Christmas Day 2024

Our Christmas Day began with the comforting aroma of bacon sandwiches and freshly brewed coffee. After enjoying our simple but delicious breakfast, we settled down to exchange gifts.

  

Soon after, we received a video call from our family in South Wales. It was lovely to see Cari and Jude, who excitedly showed us some of their Christmas presents.

The festive spirit continued in the afternoon when we headed over to Steve and Mary’s house, where we had been kindly invited to join their Christmas celebrations. We were welcomed with glasses of bubbly, even as our gracious hosts busied themselves in the kitchen preparing the feast. A little later, Matty, Ollie, and Lowrie joined us, and Steve and Mary were able to take a well-deserved break from their culinary duties.

When dinner was served, it was nothing short of a banquet. The table was laden with an array of beautifully cooked dishes, including turkey, pork, and gammon as the centerpiece meats, complemented by an impressive variety of vegetables and traditional accompaniments.

After the meal, Lowrie delighted us with her beautiful singing voice, performing a Christmas carol in Welsh—a truly touching and memorable moment. This was followed by the perfect festive treat: traditional Irish coffees, rich and warming.

As the evening progressed, nature put on its own dramatic show. A heavy rainstorm swept through, and a spectacular electrical storm passed directly over Pissouri, adding an atmospheric backdrop to our celebrations.

Indoors, the laughter continued with a series of lively table games that brought everyone together. The joy and laughter made for an unforgettable evening filled with fun, warmth, and festive cheer.

Christmas Eve - Mary's birthday

Our Christmas Eve began at the coffee shop in Pissouri Square, where we joined several friends for a couple of drinks. The festive spirit was already in full swing as young Cypriot men set up small barbecues on the terrace, grilling souvlaki, mushrooms, halloumi, and other delicious treats.

After some time, we strolled across the square to the Traditionalism of Tastes restaurant, affectionately known by locals as "The Bank." Once a village bank, this charming venue has been beautifully transformed into a restaurant.

The occasion was Mary’s birthday, and George, the owner, kindly opened the restaurant early just for our private gathering. Among the guests were Mary and Steve, Matty, Ollie, Lowri, and, of course, Rob and Mandy.

Kyriacos went above and beyond, serving a mouthwatering Cypriot meze that showcased the best of local flavors.

Then Mandy's home made chocolate birthday cake was brought to the table as the restaurant broke into a verse of "Happy birthday ".

As we enjoyed the feast, the village Christmas tree and decorations came to life, casting a warm, magical glow over the square and adding a touch of holiday magic to a memorable evening.

Football and Pissouri Christmas market day

On a chilly evening in Cyprus, the weekend started off with Rob and Pete driving over to the Alphamega stadium  just outside Limassol to watch the football match between Aris Limassol against  Karmiotissa. In a drab game the visitors grabbed a late equaliser to end the game 1-1.

Pissouri transformed into a festive wonderland for its Christmas Market Day. The beautifully decorated village square became a hub of holiday cheer, with twinkling lights and seasonal decorations setting the perfect backdrop for a day of joy and celebration.

The day’s entertainment was a delightful blend of local and international traditions. The square echoed with the laughter and applause of visitors as local children performed traditional Cypriot dances and songs.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, an expat choir serenaded the crowd with timeless Christmas carols, spreading nostalgia and joy among the visitors. The day concluded on a high note with a stunning performance by a Cypriot choir, whose polished harmonies captivated the audience.

The market itself was a treasure trove of holiday treats, featuring stalls brimming with handmade goods, artisanal crafts, and delicious Cypriot delicacies. And, of course, the highlight for the little ones was the surprise visit from Father Christmas, who handed out gifts and made the day unforgettable for the village’s children.

Pissouri’s Christmas Market Day wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of community, culture, and the magic of the holiday season.

Pre Christmas in South Wales

The Festive season set off in South Wales with Cari taking part in her school's  Christmas play.

 Jude and Cari then enjoyed a visit from Santa as the South Wales fire service put on a Christmas event for the local kids. The kids had gifts, threw soft, imatation snowballs at Santa, played games and had a whale of a time.

Lania Christmas market

On the way home from Larnaca we took a detour up to the foothills of the Troodos mountains where we stopped off at the picturesque village of Lania where they were holding their Christmas market.

We wandered through the festively decorated narrow streets until we came to the village square. The were several market stalls but not as many as usual.  The Christmas tree in front of the church was impressive and a good crowd had gathered to enjoy the Christmas carols.

We stopped off in the Lania tavern for coffee and to give Judith her birthday gifts.

As we were sitting enjoying our coffee a number of youngsters dressed as cartoon characters came into the restaurant .

On the way back to the car we had to take cover from the noisy little Christmas train that was careering through the narrow streets.

We then returned to Pissouri for Sunday lunch at The Midway, the perfect ending to an enjoyable weekend. 

Christmas Parade in Larnaca

On Saturday afternoon  along with Paul and Judith, we drove into Larnaca and parked up by the marina. Our first stop was at Europe square which had been turned into a Christmas playground, complete with a huge ferris wheel. 

We the met up with one of Paul and Judith's friends, Pete, who works in the Plaza cafe, this is where we had a small treat of coffee and cake.

We then strolled through some of the streets of the town which were highly decorated. 

We arrived at the Takis kebab house, just as hundreds of kids were getting ready for their annual street parade through the streets of the town.

Everyone had huge smiles as Santa on his sledge headed up the parade with hundreds of girl dancers following in colourful costumes and dancing to the Christmas music.

We were lucky that we had a front row table in the perfect position to watch the parade. We enjoyed a tasty meal which was cooked on a charcoal grill right behind us.

Agai Napa Sculpture park and beyond

The next day we drove towards Agai Napa, the motorway was incredibly quiet,  we only saw  handful of other cars.

We headed for the sculpture park that lies just on the outskirts of the town.The park hosts a huge number of sculptures,  mostly  made of stone and with an unhindered view of the sea behind which makes for a superb backdrop.

We then took a stroll through the impressive cactus garden that has numerous varieties of cacti and succulents. 

From Agia napa we took the short drive to Cyherbia botanical and herb gardens. These gardens are kept in pristine conditions. The lavender and herb gardens are quite large and its products are for sale in the garden shop. We arrived at lunchtime and enjoyed a lovely bowl on pumpkin soup, served with crusty bread. The cafe was tastefully decorated and had a log fire keeping the inside nice and cosy.

After a walk in the herb gardens we popped our heads into the large maze, where visitors can get lost in.