Monday 9 May: PAPHOS

Our morning by the child free "eauzone" area with infinity pool overlooking the sea where we bronzed (or reddened) ourselves yesterday seemed too good an opportunity not to repeat. Our original plan had been to cycle to Coral Beach but judging by the locality we have seen so far we think this unlikely to be a hidden idyll. So in my usual competitive fashion I make sure we bag some comfy beds and lay down our towels before breakfast! Breakfast is another banquet with everything you could wish for, even Bran Flakes! The fresh citrus fruit is sublime and there is Fig Compote and Greek yoghurt. So we lie by the pool and even manage our first swim in the Cypriot sea: quite refreshing. I am reading Victoria Hislop's Sunrise - set in Famagusta - which is giving me some interesting insight into the recent history of the island. By 1pm we are seeking shade having already over done it I fear. The sun seems exceptionally strong here. We cycle up to Ktima Pafos: the older part of the town. There are masses of road works on the small streets and we learn that Pafos has been awarded European City of Culture 2016 and European grants have allowed them to develop the streets into pedestrian precincts. Unfortunately this is taking longer than expected and we learn that many businesses are struggling to survive the disruption. We negotiate our way passed the bulldozers to find Leona Restaurant as recommended in our guide book and Trip Advisor. We are not disappointed and eat delicious fish and octopus in a delightful back street talking to a man born in Damascus, married to an Englishwoman who lives partly in the hills of Pafos and partly in Sussex! We then cycle to the Tombs of the Kings where we explore several underground burial chambers dating from 400bc. We are also joined by 4 coach loads of Japanese tourists so our progress is swift. Back through the unpleasantly built up and busy outskirts of Pafos back to our hotel. We think we will plan a light supper this evening.