Transcript
Although there are many beaches and bays for bathing in Cyprus, the majority of tourists prefer Ayia Napa. The resort is 40km from the international airport. The quiet fishing village started developing into a holiday resort in the 70s when some resorts came under Turkish occupation. The luxurious hotels of the area are a favorite spot of the former conquerors, the Brits and lots of tourists come here from the chilly Scandinavian countries as well. Naturally, Cypriotes living in the hills also like to come to the middle of the island for a vacation. Cypriotes go to the small votive chapel on the beach to pray, while tourists looking for exotic sites go there to feast their eyes. During the 82 years of English dominion, many Cypriotes went to England to study and work. Today, their descendants are in many villas on the Ayia Napa seashore. Naturally, the cosmopolitan city has all the accommodation, entertainment and culinary opportunities that are expected from a tourist place such as this.
If you’re looking for pleasant and carefree seaside location, and don’t want to worry about the weather, the sea temperature or the cleanliness of the place, then Cyprus is the place for you. If you want to spice up your days spent sunbathing on the beach and swimming with short and relaxed excursions, then Cyprus is also the place for you as well for those tourists who are intrigued with the lifestyle and culture of the people of this distant island, its scenery, unique flora and fauna and the artifacts of its exceptionally rich historical past, says the tour guide book. An extra plus to the weather is the fact that there’s no need to safeguard our towels on the beach. Crime on the island is virtually nonexistent except if a foreign thief happens to spend his vacation next to us. The main square of the city bears the name of the Nobel prize winner, Greek poet, Seferis.
The only real monument of Ayia Napa is the 16th century monastery surrounded by a tall wall. Its foundation is surrounded a legend. Some hunters were hunting in the nearby forest and their barking dogs led them to a small cave. In it, they found a fresh water spring and a Virgin Mary icon that had been hidden there several centuries ago. The settlement soon became a place of pilgrimage and received its name after that icon. News of the spring water performing miracles also spread quickly. The wall was erected against the gothic buildings built of golden stones as protection against pirates. Its builders didn’t know that the wall would not be able to protect the monks from the soon to arrive Turkish troops. We can hear Romeo and Juliet stories in several places throughout the world. The one in Ayia Napa is less tragic than most. The father of a rich Venetian girl didn’t let her marry her poor lover. So she moved into the monastery and lived there for the rest of her life.
The building was left empty in the 20th century then later became the guest house of the world council of churches. There’re excellent four to five star hotels in the area, some of which were built in the 70s but have been nicely renovated. In some hotels, you can have your own bubble bath with the apartment and step of the patio straight into the pool that connects the buildings. The sea itself is only 100m away but if you prefer swimming in fresh water, you can freshen up in the adventure pools of the hotel. In the evening, there are various activities with which tourists can amuse themselves. The hotels restaurants are a real culinary experience serving Greek, Mediterranean and international dishes. Boat trips depart from the charming harbor of Ayia Napa. These trips are almost compulsory on vacations spent in popular tourist destinations. Along the shore, you sail past small beach resorts, Nissi beach, Markonissos, -- and Protaras. Protaras used to be called fig tree bay after the tree standing by the tavern in the main square. It’s almost unbelievable how much the area has developed.
People in the hotels lining the shore can see the nearby islands from their balcony. These islands can be reached by paddleboat or rowing boats as well. Cape Greco is also a good destination for those vacationing in Ayia Napa as the view is simply spectacular from there. The administrative center of the region is Paralimni with its 10000 inhabitants. This is where locals take care of their everyday business. The city is also interesting for tourists as it has a hospital, travel agencies, car rental companies, a customs office, police, banks, insurance companies and airline offices. The buffer zone isn’t far from here and with a pair of binoculars, you can see the Turkish side. The boat sails past shores divided by beautiful rock formations, caves and bays protected from the wind but are excellent places for solitary bathing. After passing rows of hotels, the scene becomes deserted. Boats are only allowed up to the buffer zone, controlled by the UN where the end of the Greek territory is clearly marked by a flag.
The leaders of the republic that became independent in 1960 overthrew President Makarios and put an extreme right wing politician in his place who openly proclaimed war on the Turkish minority of the island. The Turkish government which had been waiting for an opportunity just like this sent troops to the island and occupied almost 40% of it. The fragile peace that lasted for seven years was disturbed by gunshots during the Christmas of 1963. Good sense prevailed then but when the extreme nationalist Greek junta came to power, it was only a matter of time till a war broke out and in 1974, it did. President Makarios fled to London. The Turks soon proclaimed the northern Cypriote Turkish republic that has not been officially acknowledged by any other country in the world except Turkey. Due to this tourists can reach the Turkish side of the island primarily from Turkey by boats organized by local Turkish travel agencies. Theoretically, you can also cross the border in Nicosia but theories cannot always be put into practice. This separation of the island doesn’t disturb the vacation of tourists and locals also seem to have gotten used to the situation somehow. The UN comes up with different recommendations from time to time but these are always turned down either the Turks or the Greek opposition.
The nightlife is bustling in Ayia Napa during the season. The disco, restaurant and bar owners strive to outbid each other with their ideas so we can find jungles, pirate ships and labyrinths made of mirrors. Shops close late at night and there’s an adventure theme park on the shore that stays open until midnight where both children and adults can enjoy a ride on the rollercoaster, the Ferris wheel, bumper cars and other attractions.
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