You start by wanting to introduce a name with a playful twist of two seemingly unrelated words…. and end up finding out that “a Hitler Youth manual from the 1930s promoted soy beans, which it called “Nazi beans” as an alternative to meat” (!) [if in doubt, blame Wikipedia and their source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/9859294/Hitlers-food-taster-speaks-of-Fuhrers-vegetarian-diet.html%5D. And as … More No28. German_Soya
I’m “forced” to come back to the previous post, as I would like to be fair to the orchids and other flowers which graced my day with their presence, in yet another great, uphill-downhill-dressed-in-cloud-and-mist hike, this time above the village of Lápithos/Lapta. *************** A bit of background history first: Lápithos is one of Cyprus’ largest … More No27b. Orchiduary [The Sequel]
O-rchi-du-a-ry [noun]: * a) The name given to the month of the year when Cypriot Orchids typically blossom. eg. January, February, Orchiduary… etc. b) The name given to the obituary of an Orchid following the completion of its blossoming period, eg. “Oh, the Daisies read a very touching orchiduary at the Orchids’ funeral yesterday“, said … More No27. Orchiduary
How else could I describe the thousands of blossomed almond, peach, plum and cherry trees that we come across in the city streets, villages and open fields of Cyprus between February and April? White and pink, large and small, and with a subtle scent of honey (in the case of almond trees), these blossoms are … More No26. Here Come the Brides!
I can’t stress enough how beautiful Cyprus becomes in the spring! Knowing how the island heats and dries up in the summer, makes the experience of the colors, scents and sights of the spring season even more precious. Among the flowers that bloom in March are the Anemone Coronaria and the Tulipa Cypria, which in … More No24. LaLe Land
Little did the Lusignan Kings imagine, when they were expanding and reinforcing the 3 Byzantine fortifications on the Pentadaktylos/Besparmak mountain range in the 13th century, that these sites would become one of the island’s most magical places to visit a few centuries later. Regardless that the Venetians neglected or destroyed much of them. The castles … More No23. Three in a row
The village of Kormakítis (Korucam) is located on the way to the north-western tip of Cyprus, a cape of the same name. Kormakitis is one of the 4 villages inhabited by (Catholic) Maronite Cypriots, whose (8th century AD) origins are from Syria and Lebanon. Their dialect, Sanna, is Cypriot Arabic, a combination of Arabic, Turkish … More No18. Journey to The End
– Well, that’s what the name suggests! Penta-dáktylos = (with) five fingers. – Yes, but are they REALLY just five? – Well, if you look at it from the south side, they seem as if they are five. – Yes, but are they REALLY ONLY FIVE? – Weeeeellll…. after 5.5 hours of climbing with bare … More No15. Is it really just 5?
It sounds gross, but in fact’s this is one of the best spots for giving your eyes a treat. Where? Well, right up Sotira’s nose!! Not any regular nose, though. Moutti tis Sotiras (Sotira’s nose in word-word translation from Cypriot Greek or Sotira’s Peak to be exact) is the highest spot on the combined Adonis … More No13. Right up Sotira’s nose
Yes, it does! With its height of 1952 meters, the Troodos (pronounced Tró-o-dos) mountain range receives the majority of snow flakes falling on the island between December and March*, with the Pentadaktylos/Besparmak range (of 1024 meters height) receiving a sprinkle (that melts usually within 2 days) if the conditions are right. Chionístra or Ólympos are … More No12. FAQ: Does it snow in Cyprus?
Most of the times I am on my way from Nicosia to the Troodos mountain range for a hike, I will make a stop at the traditional bakery and local products store called “O Dípiros Ártos” (Ο Δίπυρος Άρτος) in Akaki village. It is right on the side of the main road in a traditional … More No10. Traditional Food Products: Check!
You've Got: Cyprus! 