1960: Two young English women, 22-year-old Doreen Fairman and 23-year-old Margaret Harrison, have reached Cyprus as part of an ambitious journey spanning 12 countries.
Starting from Paris last May, their trek through Europe, the Middle East, and beyond has been marked by resourcefulness, resilience, and a wealth of unique experiences.
Traveling with just a tent, a rucksack, and £30 each, the pair relied on their ingenuity to keep going.
Their adventures include climbing Mount Vesuvius at midnight, scaling the Matterhorn at dawn, attempting skiing in Lebanon, riding camels in Turkey, and even trying their first Turkish bath. Along the way, they left a trail of six marriage proposals from admirers in cities like Paris, Athens, Istanbul, and Aleppo.
Currently low on funds but high in spirits, the duo hopes to fund the next stage of their journey through Africa, India, and Pakistan.
In Cyprus, they aim to appear on television, as they did in Beirut, where they also earned money through street advertising and a quiz show appearance.
Their travels often involve unexpected modes of transportation, from camel caravans in Turkey to United Nations vans in Syria, and even a cargo boat to reach Limassol.
(Famagusta Gazette)