Cyprus, Oct 2021

While the restrictions in connection with the Corona-virus were still lifted, our humans were going to Cyprus, and we were invited to go with them. Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Going there would mean we were finally able to go to work: travelling!

Click each photo to enlarge

We arrived Paphos International Airport and waited for our luggage at the conveyor belt. It seemed like a nice and warm place - at home we were used to temperatures of 10 degrees or below.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We would be staying at the Columbia Beach Resort near the village Pissouri. We were delighted to learn it was a 5-star resort.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

Our humans had booked a large junior suite. We entered the bed to try it all out.
"Wow! Said McBear. "This is fantastic - less would have been sufficient."
"Yes," Tom agreed. "And they have a wonderful bar!"
"It's alright..." said Roger.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We had rented a car; a Hundai. Now, it's wasn't the most powerful, but it did the job, even though it had certain difficulties climbing steep roads.

It was great to get around in the car and we didn't have to change money as the Greek part of Cyprus use the Euros. Very practical.

Paphos, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We went to Paphos to explore the ancient archaealogical site near the harbour. There were lots of old stuff as the history of Cyprus goes way back into ancient times. Here we are in front of one of the burial chambers.

Paphos, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We went to an old cemetery and saw the pillar where Paulus, according to legend, had been whipped.

It was also here that the old king Erik Ejegod of Denmark is said to be buried. He died 1103 CE while travelling on a crusade to Jerusalem. McBear knows about the king from the time he lived in Slangerup in Denmark. The king is commemorated by a stone plaque at the cemetery in Paphos.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We went to Aphrodite's birthplace near Pissouri. This is the place where Aphrodite - known as Venus in Roman mythology - landed on shore after she was born from the sea.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

It was no wonder that so many people wanted to visit Aphrodite's Birthplace. The sunsets were unbelievable.

What was also unbelievable was the number of photos one of our humans shot of the sunset - he said he needed practice, and he kept practising all night. We were getting worried, because we wanted a lift back to the hotel for some night snack...

Larnaca, Cyprus, Oct 2021

The next day we headed east to Larnaca. We wanted to see the church of Lazarus. His sarkophagus could still be found in the vault. Lazarus was said to have died, but the Lord Jesus told Lazarus' sisters that Lazarus would rise from the dead. After his ressurection, Lazarus had to flee to Cyprus where he became bishop.

Larnaca, Cyprus, Oct 2021

On the way back we stopped at the large Larnaca Salt Lake. In the wet season - winter - it is possible to spot flamingos here. Unfortunately, this was October and a very dry day.

Lefkara, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We stopped in a tiny village near Lefkara to have some Lunch. Phew, having eaten way too much in a typical Cypriotic style, we could hardly move ourselves back to the car.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

In the evening our humans once again went to Aphrodite's birthplace to admire the sunset - it seemed that one sunset was not enough.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

Next day we headed northwest, passed Paphos and found our way to Polis. We wanted to search for a small grotto named Aphrodite's Bath. We found the grotto, though we found it difficult to associate this ugly looking grotto with the beaty of Aphrodite. Many tourists too get a bit disappointed.

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

Back at Columbia Resort we enjoyed the afternoon at the beach. Sitting in the "sand" was a bit hard...

Pissouri, Cyprus, Oct 2021

In the evening it was time to enjoy the facilities of the columbia Resort. There were several restaurants to choose between. McBear wanted seafood, Tom wanted steak and Roger wanted something healthy.

Kourion, Cyprus, Oct 2021

Our days at the Columbia Resort soon were over, and the next day it was time to head for the mountains. On the way we stopped at the Kourion archaeologic site just west of the city Limassol. Here, we saw the ancient theatre. It was huge. Roger felt inspired and he decided it was time to perform his play, "I, Roger".

Kourion, Cyprus, Oct 2021

Roger did a splendid performing of "I, Roger." He just felt the crowd ought to have been a bit larger...

Apollo's Temple, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We also went to Apollo's Temple nearby. This temple was dedicated to the Greek Sun god Apollo.

Kolossi Castle, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We also stopped at the Kolossi Castle. The original parts of the castle were completed around 1210 but later rebuilt. Tom was delighted to learn that the Commandaria wine used to be produced here.

Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus, Oct 2021

From the southern shores of Cyprus we went up the Troodos Mountains to the village Kalopanayiotis. Our humans had booked a small suite at the Casale Panayiotis resort.

Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus, Oct 2021

From our suite we had a fine view to the valleys surrounding the village. It was a bit difficult to maneuvre around the narrow lanes to find vacant parking slots.

Kykkos Monestary, Cyprus, Oct 2021

The next day we went to the Kykkos Monestary. It's a very old monestary dating back to the 11th century and it was founded by the Byzantine emperor Alexios.

Mt. Olympos, Cyprus, Oct 2021

We were driving on narrow mountain roads way up the mountains and we stopped to view the valleys and the highest mountain in Cyprus, the nearly 2 kilometer tall Mt Olympos.

Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus, Oct 2021

On the last day we enjoyed sitting in the sun at the terrace.