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Cyprus – the most interesting attractions on the island

Gosia — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 11:51:11 +0000

I didn’t plan to travel to Cyprus last year. I did it on the spur of the moment. I saw cheap tickets for the beginning of November, when I have my birthday, and I thought to myself: why not leaving everything behind and celebrate it there? I had just 5 days to see the island so the best solution was to rent a car. It wasn’t the economical way because I didn’t have anybody to share the costs with, however, I rationalized this expense as a birthday gift. The second obvious solution to visit the whole island in such a short time was getting up at unsocial hours, this was more difficult to rationalize 😀 I rented a Kia Rio from Budget rental company, the total cost for 6 days, including full insurance, was about PLN 1000. I decided to take out full insurance because there’s left-hand traffic on Cyprus. I have never driven this way before and I didn’t know if I would be able to manage it. Eventually it turned out that in less than 5 days I traveled around 850 km. My driving impressions? Cyprus is a very nice place to drive, especially the southern “tourist” part. The road infrastructure is designed in such a way to prevent driving against the flow. The center of the island is wilder, a 4×4 car may be useful in many places, while the Kia Rio also managed ? I enjoyed driving around the center of the island the most, especially because of the narrow, winding roads and amazing views, interesting routes also led through traditional Cypriot villages. However, in the capital – Nicosia, road traffic was completely different. Driving was more dynamic, but I cannot say a bad word about the Cypriot drivers who, in my opinion, drive very well. The only problem on the road, especially in the south, can be tourists. Fortunately, the rental cars are equipped with red number plates, which allows you to anticipate possible complications. Aphrodite’s Beach I started exploring the island from the western part, namely the beach of Aphrodite. Avakas Gorge Gorge The place must-see is the Avakas Gorge, located in the western part of the island. It is an ideal place for a short trip, especially on a hot day. The white color of the limestone contrasts in an interesting way with the lush vegetation, and the various shapes of the rocks make an amazing impression. Wrecks The real highlight of southern Cyprus are the wrecks of two ships. The first, Edro III, is a popular destination, also because of its location. The rusty and damaged hull of the ship is an interesting background for the nearby rock caves and cliffs. Edro III, under the Sierra Leone flag, finished its service in 2011 during a cruise to the island of Rhodes. Due to bad weather, and more precisely, strong winds, the ship hit the rocks near Paphos. The wreck is located a few meters from the shore, but so far it has not been decided to demolish it because any work could affect the local ecosystem, which is under protection. Anyway, the demolition would deprive Cyprus of one of the most interesting attractions. A little further from the shore, near the Tombs of the Kings, you can see the wreck of the MV Demetrios II, its service under the Honduras flag, finished in 1998 during a cruise from Greece to Syria. An interesting fact is that the investigation into the accident revealed that the captain and the first officer had forged licenses. Paphos Paphos is a dream destination for relaxation. Wonderful views, a wide sandy beach and numerous pubs make this place perfect for sunbathing. However, that’s not all, the entire city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main archaeological site located in the vicinity of Paphos are the Royal Tombs – a complex of over 100 underground tombs in which the aristocracy was buried. From the underground perspective, Paphos can also be seen in the Agia Solomoni catacombs. The underground rooms were used by the first Christians as a place of prayer. I do not know what it looked like, but nowadays it looks like a devotional store. The entrance to the catacombs can be easily recognized by the characteristic tree covered with ribbons and other decorations, which are hung by the faithful in the intention of curing the disease. In the city, it is worth seeing the Church of Panayia Chrysopolitissa Basilica, once one of the largest churches on the island. The church can be admired from a distance as it is surrounded by the ruins of an old basilica. In the very center of the city there’s a huge archaeological complex where you can see the remains of the ancient city. You can see here, among others Roman villas, a lighthouse, mosaic floors, an odeon and a basilica. Aphrodite’s Island Less than 30 km from Paphos there’s an important tourist spot on the map of the island – the birthplace of Aphrodite. Supposedly, here, right next to the characteristic rock, the Greek goddess was born of foam. The place, I admit, makes an amazing impression just after sunrise, when there’s no crowd. Being in the area, it’s worth stopping at the nearby observation decks along the B6 road, amazing views guaranteed. Kap Aspro trail Kap Aspro is a picturesque path, less than 8 km long, leading from the village of Pissouri to the beach of the same name. The way leads through a high cliff, from where you can admire an amazing view of the bay and the turquoise colour of the water. A must for those who can’t lay too long on the beach ? Kourion Kourion is a special place, it delights not only with the scale of the ancient city but also with amazing views. You can see here: a rebuilt amphitheater, a house of gladiators, intricately made mosaics and in the background a fabulous cliff coast. However, the city’s location led to its fall. In 365, as a result of an earthquake, followed by a tsunami, most of its inhabitants lost their lives. Limassol Limassol didn’t captivate me, but it’s a perfect place for sunbathing and partying. Pubs, a long promenade and a pier are the main advantages of this city. Traditional villages and a parcel locker The real highlight of Cyprus are the small traditional villages of Lania, Lofou and Wuni located in the center of the island on the way towards the Troodos Mountains. Lania is an small village, practically not visited by tourists. Colourful houses, narrow streets and various decorations create a very homely atmosphere. However, in my opinion, mailboxes are a hit. The town is so small that it was easy organize for each house one large parcel locker, which is located in a central point of the village, right next to the church. The second town – Lofou, for sure I won’t forget because of the maze of narrow streets, until today I wonder if the road I was driving was intended for cars … it was quite narrow, but the car fitted ? The last town – Wuni, I visited to see the traditional Omodos Wine Press. Wuni, probably due to the convenient access, is a popular tourist village. There are many pubs and shops with souvenirs and local handicrafts, mainly stained glass and embroidered fabrics. Troodos Mountains The Troodos Mountains are the perfect place to admire the mountain views and hiking. There are many interesting routes and viewpoints here. The highest peak of the mountains is Mount Olympus, 1,952 meters (6,404 ft) above sea level. Stawrowouni Monastery Nevertheless, the Stawrowouni Monastery with a steep winding road has also a spectacular location. Its massive structure, located on the top of the mountain, reminded me of the Benedictine abbey – Sacra di San Michele Sant’Ambrogio di Torino, known from Umberto Eco’s book The Name of the Rose. The monastery is closed to women, while the Church of All Saints of Cyprus below is open to everyone. Salt lake and mosque There’s a huge salt lake in the outskirts of the popular tourist resort – Larnaca. It seems to reach to the horizon, and in addition, a mirage-like effect can be observed in some places. In some places there’s so much salt that the surface looks like if yt were covered with snow. Right next to the lake, there’s an important sacral building of the Muslim religion – Umm Haram Mosque or Hala Sultan Tekke. It’s said to be the fourth most important Muslim temple after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. This is where Prophet Muhammad’s aunt and companion, Umm Haram, died after she fell off the mule she was riding. Cape Greko Cape Greko is located on the far South-eastern part of Cyprus and mainly this location makes it so special. Apart from the amazing landscapes, underwater rock caves and the harsh landscape, this place is practically deserted. You can feel an amazing space all around, which is additionally emphasized by the waves hitting the rocky coast. I won’t even mention the turquoise colour of the water and the high limestone cliffs ? Rock Caves There are also phenomenal rock caves nearby, but here you should be prepared for a large number of tourists. It’s a popular snorkelling spot, and cruises route running from the nearby towns. Beaches Intensive sightseeing, it’s the best to finish, we know where ? For example Nissi beach near Cape Greko on the picture below.

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Israel – 7 amazing places to visit!

Gosia — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 09:45:26 +0000

Israel is mostly associated with holy places, leisure sunbathing like Eilat or music scene like Tel Aviv. However, in this small country there’re more than 40 national parks. What’s more interesting, due to the different location, they are very diverse. They include: green oases, the emerald coast, a unique crater, ruins of ancient cities or even the coral reef. Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, Israel or Lebanon? White, limestone cliffs, caves and crystal clear water of the Mediterranean sea this is how Rosh Hanikra Grottoes look like. However, at the top of the white rocks you can see a high fence with a barbed wire, on the other side is Lebanon. Actually, from Rosh Hanikra, it’s closer to Beirut than Jerusalem. Here runs so called Blue line – the line set by the United Nations, only 19 years ago (in 2000). The border was established just after the Israeli army withdrawal from Southern Lebanon. You can get to the grottoes by cable car (return ticket costs 45). In addition to clean water and paper white rocks, very interesting is 200 m tunnel. It was built during British reign in this area in order to connect by railway line Haifa with Beirut and Tripoli in Lebanon. The railway line served the British for military purposes during World War II. Ein Gedi – zielona oaza nad Morzem Martwym Oaza Ein Gedi zlokalizowana jest na wschodnim krańcu Pustyni Judzkiej, tuż obok Morza Martwego. Pustynia Judzka zupełnie nie przypomina pustyni, zamiast piaszczystych wydm, można tu zobaczyć wysokie wzniesienia i skały. W parku znajdują się dwie główne ścieżki prowadzące przez zielone doliny: Wadi Arugot i Wadi David. Oprócz cudownych widoków na oazę oraz Morze Martwe, dodatkową atrakcją jest możliwość kąpieli w strumykach i wodospadach. Szlak przez dolinę Wadi David kończy się na wysokim wodospadzie, w którego głębi znajduje się jaskinia. Poza niesamowitymi widokami, na terenie parku znajdują się również ruiny prehistorycznej świątyni oraz starej synagogi. Szlaki oznaczone są dwoma kolorami. Czerwone prowadzą przez pustynne krajobrazy, natomiast niebieskie – w dolinie, wzdłuż rześkich strumieni i wodospadów. Wstęp kosztuje 28 szekli. Masada Strome, niemal pionowe zbocza Twierdzy Masada wyróżniają się w nieco monotonnym krajobrazie wybrzeża Morza Martwego. Ogromna góra licząca ponad 450 m nad poziomem Morza Martwego, co w praktyce wynosi jakieś 10-20 m n.p.m odejmując depresję, widoczna jest z daleka i robi niesamowite wrażenie. Strategiczne położenie Masady było jednym z powodów dla których Herod – Król Judei postanowił wybudować tu kompleks fortyfikacji. Masada była ostatnim bastionem obrony Żydów przed Rzymianami w 73-74 n.e. Po długotrwałym kilkumiesięcznym oblężeniu twierdzy przez Rzymian, obrona została zerwana. Obrona zakończyła się masowym samobójstwem mieszkańców, którzy woleli odebrać sobie życie niż zostać rzymskimi niewolnikami. There is a long path to the top, but most tourists decide to get there by cable car (return ticket costs 46 shekels and admission to the park 31 shekels). Caesarea Maritima The person of the king Herod is also associated with Caesarea Maritima – one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Israel. In the complex of the ancient ruins you can visit the Roman theatre, the remains of the ancient port, the citadel and the fragments of ramparts. The path to ruins leads along a huge hippodrome, which is located just at the shore the Mediterranean Coast. Admission to Cesarea National Park costs 39 shekels. Ein Avdat – an oasis in the middle of the Negev Desert Parking just at the entrance to the area of Ein Avdat National Park does not encourage to go on a trip. The arid landscape of the Negev Desert starts being boring after driving more than 170 km through the same countryside. However, a few steps further the tourist trail will lead you to completely different place. Admission costs 28 shekels. A narrow, deep canyon, surrounded by interestingly sculptured rocks, caves and waterfalls creates a unique atmosphere of this place. Ein Avdat is also the habitat of the ibex, which can be seen on the trail. Ramon Crater Sometimes there’re places that can’t be described by words. Sometimes there’s no point in taking out the camera, because even the best photo will not present the scale and beauty of these places. That’s in the case of the Ramon Crater (Mitzpe Ramon). It’s a real gem on the map of Israel and a must-see place during your stay in Israel. It’s one of the biggest craters on earth, created by erosion. It is 40 km long, 9 km wide and 300 m deep. The scale of this place is unimaginable, moreover, it’s constantly extending due to the processes of erosion. The crater was named after a participant of the tragic mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia, astronaut – Ilan Ramon. The nearby museum is dedicated to the disaster of the Columbia Space Shuttle, while the hills surrounding the crater were named after the rest of the mission participants. The canyon makes an amazing impression at sunrise and sunset, especially from a nearby viewpoint, resembling the shape of a camel. Ejlat – Coral Reef Therefore after an intense sightseeing, it’s best to rest in Eilat – located at the Red Sea. In the suburbs of this famous holiday resort is a national park where you can swim in the Red Sea surrounded by amazing colorful fish.

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Chichén Itzá, Mexico – the bloody wonder of the world…

Gosia — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 16:35:30 +0000

Chichén Itzá is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico, related to Mayan and Toltecs culture. Great temples, steep pyramids and colonnades erected in this place give us incredible image of this former empire. The location of the city in the hot, dry area of the Yucatan peninsula was possible due to two wells called cenotes. One of them was a water tank, while the second larger, called Cenote Sagrado – holy well, which was used for ritual purposes. It was the sacred place of the god of the rain – Chaca. In this well, not only valuable objects were sacrificed but people as well. In addition to the bloody rituals like those presented in Apocalypto – directed by Mel Gibson, the Mayans also had a perfect knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, which can be proved by the largest structure – the pyramid of Kukulkan (which means “feathered snake”), called El Castillo. In fact, this temple is basically built on the basis of Mayan calendar. 365 steps lead to its top, which correspond to the number of days a year. The stairs divide each of the 9 levels of structure into 2 parts, which represents 18 months of the Mayan calendar. What’s more, during the spring and autumn equinox, on the northern corner of the temple it’s possible to see the shadow of a serpent. Observing this phenomenon at that time is virtually impossible because of the siege of tourists. The pyramid is also famous for excellent acoustics, a whisper from its peak is heard far away. The building of el Caracol also draws attention. It has characteristic spiral stairs. The building housed an astronomical observatory, in which the Mayans conducted long observations. They’re able to determine the exact point of sunset during the summer solstice. Right behind the Kukulkan Pyramid is the Templo de los Guerreros – the Temple of Warriors. This temple was the site of the most bloody rituals in which the priests cut the victims’ breasts and removed their beating hearts which were sacrificed to the gods. At the top you can see a symbol of these events – the fearsome character of Chac Mool – the Totltecs’ god, holding a vessel full with hearts of the victims. Near the temple is the Grupo de las Mil Columnas – The Group of Thousands Columns, which in fact are around 360. It used to be a market place with a playground and a steam bath. The second terrifying place, the reminiscent of the times of bloody rites, is Tzompantli – Skull Platform. Its walls are decorated with sculptures of skulls and eagles ripping human breasts. In the main square of Chichen Itza, there’s also a temple dedicated to the planet – Venus. However, the tough Mayan reality leaves no illusions, this building wasn’t dedicated to the goddess of love, but to the rituals of blood. Next to the Temple of Venus is the largest preserved ground to play Pelota. The players involved in this game were supposed to put the ball in baskets located 7 meters above the ground. It was a difficult task because during the game you could only use elbows, hips and shoulders. Those who weren’t dedicated to the game were sacrificed. Reliefs on the walls of the ground show the heads of those who lost, certainly it was good motivation. Like the Kukulkan Pyramid, the field is characterized by excellent acoustics conditions, the voice is heard from a distance of 135 meters. The site in Chichen Itza, due to its architecture and bloody history is one of the most extraordinary and fascinating places in Mexico. Well-designed Mayan and Toltecs structures give an idea of the size of the former empire and its expertise in astronomy and construction. That’s why Chichen Itza was proclaimed one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

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