Harbors & Boats
The Mediterranean Sea has shaped the history of this Island for a thousand years. Cyprus’ fortunes have been determined by it’s position as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. For example, Cyprus served as a base and food source for the Crusades. The Knights Templar, Richard the Lionheart, Rome, and many others have claimed ownership through the centuries.
The Sea has also been a source of great danger. After you’ve lived here awhile, you’ll notice most towns are not right on the coast, they are maybe a half mile inland. That’s because Pirates from the Middle East would raid and plunder the small, costal villages. An inland location gives residence time to evacuate, prepare a defense, or both. Tatlisu is an example of a town that was actually relocated for this reason.
Unsurprisingly, every little village has a small harbor and most share design features. They are normally no more than one-hundred meters across and protected by a bolder lined break-water. Many also have a seafood restaurant or two. The fishermen will come ashore and take their catch directly to the restaurant for the evening’s meal. The restaurants often feature tables at or over the water.
These fishing boats are not the big boats with huge nets swinging from steel arms you see in North American or European Ports. These are small craft with one or two man crews. Most feature one cylinder engines that make a distinctive drum beat on the water. The fishermen normally are on the water at daybreak and come back about ten. Most also seem to repeat the process in the evening. Lately, I also see their lights on the water when I walk the dogs before bed. It must be season for a spices that feeds at night. Sometimes they don’t put nets in the water at all. The fisherman will use a rod and reel to fish.
In general these harbors don’t have a lot of sport boats and no small yachts. Friends taking off in a Bass Boat for the afternoon isn’t the norm. The lone exception is Kyrenia Harbor. There are several small and medium sized yachts and small private boats. It’s a tourist area.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Party Boats. This is a wonderful day and you should try one if you come to visit. They normally leave port about nine and will serve lunch and make a couple of stops for swimming. George, retired from the UK, is Captain of the boat at our local harbor. He says he mostly does charters because he enjoys it and doesn’t make any money from his little enterprise. I believe him. You’ll need to bring your own lunch and whatever you want to drink. He and his one man crew will take you out and return about one (13:00). Of course the tourist areas have bigger, fully crewed boats, complete with a bar. They offer a regular schedule and a choice of several price packages.
