A Grand Day Out

We had our second organised tour today. There were only 16 of us in a mini bus. Much better than 42 of us in the big bus on Monday.
It began with short photo stop at a viewing point above Aphrodite’s rock. Different from Monday’s Aphrodite shot.
The bus drove alongside a couple of UK Military bases. I hadn’t realised there was more than one.
Ancient Kourion was an important City on the South-Western coast of Cyprus in the 12th century BC. There were lots of Grecian mosaics to see, along with ruins and a stone theatre (that’s a one-sided viewing of a central stage, an amphitheater having a viewing area all around the stage). I double-checked on google. The stage at Kourion is still used for productions today. There was a team setting stage lighting up today. Very impressive. Imagine watching a performance with the sea as a backdrop.
Our next stop was Kolossi Castle, a former Crusader stronghold built in the 1200s. There was a pepper tree in the gardens. I didn’t see peppercorns but the leaves definitely smelled of pepper. The castle was small but really quite well preserved. There were a few annoying people taking their time with posed selfies, no more on that one.
It was lunchtime before I knew it, and we headed up into the mountains into a small village. We entered into the Taverna Takis through a simple double door from a cobbled street. Many big, heavy dark oak beams supported the ceiling, and I’d say the decor was eclectic! The Meze began. Think small bites and big flavours. Tzatziki, a cabbage salad, tomato salad and bread to begin. Then more plates of sausage, stuffed vines leaves and a tomato, cheese and egg thing, I gave that one a miss. More plates followed, the owner bringing out a main course of chicken and chips. Fortunately the chicken pieces weren’t huge, they were very tasty. The chips looked like roast potatoes. Tom had roasted aubergine,courgettes and tomatoes. We all had a small piece of melon to finish with. I nearly forgot to say there was plenty of wine and water too. Needless to say we were all full.

Our last stop was Omodos village in the wine tasting area of the Island.
I found the religious building ostentatious. Women showing too much flesh were told to cover themselves up with a gown provided for them. I was advised to roll down the legs of my shorts. They really are not that short. The church is full of gold, silver and various religious relics. I was unimpressed.
I was more impressed with the wine tasting session. We were in a large stone barn with a medieval wine press in it. First the very dry white, followed by a red. Onto a delicious rose, very palatable, and subsequent offerings getting sweeter. Commandaria was next, which is a sweet dessert wine, a bit like sherry reaching alcohol levels of 15%. I enjoyed that too. Finally came a shot of ‘firewater’ called Zivania, I downed it in one and managed not to cough and splutter. It certainly was powerful.
We had some free time to wander around the little narrow cobbled streets, the boutiques and market. Tom and I found a shaded spot under an old large black mulberry tree in a tavern on the square. A great stop for an ice cold beer watching the world, and cats go by.
This has been my favourite day here.

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