Cyprus Sun with Darren, Laura & Lesley

 Cyprus Sun 

The sun was shinning and we couldn't wait to make a splash in the huge hotel swimming pool. 

A full day’s sightseeing in and around the Troodos Mountains was our plan for the day. We learnt that Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Cyprus and in wintertime you can ski down its slopes in the morning and swim in the sea at Limassol in the afternoon. Impressive indeed! Our first stop was in the old town in Nicosia, where we walked alongside the city walls and found a delightful cafe for a morning coffee. Then it was time to get back on the bus to visit the mountain village of Kakopetria. It was very pretty indeed. Houses built with the lower part stone, topped with beautiful wooden verandas. Everywhere we looked we saw beautiful, colourful flowers in pots, lots of sleepy cats and kittens and ducks scratting around for food. The steep road was cobbled and the decorations inside the church left us in awe of their beauty. From here we got back in the coach and drove higher into the Troodos Mountains where we could view the very top of Mount Olympus. 

We rewarded ourselves with a tasty ice cream treat...we were on holiday after all. 

Most evenings you would find us at one of the local bars which always had a brilliant selection of tribute acts and bands. We loved dancing the night away to some of our favourite songs.

An excited group headed down to the harbour where we boarded our boat with some of us sitting on the lower deck, some on the top sun deck making the most of the views. Our boat was called Ayias Trias 3 and its captain and crew extended a very warm welcome to us. We cruised along the Protaras coast, spotting our hotel on the beach as we sailed by. 

Our first stop was to view large caves from the boat, one of which had been used as a church and still had various pictures of saints hanging from its walls. A little further along the coast we were able to take close up photos of Lovers Bridge, a place popular to visit by newlyweds and couples. Then it was time for the first of 2 swim stops. The captain weighed the anchor to allow passengers to have a swim in the turquoise blue Mediterranean Sea. A few brave passengers lowered themselves down the ladders at the end of the boat, including James and Darren. James swam laps around the boat and posed for his photo to be taken. 

We loved joining in with the morning aqua aerobics class which was set to lively music and the very enthusiastic instructor had us following his energetic moves. Some of us liked the more relaxing approach and topped up their tans on the sun loungers.

The hotel put on a  traditional show - The Fire Fakir Show. We watched in amazement as the artist put burning sticks in his mouth, and also twirled them around his body. Fire was everywhere and the flames on the sticks got bigger and bigger. We watched holding our breath at his daredevil stunts. 

We couldn't get enough of the swimming pool, practising our swimming and playing games. The beach was a hit with the boys and they couldn't believe how warm the sea was.