Having already explored the city of Paphos and the mountains of Troodos by motorbike, it’s time for the coast. After all, this is an island. I imagined Cyprus to be bigger, but the more I get to know about the island, the smaller it seems. The cities are not particularly big, but everyone lives there.

There are many hotels and restaurants along the coast, but it is not as concreted over as, for example, on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

I start from Paphos northwards and follow the coast. It’s still very urban here. Tour operators start from here with their quads inland, restaurants offer their dishes with sea views and pebble beaches invite the stressed city dwellers to swim.

I’m back on the road and I can smell the seawater and cedar trees

My first target is the wreck of a large merchant ship lying just off the coast. On the one hand there is the idyll of the soft limestone rocks that separate the sea from the land like oversized shells. On the other hand, this steel colossus towers up in the turquoise-blue water, slowly being recaptured by nature like an industrial ruin.

Is that already disaster tourism?

Some tourists are here taking selfies in front of the wreck. It’s hot and the sun is burning. There is no shadow.

The colors of this scenery harmonize beautifully. The orange tone of the land and ship create a complementary contrast with the turquoise water. The photographer in me is very satisfied.

Not far away is the idyllic little port of Sankt George. Motorhomes are parked there and sports boats are waiting to be used. It looks cozy, despite the tourist season. And the water invites you to swim.

Unfortunately the sky is overcast again and it’s dripping. The weather is very unusual, Zsolt tells me from Paphos. It should be much warmer this time of year.

On top of the cliffs, overlooking the harbor and with the best sea views, is the church of Agios Georgios. It is open and can be visited without any problems.

Right next to it, a resourceful seller offers beautiful handmade ceramics. I am amazed that I know exactly this ceramic with exactly the same painting from Bulgaria.

I see an entry on Google Maps near the church that makes me suspicious: “Old Tree”. What is that supposed to be. an old tree? Is that something special? It’s not far to walk, but I have to get close to the tree before I see it.

Deformed by the weather, this tree has bent towards the ground like an old man over the years. I can well imagine that this plant has already been through a lot. It’s a beautiful sight that makes “time” seem very unimportant.

Pure Mediterranean!

Finally, I visit the “Sea Caves” and finally decide to go swimming there. Small caves have formed in the round limestone. The water is turquoise. I also use my snorkel mask and can see many plants and small fish underwater.

The cliffs give way to rocks that point out like fingers into the water. That’s a classic sight of the Mediterranean, I think.

My next destination is approaching. I’m going for a hike. The gorge of Avakas in Cyprus is particularly suitable for this.