The Paphosfinder newsletter
February 2006
Paphosfinder Head Office is situated in Stephanie Village, Tala
34 Miltiadi Stylianou Avenue
Tala Village, 8577, Pafos
***************************
TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
Please follow directions at end of newsletter.
***************************
If you have an informative article that you would like us to feature, please
email your article to admin@123-asap.com
If we use your article, a link to your website or your contact details will
be featured as well.
EDITOR'S NOTES:
If you enjoy your subscription to the Paphosfinder newsletter, please
forward a copy to a friend or associate that would benefit from this
newsletter. We appreciate your support.
==========================
UPDATE ON THE NOT-SO-NEW OFFICE IN KISSONERGA
The Kissonerga office has been operating for ten months now and is going from strength to strength,
thanks to Joe and his dedicated and ever-expanding team. As well as General Manager Joe,
we have Di who operates Paphosfinder Weddings with flair and sensitivity,
Stephanie who diligently takes care of everybody's rental needs, and a young and energetic property management team.
Since Di turned her back on the restaurant business, she has applied her skills
to organising that very special day in a woman's life
- her wedding.
With her excellent inter-personal skills and her wealth of local knowledge,
Di makes sure that every wedding is a unique experience for the happy couple.
Many of Di's newlyweds have become firm friends who have been so impressed by her
that they have had no hesitation in recommneding her to others.
Stephanie, who previously worked as a psychiatric nurse, is a recent newcomer
to the world of property rental but has taken to it like a duck to water.
She is the first point of contact for anybody who has a property they wish to let
and for those looking to rent a property, be it for one week, one month, one year, or more.
Her past experience enables her to deal quickly and efficiently with even the most demanding client
without getting flustered.
On the property management side of Paphosfinder, the team is continually growing
and currently includes specialists in pool maintenance, landscape gardening,
painters and decorators, skilled tradesmen and even financial advisors.
Gina and her girls
head up the cleaning services department, offering services such as rental cleans,
arrival and departure cleans and a laundry service, usually for short-term rentals.
We are now also able to provide our clients with all the furniture they need for their home and garden -
from outdoor spas and barbecues to cutlery and cushions!
Watch this space for more additions to the Paphosfinder team at Kissonerga.
Or drop in for a chat at:
88 Christou Kkeli Avenue, Shop 2, Kissonerga, 8574 Pafos.
Or phone: 26 943943, 26 633334, 26 633339
Not to be outdone by the growth of the Kissonerga office, our Tala office has increased its sales staff
with the addition of Chris. Being an English Cypriot, Chris has the advantage of being able to communicate effectively
with the select group of Cypriot-speaking developers Paphosfinder works with. With a background in accountancy,
Chris came to Cyprus looking for a challenge and a change of career. Well, it seems he was born to sell
as, with George and Lisa's expert guidance, Chris has proved to be a natural in just a few short months.
So why not pop into our Tala office where the ever-cheerful Chris will be delighted to show you
some of Paphosfinder's
select properties.
Finally, welcome to Sue who has now joined the Paphosfinder team and is responsible for marketing, advertising,
editing the content of our websites, and also for producing this very fine newsletter!
==========================
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Yes, it's back at the Venus Beach Hotel in the Tombs of the Kings road. The Health and Well-Being Exhibition takes place on 11th and 12th February.
With over 70 exhibitors,
there's something for everyone at this very popular event. Opening hours are 10-6pm.
On a vaguely similar note, a friend recently sent an email which went like this:
"During a BBQ a friend stumbled and took a little fall.
She assured everyone she was fine (they offered to call an ambulance) and that she had just tripped over a brick
because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food.
While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the day.
Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to hospital - at 6pm, Ingrid passed away.
She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today."
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours
he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally.
He said the trick was getting a stroke recognised, diagnosed and getting to the patient
within three hours, which is tough. Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage
when people nearby fail to recognise the symptoms. Now doctors say a bystander
can recognise a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently. (Eg. It is sunny out today.)
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call an ambulance immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
I mention this email because on the day that I received it, I had cause to put it into practice.
So i
f you can recognise the symptoms of a stroke, then maybe you can save a life, too.
==========================
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO HEALTHCARE COVER IN EUROPE
From 1 January 2006, E111s are no longer valid
and have been replaced by the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).
The quickest and easiest way to get one of these cards is to apply online,
although it is possible to apply for them by phone.
The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical
treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, due to either illness
or accident. The card gives you access to state-provided medical treatment
only, and you’ll be treated on the same basis as an ’insured’ person living
in the country you’re visiting. However, this might not cover all the
things you’d expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may
have to contribute to the cost of your care.
People who are ordinarily resident in the UK are entitled to a UK-issued
EHIC. It is not valid for people who are going to live abroad. There are
some restrictions, depending on your nationality.
Remember that the EHIC won’t cover you if getting medical treatment is the
main purpose of your trip. You are advised to take out comprehensive private
insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered
by your EHIC.
Your EHIC should cover you for routine maternity care while you are away.
However, if you are going to an EEA country or Switzerland specifically to
have your baby, you will need an E112 form.
For more information or to apply for your EHIC in the UK, call: 0845 606 2030 or go online
at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
==========================
WATER SHORTAGE?
THE WATER Development Department will wait until March before
deciding if measures are needed to counteract the current water shortages
around the island.
A spokesman from the Water Department explained that the country’s reservoirs
have dropped to 127 million cubic metres compared to 192 million at this time last year,
due to there being less rainfall this year.
He said that if the situation remains the same, then water for irrigation will be cut by 60 per cent ,
but stressed that imposing restrictions on domestic water use will be avoided if at all possible.
Judging by the rainfall we have had recently, the Water Department may be overplaying their concerns.
If we have half the rainfall
that we had this time last year, then we're confident there won't be any restrictions imposed on domestic use.
==========================
NO BIRD FLU IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS
There have been confirmed media reports of an outbreak of bird flu among wild ducks in the occupied territory of Cyprus.
But don't panic as the government has said there is no visible danger to the free areas of Cyprus.
A spokesman for the government has urged all Cypriots to help minimise or eliminate the risk of bird flu in the free areas
by following current guidelines and regulations and has reassured citizens that all measures to protect our health
and prevent any case of the disease here are being taken. You can see this in evidence at the border crossings
where all cars (not just the one in 20 as was previously the case) are now being checked by the authorities.
It must be borne in mind that the confirmed cases came about through direct contact with infected birds.
So, if you don't play with dead chicken heads (or anybody who has) and make sure your poultry is thoroughly cooked, you'll be fine.
==========================
SUPERMARKET OPENING HOURS
In our last newsletter we reported that supermarket
bosses were complaining
because they were not allowed to operate longer hours in
the run-up to Christmas, unlike the 5,000 local kiosks islandwide.
Now the Ministry of Labour has been asked to intervene
by the Supermarket Association
in an effort to prevent a planned protest. The Supermarket Assocation is objecting to unfair treatment
and unfair competition regarding opening hours. Currently supermarkets must close their doors at set times Monday-Saturday
and during major holidays and some Sundays. However, kiosks, bakeries and 24-hour convenience stores are flouting this law
and are also selling products outside their legal allowance without any threat of prosecution. By special dispensation
some outlets that are in so-called tourist areas
are allowed
to operate longer hours and the Supermarket Association
does not have a problem with this.
The Supermarket Association only want to legally be allowed to stay open
throughout lunchtime
and to open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, not 24 hours a day. They also want to be allowed
to remain open until 8pm in the winter and 9pm in the summer, and until 7pm on Saturdays.
Since Christmas 2005,
many supermarkets have been heavily fined
for retaliating against the establishment. We sympathise with their cause
and hope that the authorities see the sense in allowing them to open during the hours when a large number of people are not working.
We at Paphosfinder remember when shops in the UK would close at lunchtime on Wednesdays and all day on Sundays.
And banks used to shut their doors at 3pm!
How times have changed since then and we see that changes are inevitable
in an evolving society such as Cyprus.
Great news for customers but maybe not so good for those who have to work these longer hours.
What do you think?
==========================
UPDATE ON THE PAFOS TO POLIS FREEWAY
It currently takes approximately 40 minutes to travel the 40kms from Pafos to Polis.
The existing road is mostly well
maintained and the approximate halfway point is Stroumbi,
where you'll find a convenient
petrol station.
On your way to Polis there are several restaurants
and supermarkets and it is a
very picturesque and tranquil drive through the countryside.
But now a new two-lane freeway has been proposed and planned.
The new road will have the advantage of starting from Pafos airport
and will continue through Tsada, Stroumbi and
Giolou. For the majority of the distance
it will run parallel to
the existing road along Golden Valley and all the way to Polis.
When completed, the new road will cut traveling time between
Pafos and Polis and all the villages en-route.
The planned route is now
available to see and can be found on our website: http://www.paphosfinder.com/paphos-cyprus-maps
However... work was expected to commence in 2005
and would have taken about two and half years
to complete.
The new road has fierce supporters but some problems have resulted.
There are proposals
to repair and maintain the old road instead of building the new freeway.
Sadly, the supporters of the repair and maintain proposal are probably not aware that the current road has claimed many lives
and injured many more.
No amount of improvement would make it as safe as a freeway with a central reservation.
We have it on good authority
that although accidents on freeways and motorways tend to be more serious and involve more fatalities,
their frequency is far less than on a single carriageway with opposing traffic and many junctions and crossroads, as is the situation today.
==========================
PEYIA BYPASS AND PAFOS DUAL CARRIAGEWAY EXTENSION AND OTHER ROAD NEWS
The long-suffering residents of Peyia are now whooping with deight because the Peyia bypass has finally been completed.
The route
connects the coast road (very close to George's Ranch) with the Peyia to
Kathikas road on the upper outskirts of Peyia.
The new road has hopefully stopped the
ever-growing traffic jams in Peyia town centre
and the resdidents can now rest easy without the noise of relentless cement trucks thundering by.
More good news - the extension of the dual carriageway, starting in Kato Pafos at the Begonia Garden Centre
and running through to the existing dual carriageway and roundabout near the Amathus Hotel,
has also been completed and has eased traffic congestion in the whole of the Kato Pafos area, particularly the coast road.
==========================
LATCHI HARBOUR
The two-phase reconstruction of the Latchi harbour/marina is progressing well. Phase One is complete
and you can now enjoy walks along the promeande/quayside. If you’re after a lunch or dinner of freshly-caught fish, then Latchi is the place to come
as there’s an abundance of them to choose from, and they’ve all got a lovely view of the harbour.
As well as great fish tavernas,
Latchi has an assortment of supermarkets, banks, tourist shops and bars.
Phase Two of the works, namely the construction of the Marine Police headquarters and the eastern side of the marina,
is currently underway and due for completion some time later this year.
Cyclists around the Latchi area will be sighing with relief as the new cycle lane has recently been completed.
This lane is a welcome addition and will prove invaluable to cyclists and pedestrians alike for avoiding Cypriot drivers.
==========================
PAFOS CASTLE/HARBOUR AREA
We have heard through the grapevine that the Kato Pafos coast road will be dramatically and substantially improved,
similar to the works carried out in Limassol near the old harbour. This means there will be land reclamation and widening
of the promenade area with pedestrian-only zones. We sincerely hope this is true since the road is currently in a sad state.
==========================
MORE ROAD NEWS
Sadly several people have died in the Pafos area over recent months and measures are now being taken
by voluntary and official organisations to improve the road infrastructure wherever possible.
To this end, one of the recent changes is the addition of a roundabout in the Tala area and the improvement of local roads.
==========================
UPDATE ON THE ORAMS (*republished due to recent developments)
*A landmark ruling has meant it's time to wake up and smell the coffee
for the
foolish purchasers of land and property in the occupied territory of Cyprus!
On 9th November, 2004, Nicosia District Court ruled that David and Linda
Orams of the UK
must demolish a house they built on
somebody else's land
in the non-government controlled area of Cyprus at
Lapithos.
The land must be returned to the legal owners, Mr and Mrs
Apostolides,
and returned to its pre-1974 state when it was vacated by the
fleeing owners
in the face of invading Turkish troops, who still occupy the north of Cyprus today.
Thousands of people who have
deliberately or haplessly purchased Greek Cypriot property
or land in the north are likely to find themselves in the same situation as the Orams.
We must stress that there is
only one sure way to purchase property or land
anywhere in Cyprus. You must buy from the legal owner who has a title deed
lodged at
the Cyprus Land registry office of the internationally recognised Government
of Cyprus.
This government office holds records for the whole of the island.
Of course this is
just the beginning and naturally we advise you to obtain proper legal
advice.*
As for the Orams, the case is still ongoing and the latest development is that Cherie Blair
(yes, that's right, the wife of the UK Prime Minister) has been hired to defend them,
with the Turkish Cypriot developers and the Turkish government paying her fees which, allegedly, are in excess of £200,000.
So, we wonder if the Greek Cypriot government are willing to fund the Apostolides?
The Cyprus issue never goes away for long and despite our efforts to be non-political
we have taken great exception to the actions of the Turkish authorities over the past few months.
We appreciate that everybody has a right to defend themselves and naturally we expect the Orams to get proper representation.
However, ignorance is no defence in legal terms and their naivety will ultimately cost them dearly in our opinion.
The actions of the Turkish authorities and developers to foot the Orams' defence bill is not an act of charity.
It is an act of desperation in an attempt to hoodwink others into accepting their concept of justice and reality driven by financial greed.
==========================
FANCY A SPOT OF SKIING?
There are not many places where you can ski in the morning and then drive to the beach for a spot of sunbathing in the afternoon.
But you can do just that in Cyprus - you’ll have to wait until at least March for the sunbathing bit though, unless you want to get frostbite!
Mount Olympos is the highest point in Cyprus at a height of about 2,000 metres. At the ski centre there you can hire skis, sticks and boots
and they also have sledges for hire. There are Four pistes from the nursery slope up to the very steep north face slope.
All the slopes have ski lifts for which you can purchase daily passes. If you’re a bit peckish after all that exercise there’s a small restaurant
with a very welcome wood-burning heater. Or why not bring your own flask of coffee and some peanut butter and salad cream sandwiches!
Mount Olympus is only 3kms from the Troodos hill resort, 12kms from the Platres hill resort, and about an hour's drive from Limassol and Nicosia.
Skiing in Cyprus is an experience as you ski between the pine trees and cedars and enjoy stunning views of the coastline of Limassol,
the plains of Nicosia, and on clear days you may even see the snowy mountains in Turkey!
==========================
RECIPE
Egg and lemon soup (soupa avgolemono)
Ingredients:
1.4 litres of chicken stock
55g arborio rice (any short-grain rice will do if you can't find arborio)
2 eggs
6tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper
4 thin lemon slices
finely chopped, fresh flat-leaved parsley
Method:
Bring the stock to the boil in a large saucepan.
Add the rice, return to the boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
Put the eggs and lemon juice in a bowl and whisk together until frothy.
When the rice is cooked, lower the heat and add a ladleful
of the stock to the lemon mixture, whisking all the time.
(If you don't whisk all the time, the soup will curdle.)
Pour the mixture into the soup and simmer, still whisking, until the soup thickens slightly.
Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and chopped parsley.
Serve hot or cold, depending on the temperature outside!
Next month we'll bring you a couple of traditional Easter recipes.
==========================
We would like to thank all our clients and subscribers for their support,
recommendations and compliments
over what has been an action packed year for
the management and staff at Paphosfinder.
In particular the management would like to thank the staff, for continuing
loyalty and hard work.
==========================
Tell us what you think we would love to hear your feedback.
Should we feature more local news?
If you are living in Paphos and would like to share some news, we would
appreciate it.
Our aim is to make this newsletter gossip-free, informative, and useful for
people who live here or are looking to come to Pafos.
Please write to us admin@123-asap.com
************************************************************
COPYRIGHT 2006
http://www.paphosfinder.com
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.