Intrepid explorer — Famagusta, Cyprus
Today was the day i was extremely brave for me, i found my way to the border between South and North Cyprus.
Picking to go to Pila to get across the boarder i drove around for quite a while trying to find it and drove through the village and out the other side, the borders are the best kept secrets of Cyprus i discovered, but being in the brave mood i was i carried on till i found a an area that had some signs saying that the border was ahead.
Felt like a proper idiot here, had no idea what i had to do at the border, was directed to an insurance booth, bought three days of cover ( not really sure if it did cover you, but had no intention of having an accident and finding out) Then went back to the immigration desk and had my bit of paper stamped and my passport checked before being sent on my way to North Cyprus, my bravery started to wain somewhat when i started driving through the village on the other side, the locals were sat outside watching the world go by while the first time visitor was wide eyed and trying to work out where she was heading.
Followed the signs to Famagusta, going through a long area of nothingness, just fields for miles, until i hit a roundabout, which pointed to a dual carriageway, i desparately hoped i could find my way back again, drove for about an hour before hitting a town, then my problems began, i couldnt work out where i was going, there were no signs and was fast running out of petrol, so found a garage, handed over some Turkish lira, not having too much of a clue how much petrol it would buy and had the car filled.
Strategically i turned back and came back, my courage had deserted me and i just wanted to get back to a place i recognised.
Retraced my steps and went back the way, i stopped to look at a church on the way back before eventually passing back through passport control, then through customs, who thought it was strange i hadnt stayed long, i explained that being a humble woman and blonde i was bad with directions and had got scared, and he smiled and let me back through, after having a look on my seats and at the boot.
I have to say i so pleased to be finding my way back to the hotel, but so glad i had ventured into foreign land for me.