Nov 30, 2018 - We'll Be Back Cyprus!

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Larnaca & The South has to say about the Salt Lake outside of Larnaca: “During winter this protected reserve fills with rainwater, creating an important migratory habitat for flamingos, wild ducks and waterfowl. As summer approaches the waters slowly dry up and the birds leave. They are replaced by a crusty layer of salt, and heat waves bounce and shimmer off its white surface. A nature trail that threads along the eastern bank is great for bird watching in spring....

Nov 28, 2018 - I ♥ Larnaca

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Larnaca & The Southhas to say about Larnaka: “Larnaka revolves around its seaside position. The coastal promenade – known universally as the Finikoudes – is where locals and visitors alike come for a morning coffee or an evening beer, to flop out on the beach during the day and to stroll at sunset. It’s the hub of the scene, with restaurants, cafes and bars galore, and during summer it fully revs up for the annual flood of holidaymakers. Take a few steps inland,...

Nov 27, 2018 - ABC - Art in a Byzantine Church

After checking out of our great apartment in Paphos we had about five hours before checking in to our Larnaka Air BnB. We made sure to see sights we had skipped on our way there Nov.21. The first stop was just a couple of kms away, in the village of Geroskipou. Geroskipou means “sacred garden. As with almost everything in Cyprus one can infer “...of Aphrodite” and Here we visited a lovely little church. Although the bell tower on Agia Paraskevi, a five-domed barrel-vaulted Byzantine church, is dated 1886, the pre-extenstion chapel itself...

Nov 26, 2018 - Kolossi Castle

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Lemesos & The South has to say about the Akrotiri Peninsula: Kolossi Castle "This doll’s house of a castle (more like a fortified tower) perches on the edge of Kolossi village. It’s an interesting reminder of the rule of the Knights of St John in the 13th century, who started producing wine and processing sugar cane at a commandery that stood on this land. The current structure dates from 1454 and was probably built over the older fortified building. Kolossi Castle is...

Nov 26, 2018 - Kolossi Medieval Castle

Heading out to the Akrotiri Peninsula on a primary route took us past Akrotiri salt lake, another important habitat for migratory birds on their annual Europe-Africa return trips. The route continued through pale dry hills dotted with scrub and olive trees, valleys of cultivated farms and past villages of whitewashed houses with red clay thigh-tile roofs. Once we left the main highway we drove along roads that were variously aside vineyards, cut through orange plantations, or lined with bright pink bougainvillea. Our first stop was the...

Nov 26, 2018 - St. Nicholas of the Cats

The Agios Nikolaos Ton Gaton Convent monastery is likely the oldest monastery on the island of Cyprus, as it is believed to have been founded in AD 327. However, it has not been in “operation” continuously. We visited a chapel built in the 14th century, abandoned in the 16th century and then reestablished in the 20th century - the early 1980s to be more specific. There was little to see other than a large courtyard, as the elderly nun who came out to sell the jams, pickles, religious icons and cat-themed trinkets on offer was not inclined...

Nov 26, 2018 - Mosaics of Ancient Kourion

A settlement dating back to neolithic times, Kourian is thought to be more formally established in about the 13th century BC, when Mycenaean colonizers arrived. Through the ages, Kourian became an important city-kingdom and its ruins are considered the most impressive on the island. This despite disastrous earthquakes not uncommon in the region. Representing the Greco-Roman period from 2nd c BC through 2nd c AD is a completely restored theatre Destroyed by earth-quakes in the 4th century, Four 3rd - 5th c AD houses, clearly belonging to...

Nov 24, 2018 - From Aphrodite’s Bath up the Aphrodite Trail

Legend has it that the Goddess Aphrodite was born in the sea off Cyprus and later spent time on the island with her lover Adonis. So much here is named for the goddess that if the phone book were like my home town’s thete are even listings that spell it as AAAphroditr’s _____ just to be in the front pages. Our drive from Paphos out to the Akamas Peninsula ascended through dry, hilly terrain that reminded me very much of the Kamloops area in British Columbia. It only flattens out again very near the seaside resort town of Polis. The...

Nov 23, 2018 - Pafos Archeological Park

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Pafos & The West has to say about the Pafos Archaeological Site: Nea Pafos (New Pafos) is, ironically, the name given to the sprawling Pafos Archaeological Site, to the west of Kato Pafos. Nea Pafos was the ancient city of Pafos, founded in the late 4th century BC and originally encircled by massive walls. Despite being ceded to the Romans in 58 BC, it remained the centre of all political and administrative life in Cyprus. It is most famed today for its mesmerizing...

Nov 21, 2018 - Pafos (Paphos)

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Pafos & The West has to say about Pafos: “Pafos was nominated joint European Capital of Culture for 2017 in recognition of its extraordinary archaeological sights. Unsurprisingly, these have attracted tourists for decades – as have more hedonistic pursuits. If you find the beach strip at Kato Pafos (Lower Pafos) too developed, duck into the back streets or head up to Ktima (Upper Pafos) on the hillside, which has a more traditional feel. More beach resorts are strung...

Nov 21, 2018 - Lemesos (Limassol)

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Cyprus chapter Lemesos & The South has to say about Lemesos (Limassol): “Still known to many as Limassol, Lemesos is one of Cyprus’ most underrated cities. Although fringed on its eastern edge by a glut of bland-looking developments, the core is full of character. Wrapped around a castle, the historic centre radiates out in a web of lanes where old, shuttered houses and modern boutiques lie cheek by jowl. It’s an area buzzing with cafes, bars and restaurants that are as popular with...

Nov 21, 2018 - Crusader Castle & Common Folk

Limassol aka Lemesos (everyplace in Cyprus seems to have two names) was a nice city to break up our relocation from Larnaka to Paphos. Next up was a visit to the medieval castle in Lemosos/Limassol, which dates back to 1228. Like so many structures it too was built over an older edifice, in this case an earlier Byzantine castle. This castle would have been much larger in its originol form, and is believed to be where English King Richard 1 the Lionheart rescued and then married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191. Berengaria accompanied him on...