Stunning Sunsets: Highlights and lowlights of a trip to Cyprus

Take a trip to Cyprus for warm weather, blue seas and tons of summer fun…

My trip to Cyprus will always be special to me for tons of reasons. Importantly, it was my first experience of flying alone. Little did I know at that point that I’d take much longer and much further flights after this snippet of travel. This trip marked an increase in maturity for me. It also became a memorable trip because I had the opportunity to stay at the family home of a close university friend. Her invitation to meet friends and family from around the world ignited a passion for travel that I have maintained ever since. So I have glowing things to say about my trip to Cyprus. Yet as my first solo travel experience, doubtless to say, there were a couple of lowlights. Therefore, here’s a rundown of the things I enjoyed. Additionally, read about the things I could have done without on my trip to Cyprus.  

Highlights

1. Water parks
2. Meeting family
3. Sunsets

Water parks

As someone who spent every vacation growing up in the wetter terrains of Wales and Ireland, I’d never experienced an outdoor water park before my trip to Cyprus. And I loved every part of it. Outdoor water parks combine three things that I adore: warm weather, swimming and theme parks. The weather was glorious when we visited (so much so that I couldn’t avoid a touch of sunburn). I swam until my fingers pruned. And I tried every big slide that the park had to offer.

I visited Fasouri Watermania in Limassol. This water park was close to where I was staying but Cyprus has a whole host of parks to enjoy. The queues weren’t too bad. There was a good amount of space to relax. Plus, the range of activities available to try was fabulous. I loved being a little kid who could float along the lazy river, bob around in the wave machine, and shoot down the exhilarating slides. I also thought that the staff at the park were incredibly kind and welcoming. Therefore, I always felt calm and safe before plunging a great distance into the water below. Plus, tickets were around £25, which I thought was decent for a whole day of fun. So pack your sunscreen and head to the waterpark for a fantastic day with friends and family in Cyprus. 

Meeting family

Much like my trip to South Africa (check out this post), I was lucky enough to stay with my friend’s family while I was in Cyprus. Not only did this help me – a broke student – save money (money which I had to spend on PCR tests instead), it was a lovely way to get closer to my friend. Her family were warm-hearted and embraced me with open arms. They always made sure I was well fed; they lent me clothes; they paid for me to attend a dance class; they even had a toiletries bag set up for me when I arrived so that I was comfortable in their home. Their kindness knew no bounds. My only regret is never being able to give them a gift during my stay to thank them.

If you’re invited to mingle with your friends, seize the invitation. It might be a great way to see the world and get closer to the people around you. And if you do become a guest in their home, make sure to reciprocate their kindness. This could be with a thoughtful note, a small gift, or an invitation for them to stay at your house and meet your friends and family.

Sunsets

Do you prefer sunrise or sunset? I’m not a morning person so nine times out of ten I’ll choose sunset. Something about seeing the sky change from a tranquil blue to a ruddy orange and finally to a deep purple tone is totally captivating. And this shifting beauty is even more stunning when it’s reflected by a sandy beach and calm ocean. Add a sweet cocktail to that view and you have something close to paradise.

One of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen happened in Cyprus. As a group of us sat down to eat dinner, the sky began its slow transition from the clear blue of the day to the blush of evening. With the stretch of sand and sea in front of us, the sun started to sink between the peaks of a mountain range that framed the magical landscape. Maybe this was just my first experience of a sunset that didn’t instantly lead to a chill night air. Perhaps, there was something truly unique in the view that I saw. Perhaps, it was the setting, sitting with friends, enjoying good food and conversation. Whatever it was, I’d recommend a trip to Cyprus, if only to see that beautiful sunset. 

Lowlights

1. Toilets
2. Vaping culture
3. Covid-19 restrictions

Toilets

Maybe I should rephrase that. The toilets were fine – lovely, in fact. My complaint is with the sewage system. Now, I know not to flush wet wipes and sanitary products down my toilet, but it’s almost second nature to put my toilet paper in there. Unfortunately in Cyprus, the pipes can’t handle any bog roll. If you do chuck some down there, you run the risk of clogging up the toilet.

While I was staying with my friend’s family, I was even more paranoid about making this mistake and destroying their bathroom. Instead, a small bin was provided to throw my toilet roll into both in the house and in public toilets. However, the problem with not flushing your waste loo roll straightaway is that before long your bin gets full and starts to smell. This wasn’t a problem inside the house but it made public toilets more unpleasant to visit. As I mentioned, this was my first solo trip abroad so at the time this little bathroom conundrum was the end of the world. Now I’ve experienced a…plethora…of toilet situations and not being able to flush my toilet paper is far from a problem. Although, it is something to be aware of when you visit Cyprus as you don’t want to be the reason the toilet bowl is spilling over. Yuck. 

Vaping culture

Millions of people vape. For some, it’s a great way to quit smoking. But for others, this is where they start. Whatever the case, I understand how helpful vaping can be, particularly for people trying to move away from smoking cigarettes. And I prefer the smell of blue raspberry vape on my clothes as opposed to tobacco by a long shot. But as a non-smoker, I don’t appreciate being submerged in a vape cloud when I’m trying to enjoy my meal or a chat with my friends. However, I found that this was a common occurrence while I was staying in Cyprus.

Being raised in the UK, I wasn’t aware of how stringent the smoking rules were in my home country, and it wasn’t until I went abroad that I realised it’s much more socially acceptable to smoke or vape in public. Being at the club was particularly difficult as, although it was open-air and well-ventilated, a mixture of the heat, alcohol, the smell of vape and my dance-induced sweatiness was not so great. If this doesn’t sound like the mix for you, consider visiting restaurants and cafes that are open and spacious so that you can enjoy fresh air while taking in the beauty of Cyprus.

Covid-19 restrictions

I set out for Cyprus in July 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic when restrictions and travel bans were ever-so-slightly eased. I seized this small slither of opportunity and took the little reprieve from isolation to see Cyprus. Nonetheless, my trip was still punctuated by mask-wearing and PCR testing. Not only did these requirements make the trip more expensive but they also added a whole bundle of stress, which you don’t want when you’re trying to enjoy a vacation. I also had to quarantine for ten days after I came back to the UK, which was pretty brutal because I felt fine and I couldn’t go out and enjoy the British summertime.

Even though Covid-19 is hopefully a thing of the past, this lowlight acts as a cautionary tale. Make sure that you understand if a country has any vaccination requirements and special apps that you might need to prove your health. I struggled in Cyprus as it was more difficult for me to show establishments that I was Covid-free because I wasn’t a resident; for example, while I was heading into the club the bouncer was on the verge of denying me entry because my proof of vaccination looked different to my friends. To combat this turmoil, I made sure to always have all my paper documents on me in addition to any apps or QR codes that were recommended. Take this lowlight as a sign to always be prepared and consider whether the need for vaccinations will add a layer of stress and expense to a trip that you’d rather do without.

See some of Cyprus

Before going to live in South Korea, Cyprus was the furthest I’d ever been away from home. It was a holiday of firsts and acted as a catalyst for the many adventures that have followed. Unfortunately, this passion for travel had to begin in the middle of a pandemic, which was not the most opportune time. Nevertheless, the beautiful sunsets, the fun activities, and kindness of Cyprus are unforgettable. These memories tide me over until I could hop on a plane and see many more places. If you love beach vacations with warm sea dips, Cyprus is the place for you. So long as you can cope with a constant vape cloud and clogged toilets, you’ll have the perfect holiday. There’s plenty to do and explore, with everything from exhilarating waterparks to wide sandy beaches. I know for sure that I’ll be back in no time.