Beyond the Blue Lagoon

[Dominic]

As promised, here is the video of us going beyond The Blue Lagoon. This is a safer but much more bumpy leg of our journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7lh6iP9rg

We eventually stopped filming because the bumps got too much for the suction pad holding the camera in place. We ended up crossing the Akamas and having lunch at Last Castle. We didn't cross via this route though. We headed back to the Blue Lagoon and took the route past the farm. You cannot drive all the way round via this route, as it doesn't go all the way.

[Lofos-5]

Thanks for sharing - we never dared going any further than the Blue Lagoon (and on most occasions came from the S side the way you returned). It is a stunning part of the island, rather remote in places though and we alway worry about a puncture...

I remember one occasion on the very steep narrow part in the way back to Aphrodite's bath where a fancy Mercedes 4WD with low profile tyres could not get any further - we were lucky to be able to pass it before he had to find a place to turn and return.

A.

[Dominic]

We go back via the inland route normally, to avoid having to pass anybody and be on the left!

Punctures are a real issue with the sharp rocks. I've got quite adept at changing the tyres of a pajero. We had a problem the first puncture we had though. The car showroom had changed the wheels but hadn't changed the toolkit. So we could get the spare tyre off, but not the flat one. We had to phone for a tow, which was embarrassing. Worst thing was though, we were slap bang in the middle of countryside between Paphos and Limassol, so the tow company kept arguing amongst itself as to who should come and pick us up.

When they picked us up, there followed a harrowing drive down a big hill, with us in the car on the back of the tow truck.

When we used to rent cars on holiday here, we got a puncture near Foinikas, and there was no spare tyre. It was the days before decent mobile phone access, and we had to limp back on tyres that got ripped to shreds. So every time we rented a car after that I always made a point of double checking it had a spare tyre and a proper toolkit.

[cyprusmax47]

I remember one occasion on the very steep narrow part in the way back to Aphrodite's bath where a fancy Mercedes 4WD with low profile tyres could not get any further -

A.

Yeah Andreas, this very steep narrow stretch is pure rock and specially when still moist it can be a big problem if you drive there first time. Very important to have high speed before it is getting steep to have enough momentum to reach the top. Rolling backwards if you get stuck in the middle is not that funny...as you start sliding sidewards. I used that road much more than 100 times as I lived in the area from 1984-2009 and it became a routine drive for me. Luckily in the 80th there was no traffic and many times I arrived at Blue Lagoon without meeting any other vehicle, but if.... it is very annoying.

Max

[PaphosAL]

I would add (in my infinite wisdom) that these types of adventure drives into the wilderness are best done in tandem, with friends in a second 4WD, both jeeps equipped with decent spare wheels, jacks, and tools for changing a wheel.

And between the two of you, a decent tow rope!

Having said all that, in retrospect, I cringe at some of the tracks I've driven over the Akamas on my many visits, on my own, in an old Toyota 2WD Twincab or regular small rental saloon...

AL

[JimX]

Akamas road trip. I have done that trip several times and to be avoided if you do not have the right vehicle, and yes at least take a phone.

The worst roads are up in the forest mountain tracks, usually, only room for one 4x4 either going up or down, no turning around either, so bad the family members walked behind our then 4x4, we had some friends with two kids stranded overnight up there no spare in there hire car!, saved by forest Rangers the next day, avoid unless you really feel the need to be an explorer.

Interesting link

http://www.cypruswalks.co.uk/Olympos-Walk.html

[Dominic]

This is the scariest bit of road I have ever driven down in my life, and it is in the Ezousa Valley. Well, up the side of it.

I changed my mind about the descent, and tried to turn around and escape. However, the ground is very fine white chalk dust, and impossible to get a grip on. So I ended up going down the hill in reverse. At one point the Pajero was swaying on two wheels, as a big chunk of the ground had been washed away. My wife, who was outside shouting directions, lent in to get the phone. She apologised but said if I went over the edge she would need it to phone for help!

Luckily she didn't need it. Unfortunately, when that kind of thing happens, I am far too busy to take pictures. But it would have made an interesting blog! I touch upon the subject in my next blog.

[cyprusmax47]

Oh dear, I believe your girls were not THAT happy with this ride. I know the place where it happened exactly as I was walking in the past from Tsada Golf towards Axylou/Nata area. It was even difficult to walk there. I never saw anybody driving from the Ezousa valley up this road - only from the other side until the farm which I can see from my house. So you struggled just below the farm one can see on this pic from my Gallery.



Max

I am waiting for your pics in the next blog....