Tag Archives: culture

Rewarding Pedieos – 11 Feb.

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The beauty and impressiveness of the Pedieos gorge was not eclipsed on Sunday 11 February by a rather dull, mostly cloudy weather. A large group of Strollers set off to enjoy the abundant waters of the Pedieos river, winding its way down from the Mahairas mountains. We delighted in the naturally hewn rocks of the gorge and the pretty Ragged Robin purple flowers. After an uphill path we reached the Afxentiou hide out and some minutes later the Mahairas Monastery where we rested and had our picnic. Strollers, as always, shared their sandwiches, fruit and treats, before setting off for the return to the start point. This was another demanding but worthwhile hike in the beautiful and already spring-like countryside of Cyprus. Compliments to Patrick for leading the outing and writing this summary, and to Clara for the photos. Join us on 17 Feb. at Delikipos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/delikipos-hike-17-feb/

Tough Hike – Palekhori 3 Feb.

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The Cyprus Strollers took the challenge of a tough hike on Saturday 3 February, on the mountains of Palekhori. The terrain varied from soil to rock, and much of the path was along ridges, alternating between uphill and downhill. These conditions brought out the best in participants! Our large group once more welcomed new members, and all delighted to see the almond tree flowers, crocus flowers and the panoramic views. Compliments to Stalo for leading this outing and to Clara, Christine and Stella for the photos. Join us on 11 Feb along Pedieos gorge https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pedieos-gorge-mahairas-monastery-11-feb/

ants nest

Oroklini sands – 28 Jan.

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On Sunday 28 January, under blue skies, the Cyprus Strollers met again for the quintessential strolling experience along the coast of Oroklini, east of Larnaca. The sea, sand and sun delivered the Cyprus component, while the flat terrain was practically created for Strollers. The 4km waterfront section offered the group an 8km-long roundtrip opportunity to rest their eyes on the calm sea, and to admire touching expressions of nature from the community of seagulls, to scattered shells and a rare splash of fiery flowers on the beach. The comfortable route lent itself to conversation, as new Strollers were introduced to regulars, and friends chatted and caught up on one another’s news, snapping photos along the way. A fish and seafood meal at a nearby restaurant concluded this sea-focused day. Compliments to Maria for leading this outing, to Dina for composing this summary and to Nana, Ramzi and Nicos for the photos.

With activities like this, the Cyprus Strollers make a clear statement: this is a club for everyone, kids included, as every season’s schedule includes a few easy walks that allow the young or untrained participants to join the group and gradually ‘mature’ into enthusiastic mountain hikers. Join us on 3 Feb. at Palekhori https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/palekhori-appis-trail-3-feb/

 

Cape Rambling – 20 Jan.

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Whenever the Cyprus Strollers head to Cape Greco, this seaside trail attracts not only the regular hikers but also a number of new and occasional strollers. And this week’s hike was a case in point. The large group once again brought together different ages, nationalities, and hiking temperaments, which translated into an extended chain of Strollers that snaked its way around the serene, unspoiled and protected cape that defines the southeastern coast of Cyprus.

Our walk started at the Sea Caves, the most popular landmark of the area, and ended at the seafront chapel of Agioi Anargyroi, with steps leading to the legendary hermit’s cave below. Measuring 8km from start to finish and back, this trail is as rugged as it is gentle; part rocky – forcing you to watch every step – and part effortlessly winding its way through the abundant shrubs of the region. En route we passed a natural stone bridge, as well as vertical stone walls that could have been plucked out of a rock climbing textbook. Smaller gems on the ground also caught the eye: the ground-hugging mandrake, fragrant thyme bushes, miniature wild flowers, and fascinating sea sponge fossils. The real magic, however, was the sapphire sea, our constant companion, glittering in the sun under the clearest of blue skies. At times, the sprawling landscape made it difficult to recognize the trail; special compliments to walk leader Patrick for marking the tricky points with his signature rock mounds, and for identifying a small taverna, which enabled us to conclude the outing with a nice meze lunch. Compliments to Dina for this succulent summary and to Nana, Clara and Nicos for the photos. Join us on 28 Jan. at Oroklini https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/oroklini-dhekelia-coastline-walk-28-jan/

Vasilopitta United – 14 Jan.

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A very large group of Strollers, from countries so diverse as India, Japan, Lebanon, Canada, USA, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Ireland, England, Greece and Cyprus, combined hiking with poetry at Lythrodontas on Sunday 14 January, and welcomed the new year and our new season of strolling, in style, with the cutting and sharing of Vasilopitta. Compliments to Clara for her generous offer of Vasilopitta, as well as the gift of a book of poems by Constantine Cavafy, which was won by Stavros. Best wishes to the lucky man and to all for your patience at dinner! Compliments to Maria and Antonia for the photos. Join us on 20 Jan. at Cape Greco https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/cape-greco-sea-caves-trail-20-jan/

To Hike and Hike – a Wonderful New Year’s Resolution – Selladi 7 Jan.

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A large group of Strollers, many newcomers among us, gathered at Selladi Karamanli on Sunday 7 January, determined to hike and hike and hike with their favourite club in 2018; can you think of a healthier new year’s resolution? Compliments to Clara for the photos. Join us on 14 Jan. in Lythrodontas https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/lythrodontas-2-hikes-14-jan/.

Terraces formation on slope

 

Happy New Year to Every Stroller!

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The Cyprus Strollers welcome the New Year and wish every Stroller and every follower health, peace and many pleasant hikes in 2018.

The Cyprus Strollers concluded their 7th season of activities, over October – December 2017, with lots to smile about:

12 hikes,

of which 5 new;

115 km walked,

for a total of 36 hours.

Cumulatively, over all 7 seasons, our accomplishment is as follows:

109 hikes,

1018 km walked,

for a total of 329 hours

of innumerable fun.

The new Schedule for January – May 2018 is published; you may download and study it here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-schedule/. There are 20 excursions planned, of which 6 are new; there are 12 walk Leaders in charge, which is a club record! Join us on 7 January for the start of the 8th season https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/selladi-karamanli-polystypos-linear-trail-7-jan/.

Pancyprian appeal of Pedieos – 16 Dec.

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Fine weather accompanied us on the Pedieos river trail, our final walk of 2017. A large group, not only from Nicosia but also Limassol, Larnaca, Aradippou and Paralimni put aside Christmas preparations and shopping, and gathered to walk for three hours along the river banks. Patrick led this pleasant stroll by tall eucalyptus trees, flowering bougainvillea and climbing vines.

Mid-way we stopped for a seasonal sweet – melomacarona – to wish everyone a happy Christmas. We rounded the occasion with another fabulous meze meal.

Finally, a thought from Yuya, one Japanese visiting Stroller. He says that he loves walking groups because they are people who get together with no other motives but to make friends and enjoy nature together. Compliments to Mary for this summary and to Maria, Koula and Clara for the photos.

We hope to see you all, young and old, from near or far, on our 2018 hikes, starting on 7 January. May you have a very merry Christmas and many more delightful walks in the new year, with your favourite club.

 

International Mountain Day Celebration – Kapedes 10 Dec.

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A truly international group, including new friends from Japan, Egypt and Syria, gathered for the hike to Agios Onoufrios on the Mahairas mountains. And what a fitting celebration of International Mountain Day this was!

As Xenophon reminded us mountains are under threat. He informed us of a global meeting in Rome taking place this week to consider the problem, and of our response and responsibilities to the sustainability of mountains.

There are no easy solutions. Yet our being on this hike and similar walks, enjoying the fresh air and the centuries-old trees, marvelling at the fecundity of nature, its abundance of plant and animal life, is in itself a way of ensuring sustainability. The more we love the mountains and the more time we spend in them, the more we are likely to protect them.

We delighted in the views of mountain peaks, autumnal colours, in finding wild mushrooms and mosfila. We were also saddened to see discarded plastic rubbish and hunters’ cartridges.

Our small international group at least is fully aware of the benefits and challenges. Mountains live long after us. Let’s continue to treasure them and do our part to preserve them. A small first step is to get out there, rejoice and be uplifted by their unrivalled beauty and majesty. Compliments to Mary for this write-up, and to Patrick and Clara for the photos. Join us on 16 Dec. at Pedieos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pedieos-river-banks-walk-16-dec/.

pine tree bowing

 

Mountains under pressure: climate, hunger and migration

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The Cyprus Strollers celebrated the International Mountain Day with a gathering on 10 Dec., in which the following message was shared with all.

The UN declared 2002 the International Year of Mountains. From 2003 onwards, 11 December, is celebrated as “International Mountain Day”.

Mountains cover 22 percent of the earth’s land surface, and 915 million people live in mountain areas. 90% of these 915 million mountain dwellers live in developing countries, and ~ 1/3 of these people are poor and vulnerable to food shortage and insecurity.

Our mountains are threatened by their population abandoning their homes, moving to urban environments. Another serious threat is climate change; as temperatures rise, mountain glaciers are melting, and this affects our freshwater supplies. Hence the theme for this year’s International Mountain Day is climate, hunger and migration.

Some 30 years ago, while this writer was living in Switzerland, it was a shock to learn that snow was no longer falling at the time it was customarily expected, and the tourism industry was employing artificial means to create snow for skiing. One may wonder “how do these phenomena affect one living in Cyprus”. The answer is that the entire globe is no larger than a village, as far as the breadth of climate degradation goes. Recall, over 20 persons died in floods in Athens last month.

“What can one do about it”, comes another voice. There are no simple answers, and a Global Meeting is taking place from 11 – 13 Dec. 2017 in Rome, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in sustainable mountain development. This Global Meeting is expected to launch a framework to support concrete actions. It is not easy.

Having said this, at a personal, individual level, each one can continue acting responsibly, influencing others and, finally, not losing faith. As Jesus said to his disciples, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, chapter 17: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as one grain of mustard, you can say to this mountain ‘move from here to there’, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”