To be honest, I intended to post on the 10 things I don't like about Cyprus because these are the things you wouldn't normally be aware of until you got here. However, I didn't want the blog to start on a sour note so I thought I would tell you about the 10 best things about Cyprus first. To be fair, and all said and done, there is no much more to love about the place than to loath, so anyway, here goes:
1. The beach. I live in Oroklini (near Larnaca) so for me these would the ones around Larnaca, Protaras and Ayia Napa (Easter Cyprus). The sand from the coast of Limassol all the way around to Ayia Napa is generally soft. In the West of Cyprus (around Paphos) the sand is usually more shingly, but the natural scenery is more dramatic. From my experience, the West of Cyprus has the most beautiful coastline and beaches to look at, but the East of Cyprus has the most enjoyable beaches to actually use, with soft sand, only graduated water depth, and extensive facilities for anyone who likes to spend alot of time at the beach.
An exception is Cape Greko on the most eastern tip of (southern - e.g. Greek) Cyprus - an exceptionally dramatic part of the Eastern coast, and a place well worth a visit for the views alone. Cape Greko is also famed for its snorkeling - which as a rule is hardly ever very good in Cyprus - but this place apparently has the best of what there is. Personally I have visited the place, but didn't snorkel on that occasion. I did however snorkel just up the road at Konnos Bay. For marine life its certainly no Sharm El Shiek, but there's always something to look at - and anyway, Konnos Bay is perhaps the most beautiful bay in the whole of Cyprus.
2. The mountains. Almost 2 thirds of Cyprus is covered by the Troudos Mountain range - so almost anywhere you go you see hills and mountains. In fact, when traveling on the Island's main highway - the A1 - your ears pop at certain points during any journey between Larnaca, Nicosia (also called Lefkosia), Limassol, and Paphos. Having such a mountainous landscape makes for lots of variety at different times of the year. For instance, I used to live in Nicosia. Between January and March, you could be enjoying the warm sunshine in Nicosia in the morning, and only 45 minutes later, you could be skiing in 6 foot of snow at the Mount Olympus ski lodge.. Pretty cool, huh!
3. The weather. For me the best time to come to Cyprus is from the beginning of July. The sea is still abit cold for me until then. Right now its August so the sea is like bath water - though temperatures are close to the 40s so not ideal for everyone - especially the Cypriots themselves, who moan on insesently about the summer temperatures at seem to take holidays in the UK at any opportunity. Personnally, after three years here, I still haven't missed Blighty enough to resort to this kind of holiday madness.
4. The wildlife. Ok, so you won’t see any crocodiles, lions or tigers - but you will see lots of creatures and creepy-crawlies that you won’t usually see in the UK, such as snakes, praying manti, giant spiders (apparently - haven’t actually seen these tarantula sized spiders yet, but they are out there I understand), flying locus, dragon flies, and occasionally other things that we couldn't even get Google to identify for us - oh, and let’s not forget those tourists!
5. August. Not so much because of the whether, but because everyone seems to disappear to either the UK, Ayia Napa or Paphos, leaving the streets of Larnaca and Nicosia, and most other places in Cyprus deserted. If you have experienced the traffic during any other part of the year (I commute 45 mins from Larnaca to Nicosia every day) you will appreciate this greatly. Most companies in Cyprus impose leave on all of their employees during some or most of August - perhaps originally because of the heat, but now given the advent of air conditioning, more likely because of tradition.
6. No council tax or TV license. {No crappy BBC to pay for regardless of whether you watch it! Still amazed that such draconian laws still exist in the UK.}
7. Taxes. In Cyprus you get a €19000 personal tax allowance - and a tax break for the first 3 years you're here. If you compare that to you poxy £6000 tax allowance in the UK, I'm surprised you're not already on the plane! By the way, for you business people, companies only pay 10% corporate tax, compared to about 22% in the UK. Further, (good for whether or not you are in business) VAT in Cyprus is only 15% - not 20% as it is in the UK.
8. Almost everyone speaks good English. In fact more people speak English in Cyprus than they speak Greek! Would recommend you learnt to speak Greek though so you can really feel at home.
9. Bank Holidays. With an average of 15 bank holidays a year in addition to the standard 4 weeks leave per year - assuming you can find a job in Cyprus (big assumption!) you'll actually have time to enjoy it.
10. Not being in the UK. Ok, thats probably abit unfair.. I miss friends and family left back in the UK, the history and architecture of the place, the cosy village pubs, the hustle and bustle and shear diversity of life in a place like London, and much else. I guess what I'm saying is - I love the UK, and like to visit - but I wouldnt want to live there.. Pretty ironic really!
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