HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 132

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which formed likely spots for woodcocks, but my dogs found nothing upon the route except a few partridges and francolin, although, as usual, they hunted throughout the march. After crossing a series of steep hills, land observing a marked contrast in the habits of the • people, who constructed their dwellings upon the .heights instead of in the unhealthy glens, we arrived [in the closely pent-in valley that forms the approach to Gallibornu. This village is of considerable extent, and is inhabited exclusively by Turks. We entered the valley through a narrow gap between the hills, which on our left formed perpendicular cliffs, with the usual steep slopes of débris near the base. The upper cliffs, about 400 feet above the lower level, were marked with numerous parallel ledges and were full of blue-rock pigeons, which built their nests in the fclefts and crevices ; the summits of these heights were tie table-tops which characterise this formation. It was difficult to select a camping-place, as the ralley would become mud in the event of heavy -ains. W e had experienced daily showers since we eft Volokalida, and the lower grounds were damp ; [ disliked the immediate neighbourhood of a village, md the only available spot was rather dangerous, as t was situated upon a flattish knoll, so near the base )f the cliff that enormous blocks of stone many tons η weight lay in all directions, which had fallen from he impending heights. I examined these, and found »ome that were comparatively recent ; I had also )bserved upon our entrance to the valley that a great portion of the cliff face had lately fallen, forming an ivalanche of rocks that would have destroyed a 'illage : this my guide informed me was the result of Jast year's excessive rain. I examined the heights ι 2

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