Back from Cyprus armed with pics!

Yes, the Lancashire Lass is back on her home soil, albeit 12 hours later than planned (XL Airways, NEVER again! :p ), and I've had a really fantastic time in Cyprus. We really needed this break, what with Tia's progressing illness and other things on top of that, and it truly was relaxing and enjoyable, even in the searing heat. We hit 44 degrees C one day! I took plenty of pics, but waaaay too many to post on the boards, so I give you a selection as an insight into my holiday. :)

Our villa was gorgeous. My family isn't really the time to take the usual package holiday and we don't like hotel atmosphere, so we usually rent a villa as far away from town life as possible to get some peace and relaxation! We stayed in an estate known as the Secret Valley, just south of Paphos. And we woke up to a most spectacular views over the dusty terrain each morning.

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Paphos itself is a pretty busy place, especially at night with all the nightclubs blaring, so we preferred to visit only in the afternoon hours to have a drink in Kato Paphos, by the harbour.

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We hired a car and did a lot of travelling, some of the best of which was spent in the Troodos mountain range, trying to manouvre through tiny villages one minute then driving along clifftop B roads the next!

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The views were stunning.

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This is one pretty little house on the hill...

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...especially when this is your front garden!

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Staring out over these huge creations of nature suddenly makes one feel pretty small, as I demonstrate here!

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Many more to come...

Now the village of Troodos, secluded in the centre of the mountains, produces the best honey roasted cashew nuts I have ever tasted in my life, I just could not stop eating the darn things. They were so moreish that my mum and I went back on the second to last day and bought about two months supply which cost us C£19! The most we're ever likely to spend on nuts. :p

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A real highlight was catching a glimpse of the rare and hard to spot Mouflon wild sheep. This was probably the best pic I got of them, they were very timid and even the lightest footstep wold send them moving deeper into the undergrowth.

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Plus we also got to see a goat herder cross his herd of about 800+ across the road (yup, we waited a loooong time!)

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We stopped by just south of Polis and were wowed by the beautiful sea views there.

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Having said that, the secluded coastlines within walking distance of our villa weren't to be outdone...

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...in fact we were staying near the birthplace of the ancient goddess Aphrodite herself! Can't be bad!

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Still more...

There were such interesting rock formations, such as this at Pissouri Bay:

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We also visited the Tombs of the Kings, ancient burial sites of the gentry, although rather foolishly we ended up visiting at midday, and had to abandon the trip within half an hour before we all collapsed with heat exhaustion. Tee hee.

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But then here's something a little more stupid! I couldn't go without riding for two weeks, so I booked a lesson for an advanced rider. Now, two years ago in Turkey, I had gone on an advanced trek along the coast, and had worn shorts to do so, as the saddles were almost western style and very comfortable. I presumed Cyprus would be the same. Big Oops.

The saddles rubbed my legs raw in my cropped pants and I was in severe discomfort for a few days. Now I just have two whopping great scabs on the inside of each leg. >.< So, my riding was pants as I couldn't hold a leg position without it biting into my skin. I know there's a million and one things I'm doing wrong in these pics, but ah well. It didn't help when the pony spooked when I was working without stirrups and galloped around uncontrollably for a few minutes, leaving me clinging on with my legs (rubbing them more) and trying to stop him jumping over the 4 foot fences in the arena!!

The things I do for flamin' horses! :p

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We payed a visit to the city of Limassol, which I didn't think much of. It was all very built up and crammed with people, but an experience none the less. Here's me looking out over the coast of Limassol.

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We did however spot a pelican having a rest on a speed boat on Lady's Mile Beach, so even in high-rise places, wildlife thrives!

Just a few more...

Meeee! Hehe. Looking a little weary after returning from a late dinner in my new minidress.

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Now you'll like these next pics!

We payed a visit to the local cat sanctuary, and I think it really was the highlight of the trip for me. What beats being in the sun, by the sea, and surrounded by purring cats???

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With my brother and most of the residents at the sanctuary. You can guess where most of our holiday pocket money went. ;)

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Well, that's all! Hope the pics truly showed what a magnificent country Cyprus is if you look beyond the boozy nightlife. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Zara

Great pics Zara! I really enjoy the pics of your vacations since you visit such cool places. They were all fantastic, thanks for sharing.

Great pics! The cat santuary looks awesome, Cyprus is just beautiful from the pics you posted, and I absolutely LOVE your dress.. totally gorgeous!!

Sounds like the vacation of a lifetime, Zara! Cyprus certainly looks like a beautiful country. The cat sanctuary looks very fun, what sweet cats!

It looks beautiful in Cyprus! Thanks for sharing with us Zara! :)

Wow, Zara - you look JUSt like your mom! Great pictures, fabulous scenery by the way, and the kitty sanctuary looks like a wonderful place, too.

Wow it was like I just went on a vacation and back with all those pictures:p What wonderful pics you got and I would have just loved that cat sanctuary to pieces.:D

It's so good to see you had a wonderful vacation. I don't get vacation so someday I hope I can go to a far away place like that to enjoy.:)

Very nice pics!

I lived in Cyprus for two years and seeing your pics brought back a lot of memories. I love the island, thanks for sharing!

Thanks everyone! Karen, a lot of people mistake my mother and I for sisters, seeing as now I'm actualy a whole inch taller than her. :p