After a quick tour of Nicosia we headed for the South-East coast with the beautiful beaches and trendy bars.

Good times with the Poullis clan in Nicosia. Families are growing, and the seeds are back safe (literally)!

Another visit to memory-lane! We used to camp here, back in the late 80’s. Now, everything has changed, except of course the water and the rocks.

Quite the moving reunion. How not to! I saw cousins I haven’t seen for ages. I saw their kids that grew up. Spent the night with my daughter Aliki and her friend.
I love you all. It’s been awesome to see you all and reconnect.

Going back to our unique camping spot at the Baths of Aphrodite area was both cleansing and moving. Takis Takkas is gone, but I could still feel his presence everywhere. His youngest daughter, now in her 30’s, was then only a newborn baby.

According to the legend, Petra tou Romiou (Πέτρα του Ρωμιού – Rock of the Greek) is the site of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite (aka Venus).

The present name Petra tou Romiou  associates the place with the exploits of the hero Basil as told in the Digenes Akritas. Basil was half-Greek (Romios) and half-Arabic, hence the name Digenes (two-blood). Legend tells that the Christian Basil hurled the huge rock from the Troodos Mountains to keep off the invading Saracens.

Petra tou Romiou is a famous Cyprus landmark, widely depicted on post cards and tourist brochures.

Petra tou Romiou

Up at the tourist pavilion

Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, emerging from the foam in this very area.

Up at the tourist pavilion

Up at the tourist pavilion

Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, emerging from the foam in this very area.

Up at the tourist pavilion

Kourion (Greek: Κούριον) or Latin: Curium, is an ancient Greek city on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, the surrounding Kouris River Valley being occupied from at least the Ceramic Neolithic period (4500-3800 BCE) to the present. The most significant excavated remains on the acropolis of Kourion are dated to the Hellenistic to Early Byzantine periods. In the mid-1st century Christianity was introduced to Kourion, presumably by Saints Paul and Barnabas during Paul’s first missionary journey.

Despite the scorching heat at noon, we walk around the theater and enjoy the spectacular views of the sea shore below. In every corner Paress asks: “Daddy, is this new? Is that new?” She is pointing to the modern spotlights, to the modern stage, the aluminum rail bars. “No honey, there was no electricity back then, 2500 years ago”. I think she is now beginning to grasp the notion of 2500 years of history …

Ancient Theater, Kourion

Paress was chasing a lizard!

Spectacular view from up there!

Spectacular view!

Really like the new roof protective shield!

Paress was impressed with the floor mosaics!

Floor mosaic.

Floor mosaics. Nowadays, we only choose carpets...

New protective roof. Really liked it!

Modern stage. Theater and concerts still going strong!

Paress was chasing a lizard!

Spectacular view from up there!

Spectacular view!

Really like the new roof protective shield!

Paress was impressed with the floor mosaics!

Floor mosaic.

Floor mosaics. Nowadays, we only choose carpets...

New protective roof. Really liked it!

Modern stage. Theater and concerts still going strong!

On our way to Aphrodite’s Baths, I couldn’t resist stopping by the Kolossi Castle in Limassol and offer Paress a unique opportunity to visit and actually enter a real castle!

Kykkos Monastery, founded around the end of the 11th century (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Κύκκου or Κύκκος), is one of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus. Big thanks to my dear cousin Marios for driving us there, up on the Troodos mountains.

Mackenzie Beach in Larnaka was always beautiful. Now ever better, with a lavish bar scene!

What a day! First live soccer match for Paress! Big “thank you” to my cousin Sophocles Poullis.

We have arrived to my birthplace, the island of Aphrodite, Goddess of love and beauty. Cyprus, a golden – green leaf, thrown in the Mediterranean Sea…

Zografou, 30 years later. Time stood still. Scenes from my student years jumping out from every corner. Moving reunions with my cousin Helen and her family, as well as my buddy Spyros.

Heraion, a place touched by Gods! I thought I was Greek. Now I am a Hellen.

Amazing people, a children’s playground, friendships, family. Thank you all for opening your home for us and for your love. We are waiting for you back in Canada.

On a sailboat to the island of Trizonia, then a ride through Nafpaktos and over the world-famous Rio-Antirrio bridge back to Aigion.

We were thrilled to see our dear friends Fotis and Kaiti up at the picturesque town of Aigion.

One year went by since we had the privilege to host them in Canada, along with the rest of the gang, and they haven’t changed a bit!

First night Fotis prepared this incredible pork roast, out in his courtyard-with-a-view. A secret marinate (which belongs to the local butcher) and an amazing, meticulous, 4-hour cooking process made this THE BEST pork roast I ever tried. Ever. Hands down!

For day-2 at Aigion, Fotis had arranged a sailboat ride with a local friend to the beautiful islands of Trizone, right across Aigion. More on this day here.

Aigion

On the way

At Fotis' house

Dinner with a view!

Traditional oven

Traditional oven in the courtyard.

Stunning sea view!

That's how it's done!

Rotisserie, Fotis-style

Fotis is breading tons of birds

View from Fotis home, Aigion

View from Fotis home, Aigion

Outside Fotis' home

Outside Fotis' home

Outside Fotis' home

Happiness Street

With Apostolos, Fotis and Dimitris Kontis (Navarchos)

On the way

At Fotis' house

Dinner with a view!

Traditional oven

Traditional oven in the courtyard.

Stunning sea view!

That's how it's done!

Rotisserie, Fotis-style

Fotis is breading tons of birds

View from Fotis home, Aigion

View from Fotis home, Aigion

Outside Fotis' home

Outside Fotis' home

Outside Fotis' home

Happiness Street

With Apostolos, Fotis and Dimitris Kontis (Navarchos)

Mission Accomplished! Paress has experienced The Rock. All the magic, the awe and the pride.

Sun. Light. People. Beach. Swimming. Greece.

Embarking on an epic journey. What lies around the bend?