Begin Cyprus Adventure

We landed late on April 1, 2010 along with Tom and Nancy Sommers and took a taxi to the Cactus Hotel. After picking our car rental on April 2nd, we toured the old section of Larnaca and then began our drive to Pathos where my cousins Dave and Jill own a villa. From this point on we visit antiquity and old rocks. Click on lower left arrow on blank screen below to start the video of day 1 and turn on your speakers:

Southwest Cyprus near Aprodities Hills Villa

Click on the video below to start video of the ocean, hills and sights around the Aphrodities Hills villa:

Another beautiful sunset

Evening discussion with wine:

Videos of drive along the west coast to the Akamas Peninsula

Day tour to Akamas Peninsula (double click on arrows to start video):

Located on the Akamas Peninsula, the area is filled with spectacular natural beauty, and there are delightful trails and beaches to explore. The video below is taken on one of those hikes:

The Avakas Gorge provides a challenging and varied walking trail on the South part of the Akamas peninsula and our rental car was not a 4-wheel drive vehicle. But apart from backing into a dead tree stump, the car made it through god knows how many kilometers of dirt road.

The parking area for the gorge was found on the right hand side of the track after a short downhill section.

We followed the track uphill alongside the fencing to the left of the plantation, which we found to be in ruins. . On reaching the river valley, we parked the car in a parking area. At the place where there was a barrier to prevent vehicles from penetrating further into the gorge, we spotted a Cypriot family doing lamb kabobs over a bbq that smelled out of this world delicious. Having overcome the urge to join their party and ask for samples (the size of the lamb shanks had to be half a pound each), we proceeded, reluctantly, on the trail to Akamas Gorge.

Akamas Gorge Hike-


Aphrodites Bath and on to Lara Bay and Agios Minas-



Lunch Time on north shore of Akamas Peninsula near Agios Georgios Islet:



While a little out of town, the following legendary coastal spot is said
to be where the goddess Aphrodite would take a bath in a cave.
The baths are almost 50kms north of Paphos, near the city of Polis.

Aphrodites Bath:

Kourion located west of Limassol between Larnaca and and Pafos

This is one of the most magnificent archaeological sites on the island, where on-going excavations are still discovering new treasures. The stunning Greco-Roman theatre was originally built in the 2nd century AD and is now used for musical and theatrical performances after having been carefully restored. The House of Eustolios consists of a number of rooms with 5th century mosaic floors and a complex of baths. The early Christian basilica also dates back to the 5th century and was probably the Cathedral of Kourion.

The archaeological site of Kourion showing the House of
Eustolios built in early 7th century A.D.

Nicosia Day Trip

Guide and City Tour of Old Nicosia (Lefkosia walled city):



Archangelos Michael (in two videos):



Archangelos Michael (CONTINUED):








More historical facts about Nicosia:





Aerial view of Nicosia:

Pope to visit Cyprus from LA Times article

Click on the link below (in purple ink color) to open the LA Times article

This story was sent to you by: Chuck

--------------------
Gaffe-prone Pope Benedict XVI will be tested on delicate trip to divided island of Cyprus
--------------------

VICTOR L. SIMPSON
Associated Press Writer

May 30 2010, 3:56 AM PDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI, often under fire for political missteps on foreign trips, is heading into a potential diplomatic storm when he visits Cyprus this week, a pilgrimage to a divided island that could anger Turkey and the rest of the Muslim world.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-eu-cyprus-popes-perils,0,6716279.story

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com