It was a happy day October 9th when Matthew and sweet Liesl arrived in Larnaca for a week-long visit. It's a long haul from Seattle-Frankfurt-Larnaca.
At the same time when we went to the airport for Matthew's arrival we also delivered our friend Alie Dumbuya to the airport. He had been a member of our branch for some time. He had come from Sierra Leone about three years ago seeking asylum. He had a myriad of problems with employment, housing, denial of asylum, etc. In the end he voluntarily declared to the Cypriot government that he wanted to return home. In doing so he will never again be allowed to seek asylum in a EU country. He was also provided a plane ticket home and 1500 Euro once on the plane. We had some brief contact with him once he arrived and was with his sister. He seemed very content to be there. Certainly, we're hopeful that things will work out for him, though so many asylum seekers vow they will never return to their home country.
Setting off with the tourists to explore Larnaca. A beautiful boardwalk that parallels the Mediterranean.
Grandpa and Liesl swinging.
Saint Lazarus Church in downtown Larnaca.
Old fortress near the Sea in downtown.
Sea view from atop the fortress.
Matthew and Liesl.
Flamingos in the salt marsh, between Oroklini (where we lived) and Larnaca.
The pool at our apartment. We certainly enjoyed and made use of it, especially in the warmer months.
Liesl sizing up a huge pomello.
A visit to the Camel Park and the very friendly lemurs.
Checking out the donkeys.
Matthew and Liesl camel riding.
The aqueduct in Larnaca.
I think this may have been our 5th trip to the Blue Lagoon. It is such a magical place with crystal clear, beautifully warm water and a simply a must-do on Cyprus.
Bobbing in the water.
Lots of Vitamin D, water and some sweet memories.
After water play comes lunch seaside with our friends John & Gina. John is the Church branch president in Pafos.
About an hour from Paphos we often stopped at Aphrodite's Rock, her birthplace, so says the legend.
A scooter visit through the Ghost Town of Famagusta which we've referenced previously.
Ah, it's a good life.
Some of the many abandoned buildings that remain following the conflict of 1974 between the Turks and the Cypriots. Notice the scars of the conflict on the building.
The old Opera House.
She loved the sand and water.
Six km of abandoned golden sand beach along the abandoned hotels of Ghost City.
More remains of Ghost City.
The Venetian Palace remains in Famagusta.
Inside the converted cathedral to mosque. Cyprus and its cats.
We will never forget Salamis. It is where Paul first arrived on Cyprus. We've visited here a number of times as well.
Roman goddess.
Outside our chapel in Larnaca.
Sea Caves south of Ayia Napa, probably 45 minutes from Larnaca.
We made a visit to one of our dear friend, Medich, a branch member in Ayia Napa. Oh how we love him.
Makronissos Beach at Ayia Napa above and Mackenzie Beach below near the Larnaca Airport.
Seafood Meze on the Sea, not far from our apartment.
Such a grand visit. The only thing that made the parting sweet was that we knew our travel home would take us through Seattle and we would visit them a week later.
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