Feb 11
Almost anyone coming to Cyprus as a tourist visits Petra Tou Romio also known as the Aphrodite’s rock, the place where Aphrodite was born out of foam. If you are not interested in mythology, you can still visit this place for its scenic beauty.
You can go to Aphrodite’s rock from the highway between Limassol and Pafos. The exit then goes for a while along the sea before coming to the parking for the actual place. You then cross the road through a under-bridge and come out onto the beach where you can see the actual rock.
Just as you reach the sea, you will see few viewpoints where you can stop and enjoy the work of nature on the limestone cliffs.
If you have the energy and time, you can do a bit of exploring. Just before the first viewpoint, there is a narrow path down to the beach. If no path exists, just scramble down. Then, keep going to the left until see rock formations. They are beautiful and you can spend hours climbing the cliffs and going inside the small caves formed by the cliffs.
If you are not the kind who enjoys climbing all the rocks, just sit back and enjoy the beautiful sunset on this beach.
written by Rajaram S
Mar 17
There are many abandoned villages in Cyprus, some of which were abandoned during 1974 conflict and many abandoned due to natural reasons like landslides or earthquakes. You can find many such villages in the Pafos mountains. Mathikoloni is relatively closer to Limassol and is considered by many to one of the more beautiful ones to explore.
We had been to Mathikoloni many years ago. So, we decided to check out the place again 2 weeks back along with Harish and Anith. Actually the plan was to just stopover at Mathikoloni and drive through a mountain road to Akrounta near Yermasoyia dam.
To go to Mathikoloni, you have to take the Agios Athanasios exit on Jumbo/Linopetra roundabout. You cross the Agios Athanasios and climb towards Mathikoloni which is around 11kms away. Once you reach the village, take a right from the main road and go into the village. Keep going on this road and you will cross the new settlement and at the end of the road, you will see dirty signboard marked as “Akrounta – 5 km”. This road is pretty narrow and it is difficult to take a U-turn at any point. The road starts as being paved and it is paved for most of the distance. You drive down into the valley and there you have lot of photo opportunities with lot of greenery and mountains on both sides of the road.
Even Akshara (who has become a veteran of road trips now!) seemed to enjoy this drive down the narrow lanes. My mom, on the other hand, held on to the seat very tightly in the hope that the slope would lead to another road 
After a while, the paved road gives way to earthern road which at points looks pretty bad. But, rest assured that this road is definitely navigable and you (whether you drive or not) will enjoy this short road trip. The road finally leads to Akrounta (Don’t turn towards Spitali) which is just a few kms north of Yermasoyia.
written by Rajaram S
