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Monday morning we wake up with a brightly shining sun. Today we want to drive to Nicosia, across the Troodos and the Plain of Mesaoria.
Cyprus - part II
Elisabeth & Teije2004-03-06 13:06:19
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Monday 19 February, Nicosia, Khirokitia
Monday morning we wake up with a brightly shining sun. Today we want to drive to Nicosia, across the Troodos and the Plain of Mesaoria. Then on to the east side of the island and back to the south coast.
Descending the Troodos mountains, we arrive on the plateau of Mesaoria, with an outlook on the Kyrenia mountains. This mountain range is 90 km. long and goes through the Turkish part of the island. It reaches heights of 1000 meters.
One can only visit the Turkish part by flying directly into that part, or from Nicosia with a visa for one day. To the right the UN borderpost at Deneia. There are almost no villages and the land looks entirely empty. We are too short here to get a visa and restrict our visit to the Greek southern part of Cyprus.
Nicosia has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century and has approximately 175,000 inhabitants. Like Berlin used to be, the city is divided by a wall, the Green Line, which is guarded by UN soldiers.
On a certain moment we enter a narrow street with a chain lying on the ground. Within 15 seconds an armed soldier pushes us back, to the main street. They could have set up the chain in a more clear way, we think.
Walking along the wall, Turkish kids continuously yell at us, but we can't understand them. Later we are told they hope for us to throw cigarettes to them, or even money.
After a long walk through the Greek part, we have a break in one of the many parks Nicosia possesses. Nicosia certainly is worth visiting; it has many museums and a scenic old center with small alleys. Walking through them is a special experience.
Leaving Nicosia to the south, we take secondary roads towards Larnaka. There is a highway, but we avoid it as much as possible to see more of the countryside. However, at the end of the afternoon we have to hurry, for we also want to visit the excavation
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See photographs from:
Cyprus Gallery
