Overnight the ferry crossed to Girne/Kyrenia (Turkish/Greek) and after wheeling the bike through customs control the only way inland was over a steeply rising mountain range under the hot sunshine. Missing dinner and breakfast (no meals on boat) and temperatures in excess of 32° at 9.30am I was forced to use my 'reserves' to stop/start my way over the pass.
Nicosea arrived quickly after that and in an unassuming minor street location Border Control between Turkish Northern Cyprus and Greek Cyprus queried my arrival there then waved me through. Looking back it was more obvious that the frontier was heavily defended with huge rampart walls. It looked peculiarly medieval as if copied from days of crusading knights.
The Polis control access into the historic center so I skipped the sights and continued to traverse the island. It seemed that the capitalist society exploded in my face..... boutique shops selling fashionable clothes, bars, stores and restaurants with varieties of food, coffee shops (yes!), and expensive fast cars. Now the jet black Lamborghini on the ferry crossing with a Russian numberplate and dubious looking driver made complete sense. And the young Turk who had failed to emigrate to Germany whispered to me "Russian Mafia".
The appropriately numbered 101 apartment in Larnaca is a story in itself.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Interesting Room 101? Tell us more! Weird and quick transition into the capitalist society! Sorry you were having to battle through a day of cycling with no food and those temps...adds to the challenge. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteA really interesting blog... feels like a clip from a Bond film or something... bloody capitalism aleays, unfortunately, brings some comfort yet disgust... all at the same time 😏
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have the advantages we do and to he careful not to indulge in them too much. Certainly travelling slowly gives clearer insight into different cultures.
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