Cyprus- Part 2

On Saturday, we were full of energy, and ready to explore.

 After a fabulous breakfast buffet, we walked along the promenade and soaked up some sun.

I loved the pier. Some men were patiently fishing. There's something about a pier that gives me such a freeing feeling.

Lovely park to take a stroll, rollerblade, or like the boy in the picture, learning to bicycle :)

Carla took some photos while I was texting my love. What a stunning view ;) Oh the palm trees are okay too..

Being silly at this point!



At the Limassol medieval castle.

The Castle was okay. It was about the only attraction in Limassol by foot, though. When we were trying to search for a nice taverna to eat lunch at, or even to ask where is a nice place to go, the locals always responded with, "Do you have a car?". Which didn't help us, as we were walking!
Eventually, after a stop at the tourist information centre, we found a square that had a few tavernas.

When we finally settled down to eat, it turned out to be such a lovely meal.



Greek salad, spicy cheese dip



Red wine, fried zucchini ball, toasted bread with olive oil and herbs.




Halumi cheese is a must.

 

Gorgeous Church on our walk back to the hotel.

Cyprus- Part 3 coming soon!

Cyprus- Part 1

A few wks ago, my gf Carla and I went on a mini vaycay to Cyprus.

I found a flight for €125 with return, so I booked it without hesitation. I met with Carla right away, and over some hot, steamy ballz of falafels, we decided, YES! This will be a girl's trip!

So our journey began.
Last time I've visited Cyprus was 2 years ago. I visited Larnaca, and I had enough of the city in just one day.
We had high hopes on Limassol, because lots of our friends recommended Limassol over Larnaca.

I want some REAL food!

Arriving at Larnaca Airport.

So after riding on the 3hour bus from Chania to Heraklion + a 1'15 hr flight, we took another 1 hour bus that got us to Limassol. On all of the maps we reviewed before our trip, it was suppose to drop us off very close to our hotel. Unfortunately, it didn't, and we were dropped off in a quiet, dark road. No taxi in sight.

Beside us stood an old man, waiting for his wife to pick him up.  Lucky for us, the kind couple offered us a ride to our hotel. I am forever grateful to all of the kind strangers I meet in my journeys.

So, after we got to the hotel, we ventured out to find a restaurant.
There is an old town about 2kms from where we stayed, so we walked along the main road, opposite the sea. Well. Our expectation of "Old town" came to a screeching halt as we just saw..... old.
No charm, no people walking on the streets, no music, NOT EVEN restaurants!!!
So around and around we went, in search for a restaurant.

When we finally found one with people inside, we went in.

We want our food!!!

We were about to order the food, but the server stopped us and told us that the kitchen closes at 23:00.

[Now for my friends out there in the US, Canada, and the UK, I have to tell you that when we go out to eat in Greece, we don't go out until about 10pm. The dinner usually lasts until about 12-1 in the morning. It is absolutely UNHEARD OF that a kitchen, on a Friday night closes at 11pm.]

So, after 3hrs bus ride+plane ride+ 1hr bus ride= we were hungry, weary gals!

Finally, [sensing our fatigue] we got to order afterall.

Well fed gals = happy gals :)

Yum yum!! Ps- I love how they put the lemon in there, so only the juice comes out!

 

After the dinner, we went back to the room, and called it a night.

April shopping

Soo... with my closet completely full (Greece), my room closet in Canada full, having hosted a clothing party in November, and a bank breaking MEGA shopping haul in Canada when I went to visit, I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything for a long time.

Well.. it's hard when all the shops are within 5-10 minutes walking distance to my house!! :(

And I'm not talking about a MALL like in Canada, or the USA, where you DRIVE there, with a purpose that you will buy something, or maybe just have a look. 

If you are not in the mood for shopping, it's no problem, nothing to distract you because you just see a mall on the outside. You have no idea what fabulous things are on display on the inside. So you go on with your day.

I have no choice! We have the "european", open, individual shops!

Going to Greek school... must pass by shops.

Coffee with the girls... must pass by shops.

Go for a drive... must pass by shops.

All the shops are now neatly in display with their S/S 2011 line, with mannequins wearing bright, floral, crisp clothing, flirting with me while I battle with myself inside.

What's a girl to do??

But I have to say that I did pretty good !! *pats self on the back*
Check it out:

Blouse from Zara. On sale for €15.

Skirt with front pockets! €35.

Grey loose pants from local store "ICON" on sale from €51 to €16

.

White dress from ICON on sale for €15.

Pair of flats at a local shop "FYTRAKIS" for €10.

Cha Ching!
I think I did pretty well, scoping out the items at a super price!

Now if I can somehow organize my closet ..........

April update soon!

I'm BAACCCCKKKK!!

 (Kind of!)

I apologize for my lack of posts.
I thought I was on a roll....but then BAM! Life happend. You all know what I'm talkin' about!
However...
I have some exciting posts coming up for your viewing pleasure:

-My trip to Cyprus (April 8-10)
-Launched my work website
-Job started (I work when the tourist season starts, from April-end of Oct.)
-GREEK EASTER!


EEEEEYAAAA!!

So stay CHUNED  , stay a while, See u soon!!

xoxo

In the meanwhile....I leave you with this photo of a CHICKEN WING compared to my hand.
YOWZA. A bird like this would make Wednesday Wing Nights go out of business...

Couture lollipop

Soo...I've been hearing about these Celeb endorsed lollipops for a while now. Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Mel B, and the Pussycat dolls are seen promoting this stuff. A store in Las Vegas, Sugar Factory sells them among hundreds of other candies.

Cute- but can't afford $22 for a lollipop??

Check out Savvyspice's blog! She is having a giveaway for these Couture lollipops!

You, too, can be a showstopper with these blinging pops! [ ha ha ]

Rhi-Rhi AND Perry suckin' on dem pops?

Happy Sucking!

Greek hospitality

A couple of weeks ago, I was out with some friends for a nice meal at a taverna.
In Crete, after a meal, the waiter always brings out a plate of dessert, spoon sweets, or (at the very least) fruits, accompanied by a flask of tsikoudia.

Tsikoudia or Raki, is a grape-based spirit made in the villages of Crete.

You are sure to receive shots of this in every single taverna while dining out.

So, one of the conversations that we came across is how friendly the people are here, because every single taverna gives out such delicious sweets, on the house! I have never seen that anywhere else. Not even in Athens.

Such a difference to most of the countries, where the servers would always ASK you if you would like to ORDER sweets.

"Greek hospitality" according to Wikipedia:

Xenia ( Greek: ξενία, xenía) is the Greek concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. It is often translated as "guest-friendship" (or "ritualized friendship") because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host.

So, have this in mind while I tell you a  story:

[My friend (who is French) told us how he was in a taverna one evening, and observed one American man having dinner with his wife. As the couple finished their food, the server brought out some sweets and tsikoudia.

The man turned the server away, shouting that he never ordered it.

The server began explaining that it is free.

The man started shouting louder, saying that the taverna probably sneaked extra money on the bill to compensate for the sweets.

The server started crying as the man continued saying he will not pay for the sweets, because he did not order them. The whole restaurant went quiet and other patrons sat still in shock.]



 As I listened to the story, I felt so embarrased for fellow travellers coming to visit, without knowing some of the customs in Crete.

It is true that you should practice caution when travelling (because, heck- who doesn't have a "ripped off while travelling" story?) , there also exists a whole other side where the traveller is just being obnoxious, and seen as a fool. It doesn't hurt to read up on the customs of the country (or even area) you are visiting, and try to have an open mind.

lovely painting from Lisa Lorenz Studio Blog.

So please, at least if you are coming to Crete, accept the damn tsikoudia and sweets and don't forget to say, "Efharisto" - Thank you.

Got some funny or similar travel stories? Share with us your thoughts and experiences!

Calling all BEBE lovers!

BEBE Hearts Japan Relief Tee

While checking my e-mail today, I saw this and had to share.

One of my fav stores BEBE are selling this cute t-shirt for $32.00.

100% of the net profits will directly benefit the Red Cross Relief in Japan.

Japanese characters on shirt sleeve spell out words of encouragement, "Don't give up. We are with you Japan!" 

Check out some of the "After math" photos here.

Let's continue to pray for them and send them help as they try to get their lives back!

xoxo