CYPRUS in your heart

Located at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus has amassed its rich cultural heritage through its turbulent and altogether colourful history.

"Its prehistoric age inhabitants were joined by the Mycenaean  Greeks 35000 years ago, thus permanently establishing the island's Greek roots.  Many other cultures followed since then, including Phoenicians, Assyrians. Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, British, all leaving behind visible traces of their passage.

 (Cyprus, 10000 Years of History and Civilisation)

LARNACA FORT.Originally built during the Middle Ages (Ottoman rule) , the British converted it into a prison during the first years of their rule.  Today, it houses the District Medieval Museum whose collection covers 15 centuries of history, from early Christian period to the 19th century.

DAY 1: Thursday,  10 April, 2014

YAH-SOU, LARNACA!

1300 hrs.  After clearing a surprisingly almost deserted airport, my travel companions and I were greeted warmly by our chauffeur who will take us to our hotel apartment.  The chilly spring wind that hit our skin didn't quite gel with the glaring sun.  

LARNAKA SALT LAKE.  Flamingoes, wild ducks and water fowls find their refuge here  in winter during their migratory journey.

Airport to Sunflower Hotel Apartment.

The ride was brief and uneventful. We caught a few snatches of the quaint Larnaca.  The first thing that struck me was the seemingly ghost town feel of the place.  I mean, there were buildings, shops, schools, churches and other trappings of a modern town, but where are the people?

It turned out that we arrived at their off-peak season (and on siesta time too?!)  Otherwise, the place would have been crammed with tourists. The timing could be good for us. Or not. 

Looking around our quite comfortable apartment which was furnished with a functional kitchen, a living room and two terraces, I  got more excited to start sightseeing.  After all, there's nothing more engaging than the thought of a welcoming resting place after an exhausting day.

Did I say that the thing I liked most in our apartment was that one of the terraces has got a sea view and is facing east!

TRAVEL COMPANIONS.  Meet Tin, Ann and Getty. Taken at the hotel reception area while we were waiting for the knapsack  which I inadvertently left in the van (silly, old, forgetful ME!)

Our heels were itching to hit the streets and so we did.  Look how deserted the place was!  

But well, it also meant that we were more than welcome to take in all the sights, smells and sounds at our own pace.  (Not to mention, also take wacky pictures without being too inhibited about it.)

LARNAKA MUNICIPAL CULTURAL CENTER and neighbouring buildings.  

Speaking of taking in everything, this spot of Cyprus struck me as an old fashioned lady struggling to preserve and protect her charming beauty against the inescapable arms of modernisation that slowly creeps up on her.  I would later realise that the whole island country is facing the same struggle. 

It was admirable and truly remarkable, how successful the Cypriot have preserved their cultural heritage.  Tangible proofs were evident almost everywhere. Achievement of such feat couldn't have been easy ,  but the remnants of antiquity that one could see almost at the turn of every street bore physical proof of their success.

Grateful for a safe journey and a wonderful first day.

DAY2: Wednesday 11 April, 2014

NICOSIA AND FAMAGUSTA

KALIMERA NICOSIA!

The early chilly morning didn't blast our high spirits as we caught the first bus going to Lefkosia (Nicosia).  Known as the only divided capital in the world (the southern Greek Cypriot and the Northern Turkish Cypriot) .

Through the years Nicosia has established itself as the island's capital and its main international business centre.  The city was ranked in 2012 as the 5th richest city in the world in relative purchasing power.

FRIENDLY AND CHARMING CYPRIOTS

One outstanding quality of Cyprus is its people (Cypriot).  We only met a few owing to the season but those whom we did meet left a lasting positive impression. Though some can barely speak English, they made us feel more than welcome with their gestures and smiles which any stranger in a strange unfamiliar place more than crave for.   And those who do speak the language would literally go out of their way just to help.  

The bus driver,whom we asked for directions, took his time explaining in his charming thickly accented English how to get the most around Nicosia.  He even offered a map (except that he apparently has given the last of it away to another needy tourist) 

The lady in charge of the tourist information centre was equally patient in giving us the necessary information we need.  What more, their tourist centre is so generous with leaflets and maps.  I was hesitant to take the book about Cyprus which she handed out, lest it's going to be beyond my budget, only to find out that it's for free!

So, armed with the crisp maps and fresh information, we wound ourselves around Ledra Street which is found in the middle of the walled city.  The street has historically been the busiest shopping street of the capital and adjacent streets lead to the most lively part of the old city with narrow streets, boutiques, bars and art cafes.

Nicosia is also known for its fine museums.  The Archbishop's Palace contains a Byzantine museum containing the largest collection of religious icons on the island.  We weren't allowed to take pictures of them though. So we contented ourselves with a few snaps outside.

Leventis Municipal Museum is the only historical museum of Nicosia and revives the old ways of life in the capital from ancient times up to our days. Other interesting museums include the Folk Art Museum, National Struggle Museum (witnessing the rebellion against the British administration in the 1950s), Cyprus Ethnological Museum (House of Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, 18th century) and the Handicrafts Centre.

After getting in some of the museums, buildings and church, missing some turns and getting inside some buildings by mistake, we had enough history for a day and decided to say Yah-sou (hello/goodbye) Nicosia.

KALISPERA , FAMAGUSTA

Located strategically at the east coast of Cyprus, Famagusta possesses the deepest harbour of the island. During the medieval period (especially under the maritime republics of Genoa and Venice), Famagusta was the island's most important port city, and a gateway to trade with the ports of the Levant, from where the Silk Road merchants carried their goods to Western Europe.

Famagusta of today is a vibrant youthful university city that offers destination for switching off, enjoying the history and sights.  But then again, because we arrived at an inopportune time, only the multitude of hotels and fancy restaurants bore evidences to such activities.

The Tourist Centre suggested Agia Napa, so off we went.

EFKHARISTO AGIA NAPA!

Agia Napa is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus.  All 14 beaches in Agia Napa have been awarded the EU blue flag for their level of cleanliness and facilities.  Cyprus, with 53 Blue Flag beaches has three records:

• the most Blue Flags per capita in the world
• the most dense concentration of Blue Flag beaches
• The most Blue Flag beaches per coastline length in the world.

Beach parties are supposedly another popular form of entertainment in Agia Napa.  We missed those, too because of the timing.  On the other hand, the state-of-the-season also dealt us with a friendly hand as far as population in the beaches is concerned.  We practically had most of the beaches to ourselves, such as this one in Konnos Bay:

And then, there's the beach bar that plays Cypriot or Greek music all day (or probably all night) , nestled comfortably on a higher ground against the backdrop of clear blue skies that meets the azure sea along the horizon.... altogether make this spot a little taste of heaven on earth.

HIKING.  Even for those who aren't used to trekking, the usually tiring 45min to an hour walk ended too soon. With the beautiful sea on your left and an array of interesting flora on your right, it was definitely a walk to remember.

AYIA ANARGYROI. Located at Cape Greco close to Konnos Bay

DAY 3: Saturday,  12 April, 2014

PAFOS AND LIMASSOL

Day 3 dawned equally bright and chilly.  To Limassol and Pafos.  That was our target.  We would later find out that we were aiming too high. But we reasoned out that this was supposed to be our last day for sightseeing.  Might as well, make the most out of it.

We didn't foresee the length of travel.  So the journey between cities actually swallowed most of our already limited time.

Nevertheless, every second that we spent exploring was worth the while.  We dropped by Pafos' charming marketplace and bought some souvenirs.  Getty treated us to a scrumptious Mediterranean lunch.

Flowers abound everywhere in Cyprus.

TOMBS OF THE KINGS. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a large necropolis made of underground tombs, many of which date back to the 4th century BC, are carved out of solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to the third century AD.

We had a shot here in exploring some of the tombs, hoping we won't be disturbing anything (or anyone) I have always been a fan of Indiana Jones... and for awhile there, I wondered.....

Just to give an idea of the vastness of just one portion of the whole area, here's a clip:

We were desperately running out of time and there are still so much to explore.  So off we went to the bus station again.  But by the time we got back to Limassol, there's barely a time to explore and most of the places we want to visit were already closed.

So, we finally decided to go back to homebase Larnaca.  But the night isn't over yet as we had the delightful opportunity of witnessing the Feast of St. Lazarus.

St. Lazarus, the friend of Christ was most commonly associated with Cyprus, where he is said to have become the first bishop of Kition (Larnaka),

Watching the procession, being in the same place where Jesus Christ's friend Lazarus dwelt was the most surreal and spiritual part of the whole Cyprus experience. What a fitting end!

The Church of St. Lazarus, Larnaca

That rounds up our Cyprus journey.  I have a feeling that we just scratched the surface of the total Cyprus experience , but what a journey it was!