Blogs from Kyrenia, Cyprus, Middle East
May 7th 2011
The 'border guards' on the Greek Cypriot side only ask what our nationality is and wave us through when we tell them. We leave the Republic of Cyprus and thus the European Union. The UN Buffer Zone is lined by some surprisingly well-maintained buildings, including a German-Cypriot Culture Club, and there are tri-lingual signs saying 'No Photography'. The Turkish Cypriot 'border guards' give us a form to fill in and check our passports. We get a stamp serving as our 90-day 'visa' for the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), a de facto independent state recognized only by Turkey. We enter Lefkoşa, or North Nicosia. After a bit of confusion and disorientation, we manage to navigate to Kyrenia Gate, one of the entrances to the Old City (well, the Northern part of it), where I exchange ... read more
October 28th 2010
WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER, 2010. Alarm set for 0615 hours. We needed to be up and back to Nicosia for 0800 hrs if we could. The Dome Hotel was obviously a very grand place in it’s day, but isn’t at it’s best just now. It has a Casino, which I would guess was pretty smart. Breakfast was from 0700 and we were down about that time. Pat had some cereal, I had some toast and coffee. While Pat was finishing breakfast I went to pay the bill, but my usual credit card wouldn't work. I used another which was OK, cost 193 YTL. Back to the room to collect our belongings. Then off. At the car park to the Hotel the gate was locked so I had to go back into the reception to get someone to ... read more
A Bag recovered and a stroll through Girnea (Kyrenia)
Published: April 1st 2012Middle East » Cyprus » Kyrenia
December 11th 2009
Fortunately for us another minibus driver saw me running and asked if he could help. I told him the situation and he rang up the mini bus driver and told me that in 5 minutes I would have my bag back. 20 minutes the bag had arrived, and I joined Ivan and dad for lunch. Girnea (Kyrenia) wasn’t super big - and it was definitely possible to walk most of the city centre. The old town was really nice. We found a place to stay and set off to have a walk around the city centre. We walked past the boats and to the castle and during a delicious dinner, where I had a prawn Caesar salad we debated about taking a car for the hire the next day. Note: As I couldn't locate my photos ... read more
September 24th 2009
I find myself at more or less in the 59th minute of the 11th hour (well, this might be a minor exaggeration), but this blog will be a lightning summary of an idyllic ten days in Northern Cyprus. Also, the photos are in pretty raw format, apologies. We arrived in Cyprus a little later than planned, delayed flights and so forth. My big brother Charlie, and his lovely lady Lesley were also out for some of the time, and it was the first time Mum had had both of her boys together for...longer than we could remember. Most of what we got up to involved than spending masses of time chatting (and drinking a little much) and was dosed at times with helium balloons, a thousand cups of tea and childhood photos and letters. Golden moments. ... read more
