The town of Limassol is a favorite destination for the huge numbers of German and English tourists arriving here each summer in search of their own place in the warm sun. Not to be outdone, those trying to cater to the Brits were offering Fish n' Chips and pots of Guinness. Every other house seemed to carry placards announcing that it was owned by Messrs. To Let or Zimmer. Fortunately there was no shortage of local eateries also. Just after leaving Limassol we arrived at Kourion, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island.
Excavations are still in progress here, and it seems that new treasures are discovered regularly.
We climbed to the top row of seats in the ancient amphitheater which was originally built in the 2nd century BC, and is now fully restored and is often used for music and theater performances. Once again I was overwhelmed by the urge for a time machine that would allow me to join the toga-clad crowds sitting here listening to speeches in Latin given by visiting Senators from Rome, or applauding favorite actors performing the latest dramas by Roman playwrights. With the deep blue of the sea as a backdrop, and green fertile fields all around, it was a perfect setting and one that cried out for my imagination to be kick-started into top gear. Philios, who had been unnecessarily insecure about his English being adequate, had arranged for another colleague to join us for the day at Paphos. She was Androulla Charalambous, fluent in French, German and English, and a lady with a fantastic knowledge of the history and traditions of Cyprus.