Mallorca

I had five days off at xmas, and I decided to go to Palma de Mallorca. I got flights from Lufthansa, change in Frankfurt, for about 200 €. I booked a studio in an apartment hotel, for 4 nights it cost me 140 €.

Again I had a ridiculous flight time, at 5.05 a.m. There are no busses at that time from Limerick to Dublin airport, the first bus would arrive at 4 so I didn't want to risk being late. So I took the bus on Friday evening already, and stayed the night at the airport. Sleeping at a floor is not really my thing but all the couches were taken already. Slept maybe 15 mins… better than zero! During the flight I was able to sleep about half an hour too! Considering that I woke up on Friday morning at 5.50, I was feeling just a bit tired when arriving to Frankfurt. I had a long stop, so I took the train to the city and walked around a little, until it started to rain. Went early back to the airport and I am glad I did! I knew December 22nd is one of the busiest days, but omg, I did not expect that Frankfurt airport is zero organized for the day! The line for the boarding pass control was just crazy and went through the airport with no control where it goes. There was ONE guy walking around and telling people which line to go to, and people were just running and rushing around, and no signs anywhere. After that the line to security check was even longer, but luckily there was some organising. After that I saw a lot of people just running like crazy trying to make it to their flight. I wonder how many people actually were late… but I had enough time for lunch before my flight to Palma :)

A few pics of Frankfurt

I was very tired and naturally then my flight is delayed about 2 hours. First an hour, then 30 mins more… and then another 30 mins more. I found a comfy chair to take a little nap though! It was already dark when I arrived to Palma, and my total sleeping time was about 1h 5 mins, so I just took a taxi to the hotel, that took only maybe 10 mins. Quick check-in, went to supermarket to get some food and wine, had a big glass and slept 10,5 hours. My hotel was Apartamentos Embat in Can Pastilla, just across the street from the beach. I had booked a studio, unfortunately all studios with sea views were booked, so I had a crappy view :D. But that was ok. Studio was quite small, but it had everything I needed and it was clean and quiet. The distance to Palma was about 7 km, but busses run frequently nearby, and the bus ticket costs 1,50 €. Sunday and Monday I spent in Palma. The weather was great, around 20 degrees the whole time, and lots of sunshine ☀. On Sunday I did a hop on hop off bus tour, the cost was 18 € and I got a good look on the city! Other than that I just walked around a lot, stopped at at a tapas bar when got hungry and had a glass of wine or sangria 🍹.

Pics of Palma

I wonder how how many bars are named Molly Malone? :D

Tuesday I stayed in Can Pastilla, walking mostly at the sea, and also dipped my toes to the sea but too cold for swimming! Tuesday was the warmest day, in the sun just a t-shirt was enough. Lots of people were walking and sitting in the cafes, even some small shops were open even though it was xmas day. It was just a short holiday, 3 full days, but I totally enjoyed the sun and the sea again. As I said after Cyprus, I love that mediterranean soft sea breeze! Wednesday was travel day again, and for once I had a good schedule :D. My flight from Palma was at 11.40, and after 2 flights (via Frankfurt again) and one bus ride, I arrived at home around 20.45. Of course on the first flight there was a screaming kid near me, yikes… I can't say I am expert in raising a child, but I am pretty sure the screaming doesn't stop when mom is screaming back *rolling eyes*.

Some pics from Can Pastilla

Last week I had a rough couple of days. First on Thursday evening a kitchen door crashed on me! I wasn't hurt and I even caught the falling door. Secondly on Friday morning I slept in! Me who have sleeping problems, have no memory of alarm that morning. I woke up at 7.47 and I start working at 7… Fuuuuuuuuuck!!! I got up faster than ever. Then thirdly on my way home from work on Friday, an idiot walker did not look anywhere, just walked straight to the cycling trail in front of me. I was able not to hit her totally, but just her backpack, which made me fall on my bike. Now, people, wear a helmet! My helmet got broken, otherwise it would've been my head. I have huge bruises on my legs, otherwise I am ok. And what does that lovely woman do? Walked away, and let me collect my things and fix my bike alone. Nice. I never ever cycle without a helmet. One more time; WEAR A HELMET!!! Since these things always happen in three, my bad luck should be over for a while.

I can't believe 2018 is almost gone… I started the year in Lisbon (that was one hell of a party by the way), moved to Amadora, had a few choices for my next destination and in July moved to Limerick. Found eventually a nice place to live, and at the moment I have co complaints about my life :). Weirdly I have no trips booked, but planning on a couple of trips in the next months. Hopefully some friends will visit me too. My next trip will probably be Northern Ireland in March, I want to visit before Brexit. I also have to visit Dublin, because I need to apply for a new passport, since I am planning on travelling outside Europe and my passport is expired.

Next I will finally post my nomadic alphabets, but I better not promise when. I just wish everyone a happy new year!

Cyprus

This time it took me couple of weeks to publish this post... the problem was adding the photos! But here it is, my week in beautiful Cyprus :).

Week off in late November, and I really needed some sunshine! Ryanair flies from Dublin to Paphos, and that is where I went. The flights cost just about 70 € with 10 kg checked in luggage, and the flight takes 5 to 5 and a half hours. My flight was in the morning, so I had to take the night bus from Limerick to Dublin airport again. Surprisingly I took a little nap on the bus and also on the plane so I wasn't that dead tired when I arrived. I had booked an apartment from booking.com, and they also arranged a pick up to the airport. The driver was waiting for me there (even had spelled my name correct), and took me to the apartment, even carried my bag to the door! Good service! Very nomadic :D.

The apartment was lovely modern one bedroom apartment, about 3 km from the centre. The owners had car sales and hire downstairs, very nice couple! The bus stop was right in front of the building, and the bus runs every 10 or 15 minutes all day, the cost for one ticket is only 1,50 €. They also have a weekly bus ticket for 20 €, makes sense to get that one. I saw hardly any locals using the bus, almost all tourists. One local told me that they drive everywhere, even very short distances and everybody has a car. If it is a family of 5, they have 5 cars, sometimes 6.

I also had a view to the sea from my balconies (I had 2 balconies), and it was nice to have breakfast on the balcony looking at the sea... I was of course out every day, first days I was walking around the city, visited an archeological site, went to the beach too, and ate lots of moussaka and halloumi cheese :D. And had a few glasses of local wine 🍷.

Pics of Paphos

View from my balcony, had breakfast looking at this view every morning...

On Wednesday I went to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, and the last divided city in Europe. I chose guided tour, it cost just 22 € and it was a full day tour. We visited St. John's Cathedral first and then had a few hours to explore the city. I visited the Turkish side first and had lunch there. Now it is peaceful there, but of course the situation was different in the 1970’s after the occupation, Turkey occupied 37% of Cyprus, and thousands of people had to move, and many moved abroad. Guide said that 600 000 Cypriots (Greek Cypriots) live abroad. A local told me that all Cypriots consider themselves Cypriots first, and then either Greek or Turkish, and both just want to live in peace. Turkey is still the only country that has recognized the independence of North Cyprus, and most likely it will stay that way.

Photos of Nicosia

On Thursday I did another tour, to Troodos mountains and visited 3 monasteries. This tour also was a full day tour, and cost just 20 €. First monastery was Chrysorrogiatissa (can you say that fast 5 times after a few beers?), and only the abboth lives there. Next one was Kykkos monastery, that church was unbelievable! I have never seen a place like that in my life, literally my jaw just dropped when I entered. No photos are allowed at the church, so you just have to take my word for it, or visit yourself :). Twenty monks live in Kykkos according to our guide. After that we drove to Pedoulas to have lunch in a traditional tavern. And the last stop was Omodos, and the Monastery of the Holy Cross. Omodos was lovely little place with probably thousands of cats. I saw cats in the other monasteries as well, and everywhere in Cyprus, but Omodos was just full of cats! The scenery on this tour was just amazing, and it was a lot cooler in the mountains. In the winter they have snow for a couple of months even, and there is also a ski center. You can ski in the morning and swim in the sea in the afternoon :).

Photos of the Troodos mountains tour

Friday I just stayed in Paphos, visited the Tombs of the Kings, and enjoyed the sea and the sun. The temperature was over 20 degrees all week, about 22 to 25 every day, a couple of short rain showers but mainly the weather was just perfect. I really have missed the Mediterranean soft and warm sea breeze.

Photos of the Tombs of the Kings and the archeological site

I have a new phone with a decent camera (finally), and I took a lot of photos of flowers everywhere I saw nice flowers. Here's my flower photos.

I enjoyed my week in Cyprus so much! There's a lot to see and I could've stayed for 2 weeks and explore the island more. On Friday, my last evening, I even googled for jobs in Cyprus :). Not going to apply anywhere, at the moment, but Cyprus could very well be a candidate for my next location when it's time to move on again. But that of course depends on if I can get a nice job there first. Well, now I have to wait 1,5 weeks weeks until my Christmas vacation in Palma de Mallorca.

Otherwise weeks just go buy… It is getting cold and windy and rainy and sometimes cycling to work is not so pleasant. But I have good gear for that, just not waterproof shoes so I put plastic bags to my feet :). When I bought my sneakers, the sales person told me they are showerproof. Well bs! Every drop gets in, so thanks Foot Locker! After Mallorca I have no trips booked, so after that it is time to start planning and booking my travels for 2019 :).

I went to a lovely violin concert at University concert hall. They had 2 violinists (they are brothers originally from Slovakia), a pianist and a double bass. They played traditional Russian songs, like Moscow nights etc., and also more modern pop songs. It was so enjoyable, can't believe that kind of sounds come out of violin and you can play violin that way!

And one last note, I found my next eternal love; hot water bottle.