Troodos Local Customs

Backgammon can bring people together. Groups of friends gather at the 'kafenio'or coffee shops where normally only men go, and play backgmmon and cards.

In Greek the word of backgammon is "tavli" and locals on the island have been playing versions of the game for centuries. These days Tavli has never been so popular, with Cypriots - both young and old - playing the game at pavement cafes and coffee shops, even at the beach. If you are sitting down at a Cypriot cafe enjoying a traditional Cypriot coffee, you are almost bund to see players reveling for their game.
If you show enough interest, you may even be invited over for a game or two!

I have seen this happening in a couple of hotel restaurants that I have been lately, and I noticed that even if the two person cannot understand each other, yet they can play a game of backgammon because this game can bring people closer. It was fun when I saw these people in the picture playing every night.

So, do you know how to play it? You might have the chance to make new friendships out of it in Cyprus!

At Easter eggs are boiled and decorated. Traditionally they are coloured red. Then two people take their eggs and decide whether to use the sharp or round end. When they decide, one holds his egg with ,say, the round end up. The other holds his egg and with the same end taps the other egg. The one whose egg remains intact is the winner. The game continues using the other end. The person whose egg remains whole by the end of the contest is the winner. He / she then keeps the egg and within a few years the egg will have become light in weight, and the yolk become like amber or coral.
I won when I did it, but it broke in my bag before I could get it home!

The local people here are very family orientated and do spend evening meals with the family more so than their western European neighbours in the UK and Ireland.

I can say that Cypriats are the most overwhelming welcoming people I have encountered on my travels and their English language is excellent.

I actually ventured into the Old Town in Limassol with a few locals who were so generous, entertaining (very witty) charming and a real pleasure to meet.

I recommend staying away from tourist bars and sampling nightlife with the locals.