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I began my trip to Cyprus in the Troodos Mountains, exploring near the village where I was staying
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Cyprus is covered with trees in the protected Troodos Mountains
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The sky from Troodos Square, at the foot of another mountain named Olympus
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It felt like a mountain park in Italy or Hungary
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I decided to head left for Kykkos Monastery
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From the gallery, looking toward the main church at Kykkos
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Thanks to visits to other monasteries, I know this is a "bell"
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Pretty impressive for the back door!
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Christ is on the right, but on the left? After all the time I've spent in what was Byzantium, you'd think I could better identify saints
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Kykkos seems in very good condition. I wonder how long the monastery has been here.
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From Kykkos, I took a minor road as a shortcut to the village of Omdos -- asphalt gave way to rock gave way to dirt... wasn't sure I'd get through
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I could have enjoyed the beauty more if I hadn't been worried about not getting through (and then having to return in the dark!)
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Safely arrived in Omdos, I discover the center of the village is too done up for my taste so I went straight through
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The vineyards south of Omdos
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And back to my lovely home for three days, Apokryfo
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Sunset from my doorway over the village of Lofou
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Setting out for my post-breakfast walk in the village
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Lofou is delightful at every turn
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The village appears to have been built in the 40s and 50s
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The flags of the EU, Greece, and Greek Cyprus adorn the alley
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The only terrace with activity at 9:00 in the morning
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Probably the most charming terrace on Lofou's main street
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One of Lofou's fathers presumably
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Blue doors, green vines, and gray stones
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A picturesque quince
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On the second day I had to back down the lane to the left to allow another Apokryfo guest through -- their part of the road was even harder to back up along
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Apokryfo's hearth
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Most of Pafos looked like a tourist trap, but Kato Pafos was a peaceful escape to another age
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From the entry to the lighthouse, the main road through Kato Paphos
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About the House of Aion -- now I know where the word "eon" comes from
