Xeros Valley Scenery
The Xeros Valley is full of interesting places to explore. From Foinikas at the Asprokremmos Reservoir up to Vretsia and Roudia Bridge at the top end where it meets Paphos Forest. We recently took our drone for a spin to get some birds-eye views of the upper reaches of the valley. We think you will agree that it is a beautiful part of Cyprus.
Vretsia From Above
We begin today's tale high above Vretsia. This article was originally going to feature just the village, but we've already written a number of features on it, and we also drove down to Roudia Bridge, so I have expanded the scope of the blog to include the surrounding area too.
New Sights
When you drive through Vretsia, you actually miss most of the village. You will be unaware of this until you launch a drone and have a look around. I have travelled along this road many times and until now hadn't registered any of the buildings in the top right of this picture.
The Top Area
All these buildings too have gone beneath my radar up until now. Later in the year, when the vegetation has died down, I shall have to do some more exploring. At the moment it is too overgrown.
Distant Ayios Ioannis
You can see a lot in this picture. In the foreground the ruins of Vretsia lie before you. The mosque is hidden by some trees. Beyond that the land dips down into Xeros Valley itself. And beyond that, a firebreak winds up the hillside through the forest, and ends at the village of Ayios Ioannis. This is another former Turkish Cypriot Village. Indeed if you go there you will see signposts to Vretsia, though I wouldn't follow them unless you are in a 4x4 and are game for a laugh. To the right of the firebreak is a vulture reserve and an Archaeological Dig Site. Before you think of exploring either of those, don't. They are fenced off and you can get into trouble poking your nose around where it doesn't belong.
As Above, So Below
While I was flying my drone, Alex was capturing some of the essence of the village from the ground.