Cat Sitting and Playing Tourist

Today I woke in unfamiliar surroundings as I was staying down in Emba cat sitting whilst Mum and Lilian were having a couple of nights at the Forest Park Hotel in Platres.  True to Mum's word, Freddo woke me around 3.00am for food, this wasn't too much of an issue because I am used to the same with Charlie.  Prior to that he had been sleeping next to me snoring away quite happily.  I was pleased really that he seemed relaxed with me because he is quite a nervy thing.  Mum has been worried that he isn't eating much but I think he struggles to get his food out of the bowl - not helped because he has no teeth.

Today the world was my lobster and I took the opportunity to have a wander around parts of Paphos I have not been to in years.  I was getting my hair cut at 12.00 and had arranged it so that Lumi (my hairdresser) and I could go during her break to grab a coffee together - it has only taken 10 years to manage to organise this and I was determined not to let her down.  Prior to that I went in search of some cut-off trousers - lightweight ones for the summer as I am not a lover of shorts or skirts for that matter.  I headed off to the establishment that used to be Debenhams and which is now called Era - before it used to stock familiar chain store brands but sadly they have now all gone and I have to say there was nothing particularly that grabbed my attention so I doubt I would waste time heading there again.

Whilst over that side of town and took a drive down to the coast and along to take a look at Ricco's Beach Bar which used to be a scruffy ramshackle place with real character - we met Hilary and Keith there for a beer one afternoon after they had been rehearsing for the Big Band and that was when we met Simon and Melanie for the first time - they were just in the process of buying a house in Droushia and were also renting a house behind Mum and Dad in Emba - small world!!!  Ricco's has grown and is no longer quite a ramshackle - the beach in front is raked and beds set out ready for tourists.  Under the shade of the massive trees which have been there longer than the bar there are still a few old locals who sit to play Tavli and put the world to rights - I wonder what they have made of the last 18 months or of the development in Paphos - it is a building site with more and more hotels being constructed whilst shop upon shop and business upon business lie empty and derelict - I guess modern, squeaky clean, all-inclusive is winning over tradition and charm - such a shame.

With time to spare I negotiated my way across to the Harbour which is a feat in itself.  To say it is chaos there is an understatement as the main road has been dug up yet again and there are a number of diversions which start out well signed and then give up leaving the traveler to second guess where they should head next - I bet a lot of them do more circuits around St Paul's Pillar than they had anticipated or wanted.  Anyway in the harbour is this massive vessel which is called Ocean Vision and which we last saw when it was being refurbished next to Bona Mare Beach Bar - we had thought then that it was going to be some sort of entertainment establishment but didn't realise just how massive and luxurious it was going to be and that it would be refloated back onto the water.  This is for private hire and sounds amazing - I would think way out of our price range sadly!!

I had my hair cut and then Lumi and I set off on that long promised drink together - she wanted to go to Caffe Nero in the Old Town because it has great views and she likes to people watch.  I was more than happy with that so I drove us and we parked in the sunken carpark and came up in the glass lift and chose a seat on the edge by the 'river'.

We didn't have coffee in the end - we both opted for a smoothie as it was more refreshing.  It was lovely to catch up properly as friends rather than client and hairdresser.  I feel like I have known her for such a long time and never ask more than how her parents are doing and her son is doing.

She is Romanian so it was interesting to hear about her growing up under the Ceausescu regime and the life she had then and what made her come to Cyprus and then persuade her to stay.  She has had a barrel load of shit thrown at her throughout her life but she always remains cheerful and positive - as she says, what else can she do?

We have resolved not to let it be another 10 years before we do it again.  I will try and make sure my next appointment coincides with her having time to take a break and we will go again.

I spent the remainder of the afternoon at Emba with Freddo - watching some girlie TV whilst trying to decide what to have for my supper.  A short walk away Mum has several options - Paps Supermarket, Sayyas Takeaway, Tricolore Cafe Bistro and The Flying Dragon Thai/Chinese Takeaway.  I wasn't sure what I fancied but at the time I went down Sayyas had pretty much run out of most things I would have wanted and I thought Pizza or Pasta from Tricolore might be heavy so I took a look at the menu for the Flying Dragon.  I have to say we have eaten from here before and not been overly impressed and of course we are spoiled by the chefs at the Farmyard in Kathikas becuase they know exactly how we like our food.  In the end I decided to try Chicken Pad Thai as a takeaway which came, unexpectedly with a portion of sweet Chili sauce and a bag of fresh and crispy prawn crackers.  The photograph above is plate two (I had already woofed one lot down) and in my takeaway box was still about half of the contents.  It was delicious and a bargain at 7 euros - I would certainly recommend that to anyone.  I put mine on a plate but the cardboard container is thermal and I could have eaten it out of there.