Larnaka Salt Lake
Larnaka - Cyprus
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One of the first sights upon arrival in Larnaka is the beautiful salt lake, home in the autumn and winter months to colonies of graceful flamingos and other migratory birds. Over 10,000 flamingos arrive during the months of January and February. The lake quickly dries out by June/July and has a thick, glistening salt crust nearly 10cm deep. Larnaca Salt Lake has been mined for salt since the Middle Ages, but the salt is n0o longer used commercially although it is still referred to as Aliki - the Greek word for salt. A local legend tells how the area used to be filled with luscious vines and one day, St Lazarus {Patron Saint of Larnaca} was so thirsty, he stopped and asked for some grapes. The owner told him that there were no grapes and the saint was so incensed he changed the vineyard into a salt lake!
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