Cyprus - February 2006

Though I spent most of my time in Cyprus INSIDE a beach-front hotel, I did get out to explore the island a little. I visited the capital city of Nicosia, which is been divided by a literal wall (a la Berlin). Since 1974, the entire island has been divided between the Greek-dominated Cypriots in the south and the Turkish occupiers in the north. The dividing line runs right through the heart of Nicosia. From one point on the south (Cypriot) side, you can look over the wall to the north (Turkish) side. In between lies a "no man's land" that acts as a time capsule. Bullet-riddled buildings and land mines have remained untouched since the fighting stopped 32 years ago.

I also visited an archeological site on the southern coast. The ruins were of a Roman settlement called Kourion. The site was huge and at a beautiful location overlooking the Mediterranean.