Thursday 19 May: GIRNE to KAPLICA BEACH (36 miles)

We start the day with an early morning swim in the rooftop pool. We have it to ourselves and dry off in the sun. Simon feels the need for more pampering so visits another local Turkish barber for a shave and a haircut. He returns well coiffured with a neat short back and sides and smooth cheeks. We are especially sorry to be leaving The Colony Hotel which has been quite the most luxurious and relaxing place I have ever stayed in and at a third of the price of a mediocre B&B in Bath. It has been a real treat. We are on the road later than usual. It is Bayrim, a Turkish Bank Holiday granted by Attaturk. There are massive flags the size of sails hanging from balconies. The first 10 miles is busy with cars and trucks but it does eventually thin out and become more scenic as we leave the town and pass through countryside splattered with holiday villas, all owned by the English we gather. Simon's wish about a westerly wind has not been granted and it is hot and still. The terrain is mainly flat however and we make good progress. We arrive at Kaplica Beach Resort with some trepidation and are not entirely surprised to find a sprawling rather unattractive development albeit on a sandy beach. Our room is large and clean and overlooks a pool (which is being renovated and currently out of use!) Our original plan was to spend 2 nights here but we think we will make a quick getaway and try and get to the Karpas peninsula a day early. We read books on the beach and walk along some extraordinary sandstone rock formations.