 |
| Roamin' around the ruins. |
Having spent the last two years grounded we managed to get away on a little trip to Cyprus. The warm weather of the eastern Mediterranean was calling us and we took a flight from Manchester to Paphos where holiday hotels stretch along the coast to the north and the south east. We found ourselves in pleasant accommodation about a mile out of town looking out to sea and began to explore. Cyprus is an archaeologist's dream, grand civilisations of the past have left their mark here and Paphos is home to an extensive archaeological park where remains of several Roman Villas and other significant buildings were uncovered in the 1960's. On our first morning we had to take a look and here's Vicky sashaying past some fine pillars. Note the quilted jacket - the sun was sunny but the air was cold. In fact the weather was even colder than where we'd left it in North Wales. Still it was a holiday - abroad - our first in a long while, so we dug in (not literally!) and enjoyed ourselves.
 |
| Into a chapel to pray! |
The major archaeological sites in Cyprus that have been discovered are well known and are on the tourist circuit but many other potential excavations have actually been scuppered by the tourist trade - a number of hotels were built before proper historical investigations were allowed to take place. On the outskirts of Paphos, to the south east, we decided to take a peek at a location where a controversial new development is planned. Here's a picture of St Nicholas's Church at Yeroskipou; despite appearing to be an old Greek-style building it was built in 2013 - it's a lovely building though, full of icons and it stands at the gateway to a promontory where an extensive dig is currently taking place. A large hotel complex is due to be built here but it's been put on hold owing to the discovery of the remains of what is reputed to be the site of Aphrodite's Garden. We could see a huge network of old walls and piles of stone but soo far there's nothing to indicate what might have been there.
 |
Tickled pink!
|
In the heart of Paphos by the marina lies a promenade thronged with competing restaurants - it had been suggested to us that we look out for the Pink Pelican, a popular seafood restaurant. It was a bit early in the day for us but already fine assortments of fish were on display and passers-by were being exhorted to come in and eat. Some restaurants have their own unique selling points (or sales personnel!) We've seen white pelicans in Australia but never a pink one! This chappie waddled around the open air tables seeming perfectly at home. Maybe he gets a colourist treatment at the local hair salon. This was our third day in town - you can see Vicky's still wearing her jacket as the air was still cool - frankly it was quite surprising that the pelican decided to venture outdoors at all!!
