NEWBY to Forum and North Cyprus

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:14

Hi

First time on the board so please treat gently.

Never been to North Cyprus yet but hope to this year.Loads of questions to ask .Usually go to Turkey and love it so hope to get same sort of thing in NC.

Things I love about Turkey

People,food,shopping(wife at olympic level),weather,good value and football talk.(Seems to be a lot on here)

So ,how many of this list will I get.

Thanks.

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:21

Welcome to the 'mad house' Wayne. There is a google search engine above this post you can use for questions too.



Vicki

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:37

allby60



Welcome. My answers - won't be everyone's, of course:

1. People - great

2. Food - great

3. Shopping - depends on what your wife likes to shop for, but on this (North side) she may be disappointed

4. Weather - amazing

5. Good value - again, probably a matter of opinion, but certainly nowhere near as good value as it was

6. Football talk - plenty, as well as many places showing live games (but won't the season be over?)



As I said, these are only my opinions.



Hope you enjoy your visit.



J

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:40

Thanks britvic.Its going to take me a little time to get upto speed with the general banter etc but I will stick at it.

By the way in the 'Mad house' are you the one in the white coat ??

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:44

Gert Lush allby lol...coming ere is a grand ideal..

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 14:45

allby what part of Bristol are your from?

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:05

Wayne, the ones wearing the white coats have 'Admin' under their names, please stay away from these!

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:07

Keep it 'nice' vicki )

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:10

See what I mean? Ha, ha

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:13

Allby, don't be afraid to ask any questions, despite the assumptions that we wear white coats. )

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:28

Vicky you naughty girl...20 lashes with the birch you are NEARLY getting as bad as me

jimmyG


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 900

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:17

Allby, hope you enjoy your visit & no doubt you'll have lots of opinions or questions to ask once you get back & here's a good place for these to be aired. Welcome to the board.

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:32

Thanks everyone for so many replies,so quickly.

I mentioned football because I saw many posts relating to the subject.The season may nearly be over but it never stops us footy fans from giving our opinions throughout the year.

Not sure about the 20 lashes with the birch just yet,maybe later !!!!!!

My wife likes shopping for metal particulary if it is gold in colour and can be worn.Also clothes and shoes ,yes lots of shoes.We have to take our grandsons presents back so childrens clothes as well.

From west side of Bristol.

First question,should I bring pounds.lira or euros ???

Second,do they have the big outdoor markets selling clothes etc,???

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:53

allby60 it might be a good idea to find out what the exchange rate is in NC before you go over. Oh and by the way there are some lovely shoe shops over their.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:55

Bring Sterling - Cash. Everyone likes a pound note over here

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:56

allby60 - I think Mrs allby will quite like going metal shopping. There are jewellers here who will happily make wearable metal to your own design. Agree with Britvic re exchange rate - by the sounds of it, you'd better make sure you bring your credit card(s) too!! LOL.



There are lots of us ladies on here with a passion for shoes (something that men never seem to understand)



Enjoy



J

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:59

I holiday in Turkey May & September Kyrenia December/January.

There isn't as much interest in Football talk with locals here, you don't get the younger generation tallking to tourists as much.

Eating out is more expensive here, having said that we have never had a bad meal.

Been ripped off a few times by being charged more than locals, not found that in Turkey. Entrance fees to places of interest are charged more for tourists, not so in Turkey.

Except for Nicosia and the market not a lot to choose from with clothes unless you buy the top fashions from the small shops in Girne some nice shoe shops again they are fashion shoes.

The locals here are very much like the Turks very friendly.

Enjoy.

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 18:15

Thanks again everyone for the replies.

So its take pounds and perhaps a bit of TL.

My Dearest Wife very happy about the news on shoes,but please answer me this.Why does she still intend to drag me around the shops here to get new shoes to go on holiday with !!!!(Men neednt try and answer this)



Is there any way around being charged more than the locals ??

Do you barter in the shops etc.Are there any local Markets like Turkey ??

Thanks

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 18:33

There is a local market mostly fruit and veg not much choice in clothing as there is in Turkey, better to go into Nicosia plenty of choice but most prices are in Euro's and you can get into the South from there M&S, Debenhams, Next etc but you need the Euro.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 18:36

There is a local wednesday market, that sells pretty much all you could want, although their fruit and veg stalls are the best!!



Enjoy....



DD

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 21:42

daisy dukes where is this market please.Is it the same one as mentioned in post 19 ??

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 21:50

Hi Allby just come. Experience it all for your self. We all manage one way or another. You can have a good lfe here. You will learn very quickly where to stay and where to avoid. Have fun xxxx

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 21:54

Lilli



Its my first time so I did not want to waste time on the wrong things,so was looking for a little help from more experienced travellers/locals.



Who knows if I like it I may come again.

Thanks anyway for your reply.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 21:55

Going on the main road heading for Lapta when you come to the island with the fountains turn left go up that road and turn left again, park your car and walk to an opening on the left and you will see the market from there.

cornish



Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 186

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 17:12

Alby - bring Sterling and exchange for Turkish lira here . One of the best exchanges is opposite the Dome Hotel near Girne Harbour. Shopping best done in Lefkosa/Nicosia and don't go to south to buy anything. It's too expensive. I expect you have a Debenhams/M& S in Bristol (lol) Try High Life hotel if you want to hire a car. Tell them jack sent you. You should get a car 10-16 stg / day depending on time of year and car type

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 17:28

msg 24: Thanks for that, i'm useless at giving directions!!



DD

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 20:28

Woodspeckie

Thanks will try the market.Re the car.........Is it cheap to hire a car ,and are they reasonably roadworthy.?Dont worry if you dont know ,its just me asking the experts rather than make mistakes when I get there.



Cornish

I have no intention of going south as it seems a lot of hassle.And yes we have some big shops in Bristol,we are hopeing to get electricity soon (lol) Pasties and cream teas soon as well. Thanks for car hire info.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 20:41

allby60 - don't know whether you'll be East or West of Kyrenia. If West, would recommend Bird Rent A Car - we've used them many times and always found them to be reliable and friendly. You will probably get a lot of response regarding car hire from people on here. There are a lot of good rental companies and, as you say, it's best to be recommended. IMHO it's more convenient to hire from a company who will deliver your hire car to Ercan and then all you'll probably need to do on your return journey is to drop it off back at the airport.



Hope this helps.



J



I'd say average hire costs around £16-&18 per day including assurance (this is for June).

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 20:49

Wayne, you will need somewhere to stay and a few of us have stayed at The Ship Inn, it is clean and tidie, and close to the main town of Girne, they also do hotel/airport transfers http://www.theshipinn.com/



I have also stayed at The Rose Garden because although a bit further out, it is near my own property, The Rose Garden do Hotel/airport transfers and car hire, as soon as I find the link I will post it for you.....Both of these hotels are reasonably priced.



Vicki

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 21:17

Stayed at the High Life Hotel Christmas 2007/2008 stayed 3 weeks but were charged £18 day for hire car!

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 21:19

Most place charge the same for car hire, car hire firms and hotels...........Sorry Wayne can I heck find the link for The Rose garden, as soon as I do I will post it for you.



Vicki

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 22:42

Rose Gardens.

http://www.cyprus-rose.com



Birdrentacar got it fully insured £15 per day end of May if booked online.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 22:52

Hi Alby rates vary for car hire . the one The Wick suggest is very good as is Cyprus Pines who will pick you up and return you to the airport wether its this side or Larnaca.You can find most links at the bottom of the page for almost everything.Hotels will do deals at the moment. Shoe shops well FOXY LADY seems to be favourite. we can never have enough and what do we do here war flipflops all the time. You will enjoy it just come and experience the life here xxxxxx

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 22:57

Sorry wrong link



http://www.rose-gardens.com

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
12/05/2009 12:31

Thanks everone for your help on car hire.

You guys seem so enthusiastic about the place its so refreshing.

I dont want to HOG all your time so I will wait a bit before I ask any more questions.