| I have lived in Paphos for a few years now and after | | | | What a holiday! |
| the euphoria of living in the sun, going to the beach, | | | | Cyprus is also heaven for bird watchers. The island |
| seeing the sea every day and watching fabulous | | | | has become a stop over for many migratory birds on |
| coastal sunsets every night, had settled to an | | | | their travels from Europe to Africa during the autumn |
| acceptable level, I then discovered that Paphos has so | | | | and back again in spring. More than 300 different bird |
| much more to offer. | | | | species have been seen and recorded and the island |
| Don't get me wrong, all of the above still excite me | | | | has two endemic species which are often seen in the |
| beyond belief and the Med lifestyle is all it is cracked | | | | coastal regions, which are the Cyprus Pied Wheatear |
| up to be, but behind the mask of simply being a tourist | | | | and the Cyprus |
| attraction, offering all that the discerning holiday maker | | | | Warbler. One of the islands larger varieties of bird is |
| could be looking for, there is another face to Paphos. | | | | now very much under threat and conservationists |
| Not many visitors will see or experience this face | | | | battle hard to save it from extinction. The Griffin |
| because they are taking a break from their daily lives | | | | Vulture was once a common sight on the island but |
| and looking for fabulous beaches, water sports, great | | | | now their numbers have dwindled to less than 50. |
| restaurants and total relaxation. But, I have found out | | | | So to those of you that have visited before and |
| what is going on in the background. | | | | enjoyed your summer holidays in Cyprus, why not try |
| Cyprus is an extremely interesting place for nature | | | | an autumn or sprint visit. Most of the tourists have |
| lovers. Paphos is home to a very rare and very shy | | | | returned home and the beaches once again become |
| wild sheep called the Moufflon that has magnificent | | | | the domain of our wildlife. You will of course have to |
| curving horns. These heraldic animals, although roaming | | | | make an effort as not all these areas are easily |
| wild, can be seen at the forestry station in Paphos | | | | accessed and the areas around Paphos, namely the |
| forest (Stavros tis Psokas). Another delight is that the | | | | Akamas Peninsula, can only be accessed by four |
| island has visiting Loggerhead and Green turtles that | | | | wheel drive. This will be a unique experience that you |
| comeashore to nest every year on the sandy | | | | will take home and treasure. Imagine walking a beach |
| beaches around Paphos. These marine turtles are | | | | with no sun beds, no shops, no noise apart from the |
| strictly protected and if you do decide to venture | | | | surf and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the fresh |
| further afield than the local sunbathing beaches and | | | | air, the scenery and the forests and keep an eye out |
| seek out the areas of unspoilt wilderness, you may | | | | for the elusive Moufflon. Then, before leaving our |
| come across frames on the beach which warn you of | | | | wonderful wilderness find yourselves a comfortable |
| a turtle nest and kindly ask you not to disturb. I have | | | | place on the rocks or lay that blanket on the beach |
| also found that many University students studying | | | | and experience some of the best sunsets in the |
| marine biology spend their holiday time here helping out | | | | Mediterranean. Paphos behind the mask is a |
| with the research into these fabulous marine creatures. | | | | memorable place! |