No beach bars

Over bumpy roads we went to explore the beaches on the west side of Akrotiri peninsula. Knowing we wouldn't be finding any beach bars, nor shelter we had packed our bags with foods, drinks and sun lotion.

The trip was precisely the level of adventure our small children family would apprechiate. There where sand dunes, desert turquoise beaches and lagoons, beachrock, ship wrecks and turtle nests and more.

Lots of eye candy for me (sorry for all the pics in this post). Not twilight like one previous trip to Akrotiri, just overwhelmingly interesting nature. And not too far home again. Definitely a keeper in terms of cool day trips if in Limassol area.

Perfect summer lunch (or dinner)

When it's warm I think I prefer cold food for lunch. I find it great how it's possible to combine many favourite foods and and make the whole a lot better. Normally I'm not particularly fond of mixing different foods too much. A buffé for example makes me nervous. My favourite cold summer plate probably contains fresh fruits and vegetables, small fishes in oil, a dip like hot cheese salad, few slices of charcuterie, pitta bread and perhaps sliced cheese. Sweet, sour, salt and optionally hot.

Tomorrow 15 August is an important public holiday in Cyprus when most of Cypriots will be escaping the heat to the chillier mountain villages.

The Tale of the Cypriot cats

First time we drove around Akrotiri peninsula was a few weeks ago. It's a quite weird place if I may say, but in a positive way. A twilight positive way.

There's the unusual nature, so fascinating with all the green such as the large pine tree avenues, a huge salt lake, a desert like area used for rally, and the popular Ladys Miles beach. Then, as it is British base area, there's all kinds of impressive military things and a lot of huge planes lifting and landing that are mostly erased from Google earth and forbidden to photograph. So I won't go into detail on these things here.

Also there's some historical stuff, for example the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats, which I've been curious to visit for years. Behind it is the tale of the special Cypriot cats Cyprus shorthair.

For me it all started with my uncle in Limassol who always used to attract the neighbour cats through calling for them with a 'ts ts' or tapping with his foot on the ground. From the shadows they immediately emerged and where prancing around him while he was stroking them with his foot.

He called these tiny skinny cats with their characteristic Egyptian style profile 'his cats'. During summers while we where staying with his family they where also 'our cats', especially the kittens.

Eventually I heard the story of how these ravishing cats arrived to the island, brought by some prominent person a long time ago from Egypt. This story has been dwelling in my mind ever since.

So this day we finally got to visit the monastery, which today appeared to be a nunnery with a church containing beautiful icons, fabulous colonades and of course plenty of cats. Nothing spectacular but still interesting.

This afternoon we continued to the popular Lady's Miles Beach where practically every Limassolian seem to be hanging out during weekends. Some people are getting there by boat, some are bringing pavillions and chairs, others are more focused on water sporting. We had a date with my dear cousin with family, the daugther of my cat-loving uncle, and had a lovely time together chilling out.

At sunset we headed to the parking to start our drive back home when this colourful ice-cream car drove to where we where standing. Could we say no to the kids? Well they had some softies while we chatted with this super enthusiastic elderly Brittish man. He was almost surreal. In a twilight way.

Limassol by night

Some evenings it's just nice enjoying sun set strolling along the promenade in Limassol city center. The smell of grilled corncobs spreading in the air evokes childhood memories, from my early summers spent in Cyprus.

Like the sweet fried honey and rosewater scented loukomades, which are best enjoyed hot from one big plate in good company. A popular evening pastime for a rich mix of people, mostly Cypriots of course, while not so many tourists it seems.


Many children are brought by their parents for an evening dip in the sea before bedtime. As the darkness falls it is great to look at the huge boats with hundreds of lamps lit anchored a bit out in the Mediterranean horizon.

It is nice sipping a cold drink at one of the over popular beach bars. But the best thing about the promenade really is just walking, walking and walking. Which I can't get enough of in this car bound city.

Unrelated:

• Over the last months really good friends, always ready to bring clarity in an otherwise bitwise confusing situation, has proven to be the overly awesome google translate and google earth.
• Kinda inspired by this wall hanging sort of digital style.
• And this wall clock would be great simply as a clock. Please put in production asap.
  

Up to no good (ok, not me)

Outside Limassol District Administration Office we found this beautiful memorial which was installed in honour of the 13 Cypriots who lost their lives in the huge blast at Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. Just a few days after the so unnecessary accident that also destroyed 60 % of Cyprus energy supply.

We are affected by the incident, but not worse than can be managed. To avoid getting stuck in the elevator during the approx two daily electricity cuts á 2.5 hours we're carrying the baby trolley as well as the grocery goods up the stairs. And we can't have a frappé whenever we want, but that's about it. What's perhaps worse is the lack of trust in the current regime that we experience among people here unfortunately.

While dwelling in the no good:s subject; farewell to you Amy Winehouse, it was way too soon.
And, wishing you Norway a healthy recovery after the terrorist actions outside Oslo.
Phew, that was a bunch of heavy topics.

Now I'm off for an ice cold drink on the balcony in the warm evening breeze. See ya!

Without reservations

In a new home country, still with no own home though. Trying to be cool, keeping searching for that place to call our home. Enjoying life as good as we can while getting there. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but doubtfulness is for pussies.







1. IKEA Åsunden, bathroom accessories.
2. Machine-sewn airy linen towels, by me.
3. Heavenly peaches from local grocery store.
4. Gorgeous Almond snacks by ΚΛΗΡIΔΗ (with no web presence, as it seems).
5. Kids favourite teddies wearing Barbie clothes - big sis style - adored by big bro.