44* VISIT APHRODITE ISLAND - Part. 2

Lemesos, and the area immediately around it, is home to enough cultural treasures to keep you occupied for a few days. In the heart of the city itself you’ll find the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum, housed in the imposing mediaeval fort where, in 1191, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England. Some 19 kilometres west of Lemesos, is Kourion, one of the most impressive archaeological sites not just in Cyprus but in the entire Mediterranean.

KOURION SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATES

Limassol Beach

Aphrodite emerged from the gentle waves near Pafos, on the island’s western coast, and made her home in this region. Pafos itself is a leading cultural centre of the Mediterranean, with fascinating mosaics to see at the Houses of Aion and Dionysos, St. Paul’s Pillar, the Tombs of the Kings and more. The whole town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Aphrodite Birth Place, Paphos

Lefkosia, the capital of Cyprus, and also the last divided capital of Europe, is home to lavishly decorated churches and the island’s foremost museums. Among them are the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum , the Byzantine Museum, the Museum of the National Struggle, the State Gallery of Contemporary Art, and the House of Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios. The old walled city of Lefkosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as shops, cafes and tavernas. Its pedestrian section, "Laiki Geitonia", has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmoshphere of past days. In the countryside you’ll find ruins of the ancient city kingdoms of Idalion and Tamasos near the villages of Dali and Politiko respectively. One may also visit the Fikardou village which has been declared as a monument and was awarded the Europa Nostra award in 1987. Nicosia, (Lefcosia), the capital of Cyprus, one of the oldest cities in our part of the world, today is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan place in the Eastern Mediterranean, rich in history and culture and combines its historic past with the amenities of a modern city.

The heart of the city (old Nicosia), within the 16 th century Venetian walls

Old Nicosia, Laiki Gitonia

St. Lazarus, Larnaca

Mount. Troodos in winter

http://www.cypruspictures.net/

42*VISIT INDONESIA - Part 1

Kerkoff. (Doc. Serambi)

WAR MEMORIAL OF KERKOFF

Peucut kerkoff is the burial place of the Dutch soldiers who died in the Acehnese War. About 2,200 soldier were buried in this graveyard including the General Kohler.

TOBA LAKE

Lake Toba is the largest inland water body of Southeast Asia, it is 87km long and 31km across at its widest point and Klaudia estimated it to be 10 times the size of here native Wörthersee, which already appears large to her. It was formed 75,000 years ago after a massive volcanic explosion, which was so violent that scientists believe it could have triggered the onset of the last ice age. The fact that Lake Toba’s water is quite warm despite its depth (up to 529m) leads one to assume that there must be some hot underwater, which is not out of place in a region studded with volcanoes. Right in the middle of Lake Toba lies Samosir Island, which can which can be
reached by road at its western side - strictly speaking it is not an island because it is connected to the mainland there - and by ferry from Parapat on the eastern side. It is by far not a small place that you could easily cross and discover on foot being 40km long and 20km wide!

JAKARTA

Consisting of more than 17,000 islands, the vast Indonesian archipelago spans 5,120 km across the equator, positioned between the Asian and Australian continents. Four-fifths of the area is sea with the major islands of Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. The 300 ethnic groups that exist harmoniously give birth to a potpourri of cultures and fascinating people.

Indonesia has around 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural differences developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Malay, and European sources. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology, as do wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances. Textiles such as batik, ikat and songket are created across Indonesia in styles that vary by region. The most dominant influences on Indonesian architecture have traditionally been Indian; however, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences have been significant. The most popular sports in Indonesia are badminton and football; Liga Indonesia is the country's premier football club league. Traditional sports include sepak takraw, and bull racing in Madura. In areas with a history of tribal warfare, mock fighting contests are held, such as, caci in Flores, and pasola in Sumba. Pencak Silat is an Indonesian martial art.

Jakarta is a bustling metropolis city, offering all kinds of atractions, from museums, art and antique markets, first class shopping to accomodations, food and a wide variety of cultural activities. The culture and traditions of Jakarta, specially the heritage buildings are well preserved and worth visit.

BALI

Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Recent tragic events have scared away many of those who simply saw Bali as a place for cheap beer. While the Bintang is still tasty and plentiful, Bali's temples, ceremonies, beaches, mountains and passion for life are undiminished and more easily enjoyed than ever.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/indonesia/bali/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia#Culture

http://www.asiafinest.com/

www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/indonesia/about_indonesia.htm

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Indonesia/Sumatra/Lake-Toba/blog-18916.html

http://mjbryan.com/FosbergD/pics/Bali%20034.jpg

http://www.armer-tropf.de/photos/bali/bali_tempel4.jpg

http://www.asiaexplorers.com/indonesia/danautoba/samosir/00.jpg

41*VISIT APHRODITE ISLAND - Part.1

Aphrodite

Goddes of Love and Beauty (Greek mythology).

Smell the jasmine and the wild thyme.

Taste one of oldest wines

of the world.

Walk in the pine scented forests,

or ski on the snowy peaks in the morning.

Take a dip in the warm blue waters

of the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon.

Wonder at Greek temples, Byzantine churches

and ancient artefacts thousands of years old.

Larnaca Seafront

Play around of golf, go cycling, or take up a new sport.

Feel at one with nature, or dance the night away.

Look beyond sun and sea....

Limassol Beach

A village in Troodos Mountain

Both Christianity and Islam have revered religious sites in Larnaca. The Mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke, built in honour of the Prophet Muhammad's aunt, who died here after falling from her horse, is important place of Moslem pilgrimage. Its minarate rises up amidst a copse of tall palm and cypress tree, shimmering like an oasis mirage on the edge of the salt lake, a favourite winter habitat for flamingoes and other migratory birds.

Sultan Tekke Mosque, Larnaca

A lonely Church on the top of the hill.

*CTO Book