I visited Cyprus during Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year Holidays) of 2016. As I had a full time job during those days, I was trying to visit at least 2 or 3 new countries every year.
Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean, located south of Turkey. Although the island is geographically in Asia, it is politically a European country, part of the Southern Europe and a member of the European Union.
Because of strategic location in the Middle East, Cyprus was occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, from whom the island was seized in 333 BC by Alexander the Great. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates, the French Lusignan dynasty and the Venetians, was followed by over three centuries of Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878.
In the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Cyprus was leased to the British Empire and in 1925 it was declared a British crown colony. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. Despite a constitution which guaranteed a degree of power-sharing between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority, the two ethnic groups clashed in 1974, with the end result being control of the northern and eastern 40% of the island by Turkey. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The UN operates a peacekeeping force and a narrow buffer zone between the two Cypriot ethnic groups.
During my week long stay on the island, I visited following places in Southern part of Cyprus. I have created a separate post for The Norther Cyprus which is controlled by Turkish Cypriot.
The first stop was Limassol, a city on the southern coast of Cyprus, is the second largest urban area in Cyprus after the capital Nicosia. It was easy to get a Bus from the airport to Limassol, a cosmopolitan city and principal hub for international business in Cyprus. Limassol is also Cyprus’ largest commercial shipment port. Limassol is more about take a stroll on the seafront known as Molos Promenade or relax on one of the many beaches and beach cafes.
Beautiful view from my hotel balcony room!Limassol Seafront.Limassol Seafront.Limassol seafront known as Molos PromenadeLimassol is more about take a stroll on the seafront known as Molos Promenade or relax on one of the many beaches and beach cafes.Limassol is home to Cyprus’ largest commercial shipment port Greek Orthodox Church in Limassol.Donkey Milk anyone?Beautiful Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea!Beautiful Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea!Someone is going for snorkel at sunrise.First time I noticed Palm trees next to Pine trees, very impressive.Early morning hours in the Oldtown of Limassol.Street Arts in the Oldtown of Limassol.February is definitely not a peak tourist season for this Island country.Local Greek food
After couple of days in the modern cosmopolitan, the next stop was Paphos, a city on the southwest coast of the island, inhabited since Neolithic times. Paphos is renowned as the birthplace of Greek goddess Aphrodite and in the ancient times was the capital and main cultural city of the island. Paphos is the modern city that incorporates the harbor, and the ancient ruins of tombs, fortresses, theaters and villas at Paphos Archaeological Park. Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world’s heritage for its ancient ruins
Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the “Roman”) also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, supposed to be the birthplace of Goddess Aphrodite.Petra tou Romiou also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, According to one legend, this rock is the site of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite. The Romans widely referred to her as Venus. Aphrodite attracted a large cult following in Paphos. A local myth is that any person who swims around the Aphrodite Rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.The Ayia Kyriaki Church with the surrounding ancient ruins is commonly called the church by Saint Paul’s Pillar, since the pillar (formerly an ancient column) is situated within the church’s courtyard. During one of his missionary journeys, Paul visited Paphos, which was the capital of Cyprus, around 45 AD.Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa Church, built around 1500 AD as a Latin Church on the site of a small church which was destroyed in 59 AD by an earthquake.Paphos Seafront and Marina.During summer this platform is manned by Lifeguards.Paphos Marina.7d Cinema in Paphos, closed for off-season, not enough tourists during February.Cyprus has huge Greek influence. Newer Greek Orthodox church in Paphos. Street Art in Paphos tourists neighborhood. Beautiful Sunset over the Mediterranean Sea!KEO, a cold Cypriot beer with beautiful view of Mediterranean Sea!Beautiful Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea! Because of Paphos location you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset!Beautiful Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea! Because of Paphos location you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset!Trying to take Selfie, still not good at it.
Paphos Archaeological Park contains the major part of the important ancient Greek and Roman city and is located within the Nea Pafos section of the coastal city. The Paphos archaeological complex is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980 for its outstanding ancient remains.
The Paphos archaeological complex.The House of Theseus in Paphos Archaeological Park.Odeon, second century AD theatre, seats about 1200.Saranta Kolones (Forty columns castle), a ruined medieval fortress inside the Paphos Archaeological Park, takes its name from the large number of granite columns that were found on the site and probably once formed part of the ancient agora. The Byzantine castle is believed to have been built at the end of the 7th century AD.Floor mosaic in House of Dionysos (2nd century), Paphos Archaeological ParkFloor mosaic in House of Aion (4th century), Paphos Archaeological ParkBeautiful Floor mosaicA Swastika, symbol of Hinduism, on 2nd Century Floor mosaic. Standing grandly at the west end of the town’s harbor, Paphos Castle (Medieval Fort) was originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbor. What survives today is the 1592 Ottoman restoration of the western Frankish tower with its Venetian additions.A Modern LighthouseWinter landscape with flowers on the beach, Paphos,
After few days of exploring Paphos it was time to visit the capital city, Nicosia, also known as Lefkosia, the world’s last divided capital. The barbed wire and guard towers of the Green Line, a demilitarized zone created by the United Nations, cuts the city in two, with the northern side being the capital of Northern Cyprus and the southern half being the capital of the Republic of Cyprus.
Ledra Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, which links North Nicosia, capital of Northern Cyprus, and south Nicosia. the capital of Republic of Cyprus.Ledra street border crossing, going from Republic of Cyprus (Greek side) to Northern Cyprus (Turkish side), This crossing reopened in 2008, 35 years after the conflict.At Ledra street border crossing, I am standing in Greek Side, behind me is Turkish side… very interesting place.. as soon as you cross the border, you can notice and feel that you are in a different countryFamagusta Gate, the most significant of the gates of Venetian Lefkosia (Nicosia), opened onto the road that led to the most important harbor town of the island, hence its name.Pafos Gate was one of the three gates in the walls built by the Venetians around Lefkosia (Nicosia). The road beginning immediately outside the gate led southwest to the town of Pafos (Paphos), hence the name.You can see green line buffer zone, a vast empty area between Turkish and Greek sides. Northern Cyprus Flag on the mountain, visible from almost everywhere in Nicosia.
I made a day trip to Northern Cyprus before flying back to Shanghai, my home at that time.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 