Paros island > a Greek destination of international fame August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Greece Islands Aegean.comments closed
Renowned since antiquity for its fine Parian marble, Paros is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Aegean Sea in Greece and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists.
Paros is located in the heart of the Cyclades, the ring of islands located in the central of the Aegean Sea. Although Paros is often skipped on the shorter cruises in favor of the bigger-name islands in the Cyclades, like Mykonos and Santorini, Paros, which is one of the larger islands of the Cyclades constellation, offers numerous breathtaking natural beauties that attract thousand of visitors every year and make it one of the most exciting travel destinations around the world.
From ancient times already, due to its central geographical location in the heart of Aegean Sea, Paros became the leader island that changed the route of the Cyclades complex. Specifically, the island is located west of the Naxos island, east of Antiparos and 90 n.m. from the port of Piraeus. It is the third in size island after Naxos and Andros, with a 195 sq. km extend and a length of shores that reaches up to 118,5 km. As the boat approaches the island, the visitor will see Parikia, which is the main town, while one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the island is the amazing town of Naoussa.
The history of Paros goes back centuries as it has been inhabited since 3,200 BC according to the excavations made on the island of Saliagos, located between Paros and Antiparos, these two have probably formed one single island during ancient times. According to Greek mythology, the Cretan Alkaios was the first King of Paros, who decided to build his city on the site of today’s island capital, Parikia. During those times Crete was trading with Egypt, Assyria, and the Balkans, and Cretans transformed the island into a naval station which was given the name of Minoa, an honorific title given to Royal Cretan cities. This is explained due to the island’s strategic position which was the ideal place for ships to stop-center of the Cyclades complex-and receive food and water resources since its plains were particularly fertile-viniculture has given great results and the wines of Paros are famous all around the world for their fine taste.
In fact, over the centuries, Paros evolved to an administrative and commercial center of Aegean and the crossroad of different civilizations. The island met times of glory and financial robustness, but also times of decline. All its past is expressed in the remains of the archaeological sites, in the historic monuments and in museums that host archaeological findings. Grandiose Byzantine churches and monasteries with the architecture of Cyclades express the deep faith of its residents.
Today, Paros belongs to those travel destinations that have international fame, due to its natural beauties, settlements and tourist infrastructures. Touring around Paros will fill any visitor with unique pictures. Walking in the narrow, with pebbles, paths, you will be beguiled by the magnificent atmosphere of Cyclades and the sights all around the island. Naoussa has the most picturesque fish port in Aegean Sea and if you wish to travel back to time, you can visit the villages of Lefkes, Marpissa, Alyki, Abelas, Drios, Piso Livadi and Pounda.
Of course, the island has a lot of luxurious hotel complexes and affordable rooms to let, to cover the demands of every visitor. Exquisite sandy beaches with crystal waters, traditional villages with whitewashed cubic houses in narrow paved alleys contrasted with the many bougainvilleas, lovely chapels, and an exciting nightlife, form a combination that will make your visit an unforgettable one.
Dubai Shotokan defend martial arts title August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Martial Arts.comments closed
Shotokan Japanese sport centre won the fourth international Friendship Karate Cup 2007 in Limassol, Cyprus which was held from July 25 to 29 for the second year in a row.
The team won all their encounters in Kata and Kumite, and they proved their presence in the international field of martial arts. The winning team returned to the UAE with 18 medals.
Nicosia: divided we stand > photos August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus Occupied.comments closed
In his article, Mathieu Baudier, explains a few details about the current situation and daily life, in Nicosia, Cyprus. Nicosia, the last divided city in Europe. He writes >
The next day, I take a collective taxi to go to Nicosia, the divided capital of Cyprus, across which runs the “green line”, the cease-fire border between the Greek and Turkish parts of the island since 1974, which is monitored by UN. To be frank, I start to realize at that point that it is really time for me to have a break from all these complicated and depressing stories of war, hatred and division. The fact that I’m now in EU gives me a completely different perspective and I feel growing a need to go to my dear cities, to visit my old friends across the continents.
But I also want to have a look at the situation in Cyprus. Even if I don’t know much about this conflict, I’m aware of its importance for the future of EU, because of the impact it has on the relationship with Turkey. I want to gather some pictures in my head and in my camera, to be available for the time I will really take the time to understand it better. I have spent quite a lot of time thinking of what to write in this post, because of course I gathered a lot of feelings. Finally and based on my experience in the Balkans and in the Middle East, I have decided not to tell much, and simply to share with you the pictures I have taken and some rough notes. By respect for all the sufferings related to this conflict, I don’t want to pretend provide a useful reflection on it if I don’t have the means to do it.
But there’s a few more details that you ought to read, just before you view Mathieu’s excellent pictures. I will refrain, on purpose, to comment further on his writings, just to let you read his story as unbiased as possible. I highly recommend you to read Mathieu’s blog.
Here’s the link > Nicosia: divided we stand [photos]
European success for Cyprus JSR team August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Aquatics.comments closed
Cyprus jet ski team JSR continued their climb up the UIM rankings with further success at the SPES Aquabike Classpro European Championships in Spain last weekend.
World number three, Yiannos Ioannou, took second place in the freestyle class, a major step up from his 6th place position last year and demonstrated he is a genuine contender for the top position in the future. Romain Stampers of France took was first with compatriot Carole Sarrio in third place.
Kyriakos Erotokritou was third in the high speed runabout race but subsequently lost his position when deducted penalty points for missing two buoys on the lake circuit at Los Angeles De San Rafael near Madrid. Erotokritou was finally placed at 13th, one place higher than team-mate Marios Mesarides in the 23 pilot race won by Spaniard Luis Puertas.
The team were using a new turbo charge system on the runabout for the first time, making it the fastest machine at the European Championship event. It is hoped that the technology can be developed further in Cyprus with the aim of marketing to overseas teams in the future.
JSR are hoping to win top places in front of their home fans when the SPES-UIM Aquabike Classpro Grand Prix comes to Cyprus in May 2008. Team Manager George Ioannides returned from Madrid with a signed contract to host the international competition along with a second agreement to hold the European Women’s Championships during the same week.
Cyprus youth footballers for trial at Celtic Academy August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Football.comments closed
Cyprus’ youth football received another boost this week when Scottish Premiership giants Celtic announced that two young Cypriot players will be going to Glasgow for a week’s trial at the ‘Bhoys’ football academy.
Seventeen year-old Charalambos Palas from Paphos and sixteen year-old Marios Theodorou from Nicosia were spotted by the Scottish academy coaches during the Celtic Summer School of Football run by local academy, Pansolios in June.
Pansolios club secretary, George Iacovou, said the boys had been informed and were delighted with the news of their forthcoming trip to the UK. Goalkeeper Palas and midfielder Theodorou will join the Celtic academy for a week from 27th August. The Pansolios Academy will be arranging another Celtic visit to Cyprus next year.
Cyprus internet TV introduced August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus, Cyprus News, Internet & Web, Media Radio TV.comments closed
The Foreign Ministry and the Press and Information Office (PIO) presented the Cyprus internet TV, which aims at informing all those with access to the internet all over the world about various aspects concerning Cyprus.
Visitors to this site http://www.cyprusonfilm.com can have free access to selected documentaries about Cyprus in Greek, English and French, which introduce the viewer to the island, its land, history, culture, the political situation on this divided island, its people, its customs and traditions.
The site will be periodically enriched with new films, covering various aspects of life on the island in German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The above site serves as an internet portal for all government sites of Cyprus and other useful links.
The site was introduced during a press conference in the presence of Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Markoulli and Director of the PIO Yiannakis Solomou. “Internet TV was created to offer internet users free access to information covering a wide range of Cyprus issues,” the Minister said and described the site as a ”useful tool in the hands of the diplomatic missions of Cyprus abroad”.
In his statements, Solomou said that internet TV would show at first 17 films in Greek, 30 in English, four in French and nine in other languages. At a later stage, the site will include TV interviews of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the Foreign Minister and other officials.
Asked why the site has no movies in the Turkish language, which is one of the two official languages of Cyprus, Solomou said that this is due to the lack of translators. “We are facing a big problem with translations. We cannot find enough translators to cope with our needs” he added.
Furthermore, a CD Rom was introduced during the press conference which can also be accessible on www.peri-kyprou.com.
The CD Rom, entitled “About Cyprus” gives information about 100 aspects of life, including Cyprus geography, environment, history, the political system, transport, communication. It also gives information on local agriculture, natural resources, social policy, services, education, the arts and culture.
Areeba/MTN Cyprus launches CNN Mobile TV August 2, 2007
Posted by grhomeboy in Media Radio TV, Telecoms.comments closed
Ever since Areeba/MTN launched its Mobile TV service in Cyprus last year, mobile phone users have had no reason to ever feel out of touch with the latest news. Now, thanks to a new deal with the world’s leading news provider, CNN, Mobile TV viewers can stay more up to date than ever before.
The service transforms any suitably equipped mobile phone into a TV, enabling subscribers to watch news, receive sports updates and catch up with their favourite shows. Areeba/MTN subscribers will enjoy this great service for the price of CyP 5.75 (9.83 euro) per month. It also offers access to the local channels SIGMA, ANT-1 and the international channel Euronews. Soon, Areeba/MTN subscribers shall enjoy more entertainment and music channels, a company announcement said.
Areeba/MTN Cyprus CEO Bassel Jamaleddine is especially proud of the new service for subscribers. “Mobile telephony is all about keeping in touch and thanks to this new deal with CNN our customers are now at the press of a button from the world’s best, most up-to-the-minute news service in the world,” he said.
Utilizing GPRS (2,5G) and 3G technology, Areeba Mobile TV provides round-the-clock entertainment to Areeba’s Pay As You Talk and Pay Monthly users.
Since May 2006, Areeba has been a subsidiary of MTN, the leading provider of communication services with operations in 21 countries in Africa, the Middle East with more than 44 mln subscribers.
For further information visit a local Areeba shop or call the Customer Care Centre on 136 or logon to www.areeba.com.cy
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