Using the Rural Buses

I leave Limassol behind this morning after an enjoyable and rich breakfast at the Resort and today's destination is the small village of Vouni that nestles in the foothills of the Troodos mountains in the heart of the wine region . I am told that it is a picturesque village with quaint pebbled streets, traditional houses many of which date back to Venetian times, with graceful archways and courtyards and glorious scenery all around.

It is the village I wanted to visit last year when I was in Vassa but I did not have anybody to drive me there and there were no buses going that direction.

Well, I am going today, and once again by bus. The whole trip from the Resort to the village cost me 3 euros. Many would think that this is not possible yet it is.

Cypriots follow the British system of driving -on the right, while in Greece we use the opposite. Every year especially during the summer moths many accidents are caused by drivers who come from countries where the system differs from that of Cyprus.

To be honest, personally I attempted several times to hire a car but as if there was a reason, each time something would happen that would stop me the very last minute from hiring one . After so many attempts I thought that this might mean something…probably it is some kind of warning for me and I did not want to insist. I guess it was not meant to be so I quit. From then on, whenever I want to travel around Cyprus I use buses unless relatives or friends drop me to the place I want to get. There are no trains in Cyprus by the way!

When I am out traveling I don’t rush things and I take it as it comes. I have plenty of time to move from one place to the other and I can say I enjoy it. I don’t mind if I don’t have my own private car to get from one place to the other. In this way I have the chance to meet people on the way and at the same time save much money. Many times I believe that I might be enjoying these trips more than locals.

With One euro I take the Blue bus # 30 from outside the hotel that makes the Tourist route from outside the Le Meridien Resort (starting point) that goes as far as the New Harbour . I get off at the Old port and cross the street. Just opposite where I am dropped off there is a bus stop and I am so lucky that the bus shows up the moment I am crossing. I take Bus #201 that drops me off at the Bus Station opposite the Old Hospital with one more euro. This happens to be the central bus station of the rural buses. http://www.limassolbuses.com/

Before flying to Cyprus I always call the bus station and ask about the duration of the destination I want to visit and I plan the trip much ahead while still in Greece.

Bus #40 goes as far as Omodos (one euro) which is another popular village I have to include in a coming trip. The bus sets off at 10:00 sharp. On the way we pass through different smaller, but not so interesting little villages (Kandou, Souni, Kivides).

The driver tells me that I have to get off at the village of Ayios Amvrosios and there is a corresponding bus that will take me and any other to Vouni.

So, here we are, we reach Ayios Amvrosios and there is this smaller bus parked in the street waiting to drive us to Vouni. (same ticket) Four locals are going to the same village. The driver is a young man who is quite talkative and he tells me that the village is very close. He is the nephew of the president of the village (mouhtaris) that I am supposed to meet. The drive does not exceed the 10 minutes.

I am the first one to step down and the bus stop is right in front of the Country Lodge where I will spend my night. I thank the driver and greet everyone goodbye.

So, here I am, I have reached my destination with only 3 euros and it is still 11.30 in the morning. I have the whole day ahead to see and do so many things.

The original plan was to spend 2 nights in this lodge but I called the owner and arranged that I will stay only one. I had to make this change as I am to meet the couple from Australia in Platres -two days from now.