It’s August!
Hmm, most of you will know it’s not my fav month … mostly coz it gets a little bit tooo hot, like around 45°C in the shade, so for those of us still working its really yukk, Nicosia at lunchtime, not a good idea, but if you’re on a beach it’s paradise! Fact is; the infamous philosopher ‘Plato’ describes this rock as ‘Paradise’ and who are we to argue? … OMG!!! I almost forgot it’s August Sales, anyone coming shopping? … oh and you’re definitely gonna get a tan !!!
Aura
Now, this mythological party playground of the Mediterranean is different, I believe this rock has some sort of, hmm not sure what you call it? Aura? that makes it so very different from any other island in the world. When you arrive here you’re sort of drawn in, often instantly, it’s strange but true !!!
Holidays
August, of course, is also peak season, so it’s a bit busy on the coast, partly because pretty much the whole of Cyprus’ commerce and industry shuts down for about 3 weeks, it’s not worth trying to work coz if it’s over 40°C in the workplace the unions pull out the workers and it’s definitely gonna be over 40°C, so they might as well close down for three weeks, but of course, you can’t get anything done lol … no probs, in Cyprus our favourite word is ‘Avrion’ which means tomorrow, but I’m sure you’ll witness an occasional pull your hair out moment lol …
Electric
The hotels are also obliged to keep about 50% of their rooms available for nationals to make sure they’ve got somewhere to stay for their holidays. So, just watch, as sophisticated, cosmopolitan, trendy, Nicosia spills down to the coast, and mixes with the pure party crew, the results are inevitably electric!, oh and did I mention it’s summer, it’s hot, and I mean really hot, and if you only get one tip from me this month, make it ‘Drink lots of water’!
Youth thingy
Anyway, it’s August, the youth thingy is evident, everywhere, and why not? Their lack of inhibitions and smiles are infectious, so too their fashions, each year the girls seem to be wearing less and the guys prefer it that way!
Clubbing
The club scene is naturally at its peak, as the mix steps out of the basements and onto the beaches, around the pools, with beach parties and pool parties coast to coast … In the last 10 years, we’ve seen an increase of stylish beach bars opening along the coast, aimed more towards the local market with parties all through August!
Beachside
Up high on the West coast, Nightlife Street in Paphos has changed a bit, but Boogies, Vibes and the Loft still lead the way … and up in Limassol the classy Breeze Summer Club, Bedroom and arguably Cyprus’ number one club Guaba, on the beach, it’s a perfect setting for a club day or night out bringing some of the world’s top DJ’s as usual! Larnaca pretty much spills onto Makenzie Beach with several café style lounges in the city centre and old town market cobbled allies, turning a bit clubby at night … Napa still boasts some top clubs in Europe including of course Black & White, Castle Club, Club Ice, Prestige, Sin, Shuffle, Aqua and Carwash, all within walking distance of the Square …
Beach Cult
The BCL Music Festival is the only Beach Party, actually on the beach all summer … it’s 10 Massive parties with huge names coming every week … We kicked off with James Hype, Giggs and Ace Hood in June … July, Rudimental came back for the 4th Year to Funk up the beach with their many genre music mix … followed by Multi Award-winning DJ Hannah Wants the amazing Craig David put on an awesome gig … August kicks off with the return of James Hype on 3rd … and Madvza on the 17th one I’m not gonna miss …
Adventure Sports
Unique in Europe, in Cyprus you can walk on the sea bed with those old-style helmets on or go 007 style on the underwater scooters … The Flyboarding Cyprus team have increased their adventure sports presence by helping set up and train other water sports to Flyboard. I’ve tried it and let me just say, when you come out of the water like Iron Man and dive like a dolphin it’s just awesome ! Check them out at Paphos Water Sports left of the promenade, Octopus Water sports in Kato Paphos and at Stephanos Water sports in Protaras … it’s also a great month to learn to dive, with the sea at its warmest almost like a tepid bath and where better to get away from the sun then learning to dive and discovering the underwater world of the med !!!
School Holidays
Don’t forget it’s school holiday’s so loads of little’ns around too, and it’s too hot to do much except chill, but there’s so much to do, … and so little time, hmm ?
Kids & Grown Ups
Time to spend time with the nippers, so a few of my favs include; The Camel Park in Mazados or Pafos Zoo, it’s a wild way to catch up with the wild animals, up close, there’s nothing quite seeing the kids faces when they come close to wild animals, check out the walkthrough Avery at bird feeding time, it’s a fantastic day out … and one of the coolest things is The Jungle Float in Protaras, a floating waterpark with trampolines and rope swings into the sea, go check it out …
Out & About
Maybe get out on one of Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures up to the Akamas or on the East Coast Trackers for an alternative excursion or maybe try The Cyprus Maze at CyHerbia, who knows, you might be able to lose the kids for a few hours, safely 😉 while you enjoy real cream teas or a glass of wine and check out their gardens and natural, herbal world …
Living on the Sea
its perfect weather for a boat trip … From the crazy Fantasy Boat Party to the award winning Black Pearl, in Napa to glass-bottom boats all over the place, semi subs and catamarans, fishing trips where you can catch your lunch at cook it at the harbour … Or, there’s pedalos on every beach and they got slides on them these days 😉
Boat Trips
A must for the tiny tots is The Mermaid Cruise in Protaras, it’s an awesome idea. Just seeing their little faces as they finally believe in real mermaids, it’s just awesome! … The Lazy Day Cruise on Aphrodite II a complete delight or get up close to the rocks with captain Andreas on Aphrodite I in Protaras … Whilst up the West Coast, Paphos Watersports have a variety of cruises, love the Snorkelling Trip to find Turtles … and the best boat on the harbour has to be Wave Dancer as it Salsa’s its way up the West coastline with daily cruises and stunning sunset dinners and a spectacular entertainment with a huge firework party finale!
Getting Around
Cyprus is a small rock, a maximum of three hours and a bit will drive you from far South-East to high North West, along the coast, or from Kapparis to Pomos … So jump in the car and go touring, maybe a trip up to the mountains to get away from the maddening crowd and intense heat, mmm, and if you dare, cool down a bit in one of the natural waterfalls. On the way, back down, stop off at one of the left-back in time villages of Lofou in the Troodos foothills, where the annual August 4 day Lofou Festival revolves around the 15th, so that’s at least two good reasons to go! btw in the centre, Lofou Taverna is highly recommended!
Stardust
This Comedy Variety Drag Show is probably one of the best shows I’ve seen in my 27 years here … now in their fourth season, I went to the first performance in 2016 which was awesome and several times since and tbh, I can’t stop going, coz this show is just wow! oh and somehow this year they got even better ???
Reggae SunJam
I’m really hoping to be able to make this … one of my fav events for the summer, the Reggae SunJam at Eleouthkia Park in Mandria, Paphos, on 10th & 11th of August, a refreshing addition to August Event calendar up high on the west coast … Tickets & Info
Cultural
Cyprus is versatility to the extreme, so for a full list of Cultural Events and Exhibitions go to the Cyprus Tourist Organisation’s web site …
Party Gods
Remember kids you didn’t start it, the Greek God’s did, some 12,600 years ago, right here on this wonderful rock we call Paradise, so as it was the gods who introduced us to the world of party, I think it’s only right that we show them our gratitude and continue where they started and show them how to party in the twenty-first century and more importantly, Cyprus Style !!!
Updates
You can download our App on Play Store but we’re currently working to get it on iOS, so best use the web site for the moment, or our Facebook page coz I’ll keep my eye on last-minute announcements and naturally watch this space!
And finally …
oh and just in case you weren’t taking note, please drink more water, increase the UV factor, drink loads more water and make sure you do at least one thing you’ve never done before!
Na da bou’men!
Tony Dynamou
Cover photo by Tony Dynamou
Models: Ben & Dexter Dynamou, Blue Lagoon, Ayia Napa
