Cyprus VISIT NORTHERN CYPRUS

brother · professor

Apart from the obvious how many gc on this forum have visited northern cyprus recently and what do you think of it?
does it still look beautiful?
was there anything that you thought could improve?
Will you visit again?

All opinions and thoughts appreciated.

brother · professor

Has no GC have an opinion worth talking about?

Georgia · new member

i wish i could answer you questions, but i haven't visited there and nor can i speak for anyone else.

Chrisswirl · advanced member

I visited the Keryneia in Summer 2003. I'm not old enough to remember how it was before, but my Dad told me that the Pentadaktylos are still as beautiful as ever. I was, thought, put off by the amount of military zones and Turkish flags, everywhere, even in Belapais, a Greek village, the village had thousands of Turkish flags drooping over the road, what are they trying to tell us? It certainly doesn't scream "we want to be your friends", more a message from Turkey saying "hah! we own this now!". Please feel free to correct me. However, the people seemed friendly and I was impressed that some of the older generation still knew Greek. One day I want to visit the beaches of Karpasia.

brother · professor

Yes that flag thing is a bit extreme but i think its the general attitude of mainland tuks, when you visit again let us know what you thiunk. thanks for the reply.

cannedmoose · professor

Speaking as a non-GC, although I have been christened Greek-Orthodox angel

and have a Cyprus ID (so you could call me GC by proxy), I thought the north was stunning. The scenery is far more dramatic than the south (although some spots in Troodos, particularly the view from Makarios' tomb are awesome). Kyrenia is almost exactly the same as the photos from pre-1974, but it did have a little bit of a wild-west feel 2 guns

about it for some reason. It might have been the dodgy-looking British bar owner who was overly friendly that gave that impression.

I certainly didn't find the north strewn with Turkish or TRNC flags. I guess if you look on the flipside and view southern Cyprus from the perspective of someone crossing from the north, you'd see the same though. Coming from England, the place where flag-waving is frowned upon, Cyprus is a veritable orgy of Cypriot, Greek and EU flags. In TC eyes, this could be construed as a 'ya boo sucks, we're Greek and in the EU, so up yours' Laughing

. Of course you had the ubiquitous Ataturk statues etc., but nothing quite as grotesque as the Makarios monstrosity outside the Archbish's palace in Lefkosia. Rolling Eyes

Haven't yet been to Mesaoria, but had a good view eye crazy

across the plain when cresting Pendedactylos. Most fascinating was the TRNC flag on the mountain. When you get up close it's actually just painted rocks, and far less visible than from a distance... you know it's as if they designed it to be viewed from afar only shocked

The taxi driver who took me from Ledra to Kyrenia was nice and friendly and spoke a smattering of Greek and English. His driving standards left a lot to be desired, but certainly nothing worse than the average trip in downtown Lefkosia. Shocked

cannedmoose · professor

Yay, i've become a 'special' member... "I'm special" eye crazy

city · instructor

Welcome to the club then, cannedmoose, special member. Smile

Well, I'm also not a GC, but have been visiting the north last summer and agree with cannedmoose. Beautiful landscape! I wouldnt say there were lots of turkish flags. There were of course, but not in a somehow disturbing mass.
I liked Bellapais very very much, when you manage to be there outside the times of the tourist busses. They bring hundreds of tourists in organized trips, pre-booked lunches, limited time-tables. Bellapais is a beautiful village with lovely taverns, when you go a bit away from the direct surroundings of the abbey. The abbey itself is in a very good condition, clean, looked after and well preserved.
The complete opposite to f.e. Salamis, where I was actually shocked when I went there. Quite high entrance fee (especially when they figure that you come from the south, but that was the same in all places I visited) but the area full of rubbish and dirt. No sanitation facilities (the ones that were there weren't usable at all - broken, damaged,dirty,disgusting - just a small box somewhere in the woods). Salamis is in a very nice location though but to be honest not really a lot to see from the ancient parts.

St. Hilarion again on the other hand is in a very nice condition and definitely worth to go up there. Stunning view from the gothic windows on the top. Lots to explore on the picturesque way up the fortress.

All in all people were very friendly and polite, doesnt matter if I was travelling with a GC or with a foreigner.

I will definitely go again!

bagold · new member

To all GC's going north and TC's coming south, my advice is to ignore the obvious signs of flag waving and appreciate the welcome that you may receive from the people. If you concentrate on this then the political issues will start to melt away.

I speak as someone of Pakistani origin. 5 years ago I travelled to India to watch an India vs Pakistan cricket match with a group of 1000 Pakistani cricket supporters. Again ignoring the Indian flags and messages of conquering Kashmir (yes we have a partioned land too with 'legitimate' claims from both sides and stories of attrocities from both sides and UN troops) we received a very warm welcome.

Last year Indian supporters travelled to Pakistan. We too have many flags and slogans pasted everywhere. In Pakistan too the Indians were impressed by the charm offensive.

As with Kashmir the political leaders of both sides of Cyprus may have a vested interested in promoting fear. This fear can only be kept alive if the people from the two sides are prevented from meeting. My advice is to enjoy each other's company and forget the past. The more you do so the more the division will start to look petty.

On the India-Pakistan border the troop build up of only 2 years ago is now replaced by tourists from each side crossing to see the other side. I hopeyou guys make similar progress.

Piratis · Moderator

Hello bagold,