British Armed Forces Day in Cyprus

 On a hot but beautiful day, we made our way down to the Episkopi Military Base and continued on to their beach area known as Tunnel Beach. The occasion was Armed Forces Day (UK), and the setting could not have been better.

Beyond simply enjoying the festivities, it was also a great opportunity for Mandy to set up a stall showcasing her handmade beaded products. The event itself was extremely well organised, with a wide range of stalls offering food, crafts, and activities for all ages.

 Entertainment was provided throughout the day, starting with music from DJ Phill, followed later by tribute performances celebrating Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams. The atmosphere was relaxed and family-oriented, with people enjoying themselves both on the shore and in the sea.

One of the standout moments came around midday when a large military helicopter arrived overhead. It hovered dramatically above the beach before performing an impressive manoeuvre, almost “bowing” to the crowd along the shoreline. It was a striking display of flying skill and drew plenty of attention from everyone watching.

By the time we left, the bead stall had enjoyed a steady flow of interest, and we were all sun-tanned and pleasantly tired. It had been a long but thoroughly enjoyable day—well organised, well attended, and full of memorable moments.

A evening on the Wavedancer

 An Evening to Remember – Sailing from Paphos Harbour

Mandy, Tania, Dawn and Kuli set off from Pissouri and made the scenic drive across to Paphos Harbour for what turned out to be a memorable evening aboard the Wave Dancer.

With the harbour alive with activity and the late afternoon sunshine reflecting across the water, there was a real sense of anticipation as they boarded for the evening cruise. From the moment the boat left the harbour and headed out along the coast, the atmosphere on board was superb — relaxed, lively and full of holiday spirit.

Guests enjoyed excellent food and drinks throughout the evening while taking in the beautiful views of the Cypriot coastline and some great enterainment.. There was plenty of time to sit back, enjoy the sea breeze and soak up the atmosphere as day slowly turned to evening.

One of the highlights of the cruise was the spectacular sunset. The sky transformed into shades of gold, orange and pink, creating a perfect backdrop and a reminder of why evenings in Cyprus can feel so special.

As if that wasn’t enough, the evening finished in style with an impressive fireworks display lighting up the night sky and bringing the cruise to a memorable close.

It was an evening filled with good company, wonderful scenery, great food and unforgettable moments — another special memory made in Cyprus.

Day 2 Sailing on the Sabrina

On a warm and sunny morning, we made our way down to Kyrenia's picturesque waterfront. Before our cruise, we stopped at one of the harbour-side restaurants for breakfast, enjoying the wonderful views of the fishing boats and yachts gently bobbing on the crystal-clear water.

                               

After breakfast, we strolled along the quay to board the Sabrina for a leisurely cruise along the beautiful north-eastern coastline of Cyprus. Slowly sailing out of the harbour, we left the bustle of Kyrenia behind and settled into the relaxed pace of life at sea

Before long, we reached a sheltered anchorage close to the shoreline for our first swimming stop. With only eighteen guests on board, the boat never felt crowded, creating a friendly and intimate atmosphere throughout the day.

One of the highlights was the large slide at the bow of the boat. Young and old alike had great fun launching themselves into the refreshing Mediterranean waters. Following our swim, we were treated to a delicious lunch on board before spending some time simply relaxing at anchor, enjoying the shade and the gentle motion of the boat.

The return journey to Kyrenia was wonderfully peaceful. We sat at the bow chatting, admiring the coastline, and soaking up the warm afternoon sunshine as the Sabrina made her way slowly back to harbour.

Once ashore, the ladies enjoyed a little retail therapy among the shops of Kyrenia, while Kuli and I found a comfortable spot to relax with a couple of cold beers, reflecting on what had been a thoroughly enjoyable day on the water.

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A visit to Kyrenia

On a beautiful morning, accompanied by Dawn and Kuli, we set off from Pissouri for the northern part of Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The border crossing was surprisingly quiet, allowing us to continue our journey with very little delay.

As we travelled north, we were treated to the impressive sight of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque. Its magnificent golden domes sparkled brilliantly in the sunshine, creating a striking landmark that was impossible to miss.

Approaching Kyrenia, the roads became noticeably busier and traffic began to build, a sure sign that we were nearing one of Northern Cyprus's most popular destinations. Before long, we arrived at our accommodation, the Rix Apartments, which would serve as our base for the next few days.

After checking in and settling into our apartment, we headed down to Kyrenia's picturesque harbour. The colourful waterfront, lined with fishing boats, cafés, and restaurants, provided the perfect setting for a few relaxing drinks before we indulged in a delicious fish meze. We were pleasantly surprised by how peaceful the harbour was, allowing us to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the stunning surroundings at a leisurely pace.

With the afternoon slipping by, we wandered through the narrow streets of the old town, browsing the local shops and admiring the charm and character that make Kyrenia such a delightful place to explore.

Later, we wandered through the narrow, winding streets surrounding the harbour, browsing the local shops and taking in the charm of the old town. As evening fell, we returned to our apartment, where we rounded off a wonderful first day with a couple of drinks and a friendly game of cards.

Ultimate Coldpay in Peyia

 There’s something special about live music on a warm Cyprus evening — and for Mandy, Tania, Dawn and Kuli, their trip to Ampelones Arena in Peyia turned into one of those unforgettable nights.

The group made their way up to the venue full of anticipation, ready to experience Ultimate Coldplay, widely recognised as the world’s most accurate Coldplay tribute act. Expectations were high — and the band delivered.

From the moment the lights came up and the first notes rang out across the arena, the atmosphere was electric. Ultimate Coldplay captured not only the sound but also the energy, emotion and stadium feel that fans associate with Coldplay’s biggest performances.

As the evening unfolded, the crowd sang along to hit after hit, creating the kind of shared experience that makes live music so memorable. With impressive musicianship, incredible attention to detail and a performance full of energy, the band brought the songs to life in spectacular fashion.

For Mandy, the verdict was immediate:

“One of the best tribute acts to play in Cyprus.”

High praise indeed — but after such a terrific performance, it was easy to understand why.

Lisa and Andrew's Epic Oz Aventure

 News reached us from Australia that Rob’s cousin, Lisa, and her husband Andrew are continuing their incredible camper van adventure across one of the world’s largest and most varied countries.

Their journey began back in February in the Perth area on Australia’s west coast. Rather than rushing from place to place, they’ve taken the scenic approach — slowly making their way across this vast country, stopping in smaller towns and local communities along the way to experience parts of Australia that many travellers pass straight by.

As they travelled eastward, they reached the famous east coast and spent time visiting the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and numerous coastal towns, enjoying the changing scenery from long open roads to bustling seaside destinations.

Now the latest update is that they are heading inland once again and making the drive from Brisbane towards Alice Springs — a route that will take them deep into Australia’s rugged and iconic outback landscape. It’s a very different side of the country from the coast, with long distances, dramatic scenery and a sense of space that few places in the world can match.

Their camper van has clearly become both transport and home as they continue to explore at their own pace. We look forward to hearing more news from Lisa and Andrew as they continue this memorable Australian journey and discover what lies ahead on the road to Alice Springs.