Protaris Day 3

 We spent another relaxing day around the pool after a late night at the "Stardust" show. In the afternoon we walked over to the To Akroyiali restaurant, which sits close to the shore line by Nisia Loumbardi beach.

The restaraunt sits overlooking a lush lawn with views toward the the Jetty seaside bar and the sea beyond that. The food and the service were superb, a great way to end our weekend in Protaris.

Protaris day 2

The following morning, we drove into the main hub of Protaras, around Fig Tree Bay. Even though it was still relatively early, the area was already busy, with plenty of people enjoying the start of another hot Cyprus day.

We decided to make the most of our morning and drove on towards the spectacular Cape Greko area.

Cape Greko lies at the south-eastern tip of Cyprus and is one of the island’s most beautiful areas, with dramatic coastline, clear blue water and rugged natural scenery. Unfortunately, the temperatures were absolutely sweltering, making it difficult to explore the terrain properly. We had to keep the sightseeing fairly brief and make the most of the air-conditioned car!

By the evening, it was time to head out again, this time for something completely different. We made our way to The Octagon to see the “Stardust” Drag Show.

It turned out to be a fantastic evening. The show was packed with comedy, colourful performances and plenty of audience interaction, with some of the antics on stage having the audience literally rolling in the aisles.

What impressed us most was how well organised the whole evening was. The performances were polished and professional, and the atmosphere in the venue was brilliant from start to finish. 

A weekend in Protaris

It was a very hot August morning when we jumped in the car and left Pissouri, heading east across Cyprus towards the resort of Protaras.

The journey should normally take around two hours, although roadworks outside Ayia Napa added a little extra time to our trip. Eventually, we arrived at our base for the stay, the Adelias Hotel, situated on the outskirts of Protaras.

After checking in, we settled into holiday mode with lunch at the hotel before spending a relaxing afternoon beside the pool. After the long, hot drive, it was exactly what we needed.

As the temperature began to drop in the early evening, we headed out for a walk down towards the shoreline. We found a table at the Jetty Seaside Bar, where we enjoyed a couple of drinks while watching the world go by.

With the sun slowly disappearing over the horizon, the evening had that wonderful relaxed holiday feeling that makes you forget about everything else.

Later, we made our way to To Akroyiali Restaurant for dinner, rounding off a lovely first day on the east coast of Cyprus.

A visit to the Troodos Forest

 On a beautifully warm Sunday morning, we joined our good friends Steve and Mary for a scenic road trip from Pissouri into the heart of the Troodos Forest.

As we climbed into the mountains and passed through the village of Arsos, the landscape transformed dramatically. The rolling countryside gave way to breathtaking valleys blanketed in lush forests, with spectacular views stretching as far as the eye could see.

Our first stop was the charming and wonderfully quirky village of Founi. We wandered to the local coffee shop, where we had an unexpected and heartwarming encounter with a fellow Pissouri resident. Insisting on treating us, she bought us freshly brewed coffee and generous slices of her delicious homemade ginger cake. Sitting beneath the shade of towering trees, cooled by a gentle mountain breeze, we couldn't have imagined a more relaxing start to the day.

Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll through Founi's narrow, winding streets, admiring the traditional stone houses before arriving at the beautiful Church of Timiou Stavrou, one of the village's historic landmarks.

Back on the road, our next stop was the Tsiakkas Winery, perched high above the surrounding countryside. The panoramic views across the vine-covered hillsides were simply stunning, making it the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.

From there, we continued to the picturesque village of Agros, where we had reserved lunch at the Koiláda Restaurant. Even before stepping inside, the mouthwatering aroma from the enormous souvla pit told us we were in for a treat. Rows of meats slowly roasting over charcoal created an irresistible welcome. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, and we happily whiled away a couple of hours enjoying a superb traditional meal in the cool shade of the courtyard.

Our final village stop was Koilani. We made our way to Maria's Taverna, where a refreshing cold beer was exactly what we needed after a day of exploring. The owner also introduced us to their delicious cherry-flavoured Zivania, which we enjoyed while relaxing on the balcony overlooking the village below—a wonderful way to experience genuine Cypriot hospitality.

As the afternoon drew to a close, we made our way back to Pissouri, but the day wasn't quite over. We finished our adventure at the Bay Tree Bar, enjoying a couple of well-earned sundowners while listening to the wonderful live performance of Svitlana Gordiiwnko in the courtyard.

It was the perfect ending to a long, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable day exploring some of the most beautiful villages and mountain scenery that the Troodos Forest has to offer. If you're looking to escape the summer heat of the coast, this route makes for a fantastic day out and is one we can highly recommend.

Andrew Browning tribute to George Micheal

 Mandy, Jayne and Barry headed over to the popular venue for an evening of great food, good company and outstanding entertainment, as Andrew Browning took to the stage with his acclaimed tribute to the legendary George Michael.

From the very first song, it was clear the audience was in for something special. The restaurant was packed, creating a wonderful atmosphere as fans of George Michael sang along to classic hits including Faith, Careless Whisper, Freedom! '90, and many more.

Andrew Browning captured not only the sound of George Michael but also his stage presence, delivering an energetic and heartfelt performance that had the audience dancing, clapping and singing throughout the evening.

The packed crowd thoroughly enjoyed a tremendous show, rewarding every performance with enthusiastic applause. It was a fitting tribute to one of Britain's greatest musical icons and a memorable evening for everyone in attendance.

Lisa and Anrew's Aussie Video 2026 Part Two

The Video of Part Two of the Aussie Adventure 2026.

 The Aventure continues, reaching Queensland, our two travellers visit Mooloolaba, the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie beach, Guyhalungra, Hugheden.

They then Crossed over in the Northern Territory and visited Alice Springs, Mary Kathleen Mine, The Devi's Marbles and Davenport.

                                            Link at   The Austrialian Adventure

Heatwave, irock and back to college

Mid-July brought an intense heatwave to Cyprus, with temperatures in the inland areas soaring to 44°C. The exceptionally hot weather also placed a heavy demand on the electricity network, resulting in a number of intermittent power cuts across the island.

Back in the UK, our goddaughter, Cari, proudly took the lead vocals at her school's iRock concert—a wonderful achievement.

 Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Australia, Lisa has begun an exciting new chapter, starting her new role at a college in Alice Springs. We wish her every success and happiness in her new position.

British Armed Forces Day in Cyprus

 On a hot but beautiful day, we made our way down to the Episkopi Military Base and continued on to their beach area known as Tunnel Beach. The occasion was Armed Forces Day (UK), and the setting could not have been better.

Beyond simply enjoying the festivities, it was also a great opportunity for Mandy to set up a stall showcasing her handmade beaded products. The event itself was extremely well organised, with a wide range of stalls offering food, crafts, and activities for all ages.

 Entertainment was provided throughout the day, starting with music from DJ Phill, followed later by tribute performances celebrating Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams. The atmosphere was relaxed and family-oriented, with people enjoying themselves both on the shore and in the sea.

One of the standout moments came around midday when a large military helicopter arrived overhead. It hovered dramatically above the beach before performing an impressive manoeuvre, almost “bowing” to the crowd along the shoreline. It was a striking display of flying skill and drew plenty of attention from everyone watching.

By the time we left, the bead stall had enjoyed a steady flow of interest, and we were all sun-tanned and pleasantly tired. It had been a long but thoroughly enjoyable day—well organised, well attended, and full of memorable moments.