Cyprus - Aphrodite's Bath and Troodos

 As there had been snow on the mountains, Rick had not yet been to the Troodos so on his last day that was where we headed. The last few days had been very warm and quite hazy and the mountain view from Pissouri (the south side of the mountain range) showed no snow.

This was the plan: the highway to Paphos, then the B7 to Polis, west to take a walk on the Akamas Peninsula, then east along the north coast and back home through the mountains.

The drive to Aphrodite's Bath took a little over an hour and we parked the car in the shade and walked

to the rather unimposing pool.

Really?

A little further on and a more factual sign.

We decided to start with the climb rather than the coastal part.

"375 feet, that's not that bad" direct quote

from Rick.

We climbed, pretty well straight up,

for 1 kilometre. I know that because there was a trail marker.

Then there was a lovely flat path

and then we were faced with more up. According to Rick we had already climbed about 375 feet. Wait a minute, they use metric here. That must have said 375 metres. We knew we COULD climb it but we didn't WANT to, so we turned around.

Back at the bottom and we took the coastal section which is also used by the dune buggys that drive on the peninsula.

The occasional 4 wheel drive car and motorcycle also bumped their way along.

Up on the hillside, where the trail would have taken us.

Avery is currently fascinated by Geology and here were some Quartz crystals "in the wild".

A jeep safari getting ready to set off.

We ate our picnic: pizza, cheese, apple slices, jaffa cakes back near the car and then drove along the coast before starting the climb into the mountains. Lower down on the slopes the almond trees were in full bloom, some massed in orchards and others scattered across the slopes in lacy white and pink.

The mountain roads are very steep and have frequent hairpin bends. There was still snow in the ditches that didn't get sun. Lots of minor rock slides leaving stones scattered across the road. I have no pictures! My concentration was on driving and Rick's on Google Maps getting us through. The drive to the north coast had taken a little over an hour. Our drive back took close to 4.

For his last night, Rick took us to the Hillview restaurant. Taxi there and back (such a luxury) Getting there at 6:15 there was just enough light to see the spectacular view from the top of Pissouri Hill down to the Bay and the sea. As it got darker the village lights still made for a pretty view and a fire was lit in the hearth.

 

"Complimentary Duck Bon Bons" were gone before I remembered my camera. They were delicious little meat balls with a tangy sweet sauce.

I had the duck and Rick, the grilled fish, and it was all very, very good.

We shared a bottle of red wine and a Pavlova for dessert. A lovely ending to a fun month together.