Petra Tou Romiou

The Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek), or the Rock Of Aphrodite (Rock of Romios, Aphrodite's Rock), is a scenic place, located off the sea-shore along the old Limassol-Pafos road. It has been regarded since ancient times as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. It's one of the most popular tourist spot, for its magnificent view of the sea, and more famously the birth place of Aphrodite.

It is said that here is the rock from which Aphrodite mythically arose from the foaming sea. There are two large rocks in the sea, set against the white cliffs above and the turquoise of the Mediterranean below. The beach is shingly but the setting is spectacular. The scene has been a source of inspiration for many poets and painters, the most famous

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result being Boticelli's Birth of Venus;

now on display in Florence Italy at Uffizi Gallery, the painting depicts the light wind of the Zephyrs bringing Aphrodite ashore inside a shell to Petra tou Romiou. (Picture of painting depicts)

There is a nearby restaurant, and a souvenir shop in the Tourist Pavilion where you can park your car on the uphill side of the road near the shop. Pedestrian access to the beach is via an underpass. From here you can admire the sight of the colors of the sea. Being a pebbled beach, people don't swim usually. The place is best to adore the sun-rise and sun-set, that makes it more beautiful.

People used to climb on the rock itself, and overlook the waves arose against it. I would say this is a must visit place in Cyprus. It is just some km away from a seaside village - Pissouri. I have been to this place many times, and each time I came here, It feels more beautiful. Some people often confused it with 'Baths of Aphrodite'. But Baths of Aphrodite is approx 70 km away from here. You can also roam around a nearby seaside village - Pissouri.

My jump snap is 500 Euros cost. Don't ask me; ask my friends.

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Pissouri - A seaside village

If you are thinking of visiting a sea-side village in Cyprus. Come to Pissouri. The place is very near to Rocks of Aphrodite. It is situated between Limassol and Pafos. It is specially the favorite place for British people. If you are driving from Limassol, you have to traverse across a hill tunnel.

The panoramic views from village and its edges are spectacular. The village square is the hub of village life with the coffee shop at its heart. The local tavernas serve up delicious local food and on summer evenings you may find the weekly “Cyprus night” somewhere in Pissouri, a lively and popular treat of traditional dancing, music and food.

Just near the village square, you will find a church, that is famous for its wooden-carved icon stand, which is a real work of art. Pissouri seems to evolve rapidly, following the trends of the globalization and global investments.

Pissouri is also famous for its 'on the edge of heaven' walks. You can watch out the fabulous flora and fauna of the Pissouri area, including migratory birds, bats, information about the snakes of the area, see the many indigenous orchids and wild flowers. The views are soothing to eye and will be stored to your's favourite in your disk.

If you are interested in golf, riding or tennis or dream wedding in Cyprus :-) Aphrodite hills is not so far, for your luxury and elegance time.

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Polis Camping Site in Cyprus

Quote of the Post: "Camping is the art of campers which connects to the nature as tight-bounded and offers natural home." - Quote about Camping - Sachin Kumar Gupta

If you came across this site by searching "Camping in Cyprus", "Camping in Polis" or something similar, then go ahead. Summer has been started. Its another great time in Cyprus. After a long period we finally executed our Camping script. We coded the script very quickly (Friday during lunch) and executed the next day, and the outcome was successfull and pleasant. The site is the best kept secret of cyprus - Polis Chrysochous camping site.



What things to bring with you for the Polis camping site to enjoy it to the fullest:
1. The first and formost thing is Camping tents or canvas.
2. Barbeque Stand and Stuff, Koyla(Coal or charcoal), and dry sticks.
3. Small music system; If you are a dance freak. Antakshari(Singing songs) is always on top of Indian checklist during such events.
4. Swimming stuff, Sun screen, and other, as the beach is on the next door.
5. Cooking and Drinking stuff as some snacks, beverage, fruits, and food to cook.
6. Night Lamps, Torch or some light for night. We preferred the mashaals. To give proper camping look - as we got these from Carrefour mall, the biggest advantage was 0.50 Euros per mashaal(Torch), and one bottle of mashaal oil.
7. Blanket and quilt, during the night as It gets bit cold. Bring the string to dry the wet clothes.
8. Folding Chairs and table and other personal stuff.
9. Playing Cards ;If your group is intrested in it. Our group is always ready to shuffle. :-)
10.Beach Vollyball, as the beach vollyball court is nearby. or Badminton net and stuff.
Last but not the least, Put all the rubbish into the nearby dustbin. (Go greener, and let the place clean for the others. Although people do the place clean by default here)


About Polis Camping Site: The Polis camping site is near the sea, in a eucalyptus grove. You will get all the necessary services here as toilet, showers, small restaurant at the beach side; the tranquil and soothing environment. You will forget all your work and busy life after coming to the site and will enjoy the calm and peaceful environment for mental relaxation and recreation. You will be charged 2.5 Euros per person, and 3 Euros per car to enjoy the camping site. We enjoyed and relaxed here out of the city in the quiet and fresh atmosphere.

Polis is in one of the most beautiful areas of Cyprus, near romantic sites, close to the place where Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, used to meet her beloved Adonis, near the Akamas Peninsula with its famous Baths of Aphrodite. Polis offers plenty of natural and combine beauty of sea, mountain and plain. Polis is just 45 min drive from Pafos International Airport, 2 hrs from Larnaka airport and approx 2 hrs from Limassol.

Camping sites in Cyprus: Cyprus has six licensed camping sites. I found Polis the most popular and attracting one. Out of these, five camping sites are on the beach and one is in the Troodos mountains.

Polis Camping Site - Polis, Pafos district (Mar-Oct) (+357 26321526)
Kalymnos - Governor's Beach Camping - Limassol (all year)(+357 25632878)
Forest Beach Camping - Larnaka (Jun-Oct) (+357 23823502)
Feggari - Coral Bay Peyia, Pafos (all year)(+357 26621534)
Geroskipou Zenon Gardens Camping - Pafos (Apr-Oct) (+357 26942277)
Troodos Hill Resort camping - Troodos Mountains (Apr-Oct, weather permitting)

If any of these number is not working, Please check for the latest from CTO (Cyprus Tourism Organisation) Limassol (+357 25362756).

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Indian Food in Cyprus

Quote of the Blog: "Indian Food! Craving for it, but beware of being chewed your fingers and tongue while eating." -Sachin Kumar Gupta

After reading the Indian food quote, May be you will be thinking why Anyone will chew his/her fingers and tongue! ya.. that's the delicious Indian Food. Although Indian food is famous all over the world. Are you searching for the same in Cyprus also? Whatever place you are in Cyprus, Indian Food is not far away from you.
I am writing this post, because many asked for it in orkut community and we (Amdocians) all were asking similar questions after getting placed in Amdocs, Cyprus. Specially Veggies. Although You will find McD, Pizza-Hut, Burger-King, Goody's and many more easily everywhere. For those of you who love Indian cuisine, the places for Indian food all over the Cyprus. (I have been or knows)

Indian Food in Limassol

Raj Tandoor, Limassol
Pine Tree (Near Kourian), Limassol
Indian Masala, Limassol
Calcutta Indian Restaurant, Limassol

Indian Food in Pafos

Balti House (near Pafos)
NEW DELHI INDIAN RESTAURANT, PAPHOS
Bombay Brasserie, PAPHOS
Kohinoor, PAPHOS
Keralam Indian Restaurant, PAPHOS
Prema Indian Restaurant, PAPHOS

Indian Food in Nicosia

SHALIMAR INDIAN RESTAURANT, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Mehfil Indian Restaurant, Indian, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Masalas Indian Restaurant, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Taste of India Restaurant, Lefkosia (Nicosia)

Indian Food in Agia Napa, Other Places

The Taste Of India (Agia Napa)
Ganga Indian Restaurant, Protaras
Raj Indian Restaurant Protaras (Near McD)
RAJ Indian restaurant, Kato Paphos, Cyprus

Indian Food in North Cyprus

Jashan (North Cyprus - Kyrenia) near Karaoglanoglu
The Courtyard, Karakum, North Cyprus
East Meets West, old back streets of Kyrenia, North Cyprus
Jaipur Restaurant Indian, Famagusta, North Cyprus
Raj Indian Restaurant, Famagusta, North Cyprus
Taste of India, Famagusta, North Cyprus

There are alot, who offers take away and home delivery at cheaper prices. You all are invited here to let all know, where is the better taste of Indian food and your experiences. If you know any other Indian food restaurant in Cyprus, Comment with the site name (if you know). I will add to the list later. What's better than serving/helping the way to Indian food by my post. I am sure, you will be craving for Indian food and may be feeling hungry (Tongue touching your lips).

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3A - Agios Georgios - Avakas - Akamas

Quote of the blog: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine
After a long time we (Gaurav, Mrunal, Nitin, Praveen, Sandip, Saurabh alongwith me) were gathered to roam around another unvisited place. We started gathering the information about the Rocking land - Akamas, but we didn't. I am referring here the rocking land, with the land itself full of rocks, not where some rock star born, or any rock band going to perform. But we were really going to rock there at the rock land. Earlier we were having this plan on Saturday  so that can relax on Sunday. But some of our friends were busy in office work (due to recession period in industry) and some in other stuff. So plan seems to be all in vain. Somehow during Sat night I pinged/communicated to all of them to get ready at 10 AM max. But besides me & my flatmates, all were ready on-time  You can think of, the level of excitement. We manage to start our rocking journey only 40 mins late :-) with some quick calls/complains.

We had some snacks in the midway and near the Paphos Mall we halted at McD. Hunger finished with burger, and in a short while we reached Agios Georgios. Now it was time to give some pose for our next orkut/picasa albums. Even some of us were exploring inside the caves of the rocks and watching panoramic views. Now we were towards our planned destination. We turned towards Akamas Peninsula. We had another break near the Lara turtle beach, where you can find the turtle tracks as well. We couldn't see the sea turtle nest. Due to time shortage, we drive by the side of rocks to "Avakas - Nature rail" as suggested by Gaurav. (So he enjoyed there again)


It was really awesome place. One rock was like a bridge between rock walls above us. It's time to capture another array of snaps. No-one wants to miss any moment there and everyone was trying not to hold the cam. We found there reef limestone, grain-stone and many more. (couldn't remember other names) At the end, we finished our journey with the pleasant sunset.
For more of my pics of other trips and excursion: Click it.

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Great Adventure in Life

Its really the type of adventure we had very few in our life that can be counted on fingers. I don't know that for doing all this, how could I get prepared. Few denied for this adventure here as well. People used to walk on the ground, somtimes even in the air (By plane) but this experience was amazing, really adventurous (very few have tasted that) , really the different one - Walk under the Mediterranean Sea.
I had never imagined that I'd walk under the sea among the fishes, octopus, different sea creatures and sea plants. May be , The thought of being under all that water gives you all the shivers. I was also a bit scared as I was null and void in swimming and been in the sea water only twice before that(The first time, I bathe in the sea water, here in Cyprus only). The snaps may not get you that touch that I feel under water, But the videos really give you somewhat touch of our couragious adventure. UnderSea Walk with Sachin




The same company organizes the walks in both Protoras and Paphos(near coral bay). Thanks to Subramanikandan Somasundaram (Mani) who initiated this plan & to Prabhmeet who forwarded this event mail to me & to Pavan who give us ride. Earlier we were enquiring about Protoras because in Protoras they take us into the sea by a boat and lower us down by a ladder(whereas in Paphos, we walked into the sea from the shore). But that time, due to weather changes, for the time being Protoras was also being operated as walk from the shore. We choose Paphos because it was closer to us. We need to start asap because we were in 4 batches, 4 people in each as per the filled timeslots in the excel sheet. It also gets more windy in the afternoon and it would be difficult to do walks that time.

Directions: Go to the Paphos tourist area ( Kato Paphos)

-Take the route towards Tombs of the Kings, Coral Bay

-After approx 10 Km, reach the Coral Bay junction(between the main road and a road to the left)

-Take the left turn. After a few hundred meters, take another left turn.

-Now you will be near Ascos hotel.

-There is a sand road on the right side, which goes to the beach.

-The undersea walk event was there.

The actual fee was around 28 CYP per person, but we got some significant discount as we were in group. The charges includes the snaps & videos taken by them during undersea walk(25 CYP).

 

Some important tips & tricks:

• You need to carry your swim wear, a towel, change over clothes, drinking water and anything else you would like.
• Time taken for each batch to complete the walk was approx 30 to 45 mins. So be there at least 15 mins before the schedule time.
• Listen the hand movements code instructions carefully before going for walk, because it will help you to move all around undersea and will help in case of any problem.
• While feeding the loaf of special bread to fish there, don't create too much movement, otherwise fish will scatter away.

 

I have the undersea organizers mobile numbers, 96354952/96537613, may be they are still avail on these numbers, If you are dreaming to dare it!!!

The sunlight within the water really soothing. It was the real time experience like the undersea screensaver going on live. When I watch my videos, It seems like I am watching the very special Discovery Channel program. Yes, We are the Undersea Walkers.

If you are in some other mood of adventure, then enjoy - Rock Climbing in Cyprus

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