Sunset at Peyia, Pafos

Sunset at Peyia

It was an amazing day for us touring around Pafos and Peyia area. With lots of places visited it was time to return back to our basis. Our last stop on the way back to Pafos was to see the beautiful sunset! 

Peyia does have amazing sunsets and we could't miss it since we were there. We parked our car and watched the sun setting with an orange and red background while disappearing in the sea.  

The Catacombs of Saint Solomoni, Kato Pafos, Pafos

The Catacombs of Saint Solomoni

Although we have passed many times from the location of the Catacombs of Saint Solomoni in Pafos, it was the first time we decided to visit the place. 

On the outside all you can see is a sign and a big tree with many handkerchiefs hanging. That is a custom for many believers who pray to the Saint to cure a disease they have. 

We followed the stairs leading us to the catacombs were some icons are located on the walls around mainly pictures of Saint Solomoni. 

Unfortunately for us it was almost dark and we could see much so we recommend a visit while there is still light. The area is not big and all around you can see small caves were the Saint used to spend her time. 

One of the caves is locked with a metal door which indicates the place were the Saint spend most of her time. Visitors hang their handkerchiefs there as well. 

The Asprokremmos Dam, Pafos

The Asprokremmos Dam

After a short visit at Salamiou village it was time to return to the city of Pafos. Thus we took the main road passing by Kelokedara, Stavrokonnou and Holetria village. 

At Holetria one can see from the main road the dam of Asprokremmos on the right side. It is the second largest dam in Cyprus but you will rarely see it overflow. Its main supply is from the Xeros river. 

We stopped for a while to see the dam from distance and take some pictures. The location of the dam, near the sea and inside a valley, makes the scenery very beautiful especially during spring time! 

Rainbow at Archimandrita village, Pafos

Rainbow at Archimandrita

It was a beautiful afternoon and we were returning from Pafos to the village of Archimandrita. Just as we passed Kouklia village we saw a rainbow behind the windmills at the top of the mountain. 

The early afternoon rains a while ago gave us a magnificent spectacle for the first time after many years of visiting Archimandrita. A few moments later the rainbow was gone as we were trying to catch it up at the top of the mountain. 

The disappointment though did not last long. The rainbow appeared again as we were getting closer to Archimandrita on the other side of the mountain. Now the scenery was completely different with the green valley ahead of us and the warm colors of the sunset approaching! 

Visit at Akamas area, Part 5, The Botanical Garden

The Akamas Botanical Garden 

As we described on our previous story were we visited the Aphrodite's Baths, one has to go through the Botanical garden were a big variety of local plantation is being hosted. Some of those flowers and plants are located exclusively in that area. 

Thus any visitor can now observe and become familiar with all the beautiful flowers and plants of Akamas and Cyprus. The garden expands all around the area of the Aphrodite's Baths. Like us, many other nature lovers visit the Botanical garden were they can spend a couple of hours learning about the plants and of course visiting the Aphrodite's Baths.

The location of the Botanical garden is just near the main road when you travel from Latchi village towards Neo Chorio, thus making it easy to find and access. No entrance fee is required and of course you need to follow the regulations prohibiting the cutting of the flowers. 

Visit at Akamas area, Part 4 - Aphrodite's Baths

Visit at Akamas area, Part 4 - Aphrodite's Baths

After we left behind us the Tower of Rigena it was time to visit one of the most famous places in the Akamas area, the goddess Aphrodite's Baths!  

The Baths of Aphrodite are located inside the botanical garden which hosts a variety of flowers and trees. In just a couple of minutes walk from the entrance of the botanical garden one will arrive at a small cave covered with plantation. 

Inside the cave water is running continuously like a small waterfall which forms the place where Aphrodite according to the legend used to bathe! 

Aphrodite and her lover, the handsome Adonis (son of the King of Pafos, Kinyras) used to take their bath together at that spot were another story says that that is where they first met while Adonis was hunting. 

Easter 2015, Archimandrita village, Pafos, Cyprus

Easter 2015 at Archimandrita village

Easter is probably the most important celebration for Christians around the world, and what a better way to spend it with family and friends at beautiful village in Cyprus. 

There is indeed a huge difference when you are in a village to spend Easter time for so many reasons... Tradition comes to life as each family member will play their part into making those days feel special! From the baking of "Flaounes" (traditional Easter delicacy) to coloring the Eggs, participating in the Saturday night's service and enjoying the next day with a rich meat oriented meal after 50 days of fasting. 

Easter is time for families and friends coming together remembering what is really important in life! 

We spend this season's Easter holidays mainly at Archimandrita village enjoying a very nice service until 2 o' clock in the morning at the Church of Saint Theodosios  and afterwards an exquisite "magiritsa" soup at my aunt's house and of course honoring the tradition of braking the eggs we colored just a day before.  

Visit at Akamas area, Part 3 - Rigena's (Queen's) Tower

Visit at Akamas area (Part 3)

After our visit at Saint Minas church were we took many photos of the beautiful flowers we continued our journey deeper into the Akamas peninsula. 

Next stop was the Rigena's (Queen's) tower! Our route was difficult and took some time for us to get there. But once we reached our destination it was all worth it. 

Rigena's tower is now ruins of what use to be a summer house of one of Cyprus's queens in the middle ages. The place is very beautiful as it is inside the forest and not very far from the sea. Very near we found a river with running water and a place to rest. 

The river begins just in front of a huge and very old oak tree. The oak tree provides perfect shade during summer time for any visitor. 

After we got some rest and our lunch we walked for a while through the Adonis trail. Adonis was the lover of Aphrodite in ancient mythology and the story says that this was one of their favorite places!

 After our short walk it was time for us once again to continue our trip to the next destination.

Visit at Akamas area, Part 2 - Neo Chorio, Pafos

 

Visit at Akamas area (Part 2)

After Latchi the next stop to our expedition at Akamas was the village "Neo Chorio". At Neo Chorio we visited the small Church of Saint Minas just outside the village. 

Our purpose was not only to visit the Church, but to take pictures of the many small flowers that flourish in the area during spring. 

Akamas is well known for its beautiful flowers and the spectacle can be quite amazing for any visitor! This time of the year is usually the best for such a trip.   

The Church of Saint Minas was open for us to visit and light a candle. On one side of the Church was the valley with the sea at the far end. 

On the other side was the forest of Akamas and the beautiful flowers in a variety of colors that you really feel what spring is like! Just make sure you take a good camera to take photos (we used a Pentax camera courtesy of our new imaging sponsor). 

An important thing to remember is never to cut or destroy the flowers as it is an offense with big fine. Take care of this beautiful environment the best way you can. 

(The Church of Saint Minas) 

Visit at Akamas area, Part 1 - Latchi, Pafos

Visit at Akamas area

Akamas area is one of the most important areas in Cyprus and hosts a big number of plants, animals and birds. Its importance is also geological and physio-graphical. 

Recently we organized a two day trip to see some of the beauties of Akamas and share it with our friends. Our starting point was the village of Latchi were we met with other friends early in the morning to begin our tour. 

At Latchi we had the chance to see the beautiful sea and beach which is a very popular destination for locals and tourists. Latchi village is at the very beginning of what is called Akamas area. 

The weather was perfect, and after a few photos we begun our trip to see more of Akamas and of course take photos and videos. An important thing to any trip to Akamas is to use an SUV car as family cars will not be able to go through the country roads in the area. For us it was the Audi Q7 Quattro.  

Monument of Theodoros Zinonos, Holetria village, Pafos

Monument of Theodoros Zinonos

It was yet another beautiful Sunday in Pafos and we took the road to Salamiou village which passes from Nikokleia, Holetria and Stavrokonnou.

At Holetria we noticed a monument which we didn't see the last time we passed. We parked our car and had a closer look.

The monument is dedicated to Theodoros Zinonos who died at Holetria in 1958 at the age of 21. Theodoros Zinonos was a member of the EOKA movement.

The sign besides the monument indicates that the unveiling was on July 27 this year.

Holy Relics of Saint George Tropeoforos

Holy Relics of Saint George Tropeoforos

Saint George is one of the most well known and most celebrated Saints of Christianity.

A few days ago while we were in Pafos we've heard that his "Kara" (Scull bones) would be exhibited to the Monastery of "Panagia Salamiotissa" at Salamiou village.

Thus we did not miss the chance to visit the Monastery and see the Holy Relics.

Saint George called "Tropeoforos" was a Christian who served in the army under the Byzantine Emperor Dioklitianos (Diocletian)  around 300 A.C. He managed quickly to rise in the ranks of the military and became one of the Emperor's favorite soldiers.  After Dioklitianos  turned against Christians, Saint George revealed his Christian faith and was arrested and tortured until his death. His memory is celebrated on April 23.

Goats in Pafos

Goats in Pafos

While driving from Agios Nikolaos village in Pafos towards Archimandrita we came across a big herd of goats crossing the road.

Fortunately for us we were not driving fast but non the less we had to stop until the animals cross. About 500 goats gave a nice tone to the mountain scenery in the area and it was a chance for us to take some pictures.

Pafos is probably the only town you can come across such an event while driving. Still some people do this kind of work which always passes from generation to generation.

Sunset at Peyia, Pafos

Sunset at Peyia

It was too hot that August day in Pafos and it was only in the afternoon that we decided to go out.

Our destination was Peyia were a ship has been immobilized there for a few years now. The ship is very close to the shore and abandoned after an accident.

The authorities of the city decided not to move it, and good for us, as it creates a beautiful scenery especially when the sun is about to set!

An excellent choice for anyone in the area to spend the afternoon.

Old School of Miliou village, Pafos

Old School of Miliou village

On our return to Miliou village after our tour in the area we visited the old School.

Like so many other villages around Cyprus it was a small school still in good condition but with no students anymore.

Once, when the population was large, there were enough children to fill the school for many years.

Now its abandoned and it doesn't look its gonna operate again.

For us it was time we returned back to our basis for the weekend, the Ayii Anargyri Retreat.

Sea view from Kato Akourdalia, Pafos

Sea view from Kato Akourdalia

Before we begun our trip back to Miliou after our visit at the Church of Saint Paraskevi and the old Mill, we found a nice spot further down the road to admire the view once again!

This time we could see the valley spreading in front of us which must have been very fertile once.

Now we saw a couple of small villages and the beautiful sea at the back only a few minutes away from our location.

Mill at Kato Akourdalia, Pafos

Mill at Kato Akourdalia

As soon as we finished exploring the Church of Agia Paraskevi we had a look around, and we were surprised to see what appeared to be a very old Mill in the middle of the mountain.

The Mill was surrounded by trees and there was no visible access. Like many other Mills in various places we visited its location indicates that the surrounding villages may had a different formation.

The local economy and trade was also connected very much to the services provided by the Mill. The changes of the economy, trade and technology the following years have mad the Mill obsolete and thus the signs of abandonment we saw on our visit.

Perhaps a restoration in the future will show again how people lived and worked in the past.

Church of "Agia Paraskevi" at Kato Akourdalia village, Pafos

Church of "Agia Paraskevi" at Kato Akourdalia

Following the road to Kato Akourdalia we entered the village and turned left towards the next village which is Pano Akourdalia.

Just as we exited the village we found a small sign indicating the road to the Church of Saint Paraskevi. We followed that road which is a bit bumpy and a while later we reached our destination.

A very small Church, in the middle of nowhere one could say, was standing there with clear marks of abandonment. We stepped down from the car and approached the Church which seems old but we could not determine how old.  Perhaps a few hundreds of years old when the whole area was completely different than it is today.

The Church was open and we walked inside where we saw the icon of Saint Paraskevi along with a couple more icons and a small table on the site. Most probably people gather each year to celebrate the memory of Saint Paraskevi which is on July 26.

View outside Miliou village, Pafos

View outside Miliou village

On our visit to Miliou village we decided to have a short expedition to the nearby area and see what is there for the next time.

We took the road towards Akourdalia village which is nearby.

Once we got outside the Miliou the first thing we saw was a view towards the sea.

There we stopped for a while  and admired the scenery which included some vineyards and the formation of a valley below, touching the sea at the end!

Old Olive Mill at Miliou village, Pafos

Old Olive Mill at Miliou  

Our trip to Ayii Anargyri of course included a visit at Miliou village and some of its main attractions.

One of those attractions was the old Olive Mill. Miliou has very fertile soil and produces many fruits among other things.

The Olive Mill, which is not used today of course, is a sign of the change at Miliou which used to be a much bigger in population village with some importance at the area with its agricultural products.

The old Olive Mill is an exact representation of the effort it took to produce the precious Olive oil, a precious product until today for Cyprus cuisine.