Friday, September 22nd, 2006
Soli, in North Cyprus, is not far from Guzelyurt. Soli is an ancient town where you can see the ruins of the marketplace from Greek days, a Roman-era theater, and a Byzantine basilica. Step back in time to learn about Soli in the days not long after Constantine the Great. Meet Georgio. He will explain to you how he makes his mosaics during the last half of the 4th century. And you will also see the impact of Constantine’s changes on his life and times.
“I am Georgio, who made many of the mosaics at your feet. You are in Soli in the north of Cyprus, the town where the Christian St. Mark was baptized by the Apostle Paul. You see, I know my Christian history, though I myself continue to worship our own Cypriot goddess, Aphrodite. Aphrodite was born here and she has seen us through many troubles. It would be horribly rude to forget her now.
“Yes, Constantine made it legal to be Christian, back in 313. I am sure you know the tale. He saw a vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in the year before. Milvian Bridge was the most important battle of his career, and he was greatly outnumbered. His men wore the Christian Cross into battle and triumphed. So Constantine owed Christ a favor and stopped the persecution of his followers.
“But let me show you this church. It is patterned after the Roman basilica. Once they were legal, Christians came out of hiding and bought property for a place of worship. They did not want to copy our temples, so they just use the normal plan for any place of public business, the basilica. The large courtyard with its columns is where the not-yet-baptized stand during the ceremonies.
“The baptized Christians stand between the columns in the long part, the nave. The rounded section at the end is the apse. You must imagine the building filled with worshippers in their best and brightest clothing. First come incense bearers, who perfume the church with clouds of sweet smoke. Then the Bishop enters in gorgeous robes, embroidered with gold. He is followed by candle-bearers and chanters.
“I do not begrudge them their pomp. The old-time Romans had us worship the Emperor himself, but of course nobody really believed he was a god. So now the Emperor is not divine, but rules on behalf of God, and that is more believable.
“In the New Rome, Constantine and his successors elevate men to high status because of their talents. Education and ability have become the best keys to advancement, that and being Christian. Constantine also stabilized the currency.
“But Constantine bound us all to our guilds. My sons must become mosaic artists just as I followed my father. Auxebius has a genuine feel for the art, and I think he can become great. But Markos, Markos hasn’t an artistic bone in his body. I am sending him to school. If he can read and write, he can enter the Imperial service and forge his own place in the world.
“Why do my sons have such emphatically Christian names? I had their mother become Christian. Aphrodite has been good to me, but perhaps the Bishop is right and she is too old to help mankind any longer.
“Enough sad talk! Let me show you how I make pictures with stones. See these squares? They are cut no bigger than my smallest fingernail, all as close as can be to the same size. I use marble and porphyry and many other stones of various colors. I also use tiles made from ceramic, but I do not like them as well as stone. The latest craze is to use pieces of glass. My son, Auxebius, uses them a great deal. I like the glass tiles just for emphasis. But the various powders the glassmakers use give brilliant color, don’t they?
“I work in one small section at a time, following the drawing. The squares–we call them tesserae whether they are made of stone, ceramic, or glass–are set directly into this lime cement. Once the picture is complete, I will use more cement to fill all the spaces between the tiles. Once finished, my picture will last for many, many years under the tread of thousands of feet.
“Is the picture a goose or a swan? No, I am not offended. Of course I can draw a more graceful swan or a more domestic-looking goose. But I did not intend to do that. You see, it is rumored that Theodosius wants to close the last remaining pagan temples. We Cypriots will have no where to honor Aphrodite, who was born here. Some of us older folk have clubbed together to donate this mosaic.
“I told the Bishop it was a goose, a symbol of fidelity in marriage. He approved my sketch. But he is not a well-educated man, nor is he a native of Cyprus. Otherwise he might have seen the goose is very like a swan. The swan, you see, is a symbol of Aphrodite. The dolphins call to mind her birth from the sea. And the fruits remind us how she has kept our island fertile and our people fed all these years.
“When the time comes that we can no longer worship our goddess, we old pagans will stand near this mosaic and bow with the utmost reverence. Even Emperors and Bishops cannot read hearts.
About The Author
Jessica I. Jones is a free lance writer working with Cyprus Seaterra. If you have any North Cyprus questions feel free to visit the site at http://www.cyprus-seaterra.com/
This article may be copied to your web site as long as you use it as is without editing and you include the direct link to http://www.cyprus-seaterra.com/
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Friday, August 18th, 2006
Travelers who expect to be greeted by lone standing relics of ancient Greece will be awestruck by the sprawling urban metropolis of today’s Athens. The capital city is an explorer’s paradise as historic gems are embedded within the modern day melee and cultural nuances of a turbulent past are written between the lines of concrete and the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. Everywhere in Athens is a testament to why this mythic peninsula is considered the cradle of Western civilization and modern democracy.
Of particular interest, Athens received a much needed facelift in preparation for the 2004 Olympics. Notorious for its nefos (smog) resulting from rapid growth and congestion following World War II and the Cold War, Athens realized the need to clean up its act when it became clear that historic monuments were eroding at an alarming rate due to acid rain from air pollution. Due to this Olympic makeover, it is extremely easy to navigate around the well marked streets in English and Greek and transportation has never been more streamlined.
Mythological Mythos
Ancient Greece reached its societal peak in the 1st century BC when magnificent monuments like the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike were constructed on the fortified Acropolis and Socrates and Plato developed their Western thinking schools of thought. While most of the major attractions from the time period are in the center of the city, travel in the outskirts of Athens will bring encounters with many significant locations from this time period. Marathon, of the famous battle (and today’s 26.22 mile race), is just northeast of Athens and the ancient Mycenaean excavation site at Velatouri is to the south, boasting the unearthed Thorikos theatre. While the Grecian period is omnipresent, Greece has fascinating Turkish and Persian cultural influences as a result of many wars and takeovers until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century.
Club Hopping or Island Hopping?
In the spring and summer evenings, enjoy the caf̩s and restaurants as they begin to spill into the streets and squares. Greece, and particularly Athens, is notorious for its boisterous and tireless nightlife. The Port of Piraeus comes to life as many vacationers head out for their island excursions from this historic cove. Athens is the perfect place to become immersed in Greek culture and life before taking a ferry ride to one of the surrounding tranquil, historic or party islands Рthe choice is yours. The port itself is also of particular historic interest. One of the oldest in the world, the port was heavily used during the Peloponnesian Wars in the 4th century BC and remnants of the long Themistoclean Walls, which fortified the port and Athens together during this time period, still survive today.
A trip to Athens is not only a journey of history, but one of modernity and progress. After Greece’s golden age, Athens’ grandeur was squandered to nearly nothing by invaders and the sweeping tides of history. Today, the free and booming capital city is again a testament to its historic commitment to forward thinking civilization. Experience the rebirth of the foundations of the western world in Athens!
About the Author:
For more information on international travel and discount airfare to Athens, visit www.cfares.com, your source for discount airfare on the web.
Read more articles by: Frank Johnson
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
The demands of younger children are usually relatively simple once on holiday. They look forward to the beach with much excitement, where they can swim, play ballgames or build sandcastles. No Barbie dolls or Tonka trucks needed here, but as with every child today, their curiosity for a new environment will be boundless and they will want to be amused and test their skills at new activities once you start showing them life outside their exciting Paphos holiday accommodation.
I found some group activities that would appeal to all the family without breaking the budget.
PAPHOS AQUARIUM
A fabulous display of colourful fish from different parts of the globe housed in a re-creation of their natural environment. A perfect outing for the family and a little respite from the hot sun when everyone has sampled a little too much, too quickly. There is an excellent restaurant and a small gift shop within the complex.
ITHAKI AMUSEMENT PARK AND MINI GOLF
This is a fun, inexpensive place for the whole family. Challenge each other to a game of mini golf or let off steam on the bumper cars. For the smaller kiddlywinks in the group there is a play area with swings and a slide and everyone can enjoy a cool drink in the bar on site.
SNAKE GEORGE’S REPTILE PARK
A small establishment run by Snake George, who is often called upon by members of the Paphos public to remove unwanted visitors from their houses or gardens. He has a fascinating display of snakes and lizards and is more than happy to show you around and tell you a few tails. The meager entrance fee is for the upkeep of the reptiles only and all kids will love the hands on experience at the end when, if you are one of the lucky ones, you may get to hold a small friendly snake.
APHRODITE WATERPARK
The waterpark offers a wide and varied selection of rides for children of all ages. Lots of excitement and don’t forget your swimmers. For younger children they have a kiddie’s pool, a pirate ship, a spraying elephant and much more. This is definitely an all day trip for the entire family. Plenty to do for everyone with relaxations areas and food outlets.
PAFOS BIRD PARK
Although there is a very large selection of birds to see, including exotic parrots, toucans, eagles and owls you will also come face to face with deer, raccoons, giant tortoises and wait for it – GIRAFFES in Cyprus! Committed to breeding and conservation, the park offers a friendly environment with a children’s petting zoo, where they will meet kid goats and rabbits. The parrot show is sensational and not to be missed.
About The Author
Lynda Burke owns and operates the website http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com and now lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus.
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
You may be considering a villa holiday in Paphos in the company of teenagers. School’s out for summer and let’s be honest; did we want to traipse round historical ruins or visit monasteries and old churches on our holidays? Let me ask you – Would you feel happy if your partner suggested you spend two weeks learning the intricate details of their precious hobby, like golf, cooking or candle-making? This isn’t a school field trip! This is their holiday too, so opt for a balance. A family holiday can be one to remember with a little planning before hand. Let the teenagers in the family have a choice and this will fuel their excitement for the family trip once they realize there will be some brilliant extra curricular activities to look forward to.
I found some group activities that would appeal to all the family without breaking the budget but as we are aware teens are notorious for spending their own money and then some more, so explaining about the exchange rate may be your first step. Planning activities that everyone can look forward to and agreeing on budgets beforehand can save an awful lot of arguing and misery at the very point when the whole family should be having some fun.
QUAD BIKES SAFARI
Now this is definitely for the teenagers and Mum and Dad. Experience the adrenalin rush and thrill of driving across some of the wildest countryside in Paphos on your own quad bike. Start at 10am, drive to Adonis Baths for a welcome swim, have some lunch along the way. This is a trip for the adventurous only. All off road and all ages welcome.
HORSE RIDING AT GEORGE RANCH
Choose from a wide range of horses and ponies, catering for all levels of experience. Absolute beginners are welcome as well as experienced riders. Rides take you from St George, through the forest of Pegeia or along the coast to the beach. This activity provides a fabulous way to see the scenery and enjoy some family fun. Riders are fully insured and riding hats are available.
SCUBA DIVING
Always exciting for the teenagers and maybe Mum & Dad are also eager to give it a go. Why not try a Discover Scuba Diving course to find out what it is all about. This mini course takes about 4 hours and consists of some theory, basic skill requirements in the pool and your first experience of diving in the sea. Take warning with this activity that excitement levels are high and if enjoyed, everyone will be clambering to take the next step – purse strings may be severely stretched.
ITHAKI MINI GOLF COURSE
Great family fun for everyone here on the American designed 18 hole mini golf course. Something to challenge everyone and girls, if the boys are still arguing over who had the best shot and who cheated, send them off to play on the bumper cars next door to blow off steam while you sit in the garden and enjoy a cool drink.
ON THE WATER
There are many boat trips available in Paphos offering a choice of activities. Take a coastline sail where the boats will anchor in Coral Bay for you to enjoy a swim and have lunch. Hire a speedboat at the harbour and have some family fun out in the bay. For something really new, take an exhilarating ride on a Tiger Boat – hold tight and expect to come back wet.
About The Author
Lynda Burke owns and operates the website http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com and now lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus.
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
I have lived in Paphos for a few years now and after the euphoria of living in the sun, going to the beach, seeing the sea every day and watching fabulous coastal sunsets every night, had settled to an acceptable level, I then discovered that Paphos has so much more to offer.
Don’t get me wrong, all of the above still excite me beyond belief and the ‘Med’ lifestyle is all it is cracked up to be, but behind the mask of simply being a tourist attraction, offering all that the discerning holiday maker could be looking for, there is another face to Paphos. Not many visitors will see or experience this face because they are taking a break from their daily lives and looking for fabulous beaches, water sports, great restaurants and total relaxation. But, I have found out what is going on in the background.
Cyprus is an extremely interesting place for nature lovers. Paphos is home to a very rare and very shy wild sheep called the Moufflon that has magnificent curving horns. These heraldic animals, although roaming wild, can be seen at the forestry station in Paphos forest (Stavros tis Psokas). Another delight is that the island has visiting Loggerhead and Green turtles that come ashore to nest every year on the sandy beaches around Paphos. These marine turtles are strictly protected and if you do decide to venture further afield than the local sunbathing beaches and seek out the areas of unspoilt wilderness, you may come across frames on the beach which warn you of a turtle nest and kindly ask you not to disturb. I have also found that many University students studying marine biology spend their holiday time here helping out with the research into these fabulous marine creatures. What a holiday!
Cyprus is also heaven for bird watchers. The island has become a stop over for many migratory birds on their travels from Europe to Africa during the autumn and back again in spring. More than 300 different bird species have been seen and recorded and the island has two endemic species which are often seen in the coastal regions, which are the Cyprus Pied Wheatear and the Cyprus Warbler. One of the islands larger varieties of bird is now very much under threat and conservationists battle hard to save it from extinction. The Griffin Vulture was once a common sight on the island but now their numbers have dwindled to less than 50.
So to those of you that have visited before and enjoyed your summer holidays in Cyprus, why not try an autumn or sprint visit. Most of the tourists have returned home and the beaches once again become the domain of our wildlife. You will of course have to make an effort as not all these areas are easily accessed and the areas around Paphos, namely the Akamas Peninsula, can only be accessed by four wheel drive. This will be a unique experience that you will take home and treasure. Imagine walking a beach with no sun beds, no shops, no noise apart from the surf and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and the forests and keep an eye out for the elusive Moufflon. Then, before leaving our wonderful wilderness find yourselves a comfortable place on the rocks or lay that blanket on the beach and experience some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean. Paphos behind the mask is a memorable place!
About The Author
Lynda Burke owns and operates the website http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com and now lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006
When most people think of Cyprus, they think of sand, sea, boat trips, cocktail bars and a confusing mix of restaurants. This is not a bad thing and is definitely what a lot of people are looking for or they would not be happy to return year after year. But, there is more and I have found it. It entails luring you away from the coastal resorts to discover the ‘Secret Cyprus’.
After having travelled to Cyprus many times I decided I was bewitched by the people and the Mediterranean way of life. Having seriously decided that I would like to make Cyprus my home, I resolved to discover what this beautiful ‘Island of Love’ was all about on my next Paphos holiday.
The warmth of the Island in mid-March was a shock after arriving from the freezing climes of England and the colours in the fields and the full banana plantations were a respite from the bustle of city life.
I decided to check out a holiday in the villages and short-listed my choice to Kathikas, Anarita, Tsada and Episkopi. I chose these because they all have a traditional village square and I was eager to experience the real Cypriot way of life.
The contrast between spending my Paphos holidays in a village rather than close to the coast could not be more acute. I was away from the all-night karaoke bars and the tourist shops selling a confusing mix of Cyprus lace, sweet delicacies and t-shirts for grandma to buy for the kids back home.
The villages of Episkopi and Kathikas are a reminder of what Cyprus living is really all about and the locals still go about their daily business, quite oblivious to what is happening on the coast 15-20 minutes drive away. Having said this though, they are more than happy to see any day trippers and will make every effort to supplement their income by selling local produce such as fruit, vegetables, lace, and of course their home made Commandaria (sweet Cyprus wine).
I made my accommodation selection from a variety of villas to rent Paphos and opted eventually to stay in Kathikas Village, which is approximately 15 minutes drive from Coral Bay and 20 minutes drive from the pretty fishing port of Latchi in the other direction. I hired a car though and made sure I visited all these villages during my stay. They all have attractions of their own and charms that tug more at the senses than the purse strings. For a start, the climate is cooler in summer, they all have a central village square and church around which life revolves. I even stumbled across the unexpected family run Sterna winery and was made very welcome to try a tasting and sit a while to hear the fascinating story of the cellar history.
Episkopi village entrance is dominated by a steep rock face displaying the full bodied colours of Cyprus soil. The traditional structure of the village remains largely unchanged and the roads are narrow and often steep. I was entranced to see working donkeys carrying crops of oranges from the fields. The landscape in this area reveals a stunning display of oranges, limes, lemons, grapes and almonds.
Anarita and Tsada are not so far inland, in fact only a 5 to 10 minutes drive from a beach or golf club if you feel you still need to feel sand between your toes or take the challenge of an unfamiliar course, but all still have the allure of village life and the locals will extend their welcome in the village tavernas if you wish to try a Cyprus Meze or any local speciality.
All these villages exhibit a community spirit and it is fascinating to watch the older gentlemen of the village gather at the local coffee shop to play cards, backgammon or set the world to rights. I have yet to pass through any Cyprus village without seeing the elderly locals sharing a tale or having a laugh.
A failure of imagination or knowledge means that we often park ourselves where it feels familiar and amongst others from our own Country which often leaves us wondering why we traveled abroad, apart from the sun, obviously. Take the challenge, discover ‘Secret Cyprus’ and experience some real Cyprus living in the villages.
About The Author
Lynda Burke owns and operates the website http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com and now lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus.
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