Alsadventurescont.d

 Following a short, grey break normally referred to as the British summer, it is time to continue on to exploring new countries and strange places. 

The jetting off point is Cyprus - hardly unknown territory but a hire car and extra travel insurance allowed us into the north. It is referred to by many names depending on your historical roots, religious ties or political bias. To me it's Northern Cyprus. 

The best route to follow is the coastal roads. These have been gradually replaced by EU subsidized new roads in many cases, so not quite as rural as before. The scruffiness is gradually being replaced and the landscape is filling up with horribly modern new builds. However, who can refuse a water park included in the accommodation’s facilities. The inner child is still live and kicking.

Caesars Water Park

Andreas Apostoles Monastery is the obvious location for any trip to the North. The route goes up the eastern side of the country then switches cross country to the northern coast. The road is guarded by feral donkeys, who charge one carrot. If you don't pay, they block the route and threaten to whip off the vehicles wing mirrors.

Feral Guard Donkey



Cyprus' north coast is home to loggerhead and green back turtles, who lay eggs every year in the same place. The turtlettes hatch and make their way from nests on the high tide mark, down to the sea and onwards onto their own adventures. 

The beaches are spectacular from afar. Closer up, the high tide areas are covered with tiny chips of plastic and all kinds of rubbish. The sea itself is full of floating plastics debris. Goodness knows how the turtles cope with it all. We missed them by a week or so but saw remnants of hundreds of shells and hollows in the sand and loads of sand lilies, which seem to live on fresh air.


Sand Lilies


Moving west along the coast, it is obligatory to explore the castles built along the cliff tops. Kantara Castle is impressive but the 700 steps up to Buffaventa Castle were fortunately well worth the trip as well. Spectacular views towards Turkey with great archery slots to shoot the marauding masses (don't worry, no history lesson coming). Looking southwards, you can just about make out Larnaca over the huge plains in central Cyprus. 

Kantara Castle

Buffavento Castle


A couple of days in the area provides a bit of time to explore the lovely Abbey at Bellapais and see the Tree of Idleness, which looked a great place to drink coffee, play back gammon and look busy.

Tree of Idleness


Moving on to the west of the north coast is a quiet town, Kormakitis, a former Greek Cypriot village, home to the maronite community. The local people have their own language and history and are struggling to ensure their continued existence. Meeting a couple of locals and chatting about their traditions and lifestyles was fascinating. They have a radio station, poetry programmes and a lively community creating a real desire to follow their progress

The northern adventure carried on to the most westerly tip, only accessible by 4 wheel drive unless you have a hire car. Great rocky coastline and fabulous views from the mountain top roads out to sea. Not for the faint hearted.

Border crossings should not stop anyone from crossing north to south. What a great start to the next adventure.



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