Second Visit to the Beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

This was my second trip to the beautiful and historical Mediterranean island of Cyprus in June, 2007. I have a good friend who lives in London and has a vacation home in Larnaca, Cyprus, so Cyprus is usually one of our stops in our travels on that side of the world.

One of the first things you will discover about Cyprus (as with many Greek islands) is that there are many stray cats about, such as the one pictured below. They hang out mainly near restaurants, and they don't seem to be lacking for food. I know we fed them at least half of our dinners most nights, much to the waiters' chagrin.

Our first day trip this time was to the still divided city of Nicosia (Lefkosia). Here you will find the cultural center of Cyprus. Nicosia is the world's last divided capital city and is currently the capital of both Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The city is still divided by the Green Line, which was erected in 1964. You will notice that I do not have images of the Green Line here, that is because you are "advised" not to take photographs when you are near it. It was a fascinating sight though. You could look over the Green Line wall in many different parts of the city and see destroyed homes with a lot of bullet holes in them. There was also a lot of propaganda at the Famagusta gate/border crossing on both sides!

Just a note about my blog. You will notice that I put my captions on the top of the pictures that I am referring to, unlike what Blogger would like me to do; put my captions at the bottom.

Archbishop Mikarios III  (first President of the Republic of Cyprus) Palace and Foundation pictured below.

 Walking the streets of Nicosia.

 

 Byzantine Church

 

On our drive out of Nicosia, we stopped at a restaurant somewhere out in the sticks. The parking lot was right next to where this donkey was tied up. At first he looked very cute and sweet, but as I got out of the car, he started making the MOST obscene noise I have ever heard....and then I noticed that wasn't the only obscene thing (seriously, is that a 5th leg?)! Haha.....apparently the donkey liked me :).

 Pictured below is a Sri Lankan goat herder. We stopped and asked him directions to a church and cemetery. He seemed to get a kick out of us two crazy lost girls!

 Wish I could remember the name of this church.

 

 Another charming Greek church that we found while driving back to Larnaca.

 Greek and Cypriot flags flying at sunset.

 

 The next day we stayed a bit closer to home. We set out for Lefkara to go ride camels and explore that area. We came across this beautiful Greek church pictured below.

 There was about to be a wedding. The beautiful bride and flower girl.

 Camels! I love the one peaking underneath.

 Me riding a camel with a cute Austrian guide. :)

 Love the camel faces.

 That night, we went out to Marhaba restaurant for Lebanese food. It was delicious!

 Table of goodness.

 Chrissy and I very content after dinner.

 Dessert! Hookah pipe!

 Chrissy won the photo contest by having the best exhale. We exhaled and took pics and laughed for quite awhile that night.

 The next morning we were up early and heading into the Troodos Mountains.

 EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters)  fighter monuments could be found all over this road.

 Beautiful Kykkos Monastery

 

 Shoulders covered, please, if you want to go inside.

 Church of Archangelo's Michael - Built in 1474.

 I love this photograph. This was an old Greek woman that we met near the church.

 Me and our little car on the main beach drag in Larnaca. This was our last day for this trip. We went into town to do a bit of shopping and eat at our favorite Kebab house.

 

Takis Kebab House - The BEST kebabs ever!!

 Larnaca Harbor

Well, it was another great trip to Cyprus. I will have to post my first trip too. We went to Paphos and Aphrodite's Rock that trip, as well as many other places. Cheers Cyprus...I hope to be coming back soon!