Agia Napa = Holy wood, a photo from Famagusta, East

Photographer's Note

I am not going to lie: the real reason we went to Cyprus was not because of its Byzantine or Hellenistic treasures but rather sun and beautiful beaches. In fact I have checked what place in Mediterranean has the highest temperatures in May, I have excluded countries which I found too dangerous to travel nowadays especially with the family, and Cyprus topped the list. Then I have searched for the best beach on Cyprus and Nissi Beach came up, finally I have researched hotels nearby. That is how I have selected the location and it was a great choice.

Now regarding the exact location, Nissi Beach is administratively part of Agia Napa (or Ayia Napa). It is sometimes so confusing with the spelling in Cyprus or Greece. Even on TrekEarth there are two equivalently populated locations AGIA NAPA and AYIA NAPA. After a quick check one can realize that the first word comes from Greek Αγία, and its second letter is Greek 孄amma� which corresponds to Latin 孄�. So in Latin alphabet it should be spelled AGIA. Some people just have seen Αγία and thought the second letter resembles 憘�?

From Wikipedia:
Agia/Ayia/Aghia/Hagia/Haghia (Greek: Αγία), the Greek word for "saint" (feminine form).
The name Ayia Napa is derived from a Venetian-era monastery of the same name, located in the centre of the town, next to the square that today is the clubbing centre. The word "Ayia" (Agia) means "holy" in Greek. "Napa" is archaic and means "wooded valley" or dell. In ancient times the area surrounding the town was covered with thick forest.

Nissi Beach (in this photo) is definitely one of the best beaches on Cyprus. However because everybody knows that 㷽t is also rather crowded. Except for green shallow waters and clean fine sand its characteristic feature is a little island which is reachable by foot from the beach. The island is visible in this photo on the right.

lousat, nikkitta, Royaldevon, tyro, ikeharel, worldcitizen, fritzi007, adramad, delpeoples, danos, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (140058) 2015-05-29 10:41

Hi Mariusz. I watched it as well this destination, quite safe and where I never been, but in the end I decided to go on the beaches of Cuba, given that the price was almost the same..eheeh ... Of course this beach is really beautiful, the colors are exceptional, though already quite crowded, and I do not appreciate that..ehehe ..my best congratulations for the great quality,as usual.Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

jemaflor (148334) 2015-05-29 10:43

Hi Mariusz,
Nice beach, pleasant light and blue sea, well framed with these two tree, tfs.

nikkitta (17070) 2015-05-29 13:34

Hola Mariusz

I believe at first glace it was a Caribe beach, palms trees and turquoise waters, but Cyprus, exotic election
Great capture, line of diagonal palms and good contrast with different shades of blue, well done
Enjoy weekend
Maria

emka (158936) 2015-05-29 14:27

cześć mariusz,

Piekna plaża rzeczywiście, piaseczek bielutki i drobny, palmy, woda tez ma piekny kolor, ale czy była juz wystarczająco ciepła? Tłok rzeczywiscie duzy. To nie dla mnie, ale z pewnoiścia nadia i Ania były zachwycone. super kolory, świetna ostrość. czekam na dalsze zdjecie - tu lub na FB.
Pozdraiwam

MAłgorzata

Juz juz miałam dzis cos napisać, i mi znowu jakos zeszlo..

Royaldevon (86526) 2015-05-29 14:37

Hello Mariusz,

It looks like a beautiful beach.
The trees are very important in your photograph, they anchor the f/g and they act like a frame through which we appreciate the different areas of the beach and the view of the small island, whilst the descending palm leaves give a most interesting diagonal repetition.
The colours and the light are lovely.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

tyro (30513) 2015-05-29 15:44

Hi Mariusz,

I remember passing through Agia Napa ten or more years ago and thinking that this was a resort which catered more for young, single 18 to 25 year old people than it did for families: it seemed to have lots of modern bars and entertainment but, perhaps it is now more family friendly. Did you stay here on your Cyprus holiday?

The beach here looks wonderful with lovely soft white sand whereas I seem to remember most Cyprus beaches as being rocky.

I love how the view of the beach, the sunbathers, the sea and the distant island are all seen here through the trees - almost as if the viewer is somehow "spying" on this lovely scene. An excellent composition with gorgeous warm light, lovely colours, perfect exposure and, as always, stunning details and sharpness.

And a picture this time not taken with your favourite wide 10-22mm lens!

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

rychem (72187) 2015-05-29 21:07

Takie "podglądanie" spoza drzew daje doskonałe efekty, piękna ta biała plaża, niebieska woda i cały nastr鎩 śr鏚ziemnomorski i wakacyjny, po cichu zazdroszczę, ale mam nadzieję, że w sierpniu ....
pozdrawiam Ryszard

Tue (93556) 2015-05-30 12:47

Hello Mariusz,
Great beach view! Makes one long for such warm summer days. I really like that you included the palm trees in the foreground.
Lars

macjake (98544) 2015-05-30 16:06

Hi Mariusz
now its time for ME to be honest...i hate beach destinations :)

to me, there's nothing MORE BORING than sitting on a beach and feeling the sand bugs crawling all over your skin, getting sand stuck in your toes, applying sticky sunscreen with sand on your fingers, getting sun burnt, its just not for me.

but thats what makes the world such a beautiful place, the differences in peoples likes and dislikes.
imagine how boring it would be if we all liked the same things.

I actually try to AVOID such beach destinations.

but having said all of that, you did take a very pretty and attractive photo.
the aqua marine color of the water is A+
and I like the 3 tree trunks with the 3 long leaves blowing in the wind too.
I can see many people enjoying this one and day dreaming about being here
cheers
craig

Matyas (0) 2015-05-31 1:54

Czesc Mariusz! Wspanialy wakacyjny klimat. Ciagnie i mnie nad morze, ale nad Baltyk z Warszawy daleko. Piekne swiatllo, piekna kolory, ciekawa kompozycja. Pozdrawiam!

ikeharel (114715) 2015-05-31 2:30

Hello mariusz,
You must know that Agia-Napa beachs are the most popular by Israeli youngsters for many years, and I can comprehend why.
Fabulous white shining sand, blue/turquoise sea and many tourists on those shores. Well taken through the shades of the palm trees outwards to the sunshine.
Enjoy a nice sunday,
Ike

Fis2 (172049) 2015-05-31 6:41

Witaj Mariusz!
Fajny widok, fajna plaza.
Dobrze, ze jest luz, strasznie nie lubie tloku na plazy ;)
Ladny kadr i kolorystyka.
Milej niedzieli
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (223069) 2015-05-31 7:24

Ciao Marius, great view of fantastic beach, lovely composition well famed by palmes, wonderful colors, fine details, excellent perspective and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

berek (50518) 2015-05-31 10:12

Dear Mariusz,
A wonderful beach. it has a very nice beach in Cyprus more. I like the color of the holiday environment. Congratulations.
Greetings.
Burak

worldcitizen (16234) 2015-05-31 12:33

Hello Mariusz,
I would love to sit on that beach, as long as it's not too humid and there's a nice breeze floating by. :-) The color of the water is amazing. I like your decision to show the beach through the palm tree trunks, with just a bit of the leaves visible. You must have been cooler standing back in the shade while you took this photo. :-)

fritzi007 (14698) 2015-06-01 2:06

Hallo Mariusz,
super Strand, wunderbare blaue Farbt霵e und Bildsch酺fe, gut gemacht!
(ich will auch aufs Meer)

W𤦂sch dir einen sch霵en Tag
Wolfgang

adramad (73496) 2015-06-01 8:26

Hello Mariusz.
Wonderful summer scene, very appropriate at the time, because the summer is already here, at least in Madrid.
I love the POV, with backlight of the three trunks of palm trees and the three palms with the diagonal, the beautiful golden beach is very busy, so certainly these blue waters inviting to the bathroom.
A magnificent color that gives the image a lot of chromatic wealth.
Very good management of lighting and very good sharpness.
Well done. I like.
Wish you a very nice week.
Best wishes.
Luis.

Cricri (176) 2015-06-01 10:45

Hi Mariusz
Belle plage de sable fin, la couleur turquoise de la mer, j'aime l'originalit� du cadrage avec les troncs des palmiers, agr嶧ble image
belle soir嶪
cricri

mesutilgim (0) 2015-06-01 13:48

Hello Mariusz,
Very nice capture of this beach scenery in Cyprus.
Good pov and layout. Interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

delpeoples (60342) 2015-06-03 3:58

Ciao Mariusz

What a beautiful place to escape to. The turquoise colour of the water is to die for. I never would have gotten out of the water. Excellent composition with the 3 palm trees and the geometries of the umbrellas in the background. Superb shot, which exudes a wonderful holiday feel.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

abmdsudi (95869) 2015-06-05 22:02

Hi Mariusz
Postcard pic of sun, sea & sand which is nicely composed with lovely layers of different colours and the way the tree trunks provide a great framing I also love the contrast between the white brollies against the turquoise water. Beautifully yet deceptively simple, Congrats.
Best wishes

danos (110407) 2016-04-26 11:48

Witaj Mariusz,
nice the view of this beautiful and sandy beach of Agia Napa in Cyprus that i lived there from 1983-1985.So i visited some times the beach with the turquoise and clear waters.Well chosen the image with the huge trunks of the palmtrees to dominating the image making it even more effective.

Regards,Danos

COSTANTINO (117908) 2016-09-19 22:42

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
wonderful beach to pass holidays time and
swim a photo bringing memories from summer
holidays with a peaceful pleasant
atmosphere
welldone
reards
Costantino