CYPRUS

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29th October
to
5th November 2000
After a four hour flight from Manchester we arrived at Paphos airport. The sun sets at 5.00 pm so by the time we landed it was quite dark. A bus took us into Paphos to our lodgings at the Land of the Kings. The next morning when the sun was up and shining we could explore. c118.jpg (8118 bytes)
c117.jpg (8281 bytes) There was a fine swimming pool but we found the sea was warmer. c103.jpg (7105 bytes) Just opposite were the Tombs of the Kings. A large excavation site. Probably not actually kings but high class citizens.
We went down to inspect the harbour with many little boats, and to drink a cool beer as it was almost 80 degrees. c104.jpg (5706 bytes) And then we inspected the mosaics which were wonderful. c112.jpg (6121 bytes)
c121.jpg (6187 bytes) The best beach is Coral Bay situated just to the North of Paphos. c126.jpg (2925 bytes) From the edge of the cliffs we watched the sun setting over the horizon at 5.30 pm. Cyprus is two hours ahead of England.
Our route took us up into the Troodos Mountains where we drove through some beautiful little villages. We stopped at this one for lunch before driving on to inspect the Kykko Monastery. This Monastery had an amazing museum and treasury. c203.jpg (9628 bytes) c207.jpg (8135 bytes)
c302.jpg (7424 bytes) Just north of Paphos at Agios Georgios we found our favourite harbour where we could swim and chase the fish. c306.jpg (10169 bytes) Near here we had lunch very close to a great banana grove.
While Catherine and Alex went off to find the great gorge, I explored a grove of grapefruit trees. Four ripe ones supplemented the next two breakfasts. c310.jpg (7769 bytes) We found another little beach for good swimming. c316.jpg (5147 bytes)
c402.jpg (7511 bytes) c403.jpg (7045 bytes) c409.jpg (6737 bytes) At Lakki we hired a powerful speed boat. Swam in the Blue Lagoon and then back for a hot chocolate by the harbour.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is said to have been born on Paphos. Well, pehaps not exactly born, she appeared out of the sea at this spot, so it is called Aphrodite's birthplace. The round rock is called Aphrodite's Rock, and it is said that if you swim three times anti-clockwise round this rock, at midnight with no clothes on, you will get eternal youth. Well you can believe that if you like. c501.jpg (5783 bytes)
c503.jpg (6235 bytes) Near Limesol, at Kolossi there are amazing ruins. This theatre has been reconstructed and is used. c508.jpg (7266 bytes) These ruins are of a very important Basilica.
After lunch at Pissouri we drove down to the beach for yet another swim. c510.jpg (6023 bytes) Here Penelope sat under an olive tree and watched us swimming. c512.jpg (8550 bytes)
c516.jpg (4924 bytes) Penelope with her friend Antonis (Toni) Koukounis - Owner of the restaurant who kept us well stocked with glasses of brandy. c519.jpg (5274 bytes) Catherine with Toni's wife Joan.
Last views of Paphos. We thought this Church looked like a strawberry ice cream. c609.jpg (5322 bytes) The old castle on the walls of the harbour at Paphos. c705.jpg (4800 bytes)