Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 305

July 10, 2015

Squeaky Shoes in Sendai, Japan

A few weeks ago, my toddler and I decided to take a trip into the city of Sendai. This would be special in that it was the first time we would go that far from our house without the comfort of a stroller. At almost two years old, my daughter has grown to a point where the stroller can be nice to have if she’s exhausted or a burden to keep track of while chasing her down. This day would be an experiment to see how far and how well we could do without the wheels.


On the train, she seemed more interested in staring out the window at things she can’t usually see when strapped in, stationary in the middle of the car. Because we were stroller free, this time we could take the giant, two story escalator from the platform level all the way to the main exit for the Japan Rail lines into Sendai Station. How exciting!


Julia showed no fear of the escalator and marched dutifully by my side as we made our way toward the exit. With every step, her adorable red shoes let out happy little squeaks, annoying at first but reassuring after a while. It is harder to lose her when her shoes are squeaking. Though I would never have bought the things, I usually feel the need to make use of presents, especially presents from sweet grandparents. The noise can be grating, but over the din of the other trains and passengers, it didn’t seem likely to be too disturbing to anyone in particular.


Or so I thought.


Just as we came to within ten feet of the exit, an older woman of 65 or so turned around, whip-fast on her heel, to glare at me and declare, “Urusai!”


In Japanese, the word means loud, noisy or annoying, though in a culture that prides itself on being harmonious, an action like this, to swivel and yell in another person’s face, is akin to a hard open palm slap in the west. The vast majority of the time, if someone dislikes being in my presence, they blank me, meaning they pretend that I am not even existent in the same realm of space or time. Occasionally, older men in particular will cast a grimace in my direction. These odd encounters with xenophobia in Japan have become fewer and further between since my daughter’s birth. A baby is a rare site in this country of the aged and somehow her presence and cuteness excuses my roundness and foreignness. Babies are magical, apparently even if half Caucasian.


If I had thought about it, I could have said something to this angry older woman, letting her know that people from her country bought these adorable squeaking things for their granddaughter or perhaps that I know the sound is tiresome, but it beats the heck out of listening to either a nearly two-year-old scream her head off because she would rather walk than be carried or her panicked foreign mother searching for the baby who ran too far, too fast, and in an unlikely direction. These squeaks may be loud, but compared to the alternatives, they were downright soothing.


The lesser of three evils the squeaky shoes were, but odds were against this argument going favorably. If I had worked up the best way to convey my message, she would likely have feigned ignorance and pretended not to understand me. People who feel the need to yell about a toddler’s choice in footwear hardly seem patient enough to listen to less-than-perfect Japanese.


Of course, during this shocking encounter, I hadn’t thought any of this through. Instead, I chose to respond with the warmest smile I could find. A smile that said, “Hello! No, really. To you. Today. Hello!” Not a hint of malice or condescension lay in my features as I intended the gesture only with kindness, the type a lady so unnerved probably needed on a day like that day.


I didn’t have time to judge any reaction on her part because she spun around just as fast as she had before, lurching ahead through the exit to disappear into the crowd on the other side.


Upon later recollection, I began to wonder if she got it, the great cosmic joke. Out of her frustration, I created harmony, even if only for myself and my daughter. In the land of absolute politeness, I won this round.



Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.


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Published on July 10, 2015 18:00

Five Favorites: Tech Gadgets for Travel

One of the best things about prepping for a trip is getting all of the right gear together- clothes, luggage, and yes, tech. The worst part of a trip is when you’re in the middle of nowhere and your phone dies, or you lose your phone in the lake! Here are a few handy tech gadgets to save you mid-trip heartache:


1. RAVPower Portable Charger and Router


Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 9.35.13 AM


Can’t stop instagramming your favorite travel moments? When you’re burning through data and battery, this compact device will save you, acting as a router and charger in one small device.


2. FRiEQ Floating Waterproof Cell Phone Case


Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 9.36.52 AM


Who wants to store their cell phone somewhere on land while they are kayaking or paddleboarding? Bring it with you and take worry free photos, with the floatable, waterproof cell storage system from FRiEQ.


3. Trackdot Luggage Tracker


Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 9.38.29 AM


No more lost luggage! This tracker system will track your bag, even in a sealed metal container. That will make your three-transfer travel day a little less stressful!


4. Cocoon Grid It Wrap Case for Tablet


Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 9.39.49 AM


Keep everything in its place with this awesome tablet case. Your chargers, phone, tablet, and headphones can all stay neat and tangle-free!


5. Satechi USB Portable Humidifier


Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 9.40.59 AM


If you are backpacking or taking a long trip, you are doubtlessly exposed to a lot of germs. If you should get sick, here is your portable life saver. This Satechi humidifier attaches to any water bottle, making your nighttime breathing easy without a lot of water-sloshing trouble!


Make travel a little easier next time and pick up these life-saver gadgets. What is your favorite piece of tech on your long trips?


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Published on July 10, 2015 09:00

July 9, 2015

My Night in Jail in Slovenia: Finding Freedom in an Unlikely Place

As the cell door swings open, I’m greeted by what I can only assume is a giant. This seems like a fair assumption, as the man standing in front of me is at least 6’7” tall and must weigh over 300 lbs. But I do not run, because he greets me with a smile and I therefore deduce that he must be a friendly giant.



“Hello, I’m Luke Jelly,” the giant says in a thick Yorkshire accent. I can already tell I’m going to like him.



At this point I feel the need to assure you, dear reader, that my criminal record remains spotless. My digs for the night are, in actuality, a backpackers hostel housed in a former prison.



Located in the picturesque city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Hostel Celica is a must for any adventurous traveler. It’s incredibly clean, welcoming, and gives you a chance to spend a night in jail without having to ask your parents for bail money. Taking full advantage of this unique opportunity, I’ve opted to stay in one of the hostel’s converted prison cells, complete with iron bars.



As I glance around the room, I find myself instantly impressed with prison living. It is, in a way, what I imagine Martha Stewart’s cell would look like. The colors are muted and zen, and there’s a small wooden desk nestled in the corner on which weary prisoners may write their loved ones. If it weren’t for the stark iron bars which currently adorn the windows, we could easily be in a bed & breakfast in some quaint seaside village.



Snapping back to real life, the giant (and my cellmate for the evening) informs me that he’s already taken the bottom bunk, and asks if I would mind sleeping on the top one. This seems fair enough, as top bunks in prisons aren’t generally designed with giants in mind, so I decide not to mention my tendency to hurl myself out of bunk beds in my sleep and instead nod in agreement.



As the giant crawls into bed, I place my hands on the cold iron bars of our cell door and reflect on my current situation. Yes, I could be at home right now, nestled in my familiar bed, hot water bottle tucked under one arm. But in all honesty, I’d rather be here, embracing the unknown in my small prison cell in Slovenia with a friendly giant named Luke Jelly.



And with that, I shut the cell door, click the lock into place and it’s time for lights out. I bid the giant goodnight, but he’s already fast asleep, the low rumbling of his snores beginning to fill the tiny cell we will call home for the night.



As I lie in my bed, a slight smile spreads across my lips. Tomorrow I will break free from the confines of my comfy little cell, and then the future is mine to do with as I please.



Gee, who knew a night in prison could be so liberating?



Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.


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Published on July 09, 2015 16:30

Most Scenic Drive in the World? Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

This is a story about brilliant branding. It’s about Ireland, but it begins in Chile.


In the early ’90s one had to head to the far south of South America to sample the tasty, thick, snow-white fillets of a large, deep-water cod called the Patagonian toothfish.


No eatery in the U.S. wanted to serve a fish with that name. But when marketers came up with the alluring but meaningless name, “Chilean sea bass,” the fish was on its way to fame and glory and millions of eager mouths.


It’s the power of good branding.


Several years ago, when I first traveled a stretch of Ireland’s rugged west coast, I thrilled to its savage beauty, from The Cliffs of Moher (the most visited outdoor site in the country), The Burren, a dusky karst surface that looks like the maria of the moon; the Maumturk Mountains, where St. Patrick dashed away the snakes, and the bowed bays and bites of Westport and Galway. But it never occurred to me to continue traveling north or south, or that anything stitched these sights together in a cohesive way.


But then some marketing virtuoso came up with the connecting tissue, and The Wild Atlantic Way was born and let loose to the world. It’s a 1600-mile route, winding from Kinsale in County Cork in the south to Malin Head in Donegal in the far north, seamed with lighthouses, abbeys, cairns, stone circles and golf courses along the way.


Many destinations have a signature tour. Morocco has its Royal City Tour; Ethiopia its Historic Route; Spain the Camino de Santiago; Peru its Inca Trail; Scotland its Whiskey Trail; Egypt its Aswan to Luxor cruise. Now, Ireland has joined the club with an almost immediately iconic tour that weaves a rope of many spectacles.


Resistance is futile, so I find myself back in Ireland, this time to travel a northern section of the west coast along what is now officially The Wild Atlantic Way.


Dublin, the main gateway to Ireland, is on the east coast, so it is a bit of a haul to the other side, and I decide to break it up with a stop at a little lodge in County Mayo owned by a friend and his family… Ashford Castle.


The castle, on 350 acres along the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, dates back eight centuries and was owned by the Guinness family for over 100 years. The Tollman family bought the castle in June 2013, and have since put some $75 million into restoration. It shows.


Walking through the vaulted entrance is like being swept into a palace inside a manor, inside a museum, in a castle. It is, one staffer boasts, “Europe’s first seven-star hotel.”


To get to my room I walk past a full suit of armor, with a rapier in one hand, a dagger in the other, looking as though he may step into battle at any moment, or just raise an arm, as in a hundred shows, from Abbott and Costello to Scooby Doo to Night at Museum. Above is a Belgian Val Saint Lambert chandelier, one of 130 hanging sprays that twinkle throughout. Then down a hall of fame (in some cases, shame), lined with pictures of guests past, Ronald Reagan, Brad Pitt, Fred Astaire, Barbara Streisand, John Travolta, Ted Kennedy, Tony Blair, Robin Williams, Jack Nicholson and John Wayne (he filmed The Quiet Man just down the road in the village Cong).


Pierce Brosnan got married here in 2001, and I send him an email (I took him rafting down the Colorado a few years back) boasting of coordinates, and he promptly emails back that he plans to return, as he will soon be making a film in Ireland.


My two-story bedroom is furnished with antiques, bespoke carpets, an Italian walnut bed, original artwork, a marble bathroom. I feel like a 13th-century king, except there are electronic blinds, USB chargers in the wall, and free Wi-Fi.


READ THE FULL ARTICLE on the Huffington Post


ashford castle


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Published on July 09, 2015 09:00

July 8, 2015

Philippines: I choose to travel.

Growing up in a country that practices the value of close family ties makes it hard living your life the way you want to. It teaches you that family comes first and somehow you are obliged to show them they are your priority. You are expected to build your dreams and aspirations to make your family’s life better before you head out on your own. This may be a noble value but there are times that you have to make a choice and go out of the norm.


When I graduated from college expectations starts to pour on me. My family expected me to find a decent good paying job so that we can have a better life. Since then, this has been my goal. Do the job, get paid, give a part of my income to my family, help with my family’s needs and what’s left of my money is for going out to have coffee or movie with friends or save it for the things I wish to buy. But then my priorities changed when I first had a taste of travelling.


Travelling became the top on my list of the things that I need. From the excitement that I felt when I bought my first plane ticket to riding the plane and landing on my destination. Anticipating the adventure and cherishing the rewarding experience was life fulfilling for me. From then on I decided that I wanted to travel as much as I can, to see the many places I haven’t seen, explore and have countless adventures. When I realized these things, my perception changed. Yes, I do want to give back to my family that I also have to make myself happy and travelling is what makes me happy. So, I started to work and save for my travels and me and my dad argues about it most of the time.


My dad thought that I am being selfish and that I am running away from the responsibilities of giving back to my family. But it’s just him being unfair. I know I have the right to choose where I want my life to be heading. Even though he does not understand it, if I haven’t discovered how fun it is to travel I might got married earlier, have kids and settled on a life that I might be regretting. I know I’m doing my best to provide for both my family’s need and mine.


Travelling taught me to enjoy life first. It showed me there are a lot of things that can offer me a lot of unforgettable memories and experience. You can never settle and you will crave more of the world. You want to see and experience everything.  You’ll be learning more once you are exposed. You will understand the way of living better.


Last June 6, 2015, I decided to take a trip on my own. This is the first time I travelled alone. My itinerary was not as concrete unlike when I am travelling with my friends. But I still decided to go on and take the trip. The experience was liberating. It gave me a sense of how I can handle myself on my own. I was surviving for four days of taking care of myself on a place away from my family and people I know. I only have me. I was saying to myself if I will be able to get this trip done without me getting into any trouble, I’ll be able to take on the world.


 


Travelling is what makes me happy and so I choosing it, even if it means I have to break some values and get out of the culture. Deciding to make travel my priority does not mean I’ll forget my family. Though my dad does not see it, whenever I travel it makes me miss home, it makes me want to come home as soon as I can. To share what I learned from the different places I’ve been to. It’s making me closer to them than before.


Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.


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Published on July 08, 2015 08:00

July 7, 2015

Escaping the Concrete in the UK



My shoulders are burning. My ankles feel like they are made of broken glass. I still haven’t showered; my clothes are stubbornly holding onto the scent of burning wood and sweat. Probably why the seats adjacent to me on this bus are empty, despite it being rush-hour. I just got back from wild camping in the Peak District, and I’m feeling a strange sense of tranquillity as I’m heading home through the bustling city.


Out of the four of us, none had wild camped before. We have just entered our twenties; life is now beginning to unload its torrents of relentless responsibilities and monotonous expectations. We all felt the same – we needed to get away, out of the city, out of consumerism and commercialism and the concrete world we are so accustomed to.


It was raining when we arrived in Buxton. All we knew about this town came from the bottled water brand of the same name – further evidence to our capitalistic credence and ignorance of anything not found within a Tesco Express. Stepping off the bus we had taken from Manchester, the first thing I noticed was the smell. As much as I love Birmingham, the city I was born and raised in, it’s not a pleasant smelling place. You don’t really reach this revelation until you go to a place like Buxton.


The air smelled clean, the people looked happy and the streets were tidy and quirkily laid out. Our stay was short though; we were determined to reach the Peak District with plenty of time before the sun began to set. Using our smart phones and the advice gleaned from helpful locals, we managed to find our bearings and set off in the direction of the National Park.


Our packs were heavy but our spirits surged with every step down the country road. The landscape around us became increasingly alien and mystifyingly beautiful the further we travelled; I noticed that our conversation topics changed as soon as we entered the wild. We delved deep into spiritualism, told fantasy stories where we affected strange accents, and frequently broke into spontaneous song like some wayfaring a Capella group. It occurred to me at one point that we must have looked extremely bizarre to anyone who witnessed our antics. The beauty of this trip, however, was that we were finally, wholly free of the inhibitions and social etiquette one has to uphold in the city. It was truly a refreshing and intoxicating feeling.


I went on to take a lot of photos throughout our trip. 923 to be exact. I can’t bring myself to start editing them yet though – just a quick glance at them on my camera stirred up an intense feeling of restlessness in my core. I’ll need to readjust myself to the city life before I get started on these pictures. I’m quite certain this restless feeling will never truly leave me though; not until I go back into the wild.


About the Authour: Joey Whiston is a 22-year-old English & Media student, fuelled by caffiene and the urge to create. An avid writer and photographer, he views the world in terms of narrative and adventure, and is always eager to see where the next path goes.


 Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.



 


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Published on July 07, 2015 16:20

California: #HarrahsSoCal Lazy River

Lisa Niver and kellee Set Go HarrahsI enjoyed my cruise with Harrah’s Southern California and was delighted by the tasty treats and incredible team. I am going to explore the Lazy River. Do you want to Dive in with me?


Dive at Harrah’s Resort Southern California celebrated its debut in July 2013 and the trifecta of pools includes a lazy river, main pool, Southern California’s only swim-up bar and nine hot tubs.


The lazy river winds its way through grottos and waterfalls and is nearly 400 feet in length. Cocktails, are available for guests 21+ at the swim-up bar. There are21 cabanas and 10 daybeds throughout the pool area.


VideoHarrah’s So Cal Your First Resort for Fun



Dive Saturdays: Guests can get FIT with poolside fitness classes taught by FIT Athletic. Classes are at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays throughout the summer with poolside activities such as water volleyball, putt-putt, craft beerology and live music to follow.


Explore Dive Day Club on Sundays with world-renowned, live talent and a poolside Vegas-style party experience. Guests must be 21+.


1st & Dive: Guests can dive into football season at the pool and watch NFL games on 9’ x 16’ LED TV, with different games being shown in each cabana, with food and drink specials Sundays throughout the season. 






Dancing the night away @harrahssocal amazing food, music and gaming #harrahssocal do you like my new outfit?


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jun 25, 2015 at 8:12pm PDT








Loving sunset sailing @harrahssocal what a great night out! #harrahssocal A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jun 25, 2015 at 8:18pm PDT






Thank you Captain Joel & @harrahssocal what a wonderful evening on the water #harrahssocal


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jun 25, 2015 at 9:30pm PDT








Serious sailing @harrahssocal event with @kellesetgo “Your first resort for fun!” I cannot wait for the lazy river. #harrahssocal A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jun 25, 2015 at 10:33pm PDT



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Published on July 07, 2015 09:00

Enda testing

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Published on July 07, 2015 04:36

July 6, 2015

GoodBar and The Outpost: It’s all GOOD Santa Barbara

The Goodland - Exterior - Photo Credit John Ellis The Goodland – Exterior – Photo Credit John Ellis

GoodBar and The Outpost: It’s all GOOD


You will have a good evening at Goodland: “All the GOOD stuff is here.” Drinks at the Good Bar are great and the atmosphere is hip, casual and uber comfortable. Cheers with “Buck Shot:” Has beer, bourbon & homemade ginger syrup. My personal favorite is the dark & stormy made with true ginger syrup.


Dining at the Outpost is a feast for all your senses:

I recommend you try these first:



Incredible artichoke and Brussels with tomatillo aioli
Brisket Bao-Bun with homemade (made in house) bun with fresh horseradish and sweet hoisin sauce.
Beef Bulgogi with spring squash kimchi &furikake taco to support NoKidHungry #ShareOurStrength with Chef James Siao. Great cause and truly incredible tacos!
California halibut with Israeli couscous, green onion, Meyer lemon and salsa fresca. This was amazing! Fantastic fish and complimentary tastes!
It was a seriously stellar evening and an incredible meal followed by ridiculously GOOD dessert: Banana pudding & Buttermilk pie & huckleberry compote.

Chef Derek, Zana, Chris and the entire team gives top quality service with creative inspired tasty food. I have to say that the Outpost and Chef Derek are a homerun! They opened Sept 12, 2014 and it is already a fixture in Goleta & Santa Barbara life.


Video: Dinner and Drinks at the Outpost The Goodland



See my other videos about The Goodland Hotel and Visit Santa Barbara with Lisa from We Said Go Travel





#Goodbar Good Evening at Goodland “All the GOOD stuff!” Hip feeling, casual and uber comfortable


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 7:27pm PDT








Incredible artichoke and Brussels with tomatillo aioli @outpostsb, @chef_derek83 is truly a master chef of taste and style A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 9:11pm PDT






What to try @outpostsb? It really is all GOOD at Goodland! But these Brisket Bao-Bun with homemade made in house bun with fresh horseradish and sweet hoisin sauce. OMG! Come right away to try this!


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 9:16pm PDT








Beef Bulgogi with spring squash kimchi &furikake taco to support NoKidHungry #ShareOurStrength with Chef James Siao. Great cause and truly incredible tacos! A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 9:59pm PDT






Cheers with “Buck Shot:” Has beer, bourbon & homemade ginger syrup and a dark & stormy with true ginger syrup. Chef Derek, Zana, Chris and the entire team gives top quality service with creative inspired tasty food.


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 10:07pm PDT








California halibut with Israeli couscous, green onion, Meyer lemon and salsa fresca. Amazing! Fantastic fish and complimentary tastes! Outpost and Chef Derek are a homerun! Opened Sept 12, 2014 &already a fixture in Goleta & Santa Barbara life. A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 10:14pm PDT






Seriously stellar evening incredible meal and ridiculously GOOD dessert: Banana pudding & Buttermilk pie & huckleberry compote.


A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 10:20pm PDT








Team GOOD is great @outpostsb & @thegoodlandsb. Soecial thanks to Chef Derek, Melanie, Dana, Chris and GOODbar! A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Apr 14, 2015 at 10:35pm PDT



The post GoodBar and The Outpost: It’s all GOOD Santa Barbara appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

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Published on July 06, 2015 12:00

Limassol, Cyprus: The other side of the Mediterranean





limassol_topLimassol, Cyprus: The other side of the Mediterranean


By Kyveli Kardas


After arriving from a much colder and rainy climate, finally my body is feeling the much awaited heat in July in Limmasol.  The Larnaca airport terminal is a modern tasteful building that is easy to navigate. The smiling people at the passport check welcomed us to Cyprus with the well – mannered geniality that becomes a standard operating procedure in countries that are not only accustomed but dedicated to receiving travelers. 


londa_picina_1 Londa Hotel Pool

And after leaving the air-conditioned realm that was the terminal… heat happened. It felt like an insidiously aggressive wave that caressed the skin and filled the lungs with the certainty that this is a whole different climate. Travel guides vow that the Mediterranean climate is temperate but there is nothing temperate about Cyprus. When, half an hour later, I arrived in Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus, I experienced the thrill that every modern and historical place offers travelers. 


Londa Hotel Restaurant Londa Hotel Restaurant

Cyprus is set on what the oceanographers call the “Levant Basin” of the sea. This means the summers are long and hot -from early April well into November- and that is one of the reasons why Limassol swarms with visitors from all over the world. They are a colorful and cosmopolitan mix that gives wonderful opportunities to enjoy people-watching at the marina or molos (as the elder Limassolians call it), Saripolou street and the South West Bay of Limassol. The beaches there could make Ulysses forget Ithaca. They are sprinkled with posh and luxurious beach bars that match the pleasures of Calypso’s island. The service lives up to the standards of hotels, the food and drinks are better than what I tasted in established restaurants in urban areas of other countries.   


Stay at Londa Hotel Stay at Londa Hotel

As I was watching the dancing and drinking crowd in one of those beach bars, I thought that perhaps cities have a destiny or an ancient DNA that prevails and will forever shape their character and historical course. Limassol has been receiving ‘guests’ of various nationalities forever. Merchants, pirates, crusaders, kings and their armies, everyone has been here leaving a mark that is still visible today, especially in the urban area. I discovered how decades before Saripolou street became the place to be, the municipal market must have been the main point of reference in the city. And even before that people must have gathered around the Kepir Mosque to meet and exchange news and information. And going even back further and a bit deeper into the old city I found myself walking around the Limassol Castle, where Richard I of England married Berengaria of Navarra for love and conquest. And strolling right down again, I ended up in the old Port, where pirates came to rest, sell or steal what was left to be stolen.


Londa Hotel Spa Londa Hotel Spa

Today there are no pirates or crusaders in Limassol. There is modern infrastructure, design hotels, and interesting events to attend. There is nothing to steal other than the beautiful images and the sun that every Northerner so longs for. There is this prevailing memory and feeling among the locals: as everything changes, the tide shifts and the powers are forever re-allocated, it is important to receive that change with the well – mannered geniality that they receive their guests and tourists. They seem to have figured out what it is all about. It is their destiny. Not in the sense of an inevitable end but in the sense that they use the lessons of their past to create their future.   


A few tips:


Kourion CyprusMy main point of interest was the city of Limassol. I mostly walked or biked around, fully protected by sun block and a wide brimmed hat. I stayed at the Londa Beach Hotel in the Executive Suite, the balcony of which had the most magnificent view to the beach. The service deserves more than five stars rating. I would definitely become a Lotus Eater if I stayed a few more days.


To catch a glimpse of the ancient history of the island, visit the ancient city of Amathus. It is situated just 5km east of Limassol and is another vivid example of how people of various ethnic origins, Phoenicians, Jews, Egyptians and Greeks lived and prospered in the area.


If you feel like strolling around Limassol consider attending the fully guided tour that takes place every Monday at10.00 am and lasts about two hours and a half. Starting point is the Tourist Information Office (CTO) on 142 St. Andreou Street.


About the Author: Kyveli Kardasi travels for business and writes for pleasure. She loves islands, people watching and yoga. 


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Published on July 06, 2015 09:00

We Said Go Travel

Lisa Niver
Lisa Niver is the founder of We Said Go Travel and author of the memoir, Traveling in Sin. She writes for USA Today, Wharton Business Magazine, the Jewish Journal and many other on and offline publica ...more
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