Anastasia

Cyprus Independence Day

 

On October 1st, a bank holiday in Cyprus,  we celebrate our Independence Day with festivals at schools and communities and a big military parade in capital city Nicosia.  

According to the Zurich-London Treaty, Cyprus becomes an independent republic on 16th August 1960 with the charismatic Archbishop Makarios III as the first president who had already been elected on March 1st, 1959.  Cyprus also becomes a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the above treaty, Britain retains two Soverign Bases (158.5 sq.km) on the island. The Greek Cypriots alternating support for independence and union with Greece, and the efforts of the Turkish Cypriots towards partition of the island, in combination with the military and strategic aims of the Great powers at various times lead to a friction between both sides escalating into violence in 1963.

Archbishop Makarios III - First President of the Republic of Cyprus

Photo Credit

Between 1963 and 1974, talks between the two communities were held in an effort to find a mutually acceptable formula. However, the situation was dramatically altered in July 1974 when the military junta that was then ruling Greece staged a coup d'etat against Makarios announcing that Makarios was dead. The President had escaped to Paphos and from there he addressed the people of Cyprus through a local radio station.  This triggered a  huge wave of enthusiasm amongst the Greek Cypriots who were relieved to know that their beloved leader was alive. 

Turkey, on the other hand, taking advantage of the situation and purporting to act under the Treaty of Guarantee attacked Cyprus on July 20, 1974. The Turkish Aggression  caused heavy loss of life both in the battle field and during attacks on civilians including children and old people. In addition to this bloody invasion, illegal immigrants from Turkey were brought to inhabit the northern occupied part of the island. To this day, the island remains divided in two parts: the Republic of Cyprus which has been an official member of the European Union since 2004 and the illegally occupied area in the north.

Adana Concentration Camps - Turkey - July 1974

Photo Credit

All six presidents of the Republic of Cyprus

 

 

Sweet October

Despite the drop in temperature, we are still having warm sunny days and wondering whether Autumn will eventually come our way.  While our beaches are still packed with tourists enjoying summer in October, I wish I could feel the crisp autumnal air and hear the crunch and rustle of leaves with every step I make. But as I was having breakfast outside, I could only feel the cool sea breeze urging me to go for a swim. And so I did. I guess this will be the last swim of the year.

 

Just like every year, my husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary on October 8. We enjoyed a romantic dinner at our favourite Italian restaurant bringing back happy memories of a blessed marriage.

Omodos

One of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus is located in the southern foothills of the Troodos Mountains. At an altitude of 900 metres, Omodos is in the centre of the famous wine making region of the country and is only a 30 minute drive from Limassol and a 75 minute from Larnaca The village is built around the Monastery of the Holy Cross which, according to records, dates back to the arrival of Saint Helena in Cyprus (A.D.337). The Monastery is home to a piece of the Holy Rope with which Christ's hands were tied to the Cross.

In the centre of the Monastery an imposing Church stands having a gilded icon stand inside, dating back to 1817. Within the Church valuable relics are kept such as fragments of saintly bones and the skull of Saint Philip. In front of the Monastery there is a colourful, cobblestoned square covering an area of 3000m², surrounded by coffee houses, tavernas and shops. The square is the only one of its kind in Cyprus. The medieval "Linos" (wine-press) is one of the oldest in Cyprus and a representative example of traditional craftsmanship and wine making techniques.

You will be particularly attracted by the village's narrow alleys and wood crafted verandas overlooking the streets which are filled with coloured flowerpots in every corner and yard, but above all by the legendary hospitality of the inhabitants. Refurbished traditional homes and Guest Houses, offer a unique living experience of  village life.

Kykkos Monastery

This is the largest monastery in Cyprus and is also known as The Monastery of Archangel Michael to whom it is dedicated. Alkis and I visited it for the second time last month.

It stands on the road leading from Nicosia to Troodos and it's only a short drive from the quaint village of Pedoulas. The monastery dates back in origin to the late Byzantine period, but it was later rebuilt, first in the 17th century and then in the 18th. It contains the tomb of its founder, Archbishop Nikiforos. Inside there are many restored frescoes, and the icons are a fine example of the Byzantine style.

The most precious of these, that of Blessed Mary, is covered with a plate of gilded silver. Magnificent golden candelabra and lamps hang from the ceiling, and there are many religious relics to be seen. Ancient manuscripts, wooden sculptures and important historical documents relating to the history of the monastery are also kept there.

Most monasteries in Cyprus are situated in superb mountain areas with breathtaking views. The Monastery of Kykkos founded in 1080 by Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos is certainly the most famous of all the monasteries of the island and is known throughout the Greek Orthodox world. Located at about 1,200 metres above sea level, Kykkos took its name from the hillside on which it was built. It was granted autonomy by its founder who also donated one of the three surviving icons of Virgin Mary reputed to have been painted by Saint Luke himself.  Emperor Komnenos also handed over estates and property to assist in the financial upkeep of the monastery.

It is recorded that in the 14th century 400 monks lived within the monastery. In its 900 years of existence, it has burnt down four times - the last time was in 1813. The icon of Virgin Mary has survived to this day and is now completely covered with silver gilt plate. It is believed to have miraculous rainmaking powers.

Trahanas Soup in Cyprus – My Recipe

Trahanas is known all over Cyprus as well as in many parts of Greece. It is a delicious and nutritional food, probably the world's healthiest fast food. It is soup with cracked wheat kneaded in soured milk. Let's see how this traditional food is prepared. After the wheat is thoroughly washed, it is blended in a hand mill. Then it is mixed with soured milk and the mixture is placed in the fire. When it boils well, the mixture coagulates, and then it is moulded into small elongated pieces which lay in the sun where they dry out. These dry pieces are stored and so preserved for a year in the freezer. Each time you wish to cook trahana soup, you take the desired quantity from the stored dry pieces in the freezer. The pieces are placed into water, where they inflate and open. Haloumi cheese can be added, chopped into small pieces, which also cooks inside the soup. Trahanas is served hot after some salt, pepper and lemon (optional) are added.

 

Here is the recipe of Trahanas Soup in Cyprus

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4

200g trahanas

8 cups water

1 Vegetable stock cube

½ teaspoon salt
125g halloumi cheese cut in small cubes or feta cheese

Ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Place trahanas in a medium sized bowl and cover it with 4 cups water.  Let it soak for 2-3 hours. 
2. Pour trahanas into a large pot, add the remaining 4 cups of water and the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring every so often so that trahanas doesn't stick.   Add more water if you think the soup is too thick and cook for a few extra minutes.
3. Five minutes before you turn the heat off add halloumi or feta cheese .  Gently stir in until you take the soup off the cooker. Serve hot!

   

Easter 2018 - Pedoulas, Cyprus

The village of Pedoulas lies leisurely in Marathasa Valley at about 1200 metres above sea level, on the northern flanks of Troodos Mountain Range. The village counts 130 inhabitants as most young people fled to the city. Alkis and I went for an Easter holiday in Pedoulas and had such a great time there! The village is about 119km from Larnaca and it takes 1h 43 minutes to get there. It took us almost 2 h 30m as we stopped at the beautiful village of Kakopetria for a cup of coffee.

DAY 1 - Friday, 6 April 2018

Kakopetria is located in Solea Valley and stands at an altitude of 667 metres above sea level. The village is built on the banks of two rivers - the Kargotis and Garillis, which join within the village and form the Klarios river. Kakopetria is also a popular summer resort due to its cool climate during our hot summer months. Soon after coffee, we took the winding road to Pedoulas. I was so excited as we drove past a magical natural setting consisting of pine trees, poplars and wild vegetation. We checked in at Cristy's Palace Hotel - an old mansion built in 1945. It's got nothing to do with a standard 5-star hotel. It's not a palace in this sense, but it's a beautiful family-run mansion. Mr Andreas, the owner, gave us a warm welcome and both my husband and I felt as if we were guests at his home. Our room was small but functional and nicely decorated. Mr Andreas recommended "Two Flowers Restaurant" for lunch, just opposite the hotel. We loved the food there. As we were both fasting, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant offered a good choice of lenten dishes.  In the evening, we attended the church service of the Epitaph at the church of the Holy Cross - a church which dominates the village. We went back to "Two Flowers" for dinner.

 

DAY 2 - Saturday, 7 April 2018

Breakfast at Cristy's Hotel was excellent! We really enjoyed it! Soon after breakfast, we set off to explore only a few of the 14 villages which belong to Marathasa Valley.

In the evening, we attended the midnight service of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Cross in Pedoulas. And then we had the traditional soup and flaounes  at "Two Flowers Restaurant"

 

DAY 3 - Sunday, 8 April 2018

On Easter Sunday, we visited Kykkos Monastery for the second time in 30 years.  I had tears in my eyes as I knelt down and worshiped Her Grace  - the Grace of Virgin Mary. Photos aren't allowed in the Monastery.

And then we had a festive lunch in Pedoulas.

This was one of the best Easter holidays I've ever had. Apart from its natural beauties, what I loved most about Pedoulas is the warmth and hospitality of the people who made me feel part of their small community.

 

 

An Adventurous Trip to Aphrodite’s Land

DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

Legend has it that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, was born on the island of Cyprus and rose from the foam of the waves at Petra tou Romiou – the Greek's Rock also known as Aphrodite's Rock. This is where Alkis and I stopped for coffee on our way to Droushia, situated at 158 km from Larnaca. Right at the outskirts of Akamas Peninsula, the village of Droushia stands 600 metres above sea level, in a unique location, with stunning seaside and mountain views. We loved the cool breeze once there. It seems that the village derives its name from the Greek word "drossia", which means cool and fresh ....and a bit cold at this time of year!

We checked in at Droushia Heights Hotel and literally fell in love at first sight with this beautiful hotel! We loved everything! Our room overlooking the splendid Polis Chrysochous Bay and the surrounding green meadows and fields. We had lunch at the Farm Yard Restaurant in Kathicas – a nearby village. The food was great and the service impeccable! . In the evening, we tried the hotel's buffet which tasted more like Mum's cooking than a standard hotel buffet. Congratulations to the Chef!

DAY 2 – THURSDAY, MARCH 8

It was an adventurous day! Soon after breakfast, we set off to explore Akamas peninsula. Akamas is located on the western tip of Cyprus and covers 230 km². It is an area of great natural beauty, completely unspoilt by development. You can have access to this area either by boat or by Jeep or a 4-wheel drive. We had the right car but we made three serious mistakes before setting off :

• We didn't hire a guide.
• We didn't have a map as I was sure I could download a Google map but we could not connect to the Internet.
• We took the wrong track!!

And so, we got lost, in the middle of nowhere! I was literally on the verge of a panic attack! I was trembling and shaking, my heart was pounding and I was screaming with fear. Never before have I felt so scared. Actually, I was terrified. Alkis ignored me and concentrated on driving, but we kept driving to nowhere!!

I begged Alkis to call for help!

"No, we're not going to call for help.", Alkis said "We're going to find our way back to Droushia, but, please, stop screaming and try to think whether or not we drove along this track!"

I was unable to think!

Three hours later, Alkis found the right track and we drove to Neo Chorio and from there to Latchi . Feeling relieved, We went for a walk along the beach and later had lunch at Porto Latchi. I had lavraki (sea bass) right out of the fisherman's basket!

Later in the afternoon, we had a good rest at the hotel and then had dinner at To Petradaki – a nearby local tavern.

DAY 3 – FRIDAY, MARCH 9

According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love used to bathe here. This is the spot where she met her lover, Adonis, who had stopped for a drink. Aphrodite offered the water and it seems that he fell head over heels in love with her as soon as he drank it. However, regardless of mythology, the water is not potable!

DAY 4 – MARCH 10

It was a long and adventurous journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After breakfast, we went for a walk in the village of Droushia, had lunch at Polis Chrysochous and drove back home in the afternoon.

I am still filled with the amazing beauties of Aphrodite's Land!

November

November is the month when the weather in Cyprus breaks from warm autumn towards colder winter. Around the middle of November temperatures begin to drop noticeably and the rainy season starts. During this month it can rain from three to six days. November is the third rainiest month after December and January. On average maximum temperature gets up to 22°C on the west coast and inland and 23°C-24°C on the eastern-south coast. On the mountains it already gets noticeably cold with temperatures not going higher than 13°C. At night, temperature drops down to 13°C-14°C on the coast and 10°C inland. On the heights of Troodos, it already feels like winter at night with the temperature staying as low as 6°C. The sea water is about 21°C.

I can’t dare the sea water temperature, though. Some people are braver than me and enjoy a swim in the sea.  The sea has its ups and downs in November. It’s sometimes calm and  tempting, but it’s often  rough and gloomy.  Yet, we never get huge waves or unbearably  cold waters.  Last Sunday, November was cruel!  it was raining heavily and then the rain gave way to a terrible storm. I’ve had the fear of storms since my early childhood – thunders, thunderbolt and lightning  give me the willies!  At last, since Monday , November has given us back our sunshine and great blue skies! I wish it rained only at night, preferably after midnight.  Despite the occasional storms, November is an ideal month – neither too hot nor too cold. And it’s that time of year again when chrysanthemum  is in full bloom.

 

Most  importantly, November is the Herald of Christmas! By the way, there are only 44 days, 3 hours, 56 minutes and 40 seconds until Christmas!!!

Happiness

Regardless of colour, race, religion, social status, nationality or ideology, our main purpose in life is to be happy. To me, happiness is subjective and relative to what each one of us expects in life. It's variable as it changes with age.  In my childhood, happiness was playing with my dolls and listening to my grandma's amazing fairy tales! Later in my teens,  happiness was doing well at school, hanging out with my friends, falling in love all the time and getting on well with my parents.

Now, as an adult, my priorities have changed. and happiness has become entwined with my husband and all these little things  in everyday life that make me feel so happy- for example, watching the sunrise or the sunset, listening to the rain while reading "Jane Eyre" for the upteenth time, listening to Neil Diamond's Seagull and other songs like Love on the Rocks and September Morn, writing, blogging  or simply cooking a meal with Alkis.

I have now realised that happiness isn't a state, it's a positive emotion, it's an attitude, it's a hug,  it's getting every niggle off your chest, it's facing your fears and taking opportunities when they come. As the great French philosopher, Voltaire, said: " Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."

October

It's almost end of October, yet summer  is in the air - this cool October air reminiscent of autumn. Autumn is the shortest season in Cyprus if it ever arrives!  I don't mind, though, as I'm not a great fan of  the crunch of crimson leaves beneath my feet! What's more, I hate gloomy skies and rainy days. In October, it's neither too hot nor too cold and we're still enjoying bright blue skies and sunny days. I usually swim till end of October, but this year a bad cold  in September put an end to swimming - a little earlier than usual. 

However, I do enjoy walking while contemplating the sunrise and feeling that crisp October air in early morning. It's so invigorating!