Road Trip To Larnaca

So it's weekend finally and after a busy, stressful week we decided to visit Larnaca as Phil's never been there. The idea was good, the heat was terrible. Half way there we were already boiling and doubting our decision but it was too late to turn back.

I didn't know too much about Larnaca but we had a plan to see the old town, have a lunch by the sea and go to the Salt lake before we leave.

We found a car park in the center and in a few minutes we were on the way to bake ourselves.

Just a minute walk away was standing the Church of Saint Lazarus and with its long, shade promising arcades which we could not resist.

As the church's name suggests it was named for Lazarus of Bethany who was raised from the dead by Jesus, and was built over his reputed (second) tomb.

We were a bit hesitant whether or not we were dressed properly so I threw a cape over my shoulders just in case before descending the church from the open porch.

The air inside was thick and warm, it was hard to breath and the church was a bit smaller than I expected but the centuries old pillars and stonework were spectacular. The interior was fairly decorated with icons and chandeliers and behind the altar small stairs were leading us down to the tomb of St Lazarus.

The tomb is now empty as the remains were transferred to Constantinople in 898 however during the renovations of the church after a fire damage in the 70s human remains were discovered and identified as part of the saint's relics.

Due to lack of ventilation I couldn't bear the heat anymore so we left catacomb and church to get some fresh air.

We didn't need to walk more than a minute to find ourselves in the Turkish quarter - the Skala - which to me seemed bigger and busier than the one in Limassol.

The old whitewashed houses are now homes of mishmash antique stores, souvenir shops selling sea sponges, cafes and bars.

I noticed a couple of old abandoned buildings in the middle of a street which I had to explore. It turned out one of them has quite a fascinating past but very neglected and sad present. Evkaf Dairesi Bekir Pasa Su Idaresi was an old water administration department building responsible for distributing the water via the cities aqueduct. Sadly the Cypriot government had no further plans for it and left it to waste away.

The other houses around have seen better days too, the International Youth Hostel were also shut down and it all looked like Larnaca's slum area.

We figured we could have a more cheerful sight if we finally walked down to Finikoudes beach and have a bite.

We had a lunch in Kalamaki bistro by the sea which I can strongly recommend if you like Greek cuisine. The food was very tasty and very cheap, the best combo ever.

From there we walked down to the pier near the Medieval fort, had a little paddle in the water before we got back to our car, passing by the Grand Mosque of Djebi Kemir.

Since we were in Larnaca, visiting the Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke was a must, even though it's not the best season for that. The water from the lake is long gone, let alone the flamingos, but the Mosque with its oasis in the middle of the desert is still a beautiful view.

I wasn't quite sure if I could enter the mosque after seeing the signs asking us to remove the shoes, not to use cameras etc but there were quite a few tourists including women walking around free without being told off, so I gave it a go too, respectfully putting on a cape again.

We walked through the gates and the small garden and reached the mosques entrance. I didn't know what to expect but it looked a bit plain for me. For being the third most holy Muslim place of worship in the world I would have thought it would be more decorated or at least they would display some information about it.

We have removed our shoes and walked in. It was a complex of a mosque, mausoleum, minaret and a cemetery open to all, regardless your religion and beliefs.

The heat wore us out so the cold fresh water from the tap in the garden was a real lifesaver before we said goodbye to Sultan Tekke and head back to Limassol.

The flamingos will be back in few months and so will we...