A quick tour of Prague, Czech Republic

Cyprus Airways is the national airline of Cyprus based in Larnaca. It is also a budget airline. I purchased the cheapest ticket which surprisingly includes a 10kg check-in bag and a small carry on bag. There are options to purchase extra amenities.

Being a night flight, there are hardly any inflight service. I didn't notice any buy-on-board purchase option. But since it is a short flight, it didn't really matter to me. The flight departed Larnaca late at night and arrived in Prague in the early morning hours.

The famous Charles bridge within the old town of Prague

To save on accommodation, I spent the remainder of the night in the airport landside area as there are some eateries with open seating.

As day starts to break, I boarded the first airport bus outside the arrival terminal into town.

I chose to alight at the railway station as there were luggage lockers available. So I could leave my luggage there while exploring the old town, then pick up my luggage before leaving Prague via train.

Prague's old town is walkable from the train station. Google map came in useful here. It is my first time in the Czech Republic and I was fascinated by its scenery. In my opinion, the old town is one of the most beautiful among the European countries with many interesting architectures from the old times.

 

A unique clock tower

Chocolate museum

Prague is certainly a beautiful city and worth a visit if one is in Europe. After a quick tour of Prague, I picked up my luggage and boarded the train bound for Munich. This train ride turns out to be an adventure in itself ! Find out about it in my next post. 😀

One day in Cyprus

From Jordan, I wanted to get to Europe. So I chanced upon cheap flights from Amman, Jordan through Cyprus to Prague, Czech Republic, one of the few European countries that I would like but yet to visit. This involves taking two flights. On Ryanair from Amman, Jordan to Paphos, Cyprus. Then on Cyprus Airways from Larnaca, Cyprus to Prague.

Flying this route allows me to visit Cyprus, experience Cyprus Airways, and visit Prague. Certainly a good choice !

My Ryanair flight (my umpteenth time flying the airline) into Cyprus was uneventful so I shall not review it.

Alighting the plane at Paphos, Cyprus airport

Ryanair is likely the predominant airline at Paphos airport

From the airport, there are convenient public buses that ferry tourists into the city.

Paphos is easy to get around by foot. It's not a big city

                                               Paphos waterfront

After a quick tour of Paphos, it was time to take the city bus and transfer to the Cyprus long distance bus. The inter-city bus schedule can be found online. However, the bus tickets cannot be purchased online and only through the driver on that day. Even the ticket office doesn't sell it. Fortunately it was a big bus on the Paphos to Larnaca route and there were enough seats for everyone. It was free seating and the seats were reasonably comfortable for the long trip.

The destinations of the buses clearly displayed on the signboard .

At Larnaca waterfront

Opposite its waterfront, there are a number of eateries including fast food restaurants and cafes. So I had an early dinner there. By then, it was turning dark so I took the public bus to Larnaca airport for my next flight.

In conclusion, it was a great whirlwind tour to Cyprus on this trip. Larnaca and Paphos are the main touristic cities in Cyprus and I'm glad my schedule allowed me to explore both cities in one day. Though in my opinion, I felt that there wasn't much to explore in these cities. Still, a good experience !

Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge review

I left my Amman, Jordan airbnb accommodation and got an uber to the airport to catch an early morning Ryanair flight Paphos, Cyprus. Though the flight turns out to be quite full, the check-in desk was surprisingly empty with no Ryanair customers at all.

Soon, I was at the airside of the airport. I had plenty of time before my flight, so decided to check out the Royal Jordanian Crown lounge. This lounge accepts Priority Pass as well, which is how I managed to gain access.

The Royal Jordanian Crown lounge accepts premium passengers from most other airlines as well.

There is a large variety of breakfast food and beverage offerings!

Seating is plentiful at this early hour.

My breakfast !

More seating areas

The lounge is quite big so overcrowding is not an issue. Not at this early morning hour anyway. Unfortunately, the lounge does not have shower though.

Amman airport certainly feels modern and airy. After the duty-free walk-through, I reach the departure gates. The big, empty areas and high ceiling makes the gate area spacious. Recliner seats are available too.

Royal Jordanian lounge offers a large variety of food and beverage, even in the morning. It is a pleasant experience to wait for the flight in this lounge. No shower amenity is available though.

Jordan trip review

For tourists intending to visit Jordan, do note that public transport infrastructure is somewhat limited. Hiring a private transport such as taxi, uber or joining a tour group, though costly, is still the best way to get to the various tourist attractions within Amman as well as between the Jordanian cities.

Jett is a bus company that operates scheduled trips to some tourist attractions such as Petra as well as trips between Jordanian cities such as Amman and Aqaba. Its prices are affordable and offers reliable services.

My first day tour from Amman to Petra is booked via Jett bus. Tickets can be booked via its websites (there seems to be 2 different ones with different prices, so do compare before purchase). 

After my Petra tour, I was convinced that it offers a reliable tour service with reasonable fees. So I proceeded to book my second day tour with Jett as well, on the previous night.

Note that the price only includes the bus trip. Separate entrance fee for Bethany and Mount Nebo is payable. My Jordan Pass does not offer these two attractions so I need to pay separately. Lunch is own expense as well. The tour bus stops at a buffet restaurant and I was ushered to my seat. With no other lunch options available nearby, I had to settle for the buffet. It was limited in variety and overpriced for tourists, in my opinion.

On the second day, I booked another day trip to Madaba, Mount Nebo and Bethany. This time, I boarded the bus at the Jett office, near 7th circle, within walking distance of my airbnb accommodation.

At sea level !

Visiting the Jordan river

The Baptism site 

Getting to Mount Nebo

Great views of the surroundings

Next stop is the small city of Madaba. Though small, there are quite a number of souvenir shops lining the streets compared to Amman.

Another great tour in Jordan ! 

Meteora Central Hostel, Greece review

For my one night stay in Greece, I spent the night at Meteora Central Hostel. Kalabaka is a small town in Greece, a gateway to the Peaks of Meteora, a major tourist attraction in the area.

The hostel is within walking distance of the train station. Just across a main road and a short walk along the small streets. Even at night, the walk to the accommodation is perfectly safe. Google maps provided accurate directions.

Meteora Central Hostel in Kalabaka town

The streetscape of Kalabaka

Common areas in the hostel

Each bunk bed comes with a curtain for privacy

There is a comfortable mattress for sleep, pillow, blanket. 

Within the bunk, there is a lamp, power socket to charge devices and complimentary wifi.

In terms of accessibility, the hostel is right in the town, within walking distance not only to the train station, but also to the main thoroughfare and hiking to the Peaks of Meteora.

 Meteora Central Hostel is definitely highly recommended for a budget stay.