If Google Maps had feelings, it would’ve cried trying to navigate today. St. Mina’s Monastery was a peaceful escape, tucked behind flower-lined walls that made the outside world disappear; its quiet, simple beauty and familiar layout felt especially calming. In contrast, Lefkara Village buzzed with charm—narrow cobblestone streets, cozy shops, and the mesmerizing sight of…
Tag: Plus3 Cyprus
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So Long… And Thanks For All The Fish
Hello all, welcome to the final blog of my trip to Cyprus! Today was such a nice way to end the trip. First up on our agenda was St. Mina’s Monastery, which was most likely made during the Byzantine era. It was beautiful. There was gold all around the photos at the front of the…
Georgia, Guidance, and Goodbyes
Today was our last day in Cyprus but we definitely ended on a high note. We once again visited a small village in the hills of Cyprus, today it was Lefkara. On the bus ride our lovely tour guide, Georgia, explained the history of the town. She explained how they were famous for lace and…
Vertically Integrated From Rock to Dock
Vassiliko Cement really cements its place as a powerhouse by doing it all—from rock to dock—under one roof. Based on what I observed this morning, Vassiliko Cement Company operates as an extremely vertically integrated company, managing nearly every stage of its production process in-house. From the initial mining of raw materials (they have 5 quarries)…
Oh Rock of Ages, Do Not Crumble – Vassilikos Cement, CMMI, & Places of Worship
Today we got to visit Vassilikos Cement Works which was founded in 1963 and started their first cement production in 1967. They are the largest heavy industry in Cyprus and the largest producer of cement in Europe. They provided a great opportunity to discuss vertical integration as they control all parts of their production and…
Dust, Digitalization, and Devotion
We started our day at Vassiliko Cement Works to learn about their company. Vassiliko is unique because it is one of the few modern companies that still practices vertical integration. Vertical integration means that a company owns all aspects of the supply chain, from raw materials to final product. Vassiliko fits this mold perfectly. The…
Hard Hats and Cement
This morning we visited Vassiliko Cement Works, the largest production unit in Europe. They operate as a vertically integrated company, managing the entire cement production process from raw material extraction to final distribution. The company owns and operates five quarries (two limestone, two clay, and one gypsum). Owning their own quarries ensures that their supply…
Morning Ports
Today, we visited four significant Cypriot port companies in the morning: CPA, DP World, P&O, and Eurogate. All four of these companies piqued my interest, and it was cool to see how all of these companies have their own unique way of accomplishing the same goal. The first company we visited, Cyprus Ports Authority, mainly…
History at My Feet and a Pelican at My Side
I never thought a day could consist of learning ancient mythology, crawling through underground tunnels, and end with a rogue pelican. Visiting Aphrodite’s Rock and the Paphos area was one of those experiences that sticks with you—not just because of the stunning views, but because of the unexpected layers of history and culture. The beach…
Aphrodite’s Rock and Paphos
Today, we visited both Aphrodite’s Rock and the village of Paphos. At Aphrodite’s Rock, I was a little confused at first because there were multiple rocks and I wasn’t quite sure which one was actually Aphrodite’s Rock. Initially, I thought it was the big rock right in the middle of the sea. However, I eventually…
A Little Bit of Everything!
Today started out with a bang as, following another long yet informative bus ride, we arrived at the famous site of Aphrodite’s Rock. Stepping out of the bus and looking over towards the water to see the rock in all its glory was one of the highlights of my day. We walked down to get…
A Day of Stones and Stories
To end of the weekend strong, we visited the beautiful Aphrodite’s Rock and then made our way to The Tombs of the Kings and finished our day off with a guided tour of the Mosiacs. When we first arrived at Aphrodite’s Rock, I completely underestimated how large it would be in person! Seeing the rock…
Aphrodite’s Rock, Tomb of the Kings, and the Mosaics
Today was a day filled with so much sightseeing. We drove to the town of Paphos, and on the way we stopped at Aphrodite’s Rock, or Petro Tou Romiou (pictured below). This sight was beautiful. This is said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite which makes a lot of sense because she was the goddess…
Day 7: Rocks and Mosaics
This morning we drove to Paphos and along the way we stopped to look at Aphrodite’s Rock. Knowing the backstory of the birth of Aphrodite then seeing it in person was a memorable experience. I enjoyed walking along the pebbled beach around the sea and looking at the natural beauty of the rocks. A short…
Day 7: Tombs and tiles
We had another beautiful day in Cyprus! I am a big fan of both Greek mythology and rocks, so other than the heat today was my perfect day. We started our adventure learning about the Greek mythology connected to Cyprus, particularly Aphrodite. Aphrodite is traditionally the goddess of love and beauty, but to Cypriots she…
Day 7: Masterful Mosaics and Aphrodites Rock
Another early morning today brought us to Aphrodites rock, a beautiful land feature with many round skippable stones. We then travelet to Pathos, a beautiful city with many preserved mosaics. The mosaics were excavated from the mansion of a Roman General who lived in Cyprus, with many of the mosaics being largely in-tact. Georgia, our…
Aphrodite and Archeology – Day 7
Today we got a lesson in mythology as we visited Aphrodite’s rock, the Tombs of the Kings and the House of Dionysus in Pafos. Aphrodite’s rock is believed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, where she rose up from the foam of the sea and stepped onto the beaches of Cyprus. Aside from the impressive…
Myths, Mausoleums, and Mosaics
Today we visited Paphos. Along the way we stopped at Aphrodite’s Rock on the western coast of the island. Myths of Aphrodite’s birth say that she was born from the sea foam hitting the rock. This beach became a popular pilgrimage for the believers of Greek Mythology. After taking some photos and admiring the rocks…
Tomb Raider… But Without The Violence
Hello all, welcome again for blog #6! Today was a long day of adventure. I tried to keep it to one paragraph, but there was too much information for only a single one to be enough, so I broke it into three smaller paragraphs for easier reading (also so I can add many photos!). First…