If you can’t stand the Cyprus heat…
After living here for a few years now, I reckon I've discovered how you can spot a dug-in TRNC expat from a newbie from 60 paces. 1. We're the ones who were dancing around like idiots during the only rainstorm in August that anyone can remember (unless you weren't in Alsancak of course). We know that rain means less cash for the tankerman. 2. We're the ones carefully counting the lira and NOT saying how brilliant the exchange rate is compared to the Euro. 3. We're the ones whose sandals are dusty, whose cars are dusty, whose patio/roof terrace is dusty, and who know that cleaning them when the wind blows is a complete waste of time. 4.. We're the ones NOT moving about at midday wearing nothing but shorts, inadequate sunscreen and red raw skin. We know better than to fry. 5. We're the ones who are still here after October half term, and who wake up every morning to the promise of sunshine and the lure of the ocean. And not a Tube or train or bendy bus in sight. Bliss! For those of you suffering the winds and rains of a dying tropical storm in the UK, here's one website guaranteed to make you green with jealousy - Nigel Heasman's weather page. Nigel's incredibly detailed site has got every temperature reading you could ever need, and more, but the most interesting reading is the total rainfall this year to date - 34.7 cms. That's just over the length of the average school ruler. I used to get that much in a flash flood on my patio in Blighty. Ah well, time to call that tankerman again... Kathy
Time for Turtles in North Cyprus
 I love the wild side of North Cyprus, from the migrating birds to the wild flowers that herald the arrival of spring in the mountains, but most 'eco-minded' visitors just want to see one sight, hatching sea turtles in northern coast of Cyprus.
It certainly is heart-warming to see these miniature turtles scuttle to the sea, if a little distressing to realise that elsewhere in Cyprus, the bright lights of bars can prove more alluring than the natural fluorescence of the waves. Which is why I always point visitors to the Goatshed at Alagadi beach, the SPoT (Society for the Protection of Turtles in Northern Cyprus) information centre. The student volunteers here work for the Turtle Project by protecting and caging the nesting areas against foxes and other predators. They also organise public viewings of baby turtles releases, starting at about 5.30pm most evenings. (Booking is essential). You can also join night watches, both for the females laying eggs (they do this every two weeks or so) and for the hatchings themselves. Seasoned night watchers take blankets and sleep on the beach, as it can get chilly in the middle of the night down there! Now I know some people think these organised releases are too 'unnatural', but think of it this way. That scuttle to the sea is the most dangerous part of the young turtles life to date. Timed, night releases are actually part of a well-developed system that rescues stragglers from 'natural' hatchings, and saves them from overheating in the heat of the next day's sun. The conservation staff take these ‘at risk’ hatchlings to Alagadi, where they are weighed and measured, before being released in the cool of the evening. Supervised releases reduce the risk of predation or confusion by lights, and allow visitors to witness this amazing sight and perhaps be more conscious of the need for conservation of pristine coastline as a result. And with only 300-400 green turtles nesting each year in the Mediterranean, every hatchling is precious! (The loggerheads are more numerous, with approximately 3000 females laying eggs each year.) It's the green turtles who need SPOT's help most, as approximately 30% of the Mediterranean breeding population nest in North Cyprus. The best way to find the Goatshed is to drive east out of Kyrenia towards Catalkoy and then towards Esentepe. Head for the Acapulco Hotel and carry on past it towards the power station. Look out for a turning on the left marked Alagadi, St Kathleen and the Turtle Project. Carry on down this road, take the left fork past St Kathleen restaurant, then turn right after the last house on the road. The Goatshed is the white house ahead of you, with a large green turtle painted on the side! Follow the SPOT team's progress at their 2009 blog:
http://www.turtleproject09.blogspot.com/ Or track the Alagadi sea turtles on their wanderings across the globe at
http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?project_id=156 Been turtle watching this year? Tell us all about it at our forum! Kathy
Last Minute North Cyprus Villa Holidays
 I'm sure I don't need to tell any rental villa owner here that the UK recession has meant holidaymakers have either opted to stay at home this summer, or leave booking their holiday until the very last minute in search of bargains.
However, there are signs that 'last minute' might actually be now, as national newspaper are pushing our articles saying "book now, as it won't get cheaper and availability will fall". The Sunday Times Travel section, (link) always a good indicator of trends, summarised the best bargains to be had in each of the major Med countries (Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Turkey), and only in Greece and Turkey were villas actually in short supply. Elsewhere, the theme was that villa holidays were being discounted, and heavily too. So, despite North Cyprus actually being cheaper to holiday in once you get here, this year we might miss out to panicking Italian or Spanish villa owners dropping prices by up to 40%. Or will we? On the same day, the Mail on Sunday (link) had a feature on the delights on North Cyprus, selling its natural beauty and its history, rather than the beaches. Now, that kind of comparison makes North Cyprus look far more attractive to those who normally like the mix of ancient sites and countryside in Tuscany, or the peaceful delights of rural France. And certainly, when it comes to sunshine and beaches, we can shine just as brightly as Spain, without the currency exchange costs of the Euro. So, perhaps it's time to get the message out about how North Cyprus IS as peaceful as France, as ancient as Greece, as beautiful as Italy, as sunny as Spain - and as cheap as Turkey. And a lot, lot less wet that the British summer is turning out to be - again.... Villa owner with a view? Tell us all about it at our Cyprus 44 forum! For villa rentals in North Cyprus, I recommend Amy Villa Holidays...
North Cyprus in the EU?
 It's not often I find myself gently nodding in agreement with an article in The Washington Post (EU and Turkey: still talking barely) but this one was an exception.
On Tuesday, talks resumed on Turkey's entry to the EU, and as the paper's correspondents said; "While neither side says the process is dead, few question that Turkey's goal of joining Europe's club is in deep trouble." Despite opposition to membership by European heavyweights French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkey's strategic position as the 'tap' between Europe and their supplies of former Russian state gas cannot be overlooked. Now, all this may be very exciting in Brussels, but what does it actually for us here in North Cyprus? First of all, thank heavens we were NOT in the Euro currency when the credit crunch came, and we have been spared at least some of the pain of tumbling exchange rates. But looking ahead, what can the EU give to us? Based on Britain's example, we'll get grants for deprived areas regeneration, but at the expense of endless red tape and EU regulations that often defy logic. We'll get freedom to work anywhere in the EU, but at the expense of other countries being entitled to do the same, and risk an influx of workers. An, of course EU membership alone will not solve the issues still being discussed in reunification talks. A top analyst says it will take up to a decade for Turkey to join the EU as a full member, and so perhaps now is the time to get those talks moving faster, so that the way is paved for EU membership - if we want it by then, of course. Got a view about EU membership? Discuss it as our Cyprus 44 forum!
Interview with Jack Afik
Jack is the director of Afik Group and a friend of mine. He is building one of those large property developments in Famagusta area and I think he is doing it pretty well. Here is a quick interview I did with him last week: Izzet: I know your Caesar Resort property development in Famagusta has been very popular. What is the current status of Caesar Resort? When are you delivering the keys? Jack: We have already handed over the keys to the first 5 blocks and are now in the process of handing over the keys to the 6th block from phase 1 (96 apartments). We will start to handover phase 2 (about 100 apartments) from this August onwards. The site has really transformed over the last couple of months, the central building ground floor is now open and host the inside pool & Jacuzzi, with changing rooms, toilets and shower as well as the Gym and the Bar, which the bar should be running by June. The outdoor facilities now in place are; Amphitheatre, outdoor Gym, Children’s playground, established green areas. By the end of May one of the outdoor pools and children’s paddling pools will be ready. We are having an opening party on the 19th of June, it is going to be a great event and we hope to see you there. Izzet: Your new project is now Sea & Sun Bay in Esentepe. Can you tell us a bit more about it? Jack: I felt that it was very important to be able to construct for a wide range of purchasers. I appreciate that there is a market for people who want to retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday. Sea & Sun Bay Cyprus is like a small piece of heaven that fell to earth. The serenity is just breath taking. I have designed this project in a way that is affordable to everyone’s budget. Upon entering the project at a first glance you would think all construction are villas. The villas are along the sea front and behind, in a cul’de’suc design, are the villas which are split into 2 ground floor apartments and first floor penthouse, all with sea and mountain views. Prices start at £53,000, enabling the opportunity that you can live in one of the most beautiful locations regardless of your budget. Izzet: Is there an open show house at Sea and Sun Bay? Jack: There are 11 sea front villas and 22 villas split into 2 ground floor apartments and first floor penthouses. This project is under construction and has a fully furnished show villa. I am a couple of months away from finishing the ground floor and first floor penthouse, which will also be furnished as a show apartment. I anticipate that this project will be completed in 2 years time, along with the following site facilities:
• Gymnasium
• Swimming pool
• Coffee shop
• Snack Bar
• Mini-Market
• Tennis Courts
• BBQ and picnic areas
• Back-up generator for public area Izzet: Lastly, what do you think about the North Cyprus property market in 2009? Jack: I believe that Northern Cyprus is still the best place to invest. As a Developer I am confident in my projects and with the advantage of having my own capital to finance my projects this ensures delivery to my purchasers. I have a fantastic team that are all long standing and all with constructional background. We pledge to uphold our commitment and high reputation therefore ensuring that for Afikgroup 2009 will be as successful as 2008. Izzet: Thanks for this quick interview Jack and we wish you good luck with your property developments. You can get more information about Afik Group on www.afikgroup.com
 One question fills me with dread when friends ask me about North Cyprus; "Which hotel do you think is best?" Of course, the problem is, living here, I never stay in any! Most of my 'recommendations' come from friends of friends, or the experiences of my rather picky relatives.
So, when good friends, Guy and Sue, announced they were coming to visit at short notice, it was with some relief that they said they had already booked the Savoy Ottoman hotel via the Internet, because it had good reviews. And when they invited me to join them for dinner at the hotel, I couldn't help but want a nosey look around too! The Savoy Ottoman is one of those hotels that I've gone past several times, but never stepped inside, and I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it's all gold leaf on the ceilings and marble and gleaming surfaces, but in a 'this is a nice smart hotel' sort of way, not the usual brash 'let's be having your money then' feel! A quick peek out the back revealed a nice swimming pool overlooked by balconied rooms, and plenty of room to toast yourself on the poolside terraces, a must-do for most sun-starved European tourists it seems! My friends' room was stylish and nicely decorated, and remarkably quiet for a central Kyrenia location, I thought. Sue said the bed was very comfy, although decorum prevented me from trying it out myself!  We ate in the Ottoman/Lebanese Sarayburnu Restaurant and I must say both food and service were excellent. It was a quiet night when we went, admittedly, but the staff were very attentive and smiling, a nice change from some "5 star" places I've ate at during my years here! Guy treated us to a bottle of very good French wine, which to me looked rather expensive but tasted divine with the chef's chocolate dessert! The bill was, shall we say, on the high side for North Cyprus but no more than Guy reckoned he would expect to pay in London for an OK meal in an OK place, not a swanky hotel.
Sue had tried the spa centre and voted the Turkish bath/sauna/steam bath experience as "Bliss", and Guy gave a thumbs up to the bar staff at the hotel's two bars. They had also been presented with a welcome drink of ‘gul suyu’ - which for our non-TRNC readers is a refreshing drink that is made from roses, and tastes like a cross between hibiscus tea and traditional British rosewater syrup you use on cooking, a nice touch. Guy and Sue were thrilled with the hotel, loved North Cyprus (they enjoy walking deserted beaches, drinking beer and exploring ancient sites, not necessarily in that order), and best of all, didn't even start to expect me to house, feed and entertain them for free. Thanks Guy and Sue (and the Savoy Ottoman) - see you again next year!
Shopping in North or South Cyprus?
 It's one of those traditional TRNC debates - should you shop in the south or stick to the North?
With the Euro exchange rate definitely not good for anyone whose income is in sterling, any shopping trip south is definitely not so much fun as it used to be! In fact, south Cyprus prices are approaching London prices, which is horrifying to someone like me who thought they had left all those expensive price tags behind in rainy Cricklewood! However, a recent discussion on the Cyprus44 forum has reminded me that although you can take the girl out of Britain, you can't always take your taste buds out of Blighty! OK, we all know the jokes about the Brits needing regular shipments of marmalade or Marmite, or strong Yorkshire tea, or Mars bars or whatever, but the root of this surely goes deeper. I guess we are now so used to endless variety and choice in UK shopping, it's hard to slim down those expectations when we arrive in the TRNC. Truth is, the difference between prices on the two sides of the border is minimal, and once you add petrol costs (and insurance), then it's potentially costing you more than you save. Most TRNC residents agree that for everyday items, it's really a choice between popping over the border to the nearest supermarket, usually Alphamega, or shopping at the bigger Lemar supermarket in Lefkosa (or the 2 branches in Kyrenia or the one in Famagusta). Staples like cornflakes are just cents more in the Lemar supermarket than Alphamarket, and British favourites such as Heinz tomato ketchup can actually be cheaper! So, for my part, I'll treat expeditions to the south much as I used to regard shopping in London; go for the sales or specialist items, but otherwise shop local because it's better for the economy and in the end, usually cheaper and less hassle! And yes, it is amazing what you can get in a suitcase from the UK if you are good at packing; I've known intrepid residents bring LCD screen tvs, dvd players and other electrical items across, no problem. My secret? Wrap items in bubble wrap then inside an old sleeping bag to cushion the impact of Stansted's finest baggage handlers - and pray...
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