In May I went away for a weekend to visit a friend and while I was playing tourist, I met a man who had lived in Cyprus for 12 years. I told him about my impending travels and that I would be staying in Paphos and I asked if there was anything I should see.
He told me to go and find Aphrodite’s Rock. He told me that as the local legend goes, if you swim around the rock and think of the person you love whilst swimming, Aphrodite would make them fall for you and you would also be blessed with eternal beauty. He then said that after visiting the rock I should take myself up to Aphrodite Hills, the luxury resort on the ridge above the rock, for a coffee and just enjoy the atmosphere.
Growing up I had literally been obsessed with Greek and Egyptian mythology (I think it had something to do with Disney bringing out Hercules when I was about 8 years old – sad I know!). I must have checked out every book my local library had on the topics multiple times, so the idea of visiting Aphrodite’s Rock was put firmly on the top of my ‘list of things to do in Cyprus’.
After being in Cyprus for 3 weeks I decided to go and find the rock. As it turned out, I had actually driven past it, not realising this, earlier during my explorations of the island.
It wasn’t so much one random rock, more a cluster of rocks or sea stack, just off the shore. I later discovered that it is also known as Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) but whatever you wanted to call it, it was beautiful. The whole area was breath taking… a mixture of rocky cliffs, sand and pebble beach and gorgeously blue sea. Honestly, I could have pitched a tent and stayed forever…
So if you are ever in Cyprus and are keen on eternal beauty or falling in love, go and find Aphrodite’s Rock and attempt a swim. I dare you!
