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Happy Australia Day everyone!! Hope you all had a couple of drinks for me and had a great day!
Another big day today. I started off by checking out the Paphos Byzantine museum. Small, but a good collection. Also houses the oldest painting in Cyprus... It was of a saint being tortured. Not so nice. The funny thing about the museum was that I was the only one there. The old caretaker had to come with me and flick all the lights on along the way. I think either out of boredom or loneliness he also decided to stay with me and give me a guided commentary. Thank you Andreas, it was good.
After the museum it was off to see the tombs of the kings. This is an archaeological site of about 2km where you can explore lots of ancient underground tombs. Not really tombs of kings, but of nobles and the wealthy. Named kings though because they are so impressive and large. Also situated right on the waterfront which gave some good views.
Lunch time I drove to Polis, which is a small town only 40kms from Paphos. Also seaside and is really just on the other side of the peninsula to Paphos. No hostels here so I'm staying at another budget hotel. Can't believe my luck with these places... 25 euros a night and I have a small apartment with my own balcony, kitchen and huge bathroom. Right in centre of "town" too. Will upload photos.
This afternoon I went to the Baths of Aphrodite. So, according to Greek mythology, Aphrodite was washed ashore on the beaches here at Polis. Aphrodite remains the patron goddess of Cyprus, and they even have something here called "the cult of Aphrodite". So anyway, the baths of Aphrodite is a small rock pool with water trickling down everywhere, and is supposed to be where aphrodite... Wait for it... Bathed.
From the baths of Aphrodite I decided there would be no more Australian way to finish the day off than with a walk. Did the trail of Aphrodite which is a 7.5km walk up the nearby mountain in the Arkamas national park. Was so hard!! This may have also been because I think at one point I ended up on a goat trail rather than the actual path. Every time I was stopped on the side of the trail clutching my side there was sure to be a goat trotting past me, giving me these looks that quite clearly said "come on doughboy, it's not that hard". It was that hard. Although I am proud to say I finished the trail in 2.5 hours rather than the 3.5 I was told it would take. I'll be doing iron woman championships next. Just wait.
The trail also had spectacular views and I got some nice pics of the peninsular which I will upload soon.
Anyway, happy Australia Day and love to all:)
- comments
Blackers Hah you'll be a different person by the time you get back - between mountain climbing, vegetarian diet and chilling with monks! Looks like you got out of Egypt at the right time - have you heard about the huge protests in Cairo? How long till you get back into the country? Bring me back a Cyprus pine, ok?