CYPRUS- Part 2

Thursday was the day we had to leave, we made the most of the day at the hotel by using the pool, putting our luggage into the locked room and didn't leave till like 2:30! It was bliss and I will never forget my time there.


The next place we stayed for the next 3 days was a self contained compartment which was unexpected but had lovely views of the sea right on our doorstep literally.  We settled in enjoying the sea and as it was early evening we walked down the beach to a fish restaurant to eat.  It actually had really good food. Alex had the calamari and I had moussaka; for dessert they gave us free golden fried balls dipped in syrup which is a delicacy in Cyprus and Greece.
On Friday we finally head on down the waterpark in Ayia Napa!! I was so excited, I had been there before but years ago and I was so excited to go again with Alex!  We spent nearly the whole day there on the lazy river and various rides.  It was so fun and scary at the same time. I wish I could spend my whole time there. We had some nice food that night that I showed Alex too because I had been there before.

 Alex likes doing other things and not just be at the sea/pool, so on Saturday we decided to head down to the main part in Cyprus and do some shopping.  It was so relaxing and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would!!  We got back early and actually went in the sea with this cool ball we brought that bounces so if it goes the water it just bounces right up.  We had a really lovely dinner Saturday as this was our last night there and we were leaving Sunday, we also had some drinks in this beach drink place which was lively.  On Sunday we packed up, dropped our luggage of at the airport at stayed locally having some food to eat and a walk about before heading back to the airport for our flight.

CYPRUS- Part 1

Summer of 2016 I went to my second home Cyprus with my boyfriend Alex! I love Cyprus and used to go year after year when I was younger but stopped when I was around 15.  This was my first time back since then at age 23 and Alex's first time at all! I was so excited to show him all the beautiful things I remembered and introduce him to my world.

We booked with LowCost holidays which meant we could pay in two stages but it all became a mess when they went into administration in July before our holiday.  When I rang to confirm that our hotel booking was still there they sent me an email to reassure me that the booking was still there and everything was okay.  

The day of the start of our holiday went okay we did miss the bus but managed to get to Heathrow on time and awaited our flight!  The flight was okay and went quick, when arriving in Cyprus it was soo hot and humid! Our taxi guy was hilarious and made us laugh so much we actually used him again once! It all turned upside down when at the hotel I had printed out the emails the hotel had sent us to make sure it all went okay but when they looked up our booking it turned out to be cancelled- a week after I called- I was devastated, the worst news I could have heard, where were we going to stay? Thank goodness Alex was with it I couldn't even talk properly except from having a go at them at the beginning saying how it was unacceptable.  In the end they were able to place us for 4 days at a half board rate which we had to pay for again and then the other 3 days we stayed in a self contained apartment which was okay but not all that.

We decided to try and put the disaster behind us and concentrate on our holiday. We went to our room which was gorgeous and did still have a sea view as well as a view on the terrace below which came in handy a few days later in the evening when there was a magician person around.  After settling in for a little bit we headed straight for the pool not caring it had been a long day!  We had a good time around the pool, basking in the scorching sun! In the evening we just ate in the restaurant a la carte! We went for a small walk along the beach which was calming and peaceful exactly what we needed on the first night after what happened.

The next day we got up early to make sure we enjoyed our day.  I definitely overate big time at breakfast because there was such a variety of foods to eat that was available I helped myself to nearly all of them!!   When I could finally swim, it was amazing , the cool water around me, the sun shining down and best of all, Alex was right beside me!  The pool had a bar which was so handy because we were able to order drinks in the pool if we wanted to!   That evening my sister and Aunty came down from where they were staying and we went to the finikoudes which is a street of restaurants that lies by the palm trees.  We went to a restaurant that I had been to before with my family last time we went called Hobos and it looked just how I remembered it! We had a great evening with my sister and Aunty ending with crepes and cocktails.   We were able to have Tuesday as just our day and not have to rush around to do anything so we made sure to relax around the pool for as long as we could!  For the evening we went to another one of my childhood favourites Gregory's and this brought so many memories from when I ate here with my family and I was so happy to bring Alex to see what it was like.  It hadn't changed a bit, it was exactly how I remembered it and the food was excellent, I wish I could go there every week.  We got the bus into the finikoudes which took ages because we either had just missed one or it was late and we had a few cocktails in town.

On the Wednesday, we just chilled by the  pool, swimming, drinking and relaxing! It was our last day at the hotel and we wanted to make the most of it. We went down to the lovely sunny beach for a walk and we also sneaked into the hotel next door to use the pool.  We didn't leave the pool till late and then in the evening we stayed in and had the mezze that was on offer from the hotel which was included in half board.

Afternoon tea like a queen

Being British I do love a tea.. not that I am being stereotypical  saying  Brits only like teas I am not.. but I know many that do.

Afternoon tea is a posh occasion to dress up in your best attire and basically have a cup of tea..... not any old tea though, so many  different  flavour tea some you would never have hears off!  It also comes with little sandwiches, scones and a few small desserts. 

Over the past few years I have been too 5 afternoon teas  (mostly last year). Each for different  occasions, pre wedding, birthday, Christmas  and casual. Each special, different and yummy.  

I thought I would do reviews of each of my experiences.

WEST LODGE HOTEL

My sister and I  went to this hotel  in North London for a pre wedding get together just for the girls. It was in a very  big room  with loads of tables set up and decorated  in white with  ribbons and balloons put up everywhere.
The tea itself was just normal tea (Earl grey I think), the sandwiches  were shaped as a finger and they were really yummy and kept getting  refilled when they were eaten. There were scones, macaroons and other little cakes to eat. Overall it was nice for a big group party.


MILLENNIUM  HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

January 2016, I took Alex here  for afternoon tea  as part of his Christmas  present. This was a very posh hotel, and we were seated in this lovely  room all done up! We each had  a glass of bubbly each; there was a wide range of tea selection with different  fruit infusions  but I just went for a normal English tea as I am not one for fruity teas.  The sandwiches were very delicate, with salmon, chicken, egg and cucumber; they were yummy and just enough.  The scones, jam and clotted cream were delicious!  They are quite filling though because of how they are made. I did eat both though... greedy me!  For the little desserts, there were a carrot cake, a chocolate cake and a fruit cake.  I couldn't have the carrot cake as I am allergic but had everything else.

VALERIE PATISSERIE

My mum and I went here mid last year for a treat together as we always talked about having one but then it never happened!!  I was interested to see what it would entail as  I have had it in a hotel. We were seated straight  away and ordered our tea. When the tray  of goodies  came out there looked really  yummy! We had the normal kinds of sandwiches  and scones  but  when it came to the little dessert treats there were a different  range which  were yummy! I don't know if I would  go again as  I could go there and get a normal dessert!

SOMEWHERE IN EUSTON

I can't remember the name of this hotel/ restaurant that Milly took me too for my birthday in July.  She took me too this very chic place where we sat upstairs, the decor was minimal which suited the white interior perfectly.  Again there were a lot of different teas to choose from and I had a breakfast tea because I don't like changing aha.  I can't remember what Milly had!  The sandwiches that came with it was very cute and tasty just enough to fill us up! The scones were so yummy and crumbly with strawberry jam and clotted cream, just the way I like it! The desserts were different because of my nut allergy so I had one specially made for me which was a really nice chocolate mousse.  I appreciated that they did this as they had late notice.  The other desserts were just as good and we spent a good while chatting, eating and enjoying ourselves on such a lovely sunny day.

MILLENNIUM HOTEL MAYFAIR

I took Milly here for Christmas not realising it was a different branch to the one I had been at previously.  I was intrigued to see what laid ahead in the hotel and I must say I was amazed.  It was better than the one in Knightsbridge in the sense it was far more posh and fancy.  From stepping into the hotel, there was an air or efficiency and helpfulness.  The area where the afternoon tea is held was breathtaking, all the cutlery and plates were matching, the decor was lovely and it had such a good atmosphere.  There were so many teas too choose from which I knew Milly would love as she loves her teas and trying different ones.  In the end, she chose white rose and fig tea and I had my normal English breakfast tea!  When they came, it also came with a tea timer where you had to wait for the specific timer for your tea to end before pouring into your cup!  As I am allergic to nuts, I had informed them beforehand, when the selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts came, they were on two different stands and I was explained what was there and which ones were different.  This was my first experience where they had remembered my allergy and that they had gone to great lengths to make sure I was safe.  The sandwiches were so nice, I did have two cucumber sandwiches as the chicken one had nuts, I wish they had asked me before what I would have preferred as I love salmon and cream cheese one! The scones were delish as usual but could only have cream cheese as they had a mixed berry jam which included cherries and I have a slight allergy to that and the other option was something I didn't know but was like a mango.  The desserts were all nice, apart from the creme brulee it didn't really hit the spot I think especially as I was so full by then.

Sunny Wales....or more like Windy Wales.

Over Easter 2016 I went to Wales  with Alex and his family! I have never been to Wales or explored much of the UK before  really so was  really excited.


We visited Pembroke Castle which was a good find. I learnt some more about that era and who was who and the history behind it being there.   Alex and I ate at the pub  that evening and it was lovely.

We went to explore another town that was near us and spent most of the day there! We went to the beach, had yummy fish and chips  and had a walk around the small shops there.

Before leaving to go to Bournemouth  we went to a zoo that was near by and that  was an amazing  experience! I got to feed a wallaby!! There were so many different  kinds of animals and was nice to relax and have a calm walk instead of rushing around which we had been doing.

The next 3 days Alex and I spent in Bournemouth  and that was nice and relaxing. We went shopping, to the aquarium  and to a buffet  restaurant called Day's  which was  so good  on one day. We went to a water park the other  and that was a great experience! The last day we went for a stroll before going home.

Aquariums

I have gotten quite addicted to visiting aquariums wherever I go!!  Been to one in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton.

Thought I would show you some of my pics from each experience....