1st time - Cyprus Discussion Forums, Holiday Forums

1st time

charlie

2006-08-28 07:21:54

My Dad who is 78 is going to Cyprus for the 1st time in early November.
He as been abroad once before with us , to Lanzarote but this time he is going with a club he goes to.
It's a bereavement club so everyone is on thier own so to speak although they are all good friends.
Is there anything you think he needs to no.
Any tips or things to avoid.
It's like my children going away for the first time on their own again.

They are going to the Mayfair hotel in Paphos

jimbox

2006-08-28 09:21:10

Medical insurance, please make sure he is covered...no NHS cover here..we had our father in law stay a year ago he has passed away unfortunately since, he was 85 and insurance cover was expensive in the UK...Most ex-pats have private medical insurance here.

carolh

2006-08-28 09:52:15

Your father can get a European Health card which will cover him for free medical emergency treatment in the local hospital.
You can get forms from the Post office or apply on line. The card is free and only takes about a week to arrive.

jimbox

2006-08-28 11:25:18

Again there is no free NHS like service in Cyprus, best to get medical insurance, it's up to you of course..

Pubdog

2006-08-28 11:54:11

To expand on what Jim has said about the Health Insurance Card...
Rest is HERE

The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting. Remember, this might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.

Ady

edwardes.m

2006-08-28 17:25:25

Can I add my two-penn'orth.

Have both travel insurance and an EHIC and you can't go wrong.
If you have the EHIC you will get whatever is free FOR FREE! STRAIGHT AWAY!
No worrying about getting your insurance company to cough up.

Anything not covered by the EHIC will then be the domain of your insurance company. And probably not without hassle if you have to claim.

Mark

AskCy

2006-08-28 18:45:54

erm what sort of things aren't going to be paid for then?....

As I have the Euro card and travel insurance and wouldn't want to go to the docs with something like ear ache and be expected to give them umpty quid before being seen??

carolh

2006-08-28 18:51:40

My husband went to the General Hospital in Limassol with an ear infection and was seen in a reasonable time. He presented his European Health Card and only had to pay for the prescription.

AskCy

2006-08-28 18:55:27

are you supposed to go to the chemist and they treat most of the minor ailments as in other countrys ? (ie buy this for £5 and it will sort it out)

charlie

2006-08-28 19:12:16

Thanks for your replies
He as got travel insurance and I got him the euo card when he came to Lanzarote with us.

Any other tips.

AskCy

2006-08-28 19:39:32

make sure he drinks pleny of fluid (not beer and wine) as its very hot out there.. but I suppose that goes without saying...

charlie

2006-08-29 06:47:04

Whats the water like?
Is it the same as in Spain etc you buy the bottled water ?
Would there be mozzies in November?
What would the temps be like?
How safe is it at night?

None of us have ever been to Cyprus so have no idea what it's like.

Sorry so many questions. :oops:

Baggieboy

2006-08-29 11:14:54

Water: reps will advise you to buy bottled water, but the tap water is fine
(I prefer it to water in the UK!)

Mozzies: There will be mozzies in November, although they are more prevalent in Pafos rather than the east coast. I've been bitten in January, so its advisable to take a spray and aplug in repellent.

Temps: probably around 20 - 23 degrees in the day, but a tad chilly at night.

How safe: Very safe. Street crime is rare.

Also, in the tourist areas most people speak English - they drive on the left, pharmacists will help you on most medical problems, and don't assume drivers will stop at a red light when crossing the road!

Enjoy!!

Richie

charlie

2006-08-29 13:20:33

Thanks for the info I'll pass it on.

AskCy

2006-08-30 10:21:50

don't be fooled into thinking those things trying to take off are planes with missing wings.. turns out the Greek name for them is "taxi"... LOL

charlie

2006-08-30 19:01:30

Yes , I have warned him about the traffic.

He as never been in a taxi abroad :shock: