Cyprus is a small and expensive
island-nation, and was our re-introduction to the 1st world after 6 months
of cruising.
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Cyprus - the Country
We visited Cyprus in June 2003 while helping a friend
deliver his motor-trawler from Egypt to Turkey.
Cyprus is a small island-nation, settled around 1000
BC with a long history of being dominated by outside nations from the
Assyrians in 700 BC to Britain in the 20th century. Presently part
of it is independent and the other part is a source of contention
between Greece and Turkey.
The price of goods shocked us since their currency
(Cypriot pound) was worth $US2, and goods cost twice what they
would in the US. |
Larnaca
This small town was a haven for yachts with warm waters, good
infrastructure, and a location outside of the European Union (EU) so that owners
could avoid the 18% VAT payable on yachts coming into the EU. Their
accession to the EU in May 2004 removes that advantage, and the high cost of
living will undoubtedly make some of the yachts move elsewhere. Larnaca
has lots of good sea-side restaurants, excellent provisioning, and all 1st world
services. We were introduced to Marks and Spencer, one of the UK's
premier department stores which helped blow our budget for the month.
The marina is mixed news: the inner harbor is quite secure,
however we were forced to tie up in the outer harbor against a concrete
bulkhead. A fresh southerly brought a chop into the harbor that made
boarding boats dangerous - in one case causing Judi to fall between the
surging boat and the bulkhead, a very dangerous position.
The Coast
We rented a car and drove to Limassol to visit friends on
Pegasus. The hills were dry and rocky with evidence of defenses along the
coast left by Britain when the controlled the island in the early 20th century.
The roads were very good and the sea views were stunning as we approached
Limassol and the other major port for cruisers.
The Politics
Cyprus is a sad case where its people continue to be
influenced by Greece and Turkey, the countries of origin of most of their
people. It is divided into two parts:
- Republic of Cyprus - The southern part is an
independent and prosperous country catering mostly to British tourists and
one of the recent (2004) members of the European Union. It has close
ethnic to Greece plus political and financial ties to Great Britain.
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - The northern
part is under the control of Turkey who invaded in 1974 in response to an
assassination attempt on then-president Makarios. No other country
recognizes its right to exist but the island continues to have an uneasy
peace, enforced by UN troops.
A recent example of such problems was the 2004 referendum on
reunification as a prelude to joining the EU. When it became apparent that
both parts were going to vote FOR reunification, the 80-year old leader
of the Republic of Cyrus and Greece began campaigning AGAINST
reunification using scare tactics, and in the end only the southern part was
admitted to the EU. Thus the north remains isolated and poorer with many
unresolved land claims left over from 1974.
For more on our trip through Cyprus see our
June 2003 Journal or move on to
Turkey, our next destination which turned into a 2-year stay.
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