The poor queen was surrounded by intrigues and plots, and although the people of the coast towns loved her, the Cypriot nobles were her bitter enemies and hostile to Venetian influence.
John of Beirut, like many of the Cypriot barons, was also a baron of the kingdom of Jerusalem; and resistance in the one kingdom could only produce difficulties in the other.
Wild donkeys of Karpas peninsula Photo by Halid Izzet The region also houses the wild Cypriot donkeys who gaze care-free in the nature.
By late 2003 Greek Cypriots concerns had been largely allayed, but Turkish Cypriot elections which highlighted the issues involved had proved indecisive.
Authentic Cypriot fare is also in abundance in the waterside tavernas where you can dine al fresco on the fresh catch of the day.