| I have lived in Paphos for a few years now | | | | fabulous marine creatures. What a holiday! |
| and after the euphoria of living in the sun, | | | | |
| going to the beach, seeing the sea every day | | | | Cyprus is also heaven for bird watchers. The |
| and watching fabulous coastal sunsets every | | | | island has become a stop over for many |
| night, had settled to an acceptable level, I | | | | migratory birds on their travels from Europe |
| then discovered that Paphos has so much more | | | | to Africa during the autumn and back again in |
| to offer. | | | | spring. More than 300 different bird species |
| | | | have been seen and recorded and the island |
| Don't get me wrong, all of the above still | | | | has two endemic species which are often seen |
| excite me beyond belief and the 'Med' | | | | in the coastal regions, which are the Cyprus |
| lifestyle is all it is cracked up to be, but | | | | Pied Wheatear and the Cyprus |
| behind the mask of simply being a tourist | | | | |
| attraction, offering all that the discerning | | | | Warbler. One of the islands larger varieties |
| holiday maker could be looking for, there is | | | | of bird is now very much under threat and |
| another face to Paphos. Not many visitors | | | | conservationists battle hard to save it from |
| will see or experience this face because they | | | | extinction. The Griffin Vulture was once a |
| are taking a break from their daily lives and | | | | common sight on the island but now their |
| looking for fabulous beaches, water sports, | | | | numbers have dwindled to less than 50. |
| great restaurants and total relaxation. But, | | | | |
| I have found out what is going on in the | | | | So to those of you that have visited before |
| background. | | | | and enjoyed your summer holidays in Cyprus, |
| | | | why not try an autumn or sprint visit. Most |
| Cyprus is an extremely interesting place for | | | | of the tourists have returned home and the |
| nature lovers. Paphos is home to a very rare | | | | beaches once again become the domain of our |
| and very shy wild sheep called the Moufflon | | | | wildlife. You will of course have to make an |
| that has magnificent curving horns. These | | | | effort as not all these areas are easily |
| heraldic animals, although roaming wild, can | | | | accessed and the areas around Paphos, namely |
| be seen at the forestry station in Paphos | | | | the Akamas Peninsula, can only beaccessed by |
| forest (Stavros tis Psokas). Another delight | | | | four wheel drive. This will be a unique |
| is that the island has visiting Loggerhead | | | | experience that you will take home and |
| and Green turtles that comeashore to nest | | | | treasure. Imagine walking a beach with no sun |
| every year on the sandy beaches around | | | | beds, no shops, no noise apart from the surf |
| Paphos. These marine turtles are strictly | | | | and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the |
| protected and if you do decide to venture | | | | fresh air, the scenery and the forests and |
| further afield than the local sunbathing | | | | keep an eye out for the elusive Moufflon. |
| beaches and seek out the areas of unspoilt | | | | Then, before leaving our wonderful wilderness |
| wilderness, you may come across frames on the | | | | find yourselves a comfortableplace on the |
| beach which warn you of a turtle nest and | | | | rocks or lay that blanket on the beach and |
| kindly ask you not to disturb. I have also | | | | experience some of the best sunsets in the |
| found that many University students studying | | | | Mediterranean. Paphos behind the mask is a |
| marine biology spend their holiday time here | | | | memorable place! |
| helping out with the research into these | | | | |