The island of love.

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Where else but Cyprus. I have just returned from a short break in Cyprus which is a five hour flight away from the UK. It is in the Eastern Mediterranean. The island is divided in two halves one predominantly Greek and the second half Turkey. In 1974 10,000 Greek troops were deployed in Cyprus shortly followed by 6,000 Turkish troops and three days later by another 30,000 Turkish troops invading Cyprus causing a short war. The Turkish government forced thousands of Turks to resettle in the Northern half of the country. Many Greeks and Turks who had at one time lived in harmony with each other were suddenly thrust into an unwanted situation. Many were displaced and eventually the island divided. We took a bus one day to visit the Capital city of Nicosia which is roughly in the centre of the island. It is the only divided city in the world. We walked along Ledra street showing our passports at the border then walked a few yards through the buffer zone into the Turkish sector and showed our passports again. Prior to 2003 there was a dividing wall separating the north from the south this was demolished and now allows people to cross in either direction. We were now in Turkish controlled northern Cyprus. The buildings and streets are dilapidated run down and the roads and pathways are in a dreadful state. It is a complete contrast to the more affluent Greek Half of the city. There were several mosques nearby. We did not feel comfortable there so we about turned and returned to the Greek side going through the two passport posts but in reverse. We also took a trip to the beautiful port of Kyrenia. Driving through the small mountain range through little villages down to the port where we walked around the harbour area and had lunch in a roof top restaurant overlooking the bustling port. The north of the island is green and lush whereas the south is more arid and dry however it is a beautiful island which has much history. Think Aphrodite who is said to have risen through the foam just off Paphos in the west of the island, the Greek God of Love, pleasure, beauty and procreation and you have the island of Cyprus. The photo is of the cathedral St Nicholas which was built in the 1200's now known as the Lala Mustafa Pasha mosque in the Northern Cyprus seaport of Famagusta.