| Cyprus is without a doubt a beautiful Island paradise | | | | with only what they were able to carry and the pain |
| teeming with natural beauty and a rich cultural | | | | of loss has not diminished over time. When you |
| heritage. For most tourist however the only parts of | | | | speak to some of these people about the flight from |
| Cyprus they get to visit are the major holiday | | | | Northern Cyprus you can't help but feel their sense |
| resorts and places that the organized tours visit. As | | | | of loss and the mention of Famagusta still breaks |
| you may imagine there is so much more to this | | | | their hearts to this day. Many still dream of a time |
| lovely country and you will certainly benefit from a | | | | when they will be able to reclaim the homes they |
| scratch below the surface. Cyprus has had a | | | | have lost. Homes where families had lived for |
| turbulent history dating back to ancient times right up | | | | generations, past down Farther to Son in the |
| until the 1970s. In fact the country remains divided | | | | traditional Greek way. |
| North from South even as I write this article. | | | | A few minutes in land is the bustling town of |
| For those who are prepared to look a little further | | | | Paralimini with it's beautiful square and main church. |
| than the main coastal resorts of North West Cyprus | | | | The square is a hive of activity with both trendy |
| there are some real gems to be found. For instance | | | | cafe's and traditional Cypriot Taverna's where the |
| only a few will have ever heard of the village of | | | | locals spend the warm afternoons socializing over a |
| Kapparis. This small resort about 5K North of the | | | | Cyprus coffee. There are lots of shops if you prefer |
| busy sea side resort of Protaras nestles up against | | | | satisfying your need for retail therapy or you can |
| the border with Northern Cyprus. The main street | | | | just relax in the square and take in the atmosphere. |
| through this little town was once the main coastal | | | | Remember that Wednesday is half day closing so |
| road to Famagusta. Famagusta now a "ghost town" | | | | don't arrive there on that day expecting anywhere |
| lies in crumbling dereliction just across the border in | | | | to be open apart from the bars and cafes. |
| the Turkish occupied North. Until the the Invasion in | | | | Kapparis itself has grown into a lovely little resort |
| 1976 the town was the principle port and possibly | | | | over the past few years due to the ongoing |
| the most prestigious holiday resort in the | | | | development of the Island. Many of the new homes |
| Mediterranean. With its miles of white sand and safe | | | | that have been built around the village are now |
| beaches Famagusta was the jewel in the crown of | | | | permanent homes for the English who love to retire |
| Cyprus. | | | | to Cyprus. With the long summers and low cost of |
| All the towns and villages from Kapparis down as far | | | | living the Island is becoming a top destination for |
| as Ayia Napa are still known as the Famagusta area | | | | retirees from all over Europe. The irony is that |
| or Municipality or Famagusta and many Greek | | | | although one of the smaller and lesser known resorts |
| Cypriots that fled in the conflict still consider | | | | Kapparis is becoming the center of activity in the |
| themselves refugees. Lots of the shops and | | | | Famagusta area during the winter months too. In |
| businesses around the area will proudly display large | | | | fact there are more shops and restaurants staying |
| photographs of the homes or premises they were | | | | open right through the year in Kapparis than in all the |
| forced to leave behind. Most of these people left | | | | other resorts put together. |