(Note: Click on small pictures to see a larger version)

The island of Cyprus is divided. It is a place where the ancient hatreds between Greeks and Turks lies just above the surface. Greek Cypriots sought reunion with Greece: "Enosis." Turkish Cypriots saw that as the end of their culture and took up arms to defend their way of life. Currently there is an uneasy UN-monitored truce along the "Green Line" which separates Turk-held northern Cyprus from Greek-held southern Cyprus. Cyprus remains independent. The Greeks in Nicosia claim to rule the entire island. The Turks in Kyrenia have proclaimed a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

We visited the area from the port of Limassol west along the southern (Greek) coast of Cyprus. As we entered the harbor we passed a burned-out Cruise ship, the Romantica, a somber reminder that the sea is never without her dangers. This picture is from a newspaper article published last October.

Our tour of Cyprus took us first to Kourion (Latin Curium), a town on a high bluff which had been destroyed by an earthquake in fourth century. Arab raids in the seventh century led to the final abandonment of the site.

		Mosaics at Kourion were very well preserved. Note the fish, a Christian symbol. The inscription translates as: "In place of rock and iron, or gleaming bronze and diamonds, this house is girt with the much-venerated signs of Christ."
		The theatre has been liberally restored to active use. It has a superb view out towards the sea.

After leaving Kourion we passed the birthplace of Aphrodite (remember Botticelli's Venus on the Half-Shell?). The rock to the left in this picture is it. The guide says that locals believe that if somebody swims three times around the rock, they will be married within a year.

The other stop on Cyprus was Paphos where there are the remains of a 3rd century A.D. Graeco-Roman Villa called "The House of Dionysios" because of the subject of the superb mosaics uncovered there:

	This one shows Dionysius, on the left, drinking with Akme. Ikarios is leading an ox-cart loaded with bags of grapes. On the right are two figures identified as "The first wine drinkers"
	Apollo and Daphne
	The Triumph of Dionysios
	A peacock
	Marie calls this one "American Quilt"