After starting our day off with the delicious breakfast buffet served at the Classic Hotel, we went to Limassol for the second day in a row to visit the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) Maritime Training Center. Here, we were given an introduction to the company and a tour. During the introduction, we learned lots of interesting information about the company. For instance, BSM is a shipmanagement company that does not own any ships themselves. The company manages others’ ships to transport their cargo. They are the intermediate between a buyer and a seller. Also, we learned that about 90-95% of what is sold in stores like Walmart was transported in ship vessels by companies like them. During the tour, we were brought to many different facilities in the training center and were explained what the trainees have to do during their time here before they are able to work on an actual ship. For example, we were shown the trainee mess hall where trainee mess hall cooks are able to practice making food in a mess hall. Also, we were able to see trainees practicing steering he boat in a fake bridge. Ships have to obey traffic laws that are very similar to those drivers have to follow.

After our visit at the BSM training center, we went to the Omodos village for a group lunch and some free time. For lunch, we went to the Stou Kir Yianna Tavern. Here, we were served a lot of traditional Cypriot dishes. My favorite part of our meal was the halloumi, a traditional Cypriot cheese, toasted and covered in sesame seeds and the most delicious and juiciest orange slices I’ve ever had. After lunch, we were able to walk around the village, visiting souvenir shops and the Monastery there. Then, we headed up into the mountains, driving on windy roads leading up the mountain, to Troodos Square. Here, we were able to find a couple more souvenir shops with beautifully decorate Cypriot plates and bowls and delicious toasted and flavored nuts. Also at Troodos Square, we were able to go on a nice nature walk that has a great overlook of the mountains around us.