Page 11 - Reflections_over_Akamas

The Journey

Begins

Thomas Fuller, an English clergyman and historian from the 17th century, once
wrote, ‘Seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth.’ Feelings are complex emotions
that cannot be easily described. This is especially true when it comes to - it must
be seen to be believed.

Akamas is a natural treasure on the western coast of Cyprus. The crystal
blue waters of the Mediterranean wash against its golden sandy beaches
rising up to rugged mountains, where the earthy hues of the land blend
with shades of brown and green and a bursting kaleidoscope of purples and reds.
Light greyish paths intermingle with forests. Occasionally, an animal pauses
and gazes into your eyes, making you feel unwelcome like an intruder in its
undisturbed world.

To truly appreciate the beauty and habitat of Akamas, one must experience it
first-hand. Akamas is a protected nature reserve with rich and unique flora and
fauna found nowhere else in the world. It is our responsibility to protect and
preserve this precious gem, cherishing every flower and marveling at every stone
and every leaf on every branch of every tree.
This book celebrates the beauty of Akamas. It does so by leaving it unspoilt,
through hundreds of photographs taken from the air with a motorised paraglider,
literally providing a bird’s eye view, often flying alongside or behind a flock of birds,
migrants seeking shelter in the comfort of the welcoming Cypriot countryside.

From several hundred feet in the air, you can sense the changing winds embrace
the contrasting colours of the blue sky above and the earth below, dotted with a wild
goat drinking from a stream, or people moving slowly about tending to their farms,
orange groves and vineyards - the source of some of the country’s finest wines.

These photographs take you on a visual adventure where man meets nature.
They stand as a testament to the legacy we have inherited and should pass on
intact to future generations.

Akamas has survived millions of years, weathering storms and man-made
structures that interfere with its natural evolution. It should remain unspoiled.
Enjoy this collection of images capturing moments from the air. Feel like you are
sitting in an open-air cinema, where every turn gives you the feeling of spreading
your wings and flying high above, surrounded by nothing but the blessings of
Mother Nature.