UPDATE OF INDEX

Update of Index

To remind my reader of how to view a particular location: Click on to the 'arrow' next to the relevant year at the 'blog archive' list top right of most recent blog. This opens up the month selections. Then click on to relevant month arrow and that will open up the blogs in that month.

It's a long scroll down to the latest on this list!

If you wish to enlarge a photo, just single click on it.

Incidently, if using a 'smartphone', scroll down to the bottom of the first page where you  should opt to 'view web version'. This allows you to select the 'arrows' as above.

 

It seems that after a long period of not being able to 'comment' on these blogs, the problem has been resolved (I think). If you wish to make a 'comment' (anonymous if you prefer), however rude, in the box at the bottom of each blog, please do so! 

List of Posts

2011

Jan

1.      The Beginning

2.      At Sea - Now Antwerp - Belgium

3.      Stranded in Le Havre - France
Feb

4.      Crossing The Pond

5.      Noo Yawk, Noo Yawk - USA

6.      Virginia - USA

7.      Washington DC - USA

8.      Columbia - South Carolina - USA

9.      Charleston - South Carolina - USA
Mar

10.    Miami - Florida - USA

11.    Fort Lauderdale - Florida - USA

12.    Savannah - Georgia - USA

13.    Boston - Massachusetts - USA

14.    Boston - Post Script - USA

15.    Niagara Falls - Ontario - Canada

16.    Toronto - Ontario - Canada

17.    Winnipeg - Manitoba - Canada

18.    The Canadian - Toronto to Vancouver - Canada
Apr

19.    Vancouver Island - British Columbia - Canada

20.    Seattle - Washington - USA

21.    Amtrak. Seattle to San Francisco - USA

22.    San Francisco - California (Part 1) - USA

23.    San Francisco - California (Part 2) - USA

24.    San Diego - California - USA

25.    Tijuana to La Paz - Mexico

26.    La Paz - Mexico

27.    Mazatlan - Mexico
May

28.    Guadalajara - Mexico

29.    Mexico City

30.    San Christobal de Las Casas - Mexico

31.    Antigua - Guatemala

32.    San Salvador - El Salvador

33.    Managua and Granada - Nicaragua
Jun

34.    San José - Costa Rica

35.    Panama City

36.    Flight to Lima - Peru

37.    Lima - Peru

38.    Nazca - Peru

39.    Cusco - Peru

40.    Machu Picchu - Peru

41.    Andean Explorer - Peru

42.    Puno (Lake Titicaca) - Peru

43.    Arequipa - Peru
Jul

44.    Panama to Auckland - New Zealand

45.    Bay of Islands - New Zealand

46.    Lake Taupo - New Zealand

47.    Cape Reinga - New Zealand

48.    Russel Birdman Festival - New Zealand
Aug

49.    Rotorua - New Zealand

50.    Napier - New Zealand

51.    Wellington - New Zealand

52.    Blenheim - New Zealand

53.    Nelson - New Zealand

54.    West Coast, South Island - New Zealand

55.    Queenstown - New Zealand

56.    Lake Tekapo - New Zealand

57.    Christchurch - New Zealand

58.    Kaikoura - New Zealand

59.    Auckland - New Zealand

60.    Across the Tasman Sea
Sep

61.    Sydney (Part 1) - Australia 

62.    Sydney (Part 2) - Australia 

63.    Melbourne (Part 1) - Australia 

64.    Melbourne (Part 2) - Australia 

65.    Tasmania - Australia
Oct

66.    Adelaide - Australia

67.    The Ghan - Adelaide to Darwin - Australia

68.    Darwin - Australia

69.    The Red Centre - Australia

70.    Back to Adelaide - Australia

71.    Onwards to Brisbane - Australia

72.    Brisbane to Singapore (Part 1)

73.    Taxis
Nov

74.    Brisbane to Singapore (Part 2)

75.    Brisbane to Singapore (Part 3)

76.    Singapore (Part 1)

77.    Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia

78.    Up Country - Malaysia

79.    Singapore (Part 2)

80.    Mozart. Malaysia to Sri Lanka

81.    Colombo - Sri Lanka

82.    Coffee
Dec

83.    Kandy - Sri Lanka

84.    Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka

85.    Back to Colombo - Sri Lanka

86.    Galle - Sri Lanka

87.    The Ancient Cities - Sri Lanka

88.    Trincomalee - Sri Lanka

89.    Negombo - Sri Lanka

90.    Tiruchirappalli - India
91.    Kerala - India

2012

Jan
92.    Goa - India
93.    Bombay - India
94.    Delhi - India
95.    Palace On Wheels. Rajasthan (Part 1) - India
96.    Palace On Wheels. Rajasthan (Part 2) - India
97.    Palace On Wheels. Rajasthan (Part 3) - India
98.    Palace On Wheels. Rajasthan (Part 4) - India
99.    Palace On Wheels. Rajasthan (Part 5) - India
100.  Calcutta - India
Feb
101.  Rangoon - Burma
102.  The Train To Bagan - Burma
103.  Bagan - Burma
104.  Mandalay (Part 1) - Burma
105.  Mandalay (Part 2) - Burma
106.  Inle Lake - Burma
107.  Ngapali Beach - Burma
108.  Bangkok - Thailand
109.  Siem Reap - Cambodia
Mar
110.  Phnom Penh - Cambodia
111.  Saigon - Vietnam
112.  Hanoi - Vietnam
Apr
113.  Sa Pa - Vietnam
114.  Ha Long Bay - Vietnam
115.  Beijing (Part 1) - China
116.  Hong Kong
117.  Beijing (Part 2) - China
May
118.  Mongolia
119.  Siberia - Russia
120.  Trans-Siberian to Moscow
121.  Moscow (Part 1) - Russia
122.  Moscow (Part 2) - Russia
123.  St Petersburg - Russia
124.  Helsinki - Finland
125.  Rovaniemi - Finland
126.  Up To Kirkenes - Norway
127.  Hurtigruten (Part 1) - Norway
128.  Hurtigruten (Part 2) - Norway
129.  Hurtigruten (Part 3) - Norway
130.  Hurtigruten (Part 4) - Norway
Jun
131.  Bergen to Oslo - Norway
132.  Oslo - Norway
133.  Copenhagen - Denmark
134.  Hamburg - Germany
135.  Hook of Holland - and Home
Jul
136.  The End
Aug
137.  Post Script - London
138.  Stand-by For More...

2013

Sep
139.  To The Democratic Peoples Republic Of Korea (North Korea)
140.  Pyongyang 1 - North Korea
141.  Pyongyang 2 - North Korea
Oct
142.  Kaesong and Panmunjom - North Korea
143.  Back to Pyongyang - North Korea
144.  Pyongyang 3 - North Korea
145.  Samjiyon and Mount Paekdu - North Korea
146.  Daehongdan County - North Korea
147.  Chongjin - North Korea
148.  Hamhung - North Korea
149.  Wonsan and Mount Kumgang - North Korea
150.  Mount Kumgang 2 - North Korea
151.  Mount Kumgang 3 - North Korea
152.  Wonsan Again - North Korea
153.  Back To Pyongyang and On To Nampo - North Korea
Nov
154.  Nampo and Back To Pyongyang - North Korea
155.  Train To Beijing - North Korea
156.  The Finale
157.  Impressions of North Korea
158.  Vids From North Korea
Dec
159.  Zambia
160.  Battledore Farm - Zambia
161.  Cool Bananas - Zambia
162.  Banana Hazards - Zambia
163.  Back On The Farm - Zambia
164.  Continued Jollities - Zambia

2014

Jan
165.  Christmas In Darkest Africa - Zambia
166.  Lusaka 1  - Zambia
167.  Lusaka 2  - Zambia
168.  Livingston (I Presume) - Zambia
169.  On Safari - Botswana
170.  Ndola N'Home - Zambia
Feb
171.  Onwards To Sarf America
Mar
172.  Buenos Aires and The Wedding - Argentina
173.  Around Buenos Aires - Argentina
174.  Jujuy Province - Argentina
175.  Salta - Argentina
176.  Cordoba - Argentina
177.  Mendoza - Argentina
178.  Santiago (Part 1) - Chile
179.  Olmue and Valparaiso - Chile
180.  Santiago (Part 2) - Chile
Apr
181.  To Osorno and Bariloche - Argentina
182.  Bariloche - Argentina
183.  Ruta National 40 - Argentina
184.  El Calafate - Argentina
185.  Tierra Del Fuego (Part 1) - Argentina
186.  Tierra Del Fuego (Part 2) - Argentina
187.  Iguazu - Argentina
188.  Buenos Aires - Finale - Argentina

2015

Jan
189.  The Saga Of My Nearly Lost Hat - UK
Jul
190.  We Wish To Apologise... - UK
Aug
191.  Those Blasted Announcements... - UK
Sep
192.  Tuscany By Train - France
193.  Mulhouse to Montecatini - Italy
194.  Florence - Italy
195.  Around Montecatini - Italy
196.  Lucca and Pisa - Italy
197.  Venice 1 - Italy
Oct
198.  Venice 2 - Italy
199.  Venice 3 - Italy
200.  Turin - Italy
Dec
201.  'Nam Revisited - Vietnam
202.  Saigon Again - Vietnam

2016

Jan
203.  Merry Keesmah - Vietnam
204.  Up The Mekong - Vietnam
205.  Happy Noo Yeer - Vietnam
Mar
206.  Snowdrops - UK
207.  Turkey - An Inspiration
208.  Istanbul Or Bust
209.  Budapest - Briefly - Hungary
210.  Brasov - Transylvania - Romania
Apr
211.  Bucharest - Romania
212.  Onwards To Istanbul - Bulgaria
213.  This Was Constantinople - Turkey
214.  Up The Bosphorous - Turkey
215.  The Turkish Bath - Turkey
Sep
216.  Up The Kennet - UK
Oct
217.  Down The Baltics
218.  Tallinn 1 - Estonia
219.  Tallinn 2 - Estonia
220.  Tallinn 3 - Estonia
221.  On To Riga - Latvia
222.  Around Riga - Latvia
223.  Riga Finale - Stuck Up A Steeple - Latvia
224.  Vilnius...And The Dark Side - Lithuania
225.  Vilnius...The Bright Side - Lithuania
Nov
226.  A Damp Day In Warsaw - Poland
227.  Berlin And Bed Bugs In Brussels - Belgium
228.  Cultural Day In Lille - France
Dec
229.  Bah Humbug And Chrexit - Vietnam
230.  Laid-Back Laos - Vientiane - Laos
231.  Va Va Vang Vieng - Laos
232.  Vang Vieng Voom Voom - Laos

2017

Jan
233.  Luang Prabang - Laos
234.  Luang Prabang And Elephants - Laos
Oct
235.  Ariba Ariba and Off to Cuba
Nov
236.  Havana Wander - Cuba
237.  Havana Further Wander - Cuba
238.  On West to Viñales - Cuba
239.  Cienfuegos - Cuba
240.  Ye Olde Town of Trinidad - Cuba
241.  Santa Clara. Viva La Revolución - Cuba
242.  Varadero. - Cuba
243.  Guanabo. Playa del Ested - Cuba
Dec
244.  Back to Havana - Cuba
245.  Havana Finale - Cuba
246.  Chrexit 2017 - Thailand
247.  Phuket and Beaches - Thailand
248.  Phuket Town - Thailand
249.  Saigon Again - Vietnam

2018

Jan
250.  Wats in Chiang Mai - Thailand
251.  A Day Out in Chiang Mai - Thailand
252.  More Chiang Mai - Thailand
Feb
253.  Chiang Mai - Bangkok - and Home
Apr
254.  Silly Signs
May
255.  By Plane to Ukraine
Jun
256.  Kiev Part 1 - Ukraine
257.  Kiev Part 2 - Ukraine
258.  Chernobyl Disaster. The Background Story - Ukraine
259.  Chernobyl Part 1 - Ukraine
Jul
260.  Pripyat. The Ghost Town - Ukraine
261.  Chernobyl Part 2 - Ukraine
262.  Bermuda or Bust - Bermuda
Aug
263.  St. George's - Bermuda
264.  More Bermuda
265.  Carnival Time - Bermuda
266.  Hamilton - Bermuda
267.  Finale - Bermuda
Sep
268.  Update of Index 2

Nov

269. Colombia. Caramba

270. Bogota. A Prelude - Colombia

271. Transport around Bogota - Colombia

272. More Bogota - Colombia

273. Medellín - Colombia

274. More Medellín - Colombia

Dec

275. On to Cartageña - Colombia

276. Santa Marta - Colombia

277. Bogota. Post Script - Colombia

278. Chrismiss 2018 - Thailand

2019

Jan

279. Saigon Again - Viêt Nam

280. Vietnam Underground - Viêt Nam
Apr
281. Amsterdam Cultural Tour - Holland
282. Yodel-ay-ee-Hoo around Switzerland
May
283. Yodelling on and back - Switzerland
284. Down the Balkans to Ljubljana - Slovenia
285. Down to Split - Croatia
286. Split to Dubrovnik - Croatia
287. On South to Montenegro
June
288. Cetinje - Montenegro
289. To the beach - Montenegro
290. Bar and back home - Montenegro
Sept
291. To Japanada (or Canapan)
292. Vancouver Island - Canada
Oct
293. All Aboard the Westerdam - Canada
294. Juneau (Juneau What?) - Alaska
295. Onwards Westwards
296. Past Kodiak Island and Beyond
297. Across the Bering sea
298. Kushiro Briefly - Japan
299. Arrival Yokohama - Japan
300. Kyoto Intro - Japan
301. More Kyoto. Day 1 - Japan
302. More Kyoto. Day 2 - Japan
303. Hiroshima - Japan
304. Nagasaki - Japan
305. Brief Visit to Kure - Japan
306. Tokyo - Japan
307. Sayonara Nippon - Japan

Dec

308. (Not) Christmas Again
309. No 'Ell in Far East - Thailand
310. OMG!. Pattaya - Thailand

2020

Jan
311. Sodom and Gomorrah - Thailand
312. Back to 'Nam Again - Vietnam
313. Đà lạt  Part 1 - Vietnam
314. Đà lạt  Part 2 - Vietnam

Apr

315. Lockdown. Week 1

316. Lockdown. Week 2

317. Lockdown. Week 3

318. Lockdown. Week 4

319. Lockdown. Week 5

May

320. Lockdown. Week 6

321. Lockdown. Week 7

322. Lulok Island. Part 1. Arrival.

323. Lulok Island. Part 2. The Village.

Jun

324. Lulok Island. Part 3. The Hills.

325. Lulok Island. Part 4. The Aztecs.

Jul

326. Lulok Island. Part 5. The Coast.

Aug

327. Lulok Island. Part 6. The Capital.

Sep

328. To Stockholm - Sweden

329. More Stockholm - Sweden

330. Yet More Stockholm - Sweden

331. Uppsala - Sweden

332. Tällberg - Sweden

Oct

333. Mora - Sweden

334. Back to Stockholm - Sweden

335. Finale Stockholm and Home - Sweden

Nov

336. Zanzibar or Bust.

337. Stone Town - Zanzibar

338. Nungwi - Zanzibar

339. The East Cost - Zanzibar

340. Bwejuu - Zanzibar

341. Back to Stone Town - Zanzibar

342. Tortoise and Spice - Zanzibar

Dec

343. Temple, Shops & Slaves - Zanzibar

344. Mainland Tanzania and Back - Tanzania

345. More Stone Town - Zanzibar

346. Further Haunts & Sights - Zanzibar

347. Final Fling in Zanzibar

348. On to Ndola - Zambia

349. Gone Bananas Again - Zambia

2021

Jan

350. Back to Livingstone (I presume) - Zambia

351. The Falls and Zambezi - Zambia

352. Booze Cruise and Wildlife - Zambia

353. Back to the Bananas - Zambia

Feb

Now back in Stasi UK and travel illegal or difficult and expensive until 202?

Mar

354. Single Life - UK

Apr

355. Single Life 2 - UK

May

356. Single Life 3 - UK

357. My Little Covid Rant

Dec

358. More Frustrations and Events - UK

359. Chrexit 2021

360. Onwards to Bangkok - Thailand

361. Back in Bangkok - Thailand

2022

Jan

362. Pattaya and Jomtien Revisited - Thailand

363. Art in Paradise Pattaya - Thailand

364. The Highlife in Bangkok - Thailand

365. The Train to Kanchanaburi - Thailand

366. The Bridge - Kanchanaburi - Thailand

367. More Sights around Kanchanaburi - Thailand

368. 50 Ridiculous Rules

369. Out and About around Kanchanaburi - Thailand

Feb

370. Back to Bangkok - Thailand

371. Bangkok and Home - Thailand

May

372. Return to Warsaw - Poland

373. By train to Ukraine - Ukraine

374. Checkin' Kyiv - Ukraine

375. More Kyiv - Ukraine

376. Encore and Farewell Kyiv - Ukraine

377. Train back to Warsaw - Poland

378. Krakon to Krakow - Poland

379. More Krakow and Home - Poland

Aug

380. Old Buffers and Geriatrics Pool Society

Oct

381. Silly Signs and Nutty Notices

Nov

382. To Brussels and Beyond - Europe

383. Tally Ho! To Tirana - Albania

384. Touring Tirana - Albania

385. More Tirana - Albania

386. Yet More Tirana - Albania

Dec

387. Toodle Pip Tirana - Albania

388. Chrexodus 2022

389. Saigon Saigon - Vietnam

390. The Journey to  Đà Lạt - Vietnam

391. Đà Lạt Revisited - Vietnam

392. Đà Lạt Day Tour Part 1 - Vietnam

393. Đà Lạt Day Tour Part 2 - Vietnam

394. On to Nha Trang - Vietnam

395. Hué - Vietnam

2023

Jan

396. The Dee Em Zee Part 1 - Vietnam

397. The Dee Em Zee Part 2 - Vietnam

398. Uncle Sam in Vietnam - Vietnam

399. Hué back to Sài Gòn - Vietnam

400. New Year in Saigon - Vietnam

Jul

401. Bits and Bobs

402. To Portugal. Algarve - Portugal

403. On to Lisbon - Portugal

404. A Trip to Bélem - Portugal

405. A Day in Cascais - Portugal

406. Encore Lisbon - Portugal

Aug

407. To Porto (or Oporto) - Portugal

408. Up the Douro - Portugal

409. By Train Again to Ukraine - Poland/Ukraine

410. Around Lviv. A Start on Svobody - Ukraine

411. Lviv and the War - Ukraine

412. Churches and More in Lviv - Ukraine

413. Lviv Finale and Home. Eventually - Ukraine/Poland

Dec

414. Chrexit 2023

415. Off to Taiwan - Taiwan

416. A Start in Taipei - Taiwan

417. Taipei 2 - Taiwan

418. Taipei 3 - Taiwan

419. Up Taipei - Taiwan

420. Taipei. Post Script - Taiwan

421. South to Tainan - Taiwan

422. Hot Springs in Guanziling - Taiwan

423. Further South to Kaohsiung - Taiwan

424. More Kaohsiung - Taiwan

425. Around the Coast to Taitung - Taiwan

426. North up to Hualien - Taiwan

2024

Jan

427. Return to Taipei and Onwards - Taiwan/Vietnam

428. Taipei Finale and Home - Taiwan/UK

Mar

429. Train Again - Nuremburg - Germany 

430. Vienna - City of Dreams - Austria

Apr

431. Prague - City of a Hundred Spires - Czechia

432. Vorrüken zu Berlin (Part 1) - Germany

433. Mehr Berlin und Zurück - Germany

May

434. A Drive to Ukraine. Part 1

435. A Drive to Ukraine. Part 2

Jun

436. Cyprus Revisited 1

437. Cyprus Revisited 2

CYPRUS REVISITED 2

19th - 23rd Jun 2024

That evening I got a phone call from the lady at Dhekelia who, true to her word, had found someone to 'guide me' around the base. I was to meet him (the guide) tomorrow (Thursday 20th) at the entrance at 10.00am. So I did.

Left: An aerial shot of part of the base. Not my photo of course, but plenty of photos of the base are available 'on-line'! The Officers' Mess is circled, bottom right.

After showing several forms of ID I was issued with a temporary 'pass' and introduced to my Cypriot guide, called Paris. I was warned that under no circumstances was I to take any photos, and Paris "is under strict instructions to enforce this". I couldn't think what they could possibly be hiding on the base! Paris was a decent enough chap who spoke good English and, I think, worked there as a civilian mechanic or engineer. We got into his car and I asked if we could go first to the Officers' Mess, a place of great social importance in my days there.

Left: The Officers' Mess (pic taken very surreptitiously). I was being watched by Paris so didn't want to upset him by taking these 'illegal' photos! As a result you will mostly just have to put up with my writing.

My memories of the base were somewhat limited. We had to go into the Mess by the kitchens for some reason. The only people I saw in there were a lady member of the staff in the dining room and another lady outside who, I think, was a visiting medic of some sort. I hardly recognised the place as I think it had undergone several 'modifications' and 'extensions' (probably necessary due to the damage we drunkenly caused!). I couldn't even remember where my old room was. There is now a small swimming pool which wasn't there in my day. Beside this was a large notice which displayed all the many rules and regulations which you had to abide by....I think swimming was allowed, just, on sufferance. Another example of utterly unnecessary and obtrusive modern day 'elf 'n safety'. 

We visited the Station Headquarters building. It had a Union Flag flying proudly outside. Up a staircase to the offices level. This staircase had a notice which read "this stairway may be used in either direction"! What? Why should it not be?! Anyway there was a line of about 10 offices including that of the Base Commander, his 2 i/c, Adjutant, Admin Officer, Station WO1 and several others. Not a single one was occupied by a military person. Indeed the only people there, in one office, were a couple of civilian contractors mending a computer and a retired chap who was involved in some 'welfare' capacity. This was 10.15am on a weekday. Where were they all? Apparently the Base Commander was on leave. Maybe the rest were 'working from home'?

We then toured the base passing places I vaguely remembered including the schools, hospital, Sergeant's Mess, the NAAFI building (shop now named something differently), the transport garages etc. It seemed entirely deserted. I don't remember seeing any form of human life; let alone soldiers in uniform. It was like the Marie Celeste!

In my day this base would be humming mid-week (during the morning anyway). The large site of the old married quarters had been demolished. Apparently it was cheaper to build new ones than maintain the old. There were sizeable areas of these new houses and, again, I saw no activity. I found this extraordinary. I can't think what has happened. Perhaps that is why photos are strictly forbidden. Don't let the 'enemy' know the place has been abandoned! Actually, on the way out I did see one soldier, in combat uniform, manning one of the exit barriers. We had to leave the base at 11.00am because after this the gates were then all shut and locked!

Next I expressed an interest to go to Kingsfield Airfield, about a couple of miles outside the base. I used to go gliding there. No gliding there now, just a Sport Parachute Club. The parachute club used to be in nearby Pergamos Camp, but that has all gone. Parachuting was indeed taking place and I watched a few dropping out of the plane. I didn't get the chance to meet the guy in charge (he was busy directing operations from a rooftop). The six or seven parachutists (all stubblies) came from where, or did what, I gathered not. The only person I had a pleasant chat with was a sociable lady (daughter of a Brit but resident in Cyprus) who ran the café.

This had been a somewhat depressing and boring visit! I suspect the place is now just a 'dormitory' for visiting personnel.....?? I am none the wiser because I never met any military person with whom to discuss the situation.

Then back to Larnaca for a pleasant lunch on the sea-front. South of Larnaca there are several vast salt lakes. Left: A poor photo of one of them. They are solid white with salt and very extensive on both sides of the road. I'm not sure what geological feature causes the extreme saltiness in them.

Right: Back at the hotel. This lady, Olga, is a delightful Ukrainian and works in the bar and restaurant. She is most attractive and was very helpful and amusing company! Thank you Olga (and all the staff, who were all most efficient and attentive).

The next morning was spent on a local beach (Faros Beach) (left) which was 15 minutes walk from the hotel. At least it was uncrowded and there was a small café/bar. Not much to do other than paddle in the sea and sunbathe.

Right: The rules of the beach. No dogs? Why only dogs not allowed? Are all other animals permitted? I know Cyprus has a large cat population and, personally, I prefer the company of dogs to cats. Could I bring my pet sheep, or camel......?

Left: Talking of camels, I had noticed a sign on the way from Larnaca pointing to a 'Camel Park'. I decided to investigate.

It was a 20 minute drive to the village of Mazotos with the Camel Park on the edge. It was Euro 7 to enter. I think camels are the most ugly, smelly, unappealing and anti-social creatures. Right: The ones in this picture are the 'one hump' variety ie. dromedaries from the Middle East area.

They have strange, dangerous and disgusting habits. I read this:

'Camels use their teeth to bite, lift and throw their enemies, their feet to kick, paw or trample over, their whole body to knock over, press and squeeze, and their spit or regurgitated food to cover their perceived adversaries'. 

They are mainly herbivores but if hungry (which is most of the time) they will eat anything, including meat and bones (apparently). The max range of camel spit has been recorded at 40 yards, and it smells revolting. Fortunately I was not spat at.

Left: These brutes followed visitors walking around outside their compound. We had been offered the opportunity to buy 'food' to feed them. I certainly didn't. Also there was the opportunity to pay to have a ride on them. Not me! They stuck their ugly snouts over the fence revealing enormous dirty protruding fangs in the hope that they would be given something to eat. I dread to think what some people fed them.

It was in other parts a zoo featuring many different animals and all well maintained in spacious compounds. Right: A very small pony.

Left: A cage inhabited by lemurs. You could go inside to feed them.

Right: ....and ostriches. Many other animals were in residence.

Left: A dromedary giving a ride to a somewhat stoutly built lady. 

Right: Another little 'camel train' in action. I couldn't see the point.

Left: There were a couple of the two-humped variety kept separately in their own compound. These are 'bactrian' camels, from Asia. I have never before seen such shaggy, moth-eaten, ugly creatures. Grooming? They need stripping down and re-upholstering!

This park also had cafés, a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, amusement arcades, souvenir shop, museum and other facilities. It was actually quite a jolly place, despite the camels. Right: a 'berber' tent. 

That evening I handed back my car to the excellent 'hire car' company in Larnaca (as mentioned in the previous blog) and bus back. The remainder of this short trip was spent in and around the hotel. Nothing much else to report except that I met a charming and interesting guest; an Israeli policeman. He gave me some fascinating insights into the state of affairs in that part of the world. I won't bore you with them here, suffice to say that his experience and views did not match what we have been told by the UK Government and media.

The journey back to UK (from Larnaca to Gatwick) with EasyJet was equally as tedious, frustrating and irritating as the trip out, described at the beginning. It was also delayed. We arrived back at LGW just before midnight on the 23rd and I had to wait until 5.15am for a train home.

Left: Standing in a long queue on the tarmac at Larnaca for a long time before boarding the aircraft. 

PS. (Right) The hotel I stayed at had, almost uniquely, bedside light switches which were illuminated! It certainly makes getting up in the dark a less hazardous task. I wish more hotels did this.

So that was my Cyprus Revisit. I'm glad I did it, but doubt I will be going back for a holiday!