harbour beautiful yet spoiled

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:32

we had'nt been there for ages so thought we'd stroll along the harbour and have lunch !!! what a shame that such a beautiful spot is ruined by endless touts trying to sit you down and rip you off with the most awful excuse for lunch since KFC said they were a healthy option ! is'nt it a shame that such a great location is ruined by desperation ! rocket salad at Guido's anyday ! ( sits back and awaits the usuals )

however ! our house nearly done and so looking forward to moving in with our own stuff !

regards to all hope enjoying the sunshine as we are

snakes

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:46

its the one thing i detest the most! You walk along and you just want to browse a menu and then they are at you! Gran Caneria and Tenerife restaurants are the worst for this! imho.If i walk away which i normally do ,they home in on the kids,saying free ice cream etc,it does my bloody head in. i was suprised they did this in the old harbour too when i was over with my parents 2 yrs ago. We were in Antigua in feb and we walked on the beach within 50 yrds we'd had so many offers of this or that i nearly flipped,it just ruins it all. Whats wrong with- take a look at the menu sir,feel free if you'd like to come in and join us for a meal if you like what's on offer. I'd be far more inclined to use a place that said this,would'nt you.? They just dont get it do they.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:49

Absolutely right - they don't get it. We all know it's difficult to make a living but why don't they realise that it just puts people off?



We found Turkey is also very bad for this type of touting. Some of the waiters outside restaurants there became quite aggressive if you refused.



Such a shame.



J

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:51

I just wonder if there's a prize at the end of the week for how many they get to sit down against their will ! i think we had the worst meal ever and we are annoyed we let ourselves be mislead but very pretty situ if you like that sort of thing !!!

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:55

snakes - haven't had a decent meal around the harbour for many years. In fact, we don't go any more because of the touting problems and the overpricing for often less than average food.



It would be nice just to have a stroll round there from time to time, but of course that's impossible too!



J

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 19:58

I now avoid the harbour like the plague unfortunately. Strolling around there is not a pleasant or relaxing experience. If its not the waiters its the sailing touts. The bars/restaurants are very expensive anyway and no doubt only survive on the visiting coach tourists. I imagine the restauraunts have done deals with the tour guides otherwise I expect the guides warn their charges away. As said, its a complete turn off. I would definately enjoy eating around the harbour if the prices were reasonable, the food good and there was no one touting for bloody business!

I read in the Cyprus Today, last year that the powers that be were tackling this issue and fining restaurants for pestering for business. Obviously didn't work.

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:00

If there are any restauranters on this board,put sign up outside your place with a sign saying please take a look at the menu,we will not hassle or pester you! And see if your place becomes busier over a month or 2,go on just try it.

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:07

sporty that would be great but you'd have to walk past the other places who almost rugby tackle you to eat their s**************not so nice food !!! i really agree with you that it would be a great place to go if we could transfer some of our favourite restaurants to that location but oops it aint our country but then again !! where is ??

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:11

I can only agree with the above, when your getting hassled by the so called waiters it's the last place you want to be, but i think they are getting the picture now when i stroll along because its a firm no, followed by a Glasgow kiss.....

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:15

watcha Jock glad we still on speaking terms and thank you for your input just be careful not to be wearing your sun glasses on your head when you glasgow kiss ! (yes i know its forehead) take care

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:19

nah just kidding.. Hi snakes serious it is annoying but i will not be deterred going down to the harbour, its a lovely place, like the post's above say's, they just dont get it.

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:36

thanks jock you're a gooden hope to meet when over full time june

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:37

The fact that you have to pay in the main Girne car park even in the evenings doesn't help to attract custom either.

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:43

we parked today there for 2 ytl's !!!!!! thought that very reasonable for town centre ish

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:44

rtddci

There are plenty of free car parks around if you were to be a bit more adventurous. And a lot of street parking available too. And all in the centre of/or within easy walking distance of Girne and the Harbour.

AJ

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:48

sonic i totally agree but how much more loyalty can we show them by buying a property cash and being self sufficient ? I was just trying to point out that a few in a privelaged position are being greedy and in my opinion "stupid"

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:49

AJ

Will those on holiday know these spots?



Sonic

When the KKTC shows loyalty to foreigners then I may take your point. Meanwhile I'll go on how the restaurants treat their customers.

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:50

When we go in to the harbour for a meal we always go to the Carob Restaurant so we just tell the touts where we are going and they tend to leave us alone because they know its the best restaurant there.



Cooper

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 20:58

Where else in the world, in the main town, can you park all day for about 80p?

I think it is excellent value.

I do agree that the harbor, whilst a lovely setting as the sun goes down, light dancing of the water reflecting the background and the boats, paints a lovely picture but can be a bit daunting to the less aware. Try and be firm but polite in your reply and they usually they get the message. Trouble is you have to go through the same thing 50 bl**dy times or more.

Try the harbor once for an evening, it is lovely but there are so many other eateries around town and if you want to venture out further, the coast is your limit.

Either way, just another experience.

Chegwin

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 21:01

rtddci

Those that want to pay 2Tl to park in the central municipal car park will do and it is damn good value for money. Those that want to explore will and my guess is that you are one that does not want to explore but moans at paying to park in what is a cheap central location.

AJ

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 21:10

There is a big difference in 2tl for all day and £2 for 1 hr at our local hospital.

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 21:19

Parked in Woking today for 1.5 hours £2.50. Makes 2TL for all day seem OK t me.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 21:22

You can have the 'Harbour' experience without the hassle if you eat at Cherinis. It has no harbour frontage and access is from the side street at the back but go right up to the top and you will have probably one of the best views of the harbour that there is. The food is good and better priced than restaurants with harbour frontage. Service is good and is my restaurant of choice when we take people out for a meal.

AJ

jetnoise


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 22:48

Duly noted and filed away for our forthcominh holiday - 5 weeks to go



What type of food is served at Cherinis?



Cheers,

Ralph

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 22:51

Ralph

As with all restaurants in the harbour they cater for all tastes. I like the the fish menu but they do a good selection of meals.

AJ

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 22:59

The harbour area is one of the 'jewels in the crown' for NC and Girne in particular. It's probably the most used and well known photograph for advertising NC. The location and backdrop is stunning. As such it deserves looking after, promoting and protecting.

Where is the first place tourists from the south head for when they get off the coaches? If they came away buzzing about the great experience that had in the harbour area, then they might well want to come back to NC for a holiday and at least tell their friends what a great place it is to visit.

Likewise with the locals and expats, it should be the most buzzing area, yet it's not. I'd be down there if they got their act together. What would get those of us on this board both down there on a more regular basis or would get us recommending people to pay a 'must see' visit?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 23:01

The best tact to stop me being hasseled was to take my dogs for a walk in the harbour. They avoided me like the plague. I agree we all have to make a living but it does become a nightmare. Snakes it was great to se you both again xxxx

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 23:52

Even Jet2.com show a photo of Girne harbour on their ads for flights to Larnaka and Pafos.



Has anyone ever tried saying you have no money when you get pestered on the harbour? Works with kitchen or double glazing salesmen here in UK.

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
13/05/2009 23:57

So whats the best line you have had from them to get you to eat?





Mine is " Arr Hello my friend i have saved you my best table please come, sit down"







tootie

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 00:02

my best line to not go in is- sorry i've already eaten. works everytime but i dont really like lying.

wacky01


Joined: 13/04/2008
Posts: 29

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 01:40

I agree with you Sporty, that is also what I tell them but I don't have any qualm about lying to them.



Chris

cornish



Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 186

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 01:46

Of course you could smile and say - Hiar - NO!!

cornish



Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 186

Message Posted:
14/05/2009 01:48

Of course you could smile and say - Hiar - NO!!

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 08:37

think they should build a platform over the top of restaurants and put a walkway on top for people who just want to stroll look and enjoy !! (JOKE) ish

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:03

The best I have heard is 'we have learned our lesson' and another 'I am your turkish delight' lol..actually he was quite cute

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:27

If I go for a walk round the Harbour as I have done so for many years, they dont seem to pester me as most of them know my ugly face, What I used to say when I first moved here was I'm not a tourist I'm a local, many of my friends call out dont bother her she lives here. But when friends and family come I love to take them there and we will choose where we want to eat and just smile at the rest.

Sheila

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:42

i agree with smithy they do get to know your face and realise that you are locals and not tourists. But being a canny Scot my hubbie is cheeky enough when he gets the bill to ask for local prices not the tourist price and we always get a discount!

Think they just might have heard of the Glasgow Kiss if he doesn't get discount!!!

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:53

The First thing you Must say when ordering drinks is to say LOCAL Gin/Brandy etc as you will probably get it but be charged for the dearer products, but if you have Asked First they cant charge you a higher price, you learn after a while. Just a tip

Sheila

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 21:36

About 6 years ago when we were in Turkey my husband had his photo taken in a restaurant with Alpay a turkish footballer, he later played for an English club, we had a meal at the Harbour can't remember which restaurant and my husband showed the pic to the waiter and asked him did he know him, of course he did and took the pic to show the other waiters, when we got the bill we had a 10% discount because of the photo.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 21:47

i always take Garry Mongers missus with me when i walk round the harbour - she could eat the average restaurant out of house and home, so they leave us well alone...

lobylud


Joined: 14/10/2007
Posts: 242

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 23:50

Alpay played for Aston Villa, he was a right headcase and a real tough guy.

Had a good world cup and then thought he was good to play for Real Madrid.

If you hadn't shown the photo you would have got 20% off and two brandies.