Happy Birthday to the men I love the most xxx

We celebrate birthdays today - a bitter sweet experience as we remember Dad who would have been 88 today - my uncle David will be 87 and John somewhat less.  It being a Monday and having Michelle staying we had not really organised much save that we had seen there was a curry and music evening on at the Gin Bar in Kathikas so that was where we were headed with Di and Rob.  But that was to be later this evening and Michelle and I had a few properties to visit as part of her investigations as to whether Cyprus might be the place for her.



We were being picked up from the Droushia Heights Hotel and we had not been there with Michelle so it was an opportunity for her to go in and have a nosey whilst we waited for Mandalena to arrive and whisk us off to the Metrolops.  Michelle was well impressed with the interior and the exterior of the Hotel - it is a bit of a surprise to see something so modern and stylish in what is really a very traditional village.  Yiota was on breakfast duty and chastised us for not having been in recently.   To be fair we don't normally go in much in the Summer when it is heaving but also since they have dispensed with our loyalty cards and thereby the discount on the drinks it is cheaper to go elsewhere.

Mandelena arrived and took us to Geriskipou for the first viewing which was a Maispa development and we had the 'pleasure' of being shown round by Mr Maispa Sales Director Johnny 'I don't need to be telling you this'.  We were shown two rather elderly apartments which had been recently decorated and had all the windows and doors open which I suspect was to hide the smell of damp.  The initial impression of the MA SPA with a missing I on top of the ancient lift didn't bode well and the state of the pool was appalling.  I didn't say too much but was relieved that Michelle was of the same opinion that the company was having to shift some old stock before they could build anything new and what is it with that hideous insipid pink colour that they use - it is awful!!!

We were not unduly disappointed to be leaving Stalag 15 and had anticipated that we would then going on to Mandria for another viewing but our guide had a different brief and so although we went to see the area there were no properties for Michelle to see on the inside although we did see a couple from a distance and one close up which had a severe damp problem and was about to be repossessed. We had a little ride around and Michelle did like the area which was positive.  We went down to the sea where there is now a beach bar - I had heard about it and anticipated something along the lines of SeaYous but was rather underwhelmed by the corrugated shed that passes as the bar.  I shall not be rushing to try it.

We were then taken to Mouttalos which is an old Turkish quarter which is between Paphos Old Town and Chloraka.  On the face of it I would have thought this was the least likely contender but although the flat was currently occupied by a tenant with too much heavy dark furniture the flat felt like it could be made into a cosy home and was in a block of just six with a view across the ravine to Chloraka - a view which would not change.  The area was a little scruffy in places but that is common for Cyprus where stuff seems to accumulate outside and never get removed by the bin men.  This flat had definite potential and Michelle admitted that if she had been in a position to take it further she would have been tempted.   We were returned to Droushia via Kissonerga and Peyia where further properties were viewed Bette Midler style (from a distance) which was a bit irritating.

It was a quickish turn around for us because we were due at the Gin Bar at 7.00pm and had to pick Di and Rob up first - we were leaving the car at Kathikas and getting a taxi back with good old Tassos when we were ready to go home and we were thrilled that he came in his mini bus so he didn't have to do two trips.

We didn't know what to expect from the evening but lets just say it was fabulous.  The food was incredible and they had prepared a special vegetarian curry for Michelle which she thoroughly enjoyed.  The Green Thai Curry was superb and so was the Sweet and Sour Pork rice and noodles which we meat eaters had.  The group was the Reggae Rockers who did all sorts but Michelle was thrilled when they broke into some Queen numbers because she loves Queen and they did a pretty good rendition.

I shall leave with some videos from the evening so you can get a feel for how it all went.  Michelle said she had a fantastic time and for someone who doesn't drink she managed two pina coladas and a frozen daiquiri like a seasoned pro!!!