4/5/22
After flying from Nepal to Dubai, I them had a nine hour stopover through the small hours to endure before my next flight to Lebanon. I managed over half the time just wandering round, drinking chai and waiting endlessly, before I caved and paid over the odds for a lounge. I had breakfast, a gin and rested in a comfy chair. On arrival to Lebanon I was told that although it was a self-transfer that someone else would go and collect my rucksack and recheck it in again. This sounded both convenient and nerve-racking – what were the chances my bag would arrive in Cyprus?! Personally, I was glad because the UK gov travel advice said to avoid all but essential travel to Lebanon, but if I didn’t leave the airport free zone, it didn’t count, right?! After a quick forty minute flight, we arrived in Larnaca, Greek Cyprus which is so close to Turkey, its not surprising there’s been issues in the past!! Since it was relatively late, I had already missed the last bus to Paphos, so I got one to Limassol, which is half way between! Eventually, I checked into my hostel after wandering around the wrong block of flats for ten minutes or so and hit the sack immediately. It’d been nearly 48 hours since I’d slept!
5/5/22
Since I was unexpectedly in Limassol, I was determined to enjoy my time and have a day exploring the city before I headed to Paphos for Nenay’s wedding. When I woke up, George, a guy that was volunteering in the hostel offered me coffee. He brought it to me while I was still lying on my bed, which was very luxurious! Afterwards, he said he would make me breakfast as I was about to head out for breakfast. It was a great breakfast with lots of halloumi (welcome to Greece!). After seeing how glam the gals going to Nad’s wedding we’re on insta, I decided that perhaps flip-flops wouldn’t do for the occasion and I would just look like a crazy backpacker! A Russian-Ukrainian guy who was living at the hostel long term offered to take me around a few shops. He drove me to a mall (big shopping centre – I’m not American yet!) and after being slightly terrified that we wouldn’t make it there in one piece (due to insane speeding), we wandered round a few places. There were too many stilettos, and nothing that caught the eye so we left. We headed back towards the hostel at breakneck speed, even with my complaints, and went to the local High Street. There, I found a suitable pair of nude, not too high, not too low, not too wobbly and not too clumpy pair of heels! I went to ditch the heels at the hostel, chatted on the terrace awhile, before going for my tourist mooch.
I headed to the marina at first to discover it was very pretty, but filled only with wealth and no life. I headed back round to find a local square with a really old church in the middle – bizarrely, it felt much like Covent Garden to me, with every sitting around in a square. I wandered through before picking a place for ice-cream (pistachio and white chocolate no less!) in another nearby square! Then I headed back to the hostel to grab my things before getting the last bus to Paphos. George, the guy who made me breakfast offered to drop me at the station and off we went. Sadly, people drive like madmen in Cyprus, so there was loads if traffic built up due to not one, but two crashes!! We watched the last bus leave for Paphos from the wrong side of the traffic barrier. Since George was Cypriot, he also was able to drive like a madman!! He took a shortcut and chased after the bus. Then at essentially, a motorway roundabout, he pulled in front of the bus, put his hazards on and got out the car to speak to the bus driver! The driver said there was another bus from the station soon so we headed back, zooming along! The bus from the station arrived, and while it was a different (and cheaper – what a win!) company, it was also going to Paphos! I thanked George and headed on my way!
The sun was setting as I arrived in Paphos town. I got a taxi to Nad’s hotel as I had had a last minute cancellation from the apartment I had booked because of ‘plumbing issues’. This I was not convinced of, but I was unable to stay regardless and Nenay kindly said they could squeeze me in with her family! I met Vee and she showed me the room and then I headed down to dinner. I jumped on Nenay and then went to grab food. I saw Hanna at the buffet and she gave me a crazy welcome!
Afterwards, Vee told me lots of people were going out and I could go out with Adam and Gareth. It was the night before my besties wedding and I was going out with the man that was giving her away no less. What could go wrong?! We ordered drinks and it went downhill from there! Had a great catch up with Adam and got to know Gareth while doing too many tequila shots, which Adam so wisely avoided! The night ended with me being sick before getting in a taxi with Adam, Gareth and one of Oli’s (the groom) mates. It was not a great day for Sarah!! I was less of a hot mess and more, just a mess!
6/5/22
It was wedding day! The wedding I’d taken three flights for, and I felt horrendous! Vee got me up and told me to go get breakfast before it closed! This was a good idea! Then I lay down awhile before getting a grip, showering and getting ready. Vee, Noona, Adam and Hanna left with the wedding party and I got ready. The rest of us all got a later bus into the countryside. Everyone looked fab!
The venue was picture perfect! We were all wondering how on earth Nads and Oli had found such a cute place in rural Cyprus! The ceremony was beautiful and I cried as predicted! Nenay looked amazing and the music and family and everything was just so lovely! Afterwards there were many photos with some drinks and then a pause before dinner. The courtyard where we ate dinner was so quaint and beautiful. The speeches were great with Oli’s and Vee’s being very cute. Then came drinks, a photo booth and dancing, including some traditional Greek dancing!! I chilled mainly with Liz, who it was so lovely to see again after so long, her man, Will and his mate Chelsea. It was a beautiful day!
wanderingwelshie travels 