Leaving behind the beautiful and artistic village of Lania we are approaching 'the fruit village' as I used to call it when I was a kid . Trimiklini is surrounded by lots of greenery, and I believe it has the most juicy and aromatic fruit in the whole island. It has always been a place to stop and rest and I ask my friend to make a stop so that I can take a picture of the fruit market. As it is winter though there is nobody behind the benches and the place seems completely deserted. It looks as if a bomb has fallen earlier and there is no life, nothing at all.  These villages of the eastern slopes of Troodos are in the famous region of Pitsilia. They are among vineyards, orchards of almond and hazelnut trees and if one comes here during spring the place is full of wild flowers of all sorts and colours. Besides wine and fruit, the area produces the famous smoked ham which in Cyprus we call ‘hiromeri’ or the spicy smoked sausages –called ‘loukanika’ in Greek, and the smoked fillet of pork called ‘lountza’.

My friend tells me that we can stop at a winery on our way to Potamitissa if I want to, so we make a stop at the Tsiakkas Winery and while he tries to find the owner, I sneak through a door and find myself in the cellar for some photos, but again we are unlucky since the owner is not at the premises.



In the car again driving further on and much higher where the area around is full of huge pine trees. We start talking about mashrooms and I tell my friend how much I love them . The area here has many mushrooms and those who know well the kinds that are safe to be consumed pick them. So, here we are making another interesting stop and we are out searching to find some. We walk for some time up the hill and it is wonderful …just awesome! The smell of fresh air and the aroma coming from the pines makes me promise myself that very soon I have to return. We come across different kinds of mushrooms and we find traces from a recent visit. It is obvious that somebody must have visited this spot earlier.

I am so thankful that I have this chance to step off the car and even if we did not find any, I surely appreciate our short walk out in the forest. I cannot find words to thank this man out here who is making my day so interesting. I hardly know him and yet feel like he is a close friend of mine.

 

We are now in Kyperounta, well known for its 14th century church of the Holy Cross, or (Timiou Stavrou) that is included in the Unesco World Heritage List and it cannot be missed. Every time I am in Cyprus I always try to include one or two such churches in my trip. Since the church is locked my friend leaves me behind waiting by the church while he goes to find the man who has the key. A few minutes later he is back with an old man who opens the door for us but who tells me that I am not allowed to take photos as it is strictly forbidden . After begging and giving him my word that I am not going to use any flash he agrees that I can take a few. Inside the church the light is dim but I try my very best with the photos. There is another church worth seeing the man suggests but I believe for the time being this is more than enough.



Back in the car again, and this time my friend has a pleasant surprise for me. He tells me that if I wish he can drive me to Agros to visit the Rose factory. So here we are with the owner Mr. Tsolakis giving us a presentation of his products. (To us it is as if he is reciting, talking mechanically). I can understand of course, having in mind the number of times he must have done this to thousands of people before. He tells us that harvesting takes place in May and for one kilo of rose petals, workers have to pick about 400 to 500 roses. Harvest lasts only 20 to 25 days, and that each day 30,000 roses are being picked before the sun comes out. For them harvesting is like a festival he says and anyone is welcome to come and pick roses. The company whose name is Venus is based on natural cosmetics.