Thursday, January 15, 2026

11 January 2026 Paphos: Fabrica Hill Catacombs

 


We have wanted to visit this site since we landed in Cyprus.  There is a large swooping walkway that we pass nearly every day that we are out and about.  It is right next to the circle at the Kings mall and just a short walk from the coastal walkway.  We got to walk over the walk way and see the cars driving on the busy roundabout and also the Kings Mall on the other side.  We wandered around at the top of the hill and saw many openings into the rocks.   Eventually we looped around to the bottom of the hill.  It was on this loop that we were able to see the 2nd century amphitheater, still being excavated.  From there we entered the catacombs and through interior staircases we got back to the upper region.  The interior was mostly bare but the scale was massive.  There was a separate area that had its own stairway and there was a shrine of sorts.  This shrine was closed off with a sturdy iron gate.  It was nice to get out after several days of rain and high winds. 



This is the walkway that leads from one edge of the site to the other


We were exposed to the wind while on the walkway


The amount of decoration is over the top


A huge sign advertising for the real estate agent


This highly decorated building is for a real estate office


This rock seemed to have parts cut off for the road and parts left 


Another very large rock


The big church in the background and an active excavation area


This plant looked like a thistle


The first of the openings, later we could see out from the inside


Some are older and more primitive


Low ceilings prevented our entrance 


Very uneven steps leading down


Down we go


This is looking out through the same low ceiling holes where we started  


Back up the uneven steps to see the mosiac 


Cactus plants would have made an effective fence 


This looks more like a quarry 


Large and deep open pits are scattered all around, visitors beware


The amphitheater 


Another smaller catacomb 


Shrine


No entry!


It was not well lit but there was a small shrine at the back


No wonder the gate is locked


Looking up we see a large tree that has many mementos tied to its branches


Looking back down 


These are pieces of fabric, some were identifiable as bandanas and some were completely sun bleached


Down at the street level


Huge boulders have fallen off of the rockface


Island Blue, a motto for Cyprus?


Heading in the larger area


My my, who might this be?


Many levels to explore


Thjese steps are worse for wear


A nice archway


Supporting columns, I wonder how they decided where to keep them in place?


With the earthquakes in these parts, exploring during a shaking would be unwise


Looking out all the way to the water




It has been 3 years and 221 days since we began our Migration


Tuesday, January 13, 2026

8 January 2026 Paphos: Cap St. Georges Cabaret Show

 


Our 88th music show in the last 44 months was a rollicking Cabaret Show at Caps St. Georges Resort.  The total show number is straight from our many spreadsheets, so we know it is an accurate accounting.  The resort is 45 minutes to the western side of the island.  It is a sprawling complex with hotel rooms, villas and what seemed to be permanent lodgings for the well heeled.  Some of the very expensive bottles of wine and champagne would indicate that some very fancy folks stay here.  We got there super early and were given the best of the seats.  Actually the best seats went to the folks that paid for the sit down dinner.  We got the best of the second class seats, tall table and stools to sit on.  We spent a good amount of our time standing up and avoiding the dead leg syndrome that the stools kept trying to impose on our old bones.  We were right in the center of the room and could see all the dances.  The folks that ordered dinner had the courses spread out over many hours. the did not get their main course until well past 9 PM.  We were lucky that we had our dinner all digested by then.  The show was rollicking with several different themes for the dance numbers.  There were Christmas songs, rock and roll songs, hip hop songs and two interludes featuring a saxophone player and a solo guitarist.  



While Leslie was getting her hair cut I took a little walk and came across these immense tumble weeds


We made it to the show, early of course!


The lobby of Cap St. Georges was as impressive as it was nearly empty


Nutcrackers on guard


We had to walk past multiple empty venues to get to the Disco Club


Seating for 100 people or more


One giant tree


Trying to get the hang of my Ray Ban picture taking glasses, but clearly we have arrived at the club


The lobby of the disco club


Complementary champagne


The bar is all lit up


The drinks menu for the Disco Club


At 1400 Euros ($1636) the bottle of Dom Perignon is either marked up substantially or it is a great vintage.  The Louis Roederer is not a brand of champagne we are familiar with and at 1700 Euro ($1987) a bottle, we think we know why.


If we wanted to slum it we could settle for the 1000 and 1100 Euro wines without bubbles


Mistletoe, some folks kissed, some folks did not


There were two mistletoe dancers enticing the crowd


A saxophone player started out the nights entertainment


The second mistletoe dancer is handing out white napkins for twirling purposed


She stopped for a little dance


Everything was most sparkly


But the dancers were the most sparkly of all


Time to vogue


Getting the male dancers involved


A cute story told in dance


All in red


Champagne Champagne


Those bubbles get her in trouble


A bit of skin....oh my!  Blame it on the champagne.



An exotic beat
https://youtube.com/shorts/xw1B5WrjJmg


A long guitar solo


Some rock-a-billy


Good lighting to accentuate the money segue 


They made it rain with the money dispensing guns


A contortionist


Candy Man


Champagne showers


The biggest number yet


Working up to the towel waving finale!



Ending with a dance party


Out we go!


We had to walk back to the car in a heavy downpour and then drive the 45 minutes is an even heavier downpour




It has been 3 years and 218 days since we began our Migration