On the Isle of Cyprus there’s a village in the Limassol district and the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri that’s built on the hill of ancient Kourion, close to the western bank of the Kouris River. To see Episkopi and it’s Bay from these ancient cliffs for the first time is a phenomenal experience. I stood transfixed for quite some time absorbing the view of glistening waters watching people swim and surf for the day. Next a few of us hiked the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Roman Agora Area to study the vibrant ruins left by of the ancients. Archaeologist have uncovered remains of ordinary private houses, waterworks, limekilns and various other minor constructions dating mainly from the end of the Cypro-Classical period to the middle of the Medieval period.
The remains of rooms for dressing and undressing are located in the northeastern portion of the complex with baths that open into a large, peristyle rectangular halls. There are elaborately decorated floors paved with marble slabs and the most gorgeous multicolored mosaic compositions of various geometric designs.
Here we are in the thick of summer and the living is easy……… well let’s just say I’m not sitting on the front porch in excessive heat during the evenings sipping a mint julip. As the days slip by, I’m inclined to stay in air-conditioned comfort instead of trekking outdoors. Living outside the District of Columbia and within the metropolitan area gives weekends a new perspective for exploring and relaxing. It’s a great place to escape from the ordinary.
Breeze Bakery Cafélocated in Annandale Virginia a suburb of Washington DC is the perfect spot to for a cool treat after spending the day museum hopping or hiking throughout a few of our parks. This delight is called the Breeze Yogurt Snow with fruit, shaved ice and coconut. It’s a phenomenal treat to share.
Last weekend in northeast DC a friend and I went to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to attend the Lotus and Water Lilly Festival. Behind the Capital is an oasis of trees and ponds lined with cattails. Lillie’s sit on the water and lotus blossom’s rise from the same source. To walk around viewing this beauty is astounding. Each turn and wherever you look stroll there is so much to experience; dragonflies flitting across the pond’s, buds getting ready to open and every once in a while, the wind brushed passed our faces. Attending a park with such beautiful gardens is the perfect way to relax and be inspired.
Lunch at a quaint establishment called Rice Paper-Taste of Vietnamat the Eden Center on Wilson Blvd in Falls Church was the perfect spot to revitalize. After being in the heat, we started with a young coconut & juice drink that had sliced coconut and shaved ice in the glass. The Rice Paper combo platter was the perfect summer dish, made with seafood, pork, and marinated beef all grilled and served with grape leaves and vermicelli patties. Items are placed in lettuce and rice paper wraps and then dipped in tasty sauces for added flavor.
Nothing tops spending time with family at the National Museum of Natural Historyon 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW. My adorable niece and nephew had a wonderful time exploring dinosaur bones, and seeing the bull elephant along with the blue whale. It’s a great place to understand the natural world and to learn of our beginnings.
Stylish Heath 