| Pyla Village Resort was completed in February | | | | drive to Pyla Village Resort from the Dekehlia |
| March 2007. Unlike other complexes which have | | | | road, but there are a few signs around (some of |
| been built since, Pyla Village Resort is one of the | | | | which are in poor condition) prohibiting the taking |
| most spacious. There are eight separate blocks | | | | of photographs. |
| with 20 apartments in each block. That makes a | | | | Tensions still exist between the Greek Cypriots |
| total of 160 apartments. The resort is in a rural | | | | and Turkish Cypriots who co-reside in Pyla Village |
| location, but how long that remains the case will | | | | and tolerate one another. The division is still |
| depend on how quickly the area is developed. | | | | apparent as you notice that some buildings have |
| Pyla 1 was the original name given to the site, | | | | Turkish writing on them. The division is very |
| because this was the first development by G. N. | | | | apparent when you see that there are two |
| Hassapis in Pyla. Hassapis is one of the most | | | | schools in Pyla; one for the Turkish Cypriot |
| respected developers is this part of Cyprus and | | | | children and one for the Greek Cypriot children. |
| anyone wanting to buy a property in Cyprus can | | | | They are distinguishable by the fact that they |
| be assured that if they buy a property in a | | | | have their national flag flying above the school. |
| Hassapis development, they are dealing with bone | | | | Pyla Village Resort might not be set in the |
| fide company and the quality of building is assured. | | | | prettiest part of Cyprus; for that you need to go |
| Since building Pyla 1, Pyla Palms has been built | | | | to the west side of the island around Paphos and |
| close by and a third site is under construction | | | | North West including the Troodos Mountains. For |
| next to this resort by the name of Pyla Gardens | | | | obvious reasons, the North side of the island is |
| (phase I) and one more complex is planned in the | | | | not so accessible, though if you go to Nicosia the |
| adjacent plot/field which is probably Pyla Gardens | | | | border has been opened up and you can walk |
| (phase II). All around the outskirts of the old | | | | through to the north side of the city. The north |
| village of Pyla, there are building plots reserved | | | | side of the island is still under Turkish occupation |
| for new developments on which villas and | | | | though visitors can cross over but you are not |
| apartments have been built or are being | | | | allowed to take your hire car there. |
| constructed. Larnaca and the surrounding area is a | | | | The Paphos region has been highly developed and |
| prime hotspot in Cyprus for property purchase as | | | | property prices are that much higher in that part |
| there are many plans to develop the area to | | | | of the island. Pyla is situated about 15 kilometres |
| attract tourism and investment. There are now | | | | east of Larnaca with easy access to the |
| plans for a Theme Park to built by the Russians | | | | motorway network that will take you to other |
| and I understand that these plans have been | | | | areas of Cyprus quickly. Ayia Napa on the east |
| passed but when construction will start; who | | | | side of the island is only 20 minutes away by car |
| knows? | | | | and is easily accessible if you want to go there to |
| The authorities have long talked of a golf course | | | | be part of nightlife. Nicosia is 40 minutes away by |
| in the area. There are plans to develop a golf | | | | car and Limassol one hour. Paphos is |
| course at Tereseffanou and although apartments | | | | approximately 2 hours by car. |
| have been built in the area there is no sign of a | | | | Larnaca Airport: Pyla Village is only 15 to 20 |
| golf course. It is most likely going to be completed | | | | minutes from Larnaca airport when you take |
| by the end of 2010. | | | | motorway route. The airport has been expanded |
| Pyla Village Resort has been built to modern | | | | and a new terminal building has been opened |
| standards, though the sewerage system that the | | | | which has more than double the capacity of the |
| resort connects to is still behind the UK standards. | | | | old terminal. This is a sign of the planned |
| Even now, it is not advisable to flush loads of | | | | improvements taking place in the Larnaca area |
| toilet paper down the toilet for fear of creating a | | | | which will eventually have golf courses and |
| blockage. That is probably the only weakness and | | | | expanded marina and the ugly oil terminals |
| the apartments have been finished to a high | | | | re-sited. When all this will happen, who knows, but |
| standard and the apartments available for holiday | | | | there are plans at least. |
| rent have been furnished to a high standard | | | | Driving in Cyprus : Cyprus is a popular destination |
| according to the owners taste. The water supply | | | | for the British. It is good for the British and those |
| in Pyla is very good and remains on for most of | | | | from other countries that drive on the left; for in |
| the time, whereas other regions in Cyprus suffer | | | | Cyprus the traffic drives on the left. Road signs |
| with prolonged interruptions in the water supply. | | | | are the same as you see throughout Europe, but |
| How true it is I do not know, but I was told that | | | | what makes driving somewhat difficult is that the |
| the authorities have to keep water in the pipes, | | | | signs are in Greek. Not being able to read Greek, I |
| or else, if they become empty there is a danger | | | | find navigating a lot more difficult. Drivers from |
| that they collapse causing serious problems. | | | | the UK will find driving in Cyprus relatively |
| Pyla Village Resort has been built with the disabled | | | | straightforward.You do have to watch out for |
| in mind and wheelchairs can easily move around | | | | Cypriot drivers as the accident rate is quite high. |
| the site and all the apartments have lifts. The | | | | As the annual mileage for a car is relatively low in |
| toilet by the pool is also designed for wheelchair | | | | Cyprus, cars only have to have an MOT |
| access. Two years have passed and the resort | | | | inspection every two years; another reason that |
| still looks good, the grounds are managed and | | | | makes Cyprus a relatively low-priced country to |
| generally are kept neat and tidy and watered by | | | | live, especially when compared to the UK. |
| an irrigation system. Unfortunately, some of the | | | | Signs of recovery: The whole world has suffered |
| original tall palm trees have died and need | | | | to some extent from the economic down-turn. |
| replacing. | | | | Signs are now showing that a recovery is on its |
| The Buffer Zone: Pyla Village Resort has been | | | | way. This means that Cyprus should see an |
| built in the 'Buffer Zone'. This is a zone patrolled | | | | increase in tourism again. It has been particularly |
| by the United Nations peace-keeping force. Being | | | | hard for the British in that the UK pound has |
| in the 'Buffer Zone' does not affect peoples' | | | | dropped in value against the Euro and has made |
| comings and goings when using the resort. You | | | | Cyprus much more expensive for the British |
| can see to the north on the raised plateau, the | | | | holiday-maker. Now, the pound is showing signs of |
| Turkish flag and army lookout overlooking the | | | | recovery against the Euro and this should |
| area of Pyla. To the east on the hill you can see | | | | encourage the British holiday-maker to come to |
| the UN flag and lookout. This is also home to one | | | | Cyprus again. Even if the British have been hit |
| of the British military bases in Cyprus. | | | | hard, this does not stop visitors from the rest of |
| The other British military base is Akrotiri south of | | | | the world visiting Cyprus and choosing to stay in |
| Limassol. The only problem of being in the Buffer | | | | Pyla Village Resort. |
| Zone is that you are not allowed to take | | | | In times of recession, it is known for crime rates |
| photographs. One UN official told me that the | | | | to increase. One thing about Cyprus is that the |
| villagers do not like having photographs taken. As | | | | crime rate is low. That does not mean you should |
| Pyla Village Resort is in the Buffer Zone, this | | | | not worry about having your possessions stolen, |
| means that strictly speaking residents should not | | | | you still have to take precautions and not leave |
| take photographs of the resort. I do not think | | | | valuables on view and so be a temptation for |
| that anyone is likely to be challenged, though | | | | thieves. The fact that Cyprus has a low crime |
| some of the UN personel reside in Pyla Village | | | | rate means that there is less chance you will have |
| Resort. It is not all that apparent, especially if you | | | | anything stolen. |