Seemingly during late October, early November 2021, with the filling of multiple forms a trip to Cyprus would be possible? I needed some sunshine.
After much form filling including a Cyprus pass and with my vaccination passes , I would have appeared to be ready? Although the Omicron variant was beginning to raise its head.
I booked my flight with easyJet from Bristol and my hotel with Hotels dot com. All very smooth and unhindered.
With great and frustrated anticipation I headed off for Bristol. I stayed in a very small but pleasant guest house near the airport. The next morning I headed off to the airport which was close. Things went smoothly. Waiting to go through the usual rigmarole of security checks, which has taken a lot of the fun out of flying . I spoke to a young girl en-route to Tenerife, she was upset, she hadn't the correct covid19 paperwork and couldn't fly.
I had a pleasant flight to Paphos with easyJet, although I didn't appreciate the insistance on a face mask as I had an exemption. Apparently I should have filled out an easyJet form with the booking of the ticket. I was given a speedy covid test on arrival at Paphos Airport. An hour and a half later I discovered the test came back negative. The test was free.
The hotel(shall be nameless) was also very pleasant as I looked forward to a near three week stay.
Things went well although it was chilly at night. No problems, nice to be in the Cyprus sunshine.
Then on the first Sunday morning I discovered that the UK government had moved the goal posts,if, I didn't return before the coming Tuesday. I would have to have a test before I left, and perhaps on arrival. The dark spectre of quarantine loomed. I spent the day stressed. Walking along the front rolling around in my mind what should I do. I decided to return ASAP. I really couldn't take the risk. It may have been OK but how can one relax with that sword of Damocles hanging over the holiday.
Changing the air ticket with easyJet was not a problem, I was returning to Gatwick. The return flight was quite full, with a number of the passengers also making a dash for home. Again easyJet was a good flight, notwithstanding masks. Gatwick was rather quiet, a number of Gatwick staff thought I had taken the right decision, I was still not sure. Gatwick South Terminal was closed except for the entrance to the rail station. The atmosphere was eerie. Especially as I had many memories of a busy terminal.
Hotels dot com elegantly recovered the cost of my hotel.
