Day of Travel: A Long Journey to Cyprus

Weather Update: Clear Blue Skies

For the first time since arriving, the day greeted me with spectacular weather—beautiful, clear blue skies. It felt like the perfect day to leave, but my flight to Cyprus was scheduled for 4:45 PM. Given the time difference, I was expected to arrive at 5:15 PM local time.

The Journey Begins: Trains to the Airport

I left around 11:30 AM, eager to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. To reach the airport, I had to take three trains, as the airport is approximately 60 km away. I arrived well ahead of schedule and made my way through security without any issues—always a relief when travelling!

Deodorant Dilemma & Airport Security

Something that continues to trip me up at airports is my deodorant. I use spray deodorant, and since the maximum allowance for liquids is 100 ml, I always run into trouble. Unfortunately, deodorants are typically sold in 160 ml bottles. It’s frustrating that, despite the number of travellers passing through airports, you can't buy a 100 ml deodorant at the duty-free shops. I’ve learned to be sneaky: I place it in the side pocket of my bag, so I don’t have to rummage through my belongings if security checks it. Fortunately, no issues this time!

Airline Security and Delays

It’s always interesting to see how strict airline security can be. I once lost a pair of children’s play scissors—ones with rounded corners and no sharp edges—simply because they were considered a potential security risk. With all the emphasis on preventing terrorism, there’s a lack of consistency across airlines, and no clear, universal rules.

My flight was delayed by 25 minutes, and just when I thought we were about to board, it was delayed again by 55 minutes. The final hurdle came when we got stacked up at the airfield at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We circled the airfield for nearly an hour, waiting for a chance to take off, and during that time, another plane even managed to land!

Arrival in Cyprus: A Misunderstanding at the Border

Upon arrival, I found myself in a bit of a mix-up. Cyprus is divided into two sides: the Turkish side and the Greek side. Unbeknownst to me, I landed on the Turkish side of the island, even though I was headed to the Greek side. After landing, I booked a local bus to take me to the border area, but the bus wouldn’t leave until it was full. So, I sat there for an hour and a half, waiting for enough passengers to board. It was a frustrating delay, but at least it gave me a chance to take in the surroundings.

A Late Night Arrival & Hotel Surprise

I finally arrived at the border city just after 11 PM, but by then, it was too late to look for my hostel. Many hostels close their doors at 11 PM, and I didn't want to risk not getting in. So, I decided to find a nearby hotel instead.

I stumbled upon what appeared to be a budget-friendly hotel, only to discover that it charged me NZD 67 for a single night. While it seemed like a decent deal at first, the room and facilities were far from what I had expected. Still, after a long day of travel, I was just grateful to have a place to rest my head, even if it wasn’t quite what I hoped for.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Full of Surprises

Despite the unexpected delays and the mix-up at the border, I’ve made it to Cyprus. It’s been a long, exhausting day, but tomorrow is a new day, and I’m eager to explore what the island has to offer. Stay tuned for more adventures!