Letters from Cyprus: Anna's birthday, and an escape to the Karpas

Last Sunday we celebrated Anna's 4th birthday. The event was much anticipated by Anna, and she dutifully counted down sleeps for the weeks leading up to the day. She had a party with some friends on Saturday, and then we celebrated the actual day with a trip to the mountains. Birthday presents this year included a guitar and also a bike, so she did very well. When she went to choose the bike, there was a choice between a nice girls bike with butterflies and pink ribbons, or a bmx style boys bike called 'the Aggressor'. Suffice to say 'the Aggressor' won hands down! Hmm, I wonder what this tells us about Anna? She loves all things active, and spends her days at the moment constantly bouncing a basketball around the house (sorry Menaka who lives downstairs!).

A happy 4th birthday Anna!

The party

A day in the Troodos mountains last Sunday. Our church
has a parish in the mountains that only operates in summer.

Angus testing out the ski slopes on his bike

We had a public holiday for May Day last Wednesday, followed by Orthodox Easter this weekend, so at the moment we're in the midst of a 6 day break. We've just returned from spending some time up in the north east of Cyprus, in a region called the Karpas Peninsula. This is by far the remotest part of the island, and sits within the occupied north. It's a region of spectacular beaches and coastline that is largely undeveloped, although in some ways is as dysfunctional as it is beautiful. Infrastructure for visitors is fairly basic, and it's hard to get around without atleast some basic Turkish language.

Ruins at Agios Filion, Oasis Beach. Karpas Peninsula

We stayed in couple of places on the Karpas, both of which were on the beach and comprised of basic wooden shacks with beds. Meals were taken restaurants overlooking spectacular bays, although the standard menu selection of shish, fish or chips started to wear a little thin towards the end of our visit. Whilst on the Karpas we spent time at an old Greek Orthodox monastery and church called Apostolos Andreas, which is is a pilgrimage site for Greeks from the south on a few significant occasions each year. The monastery is reputed to be the sight of numerous miracles throughout history, but is now quite run down. The Apostle Paul spent time there on one of his seagoing voyages, along with various other saints. Fresh water flows from a spring beneath the monastery, which is located on the coast very close to the north east tip of Cyprus.

Probably the best known location in the north is Golden Beach, which is a spectacular stretch of sand used by turtles for nesting at various times of the year. We also spent time in a small village called Dipkarpas, noteworthy due to the fact that it's one of the very few places in the north where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continue to co-exist. Dipkarpas is also quite run down, and on one side of the main street there is a Greek cafe, and on the other a Turkish cafe. Likewise a large mosque and an old Orthodox church lie in close proximity.

The future of the Karpas Peninsula is uncertain. There is growing pressure on development along the peninsula, with significant related concerns about the environmental impacts of unregulated development and a general lack of planning. It's certainly a part of the world that would have huge potential if it was developed well, but in many ways its isolation may also help to protect it.

We have really enjoyed a change of scenery this weekend, and it's been great to get in the water again. Also with the kids currently on school holidays, it was good to get away. A long summer awaits!