Our week in Cyprus

So ............... full of excitement we left Asas Towers with 64Kg of luggage at 0615. A taxi quickly took us along the Corniche for perhaps the last time to the airport. We have no regrets for going to Doha and but whilst we had an OK time it was an 'experience' we will not look back with fond memories. It didn't compare with our time in Dubai, where we were spolit with our lifestyle and fine group of friends.

We made a quick flight to Bahrain with Gulf Air where we had to disembark.  This was OK as we were able to wait in the lounge for the connecting flight to Larnaca.  (see Lillian in the picture above). On arrival at Larnaca the hire car that had been pre-booked was soon assigned and we were on our way, deciding to go straight to Pervolia rather than the hotel.

Having spent so long just looking at the brochure it was great to see our house for real!We were delighted with what we saw.  The house, although covered with scaffolding looked great. Rooms whilst small compared with what we have become used to still are good sizes. The location is very good - we tried the walk to the beach. Yes it is 5 minutes! The garden looks a lot bigger than the measurements. Quick instant decisons were made that the downstairs bedroom will become the TV viewing room allowing the lounge / dinner to be exactly that and that the patio area will become part of the living area. The 'hot tub', which we have promised ourselves, although we hope will also be nice for visitors will be just to the right and a second patio area should be built in the far right of the garden for sun loungers an table.

The week was spent getting sorted and finding answers to our questions which are as follows:

Meeting with Quality Group to finalise fittings etc for the home.

This was achieved. We were able to sort the ceramic tiles for the floors and walls in the bathrooms. Lillian was also able to negotiate some changes to the layout of the kitchen

Investigate having a 'hot tub' for the garden.

Sorted along with a concrete base and extra electrical work. We have also decided to have a second small patio area placed in the corner of the garden and a gate placed in the wall which will lead directly to the swimming pool.

Investigate furniture purchases etc

Lots of visits made to stores including IKEA in Nicosia. Local stores will provide all that we will need and we will be able to make a few quick purchases and then take our time to be sure we get what we want.

Other achievements

Bank accounts established. Kitchen white goods purchased. Visits made to a number of car showrooms. Prices are higher than UK but we should be able to find a 'run around' fairly quickly on arrival.

Changes in Plans and more questions

So ............. some unexpected developments. Due to the finishing of my work contract we will not be returning to Doha at the end of our scheduled next visit to Cyprus but will be going home to London.

Due to high shipping costs we will, for the second time in a couple of months be leaving 'goods behind' that we might have kept for our Cyprus Home. The biggest casuality is the sofa set shown here as it would have cost more to ship it back to England and then to Cyprus than it cost to buy! A shame as Lillian and Emily had sourced it with Cyprus in mind. But there you go.

Our possessions here in Doha amounted to 8 cu.m and we thought it might be a good idea to directly ship our things to Cyprus but the cost was a staggering QR22,000 compared to QR8900 to London. This was mainly due to the fact we did not want the container to arrive before January and it would have spent time sitting on the dock in Dubai of all places!!! We have subsequently further reduced this cost to QR 4200 (700 stg) by leaving the sofa and not buying any insurance. Don't let the ship go down!

The loss of the job (these things happen in the Middle East) means whilst the finances have taken a hit we hope that we will be able to get to Cyprus in January 2010 when the house is scheduled to be complete compared with April 2010 that was 'budgeted'. All so very exciting.

Another good thing is that we will now only leave Cyprus on 26th September due to having to get a later flight, so an extra day! We will fly Cyprus Airways for the first time from Larnaca to London. Need to join their frequent flyer club and start collecting airmiles.

Extra things to find out when there to add to the list below?

Price of cars (We have been looking into shipping from London) and regulations for importing. We suspect from internet research that cars are expensive there.