ALASKAN KIDDLES Visit the CYPRUS KIDDLES

 

This is the sweetest family, Julius and Sandra Wilson and their two young children.  Julius hasn't been able to attend church for several months because of work, but he declared he would not be at work on this Sunday because Elder Kiddle was blessing his newborn son.  Sandra continues to attend alone with the children as she did today, arising at 5:00 am, preparing the children and catching a bus at 8:00 am for a two-hour trip to Larnaca.  She has great faith and we love them so.

We were so delighted to welcome Fraser and his family to Cyprus.  It's a long, exhausting trip but they braved it and we were so grateful.  Had to capture a photo outside the chapel, of course with the Greek sign to declare where we were.

We borrowed the 9-passenger mission van to transport us all over the island.  The bus driver, aka Elder Kiddle, did a marvelous job because it is such a beast to navigate on some of the more narrow streets. 

Konnor petting one of the thousands of cats roaming the island.  They seriously are everywhere and people feed and water them out of pity.

St. Lazarus Church here in Larnaca.  Always a stop for visitors.  It is purported that this is where Lazarus is entombed under the church, thus it is a highly visited sight. 

Liz and kids beach side of Lazarus Church.

And of course you have to pay a visit to the Fort near the church.

We made a point to visit Medich and Divine, two of our Branch members we love who work in Ayia Napa and seldom are able to attend during the summer months because they work in tourism.  There was mutual fondness in meeting our family.

Robinson joined in on the visit to Medich's courtyard.

The sea caves are just south of Ayia Napa and provide a beautiful vista to the Mediterranean.

Kiddles in Cyprus

"Now when we had discovered Cyprus....." Acts 21:3

Sea Caves in background.

Konnor got a part-time job while he was here.  There are many food deliveries done in this manner.

Kamares Aqueduct, an aqueduct near Larnaca, located outside the city was built starting in 1747. It has been been described as the most prominent water supply built in Cyprus.

One of the MANY visits to the pool here at our apartment.

Dhekelia Bay Beach near the British Base, Fraser wading back to shore.

The next collection of photos come from our visit to Omodos, a lovely village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.  The Monastery of the Holy Cross has significant drawing power for the many visitors to the area.  It is claimed they house a piece of the blood stained rope used in the Savior's crucifixion, a portion of Phillip's skull, and a piece of the cross from the crucifixion.  These items are preserved under plexiglass and visitors passing by kiss each item.  Hard pass on that one.

The Monastery of Timios Stavros is considered as one of the oldest and most historical monasteries on the island. 

Too much reflection here, but the rope is preserved here.

The two headed eagle is a symbol of the physical and spiritual power of the Byzantine emperor, reflecting the claim they have of power in both the east and west. 

Ornate meeting room of the monastery.

The doors, always the doors................

Beautiful icon in the museum,

Passageway in Monastery.

Memorial to those who died in the Cyprus resistance to the British rule.

Hideout of Resistance group in Omodos.

Inside Hideout

The finest Meze we've had on the Island.  A lovely collection of Cypriot dishes.

The server called Naomi the "Princess".  Her appetite has elevated since we last saw her.

Aphrodite's Rock.  Mythology claims it as the birthplace of Aphrodite.

The beautiful mosaics of Paphos.  They are considered among the finest in the eastern Mediterranean. They were discovered in 1962, after a farmer ploughing his field accidently unearthed one of them. There are so many of them but here's a sampling.  They are exquisite.  

We never tire of a trip to the Blue Lagoon.  I think this now marks our 5th visit.  Just a magical place and I think our visitors agreed.  

Can't count how many times the kids jumped from the top of the boat.  

I think this is Andrew this time round.

The whole gang at the back of the boat.  Unlike some of our boat trips in AK, the fares on this trip are unbelievably cheap.  Kids are free and adults are $15 Euro.

Our friends John and Gina often join us.

After so much time on the water a good burger was in order and we know just the place,

Greg's Burgers.

And you have to include a castle in your visit, so Kolossi was a must stop.  It is of medieval military architecture.  It's beautiful inside.  Last time we were there a bride and groom 

were doing bridal photos. 

The crucifixion under plexiglass.

  Acts 13:5 "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews"   The ruins are amazing and excavation goes back to the 11th century B.C.

Such a fun place for kids to explore.

The theatre ruins date from the time of Augustus.  The 50 rows held over 15,000 spectators.  

So many places to explore.

Andrew sporting Greek robes.

Just wandering the streets of Northern Cyprus.

Famagusta Mosque

Remnants of the Venetian Palace

Another day at the beach.  This time we were in Northern Cyprus at Ghost City and the beach wasn't terribly busy so everyone was thrilled.

We've previously posted photos of Ghost City in Famagusta, but it is such a unique place.  The remnants of the 1974 conflict remain and are an ever present reminder of the past.

I'm sure this was a bustling business one day - 

Singer Sewing Machine Shop

Water + sand = magic.

Love at first sight.

Day-old baby camel with wobbly legs trying to nurse.

Fraser and Liz just out on a camel ride.

Real life Madagascar.

Naomi loved the Lemurs.  You buy food and they clamor all over you to get at it.

Pucker up Konnor💋

Just another pool............

Northern Nicosia charm.

Northern Cyprus visit with Lisa Archibald, Monica Brewster's sister.  She was here on a work assignment and she came laden with a huge bag of Halloween candy and 72 oz bag of Nestle Toll House chips.  

I promise we'll share. 

Souvlaki in the North

Amazing architecture.

I keep telling myself these blogs will be worth it when I can't recall the many adventures we've had on this beautiful island.  It's an amazing place of historical significance and abundant in its antiquities.  It's hard to capture or describe them adequately but trust the blog provides a snippet into the life we've explored and enjoyed here.  Our time grows shorter than we wish but we've been enriched and abundantly blessed to have had this marvelous adventure.