In the previous Blog Post, I covered some of the Birds and Butterflies we saw as we walked around the outside of the Paphos Archaeological Park. Finally, we entered the town. Before I reached the entrance gate, I saw this fantastic building which turned out to be offices for a local property developer. There is a similar-themed hotel nearby which is full of similar murals depicting Paphos's history. This building helps to bring to life how the original Greek buildings might have been decorated.
A local property developer's offices
This is excellent artwork
Another excellent painting
Paphos has a lot of decent-looking gardens within the urban area
A street view: The locals were keeping the streets clean, which was a real contrast to the filthy streets of Palermo
There were a few common species hanging around the town.
Woodpigeon: This is the nominate palumbus subspecies which occurs from Europe to West Siberia, East Turkey & Iraq. They winters in Southern Europe & North Africa
Hooded Crow: This is the sharpii subspecies which occurs from Italy to the Balkans, Asia Minor, North Iran & Kazakhstan
A map of the Paphos Archaeological Park
Perhaps the most bizarre sign on the gents toilet that I've seen: Especially, as it is so nearly spelt as Anti Pee
Sardinian Warbler: This is the nominate melanocephala subspecies which occurs in Southern Europe, the Canary & Mediterranean islands, West Turkey & North Africa
Sardinian Warbler: I was pleased with the last photo given how skulky Sardinian Warblers normally are. But this second individual was more showy
Sardinian Warbler: Then it became even more photogenic
Sardinian Warbler: Even in a bare-leaved bush, they can hide fairly well
This Troodos Lizard was just inside the Archaeological Park. It's clearly had a lucky escape when it lost its tail.
Troodos Lizard: This common and widespread Lizard is endemic to Cyprus
The ruins are excellent and well worth a visit. There are some superb mosaics inside buildings that had been constructed to protect and display them. It would have been good to have a few more signs explaining what each of the ruins are.
Without signs, it is difficult to explain much about the ruins
I suspect gravel has been laid in some areas to protect surfaces under the gravel
The remains of a water pipe
These buildings date from a period when most Ancient Britons were still living in simple wooden huts
It was well worth looking in the buildings as they contained some excellent mosaics.
Mosaic in the House of Aion: The mosaic in this building got its name from a depiction of Aion, the god of time and eternity
Mosaic in the House of Aion
Mosaic in the House of Aion: The level of detail is exceptional
Mosaic in the Villa of Theseus: This was built in the second half of the second Century AD on the ruins of older houses from the Greek and Roman periods
Mosaic in the House of Dionysus: This mosaic showed a big hunting scene
Mosaic in the House of Dionysus: The knew about Lions which still occurred in the Levant and Egypt in those days
Mosaic in the House of Dionysus: They would have known about Tigers since the days of Alexander the Great
These pillars give a sense of scale to some of the buildings
This stone container was several feet across in size
Raised walkways ensured visitors didn't damaging the ruins
Heading towards the Paphos Lighthouse
Some of the buildings had deep basements
These are presumably underground storage rooms
There are large parts of the site which look like they haven't been excavated
The Paphos Lighthouse: This was built when Cyprus was under British administration in 1888
Lexie with her ORCA parents: Some of the passengers through Karen & Terry were Lexie's parents, which became a running joke during the trip
Another tender run from the shore
It had been a really enjoyable visit to Paphos. Overnight we sailed for Antalya in Turkey.
