It is interesting to read a map of Cyprus because there are several ways to spell the names of the towns and cities. There is the English (E), the Greek (G) and the Turkish (T) version in some cases. Pafos (E) is also called Baf (T).
In 1974 a large number of Turks left Pafos and the west to go to the North (Northern Cyprus), leaving the Greeks in the area.
Pafos is another package holiday destination. Thomson, and Top Choice travel agencies rate it as their number one wedding destination and for about 165 Sterling you can have a quickie wedding here in 48 hours. However, after 30 odd years of marriage it didn't interest us.
We enjoyed visiting the archaeological sight of the Tomb of the Kings. Our run- down but comfortable hotel was a short walk from the World Heritage site. The tombs were used by residents from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD, during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Apparently a lot of the treasures were taken away by the 19th-century American consul of Lanarka.
While in Pafos we had a lot of thunder, lightning, and rain and one night we had about 20 cms of hail and had to get more blankets at night as there was an extra charge for heating.
There were lots of wild cyclamen growing around the tombs and between the rocks. The wild flowers were beautiful.
As we walked along a street towards the harbour, we passed a tree covered with hankies, rags, and bras. It was another tomb complex and Christian Catacomb.
Pafos is well-known for its carnival celebrations with 50 odd floats and entries. These two sisters were totally absorbed in all the goings on and were even interviewed by the local television channel or the news- aren't they gorgeous with their synthetic wigs!
There were marching girls (as we are familiar with in NZ), cheerleaders (as in USA), and lots of dancers promoting their dance schools (as in Brazil).
Pafos is also famous for its mosaics and depicting Greek myths. This one, of Dionysus, the god of wine, is at the Tomb of the Kings but there are several at some of the old churches as well.
From our hotel towards the beach are hundreds of apartments and a lot of them are owned by Brits. It was difficult to find a restaurant that sold local food as most of the restaurants sell sausage and mash, full English breakfasts, or fish and chips and mushy peas!
