7: Waiting for Aphrodite to emerge from the frothing sea

 November 5: 🚢Limassol, Cyprus

Shore Excursion: Paphos Highlights

@Maria told us we didn't need to wait for Aphrodite to emerge from the foam of the sea - we were blessed with so much beauty and passion in our group on the coach. Think that was @Loraine and me

Getting started

Needed to invoke a variation to the imagined routine that we have established to fit in with the changed start time for the day. The clocks were switched back again (this is the time for a big chunk of the trip now) and we had a later start for excursions. We agreed to meet @LoRi at La Veranda at 9.30. This gave me plenty of writing time and @Mac got a generous sleep in. @Loraine grabbed the extra zzzzzs as well in their suite and I lolled in another foam infused bath session (complete with audio book) inspired by our tour today to the birthplace of Aphrodite.

But true to form @Richard was the livewire “eveready energiser bunny “and got his day started with a 45 minute belt out on the treadmill (even had the headsets in today to catch up on the news and take in a bit of a movie – a definite multitasker.) Was able to squeeze in a pre-brunch food combo and find a special nook on Deck 5 to continue with his current page turner.

We did all converge successfully for brunch and stocked up on the body reserves for the day ahead. I enjoyed the luxury of a gap between breakfast and departure by celebrating with loads of fluid – could have a water, a juice, a pot of tea AND even tried a Bloody Mary. @Mac and I have so far navigated life without trying one – so thought “Why not?”

Given @Mac’s dislike of tomato (Wayne and Gary were permanently scared as children by their Dad who cooked up a very unpalatable batch of mushy tomato) and my self-imposed “alcohol free day” the day before, not sure this was ever going to be a winner. On reflection – don’t think this is taste we have “missed” in our combined 134 years.

Found ourselves in Coffee Connection after breakfast to have a relaxing brew and still had oodles of time for pre departure.

Back to the suite to pack a little “snack” bag for today (fruit, treat and a cold drink – wouldn’t want to starve) and then joined our fellow tourers for muster. Everyone has the “hang” of the process now and despite being tour group 24 we were portside very quickly. The hallways, stairwells, exit ramps, dock and bus parking lot are always lined with Regent team members keeping you moving in the right direction and greeting your day with a smile and enthusiasm.

Bath, book and breakfast - a morning trifecta

Relaxed refuel and easy transit ashore

On shore explorations

Our Greek Cypriot tour guide was @Maria. At a diminutive 4’8” she was an absolute firecracker and pumped us with information that again included the history, both past and present, the politics (more the recent past), the geography, the demographics, the religions and added our own personal little subtitles the passing scenery outside the coach window.

@Maria is a victim of the invasion of the “so called” northern territories and in quiet conversation throughout the day, as we strolled with her in a land and amongst a people she loves, she shared her poignant story of the family abandoning their homeland in just the clothes they wore. They have rebuilt a life here, but live in what she acknowledged as unrealistic hopes and dreams of a return.

Despite that sombre backdrop to her personal story, other than a quiet share when asked, @Maria was a cheeky bundle of knowledge. She cajouled and encouraged us constantly (are you asleep? Are you away? You will want to tune in for this one? Why are you always last! Come closer this is an important piece) and filled our day with not only information and insights but smiles and laughter. The ABC joke of “not another bloody church” was replaced with ABJ – “not another bloody joke” – and @Maria enjoyed this one at her expense.

@Maria had three special stops planned for us this morning and after a short 40-minute drive along the coast, accompanied by her expert commentary, we pulled into Petra tou Romiou - the beautiful stretch of beach with the prominent rock stacks just offshore.

Aphrodite, the goddess of love, desire and passion has been a favourite of mine for some time, so I was keen to hear @Maria's version of her birth - a wonderful image of her emerging from the foam of the sea born of the testicles of Uranus that were tossed into the ocean.

We waited patiently but there was no sign of this beauty. @Richard was a little callous - he pulled that bandaid off very quickly - and burst my Aphrodite bubble by telling me "You know she isn't real." Sort of like telling a child Santa isn't real. And @Maria complicated the whole thing when she informed us if we wanted to complete our transformation, we needed to come back at midnight, in summer and swim naked in the sea. Um, guess that's not real either. I might need a new cult to follow.

Back on board for the short trip into Paphos to visit the Tomb of the Kings. And this was a bit of a misnomer because no kings were buried here. The necropolis was the burial place of aristocrats and high-ranking government officials and gets its "kingly" reference from the opulence and magnificence of the tombs. These well-preserved underground tombs were almost mini replicas of the homes of the living with steps, atrium, rooms and columns. @Maria took time to identify the shrubs, trees, flowers and herbs found on the site and scurried around to pick samples for us to feel and smell.

The final stop was to the Pafos Archaeological Site where 40 and 70 room Roman homes have been uncovered and although the outer structures and their dimensions, construction and purpose are all important - it is the perfectly preserved mosaics from the 3rd to 5th century AD which adorn the floors that are the draw card here. The House of Dionysus is the centre piece – a large section of revealed mosaics covered and protected by a roof and access to the mosaics is through a series of interconnected viewing platforms perched above the floors. Each one of these intricate an elaborate floor design carries a story – a retell from Greek Mythology. And @Maria obliged at each one of them – pointing out the details in the tiles and weaving the storylines to make the gods and goddesses leap to life from the 2D tile representations. There were stories of Dionysius, Poseidon Daphne and so many others.

We then picked our way through the outdoor House of Theseus and the House of Aion and declared the clear detail of the extra tiny mosaics and the colours of Aion as our favourites.

A little afternoon tea snack perched on the sea wall of the harbour of Paphos ended our visit and then it was back to coach for the 50 minute return ride again, with highlights from @Maria.

A perfect blend of light and shade for a cracker of a day getting a brief taster of another divine destination.

Going solo for the evening

Actually, said our goodbyes at the suite doors this afternoon as we returned at 5 pm to the ship. (no game and no puzzles this evening :( ) @LoRi have a very special Zoom event connection with their family tomorrow morning at 2 am so that meant an adjustment to their evening. Combine this with our 6.30 departure tomorrow morning in Israel and it is easy to appreciate why they want an early dinner! We won’t see them for another 24 hours now because we are going our separate ways for excursions in Israel tomorrow.

We tried something different – had made an earlier booking for a “shared table” in Chartreuse. A great opportunity to engage in some conversation with some “lucky dip” guests.

In deference to their privacy, kept the camera in my bag this evening and focused on the conversation and the food. We joined an English couple at a table of four and then spent the next two and half hours exchanging stories with this fascinating couple. Didn’t solve any of the grand problems of the world but did get a chance to touch on covid interruptions to the rhythm of travel, business and work ethics, family life, creative genius and even a tad of cricket and the royal family. And isn’t it fascinating the way stories cross – they are regular visitors to Whistler (a few times a year – and set up in a heliskiing lodge – wouldn’t @Ian love those stories.) And could just see @Liz and @Ross doing this – the gentleman was running his 20 strong holdings business from the connectivity of his laptop in his suite, and they are absent face to face from business for nearly 10 weeks. Gotta love technology - when it works.

Were inadvertently late to the show - another big production song and dance spectacular entitled "World Rhythms." We took up front row seats in the balcony level and enjoyed the pulse, rhythm, talent and energy as they dazzled in costumes and music segments from countries around the world.

Made our way back "home" - with a determination to have everything set and packed ready for the 6.30 am leave and the 13-hour tour day tomorrow. We've got this!

PS Had a little technical disaster this evening. Was patting myself on the back for being very organised throughout the day and having all the bits ready for the process of compilation for the blog. Not sure why, but as I hit the save option after the writing and the upload of pictures - everything disappeared, and I was left with a totally blank page. Tried to Dr Google to get an insight into retrieval - but just had to let it go. Frustratingly, I am not sure what caused it - so am nervous that I may repeat in the future. This is my second attempt - and has been compiled in the early hours pre–Dead Sea departure - on the plus side, the internet speed is a little perkier at this time of day.

Weather: 27 with clear blue skies

Steps: 9 461

#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise