Sunday was our last day in Famagusta and as the weather was still hot and sunny we decided to spend it at the Arkin Palm Beach hotel. It was Turkish National Day as well as being a Sunday and we knew there were parades scheduled – all the bunting was out and giant flags and flags with Kemal Ataturk on them. Anyway, we thought the public beaches would be busy and so the smal fee for the private beach was worth it.
Had a lovely day. Water was idyllic and we had a lot of swims. In the evening we came back to the marina area to have dinner at The Palm House (1) Facebook What a lovely place. The setting is superb, on a tiny headland, the sea on 3 sides and with a lovely garden. Service was exceptional. They had a nice fish selection and I had a grilled sea bream and Bob had calamari. It came with a special salad that truly was exceptionally nice, potatoes, dips… A really lovely meal under the full moon which we rounded off with coffee and brandies. Can’t recommend it highly enough as a bit more upmarket than than the other restaurants in the area. Came back to La Regina Veneziana and sat up in the roof bar and had a repeat round.
This morning after a last lovely breakfast in their courtyard garden, we loaded up the car and were away around 10am. La Regina Veneziana is a super property, the owners and staff are all lovely. We wouldn’t look to stay anywhere else now in Famagusta. It’s perfect.
Our first stop was in the small fishing harbour at Bogaz, north of Iskele. It is just as lovely as ever. Plenty of colourful little boats and the fishing harbour lined with tavernas specialising in seafood. We have eaten in several of them before but we were too early for that today.
We continued north in a very winding route (good road though) leading to Kantara Castle, the most easterly of the Lusignan crusader castles. Like St Hilarion and Buffavento, it is built into and on top of an impossibly high peak. Buffavento actually gives a view not only of the north facing shoreline but also the eastern shoreline, back towards Famagusta. You can actually see the “arm” of the Karpaz with the sea on both sides. It was only 50 tl each to get in. We had a good clamber up and down the stone stepped paths to the turrets and buildings.. Fantastic viewpoints in all directions. Well worth a visit.
We drove down to the north coast, at Kaplipsu, and turned west. Stopped at Tim’s in Catalkoy for a snack and then did a basic food shop in Ileli. The cleaning team have been in today and the house was looking great. No need for any dinner tonight. Bob is catching up on rugby and F1. Always good to be home!!!