The Mystery Bus trip

 It was an early start on a beautiful morning for this year's Mystery Bus trip. We joined around 35 people who boarded the bus in Pissouri and headed towards Limassol and then to The Troodos mountains. 

Our first stop was a The Katerina Cyprus Sweets near the village of Dhoros. The number of homemade sweets, jams and picked items is very extensive. 

We then drove towards the Troodos mountains, slowly climbing upwards through the tree lined vallies. Our destination was The Troodos botanical gardens. We walked over to the visitors centre where we listened to a talk about the mountain  region and the history of the local asbestos mine by a Park ranger.

We then had some time to stroll around the small garden area and  admire the forest  views towards Limassol. We did notice  the drop in temperature as we were at nearly 2000 metres. 

We then stopped off at a view point that overlooks the site of the old Amiantos Mine, which once again gives tremendous views of the surrounding area.

We drove on through Platres and continued the steep descent to the outskirts of the village of Omodos where our next stop was the Oenou Yi winery. 

Firstly we went out out onto the veranda to take in the view of the surrounding vineyards and the village Omodos just a kilometre away.

We then took a informative tour of the  fermentation plant, the storage area, the bottling plant and the area of wooden casks that stores their "Holy Cross" .

Then we walked up to one of the tasting rooms where we tasted 3 white wines, one red wine and a glass of the Holy Cross desert wine. We then bought a couple of bottles of our favourite wine, the Xynisteri.

Refuelled and it was back on the bus and we headed for our lunch stop at Agios Amvrosios at the Sykaminia taverna. 

Lunch was a mini meze and a bottle of wine from the local Zambartas winery served in the taverna's picturesque courtyard .

From Agios Amvrosios it was the just a short journey back home to Pissouri after an enjoyable day out. A big "Thank you" to Tanya and Bob for organising the whole day out.