Days 479-483, 4-8 Oct '15, Larnaca Day Trip and Self-Guided Walking Tour.

This is our first trip to Cyprus, and whilst our village is charming, rustic and very quiet and the pool is fab, we finally recovered from our Athens sight-seeing overload today and pointed the 4WD beast towards Larnaca for a day trip. We followed a self-guided walking tour map from the info centre that directed us around the cultural sights (check out the album). One of the highlights, and our first stop was The Church of Saint Lazarus. Yes. That Lazarus. Hangover Lazarus. We honestly didn't know what to expect - were even wondering if we were thinking about the correct Lazarus. Then we saw the bones in the relic case. Wow. This is the most important Byzantine church on the island (apparently) and was built about 900 AD. It is beautiful (see picture above) and we timed our stroll in just before a huge tour group. We immediately headed down to the crypt where the tomb of Lazarus was. Now for those who are going "who"? Lazarus of Bethany (later known as Lazarus of the Four Days) was a friend of Christ (yes... going back aways now). Lazarus was sick. Jesus refused to go and help him until 4 days after he was dead and buried. Jesus called out, after the grave stone was removed "Lazarus, Come out!". And he did, grave wrappings and all. Biblically speaking seen as the miracle that started the chain of events that led to the crucifixion. With thanks to Wiki for the background story. We're more from the sphere where once upon a time, a long time ago, helpful mates would sing out "Lazarus Arises!" after we emerged following a big night out. But it all makes perfect sense now.

We are finding in our travels (and as we research a couple more day trips to Nicosia and Limassol) that Cyprus is steeped in history. Seriously, pickled in the stuff. In terms of thems' in charge, Cyprus has been handed around like no-ones business - Mycenaeans, Greeks, Egyptians (Cleopatra and her son), Romans, Persians, Phoenicians, Byzantines, Arabs, English (Richard I) and we're only up to 1192. Richard sold it to The Knights Templar who sold it to Guy of Lusignan (who used to run Jerusalem). He and his descendants lasted a few hundred years and the last sold it to the Venetians (is that where the pasta came from?), then Ottoman Turks, the British and now the somewhat awkward independent Republic of Cyprus (mainly Greek Cypriots in the south) - a member of the EU though not the Schengen Zone. Then we have the Turkish Republic of Cyprus in the north. Which is officially recognised by, well, Turkey. But no-one else. So when we fly out of the north, the plane has to go via Turkey - since the airport is not recognised as "international". We were fascinated to discover that the Knights Templar owned Cyprus at one point and had their HQ here - but they didn't have enough boots on the ground to really maintain control - so they sold it on fairly swiftly. We are planning to visit the Kolossi Castle during our stay - the Templars Castle. Given the 'haircut' the banks here had a few years ago during the crisis - some have said the dozens of banks that Cyprus had/has for a mere 1 million population demonstrates the Templars as bankers have never left!

On a lighter note than Cyprus as a Pass-the-Parcel nation, it's been 10 months since we've had sushi. Last time was mid-December 2015, the middle of winter, in Paris. We discovered a great all-you-can-order sushi restaurant called Hitomi. Unfortunately, between Marrakesh (none), Ireland (not much) and Spain (there... but horrendously expensive), sushi has been off the menu since Paris. However, in Larnaca we headed to Sushi-La for lunch. We arrived spot on 1 pm for their sushi/asian buffet lunch and it was lucky we did - packed by 1.30 pm. Not the best sushi ever - but certainly the best for €10.90 each. We were as happy as clams after lunch and couldn't believe the weather had changed in just the space of an hour. Actual clouds and spitting rain. Back to the car and we had a stop at the Larnaca Salt Lake, a mosque and then a Byzantine church with a stunning mosaic. Thankfully we were in the 4WD beast as we were in torrential rain for a good part of the drive home. After 30 minutes we had driven out of the cloud zone and it was brilliantly hot and sunny so we headed out with the pooches for a big walk and then a swim.

Plans? Rest day tomorrow then, as luck would have it, Saturday is "Free Day" in the capital Nicosia. We'd been planning to go there anyway... so Saturday it is. Free? Fabulous!