Cyprus - Apollo, Cat Monastery and Kites

A lovely sunny day again and we headed out to the Sanctuary of Apollo. Dave said he is quite happy to see archaeological sites every day.

On the way we pulled off the B6, following a sign to a Monastery (Christ the Advisor). There were a number of cars outside the gates and a small chapel that was in use.

No-one spoke English and it was pretty obvious that it was not a tourist stop. Back home and looking it up I found out that it is a modern, working Monastery.

At the Sanctuary of Apollo- Hylates, Nic and Dave explored while I took a few pictures

and sat in the sun and sketched.

There was no-one there when we got there and a small group arrived when we were leaving. Visiting the sites at this time of year is wonderful.

I think he is a Fringe Fingered Lizard. The rocks of these sites are perfect for lizard sun bathing.

We drove along the road to the Stadium and while there Dave spotted another ruin on the hill above it.

This one was fenced off and was according to the signage, another Basilica.

The location is even better for lizard sun bathing as the fence prevents any disturbance. He is an Sling Tailed Agama

Next stop - lunch at Kourion Beach

Although we would have liked to sit right next to the water, it was a little cool there

so we found a place out of the breeze and were amused by the children on the beach

and the cats at the restaurant.

Behind the beach, at the base of the cliffs, a 6th Century Basilica, that was covered with sand following tidal waves caused by an earthquake, leaving it well preserved.

From here we were covering new ground. We wanted to try and get out to the lighthouse on the next peninsula and see if there were flamingos on the salt lake near Limassol.

Yes there were flamingos but none of us were interested enough to try and get closer.

Continuing along the road beside the salt lake we followed a Monastery sign to Saint Nicholas of the Cats.

The chapel was dark, cold and damp and occupied by a black robed gentleman who did not acknowledge our presence. Outside the chapel door there was a stall with preserves, painted icons and other items for sale.

Next to the cloister was a kitchen garden (Probably the source for all those preserves)

with cats sleeping in the sun. Actually there were cats everywhere.

Sitting outside the church, a donation?  Legend has it that St Helen founded the Monastery in the 14th Century and bought with her 100s of cats to rid the island of an infestation of snakes.

It was destroyed and reconstructed a number of times over the years and is now a convent with just a few nuns dedicated to taking care of the cats.

The road ended at a huge sand beach (Lady's Mile) or I should say it continued across the sand to the shore where there were vehicles parked

and kite boarders enjoying

the surf

and the wind.

On the way back we swung by Pissouri Bay and walked on the beach.