After the failed crossing into the occupied part of Cyprus, we continue our journey towards Nikosia, the capital of Cyprus, and reach the old town near the Famagusta Gate in the afternoon. From here we walk to the demarcation line, which runs like a crack through the centre of the city, and along it through the old town. The development of the old city center, made impossible by the occupation, seems to have frozen its substance here at the time some 50 years ago. Inevitably reminded of the divided Berlin, we wander through the winding alleyways, where modern regional government buildings, small cafés, craft shops, boutiques and ruined buildings now rub shoulders.
A little way from the border, we finally arrive at the futuristic Eleftheria Square, where an elevated pedestrian crossing, resembling the bow of a ship, swings along from the old city wall and from here down to the more modern part of the capital. After a quick snack, we head back to the car and to a campsite in a wooded area and recreational area.
The next day is our last full day in Cyprus. In the morning, we visit the country’s excellent main archaeological museum, the Cyprus Museum, which brings the cultural part of our visit to Cyprus to a fitting close. We then flee from the midday heat and later a full-blown summer thunderstorm to a small café that we had already spotted yesterday and enjoy two more quiet hours there.
We continue across the border in the early afternoon. Once again we have problems entering the occupied part of the country, this time clearly because of Apollo. However, the inspection of the slightly better smear slip that the vet had issued to us when we entered Cyprus a good month ago is apparently sufficient proof of his health and we can pass…
Now it’s another hour or so up to the north coast, where we jump into the Mediterranean once again at a beautiful parking spot with a sea view, arrive and look back on this really successful part of the journey with a teary eye.