So, today we picked up some halloumi and anari from Tseri. Tseri is where dad was from. The halloumi makers were recommended by one of dad's sisters, and according to the experts they're the best around. These folks do it right – old school in small lots. Here are some pictures of the process as we caught it. I hope to go there earlier next time with a better camera to catch the whole process.
Boiling batch of tasty goodness in a hartzi (cauldron)
Boiling batch of tasty goodness in a hartzi (cauldron) X2
Salting and Sorting table
The cheese makers
OK, before moving on, here is the Cappari progress
Road trip to Protaras!
Uncle Frixos came by and we followed him and Nadina to their apartments in Protaras. Rained most of the way there, but was sunny upon arrival. Unloaded, chilled for a few minutes, had coffee and headed out to see the local tourist spot at Ayia Napa (meaning Holy Forest). Drove around a bit to see some sights and ended up at the Ayia Napa monastery. This place is spectacular. It was built in the 16th century when Cyprus was under Venetian rule. There's a famous fountain, beautiful courtyard and stunning ruins. It's a popular wedding venue as well. Here are some pictures of the monastery. The sycamore tree in front was planted around 1500 by a Venetian lady of noble birth who became a nun at this place. The story goes that she became a nun because she was not allowed to marry a man of non-noble birth she was in love with. She also funded the construction of the nun's living quarters, the church and a flour mill. An olive press existed in the same location but was constructed a few hundred years later.The first houses in the area were built in 1813 by immigrants from Thessaloniki Greece.
View upon entry
Entry
A bit about the giant tree
Ayia Napa herself
Inside the chappel - carved into the rock
Another view of the chappel
Chappel main hall
This is where the lady lived - two story building
The relatives
Boar's head spring
The fountain
Outside the monastery at the plaza - small amphitheater
After the monastery, we went to Paralimni where they happened to be having a festival. In the plaza there are 3 churches side by side by side. The smallest one was built around 1500, the bigger one around 1800 and the biggest one very recently. No pictures of the festival, but here are a few of the churches.
We also had Shamishi. I looked for an adequate description or a link for this, but couldn't find one. So here's mine. It's flaky dough filled with semolina custard flavored with mastic and rosewater that's fried and dusted with confectioner's sugar. It was not as good as I remembered. The relatives said it was edible but not outstanding. Maybe another festival will yield better results and pictures.
That's all for now... Stay tuned...
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