Was It The Biceps?

 Friday November 11th, 2022

At least ONE of us can sleep... 

Today we rose dark and early (4:45am) to catch our flight to our first REAL destination (London was just a pit stop en route), Paphos, Cyprus. Flight was at 7:10am and was approximately 4.5 hours. There was also a 2 hour time zone jump, so we arrived around 1:45pm Paphos time. I didn't sleep and so am running on nothing but pure will to get there. As mentioned our hotel is right outside and across the street from the North Terminal of London Gatwick, which means it's a very short stroll back to the airport to get on the plane.

The entire check-in process was seamless. All automated. Getting through security, of course I got pulled over, again. I swear they have my number ID'd to pull over every time I go through. Other than that, and the blueberry muffin that had NO BLUEBERRIES in it, the whole process was smooth like butter. 

Budget European airlines are very budget, meaning your ticket is dirt cheap, but it includes nothing but your butt in your seat. If you want ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING, you have to pay extra. But I mean for a $30 flight, what more do you want? The crew was lovely though, very fun and the cabin was comfy. Glad I had my tablet to write and watch Netflix (Inside Man is pretty good by the way) because there is no inflight entertainment. The crew did play a trivia game with the cabin and that was a nice twist. 

Paphos at time of landing was 25C and sunny. Getting off the plane was like walking into paradise. The warmth of the Sun, the breeze from the Sea... ahhhhhhh yeeaaaaahhhh - vacation time baby!!! Got our stamps at customs (none in London because it's all automated now...) and off to find our driver. I had pre-ordered a transfer to save time and headaches but it took a bit of work to find it. Paphos airport is very small and Paphos is also very touristy... think Carribean or Mexico for North Americans. This is where all the Europeans come for a break. And so lots of "tours" and "resort" type packages. Anyways, we did find our transfer, it was just booked with an operator that was outside with all the "tours" and such.

The resort was about 20 minutes from the airport and when we got there and started to take our stuff out of the car, a girl from reception comes out to talk to the driver and says we're not at the right place. He seems confused, she's trying to clarify, I don't understand Greek... and then she looks at me and says "you're here for the Les Mills event, right?" "Yes, we are!" And she explained the check-in for that is at the OTHER resort entrance. The driver was a bit annoyed as almost everyone I guess gets dropped off there, but he knew where to go. I had no idea this place had multiple receptions. Then it hit me... and I look at Scott and say "wait, how did she know we were here for the Les Mills thing?" Blank stare... "I'm not wearing anything that says Les Mills or have anything that would indicate that to her so quickly?" "You're right..." he says.  "HA! It must have been the biceps that gave it away!" HAHAHA.  Or maybe the Lululemon... or maybe we just smell different?  I don't know... but clearly from the second she seen me, she KNEW! 

Checking in was a breeze. We have a cute 2 room suite with kitchenette in the "fishing village". Not the most updated, but great terrace and awesome view of the pool and lighthouse. Given it was already late in the day, we unpacked and headed out to explore the resort and area. 

The "resort" itself is made up of 3 smaller "resorts", the Ionian, the Agean and Time to Smile. We are part of the Ionian (I think) but all of it blends together. There is lots here at the resort, kids areas, adult areas, a spa, bowling greens, tennis courts and soccer fields. Pools, obviously, including the largest one right in front of our room which is a long winding pool that goes around this giant lighthouse. The fishing village is all smaller buildings with several suites and lots of restaurants and places to eat and drink...except most of it is closed right now. It's the off-season here and the resort is DEAD. There is almost no-one here. Might explain why they could host a big event for a bunch of gym nerds in a place like this for so little $$. That aside, the place is pretty cool. And the beach is just across the street.

Scott noticed the path to the beach when we came in and so we ventured out to it and WOW. It was late in the day, Sun was still out and it was splendid. The water is so incredibly blue, it's indescribable. And it's just resort after resort after resort all along this gorgeous boardwalk. We decide to go left and see where it takes us. It follows the coast and keeps us between a sea of empty lawn chairs as we wind our way down the shoreline. All kinds of hotels and resorts, it's almost endless, but I can see why. It's beautiful and even in the "off-season" the weather is glorious. 

We find this random "beach bar" playing some fun music and with a fun vibe so we took a mandatory break there, had a beverage and watched part of the sunset. Not a bad start to our Paphos leg. We continued on and hit an old hellenic, non-denominational church and a new archeological site. There is little to no information on it because they are still excavating. The church though was small, quaint but had lovely frescoes inside. It was dark by the time we went in, but I think the cameras still did their magic!

We finished off the evening by hitting up the market at the resort to grab a few things and then went for a nice dinner at Spicy Hut, an indian restaurant, also on the resort. It was delightful. Stuffed and needing to digest, a quick return to the beach boardwalk for a stroll before heading back to the room. Hopefully with a belly full of carbs and a bit of exercise I can finally get some sleep so I'm ready to explore and hit the GYM tomorrow!

Yes...that is a peddleboat WITH a slide!!