A very enjoyable last day in Cyprus: we drove to the
archaeological site at nearby Choirokoita, where Neolithic ruins were
discovered in the 1930s. Set on a rocky
hillside with a well-defined perimeter, it is the earliest permanent human
settlement found in Cyprus, dating back to 7,000BC. At the foot of the hill are reconstructions
of round huts, built by archaeologists to help visitors visualise how the
people lived. A long, hot climb up the
hillside brought us to the sparse remnants of the settlement walls and the remains
of more than fifty cylindrical stone and mud dwellings. Archaeologists have also uncovered prehistoric
utensils indicating the sophistication of the inhabitants in hunting and
farming techniques. It also appears that they buried their dead under the
floors of the dwellings so that the dead remained with the living.
Exhausted by the hot hill climb we headed to the nearby
Golden Donkey Farm, as Elizabeth was undergoing withdrawal pangs from her
separation from our four-legged family members.
The farm has an array of ducks, chickens, turkeys and horses as well as
a good number of well-cared-for donkeys.
We were able to wander around and feed and pat the donkeys, sample donkey
milk, a donkey milk liqueur and donkey milk chocolate. The milk is very low fat so does not have
much taste on its own. The liqueur was
similar to Baileys and the chocolate delicious!
The complex also contains a small church, a farmhouse set out in traditional
style, an olive press, two museums with life-sized mannequins depicting life as
it was in years gone by and simulating weaving, cobbling, lace-making and the
like, and a spectacular 1500 year old olive tree. Before we left John carefully searched our
car and bags just to check that Elizabeth wasn’t trying to smuggle out a little
donkey. By the way, Elizabeth’s the one
in the photos wearing the hat.
On to Leftkara, noted for its lace-making and
handicrafts. In 1481 Leonardo da Vinci is
said to have visited Leftkara and obtained a fine piece of lace for the altar
of the magnificent Milan Cathedral. It
is a quaint town of narrow, cobbled, winding streets with shop-owners sitting
our front weaving lace or embroidering.
We wandered the streets, looking in the shops, and stopped for a lovely
lunch in a courtyard with overhanging bunches of grapes. After lunch we visited the beautiful Church
of the Holy Cross, an ornate 14th century church with views across
the mountains. Then a leisurely trip
home, taking the back roads to savour the last of our time in Cyprus.
Tomorrow – return to Larnaca Airport, then to Heraklion,
Crete via Athens.
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