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We're going on another tour today: to Troodos, the central mountains.

Cyprus 2002 - part VI.

Eric
2005-12-02 17:59:37

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We're going on another tour today: to Troodos, the central mountains.
Kakopetria

This time in a large comfortable tour bus. In fact there are two buses: one for the Swedes and one for the Danes. It isn't as intimate or "private" as yesterday, but OK. We visit a few mountain villages and an old church from year ca. 1000. Sct. Nicolaos or something like that.

I've never been particularly interested in churches, however the painted walls are indeed impressive, and the guide explains that the church lies off the beaten track, almost hidden, because Cyprus was plagued by Arabian pirates when the church was built.

We do more driving than seeing, but the guide talks non-stop about Cyprus and the local culture. For instance I didn't know that it is quite common with 2-3000 guests at a wedding!

In the village Agros we visit a family business (factory) that produces rose oil, rose water, rose liqueur and rose brandy! The liqueur in particular had a very intense flavour. Helle and many others buy some get-pretty-water and - sensibly - some firewater too.

After lunch Agros Agros Agros Still for rose-oil At the rose-oil factory

Yes, the mountains are beautiful at this time of year, and you notice the many terraces. Not house-terraces, but shelves up the mountainsides. Laboriously built "stairs" which must be the work of generations. On many you see vine cut low and still without leaves. Harvesting must be hard work, because you cannot use machines, and there are small ladders used for climbing from one shelf to the next.

On the tour are the 4 elderly ladies from our hotel. Three of them use sticks, and one must admire their courage and willpower to go on a mountain tour despite their handicaps. They get more than one helping hand and explain that they are old school friends who have travelled together for many years. They still do, obviously, ...