Cyrpus, 21-28 May 2006

OK so this is a late post....

So the week began with 2 out of the 3 (being me, Waz & Puff) of us being completely knackered at Gatwick on the Sunday: Sal had a wild night and only managed an hour or so’s sleep and I had managed to have a lovely day with the girls for Miho’s hen lunch in Islington, followed by more booze in the pub, then on to Mat and Kev’s birthday drinks at the Light Bar…. Or so I thought! Unfortunately for Lex, Dan decided to break off their engagement that day and I received a phone call of despair around 7pm so jumped in a cab to Kennington. After some sobering up, so Eurovision song contest, some consoling and chatting, I found my way to back to the Light Bar in time for everyone to go home! Aid and Manda kindly provided a lift back to mine, via KFC (can’t actually believe we found one open at 1.45 in the morning, but it was GOOD! Got in around 2.30am, went to bed and got up again at 7 in order to pack and be ready for pick up at 9.15!!

So we get to LGW, Sal on time and with passport – always a bonus these days!
We arrive in Paphos late Sunday evening to dump our bags in the hotel (Alexander the Great) and dash out for some food. After finding our way into town via a very empty ‘Bar Street’ (being pounced on all the way by reps trying to coerce us into their establishments) we found ourselves in a fairly naff restaurant for dinner. I’m sure Claire will disagree as she was the only one who actually enjoyed her meal!

Monday we were allocated our sunbeds for the week – marvellous. Cushions on the loungers, a brolly and waiters passing by to serve to you drinks all day, the beach in front of you, the pool behind… what more could we ask for?? Did I mention it was about 27 degrees without a cloud in the sky (all week!!)?? Dinner in the Chinese (delish!) followed by drinks in Café Vienna – very civilised, and home to bed reasonably early.

Tuesday, more sunbathing, dinner in the Rib House, and a grope on the way home! (don’t ask!)

Wednesday saw dinner in Café Vienna followed by cocktails in ‘Topps’, where we drank with the Manager Stelios, and 2 of his mates. Sal managed to get wasted on Long Island Iced Teas and Claire and I ended up in the Rainbow Bar (one of the only 2 places that stays open beyond 2am) for a boogie. Shoes were removed, and dancing was to be had! Needless to say, black feet were found on arrival to bed (of course there are photos of this – 2 out of 3 taken the whole holiday, not a bad effort!) and we lost Sal to the beach! (She would rather forget the whole evening but I’m afraid it has to be logged if only to note that this was when key no. 3 was issued by reception!)

Thursday – Hung over. When I finally arrived at the sunbeds, the dynamic duo had worked their magic and chatted up the water sports guys (David & Avram) and had managed to wangle a free pedalo provided we did the boat trip and took the jet skis out another day… Of course we chose the top class luxury pedalo with slide! They’d also caught the attention of the Glaswegian ‘scuba diving’ instructor (Paul), who we later met in ‘Aces’, with his mate (Tim) to watch the England friendly v. Belarus. A fairly tame evening with me being the only one interested in the football,… the others’ interests all lay elsewhere!

Friday bought the boat trip. Snorkelling was the order of the day… but on arrival in Coral Bay it was concluded that you’d probably only really see some flaky coral, a few old boots and the bottom of the boat! (not quite up to the Egyptian waters – get me! the snorkelling snob!) Oh and apparently it was bloody cold – yeah I didn’t go in! Anyway the boat ride was good and a great way to top up the tan. After a spot of lunch Sal and I ventured on the jet skis – marvellous! We got some good speed up (by girls standards apparently!) and we felt like we’d done a full body work out for the whole 20 mins that we were out! Very good fun. We found ourselves in Chloe’s (Chinese) for dinner, and then off to the Felix bar to chaperone Claire’s meeting with Paul. Of course we arrived to find him with Tim (I’d say ‘nice but dim’, but I think I actually mean Tim ‘been there & done everything… better than you’) so Sal and I plotted a plan to move on without him. We were successful and found ourselves in the Waterhole, where Sal spotted the dishy PR guy and we witnessed a major fight – I’m talking English v. Cypriots, scuffling on the flower beds, wooden planks being hurled at each other, police, blood and so on! All in all a good way to get chatting to 2 South African guys (Deano & Sam). We were going back to theirs to be taught poker but their mates seemed a bit stroppy and they didn't have a pool for a late night dip so we decided against it!

Saturday bought more sunshine, the girls on the jetskis and the banana! And an evening out in town with all the buddies we'd made throughout the week, perfick.

Our final day was mostly made up of laughter... laughter on the jet skis. Claire and I jumped on together, and within seconds there was hysterical laughter... I'm not even sure what was so funny but I know at one stage I shouted 'I'm gonna pee myself laughing', and the response was 'I already have!'. We bumped heads, she nearly broke my wrists, I got life jacket chin rash, and we didn't even go that fast - oh well. Another work-out had!

Other memorable things/moments:
‘Bread please’
Sal’s sunbed row with the ‘old crow’ next to us.
Professor Klump
The missing curtain, initiating ‘I think we should complain’
Bad aircon – once again, our own error (it only worked when the doors were completely closed!) but it was a bit naff too
Plastic bowls at brekkie – are we 5??
Ready Steady Cook & Weakest Link
The aeroplane giggles – carotene story and shepherds v. cottage pie….
‘I love a lilo!’
Kerfuffle
Sal’s row with the concierge man!! Turkish delights...
Midnight at the Oasis – Brand New Heavies
Claire’s sleep talking: ‘Nic, Nic…. Oh no sorry, thought you were someone else!’ and the laughter, crazy laughter!
Handing in 5 door keys at the end of the week...

Top week girls – fab time! When’s the next one??