Anastasia

Hello Autumn

The sun looked as if it were pinned to a bissfully spotless blue background as I was driving to work yesterday morning, enjoying the fresh, peaceful air and the way it seemed to stretch into eternity. I was in high spirits feeling ebulient and happy.  It was going to be yet another "summer" day in September. With the temperature going down to 28 Celsius, it was heaven on earth!

No sooner had I got back from work than doom-black clouds, pregnant with malice, looked as vapourous as mist. All of a sudden the sun had disappeared and thunder rumbled and cracked the air rolling across a malevolent sky, hailing the downpour that followed. Lightning flashed in the sky which automatically turned into gloomy grey giving me a punch of melancoly.  "Lightning is the megawatt smile of nature."

It seems that Autumn has arrived in earnest!

Sunrises

As the sun rises gently to kiss the velvet sky, I experience an extraordinary feeling of blazing happiness while a brand new day comes alive setting the sky aglow in order to promise the newborn day dazzling blue skies.

Mackenzie Beach - Larnaca

Larnaca

Sunrises have a unique beauty! Unlike sunsets, which announce the culmination of the day evaporating slowly into dusk, they herald the promise of a new day, a new beginning while the sun slowly arises from its slumber and sets the town aglow. The sky then resembles a kind of prism. All colours blend together and the sun slowly begins to warm the air. I can only marvel at its brilliant rays on the sea at Mackenzie Beach.

Mackenzie Beach - Larnaca

Larnaca is very peaceful and quiet at this time of day. Most people are still sleeping unaware of the first golden rays of the sun creeping through the twilight and over the horizon. I can only hear birds singing and some seagulls squawking as they hasten to welcome the new day. By 7:00 am the town is awake while the burning heat takes over on yet another hot day in August. Sunrises take my breath away and a feeling of bliss sweeps over me as I watch the sun flirting with the sea.

 

 

 

A Visit to the Village of Tochni - Larnaca, Cyprus

The village of Tochni is a small, traditional  village of about 300 inhabitants which lies along the south-western part of rural Larnaca, at about 20 km from Larnaca town. The village is made up of stone-built houses on the slopes of two hills with a small river cutting across them. The name of the village is said to derive from the greek word "techni" meaning "art", as the village was once noted for its great master masons that worked the stone of the area in quite a unique way. 

With the introduction of agrotourism to the area, the village has seen a surge of renovation with more and more beautiful, heart-warming stone houses revealed from beneath the rendered exterior, where they had been hidden for so many years. The exposure of the houses made from local stone with their court-yards, blooming gardens and the winding, narrow alleys, which form the streets in the village, are the most distinctive characeristics of the area together with the gorgeous, natural cacti which grow there.

On May 1st  (Labour Day), I visited Tochni for the first time and was overwhelmed by so much beauty around me. Funny how sometimes it may take years to discover  that a unique landscape of unspeakable beauty lies only a few kilometres away from home.  Alkis and I had a wonderful time there and we are now toying with the idea of spending a romantic, winter weekend at Tochni.  

  

A Week in February

As we are heading to the last week of February, I have the impression that time just slips by without my realising it. Workwise, it's been a hectic week at the school as always in mid term. In addition to 25 hours of teaching weekly, I had piles of marking to finish including mid-term exams, tests, homework, IGCSE and FCE writing plus office work. On Thursday morning, my photocopier decided to run out of toner when I had to finish photocopying 3 tests by 2:00 pm. Fortunately, the toner was delivered in time and I managed to finish photocopying all three tests. On Friday afternoon, we spent some time playing  computer games in class with my Junior B and Intermediate. Great way to check on  vocabulary! My very cool kids now know that they'll never be the winners if they don't learn vocabulary!

After such a busy yet constructive week at work, I was looking forward to the weekend. I went to the hairdresser's on Saturday morning and then Alkis and I took advantage of the sunny weather and had a leisurely walk along  Mackenzie Beach - my most favourite beach in Larnaca - followed by lunch at Kitsios Taverna. I strongly recommend their fresh calamari which is available when the fishermen catch it!  The service is excellent and their seafood comes right out of the fisherman's boat.

Today, I spent the morning  shopping for groceries at the supermarket. I am so glad supermarkets are now open in Cyprus on Sundays as well!

Living in Larnaca

Larnaca is a small town of about 75,000 inhabitants situated on the southern coast of the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. 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 then on Finikoudes Seafront.

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 Semifreddo, the new Hobos Restaurant with an amazing view to the sea and Panos Steak House which has been renovated and refurbished since 1984.

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.

 The Salt Lake is home to more than 12,000 pink flamingos 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.

Larnaca is also known as the city of Zenon. Zenon of  Kition was the founder of the Stoic School of Philosophy in Athens. He was born in Kition (ancient Larnaca) in 334 BC. Stoicism laid great emphasis on peace of mind and goodness gained from living a virtuous life in accordance with nature. To this day, the people of Larnaca are noted for their peace of mind, their kindness, their hospitality and their generosity. They have a heart of gold. I was born and reared in Nicosia - the capital city of Cyprus. When I first came to live in Larnaca I was a stranger amongst strangers. Yet, I was profoundly touched by the warmth and friendliness of its people who made me feel so very welcome. I now feel I am one of them and I feel blessed to be living in Larnaca.  

 

Larnaca Salt Lake and its Flamingos

Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the most important wetlands in Cyprus and it has been declared a Ramsar and a Natura 2000 site. It lies west of Larnaca and  consists of a network of four salt lakes, covering a surface area of 2.2 square kilometres - a stone throw from Larnaca International Airport. It is also an area of amazing natural beauty, which has been the natural habitat of sea life for more than 3 million years. In the past, the salt used to be collected on donkeys and stacked up for export but this activity was abandoned in the mid '80s.

The flamingos at Larnaca Salt Lake seem to be enjoying the sunny weather.

Larnaca Salt Lake and the pink flamingos

 

Flamingos - Larnaca Salt lake

The salt lake in Larnaca is the favourite haunt of flamingos and other migratory birds.

 

In the winter, the lake is the haunt of more than 80 species of migratory birds and an excellent site for bird watching.  It is particularly noted for its flamingos which winter on the island. Most probably because of the cold spell that hit Cyprus in December, this winter thousands of  flamingos arrived   last week offering Larnaca a sight of unique beauty.   

Epiphany in Larnaca

January 6th marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas and of the Christmas holidays. The Greek Orthodox Church observes the baptism of Jesus Christ by St John the Baptist and the blessing of the waters.

In all coastal villages, towns and cities in Greece and Cyprus, a long procession starts soon after the church service heading to the seafront. When the priest throws a large cross into the sea, young men brave the cold waters and compete to retrieve it. The one who finally recovers the cross is said to have good luck throughout the year.

Photo Credit

Also known as "Fota" or "Theophania" - the Feast of Light - Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God's Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. After the church service, people get "drossos" or "ayiasmos" - sanctified water which they drink. They also use it to sprinkle their houses, thus receiving Jesus Christ's blessing. Just like on Christmas Eve, on Epiphany Eve, children sing "Kalanda ton Foton" - Epiphany Carols - over sweets or a small amount of money. 

According to an Epiphany tradition in Cyprus, people throw sausages or "loukoumades" - local honey doughnuts - to the goblins so that they eat and go away. Goblins are deformed demons living in the bowels of the earth and appearing on Epiphany Day to dwel the roofs of  people's houses.

The Blessing of the Waters

 

Saint Lazarus Church, Larnaca

 

In Larnaca, the blessing of the waters was heavily attended and, considering the crowds, it was practically impossible to approach the marina and take photos of the priest throwing the cross into the sea. It was a brilliant celebration which both Alkis and I enjoyed very much.

New Year's Eve Gala Dinner at The Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Larnaca

New Year's Eve Gala Dinner at The Golden Bay Beach Hotel has been for years a very special end-of-year event in Larnaca, which combines fine dining, great entertainment and reasonable prices. This year, it was by far one of the very best New Year Eves ever.  The event took place on December 31st,  at Les Etoiles - the hotel's gourmet restaurant - from 8:00 pm  till the early morning hours of 2014. This year, the Executive Chef surpassed himself  and created a variety of culinary artwork which was a delight both to the eyes and the palate.

Layer of Pancetta and Farm House Baby Chicken on Caramelised Shallots

Pumpkin Cream Soup with Ginger

Salmon and Halibut Rillet with Prosciuto on Fruit Compote

Fruit Sherbet with Calvados

 

Beef Tenderloin Fillet stuffed with Guinea Fowl Mousse, served with Fondant Potatoes, Vegetables and Red Wine Sauce

Caramelia Chocolate Semifredo, Amarena Cream Tart, Bourbon Vanilla Sauce

This was followed by coffee and sweet bite and our traditional Vasilopita.

 

 

 

With my friend Linda

The dancing show which entertained us while savouring this exquisite festive dinner received a big hand. All the dancers gave a brilliant performance.

The hotel's home band consisted of  amazing performers and kept us on the dance floor till the early morning hours.

At home, getting ready for New Year's Eve

   Wishing you all a very happy and  prosperous New Year filled with love, joy, happiness and good health. May you all achieve your goals in 2014 and succeed in your future endeavors.

The Christmas Spirit

After the cold spell that put sunsplashed Cyprus into the feezer for five days in a row, normal temperatures for this time of year are gradually coming back. Despite the crisp cold this morning, it was a lovely sunny Sunday which Alkis and I enjoyed doing some Christmas shopping and taking a walk in the festive town centre at Ermou Square. The choir and orchestra of the Police of Cyprus played and sang Christmas Carols while the kids wanted to have their photo taken with Santa who was sitting inside the huge Christmas tree.

 

 

Santa's home in Larnaca is inside the huge Christmas tree at Ermou Square.

A cute Christmas stall at Ermou Square

Well,  Christmas carols, Christmas shopping the Christmas tree, Santa are only a small part of the Christmas Spirit - they set the mood for the greatest birthday celebration of the year: Jesus' birthday. Everyone should have that special Christmas feeling - nothing compares to it. However, Jesus Christ, was born in a manger - no crib for a bed - and all He wants us to feel on his birthday is Love, Peace, Humility and Forgiveness. These divine feelings compose the Christmas Spirit to me and definitely outweigh the sparkling Christmas decorations, the shiny tinsels, ornaments and stars on the Christmas tree.

Always on Sundays

September has almost flown by in a flash, yet in sunny Larnaca we are still enjoying the summer with only a few autumnal hints such as the sudden downpour last Tuesday which lasted for over two hours. I was in my office at that time. As I looked out the window,  I couldn't help a smile when I saw the passersby in the street running for a shelter in their summer clothes. I sometimes wish I could take a holiday in September as this is the best time of year in Cyprus to enjoy the sun and the sea. But as I live near the beach, I go swimming early in the morning almost every day. It is, indeed, an invigorating activity before going to work.

Tidying up the living room.

Workwise, it's been really busy since the beginning of the new school year. That's why I haven't been around much. As I work from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, I can hardly make time for blogging or catching up with my friends on Facebook and Twitter. However, on Sundays I  try to relax as much as I can unless I have marking to finish. Here are ten things I always enjoy doing on Sundays.

1. I cook. I find cooking such a relaxing and creative activity. As I hardly ever have time to cook a decent meal during the week, I really love testing my culinary skills on Sundays.

Aubergines Imam Baildi

2. I take a long nap after lunch.

3. Unless we're away for the weekend, I watch a scary movie  or a thriller on DVD.  I've recently watched Cellular and loved it!

Photo Credit

4. Very often on Sundays, Alkis and I go on a day trip to the  countryside and enjoy the great outdoors - small villages off the beaten track, amazing forests, deserted beaches or gorgeous valleys and creeks in the mountains. 

The great outdoors - Trimiklini, Cyprus

5. I tidy up around the flat as the cleaning lady doesn't come at the weekend.

6. I blog or schedule posts for the week ahead.

7. I call my mum.

8. I hang out with my friends for coffee or lunch. I also cook for them quite often.

9. I reply to personal emails as I rarely have time to do so during the week.

10. I visit my favourite blogs on TypePad.

What do you enjoy doing on Sundays?