Larnaca Polis tou Zinona...

It's a town nobody really pays attention to. It doesn't really have the cosmopolitan feel of Limassol or Nicosia, some would argue it's a bit run down, almost forgotten and yet if you look closely this little town has its little delights. The smell of souvlakia grilling happily in the local taverna, pervades the pavement. There is a down-to earth feeling you get from this town. I walk along the narrow streets browsing the shop windows of clothes and shoes. I pass Kyrios' Takis kafeneion serving generous halloumi and lountza sandwiches and freshly squeezed orange juice at very reasonable prices. Down the road a quaint little cafe serves Greek style savouries, spanakopitta (spinach pie) and tiropitta (cheese pie), swallowed down with a strong capuccino. There are also sweet-honeyed loukoumades with mastiha ice-cream, or sokolatopitta (chocolate cake) for those with a sweet tooth.

Walk around and at some point you reach the Ayios Lazaros Church. The church is soaked in history since after Ayios Lazaros was resurrected by Jesus, he came to Larnaca and was named the first Bishop of Kition. The church was built in his honour. The interior is simple, peaceful and cool, a break from the outside world.

If you walk southwards you will eventually reach the beach and the promenade called 'Finikoues' with its characteristic long line of palm trees lining the beach front. Here you will find numerous cafes, a TGI and a McDonalds to cater for everyone. You can even walk on the pier and admire all the yachts, wondering what parts of the world those sails have been to.You can watch the sea and the passers by strolling lazily up and down, taking in the fresh sea air. A little further down in what was the Turkish quarter you can sit and eat freshly grilled snapper doused with olive oil and parsely. The delight is the crispy slices of bread lying on the base of the serving dish. You can sit there for hours watching the waves lap onto the shore. I take in every sight and smell, eating my 'glyko tou koutaliou' a pleasant taste after the fish.

 
There is a simple pleasure in all things experienced in Larnaca, and is a town that offers much, after all.