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Our
adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....
 
Well that's it today we fly back to Cyprus and after a leisurely breakfast and packing we were collected at 12 noon for the trip to the airport. Joan and I had wandered down to the touristy shop to say thank you to the boys for the river trip and drink a cup of their tea. They had done us proud and deserved our thanks.
Our trip back was on time and only one slight hiccup, we were directed to the wrong terminal in Cairo and had to get a taxi back again to the terminal we had arrived in. But there you go, thats all OK, as we still made it back in time. When we got back to Cyprus, Jeff was quite shattered from the travelling so just four of us made it down to the Delta restaurant on the new harbour, for an evening meal.
Just to summarise what I thought of the whole trip. In a few words, quite brilliant and a real eye opener. However some of the sales pitch for 5 star cruise ships etc leaves a lot to be desired. The accommodation was very good and the staff did their best and were very helpful, the food was not by any means 5 star, but edible most of the time. One huge disappointment was the time we spent sitting around the lock and then having to "cruise" at night to make up time, we all felt that a cruise was an opportunity to see much of the river and not just the side of the next cruise ship that you were tied up to. A little bit more thought to boat schedules could have eliminated much of this.
The Egyptologist that was allocated to us during our trips just skirted the edges of their history and if anybody was really in to examining their history in detail then they would have been seriously disappointed. I suppose in her defense, she was trying to cater for the mass, some of whom were just fleetingly interested, but we were left to our own devices on a number of occasions after only a very brief lead in to something.
So I would recommend that you do such a trip it really is amazing, but be careful which boat you pick, ours was recently refurbished "5 Star" and we saw some smarter ones on the river. If you are really in to examining the Egyptian history in detail, then do a lot of advance homework and be prepared to make a nuisance of yourself with masses of questions, but then again you may be lucky and get an expert who is more enthusiastic.
I received this on an e-mail today. Unfortunately the party is the evening before Joan and I get on the plane to UK, so don't think it is too good an idea for us, but please all of you out there support THE PUMAS.
PUMAS END OF SEASON 07/08 PARTY
Welcome All
The Pumas would like to invite you to our end of season dinner on 16th May at the Denizkizi Hotel. As you know it has been a year of change for the club and we have valued your tireless support from all angles, helping us to achieve our goals and hopefully becoming the first ever team in North Cyprus to win the league.
We have hired out part of the hotel and have a wonderful evening of eating, drinking and dancing ahead of us. The main reason for the event is to celebrate but by coming you will be helping the pumas for next season as we will holding a raffle with all the proceeds going to the club. So come along and join us!
Date: 16th May 2008
Venue: The Denizkizi Hotel
Time: Dinner at 7pm (Reception from 6pm). Dinner will be a large selection of hot and cold mezes. There will be veggie options available.
Dress: Casual evening wear (collared shirts and trousers (No Jeans or Shorts)
Player Ticket Prices:
50YTL (This includes all food and drink consumed during dinner. Any other drinks consumed will be billed to you.)
60YTL (This includes a room, food and drinks. Room prices are per person.)
Non Player Ticket Prices:
50 YTL (This includes all food and drink consumed during dinner. Any other drinks consumed will be billed to you.)
Rooms are available at the hotel for none players at the discounted rate of 10 GBP per person per night. Please phone the hotel on +90 392 82126 76/80 and quote the reference code PUMAS to benefit from the deal. Respectfully we ask you not to bring children or babies.
http:// www.cypruspumas.com
Yesterday we went to the Ozankoy Flowershow which was organised by the Five Fingers restaurant in Ozankoy. They are hoping to make this an annual event and judging by the turnout they will probably succeed. All the pictures attached to this item are courtesy of Norman Reynolds as this idiot went out of the house leaving his camera on the desk.....
The show was made up of many stalls selling essentials, such as burgers and beers etc but there were numerous categories that you could enter. Obviously there were flower categories such as the rose competition, competitions for children, crafts such as crochet work and clever stuff such as what to do with an aubergine. The sponsors were clearly present trying to promote their goods and services and at the end of the day there were some very nice prizes to be won, these being some of the best in show prizes. There was lots to do and see for everybody even this real cute one who was obviously going to enjoy that ice cream and promise not to get too messed up.
We met many people that we know and obviously I was keen to tell somebody the way to go, thanks Norman you just had to get something for me to put on the site and catch me with a beer in hand, very unusual.
Joan and I have spent most of the week trying to catch up on e-mails that were lying in wait for us and hopefully everybody has had a reply by now. If you still await anything then please resend because some may have sneaked in to the spam files. As there were 578 e-mails in there I did not look at them all.
The Layabouts were ready to gather again after a layoff for a couple of weeks, due to six of us being in Egypt. This week we went up to the village restaurant in Karsiyaka with a group of 11 in total. Pat and Bryan have visitors, Bryans sister Jean with her husband, so they joined us. Andrew was absent, as he has his mother-in-law visiting, with a friend, so was clearly under alternative orders. He did manage a pass out for boys night last Tuesday so I suppose that was a result.
Guess what, we were not the most noisy in the restaurant this evening, as the place was very busy. Steini and Siga, our Icelandic friends were also with us and as they are heading off back home next Tuesday that will be the last visit, until they come back in September.
A good night out as always and Joan and I will in particular, miss the company of Steini and Siga.
We had taken a quick nip across the border yesterday to get some bits and pieces that were needed and not easily available here. In particular we mangaged to buy some very ice pieces of cod and some big prawns, so made a Fishermans bake and invited Steini and Siga round for dinner. You have to give people from Iceland a cod dish, whether they like it or not. In fact it went down very well and Siga wants the receipe. We had a very enjoyable evening together and they were really intersted in all our Egypt pictures, so much so that they think they might take a trip there themselves when they are over here next year.
Back to taking a look at the weekly English language newspaper to see what might be of interest.
Front page is the controversial bypass around Girne. Before we went away they were saying that the first section would open June 10th, now they are going to announce a date this week! The contractors say they have lost money on the whole thing but are still going to complete. The biggest stumbling block will be joining the eastern end to the existing road coming over the mountain from Lefkosa. It appears as if they have not yet decided waht to do about the main water supply into Girne which runs alongside the existing road and equally importantly, what to do about the fibre optic cable, which connects TRNC to the rest of the world. Forward planning is not exactly their thing here.
The 10 new speed cameras that have been installed recently are to be fired up to full working mode shortly. Motorists should be aware that these new ones can catch you in both directions.
5,000 elctricity meters have arrived and there are more on the way. There has been a major problem for some time here as the last meters shipped from China were faulty and had to be returned. So if you are waiting for a meter then your luck might be in soon.
Gary Robb and the Amaranta Valley project is in the news again. He is trying to raise an £18 million loan to finish off this project and others that he is committed to. Mr Robb still says that the valley is on schedule for a Jauary 2009 completion.
Two articles about the much vaunted possibilities of resolving the issue on the island.
The first suggests that the positive attitude for peace seems to be ebbing away. The leaders of both sides of the island seem to have different ideas for a solution and this just ahead of the next round of planned talks. Our president seems to be still talking about a two state solution, as proposed in the 2004 Annan plan, whilst a Greek Cypriot spokesman damned the idea, so clearly they still want all or nothing. Long way to go yet.
The second article, based on a survey in the South, suggests a dramatic leap in the number of Greek Cypriots willing to live under Turkish Cypriot rule in the event of a solution. The survey also came up with the facts that 46% of Greek Cypriots with land in the North would prefer compensation rather than return to their former homes. Also 83% of Greek Cypriots poled said they would happily live in mixed villages.
Maybe it's time for politicians to listen to the people. Only a joke, honestly.
At lunch time today we went round to John and Jewel's villa in Alsancak to help Jewel celebrate her birthday with a BBQ among friends. It is actually not her real birthday until Tuesday, but a sunny Sunday afternoon seems a good time to enjoy good company and good food.
John "Le Chef" Pearce did a super job with the various meats he had prepared for the BBQ. Usual thing of course, a big rush for the sausages. Once the lunch was announced it was a sort of eyes down for the rest of us. All together a fun afternoon that went on until the early evening. I think it is part of the fun of being here in TRNC to sit around in the sun, enjoy some good food and wine amongst friends.
Great party John & Jewel, next one is probably my 70th, but I plan to get somebody else to do the cooking.
Back for a boys night out again on a Tuesday. Numbers were a bit down this week, but George is back from UK and surprisingly Steini is still with us. He was supposed to go back on Monday but he has delayed his departure to resolve a few things around the connection of electric etc.
We went down to The Ravine Bar of course, as they always treat us well with free plates of chips etc and we are never ones to refuse a freebie....
Lapta Layabouts were out again this evening, this time we went to The Asmali restaurant, which is quite close to us and the food is simple local food, always freshly prepared and incredible value for money.
Their menu comprises all the local things like sis kebab and at the weekend they do an excellent kleftiko (lamb in the oven, for those who don't know). We all had a main meal, lots of beer, some G&Ts, a couple of bottles of wine and then mine host produced some fresh fruit, the pancake specialities of the house, coffee and brandy to finish. All this was 30 YTL per person, or £12.25 if you want it in old money.
Steini & Sigga were with us, together with two new Icelanders on the island, whom we called Doddi and Sharon as anything else was just unpronounceable. I do believe that they had a great evening out, we will find out if that's true when we invite them again. Before we went to the restaurant I made sure that Steini was finally going to leave the island as I booked them on our flight to Stansted next Sunday morning.
It's all go this month and tomorrow at 5 a.m. Joan and I head off to UK for 1 week only. We have already had the messages to bring woolies and umbrellas. But to help you catch up have been out and bought the Saturday paper.
The big story is still Amaranta Valley Development. It seems that Gary Robb is now trying to borrow a total of £21 million to finish the development and other outstanding works. In the meantime, despite being ordered by the courts to pay some of the invetors back, he is still refusing to do so and attempting to get the court rulings overturned. One couple, Bob & Elaine Chittock are now both back in UK seriously ill with cancer, but despite the local court ruling in 2005 that Mr Robb should pay back all their money, they have still received nothing. Why do I get the feeling that develpers like this are doing more damage to the property market here in TRNC, whilst the good builders, of which there are many, get no publicity. This is, in our opinion, an excellent place to buy and to live, just do your homework and buy with care.
There are more and more hotels receiving planning permission and the Tourism Minister says that the total number of hotel rooms is to increase to 28,000. Occupancy rates at this time are only 21% so sombody must be banking on a settlement, direct flights etc etc, because if this si not going to happen, why the investments.
There is still a major manhunt going on for Sean Lupton, the man who supposedly has £32 million from the Securicor robbery in UK. He is supposed to be hiding out over here and Kent police have been working with local police to try to locate him. There are supposed to be sightings in and around casinos here ut nobody seems to be able to actually buttonhole him.
There have been 81 accidents in the last week on the roads and two more people have died. The new speed cameras are now installed but I don't think they are all operating yet. Speed control will help but I still think that education will be the main help because driving standards are really bad here.
The government is admitting that there is a serious economic problem here and that they are losing control over prices. Ex-pats are complaining that their pensions are worth less due to exchange rates and this is coupled to major price increases in fuel and food basics, so all in all, those of you who ask me about cost of living here be aware that it is not as cheap as it used to be.
Here we go again, out of bed at 4 a.m., quick shower, coffee and cornflakes then off to collect Steini & Sigga for the trip to the airport.
Going through Girne at 5.30 on Sunday morning meant getting pulled over by the police for a driving licence check and to ask if I had been drinking. As all the youngsters seem to be on their way home after a Saturday night out I think they were having a good catch rate, there seemed to be a number of cars pulled to one side, with police writing up their paperwork.
The flight was pretty uneventful except for the normal lack of leg room and it arrived in Stanstead on time. We were also very surprised to find our cases going round on the merry-go-round, as soon as we got through passport control.
It did not take long to collect our hire car and we were pleased to accept an upgrade as a regular customer.
The motorway down to Ashford was quite clear so we got to Les and Jill's home in less than 1.5 hours. In time in fact to go and meet other friends in the local and enjoy a couple of pints of real ale. Mmmmmm.
By 9.30 local time, Joan and I were totally shot so it was early to bed for us. Les called me a wimp, but then I reminded him that we ahd been up since 2 a.m. his time.
We awoke this morning to grey overcast skies and it was b..... cold. So Joan and I made our appointments at the quacks for an MOT and as Wednesday was the earliest, I took the girls off too Ashford for some shopping.
I was allowed to spend some time in the DIY shop which was quite enjoyable. Particularily I needed to get a more powerful jigsaw, as we frequently have to cut out the worktops when builders conveniently forget and then whilst the girls were in amongst the clothing sections of the stores I disappeared in to PC World.
There has been a lot of major developments going on in the town centre since we were last here, particularily in the area of the big shopping mall with a huge new Debenhams amongst others, so the girls were very happy.
We came home to get a good dinner prepared and then spent the evening catching up on all the news around here. Les had this virgin bottle of 12 year old malt, so he and I had to test its quality.
Joan and I had fairly early appointmenst at the surgery this morning, the usual things such as the testing of the waters etc. Slightly worrying as they want to send mine away and I have to call next Tuesday.
After that Joan and I went over to Canterbury as we needed to go in to Barclays Bank and sort out a few things that can't be done on-line, so naturally we took advantage of the shops there as well, at least Joan did, but I was allowed a new pair of jeans. I think she also managed a sneaky birthday present for me next month, but only time will tell.
This evening, the four of us went to The Plough, a local drinking establishment that also does good food. The special on a Wednesday evening is a carvery at £7.99 per person plus of course the drinks. This was excellent value for nmoney, with a choice of pork, beef, lamb or gammon with a super variety of vegetables. We got so much meat on our plates that a pud afterwards was totally out of the question.
In the other room they did have a big screen TV and as there was some sort of football game on this evening, it got quite noisy with Chelsea supporters. For some reason it seemed to go quiet in the second half and beyond.
This evening we had a BBQ at home which was very good and included some apare ribs whch we had spotted in Tesco supermarket the other day.
Now Les & Jil have this guy they call foxy who comes along to their garden most evenings, quite late I might add, to see what has been thrown out for him. He apparantly just loves cat food, strange dog like thing...... Well Les and I sat up late in the conservatory with the lights out and waited, with a little sustenance of course. When he ,or she, did turn up it was the whole mouthfull in one go if possible, then over the fence and away. He did not seem at all phased by the security light going on but Les says if he catches sight of any movement he shoots away quickly. A lovely sight and one of the advantages of living in the countryside areas of UK.
Some time ago Les bought this big Kawasaki motorbike and Jill is not a huge fan, so when we go over to visit there is always a trip planned. this evening Joan got all kitted out and away they went off on the fish & chip run. Jill and I being the sensible ones got in to the car and went down to Old Romney, to sample the food and drink at the Rose and Crown.
Apparantly they cruised around to Ashford, then to Tenterden and finally back to Rye where many other bike fans meet at a famous fish & chip restaurant on a Friday evening.
When they came back we settled down to chat over a couple of beers and Les was taking about this big meeting in Utrecht on September 20th, apparently 30 years since the first of the Z1300 models first came out. Now it seems plans are afoot for Les and Joan to go over to Holland if they can arrange to stay with Arie for a couple of nights and attend this meeting. Just hope it stays dry for them but I guess that Arie, who is also a bike fan will join them at the meet.
Maybe I will just go to UK and enjoy the English ale.
Saturday already and our last day in UK this trip, so it was an easy day with some advance packing to see if all the stuff madam has bought will fit in the suitcases. Then in the evening we took our hosts out to The Star at St Mary's on the Marsh for a super meal. A short vist but a very enjoyable one.
We have been lucky with the weather so far, warm during the day but much colder than Cyprus in the evenings. However things are changing tonight. Thunder and lightening and some very heavy rain after we got home. This went on in to the night.
Up at 6 a.m. and on the road before 8 o'clock because it is still hosing it down. In fact it rained heavily all the way to Stanstead, not very pleasent driving conditions. However we made it back with the hire car nice and early, managed to get long leg seats by doing so and then settled down to wait. Because of the bad weather the incoming flight was late so we set off 50 minutes late. Guess he must have had the loud pedal down, because we made up time on the way to Istanbul and by only staying on the ground for 40 minutes, arrived back here on time.
It still remains a long trip for only a short visit. Bring on direct flights please.
Lets see what the newspaper chat is now that we have come back to TRNC.
Main headlines is Amaranta Valley again. Builders lorries and bulldozers have blockaded the site, why, well according to the press one of the contracting companies has not been paid. The Amaranta Buyers Committee which should approve all payments says that there is a justifiable reason but controversy seems to just dog Mr Gary Robb. Lets hope this is resolved and that development continues, because once again this sort of action does nothing to improve the market here.
Whilst we are all aware that Gary Robb homself is wanted by UK police, the newspaper claims that his mother is also on the run from them. Mr Robb claims that his mother only transferred some legal money to him out here, but the UK police seem to think differently.
Two people in a Renault 9 crashed through the barrier and plunged 5 meters in to the part built tunnel on the new by-pass. Police are suggesting that speed was to blame......now thats a big surprise.
Alan Hudson, the former Chelsea No 10, is trying to sell his 1971 European winners medal. He lives over here and says he needs to raise funds for medical treatment as result of a car accident in 1997. Anybody out there interested?
The two leaders of Cyprus met to discuss the next move on the road to peace but appear to dash hopes that negotiations could resume on June 21st. The leaders claim good chemistry between them, but are clearly influenced by others on the various committees when the press gets involved. As we have said before, a solution is some way off.
Tuesday night we had our regular boys night out at The Ravine. This was enjoyable because we have been sort of short handed for a little while for a variety of reasons, but it is good to catch up and take the mickey out of one another, all in good fun.
This evening a gang of 12 Lapta Layabouts went to The Oleander restaurant in Karaoglanoglu (go on say it quick, it doesn't hurt), which serves authentic Indian and also European food. We all sat around the outside bar to wet the whistle and look at the menu when the electric went off. This was a brilliant move for us because after a while the owner thought free drinks would keep this lot from complaining, whilst they got the electrician in. Joking apart, brilliant food in a super garden area would really recommend this place. We have been before, but Joan is not a huge lover of Indian food, so it is sometimes difficult to persuade her that I would fancy a Jalfresi now and again. Mental note, go more often.
Also at the restaurant we met our new neighbours, Charles and Yvonne. Stewart and Barbara have moved to the upper part of Lapta, where it is in fact cooler in the summer and Charles and his wife have bought the place. They are currently only here on holiday but plan a permanent move in October.
Saturday again, doesn't time fly by and why do we keep ourselves so busy, sometimes so busy that I keep saying... Must update the website today and then something else happens to intervene. Overall it has been a good week, especially the news from the UK Doc, that the waterworks are all OK and have to say that the daily swim is really good after the slightly colder climate in UK, just feel that old age requires a little more exercise.
Big news this week is that banking is in turmoil. The Central Bank staff have gone on strike for a variety of reasons, working hours, salary, overtime and all the usual arguments. This of course means that cheques are not getting cleared, money is not being transferred between banks and this right at the end of the month when salary cheques are issued. Think I will just use the hole in the wall until this dies down. At least we should be able to draw on our UK account.
The situation at Amaranta doesn't seem to be over, there are now two firms involved in pay disputes and they are now theatening legal action. Will they meet the deadline for completion of the site, it is looking inceasingly unlikely.
There was a great fanfare some months ago about Getikale airport being taken over and turned in to a multi-million turnover cargo hub. The company that was supposed to be behind the deal has changed it's name three times and is now involved in a legal battle. The whole deal seems to be turning sour and guess who is invloved, Mr Asil Nadir. Anybody remember Polly Peck? There is another man who can't go back to UK.
The couple who won a villa in a raffle, three years ago, in aid of the Cancer and Disabled societies, have still not got their property and of course the man involved, Recep Heybetli from Victorian Homes Ltd has long ago fled the island. Wonder if there is a extradition agreement between TRNC and wherever he is?
It is coming up to nesting time for the loggerhead and green backed turtles, so many hands are busy cleaning the beaches in readiness. Every year a number of students from many countries come and protect and aid in the count of new born turtles.
Big funny headline in the world business sector of the paper. "Faster Banking Goes Live". Think I will cut it out and send copies to the local banks here.
News from the UK is that young Jeff is about to start another course of chemo treatment, so Anne is going to come back here for a little while and hopefully Jeff will make it back for the school holidays, when the grandchildren turn up.
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