Keywords
Akamas Peninsula, Cyprus, natural beauty, hiking trails, wildlife, historical significance, Blue Lagoon, Aphrodite, Akamas National Park
Summary
This podcast episode takes listeners on a captivating journey through the Akamas Peninsula and Akamas National Park in Cyprus. Host Monique Skidmore highlights the peninsula’s stunning natural beauty, rich historical significance, and diverse wildlife. From the famous Blue Lagoon to the various hiking trails, the episode provides an insightful overview of what makes this destination a must-visit for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Takeaways
- The Akamas Peninsula is a natural wonder with a rich history.
- The Blue Lagoon is a popular destination for swimming.
- Aphrodite’s Baths are linked to Greek mythology.
- Lara Beach is a crucial nesting site for turtles.
- The Avagas Gorge is a top spot for nature lovers.
- Three official walking trails offer diverse experiences.
- The Aphrodite trail showcases historical ruins and landscapes.
- The area is home to rare wildlife and migratory birds.
- Fontana Amarosa is associated with the goddess of love.
- The podcast encourages exploration of the outdoors.
Sound Bites
“More than 200 birds have been recorded here.”
Timeline
00:00 – Introduction
00:22 – Akamas Peninsula National Park and Baths of Aphrodite
01:45 – Blue Lagoon, Lara Beach, and Fontana Amorosa
03:24 – Avakas Gorge
03:54 – Akamas Peninsula National Park Walking Trails
04:55 – Conclusion
Transcript
Introduction: (00:00)
Stephen Parker: Welcome to the Take Me to Europe podcast with your host, cultural anthropologist Monique Skidmore.
Monique Skidmore: Hi, I’m Monique from Take Me To Europe Tours. Welcome to the gateway to the Akamas Peninsula and the Akamas National Park. Let’s take a peek at it.
Akamas Peninsula National Park and the Baths of Aphrodite (00:22)
Monique Skidmore: The Akamas Peninsula is a gorgeous natural wonder with coastal terrain, gorges, walking trails, and crystal clear waters, and it’s a place that has a rich historical significance for Cyprus. It’s located on the western tip of Cyprus, within the Paphos district.
There are several paved roads into the main access parts of the peninsula, like the Baths of Aphrodite, but beyond these points, only 4×4 vehicles like jeeps and quad bikes can access the peninsula’s dirt roads.
The other way, of course, to experience the Akamas is from the sea.
Latchi, just north of the Akamas, you’ll find boat tours that head south around the peninsula to the Blue Lagoon, where they anchor to give you enough time to swim and enjoy an onboard meal.
The Baths of Aphrodite are one of the most visited spots on the whole island because of their natural beauty and their association with Greek mythology. Legend has it that this little natural spring formed the pool where Aphrodite bathed and where she first met her great lover, Adonis.
That’s why it’s believed that its waters have rejuvenating powers. Most people come to visit the small pool and waterfall and then start out on the walking trails that leave from here.
Blue Lagoon, Lara Beach, and Fontana Amorosa (01:45)
Monique Skidmore: The Akamas Peninsula is surrounded by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and the entire coastline offers plenty of beaches with translucent blue waters.
The Blue Lagoon in Akamas is just a small bay, but it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Cyprus. The shore is pebbly, the waters are crystal clear. You can look over the edge of a boat and see fish swimming below.
With its combination of the pristine rugged hills surrounding the beach, the Blue Lagoon is a postcard-like destination, and it’s one of the most popular day trip destinations in Cyprus.
Lara Beach is also known as Turtle Beach, and it’s an essential breeding spot for the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle.
The turtle nesting sites are protected with wire covers, and you need to avoid these as you make your way across the sand and towards the sea. To avoid these as you make your way across the sand and towards the sea.
Fontana Amorosa is one of the most popular beaches in the Akamas Peninsula, and it’s one of the stops of the public jeep.
The beach’s name was given to it by the Franks in the 16th century, and it means source of love, since it’s also associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
The beach features a rugged and wild shoreline and crystal-clear blue waters that allow you to easily explore underwater life by snorkeling.
Avakas Gorge (03:24)
Monique Skidmore: The Abacus Gorge is an impressive natural wonder carved within the Akamas rock formations and home to a diverse array of wildlife.
It’s often described as Cyprus’ top destination for nature lovers because you can spot mountain goats, rare reptile species, ferns, wild fig trees, oak trees, and lots of beautiful wildflowers.
The gorge is located within the Peyia forest and follows the course of the Avgas River. It’s about two and a half kilometres long. Its highest point is 300 metres, and its narrowest is three metres.
Akamas Peninsula National Park Walking Trails (03:54)
Monique Skidmore: There are three official walking trails within the Akamas Peninsula. The Aphrodite Trail stretches for seven and a half kilometres and follows the mythical goddess of the island, Aphrodite’s footsteps, past medieval ruins, through pine forests and rugged landscapes, and to panoramic viewpoints.
There’s also the Adonis Trail and the Smidges Trail. On these walks, you’ll find viewpoints of the bay, the Tower of Regina, the remains of an old Catholic monastery, disused magnesium mines, secluded beaches, and one of the longest-living oak trees believed to be the goddess Aphrodite’s resting spot after her bath.
It’s the migratory birds that have become a real drawcard here, as well as rare and protected species like the black snake, the blunt-nosed viper, the cypress warbler, and the cypress wheat ear.
In fact, more than 200 birds have been recorded here in the Akamas Peninsula.
Conclusion (04:55)
Monique Skidmore: I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief tour of the Akamas Peninsula and the Akamas National Park.
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