Welcome to Larnaca - A Virtual Tour

Larnaca is a small town of about 70,000 inhabitants situated on the southern coast of the island of Cyprus. When I first came to live here in November 1984, it looked like the middle of no where! People would stare at me as if I were an alien just because I I was different from them. Back to the 80s it was unheard of for a Greek Cypriot lady in her late 20s to have lunch BY HERSELF at one of the few tavernas at the time at Finikoudes Seafront. Most people thought I was from ...Iran . Here's what I looked like ! Long black hair and a very fair complexion!

 

I had once stopped at a petrol station and when the man filled up my car, I politely said : "That's very kind of you, thank you". He looked at me strangely and said: "Where on earth are you from?" That was then ...as Alexander Rybak from Norway sang to us  at the 54th Eurovision Song Contest. 25 years later, I feel I belong to Larnaca. The proof? It's been a long time I haven't visited hometown Nicosia. Funnily enough, I feel I don't belong there any more.

So, let me show you around Larnaca tonight - a hidden jewel in the Eastern Med.

 That was then ....

And this is now... Finikoudes (the Palm Tree Promenade) is  the symbol of our town and the town centre.. The palm trees date back to bygone years but now the area boasts one of the cleanest beaches in the eastern Med which has won a Blue Flag. There are also many cafes , restaurants and bars - my favourite being Ve, and the new Hobos Restaurant with an amazing view to the sea. From Finikoudes let me take you to Saint Lazarus Church.

At the corner of Faneromenis and Agiou Lazarou Street is the church of Agiou Lazarou (Holy Lazarus), built in the 9th century by Byzantine Emperor Leo, on the site of St. Lazarus' tomb. According to legend, Lazarus travelled to Larnaca after his resurrection, and became the city's first bishop. His tomb is inside the church, under the main altar. The entrance is decorated with a number of icons. The church belltower was built in 1857. The church houses a small museum, containing beautiful samples of Byzantine religious art, including old wood carvings, icons and liturgical utensils.

  

From Saint Lazarus Church let me take you to the Salt Lake home of more than 12,000 pink flamingoes which choose to spend the winter in Larnaca.During the winter months the lake fills with water whilst in the summer the water evaporates, leaving a crust of salt and a haze of grey dust. According to legend, the lake's saltiness stems from St Lazarus' request of an old woman for food and drink. She refused, claiming her vines had dried up, to which Lazarus replied: "may your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more." A more scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous rock between the lake and the sea, making the water very salty.

Aren't they beautiful? And how about an ice cold frappé - Greek iced coffee - at my place?

My blog today was inspired by my dear friend Stefania's blog on Blogger

Comments

[Haruko]

Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures of you and your town, Anastasia. The flamingos are soooooo beautiful. They must be quite a sight when they come. And thanks for the coffee!!! Wow! it looks very tempting even for someone like me who don't drink coffee very often. Have a wonderful day. Kisses from Tokyu

[Karolina]

I had a similar experience when after completing my studies abroad, I had to leave my hometown because of work. At the beginning I really felt like a fish out of the water, everyone looked at me strangely but now, 2 years later, I love the place so much that I feel I have always belonged there. Thanks for a great tour of Larnaca which must be a very beautifull town. And...I wouldnt say know to a glass of iced frappe

[Lucy]

I find Larnaca a very peaceful and relaxing town and I often come even for just a while to breathe some fresh air by the sea, have a swim or simply have a frappe at one of the lovely cafes at Finikoudes. It's only a 30-minute drive from Nicosia and it's worth it. I always return feeling refreshed. You are lucky to live there.

[Lakis Ioannou]

I'll be looking forward to that coffee. Mine is very sweet with just a little milk. Hope you won't forget the invite.

[Alexia M]

Larnaca is one of my most favorite mediterranean towns. I have visited it many times but mostly for work. I really hope to get away some time in your beautiful town for a holiday. I also love the people - they are so friendly and helpful.

[Constantinos]

The flamingos are gorgeous and I'm sure they add to the charm of Larnaca during the winter months. I am also impressed with the ancient church of Saint Lazarus and thank you for sharing the history.

[Faith]

One day maybe I will get there to visit and take my own tour. filakia

[Anastasia]

It'll be my pleasure to be your guide....just say when. I can't wait to meet you in person, my dear Faith.

[Anastasia]

This is my biggest complaint, Alexia. Whenever you come to Cyprus, it's for business!I know you can only take a holiday in the winter ..but as you know very well, November is like Spring in Cyprus. You are very good at planning holidays in Cyprus for other people, so how about planning one for yourself? I won't take NO for an answer!

[Anastasia]

Frappe is our national drink, Haruko. Hardly any Greek can enjoy the Greek summer without at least one frappe a day. We're expecting the flamingos in October - depending on the weather. Mid October or beginning of November. Now they're gone.

[Christina]

It's my day off today and here I am at my laptop taking your wonderful tour of Larnaca while enjoying my frapedaki. I love your purple outfit, Anastasia. It makes a nice contrast with your fair complexion and black hair then. Have a great day!

[stefanie-cy.blogspot.com]

Anastasia mou, it is very nice to know that my blog inspires you. It's true that Larnaca is a beautiful town. And it has a very special place in my heart. That's where I was born and grew up. I loved it as it was then with only a few people at night at Finikoudes and I love it as it is now with all the hustle and bustle at the seafront bars and cafes. LOL! I can't believe you told the petrol man "that's very kind of you" - a simple thanks would be more ..appropriate! What I like most in Larnaca is some of the beaches. I often go for a quick swim very early in the morning, just before setting off to Nicosia for work. And I still miss my old job in Larnaca and my old colleagues. Yet, I couldn't say no to a promotion and a great pay. I think we can arrange a non-virtual coffee break at your place...with Lakis maybe?

[Lisa A]

Here I am back, Anastasia, and is so nice to see very wonderful changes on your page. I had many problems with my ex server and moreover my PC crashed down!! So no internet, no PC for a long time. I also gave up my blog on wordpress and will soon start another - a new one on blogger. I am telling you all the details in my email. Well, as always it was very nice to read your blog. And learn about your town. I thought that Italians are the best coffee makers - what I see? A kind of coffee I not know! I will pay back the invitation with a... corto ristretto !

[Andy]

When I first met you online I thought you were some kind of Greek semi-goddess!!! The coffee looks nice but I'd rather have a cup of tea , please.

[Sophia]

I dont often visit Larnaca except for work and when I travel and have to go to the airport! . When I was a kid my parents used to take me and my sister to Larnaca to get some koupes or loukoumades. I remember it as a small town looking more like a vilage than a town. It's unbelievable how much it has changed over the last 20 years.Thanks for the great tour and have a lovely weekend.

[Lakis Ioannou]

Brilliant idea Srefania. How could I refuse?

[B.O.]

great blog,anastasia

[Tina]

Thank you for the tour of your town--so full of life(the promenade, history, and nature.

I have to admit to not knowing much at all about Cyprus before I "met" you on the internet, and I have learned so much and if I EVER win that big lottery, I would love to visit your island one day.

*Tina*

[Anastasia]

My dear Tina, it'll be my pleasure to show you and your family around one day.

[Anastasia]

Thanks B.O. What a lovely surprise to see you here!

[Anastasia]

That's so very true, Sophia mou. Larnaca has changed so much in the last 20 years or so...to such an extent that I hardly ever need to go to hometown Nicosia any more except for visiting friends and family.

[Anastasia]

...and still waiting to be promoted to the very special status of a Greek goddess! But Zeus seems to have second thoughts. Oh by the way , Andy, I have some top quality special tea for you made from hand-picked leaves. Something similar to the nectar of the Greek gods and goddesses.

[Anastasia]

It's such a great pleasure to see you back, dear Lisa. Thanks for your email. I'll get back to you soon. Can't wait to visit your new blog on Blogger! Gli abbracia et baccia

[Anastasia]

Thanks for stopping by, Christina. Hope you enjoyed your day off.

[Anastasia]

Glad to hear you like the place now, Karolina mou. Personally, I can't imagine my life without coffee and the Greek summer without frappé. Filakia. Have a great week ahead!

[Anastasia]

How many spoonfuls of sugar ?

[Anastasia]

Now that my free time is quite limited due to work, I regret not being able to take a stroll at Finikoudes and laze around. I love our seafront despite the hustle and bustle during the summer.

[Anastasia]

Long ago, when I first moved to our new home in Larnaca, I could clearly see the flamingos as they settled down on the salt lake. Many houses have been built in the area since then , so I no longer enjoy that view but whenever I have some free time in October (not often) I enjoy a walk along the salt lake watching the flamingos.

[Lakis Ioannou]

Only 4 sometimes 5 depending on my mood!

[Jeff]

If I had known you then, I'd have bet you are either from Iran or from some kinda exotic isle! Loved that tour anyway!

[James]

Hi Anastasia, I googled 'Larnaca pink flamingoes' and arrived here. I grew up in Famagusta when it was 'open', but one of my best memories of Cyprus is of the flamingo lake. I hope to see them again one day!

[Anastasia]

They usually come end October and stay on the lake for a couple of weeks....depending on the weather. They are so beautiful! So, you are from Famagusta! That was my most favourite town. My family used to have a small flat on Kennedy Avenue, right on the beach, and I spent all my summers there!