Cypriots woke up on Thursday to the realization that their tiny partitioned island had suddenly got larger.

Greek and Turkish Cypriots resumed crossings, with authorities on both sides bracing themselves for a huge influx of people after hundreds breached the wall of distrust dividing the two communities. Over a thousand Greek Cypriots headed north and some 3,000 Turkish Cypriots visited the south.

For Greek Cypriots, the harbor town of Kyrenia, off limits since 1974, suddenly became a mere 20- minute trip over the mountains north of Nicosia, one of the last divided capitals in the world.

"You'd better pinch me, I can't believe this is happening," said Greek Cypriot Peter Pavlou, 35.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash authorized opening checkpoints to bolster confidence between the two sides after the collapse of UN-brokered peace talks last month.Reuters