Larnaca never looked bigger than now, with its long awaited coastal Promenade complete, linking Makenzy on the west with Phinikoudes on the east. The Cyprus Strollers walk of 31 January was a fulfilling experience, in mild winter weather conditions, and included a visit to the 9th century church of Saint Lazarus and refreshments at Cafe Nero to wrap up the pleasant experience. No, the red carpet was not laid out for the Strollers. See you all on 8 Feb. at Troodos.
The Cyprus Strollers announce a change of plan. The Saturday 31 January excursion will take place at Larnaca and involves an afternoon stroll from Makenzy to Phinikoudes and back, all along the coast. Times and other details apply as announced for 8 Feb. in “Activities Description”. The scheduled outing to Troodos is moved to 8 Feb.
In other words, we are swapping between the 31 Jan. and 8 Feb. activities. The weather at time of writing calls for a windy but most probably dry day in Larnaca on 31 Jan. By contrast, there has been snowfall on Troodos on Friday morning; consequently all roads to Troodos require snow chains; more snow is forecast for tomorrow morning.
See you at Larnaca on 31 Jan. and let us hope for milder weather conditions on Troodos for 8 Feb. The same times and other details for Artemis, Troodos will apply on 8 Feb., as published for 31 Jan. in “Activities Description”.
A large group of Strollers, from 5 different nationalities, walked in Athalassa park on Sunday 25 January, in splendid weather conditions, enjoying the natural pond, the birds and the anemones in bloom. Compliments to Andriani for the photos.
A wonderful group of Cyprus Strollers, made up of 4 nationalities, defied the weather forecast (which was announcing a 50% probability for rain), and hiked on Madari mountain on 17 January. We set off at Doxa si o Theos (which literally translates to Thank God), passed Moutti tis Horas and reached Selladi Karamanli. Throughout the 3 1/2 hours hike the trail was clear of snow, and the sky was part sunny, part cloudy, without a drop of rain. Lunch at Kyperia taverna in Kyperounda was the climax we deserved, at the end. Compliments to Andriani for the photos.
We kicked-off the New Year program on 11 January, walking all along the Larnaca coastline, from Oroklini to Dhekelia. The setting was idyllic: the sea was quite calm, the wind modest, there was not a drop of rain, and the sky was sunny and cloudy. Compliments to Amanda for the photos.
The Cyprus Strollers enter 2015 with lots of enthusiasm. Check the Activities Schedule, and print your copy. There are 20 outings scheduled for the season starting 11 January and ending 31 May, offering plenty of choice, with hikes of a variety of distance, duration and degree of difficulty, to suit every taste!
Troodos, the venue of our hike of 11 January is presently out of the reach of traffic and experiencing snowfalls. Consequently, we stay alert, and will monitor the situation as we get nearer. An international weather forecast predicts some snowfalls for Saturday and Sunday. If this forecast remains, and access roads stay closed, then we shall go ahead with an alternative venue.
Plan B calls for walking the Oroklini – Dhekelia coastline, scheduled for 31 January, if we cannot walk Artemis on 11 January. Full description for each can be found and printed in the Activities Description section.
On Sunday 14 December 2014, just one day after the heavy rainfall on Larnaca, the Cyprus Strollers walked around the Salt Lake; the Kamares start was flooded, and so we drove to an adjacent starting point; and what a contrast, there was no rain at all over the entire stroll; the outing ended with a meal of fresh fish on the Meneou sea front. Compliments to Anastasia for her early morning scouting of the area for damages. Compliments also to Marla for the photos.
The Cyprus Strollers welcomed several newcomers and their youngest member, Jessica’s newborn boy, on Saturday 6 December 2014. We strolled around Athalassa park on a sunny afternoon, and also visited the pond. No photos, unfortunately.
There was lots of sparkle on Troodos on 30 November 2014, as the Cyprus Strollers walked the Persephone trail: at last, there was snow (not a lot) on the slopes around us; and a bright sun above; and a very clear horizon as we reached the wonderful viewpoint at Makria Kontarka, allowing us to see as far as the Salt Lake at Akrotiri; lunch at Louis taverna was a pleasant reward.
Admiring the view at Makria Kontarka
Cedrus brevifolia, the endemic Cyprus Cedar tree
The Cyprus Strollers 