Saturday 4 September 2010

Travels Through Cyprus

The elderly goat herder stands before his flock. Stick in hand, they bears the look of experience. His beaten elderly hat keeps the sun off his unshaven face.
His weathered trousers have seen better days & wear a belt, crudely tied around his waist. His braces are actually one of the elastic straps you use to tie your luggage to the car's roof rack.
As the sun beats down on the plains of Agia Marina they herds his goats to pastures new & another day of contentment.
When your country has suffered 9000 years of constant invasion, any break in hostilities is greeted with appreciation.
Cyprus is a blend of lots of influences. Turkish, Greek, Muslim & Christian invaders have all set foot on this hallowed land & made their mark.
Mosques & Christian church buildings stand side by side as a reminder of the often turbulent & violent past of Cyprus.
But when free of the shackles of conflict, Cyprus is a place of beauty & discovery. The Byzantine church buildings amongst the Troodos Mountains are an essential experience.
The sense of history & culture is overwhelming as you journey through mountain passes & wonder at the ancient architecture.
For a actual sense of solitude try walking through the barren land of the Karpas Peninsula or hiking the well-trodden trails of Mount Olympus.
The blue crystal waters of Cape Greco provide a wealth of opportunity for swimming & diving.
When the sun goes down, the Cypriot nightlife will have you dancing in to the early hours. Babies tend to make their way towards the large contingent of British pubs in Agia Napa.
The more cultured make their way to the traditional Cypriot cafes & bars. Here you can drink raki, the local firewater made from distilled grapes.
If you are peckish, try the baked lamb dish of kleftiko, or another local favourite mezedes.

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