Refreshing yourself in Cyprus

A Day in Limassol, Cyprus – Country number 49

Today, Wednesday, April 2nd, was spent in Limassol, Cyprus—country number forty-nine. The weather was perfect, a comfortable seventy degrees Fahrenheit, though the air still carried traces of the violent winds and dust storms that swept across the island just yesterday. A reminder that bad days are often followed by good ones.

But today wasn’t just about the sights and sounds of this beautiful island—it was about connections.

I met up with Elisabeth, a local resident, at 9:30 a.m. for coffee. We first connected when I was a guest on her podcast, Most Memorable Journeys, back in October 2024. We’ve stayed in touch over the last six months, and today, we finally met in person. Well-dressed, as many locals are, she exuded warmth and an effortless charm. She was kind enough to play tour guide for both me and Kiran, a friend from my Asia 2023 cruise now sailing together again on this sailing.

Leaving the marina café, we hopped into her car and navigated Limassol’s roundabouts—on the opposite side of the road from what I’m used to. The tree-lined country roads of Cyprus were absolutely stunning, with occasional glimpses of turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. As we drove, we chatted and got to know each other better, the conversation flowing as smoothly as the ride.

Our first stop was the Kourion Archaeological Site, home to a traditional Greek amphitheater overlooking the sea. The intricate tilework was stunning—proof that civilizations thousands of years ago were far more advanced than I’d ever realized.

While there we encountered heavily tatted guy that was engaging and wonderful enough to strip down at this Ancient Greek site, with a little urging from Kiran and show off his human canvas, armpits included. It turned out to be a fun human connection and way to tie ancient with present art.

Elisabeth’s story was just as fascinating. Originally from Switzerland, she spent several “seasons” working as a tour guide in Cyprus in the early ’80s. She returned in 1994, met her husband, and will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 2025. Her children now live in Switzerland, but her love for travel remains unchanged.

She gave us a crash course in Cypriot history, from gaining independence from Britain in the 1960s to the island’s ongoing geopolitical complexities. With Beirut, Israel, and Cairo just a short flight away, Cyprus sits at the crossroads of many cultures and conflicts. Despite being a relatively small island—it takes about three hours to drive from one end to the other—it has a rich and layered history.

Our final stop was Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite’s Rock. Elisabeth told us that if you’ve ever seen a postcard of Cyprus, it was probably taken from this spot, with its breathtaking view of the Mediterranean stretching south toward Cairo. The sea was rough today, still stirred by yesterday’s storms. Legend has it that swimming around the rock adds ten years to your life. Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—I didn’t have a swimsuit or the time to test that theory. Looks like I’ll need to return.

On the way back, Elisabeth dropped us off near Limassol Castle, and Kiran and I continued our tour on foot, weaving through the narrow, winding streets. We stopped for photos, admired the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and stumbled upon a pottery studio. With camera in hand, I asked permission to snap a few shots—an unexpected and special bonus to an already spectacular day.

Eventually, we boarded the free shuttle back to the cruise port, returning to where the day had started: a latte, a conversation, and a new friendship.

Back onboard, reality hit me. I scrambled to rent a storage unit and arrange movers. As I told Elisabeth this morning, I’ll officially be homeless as of April 8th. The feeling of uncertainty is hitting harder than expected. There’s no safety net—just me, spinning around the world. It’s humbling. It’s scary.

Elisabeth left me with a reminder:

“Comfort is only where dreams go to die.”

And with that—

Cole from the cruise ship, over and out.