Cooling off...Trooditissa Monastery-Prodromos-Trimiklini

 After being spiritually and physically rested after my ten day sojourn on the island of Poros in Greece (everyone needs a bit of a getaway, even from Cyprus), I headed up to the mountains of Troodos for some fresh air and inspiration. The destination was the old monastery of Trooditissa, a haven for those seeking refuge from the August heat and some spiritual enlightenment. It is well worth the visit if you want to learn a little about the island's religious history.

 The monastery itself went through many stages of development and in difficult times was often short of money and in delapidation but through hard work, faith and some funding it recovered. It has been a place of retreat for generations, has educated and guided the population in its walls and been there to support struggles. It housed refugees during the invasion of 1974 and helped them rebuild their lives.
Many visitors both Cypriot and foreign have visited it, one such comparing it to an area in Switzerland. A British traveller by the name of Simon Baker, visited it in the summer of 1879, using it as a place of retreat and quiet contemplation. He took residence in a tent close to the monastery for three months and when those three months were over, regretted leaving commenting that "in this land one finds himself closer to heaven than in any other location on earth." He goes on to talk of the surrounding gardens and admires the work of the monks living there. Today's monastery is shaded by age old trees in the courtyard, surrounded by beautiful mountain views. On the day I visited the monastery was brimming with people young and old, reverently paying a visit, lighting a candle and silently praying.

We left the monastery and headed to Prodromos camping site, sitting on a picnic bench to eat our sandwiches and fruit. Many Cypriots this year have opted for low-key, low-cost holidays and the campsite was dotted with tents. In the picnic area a woman washed fresh grapes and a watermelon with the crisp mountain water and the men cooked the souvla. An air of calm could be felt and this feeling kept with us as we made our way down to Trimiklini passing the mountainous hills of pine. A storm cloud promised there might be some rain and the fresh, cool breeze covered our faces as we let the windows down.

In Trimiklini we paid a visit to the church there and sat at the cafe and had some loukoumades (fried honey balls) gulped down with some Cypriot coffee. The sun was getting lower, casting a glow on trees and vegetation below. We bought some fresh figs and grapes from the market there and headed home. It had been a beautiful day in the mountains and I recommend it to anyone looking for some peace and quiet, away from town.