Tag Archives: excursions

The Cyprus Strollers in Numbers

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At the doorstep of our 7th Season of Activities, commencing 1st October 2017, the Cyprus Strollers take a look at the 6 memorable Seasons past, and cheerfully declare our performance in numbers:

96 excursions
902 kilometres walked
293 hours of hiking

We take the opportunity to extend our thanks to all Strollers who have contributed to this accomplishment. Come back to this website on September 4, to read and download the Activities Schedule for October – December 2017, and discover Hiking made Pleasant and the many thrills it brings.

If you are inspired to add a comment to this message, please write your comment here, for all to read.

Wisdom of the Mountains – a Poem

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The following poem is contributed by Christos, a regular Stroller. It is titled “Wisdom of the Mountains”. The photo was taken by Christos, one morning on Madari, as the moon was setting, earlier this month. Have you got a contribution to make?

There are no words when reaching the top.
There are no words while climbing towards your goal.
There are no words when you stop, turn your body, focusing, looking and experiencing a glorious sunset.
There are no words when you are hungry and eat a simple bread.
There are no words when you are thirsty and drinking the humble water.
There are no words when hugging your fellow traveller.
There are no words when changing clothes after sweating.
There are no words when you are lost and you have to decide, you then have to trust your instinct. It is the only thing you’ve got.
Even the steepest side becomes easy when we create a zigzag path.

Believe that the top is the only purpose and you then miss the journey. The real purpose of climbing is just to climb.
Believe that the journey is the only purpose and you then miss the top. The real purpose of climbing is to reach the top.

There are endless routes to the Top. Our route is only one of them, not “The One”.
Mountain is not good or bad, tall or short, green or brown. Like life they are what they are. New, every second.
There are no words, when feeling the mountain.
There are no words, when walking in the mountain.
There are no words……

Encore! Chanted the Strollers at the Finale – 28 May

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The excursion of Sunday 28 May at Almyrolivado, on Troodos mountain, marked the finale of the Jan-May 2017 season. The mood was joyful throughout the two hikes and the picnic that followed. The highlight of the day came at the end, when Christina presented a cake made for the occasion, to sweeten our teeth and seal the fond memories. All participants exchanged wishes for the summer period, and expressed the desire to meet up over the summer. The club also welcomed new members, and said goodbye to Kate, who returns to her teaching job in the USA. Compliments to Christina for the cake and to Koula for the photos.

Juniper 500 years 16 m 1.42m diameter

tree burnt by thunder

admiring a long view

Unrepeatable Platres – 21 May

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‘The nightingales won’t let you sleep in Platres’, wrote famous Greek poet George Seferis (1900-1971). The singing of the birds along our hike of Sunday 21 May is just one of the reasons that made this excursion unrepeatable. There was also the music of the water flowing in Kryos Potamos river; the waterfall at Caledonian; the richness of vegetation, tall and low; the orchids; the fragrances, including that of curry from Helichrysum italica/Everlasting; the cool air; the impressive views of the village of Platres from the slopes of Pouziaris; the quality of the group of Strollers, including 3 elementary school kids and 4 dogs. But more than everything else, this specific outing will last in our memories as the trail discovered by Lowell, and led by him for the last time; we thank Lowell and wish him best of luck as he leaves Cyprus for his next assignment, at the end of this summer. Compliments to Nana and Marios for the photos. Join us on 28 May at Troodos for an end of season hike https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-almyrolivado-2-hikes-sunday-28-may/

Majestic Waterfall and Views – 2 Hikes 13 May

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A spectacular sight greeted the Strollers below the picturesque village of Platres on Saturday, 13 May. The Myllomeris waterfall is apparently the tallest in Cyprus with a 15 metre drop, and its effect on us was mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. Some Strollers stood on the bridge, others perched on rocks and tree trunks, but everyone’s eyes were riveted on the tumbling, sparkling iridescence falling into a clear pool below. There was such joy and energy in that body of water cascading down the rocks!
We eventually dragged ourselves away for our second stroll at Kampos Livadiou near Troodos. Here tall dark pines gave us welcome shade with occasional open views towards Morphou. It was a circular even path but tricky to find at times, however Xenophon, expert leader that he is, led us back to our cars and to yet another feast at a nearby taverna, where we enjoyed vegetarian, fish and meat dishes and, as ever, wonderful fellowship.

Compliments to Mary for the summary above, and to Kate, Nicos, Nicos and Marios for the photos. Join us on 21 May at Caledonian https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-kryos-potamos-caledonian-waterfall-pouziaris-trail-sunday-21-may/

Flowers Allover – Fikardou 7 May

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A feast of flowers adorned the path of the Cyprus Strollers on the hike from Fikardou to Lazanias and then Mahairas, on Sunday 7 May. With the sun shining throughout, and temperatures higher than desired, participants displayed their best spirit and stamina and were rewarded with views of a beautiful landscape, the well preserved roofs of the houses in the two villages and a superb meal at the end. Compliments to Laurent for leading this outing and to Nana and Kate for the photos. Join us on 13 May on Troodos https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-platres-myllomeris-waterfall-and-kampos-livadiou-two-trails-sat-13-may/

cow’s parsley

rock rose purple flowers

rock rose white flowers

wild garlic

Mahairas monastery

A Grand Hike – Madari, 29 April

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The excursion of Saturday 29 April, involving the Grand Circle of Madari hike was grand in every respect (scenery, vegetation, exercise, length, companionship), and truly rewarding for the Strollers who took on the challenge. Join us on 7 May at Fikardou https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-lazanias-and-fikardou-trail-sunday-7-may/.

Orchids

Two Beauties, Resting at a stop

Rewarding Hike: Platania-Kyperounda 23 April

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All participants enjoyed the varied pleasures of the hike of Sunday 23 April from Platania to Kyperounda; the good company, which included 6 newcomer Strollers, the healthy forest, the purple orchid, the scenic views, the exercise, and the rich lunch feast at the end. To epitomise the mood, ‘no two hikes are the same, even if we are revisiting a trail’ declared George; to which Stylianos replied ‘I will definitely come again’! Compliments to Marios and Koula for the photos. Join us on 29 April on Madari https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/madari-grand-circle-sat-29-april/

Two Peaks and One Cave – 8 April Hike

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A cloudy sky and a gentle wind, which prevented precipitation, contributed to the enjoyment of two hikes on the south slopes of Mahairas, on Saturday 8 April. The club wishes you a Happy Easter. Join us on 23 April at Platania https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-kyperounda-doxa-si-o-theos-sunday-23-april/

Strollers with Sense and Sensibility – Pitsilia Hike 2 April

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A small group of Strollers displayed exemplary sense and sensibility on Saturday 2 April concerning the picturesque hike from Stavros Agiasmati to Panagia Araka. Defying the forecast of rain, and comfortable with the driving instructions, we were all appropriately prepared and copiously rewarded, since rain fell in Nicosia and Limassol, but there was not a drop on our path; proof of the general rule that luck is on the side of those who dare. Among the delights of the outing we had several instances of flowering orchids, Arabis purpurea, asphodels, milk vetch and almond trees; carpets of vivid green mosses and masses of tiny yellow-blue wild peas. There were also amazing vistas; at every turn the views changed; sometimes we were looking at sheer rocks, sometimes thick forest, then the distant bay of Morphou, the majestic Madari mountains and the villages of Platanistasa, Alona on the left, Lagoudera and Saranti on the right, nestling below the peaks. The meal at Fountoukia taverna was a well-deserved treat, with delicious and seemingly endless meze dishes, their potato chips which rank among the best on the island, and creamy sweets to finish off an unforgettable day. Compliments to Mary for contributing to this write-up and to Marios for the photos. Join us on 8 April at Mahairas https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-south-slopes-two-hikes-sat-8-april/