There is nothing more exciting than the anticipation of what is to come…

I recently visited Cyprus completely by default; it was not really even on my radar.  But, life leads one to strange places.  I was visiting Malta and the best flight I could get from South Africa was on Emirates Airlines with a stop-over in Dubai and Larnaca.

My eyes zoned in on Larnaca.  I had never even heard of the place.

TO THE RESCUE!!!

This is when the excitement already begins, when I am on mission to find “stuff” out.  I was totally surprised to find that Larnaca was in Cyprus, a place that had fleetingly passed through my mind but was definitely not top of my bucket list, and yet, here it was.  I like to think that this is karma at its best….

What a great feeling of anticipation, getting onto a plane at the end of a relaxing week in Malta, knowing that you are not on your way home, but starting your next exciting journey.  Arriving in the dark in a place that you have never been to, well, that makes it all the more thrilling!

My hubby is almost anal at making sure that he knows precisely where he is going.  So, on the plane, he again, patiently explained the map, pointed out exactly where we had to exit the airport, which roads to look out for…. I do listen but also tend to zone out a bit.  I mean really, have you looked at Greek names and letters?  I was trying very hard to take a “snapshot” of a name and remember it that way.  This sort of stressful anticipation is heightened by the fact that you actually have no idea what the village is going to be like that you are staying in, never mind the accommodation.

It was dusk when we landed. The first stress  is hoping your luggage has not gone on directly to Dubai, especially when hubby’s bag popped off the carousal  and mine was nowhere to be seen.  I mean, men don’t need “stuff”, if anyone’s luggage had to go walkabout, it should be his not mine!   Thank goodness my bag eventually arrived looking very worse for wear, totally covered in what looked like cement powder…. But who cares, it was there and we could get on with collecting our hire car and finding our way to Lefkara, the village we would be staying in.

Finally, we loaded up our car and map in hand with my mobile torch ready to read said map, we were on our way.

Now, one thing you must realize is that in Cyprus they have two names on every sign post, one in Greek and one in English; this can either help you or, especially at night, become very confusing.

Our instructions went something like: “Names like Nicosia and Lefkosia are used interchangeably on road signs, the same is true for Limassol and Lemosos” My brain reeled at these unfamiliar names but it just got worse….” Follow the signs to Lemesos (Limassol).  Shortly after you merge with the Nocosia-Limasson road exit at the Skarinou – Lefkara – Vavatsinia junction, follow signs and exit Skarinou-Lefkara-Vavatsinia junction…..”  Oh my goodness!

First of all I was blown away that there were such huge highways.  I suppose going to an Island, you just never imagine highways.  So, heart thumping, adrenalin pumping and brow sweating, we managed to navigate the highways where at least there was some light but, eventually, we had to exit into the pitch dark.  Lefkara is up in the mountains and, once we had left the highway, it was a case of the blind leading the blind…

With my mobile battery dying a slow death and stressing about driving off the end of the mountain, never mind wondering what “Aunt Maria’s”, our accommodation was going to be like, the directions continued to make me sweat:

“Disregard the first sign for Lefkara centre, it will bring you through very narrow, winding streets and continue on the main road (Are we actually on the Main Rd because it’s narrow and winding already?)  until the sign to Vavatsinia (Vava what? ) Take the middle street, with the restaurant on your right and the school on your left (Did I say restaurant on the right, meant left, school, what school? Is that a school? ) Take first left around school yard (School yard???? where?) Take immediate right, then immediate left (I said right not left!!!!! How far is immediate?  Is that a road or a pathway?)

Next time I want infrared glasses!!!

Of course, we made it and there was Aunt Marie’s and there was Pitsa, our hostess, feeding her menagerie of cats.  And, although it was already about 9pm, we were greeted warmly, like old friends arriving for a weekend.

The relief to not only find that you have somehow landed up in the right place but also, to find that the accommodation is above what you expected and the village a complete delight is amazing.  It is the reason I keep travelling, I love that feeling and all the feelings before that – excitement, anticipation, expectation, anxiety, apprehension, concern, the thrill, tension…..  Definitely not boring!

And then, it’s just a case of wash, rinse and repeat because, by arriving at night, there is still the anticipation of waking up the next morning and really seeing where you have landed up!   That is what keeps me travelling.

What keeps you travelling?

About Cynthia

I am a fun loving woman who loves to explore new destinations and experiences. My philosophy in life is “Have suitcase, will travel” and I like to drag my family and friends along with me to share in the joy. Naturally, along the journey of “life” I like to indulge in long, lazy lunches, delicious champagne, creamy chocolate and most important, lots of laughter……Having being in travel for many years, I write about my personal experiences, mostly about Southern Africa but I do also get to travel internationally so will pop in some stories about my travels abroad. As food and wine are an integral part of my travel experience I also explore both those topics as well.

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