Merry
Christmas everyone. Nada and I started the day with a refreshing morning swim just off the coast near our apartment. The water was a bit chilly, but still manageable - and definitely worth it. Once we warmed up, we set off to enjoy our sixth day in
Cyprus. Our first stop was
Church of Saint Lazarus, a beautiful 9th-century church full of history and quiet atmosphere. From there, we continued to the
Kamares Aqueduct, an impressive structure that once supplied water to the city, and then on to the nearby
Larnaca Salt Lake, which offered a peaceful natural setting. Later, we headed towards Cape Kiti, where we enjoyed a relaxing walk along the beach, with the sound of the waves and wide open views. In the afternoon, we visited the striking White Stones - a unique coastal landscape shaped by wind and sea. We wrapped up the day in
Limassol, reflecting on another full and memorable day exploring the island.
Tradition says that the place of Lazarus's tomb was lost during the period of Arab rule beginning in 649. In 890, a tomb was found in Larnaca bearing the inscription "Lazarus, four days dead, friend of Christ".  |
| In 1857, after the Ottoman authorities again allowed Cypriot churches to have bell towers, the church's bell tower was rebuilt in a Latinate style. |
 |
| Kamares Aqueduct, also known as the Bekir Pasha Aqueduct was built between 1747 and 1750 and supplied Larnaca with fresh water for nearly two centuries, till 1939. |
 |
| Let's do some off road driving. |
 |
| A line of arches stretching into the past - just one visible piece of a much longer story, about 16km long one. |
 |
| Time for a selfie. |
 |
| While Nada played with the camera, I went looking for a geocache. |
Almost stuck in the mud.
 |
| Just west of Larnaca lies a peaceful network of four salt lakes - three of them connected - forming one of the island's most unique landscapes. From the vast Aliki to the smaller Orphani, Soros, and Spiro, together they create Cyprus' second largest salt lake system - Larnaca Salt Lake. |
 |
| Besides its picturesque beauty, the lake is the haunt of 85 species of water-birds with estimated populations between 20000 and 38000. It is one of the important migratory passages through Cyprus. |
 |
| During the winter months the lake fills with water while in the summer the water evaporates, leaving a crust of salt and a haze of grey dust. |
 |
| Among the species are 2000-12000 flamingoes (Phoenicopterus roseus) which spend the winter months there feeding off populations of the brine shrimp Artemia salina. |
 |
| On a walk, exploring the beach near Cape Kiti. |
 |
| Surfers in action on faros beach. |
Pervolia Lighthouse - a quiet sentinel from the days of British rule in Cyprus, standing watch over the restless Mediterranean.
 |
| Towards the tip of Cape Kiti. |
 |
| Not your typical beach - just waves, wind, and a landscape that feels almost lunar. |
 |
| White cliffs, endless blue, and the quiet sound of the Mediterranean at work. |
 |
| The formations are made mainly of soft limestone and chalky sedimentary rock. |
 |
| The white color comes from high calcium carbonate content (basically compacted shells and marine organisms). |
 |
| Nada on the rocks. |
After a full day of cruising around, we decided to wind down with a well-earned pizza.
 |
| In the evening I explored the city of Limassol. On the photo, Limassol Castle. |
 |
| Ancient stone remains next to Limassol Castle, where centuries of history meet. |
 |
| One more photo from the old town before I went back to our apartment. |
Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace",
TBA8B55, "Ojstrica (2350 m) - ti moje kraljestvo / you my kingdom...",
TB8MHFG and "Twin Star",
TB33TN8):
- Hala Sultan Tekke - Larnaca Salt Lake Series #5,
GCTDY8- Larnaca Airport - Reverse Wherigo, Wherigo Cache,
GCAGWXH- A Clifftop Stroll, Multi,
GC7JFVT- Limassol Marina, Virtual,
GC9P7WT- Fleur De Lys Delivery Van, Virtual,
GCAJJDR
No comments:
Post a Comment