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Capital: Nicosia
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This was my second time in Cyprus. I had spent a week here visiting Limasol, Nicosia and Larnaca in 1995 after four months in Africa. Spending a day here was a last minute impulse that grabbed me when I learned that my Athens to Beirut flight would stop here on the way. I'm glad I did stop, it gave me a chance to chat with the people on the Greek side about the pros and cons of joining the European Union and about the impending American invasion of Iraq. Also, on that night, I had the best roast lamb I ever tasted, washed down with a rough local red wine. |
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The hotels on the Larnaca waterfront were empty like they had never been in the low season.
The 9th century Church of St Lazarus in the centre of town had been nicely refurbished since I was here last but there were no tourists to admire it.
These arcades next to the church were added in the 17th century.
St Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca. The legend has it that he lived here another 30 years after being resurrected by Jesus. The Orthodox Greek Cypriots believe this literally but the Muslim Cypriots of Turkish origin think such tales are bunk.
Here is the entrance to the Larnaca Fort. Built in 1625, it has now been converted into a museum.
The Cypriots I talked to were unanimous in condemning the American war on Iraq mostly because it caused a drastic reduction in tourism. The many restaurants in this street were offering specials but they were all empty anyway.
Front view of the Buyuk mosque.
Kofi Annan was in Nicosia while I was in Larnaca. Opinions were divided on joining the European Union, many thought it would be good for the economy but some thought that the islands Greeks and Turks would never learn to get along.
Back view of the Buyuk mosque showing the ongoing restoration of its minaret.
A colourful market near the centre.
Some shop keepers were opposed to joining the European Union because they feared the bureaucratic regulations and controls that would ensue.
After 24 hours, I moved on to Beirut.
