Island of Cyprus (sometimes written Kypros)

A Note About this Cyprus Guide

This guide is about Cyprus the island, and does not discuss the political division between North Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Many articles have been written about travel between these territories. In general, as long as you enter Cyprus via the Republic of Cyprus in the south, you should be able to travel to and from northern Cyprus without problems.

Location of Cyprus

The island of Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey, north of Egypt and west of Syria. Although it is physically located in Asia, the Republic of Cyprus belongs to the European Union.

Major Cities on Cyprus

The largest cities in Cyprus include the capital city, Nicosia, which sits on the division between North Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus, as well as Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos.

Cyprus Weather, Geography, and Climate

At about 240 km long and 100 km, with a land area of 9251 square kilometers, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardenia. The island was created by a collision between the African and European tectonic plates. Because of this there are plenty of mountain in Cyprus. The same collision created the island’s two mountain ranges the Troodos Mountains, a tall range in southwest that comprises approximately half of the island, and the Kyreni range, a shorter narrow range along the northern coast. The highest point on Cyprus is Mount Olympus in the Troodos range at 1952 m. A central plain called the Masaori covers most of the remainder of the island. Although much of the coastline is rocky with cliffs, there are also plenty of sandy beaches around the island, which make good jumping-off points for diving in Cyprus.

Weather in Cyprus is very pleasant. The island has a subtropical climate–the warmest in the Mediterranean part of the EU. Generally speaking, winters are mild and summers are hot, although Cyprus weather varies greatly with altitude. Cyprus is generally dry during the summer (April – November) and wetter in the winter (December – March), when there is actually enough snow in the high Troodos Mountains for skiing. At sea level the average high during the summer ranges from 21.3°C in April to 30.4°C in August. During the winter highs are around 17-18°C and lows range from 8-10°C. In Prodromos, at 1380 m temperatures can be more than 10 °C colder than those at sea level.

Cyprus Description

Cyprus is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, and that’s saying a lot. Sunny summers, beautiful beaches, proximity to Europe, relatively cheap prices (compared to most of the EU), and historical significance all play a part in drawing over 2 million visitors to Cyprus each year. Although it is not the mainstay of the economy, Cyprus takes tourism seriously and it shows. The World Economic Forum ranked the country (i.e. The Republic of Cyprus) was as having the #1 tourism infrastructure in the world in 2011. This well-developed tourism industry, along with a population in which three out of four people speak English means that Cyprus is an easy destination for even the novice traveler to navigate.

Two awesome historical attractions on Cypres are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites the village of Khirokitia and the Tombs of Kings, both of which contain remains from the 10th Millenium BC. The mixture of Turkish and Greek cultures and architecture also make for a unique cultural experience, not to mention great food.

Although Cyprus is relatively small, its diverse geography makes for a wide range of outdoors adventure activities, especially in the southwest. In the southwest section of Cyprus you will find skiing, watersports of all kinds (including surfing) as well as trekking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Cyprus has four ski clubs and a ski hill with four lifts on Mt. Olympus. The skiing may not be fit for the gods, but you really can’t complain when it’s within driving distance of the beach. In fact, you could theoretically ski and surf in the same day if motivated enough, as the southwest coast has breaks that can accommodate surfers of all levels. Of course, there is also plenty of windsurfing and kiteboarding, and sea kayaks are also available in the area. Scuba diving in Cyprus is fantastic, with regular trips to Zenobia, ranked one of the ten best wreck dives in the world. There is also a wide variety of sites for rock climbing in the Troodos Mountians.

Activities and Sports on Cyprus

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck, cave, reef)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Sky diving
• Bungee jumping
• Hot air ballooning
• Kayaking (sea)
• Hydrospeed/riverboarding
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Ziplining/rappelling
• Rock climbing (all levels)
• Abseiling/rappelling
• Mountain Biking (novice to expert)
• Horseback Riding
• Skiing and snowboarding

Cyprus Accommodation and Food Prices

Cyprus accommodation prices vary widely depending on where you are. Accommodation is much cheaper in the north in shared dorms, such as Cyprus Dorms, which run about $12 USD per person per night. If you want to stay in the south near the mountains and surf beaches, however, it will cost a bit more. If you have a few people in your party, the most reasonable option is to share a room in one of the cheaper hotels in Cyprus, such as the Mariela Hotel in Paphos, for around $20 USD per person per night.
More information on accommodation in Cyprus can be found here.
• On the low end breakfasts and lunches can be found for about $7 USD, and go up from there. Kebabs are a delicious and inexpensive local delicacy. They are highly recommended.

Have Insurance?

I like to use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up is fast and straightforward. They also have pretty good coverage for sports equipment like surf and snowboards, but it varies depending on your country of origin, so be sure double check. You can get a free quote on their website.

Photos

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Images (in order) courtesy of disparkys (365), ronsaunders47, LauraTofton, dollie_mixtures, android_man, THEfunkyman, Dr Phil, dolanh, sciascia, beast love, Son of Groucho, and U Kersting on Flickr.

Suggested Books about Cyprus

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Cyprus Map

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The information on this page was provided by My Cyprus Info. If you want to know more about Cyprus they are the people to ask.

Paphos Vacations

Get off the computer, book some low cost flights, and go on the adventure of a lifetime in South East Asia. Laos is often the last country people visit, but it should be the first. Laos is a beautiful country filled with lush green forests. It is often cited as one of the last South East Asian countries not to have been over developed for tourism. What will you be talking about when you return? Spectacular rice paddies and beautiful pagodas, or tubing in Vang Vieng? I’d say the latter is quite likely.

If you’ve ever been to the seaside (particularly the British seaside), you might have gone out to sea with an inflatable rubber tube around your waist. (You may even have floated out so far that you had to be rescued by someone else furiously paddling toward you with one round his or her waist). Anyways, this is the same, but in a river.

It can get a bit messy as there are several bars along the river which you can ‘tube’ over to. Whereeas you’d never bungee jump drunk or white water raft drunk, here you can float down the river drunk.

There is a health and safety question. Should people be allowed to embark their own adventures, even if they may present a (mild) dangerous to their self? Or should this sort of thing be regulated? Either way, a lot of people return saying they had a great time.

If you want to avoid the tubing scene in favour of one with less young partiers, there are many places in Laos to enjoy quiet kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing, and cycling.

Climbing in Vang Vieng | Photo by Christian Haugen on Flickr

There are some great tour companies who can take you kayaking and rafting in Luang Namtha or Champassak. They are quick to point out that they use the best safety equipment imported from Europe and the States. There are also zip-line and canopy walking tours as well as lots of trekking opportunities. From Champassak you can also visit the waterfalls at the Bolaven Plateau, which is impressive for its tranquillity given that it was one of the most heavily bombed places in Laos during the Vietnam War. One of the most humbling things about South East Asia is that wherever you are you will find people so peaceful and friendly that you cannot believe they’ve been through such terrible experiences. You can also visit the ruins of Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Champassak. Then you can travel down the Mekong and see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

Wat Pho | Photo by Pigalle on Flickr

From Luand Namtha you can do the Ban Nam Lai trek, which takes you to a mountainous forest camp where you can see the traditional way of life of the Akha people. From Luang Namtha you can also take bike tours that last between one and three days. You can cycle through the countryside passing locals and seeing sacred sites.

In Luang Prabang you can climb Gecko Mountain. There are opportunities to learn to climb here, or for more experienced climbers, a private climbing permit is only five dollars.

Sophie Collard (@QunoSpotter) is a travel writer who you’ll find writing about the many elements of travel in various different places. She writes the blog qunospotter.co.uk which spotlights overland travel. She’s travelled over rails in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Lead image provided by Sven & Moniek on Flickr.

Pakse Vacations

The Sultantate of Oman

Location

In southwest Asia on the Arabian peninsula bordering the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, Yemen to the southwest, and the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman to the east and northeast, respectively.

Major Cities

The largest cities in Oman include the capital, Muscat, as well as Sohar, and Sur in the north, and Salalah in the south.

Climate and Geography

Officially Oman is said to be 309,500 km² (although some say it’s smaller), which makes it slightly larger than Italy. Oman is surrounded by natural barriers:  the Al Hajar Mountains and Gulf of Oman in the north, and Rub al Khali (one of the largest sand deserts on earth) in the east, and the Indian Ocean in the west. Much of the country is sparsely populated or uninhabited, which is not surprising seeing as it is made up of 82% desert. Most of the cities are in the north in the 15% of the country made up of the Al Hajar mountains (the biggest on the Arabian peninsula) and coastal plains. This area, where you can go from sea to mountainside in 50 – 100 km, is where most of the action is. This is also where you will find Oman’s tallest peak, Jabal Shams at 2,980 m, and one of largest underground caves in the world, Majlis al Jinn Cave.

The climate in Oman can be fairly accurately summarized in one word: hot. Summer lasts from April to October. In some parts of the country it can get up to 53°C in the shade. In the capital, Muscat, however, the average temperature in the summer ranges from 30 to 39°C. The winter is much more comfortable with average temperatures ranging from around 18 to 26°C. Most of Oman receives little rain, and what it does get falls mostly in late January. The Dhofar region in the south, however, is subject to monsoons between June and September.

Description

Although Oman was not part of the British Empire, there is a strong British influence and English is spoken fairly commonly in many places. Oman has a healthy tourism industry, mainly because of its wadis (valleys and riverbeds that flood when it rains), mountains, and beaches, which differentiate it from other nearby countries. Oman has been making an effort to bill itself as an upscale destination, and with some success, as it was chosen destination of the year in 2008 by Vogue magazine.

Oman has a few features that make it stand out from other countries. The most unique geographical features in Oman are the caves, which include Muqal Cave in Wadi Bani Khalid in the Ash Shariqiyah region, and Majilis Al Jinn Cave in the Muscat governorate, which is is one of the largest underground caves in the world at 310 m long, 225 m wide, and 120 m tall. Unfortunately visiting and exploring Majilis Al Jinn is an endeavor for advanced cavers only (the only access to the cave is by rope), although the government is working to make it more accessible.

Oman also has spectacular ocean wildlife viewing. One can watch turtles lay eggs in the sand on Masirah Island, or head out in the ocean to watch whales and dolphins. The climbing, diving, mountain biking, and trekking are all said to be excellent, and windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing, can all be done on the east-facing coastline.

Activities

• Sand skiing and sand boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck, reef, and cave)
• Snorkelling
• Rock climbing and abseiling (rapelling)
• Via ferrata
• Canyoning
• Trekking
• Mountain biking
• Caving
• Birding
• Wildlife watching (whale, dolphin, and turtle)
• Surfing and bodyboarding
• Windsurfing and kitesurfing
• Kayaking (sea)
• Sailing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Camel riding
• Horseback riding
• Safaris

On a Budget?

• If you want to book in advance, you will find hotels in Oman to be expensive, with the very cheapest around $30 USD per night. After you arrive, however, it is possible to find rooms for less.
• It is not difficult to eat cheaply in Oman. Local meals can be found at many different restaurants for less than $3 USD

Photos

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Images (in order) courtesy of dave watts, ringogoingo, cmgramse, Brian Harrington Spier, Elvis John Ferrao, ~ilawar, Panoramas, B S Y, CharlesFred, localsurfer, sallylondon, and Photos particulières on Flickr.

Map

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The information on this page was provided by My Oman Info. If you want to know more about Oman they are the people to ask.

Boracay, Philippines

Location

Boracay is an island in the central eastern Philippines, about 315 km south of Manila.

Closest Town/City/Village

Boracay is a small island covered to a large extent by tourist facilities, so one is never far from amenities here.

Climate and Geography

Boracay is a small narrow island 7 km long and in places less than 1 km wide. It’s located in the central eastern Philippines, and is part of the Western Visayas island group. The island has 400 hectares of preserved forestland and one fairly impressive cave. The two most appealing parts of Boracay’s geography, however, are the white-sand beaches and the wind. The Amihan wind blows across the island from November to April at speeds of 10 – 30 knots. December and January are the best months for wind sports on Boracay.

Boracay has two main seasonal patterns: Amihan and Habagat. The Amihan season generally begins in early fall and ends in late spring, and the Habagat season stretches from late spring to early fall. The Amihan season is characterized by wind from the east, moderate temperatures (25 – 32°C), and little rainfall. The Habagat season, in contrast, sees wind from the west, higher temperatures (28 – 38°C), frequent heavy rains, and occasional typhoons.

Description

People who are looking for cheap beach holidays, but still want to be served their drinks in coconut shells on world-class white sand beaches are looking for Boracay. Voted one of the best beach destinations in the world the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook, and the world’s best tropical beach by TV Quick, Boracay is the place to go if you want to relax on the beach on a budget.

Boracay also has plenty of activities to satisfy wind and water sport lovers. With strong winds year-round Boracay is a brilliant destination for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and sailing. For this reason the Asian Windsurfing Tour usually stops here, and Boracay also hosts the Boracay International Funboard Cup every year in January. Those who prefer to delve below the surface of the ocean will find abundant diving and snorkeling facilities around the island.

Activities

• Diving (reefs, cave, wreck)
• Snorkeling
• Windsurfing
• Kiteboarding
• Skimboarding
• Sailing
• Cliff jumping

On a Budget?

• Beds in shared dormitories can be found for less than $5 USD per person per night and private rooms can be found for less than $20 USD per night.
• Food on Boracay tends to be more expensive than other places in the Philippines, with many tourist-oriented restaurants serving meals for upwards of $5-10 USD. However, if you look around, you will be able to find all your meals for just a few dollars each.

Photos

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Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance) Anthony Alger, Eric Lindholm, Anthony Alger, and Anthony Alger from Wikipedia, and The Wandering Angel, Flair Candy, and Hulivili on Flickr.

Map

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Hi Matt,

How can I find a writing  job in Taiwan? I’ve been in Taiwan for about a year and a half. I don’t feel like I’m cut out for teaching, and writing professionally has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Having just turned 30 in October, I feel like I’m going through a career crisis. How can I break into a writing career here?

Thanks!

Rodney

Hi Rodney,

Although there are a few educational publishers in other cities (most notably Kaohsiung), the vast majority of English-language publishers in Taiwan are based in Taipei, so, I would consider moving there. The most commonly available English jobs in Taiwan are:

Newspaper Copy Editor

This is not a high-paid writing job, nor is it a fun one. However, the English newspapers often advertise for copy editors, so these jobs appear to be fairly easy to get compared to others, and are very good experience for a new writer. These jobs are most commonly advertised in the classifieds of the hiring newspaper.  Newspaper reporter jobs, by comparison, are harder to get because they often require a high level of Chinese proficiency.

The most prominent English newspapers in Taiwan include: The Taipei Times, The Taiwan News, and The China Post. The government information office also publishes several other news-based periodicals in English and other languages.

Education Writer/Editor

These jobs include writing or editing articles for the various educational ESL magazines in Taiwan (such as the LiveABC group, Studio Classroom, and others) or working for other companies that specialize in test writing and educational materials. The only place that I’ve seen these companies advertise is the classified ads on Tealit.com.

Technical Writer

Taiwan’s economy is driven largely by hi-tech research, development, and manufacturing. These companies need to do business and offer documentation in English to their international customers. So, many of them require English technical writers and editors. These jobs can be seen advertised regularly on Tealit.com.

Academic Editor

In Taiwan, like every country, professors are required to publish their research in order to keep their jobs. This can be difficult for them because most journals, and many of the the most prestigious journals, are published in English. So, many professors in Taiwan require English editors to polish their work before they submit it to journals. I do this kind of editing on a freelance basis for a local University. I have never seen these jobs advertised in Taiwan. I think that most professors find editors independently, but some Universities also offer an editing service for students and employees. To find this kind of work, you would probably have to contact professors and universities directly. Over time you could build up a clientele that would keep you busy full-time.  I know of a couple of editors that have gone this route and are doing quite well.

Freelance Writer

This job is the same in Taiwan as it is anywhere in the world. Get online, look for new prospects, pitch articles, and write, write, write!  Although this is probably the poorest paying and most frustrating option, it is the one that I have chosen, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the tea in Yilan.

Finding a job writing in Taiwan is easier than back home, but still not easy.  It will probably take a lot of applications, interviews, and effort.  But, don’t despair.  You’re not the first struggling writer to break into the market in Taiwan! With time and effort you should be able to find a decent writing job in Taiwan.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Matt

Dear Matt,

How can I best prepare to teach English in Taiwan? I am 23 years old and recently returned from a three week trip to Taiwan to visit my sister who teaches there. Since coming back to America, I have been considering pursuing a degree in order to teach in Taiwan. What kind of degree would best prepare me for teaching English in Taiwan, and what would be the best way for me to start learning Chinese?

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Sincerely,

Jacob

Hi Jacob,

Here are the three most effective things that you can do to make your life easier in Taiwan.

1)   Get a degree in education. Getting a degree in education (i.e. teaching) will greatly improve your chances of finding a good job in Taiwan. Employers here almost always prefer certified teachers to people who simply have a degree. Real teachers also often get paid more.

2)   Get experience. Either work, or volunteer, teaching ESL to international students at your local college or university. The experience will look great on your resume, and help you learn what its like to live in a country where you don’t speak the language.

3)   Study Chinese.  When I say study Chinese, I mean study Chinese A LOT. Chinese is extremely difficult to learn, especially when you are not immersed in it. Studying with books and online is a good start, but half the difficulty of Chinese is learning the sounds. You will need to hear Chinese (Pimsluer Language CD’s help with this) and speak Chinese (a language exchange with an international student will be necessary) on a regular basis.

If you do these three things, then you will be way ahead of the game when you arrive in Taiwan to look for work. In addition to giving you the necessary skills to get by here, the fact that you prepared yourself so thoroughly before coming to Taiwan will show employers that you are serious about working and living in there.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Matt

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Location

Notheastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Closest Town/City/Village

Sukau village

Description

Kinabatangan Nature is one of Borneo’s premier destinations for trekking and wildlife viewing. This well-known park is home to the Kinabatangan River some of the most exotic flora and fauna in Borneo, including, but not exclusive to, saltwater crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, and macaque monkeys, all of which may be seen on river tours and treks.

Activities

• Trekking
• Boat Tours
• Bird Watching
• Wildlife Tours (day and night)

Photos

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Map

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This is the what it looks like.

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