Ayia Napa 2003 does seem to be a lot quieter this year than 2000 when it hit the headlines. The numbers have dropped and the main square that was often packed out like the Notting Hill Carnival, London, England) in years gone by.

Another thing I noticed, was that most of the big, London, Uk Garage music promoters did not have residencies at clubs in Napa like they did before. Only Pure Silk (the first garage promoters in Napa) and Twice as Nice were there, Sun City had a night at Gas club.

The only big name garage DJ resident was EZ at Gas Club. Surprisingly the other names were not there in abundance as before, Only Jason Kaye, Mike Ruff cutt, Luck, DT and Ranking were there. Maybe they are in demand elsewhere or Napa is not as hot as it once was. Also the DreemTeem, the biggest names within UK Garage music were not in Napa at all this summer, even for Twice as Nice their original residency in London and in Napa.Norris the Boss, Matt Jam Lamont, Ramsey and Fenn, Karl Tuff Enuff Brown, Creed, CKP, Blakey, Viper and others weren't resident anywhere. Perhaps the big London promoters like La Cosa Nostra, Garage Nation, Sweet Harmony weren't bothering with Napa anymore so maybe neither were they.

This summer, Malia in Greecee seems to be the in place to be, replacing Falaraki, on the garage scene with promoters and clubbers I met talking it up. Well the only reason Malia hit the headlines this summer, was because it was featured on the sensationalist and explicit 'Club Reps' (English TV documentary - 2003) covering Faliraki. - Please click to read about Faliraki trouble,2003

We all know Ayia Napa was featured on similar documentaries a couple of years back. They tend to attract the lager louts and shameful antics of those who go on Club 18-30 and Twenties package holidays. So it was not the music and DJs which led the change to the new destinations. I wonder who the documentary makers will target next?

However after a while people can get bored with one place and look for something new. It was also noticeable that there was not a Ayia Napa summer 2003 CD out this year like in previous years. Those CDs gave the resort more promotion among clubbers than anything else. So has the bubble burst?

Castle Club the biggest multi arena venue, did not have garage. Only RnB, Hard House and 70s music in its 3 rooms. That was once a major garage venue in the past.

RnB/Soul music seems to be bigger than Garage music as most clubs had it. In London it is outselling garage, and those who made it in garage, seem to then make RnB, like Craig David, Ms Dynamite, Misteeq, etc. The only club that catered for garage every night was the Gas Club, but it did have RnB/Soul in the other room.

The after hours clubs like Insomnia, River Reggae bar were still open. The latter still known for goings on in the pool, it boasted a hard house room upstairs and a live dj playing reggae and rnb outside. There were of course the foam and popcorn party nights which most venues catered for too. I tend to give them a miss not my cop of tea and dangerous! You may not be able to see the steps and podiums and could injure yourself!

Of course EZ Uncut nights were held there every Tuesday. On Sunday 20 was a special 4x4 Soulful House music Night with EZ and the legendary Todd Edwards. What a night it was.

However that night maybe remembered not for the music but for the controversial dancing contest midway through, hosted by MC DT. It was for girls only for the prize of champagne. He urged them to show flesh and go x rated, by saying 'Do I see breasts, Do I see but, Do I see punnany!' etc. Of the 3 girls who entered two started shaking their bits out.

However one didn't and grabbed the mike from DT saying 'I'm not a slut and You don't have to take your clothes off to enjoy yourself!' That led to cheers. DT back tracked and said he wasn't calling anyone a slut just hosting the contest. The other busty girl who did expose herself, grabbed the mike and said, 'I'm a page 3 model and don't have hang ups about taking my clothes off!' The other girl grabbed the mike and said: 'You are not getting paid tonight though are you?' The place erupted in laughter. Gas Club was busy but I have seen it busier in previous years.

STOP PRESS!!!!!
On Saturday 2 August, EZ announced on his Kiss 100 Radio show that he is no longer
doing his Z Uncut residency at Gas Club anymore and left the parting comment: "If you want to know why, mind your own business!" Was it lack of numbers? Well there's more to it than meetsthe eye.

Nissi Beach Bar was busy again with DJs having a slot during the hot afternoons. A lot was said of the heatwave in London but I would rather be in the Med enjoying it in. This year there was an absence of water pistol use. That was strange they were on sale in the shops!

Perhaps one reason why some of the clubs are not having garage nights, in London and Ayia Napa, is because the music has changed with the advent of the crews. It is more darker underground, non vocal and MC based, sounding more similar to hip hop and drum and bass than to the original 4x4 garage. Well that is the way the current teenage audience prefers it. Those who were there before them, should not knock it and go on about how it was in their day. Music changes and evolves over time. The teenagers prefer music which is underground and non commercial. The type you have to know a bit about it and the associated subculture, dance moves etc, before you can get into it. Otherwise to the un-initiated, it sounds like noise.

However the downside of it is that whole atmosphere changes as a result. It is more moody with less smiling faces and everyone seems to be on a gangsta tip, as the crews tend to talk about guns and gangstas, dissing of rivals etc, and fewer party tunes. That is one reason the trouble has crept into
the scene. It is a long way from the original days when jungle had the trouble, and the emerging underground garage came to the fore with the happy crowd, party tunes and soulful vocals. Old skool garage is making a comeback in London on Sundays again with Absolute Sundays at Aquarium and elsewhere. Along with the 2 step soulful sounds of MJ Cole, Artful Dodger, etc.

However none of the promoters were in Napa. Well the Kool Club who started off the present Ayia Napa clubbing scene with DJ Nick Power still has its ear to the ground, and was still in town despite the said changes. They hosted the only Old School Garage night in Ayia Napa, on Saturdays. Well that was my best night in Napa by far.

The atmosphere was happy, definitely non moody, people out to party. Plenty of dancing with clubbers forming large circles to watch the dancers challenge each other and soon everybody was invited to their stuff cheered on by others.

It was a great night and brought back the original vibe and memories of old skool garage. It's a shame that garage is associated for trouble but the reason why it grew was because of the happy vibe before others chose to spoil things. Thanks for the Kool Club for keeping the original garage vibe back in Napa. DJ's on the night, DJ Telfer, Whiplash, Nick Power, & DJ Coxy, MC Stevie B.

Nissi Beach has its full array of water sports. Bungee jumping aint for me, so we opted for parachute gliding on a speed boat. That was very exciting and frightening, going up 400 feet and the boat is a tiny speck!

In Cyprus I heard that someone is killed on the roads every 48 hours so it is best advised not to use mopeds or scooters. Taxis are everywhere and car hire is cheap around £40 for a week. You can get helicopter rides as well around the coast and over the ghost town of Famagusta.

I decided to go on the Jeep Safari up to the Troodos Mountains. It's an all day affair which includes lunch and is interesting sightseeing . Up in the mountains the temperature is very cool despite being over 30 degreess on the ground.

It snows for 4 months of the year, the tree branches point downwards because of the snow and there are several ski slopes in the mountains. Everyone thinks Cyprus is a hot country! The highpoint was the visit to the famous waterfalls. The water is ice cold and heavy but you come out buzzing, euphoric and with an adrenalin rush! Maybe I got addicted to it cos I went under again! The trip is recommended.

Braiding or plaits is a popular hairstyle worn by many clubbers in Napa and to anyone who follows RnB or 'urban fashion' would know. Not surprisingly in the outdoor market near the Monastery, along with other vendors are hairstylists doing braids and extentions. There are some Chinese hairdressers who do it. Also an African Artifacts store that offers braiding. It's ok to have on holiday if you don't live in an 'urban area' with hairdressers who can offer that style. But the prices are a bit more
than what you can expect to pay in London!

Well for other sights catering for men, are the lap dancing and strip clubs that have flooded Napa. For some reason the Russians have cornered the market. They are open all night as well even after the clubs. In the square one Russian bloke's sales pitch to the guys coming out of the clubs was:

"Come to the Lap dancing club, all kind of pussy for you there: white pussy, brown pussy, red pussy, yellow pussy.. pussy clart!"

I was going to ask him what a 'pussy clart' was but as I was with my girlfriend didn't bother. I suppose I should have reminded him, if he didnt know, that if he shouted those words out in the street, or even a church, court, or police station in Jamaica, he would be arrested.

Well its good to see Napa not going as commercial as it was a couple of years back, and apart from one or two isolated incidents, there hasnt been too much trouble, from wannabee gangstas or lager louts. Ayia Napa and Cyprus is still a great place to go for a holiday whether you are a serious
clubber, following the music, (Garage RnB or House,etc) or out for sun, sand and sightseeing.

Please click here if you want to see more pictures of partying, djs and sightseeing, Ayia Napa - 2003

All Pictures and Photo's taken by Sasha, London, England - sashattac1200@yahoo.co.uk

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