Greek divinities know how to make an entrance, but Aphrodite takes the leg-crossing cake: With neither a direct mother nor father, she was born went Zeus sliced off the man-parts of his father, Kronos. The divine genitalia fell into the sea, and when the still-potent penis hit the primordial ocean, there was an abracadabra moment: From a froth of sea-foam of the coast of Cyprus, Aphrodite rose fully formed
I admit, I was curious. Cyprus is currently in an ages-old drama between its Turkish Muslim north and Greek Christian south. Both sides hate each other, and while both sides are worth a visit, going from one to the other is a pain in the @$$. For the sake of ease, I stuck to the south and did a little exploring on gay Cyprus.
So here is the hard, fast rules of going gay in the land of the goddess, and it makes for fun logistics: It’s not so much “clubs” as it is “beaches.” Governor Beach, about 20 minutes from Limassol, is the gayest stretch of sand on the island, and where most Cypriots go for a little M4M cruising (or a lot). But that is not to discount Pissouri Beach, between Limassol and Paphos, and Kermia Beach, near Ayia Napa. You may think it’s pretty odd that the gay life of a place is almost exclusively seaside, but let’s be honest — we are Floridians; when are we not on/near a beach? Come nightfall, the Thermos Spa in Limassol and Different Bar in Paphos are the hubs of activity — although it would be remiss to say things are no less busy at the beaches, but that’s another article.
Of course, there is more to Cyprus than just the beaches, and the tall, dark, handsome men that set off a circus in your tighty-whities. This island went through so many hands, so many identities, it is a wonder the Cypriots aren’t a bunch of raving schizophrenics. Take a stroll through Paphos and the heritage — Greek, Egyptian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Arabs, Normans, Venetians, Seljuks, Knights Templar, Ottomans, British — make Cyprus one of the most proudly layered nations in the world. Outside of Paphos, the Kato Pafos site is an archeological wonderland.
And while you are there, have a taste of Commandaria, the island’s signature wine and oldest vintage still being made. So delicious is it that Commandaria actually started a war: Sultan Selim II of the Ottoman Empire (AKA “Selim the Sot”) launched a war in the 14th Century just to get his hands on the vineyards. Talk about provenance.
For more info, go to visitcyprus.com. Steele Luxury Travel is pleased to assist you with your travel planning needs to Cyprus and beyond. Visit www.SteeleTravel.comfor more information!