Cyprus: A Unified Perspective of Divided Land

Cyprus's azure sky, mountains, historic ruins, and gorgeous Venetian balconies may all be part of its charm. 'If flowers could talk?', I frequently find myself wondering that what is the answer for this question. Photography is the same. We need to use our imagination when it comes to creative camera lens "solutions"!

Have you ever given any thought to the possibility that there is more to Cyprus than first it appears? The region contains a variety of stunning natural features, including majestic mountains, kilometers of untouched beaches, and acres of vibrantly colored farmland. When it comes to history and culture, the island has a lot to offer in terms of what it has to offer. Find out everything you need to know about the most sought-after jewel in the Mediterranean region! Discover an unrivalled holiday experience waiting to be found, complete with endless possibilities just waiting to be investigated. A large amount of natural beauty, as well as a wide diversity of landscapes, contribute to Cyprus' status as a popular tourist destination. Both Greece and Turkey claim ownership of the portion of this island that is located in the Mediterranean Sea that is further north. The monetary values and cultural standards that prevail in the south and the north are quite unlike one another. We were able to secure a lovely Acapulco resort in northern Cyprus for our holiday in February 2022. The trip took place that month.

Instead of trying to secure a flight from the UK to northern Cyprus, we decided to travel to Paphos International Airport in the south of Cyprus and then drive to the northern part of the island. According to the results of an online search that we conducted before our arrival, it would take at least two hours to get from Paphos International Airport to our Acapulco resort. We arrived in Paphos about nine in the morning and had planned to check into the Acapulco resort around noontime. The procedures required for COVID inspections and hiring a self-driving car each took around an hour to complete at the Paphos airport. Because we were travelling to the north, many of the car rental companies we approached declined our request to hire a vehicle from them. Because of this, they alleged that the plans they had for automobile insurance do not cover driving in the northern region of Cyprus. It was a stroke of good luck that we came upon a local company that was willing to let us use their car for the journey up north. When we got behind the wheel, the sun was shining strongly, but the temperature wasn't very uncomfortable.

We navigated our way to Nicosia (where the border control is) with the help of our Tomtom, and once we get there, we'll need to collect some documentation in order to cross the border. When my Tomtom estimates that it would take me half an hour to reach my destination, I immediately start using my phone to get the precise location as soon as possible. Instead of taking the A1 highway, out Tomtom took us through the B8 to go to Nicosia. Due to the fact that we were unable to establish a satellite connection on Mount Olympos, I was forced to rely on the navigational capabilities of my phone. Unfortunately, the GPS on my phone also lost service, but the Google map continued to show us the route we were travelling on. The highways appeared to be much smaller than we had anticipated. I relied only on Google geographical map to go to Nicosia, and I tried to use the E903 highway, which was colour-coded orange on the maps, but the road was closed. Our only option for crossing the border was to take the Astromeritis to the B9, which leads to Nicosia. It was almost five in the afternoon, and the route was quite long and twisty. Despite the fact that we were lost in the highlands and had to sit in the car for a total of six hours, the view was just stunning. It was close to eight o'clock in the evening when we finally made it through customs and booked into the hotel. We just had enough time for a short shower, some dinner, and then bed before the restaurant closed its doors for the evening. I could hardly contain my excitement about venturing out into the neighborhood with my camera the next day. As a result of the region's plethora of hills, picturesque vistas, and tree cover, I had every reason to believe that my time spent photographing birds in Northern Cyprus would be among the most profound memory of Cyprus.

This phrase, "the Mediterranean of your childhood," aptly conveys the peacefulness and unadulterated natural beauty of a region of the Levant that is mostly forgotten by the wider world. Cyprus stands out as an exception to the rule at a time when the majority of the other nations in the Mediterranean region have been taken over by the excesses of mass tourism. Cyprus, which is cradled on three continents, symbolizes the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer, including a wealthy cultural legacy, spectacular natural beauty, and friendly people. Because it is so thrilling to talk about going on vacation to Cyprus, the air in this region is often described as having a scent that is reminiscent of honeysuckle and jasmine.

Song Sparrow

The island of Cyprus has long served as a playground for the British, and a vacation there will delight your senses with a rare combination of a perfect Mediterranean climate, rich archaeological inclusion, uninterrupted sunshine, and a variety of entertainment options that you must experience, regardless of whether you visit the North or South side of the island. There is something for everyone to do in Cyprus, whether you want to test your level of adrenaline, relax and appreciate the power of stillness, or seek nirvana along its calm beach. Cyprus has it all. There is something for everyone to do in Cyprus, whether you want to unwind and experience the transformative power of quiet or find nirvana along the island's tranquil shoreline. Everyone experiences a high level of euphoria when they are on vacation in Cyprus. You owe it to yourself to visit Cyprus and see the city lighted up by the setting sun at some point in your life. Cyprus is a beautiful island. This opulent vacation spot is the ideal place to call home for all of life's most memorable experiences because it offers such a wide variety of things to do and see, including water sports, historic ports and castles, restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, and streets that are characterized by their peaceful ambience.

Egrets

The sound of birds singing was what roused me from my sleep this morning. In spite of the fact that my physical self wanted me to remain in bed, my mental self insisted that I open the balcony door and pull the drapes out of the way. In addition to the several sparrows and a pied wagtail that were observed in the flower beds and grass, a couple of Hooded Crows were seen sitting on the antenna of the hotel. It seemed as though no one was on the beach, so it was nice and quiet there. We made the decision to travel to Turkey's Famagusta region to see the Gulseren Lake, which serves as a stopover for migrating flamingos throughout the spring. It took roughly an hour to reach the lake using a path that was less often used. Landscapes in Famagusta and Acapulco are quite unlike to one another. While Famagusta is characterized by its low elevation and plenty of agriculture, Acapulco is characterized by its steep terrain and dry climate. The season of spring had arrived in Cyprus, and the fields were already filled with the sounds of songbirds and crops that were beginning to mature. During the course of the hour-long ride, I was amazed by the quantity of kestrels that I spotted. In huge numbers, the Chaffinch, the Lark, the Sparrow, the Stonechat, the Egret, and the Hooded Crow may all be found in Famagusta.... They much rather sit in the highest branches of the tiniest trees and watch the world below. The lens on my camera performed a wonderful job of discerning individual birds from one another despite the intense brightness of the environment.

Hooded Crow

The advent of the digital era has brought about an increase in the need for visual content, which in turn has brought about an expansion of the photography business. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or a professional photographer, it is important to stay abreast of the ever-shifting trends and emerging technologies in the field of photography. Before I go to a new location, I always research the area to determine if it has any dangerous animals like snakes or crocodiles. Do I come across as foolish? However, these two things give me the creeps to an extreme degree. It was determined via the use of Google that one crocodile in the city of Famagusta was rumored to have been kept as a pet before being unlawfully tossed into the lake. According to the authorities, there was not a single shred of proof to back up this assertion. This continued to give me pause. Due to the lack of information on northern Cyprus that is available on Google, I was completely unaware of the existence of the Gulseren Lake. Gulseren Lake is considered to be on the smaller side. Around the lake were some trees where, if we had our own chairs, we could relax in the shade and have a break. The café had to close during the off-season since there wasn't enough demand to keep it open. It is possible that the lake's water level rises during the rainy season since the banks of the lake were covered with muck and plants during that time. I took precautions to prevent anyone in my household from coming into touch with this grass. Greater flamingos were foraging for food on the lake's surface, and there was a huge group of them. When I first saw these stunning birds in their natural habitat, I was really taken aback by their presence. The only thing left for you to do is get out onto the grass and move forward around 20 feet while taking appropriate safety measures. As soon as I got closer to them, the flamingos started to migrate further away from the lake, where there were bushes and trees that blocked their view of the water. It was far more fun to observe the flamingos instead of trying to photograph them.

Lark

On the third day of our journey, we went back to Gulseren Lake to take in the beauty and look for any little birds that could have been hiding there. On the fourth day, the town of Grine and the Hazreti Omer Turbesi citadel were also explored. It can be challenging for tourists to navigate their way through Grine, a popular tourist attraction, due to the city's winding, one-way streets. It was possible to indulge in authentic Turkish cuisine at any one of a number of restaurants. The water and the coastline could be made out quite well from the highest point of the castle, which offered a breathtaking view. Even though there were a lot of people in town, there were still plenty of birds to look at in and around the castle and in Grine. My initial reaction was one of astonishment when I spotted kestrels sitting atop the chimneys of homes in Grine. When I visit other European towns, I can't help but wonder why there aren't any sparrows in London city. Should there be more shrubs in the heart of London in order to attract these kinds of birds?

Kestrel

On the fourth day of our trip, rather than going anywhere outside of the enormous resort, we decided to take it easy and look around. I did take my camera out of my bag because I wanted to take a photo of the bird that was on the beach. One of the joys of the day was seeing the kestrel that lives at the resort, along with a few butterflies. The next morning, we were required to check out of our hotel and make our way back to Paphos International Airport in time to board our aircraft to the United Kingdom, which was scheduled to depart Paphos International Airport at an ungodly hour. On account of the fact that I was dead-set on witnessing the migratory birds at Larnaca Lake, my companions and I made the decision to take the diversion through Larnaca on this journey. The only way to go from Acapulco to Larnaca is to go through Famagusta. This time, we had more trust in the road that would take us back home than we had in the way that would get us there.

Greater Flamingo

The beauty of Larnaca is enhanced by the presence of a lake that is far larger than the Gulseren lake in Famagusta. Those who enjoy birdwatching or getting in touch with nature may take a moment to unwind in the comfort of their own automobiles while taking in the breathtaking views of the lake and the wildlife that inhabits Larnaca. The appearance of a great day out is created in Larnaca by the presence of an ice cream truck and a few benches. There were strolling paths all around the lake in all directions. There is a good chance of seeing greater flamingos all throughout the lake. It was much easy to photograph flamingos, plovers, and sandpipers in a hidden site close to the Larnaca airport, which is a small piece of a bigger lake. Due to the presence of a significant amount of slushy mud in this region, you should park your vehicle in the appropriate parking lot and walk to the location in question. My family gave me a time slot of two hours that day to work on my photography. Even after we had driven for another one and a half hours to get to the motel, it was already becoming late. It is necessary to go via the community of Kormaktis in order to reach the cape of the same name, which is located in the most northwestern part of Cyprus (Korucam). One of the four Maronite communities on the island of Cyprus, Kormakitis has a history that may be traced back to the eighth century AD. When I initially came, the impression that Cape Kormakitis gives of "merging seas" made a mark on me. A little, rocky island located around 50 metres from the coast's tip is responsible for producing the stunning optical illusion. Due to the fact that it has a metal stairs tower at its very apex, it is not appropriate for people who are cowardly or who are afraid of being in high places. In order to reach the tip of the cape, you will, as a final step, have to go down a dirt road. It is fairly uncommon to see a herd consisting of both sheep and goats.

In a Nutshell!

On our journey to Paphos, I talked my family into making a pit break at the Limassol Salt Lake, which is around an hour's drive from Larnaca. This allowed us to make better use of our time. Everyone had reached their point of exhaustion after a hard day of labor. I'm in. The remainder of the day was spent fruitlessly searching the salt lake in Limassol for anything of interest. As is the case for a great number of other travelers, I have always found myself filled with awe and admiration upon witnessing a breathtaking sunset. Because the lake was so close to our location but still out of reach, we decided to drive around it. Limassol is definitely going on the itinerary on my next trip. I can't wait!