Anastasia

Bidding Farewell to 2017 – Paphos 2018

Alkis and I welcomed 2018 in the picturesque city of Paphos, which is situated on the western coast of Cyprus at about 150 km from Larnaca. We set off in high spirits on New Year's Eve after having done some last-minute shopping. On our way, we stopped at Pissouri Village where we enjoyed our last lunch of 2017 while watching the rain – actually, it wasn't just rain, it was a heavy downpour. As we had forgotten our umbrellas in the car, we ran to the parking lot hit by the sweet smell of fresh, invigorating drops of rain. The rain poured down over the city of Paphos throughout the remaining few hours of 2017. By 5:00 pm, we had checked in at Coral Beach Hotel and had coffee by the glowing fire in the elegant lobby.

The New Year's Eve party surpassed our expectations. I was impressed with the festive decorations of the lush buffet as well as with how well the whole event was organised. There was a wide range of starters, sushi, seafood, various meats and salads, desserts and cheeses. I don't think I've ever eaten so much on a New Year's Eve before! We ordered a smooth, medium-bodied Côte du Rhône with a delicate bouquet to pair with the delicious dishes the Executive Chef and his team had created. We bid farewell to 2017 and welcomed 2018 on the dance floor amid cheers, laughter, wishes and festive music. There were about 300 people of various nationalities in the ballroom, yet I felt as if we were one huge family

 

On New Year's Day, we woke to a bright, sunny morning! Some clouds, though, were still trying bravely to keep the rain away. And so they did! After a festive breakfast at the hotel, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll in the sunshine along the promenade in Kato Paphos. After the feast on New Year's Eve followed by a big breakfast , we had a light meal at Bacchus Restaurant consisting of grilled chicken and a salad. We sat outside, enjoying our meal and the sunshine and feeling thankful to those clouds which didn't give in to rain. Alkis and I are bon vivants, so we had Chinese for our first dinner in 2018. We loved the food at Phucket's even though we didn't eat everything and the service was excellent!

On our last day in Paphos, we went for a walk around the medieval castle. Paphos castle is located in Kato Paphos at the harbour. This castle was originally built to protect the harbour and was a Byzantine fort. During the 13th century the castle was rebuilt by the Lusignans. In 1570 however, the castle was once again destroyed by the Venetians who at that time were unable to protect the castle from the ongoing attacks by the Ottomans. The Ottomans succeeded in gaining access to Paphos and during the Ottoman rule the castle was once again restored, expanded, and strengthened to what it is today. The castle itself is a stunning stone walled castle built on the harbour.  There is an arched battle way bridge that connects the castle to the harbour itself.  There are very few windows in this castle but the view from the top platform is magnificent and from here you can see Kato Paphos in all its glory.  It really is a site worth seeing and for those interested in culture; Paphos Castle is a definite must see during your trip to Cyprus.  Paphos Castle is listed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites and is fully protected.

In 1935 Paphos castle was declared an ancient monument and to this day it is considered to be one of the many hallmarks of Paphos .  The square just in front of Paphos castle is used for many cultural events throughout the year.  Most of these events take place annually and in September you can see the Aphrodite Festival.  The Paphos Aphrodite Festival organizers invite a well known opera troupe to come and perform every year.  This stunning event takes place in the square in front of Paphos Castle and the castle itself is used for scenery in the opera.  Some of the famous operas that have been performed include Verdi's La Traviata and Bizet's Carmen.

Once inside the castle there is not much to see or do but once you reach the top platform you will see the breath taking view of the marina.  Many people also use Paphos Castle as a backdrop for some amazing and memorable holiday pictures.

On our way back home, we stopped for lunch at Governor's Beach in Limassol.

Right now, I'm counting my blessings and wishing you more. Have a happy and prosperous New Year. I wish you new dreams, new hopes and new joys.

Happy New Year 2016

In my part of the world, in a few hours , we'll be saying farewell to 2015 and welcoming 2016 feeling hopeful and positive that this brand New Year will be much happier, much jollier than 2015 and, most importantly, much more peaceful. As we are all preparing to welcome 2016 regardless of the time difference, let me share with you some of our customs and traditions on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The photo above is my humble Vasilopita - Saint Basil's Cake. For us Greeks, it is unthinkable to welcome the New Year without our Vasilopita. Saint Basil is our very own Santa Claus who also visits the Greeks on New Year's Eve ! So we prepare a cake for him in which we bake a coin. When the cake is cut on New Year's Day, the one who has the piece with the coin in it is the lucky person of the year. The lucky person must put the coin in his / her purse hoping that the New Year will bring them money.

Soon after Christmas, Saint Basil will visit children and adults again and put presents under the tree or in their stockings. In Cyprus we've also got what we call "pouloustrina" - a small amount of money given to children on New Year's Day apart from the presents brought by Santa (Saint Basil)..But beyond the material side of the New Year , there's also the sentimental one. On New Year's Eve, the young ladies in the villages of Cyprus, will throw olive leaves into a glowing fire. And they will say: "Please Saint Basil, show me if  X or Y loves me. If the olive leaf burns, it means that the boy named loves the girl! The sad thing is that this romantic tradition is threatened with extinction.

I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. And may all your dreams and wishes come true.

Vasilopita - the Greek New Year's Cake

Some of you may remember my Vasilopita recipe posted on December 29, 2009. In this post, I have added  recent photos and  measurements in grams and ounces.

Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake. Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's Day on January 1^st .  On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year.It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially blessed  for the year. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary, the Church and the poor. In my family, slices are cut for Jesus Christ, for the poor and one slice for each member of the family.  Vasilopita is made in honour of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way, he could give them money without demeaning them at all.  To this day, many wealthy families would place a gold coin in Vasilopita. It is meant as a gift to the lucky one since in Greece and Cyprus we exchange gifts on New Year’s Day as well! Saint Basil is our Santa Claus like Saint Nicholas in other countries.

 

 

Like Saint Nicholas at Christmas, Saint Basil puts the presents under the tree on January 1st

 

INGREDIENTS

 

• 1 cup butter  / 226 g / 8 ounces
  
• 1 cup sugar / 200 g / 7 ounces
  
• 3  ½  cups flour / 448 g / 15,75 ounces
  
• 2-3 tablespoons brandy or Grand Marnier liqueur
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup fresh orange juice / 250 mls
  
• the zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup yoghurt / 245  g / 8,64 ounces
  
• 1 cup almonds finely ground / 160 g / 5,64 ounces
• 6 eggs
  
• 1 coin wrapped in foil
  

 

DIRECTIONS

 

• Beat the butter and the sugar in the mixer until fluffy and then add the eggs one by one beating constantly.
• Mix in the yoghurt and sift the flour and baking powder.
• Continue to beat until the batter is fluid.
• Add the brandy or liqueur, the orange juice and the orange zest and continue to beat.
• Mix the almonds and don’t forget to place the coin in the mixture!
• Place the mixture in a flat, buttered pan and bake in a medium oven for about an hour.
• When cold decorate the Vasilopita with some icing sugar and almonds.

2015 - Hopes and Aspirations

Yet another year starts bringing with it hopes, dreams, expectations, aspirations, wishes for happiness, goodness, prosperity and, surely, an anticipation of a better future. Not only does this entail hope but also a reason to keep smiling, even in hard times, in addition to thinking positive and living life to the fullest.

Success and happiness lie in a positive outlook on life. Judging from my own  experience, this is an invincible host against hardship. Let us stop pointing fingers and placing blames! After all, happiness is a choice even when you see no light at the end of the tunnel.

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. Happiness has become entwined with my job, 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 "The Four Quartets" for the upteenth time, listening to Neil Diamond's songs, 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.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice." ― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets (English writer, poet)

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.

2013

Photo Credit

 

28 / 02 / 2013

Pope Benedict 16th resigns from office. Before that, Gregory 12th was forced to resign (1415) while some centuries earlier Celestin 5th (1294) had voluntarily resigned.

13 / 03 / 2013

Cardinal Jorge Mario Vergoglio from Argentina is elected as the 266th pope and chooses the name Frances. He becomes the first Jesuit pope from the American continent.

25 / 03 / 2013

The European Union approves the granting of 10 billion euros to Cyprus following the severe financial crisis on the island.

27 / 03 / 2013

Canada is the first country that withdraws from United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

15 / 04 / 2013

Two explosive devices which exploded during the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, USA caused three deaths and 264 injuries.

24 / 04 / 2013

Near the capital Dhaka, Bagklates, an eight-storey building collapses. Approximately 2,500 people were injured and 1,129 were killed. This is the most deadly non-terrorist building collapse ever ​​and the third worst industrial disaster in modern history.

14 - 30 / 6 / 2013

Floods and landslides in the provinces Uttarakhand and Himachai Pradesh, India leave behind 5,700 dead and 20,000 trapped.

01 / 07 / 2013

Croatia becomes the 28th member of the European Union.

22 / 07 / 2013

Prince George of Cambridge is born at Saint Mary's Hospital, London. He weighs 3,8 kilos and  is the son of William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charle's only grandchild.  After his grandfather and father, he is third in line to succeed his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

21 / 09 / 2013

The Westgate Mail in Nairobi is attacked by the paramilitary group al-Shabaab. 62 people died and 170 were seriously injured.

08 / 11 / 2013

Hurricane Yolanda, one of the strongest tropical hurricanes, hits the Philippines and Vietnam, killing 5,960 people.and causing unprecedented damage.

12 / 11 / 2013

The portraits of Lucian Freud, Three Studies of Lucian Freud  by the  British artist Francis Bacon were sold for the sum of  $142, 4 million at the auction which took place in New York. This is a new record selling artwork.

21 / 11 / 2013

Cyprus mourns Glafkos Clerides, its greatest leader, who passed away at the age of 94 thus becoming a part of Cyprus' Modern History.

29 / 12 / 2013

A suicide bombing at a Volvograd train station packed with New Year's travellers on Sunday has killed at least 17 people raising new security fears only six weeks before the start of the Sochi Olympics.

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/#ixzz2oxY3CbXW
The Moscow Times

Information selected from wikipedia.com

Paphos - January 2013

It's amazing how this holiday season has just flown by. A Christmas holiday in London and a few days in Paphos to welcome the New Year were more than enough for me to relax, recharge the batteries and begin the new term at school tomorrow. After London where Alkis and I spent a lot of time walking, catching buses and trains, sightseeing, shopping and going out, our short holiday in Paphos, on the western coast, was peaceful and very relaxing.  Paphos is one of my most favourite holiday destinations in Cyprus as it combines  the unspoilt beauty of tranquil beaches and the hustle and bustle of a small, touristy town. In winter, however, there are few tourists and it's much quieter. Once more, we stayed at Coral Bay Beach Hotel overlooking Coral Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. 

Coral Bay - Paphos

On our way to Coral Bay (Pegeia Village) at about 150 km from Larnaca, we  had lunch at Captain's Fish Tavern at the village of Pissouri. Both the food and the service are excellent and prices are very reasonable. 

Captain's Fish Tavern - Pissouri

Pissouri Beach

Captain's Fish Tavern - Pissouri

Pissouri Beach

The weather was a bit whimsical: Sunny days and blue skies were soon replaced by storms, strong winds and torrential rain. The whims of the weather, however,  did not spoil our high spirits not for one moment.

Coral Bay: Before the storm

Paphos- Pegeia - Coral Bay: After the storm

On our first night at Coral Bay, we had dinner at the Japanese restaurant Samisen - not far from our hotel. On a cold, rainy night, Miso soup with chicken was the perfect starter. I also loved their maki, sushimi and teppanyaki  salmon served with rice and vegetables. If you like Japanese food and  happen to be in the area, give it a try. You won't regret it.  After such a great dinner, we enjoyed our drinks in the festive and romantic atmosphere of the bar at Coral Bay Beach Hotel.

Miso Soup - Samisen Japanese Restaurant

Maki - Samisen Japanese Restaurant

Teppanyaki Salmon and Fresh Vegetables - Samisen Japanese Restaurant

Banana Tempura for Dessert - Samisen Japanese Restaurant

And a show for fun - Samisen Japanese Restaurant

Coral Beach Hotel - The Bar

(Sorry my flash didn't go off in the last photo)

Today is the last holiday for the Greeks.  On the stroke of January 6th, the "twelve days of Christmas" officially come to an end. This day takes on a special meaning in Greece and Cyprus. All over the world, the Greek orthodox observe the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist, in the river Jordan. The Greek word for Epiphany is Theophania meaning the "appearance of God" referring to the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. According to tradition, we eat fish on January 6th, which reminds me that  I definitely need to go back to healthy eating habits after having indulged in copious meals and desserts for two weeks now! Grilled salmon and a salad sound great for lunch today. 

Happy New Year !

New Year Countdown

Wishing you all the blessings of the New Year...the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.  Happy New Year to all.

Vasilopita - the Greek New Year's Cake

My Vasilopita 2011

 

Some of you may remember my Vasilopita recipe posted on December 29, 2009. In this reblog, I have added  recent photos and  measurements in grams and ounces.

Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake. Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's Day on January 1^st  in Greece. On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year.It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially blessed  for the year. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary, the Church and the poor. In my family, slices are cut for Jesus Christ, for the poor and one slice for each member of the family.  Vasilopita is made in honour of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way, he could give them money without demeaning them at all.  To this day, many wealthy families would place a gold coin in Vasilopita. It is meant as a gift to the lucky one since in Greece and Cyprus we exchange gifts on New Year’s Day as well! Saint Basil is our Santa Claus like Saint Nicholas in other countries.

 

Like Saint Nicholas at Christmas, Saint Basil puts the presents under the tree on January 1st

 

INGREDIENTS

 

• 1 cup butter  / 226 g / 8 ounces
  
• 1 cup sugar / 200 g / 7 ounces
  
• 3  ½  cups flour / 448 g / 15,75 ounces
  
• 2-3 tablespoons brandy or Grand Marnier liqueur
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup fresh orange juice / 250 mls
  
• the zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup yoghurt / 245  g / 8,64 ounces
  
• 1 cup almonds finely ground / 160 g / 5,64 ounces
• 6 eggs
  
• 1 coin wrapped in foil
  

 

DIRECTIONS

 

• Beat the butter and the sugar in the mixer until fluffy and then add the eggs one by one beating constantly.
• Mix in the yoghurt and sift the flour and baking powder.
• Continue to beat until the batter is fluid.
• Add the brandy or liqueur, the orange juice and the orange zest and continue to beat.
• Mix the almonds and don’t forget to place the coin in the mixture!
• Place the mixture in a flat, buttered pan and bake in a medium oven for about an hour.
• When cold decorate the Vasilopita with some icing sugar and almonds.

New Year Resolutions or Goals to Be Attained in 2011

The New Year is usually a time for resolutions. Mentally, at least, most of us could compile overwhelmingly long lists of "do's" and "don'ts". The same old favourite recur year in year out with monotonous regularity. We resolve to get up earlier each morning, eat less, exercise more, find more time to play with the children, do a thousand and one jobs about the house, be nice to people we don't like, and take the dog for a walk every day.

Past experience has taught us that certain accomplishments are beyond attainment. If we remain inveterate smokers, it is only because we have experienced the frustration that results from failure. Most of us fail in our efforts at self-improvement because our schemes are too ambitious and we hardly ever have time to carry them out. Pat Harrington - one of my favourite bloggers on TypePad - writes in his blog FearAlone: "Start small and make a resolution that you can accomplish within 3 months, and then add on to it in the next 3 months.  So, in half a year we get real results that help push us in the right direction." This year, I'll follow Pat's advice. I'll start small - e.g. cut down on smoking instead of giving up smoking. I've already cut down considerably since I read Pat's post last November. I've even decided not to smoke again in the flat - not even in my study- and haven't done so for the last 5 weeks!. In three months, I'll add to it : "Give up smoking by June." Hope this works!

Do you make resolutions or set goals to attain at the start of a new year?