicted her to Jayne. Mary called Clive to bring the car around. Then we headed back to Limassol.
Clive took us to an all night bakery so we could buy something for the morning. This was nice of him. Then he took us to Yiannis’ apartment complex. Mary gave me the key at that time (room 306).
We all took the luggage to the room. It’s a studio flat with a double bed, sofa and kitchen table. It also has a little balcony with a view of the Valana Hotel.
It was about 2am local time. (when we arrived it was about 12.30am, which made the flight about 4.15 long)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tickets to Cyprus
Thursday August 20
Jayne got her passport with her married name on it. Hurrah!
I went to the village to the travel agency to see about ticket for Cyprus. The woman found a flight for 290 £ round trip per person. This will be on Sept 6 and leaves from Birmingham to Larnaka. I told her I would be back to pay for this.
In the evening I called Yianni to tell him that we are coming. He was glad to hear from me. I told him why I couldn’t get to Cyprus earlier.
Yianni didn’t offer his home, (I didn’t ask as I wanted him to offer). He said that his daughter will be getting married on Sept 3. So I presume that they are living at his house.
I asked him if he could check with the Valana Hotel to see if they have anything. He said he would but also said to check online with Olympic Holidays as this hotel goes through them (as most of them do in Cyprus).
I told him I’d call him back tomorrow
At this time, Jayne said that it might be better for me to fly ahead to find a flat before we arrive.
Friday August 21
I called Yianni and he said that the Valana wanted 50£ a night. He said that was high and said he probably could get something at a nicer hotel and get breakfast included for less than this. I asked him if he could look up the Tasianna, as I found this the cheapest online (which is also close to his office). He said he would.
The I thought after I call him to look for an apartment to rent. If he can find a place before I come, it will saving having to go to a hotel and spend extra money. As it is, I would need about two weeks in a hotel to give us time to find a flat to rent.
Yianni said that there is a studio available in the apartment complex that he owns. He said that maybe my wife will not like living in such a small space. But at least we know that he have a place ‘to hang our hats’ when we arrive.
I told him that I’ll buy the tickets tomorrow and give him a call in the evening again.
Saturday August 22
We got our flight tickets!
Lil had come home from being in her other house. She came in about 6.30am she told me. She had been away for about 10 days.
Jayne and I went to the village to buy tickets for Cyprus. She decided to leave with me, although she realizes that she might have to stay in a studio flat with me.
The agent did some looking, including the date that she gave me previously. She found another flight that is cheaper but it’s on another day, and the savings will be 60£! So we took that one. It flies out of Birmingham and arrives about 20 minutes past midnight. The price is 625£ which includes airport tax, and the extra we would have to pay for 5 kilos of weight. This is the price for both of us and for the extra weight. We are allowed 5 kilos carry on.
It’s a rip off in a way as the EU allows 20 kilos each.
Jayne paid with her debt card. I couldn’t pay with mine as mine expired. I’ll have to get a new one in Cyprus.
I know that Yianni will first offer the place for free (if we stay a short time), but I want to pay him. So if he charges it will be less than what he gets from others. Anyway we look at it it will be cheaper than a 2 star hotel, as we’ll be getting only a studio and be able to leave as soon as we find a flat of our own. With a hotel stay of two weeks we would have to pay in advance, so if we find something in one week, we’d still have that money out of our pocket.
Sunday August 23
Steve and his new girlfriend came over to deliver the furniture that Lil wanted here. So I helped him unload.
Bring more furniture over here is something that Jayne, Steve and I can’t understand. This was a bed, cabinet and refrigerator from the other house. The house here is literally full of furniture already as the walls of each room is lined with something.
The refrig was put in the garage, and the other furniture was put in one of the bedrooms. What we had to do was, put the mattress on top of the bed and the frame laying against it (the bed that’s already there).
The problem is, where will a guest sleep? Sometimes Jack, Andrew’s son stays over. Lil used to sleep in the room where the extra furniture was put in. now she’s in the smallest room.
Jayne told he that she doesn’t like to throw anything out - well I can see that!!
In the afternoon, I called my mother and we had a nice chat. I told her that we are going to Cyprus in September.
Later I called Clive to tell him the news. As it turned out, he and Mary will be going to Cyprus the same day. They will be on another airline from another airport (Gatwick) and be arriving earlier.
He told me that they will be staying at the Sunquest Hotel from the time of their arrival to Saturday. So, we will be able to meet, as we will be within walking distance. Once they move to their flat, they will be about one hour and 15 minutes away.
Then Clive called back later to say that he will ask his friends if they could pick us up. He said he’ll send me the details tomorrow. So, he asked about the details of our flight.
That would be very nice of his friends Mariel and Norman, as it will be 12.30 in the morning that we’ll arrive. I said I will pay them, but it’s still nice.
Now, the problem of getting our flat keys when we arrive will be solved, as they can pick up the key from Yianni.
Clive said that they know me as they stayed at the Valana Hotel when I did. I don’t recall them but when see their faces I’ll recognize them.
Jayne got her passport with her married name on it. Hurrah!
I went to the village to the travel agency to see about ticket for Cyprus. The woman found a flight for 290 £ round trip per person. This will be on Sept 6 and leaves from Birmingham to Larnaka. I told her I would be back to pay for this.
In the evening I called Yianni to tell him that we are coming. He was glad to hear from me. I told him why I couldn’t get to Cyprus earlier.
Yianni didn’t offer his home, (I didn’t ask as I wanted him to offer). He said that his daughter will be getting married on Sept 3. So I presume that they are living at his house.
I asked him if he could check with the Valana Hotel to see if they have anything. He said he would but also said to check online with Olympic Holidays as this hotel goes through them (as most of them do in Cyprus).
I told him I’d call him back tomorrow
At this time, Jayne said that it might be better for me to fly ahead to find a flat before we arrive.
Friday August 21
I called Yianni and he said that the Valana wanted 50£ a night. He said that was high and said he probably could get something at a nicer hotel and get breakfast included for less than this. I asked him if he could look up the Tasianna, as I found this the cheapest online (which is also close to his office). He said he would.
The I thought after I call him to look for an apartment to rent. If he can find a place before I come, it will saving having to go to a hotel and spend extra money. As it is, I would need about two weeks in a hotel to give us time to find a flat to rent.
Yianni said that there is a studio available in the apartment complex that he owns. He said that maybe my wife will not like living in such a small space. But at least we know that he have a place ‘to hang our hats’ when we arrive.
I told him that I’ll buy the tickets tomorrow and give him a call in the evening again.
Saturday August 22
We got our flight tickets!
Lil had come home from being in her other house. She came in about 6.30am she told me. She had been away for about 10 days.
Jayne and I went to the village to buy tickets for Cyprus. She decided to leave with me, although she realizes that she might have to stay in a studio flat with me.
The agent did some looking, including the date that she gave me previously. She found another flight that is cheaper but it’s on another day, and the savings will be 60£! So we took that one. It flies out of Birmingham and arrives about 20 minutes past midnight. The price is 625£ which includes airport tax, and the extra we would have to pay for 5 kilos of weight. This is the price for both of us and for the extra weight. We are allowed 5 kilos carry on.
It’s a rip off in a way as the EU allows 20 kilos each.
Jayne paid with her debt card. I couldn’t pay with mine as mine expired. I’ll have to get a new one in Cyprus.
I know that Yianni will first offer the place for free (if we stay a short time), but I want to pay him. So if he charges it will be less than what he gets from others. Anyway we look at it it will be cheaper than a 2 star hotel, as we’ll be getting only a studio and be able to leave as soon as we find a flat of our own. With a hotel stay of two weeks we would have to pay in advance, so if we find something in one week, we’d still have that money out of our pocket.
Sunday August 23
Steve and his new girlfriend came over to deliver the furniture that Lil wanted here. So I helped him unload.
Bring more furniture over here is something that Jayne, Steve and I can’t understand. This was a bed, cabinet and refrigerator from the other house. The house here is literally full of furniture already as the walls of each room is lined with something.
The refrig was put in the garage, and the other furniture was put in one of the bedrooms. What we had to do was, put the mattress on top of the bed and the frame laying against it (the bed that’s already there).
The problem is, where will a guest sleep? Sometimes Jack, Andrew’s son stays over. Lil used to sleep in the room where the extra furniture was put in. now she’s in the smallest room.
Jayne told he that she doesn’t like to throw anything out - well I can see that!!
In the afternoon, I called my mother and we had a nice chat. I told her that we are going to Cyprus in September.
Later I called Clive to tell him the news. As it turned out, he and Mary will be going to Cyprus the same day. They will be on another airline from another airport (Gatwick) and be arriving earlier.
He told me that they will be staying at the Sunquest Hotel from the time of their arrival to Saturday. So, we will be able to meet, as we will be within walking distance. Once they move to their flat, they will be about one hour and 15 minutes away.
Then Clive called back later to say that he will ask his friends if they could pick us up. He said he’ll send me the details tomorrow. So, he asked about the details of our flight.
That would be very nice of his friends Mariel and Norman, as it will be 12.30 in the morning that we’ll arrive. I said I will pay them, but it’s still nice.
Now, the problem of getting our flat keys when we arrive will be solved, as they can pick up the key from Yianni.
Clive said that they know me as they stayed at the Valana Hotel when I did. I don’t recall them but when see their faces I’ll recognize them.
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