I must confess that newsletters from the United Nations Development Programme in Turkey are not my usual bedtime reading. Yet I've been fascinated by its report on a study currently being conducted by a cross-border scientific team into the biodiversity of the UN buffer zone.

Did you know that the buffer zone covers 3% of the island, and can be over 4 miles wide? Neither did I, so no wonder it's become a haven for wildlife. All the animals have to worry about are a few UN peacekeepers driving by, some low-key farming - and the odd land-mine, of course.

The main beneficiaries of this peaceful existence are the mouflon, who can be found living in substantial numbers in the abandoned village of Variseia. I've never seen one of the 3000 mouflon that live in the wild, but apparently in the buffer zone, they are a common sight.
The scientists are also looking for some of Cyprus' other rare species, including the Cyprus tulip and the freshwater terrapin. After all, with no development, no hunting and no tourists permitted in the UN-monitored buffer zone, if I were an endangered terrapin, I'd be there as fast as my legs would carry me.

However, there are signs of less welcome, human activity; illegal hunting traps have been found, along with rubbish tips and discarded pesticide containers. Even the buffer zone is not immune from progress.

And here, of course, is the irony. When the whole north/south issue is resolved, (and note, I say when), what will happen to this unique wildlife corridor than spans Cyprus? One plan is to make it into a peace park, which seems a great idea to me. The park would give the united people of Cyprus a permanent reminder of how their island was once divided, and a reminder that always makes them smile.

Kathy

Can the whole Cyprus reunification issue really be solved by an Australian? Certainly, the UN seem keen to enlist former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer as the new UN special envoy, in order to kick-start the peace talks.

In fairness, talks between President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat are a current reality, not just the fanciful wishing of just a few months back. The issue seems to be, when to stop arranging the reunification talks, and actually start, well, talking the talks.

A joint statement from both leaders after their meeting last week restated their ultimate goal of a “bi-zonal and bi-communal federation based on the principle of equality” , which is great news. However, they will be meeting again in June to set the date for the start of reunification talks proper, which is not such good progress.

Now, if Mr Downer is as straight-talking as his fellow countrymen Down Under, and as laid back, then he could be just the man for the job. Perhaps, with a Crocodile Dundee swagger, he'll sit the two blokes from either side of the buffer zone round a campfire with a six pack of tinnies (beers) and sort out the whole thing before the tinnies get too warm.

What a great thought - I'll drink to that!

Kathy

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What I love about technology is the way you can learn so much from people you have never met. I enjoy reading the Cyprus44 forum posts for just this reason. It's like being in a bar with interesting people you really want to talk to, but without the beer bill and the headache the next day!

The post that's caught my eye this week is by Brian24001 on why Britain would wish to sign a "Memorandum of Understanding" with south Cyprus, especially at a time when the peace talks between north and south are finally becoming a reality.

OK, here's a hint. Life's a gas as Prime Minister, but the party will soon be over when the North Sea reserves run out...

Fuel prices are fast replacing the weather as the hot topic of conversation in the UK, and nothing invites more fury than petrol price rises. The average price of diesel has risen to over GB£1.30 a litre, and lorry drivers and school run mums alike are up in arms.

Which is why we're quids in here in North Cyprus once again, with the average pump price for diesel hovering just below the 2YTL mark. (That's around 90p for our UK readers.)
But, UKTurk sounds a cautionary note with his Cyprus44 forum post on fuel prices. Prices in mainland Turkey are already a third higher than in North Cyprus, and I have a a nasty feeling that's a taste of things to come in the future.

So, while our UK families moan about falling rain and rising fuel prices, perhaps we here in the TRNC should count our lucky stars that even if we can't have water, there's still cheap petrol - for the meantime.

Just a reminder that if you still have some old Cypriot pounds lurking at the back of a drawer from pre-Euro trips south of the border, now is the time to cash them in.

As of the end of this month, free exchange of old Cypriot pounds for new shiny Euros will be withdrawn. You will still be able to exchange old notes for a further ten years and coins for two years, but only at the Central Bank which will charge you for the privilege.

So, if you do have any old notes, act now, head south and get the best deal. And if extra Euros burning a hole in your pocket are not excuse enough to wing past Ikea on the way home to North Cyprus, I don't know what is...

The concept of outdated currency has always a source of fascination to me since my days as my family's Monopoly wizard, but I had never heard of current currency being worthless - until now.

The Famagusta Gazette reports that a private plane is stuck on the tarmac at Paphos airport after being grounded by Customs officials. The private jet had only stopped to refuel when the Customs officers made a routine inspection. Inside the plane they found dozens of suitcases, bursting with almost 5 billion US dollars worth of bonds. Yes, you read that right, 5 billion.
The US organization who owned the plane claimed that they did not need to inform the banking authorities in Cyprus because the bonds were not worth anything.

But, if they were not worth anything, why were they being flown by private jet?

Next time I fly to the UK, I will claim that despite being a major celebrity in the blogsphere (!), I am actually totally and utterly worthless. With a bit of luck, I too should get flown home in a private jet, or at least get an upgrade. What do you think?

Prepare yourselves, resident villa owners of North Cyprus, for more relatives visiting you this autumn! Pegasus Airlines have announced two new flights from Stansted to Ercan international via Istanbul.

A new Monday flight will be available from 1 September 2008, with an additional Friday flight added from 1 October 2008. Ticket prices start for the Istanbul leg at only £40 one way, including taxes. This now means your sisters, and your cousins (whom you reckon up by dozens, as G&S would say) and your aunts can fly out to see you five days a week.

Seriously, this can only be good news for North Cyprus tourism. While we swelter in 35 degrees plus, the UK is having an dreadful summer full of grey skies and ho-hum temperatures. I am quite convinced that by September, half the nation will be desperate to escape to the sun - but on a budget. This is North Cyprus' chance to grab those bargain-hunters and show them that great beaches, endless sunshine, friendly restaurants and historic wonders do exist north of Nicosia.

North Cyprus Flights are available to book online now. Just don't tell my mother-in-law, OK?

My friends think I am rather strange, because when I go on holiday, I much prefer to stay in a holiday villa than a hotel. When I start to describe my latest villa discovery, their eyes start to widen. "Why don't you stay in a hotel?" they ask, "You don't have to cook, everything is laid on. A villa is too much like being at home!"

That is just why I don't like hotels for my main holiday! I work in a crowded city in a big office, and spend much of my time rushing from job to home to kids' swimming matches, etc. The last thing I want on holiday is to spend it with a lot of other people - I want peace and quiet, and my own pool not packed with junior racers, thank you very much! Which is why, for the last two years, we have hired a villa in North Cyprus.

A North Cyprus holiday villa gives me and my family the freedom to chill out and enjoy being together again. We have breakfast together on the terrace in the sunshine, instead of rushing through burnt toast and sticky cereals before the school run. I can admire the view (I like a nice view!) while the kids splash in the pool, or we can drive to a small local beach for the morning.

I must be a lucky Mum, because my kids eat almost anything that doesn't move too fast. I like to think this is because we always shop locally on holiday, at small shops or markets. So, for lunch, they are happy to tuck into a local restaurant 'meze' selection without knowing quite what's in it, or tackle a big North Cyprus kebab, always a favourite.

Then it's time for an 'adventure', whether it's exploring a mountain castle, playing gladiators in a Roman ruin or learning to scuba dive. (A surprise hit with all the family last year, thanks to the PADI Bubblemaker course for the kids.)

At the end of the day, our holiday villa really comes into its own. Now we parents can sit back with a glass of wine or an Efes beer, while the kids kick back with a DVD for a while. (I do appreciate a DVD player in a villa rather than just a TV, since my Turkish is non-existent!)

If we want to cook what we bought earlier, then my husband is on barbecue duty. If I'm feeling inspired, it's fresh veg, fresh fish and lots of nibbly bits like olives, etc. If not, it's a walk (preferably) to the local taverna for a slap-up supper that costs less than a trip to the cinema back home.

In the past, I have rented villas across the Mediterranean, either through villa holiday companies or direct with owners themselves. I prefer to rent through a villa rental company, as I find the villas tend to be better equipped, cleaned more regularly, and, thanks to driving direction written in English, much easier to find!

One thing that's definitely in short supply here in North Cyprus is opera, so I'm thrilled that no less than 21 opera stars are performing in Kyrenia on September 14th.

However, chances are, I won't have heard of many of them by name, as the singers come from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Northern Cyprus, Bashkor-tostan and Tatarstan.

The singers will first perform in Mersin on September 11, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Opera’s first performance of “Leyli and Mejnun", by the Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov. Based on the classic Arabic love story, "Leyla ile Mecnun" was hailed as the first Middle Eastern opera at its premiere in 1908.

The story tells how the real-life Bedouin poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah ibn Muzahim fell in love with Layla Al-Aamiriya, but her father refused to let them marry. When she married another man, he fled into the desert and lost his mind, writing poetry on the rocks and in the sand. Qays became known as "Majnu Layla", meaning 'the one driven mad by Layla'.

If a Turkish person says they "feel like Layla", it means they are in a complete daze, like one head over heels in love.

If you think the name Layla sounds familiar, her name apparently inspired the Derek and the Dominos 1970 album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". The song "I Am Yours" contains a direct quote from a passage in the Persian poet Nezami's version of the "Layla and Majnun". Who said pop was dumbing down?!

Last month, we finally got the keys to our new villa in Esentepe, and we are thrilled with it. Already, friends we met while renting here have come to visit, all eager to see our new home. However, we did not expect their main question to be "Where did you find your lovely furniture?"! When I told them, they suggested I tell everyone at Cyprus 44 too, so here goes!

We did not want the developer's furniture package, and we thought the choice of furniture shops around Kyrenia was a bit limited. (We did go to Homefront at Alsancak, but their choice of non iron-frame furniture was limited.)

So, we decided to go into Nicosia, and stopped at the first furniture showroom we liked the look of after the main roundabout coming into Lefkosa from the Girne road.

This was YATSAN furniture showroom, and what a find it turned out to be. To start with, they had a great range of sofas including corner sofa sets, which I had back in the UK and loved, because all the family could sit together. After sitting on nearly all the sofas they had, which they were more than happy for us to do, we finally chose the Cantone corner sofa, which is really comfy and looks great in our living room.

We hadn't planned to buy our new beds at the same store, but Yatsan had such a good range of bed bases and mattresses, my hubby insisted we try them out. (His excuse for a rest, I reckon!). The nice girl who runs the show helped us select a good mattress that suited us both and one for the second bedroom, and we bought two bed bases, both with storage underneath for all our winter blankets and stuff.

0% credit deals like discount furniture store in the UK offer don't exist in North Cyprus, but the girl at Yatsan offered me 5% discount if I paid in cash. I opted instead for their monthly installments option on my credit card. They don't add any interest on top, so you just pay the whole amount off over 12 months.

The Yatsan showroom is two minutes away from the Gonyeli roundabout - rather than me describe it, see the map at their website! http://www.yatsancyprus.com/.

So, now you know our North Cyprus furniture secret! :)

Kate Mitchel

If you've been keeping an eye on the exchange rates these past weeks, you can't have failed to notice how sterling is holding up rather well against the Turkish Lira, reaching the dizzy heights of 2.80 lira to the GB pound in recent days.

And, this must be good news for North Cyprus holidays in 2009. With UK holidaymakers looking critically at costs of everything, a country that offers good value in terms of accommodation, price of food, fuel, car hire, etc is bound to win out. The 2008 recession-buster holiday was the USA, but with the dollar rallying against the GB pound to former heights of 1.80 or so, the USA is not the bargain it was, and the next bargain holiday destination of 2009 could be North Cyprus.

My UK-based friends are all telling me how fed up they are with the media constantly telling them how bad the economy is. They are tired of greedy banks, smug Prime Ministers and the price of fuel. Most of them just want a break from it all, and a week in the North Cyprus sunshine would do them the world of good.

So, do your friends a favour and point them towards Cyprus44 for ideas for their next holiday. (And if you're smart like me, you persuade them to stay down the road in a nice rental villa or apartment, so you can show them North Cyprus without having them sleeping on your sofa!)

America may be celebrating its new President elect, but it should also be pleased with its new First Lady too. Across the world, the wives of Presidents, Prime Ministers and politicians often work behind the scenes, quietly effecting change, whilst the world's media watches their husbands instead.

This week, without fuss or bother, the First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus, Elsi Christofias, came to northern Cyprus to meet Oya Talat, wife of Mehmet Ali Talat. Mrs Talat had invited Mrs Christofias to coffee, a purely social visit, and afterwards the two women strolled around the historic harbour at Kyrenia. However gentle this social call may seem, its importance could be far-reaching, since their husbands are now sitting down at talks on reunification.

The advantages of a charming wife for a leader should not be underestimated. Back in March, a friend of mine in the House of Lords was requested to look after the wife of a visiting President, a role usually looked upon as something of a chore. However, my friend leapt at the chance. Why? His taxing task was to escort the wife of French President Sarkozy, the singer and former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and he was the envy of the House for weeks!

The vivacious and curvaceous Ms Bruni has previously modelled for such fashion houses greats as Christian Dior, Lacroix, Galliano, Chanel and Versace, so my titled friend was very sure to wear his best suit...

I may not post very often these days, but I love meeting new arrivals on the Cyprus44 forum.

Latest newbie to catch my eye is Jetnoise/Ralph, who has posted old holiday snaps of childhood holidays in the northern part of Cyprus, as it was then. Idyllic pictures of smiling children beside a caravan on a beach, posing with an ancient stone monument, all sunshine and laughter. Then you see the dates; Famagusta in 1972 and Kyrenia in 1973... (See actual post)

Which made me reach immediately for one of my favourite guide book on my shelves; "The Travellers' Guide to Cyprus" by Hazel Thurston, the revised 1971 edition! Yes, I've got all the latest North Cyprus guide books, including the Bradt and Landmark series, but I love this tatty old guidebook for its wonderful sketch maps.

There's something very satisfying about its detailed plans of the Gymnasium and bath complex at Salamis, the Wards at St Hilarion, and the walled city of Nicosia shown as one complete circle.

What is heart-warming is that the essential atmosphere of North Cyprus seems to have survived the years, even if the meaning of some words have changed since: "Kyrenia is no longer a backwater retreat for retired, excessively clubbable Empire-builders. It is gay and full of life.. Kyrenia has an atmosphere as highly coloured as its picture-postcards."

Yet the author is already bemoaning change; if they could see it now! For example, "The Dome is the doyen of Kyrenia hotels. It has now grown almost beyond recognition."

However, who now would recognise the description of a suburb of Famagusta:  "Varosha... now contains everything of modern importance from the point of administration, shopping, hotels and transport centres... above all, safe beaches make (Varosha) the perfect antidote to strenuous sightseeing programmes." 

I scoured the Famagusta sketch map and hotel listing for Ralph's elusive Regina Breach Hotel, but to no avail. Perhaps it was one of the new hotels that were springing up so fast the guidebook said it couldn't list them all...

I have owned several holiday homes in the UK before I bought my lovely villa here in Northern Cyprus. My experiences in the UK made me realise the vital importance of getting proper holiday home insurance, and it is something I would not be without, especially in these days of "Where there's blame, there's a claim."

In the UK, my buildings and contents insurance always covered almost every problem that might occur, from major flooding to accidental damage. I was always amazed at how clumsy some holiday-makers were! I assumed that finding the same level of insurance for my North Cyprus holiday villa would be easy, but I was wrong.

To begin with, I did not want any policy written in Turkish, as I would not know what I was signing. It was important that the policy covered not only the structure and contents of my villa, but included public and employer's liability for every person who might step one foot onto my property. I am lucky in having a good TRNC property manager who has an excellent network of tradesmen to fix any problems that arise, but as a result I never really know exactly who is in my property at any one time.

In the end, I looked at UK- based firms, and soon discovered that some companies just did not want to know about North Cyprus properties.  From those who did offer TRNC cover, I then discovered that both the level of cover offered and the prices charged varied enormously. In the end, I took out the holiday home policy from Intasure, not just because they offered good cover at half the price of everyone else, but also because when I rang the UK office, they had a real 'can-do' attitude and knowledge of their products. (After a prolonged battle with a company I once booked car insurance with over the internet, I now ring companies to check they really do know what they are doing!)

If you are a holiday home owner, I'm sure you have your own 'horror' stories, but I will never forget arriving at our first holiday home on the Isle of Wight late one night, popping the inevitable hot water bottles into the beds, and snuggling down for the night. The next day, my daughter was scratching like a hound, and when I took a look, she was covered in tiny red bites. It took us ten minutes to discover the masses of fleas covering the back of the curtain beside her bed, and three hours for the pest control specialist to fumigate and discover the source was dead birds in the roof space above. Moral of the story? Never neglect your holiday property's loft!

Kate Mitchel

It's one of those traditional TRNC debates - should you shop in the south or stick to the North?

With the Euro exchange rate definitely not good for anyone whose income is in sterling, any shopping trip south is definitely not so much fun as it used to be! In fact, south Cyprus prices are approaching London prices, which is horrifying to someone like me who thought they had left all those expensive price tags behind in rainy Cricklewood!

However, a recent discussion on the Cyprus44 forum has reminded me that although you can take the girl out of Britain, you can't always take your taste buds out of Blighty! OK, we all know the jokes about the Brits needing regular shipments of marmalade or Marmite, or strong Yorkshire tea, or Mars bars or whatever, but the root of this surely goes deeper. I guess we are now so used to endless variety and choice in UK shopping, it's hard to slim down those expectations when we arrive in the TRNC.

Truth is, the difference between prices on the two sides of the border is minimal, and once you add petrol costs (and insurance), then it's potentially costing you more than you save. Most TRNC residents agree that for everyday items, it's really a choice between popping over the border to the nearest supermarket, usually Alphamega, or shopping at the bigger Lemar supermarket in Lefkosa (or the 2 branches in Kyrenia or the one in Famagusta). Staples like cornflakes are just cents more in the Lemar supermarket than Alphamarket, and British favourites such as Heinz tomato ketchup can actually be cheaper!

So, for my part, I'll treat expeditions to the south much as I used to regard shopping in London; go for the sales or specialist items, but otherwise shop local because it's better for the economy and in the end, usually cheaper and less hassle! And yes, it is amazing what you can get in a suitcase from the UK if you are good at packing; I've known intrepid residents bring LCD screen tvs, dvd players and other electrical items across, no problem. My secret? Wrap items in bubble wrap then inside an old sleeping bag to cushion the impact of Stansted's finest baggage handlers - and pray...

One question fills me with dread when friends ask me about North Cyprus; "Which hotel do you think is best?" Of course, the problem is, living here, I never stay in any! Most of my 'recommendations' come from friends of friends, or the experiences of my rather picky relatives.

So, when good friends, Guy and Sue, announced they were coming to visit at short notice, it was with some relief that they said they had already booked the Savoy Ottoman hotel via the Internet, because it had good reviews. And when they invited me to join them for dinner at the hotel, I couldn't help but want a nosey look around too!

The Savoy Ottoman is one of those hotels that I've gone past several times, but never stepped inside, and I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it's all gold leaf on the ceilings and marble and gleaming surfaces, but in a 'this is a nice smart hotel' sort of way, not the usual brash 'let's be having your money then' feel! A quick peek out the back revealed a nice swimming pool overlooked by balconied rooms, and plenty of room to toast yourself on the poolside terraces, a must-do for most sun-starved European tourists it seems!

My friends' room was stylish and nicely decorated, and remarkably quiet for a central Kyrenia location, I thought. Sue said the bed was very comfy, although decorum prevented me from trying it out myself!

We ate in the Ottoman/Lebanese Sarayburnu Restaurant and I must say both food and service were excellent. It was a quiet night when we went, admittedly, but the staff were very attentive and smiling, a nice change from some "5 star" places I've ate at during my years here! Guy treated us to a bottle of very good French wine, which to me looked rather expensive but tasted divine with the chef's chocolate dessert! The bill was, shall we say, on the high side for North Cyprus but no more than Guy reckoned he would expect to pay in London for an OK meal in an OK place, not a swanky hotel.

Sue had tried the spa centre and voted the Turkish bath/sauna/steam bath experience as "Bliss", and Guy gave a thumbs up to the bar staff at the hotel's two bars. They had also been presented with a welcome drink of ‘gul suyu’ - which for our non-TRNC readers is a refreshing drink that is made from roses, and tastes like a cross between hibiscus tea and traditional British rosewater syrup you use on cooking, a nice touch.

Guy and Sue were thrilled with the hotel, loved North Cyprus (they enjoy walking deserted beaches, drinking beer and exploring ancient sites, not necessarily in that order), and best of all, didn't even start to expect me to house, feed and entertain them for free. Thanks Guy and Sue (and the Savoy Ottoman) - see you again next year!

Jack is the director of Afik Group and a friend of mine. He is building one of those large property developments in Famagusta area and I think he is doing it pretty well. Here is a quick interview I did with him last week:

Izzet: I know your Caesar Resort property development in Famagusta has been very popular. What is the current status of Caesar Resort? When are you delivering the keys?

Jack: We have already handed over the keys to the first 5 blocks and are now in the process of handing over the keys to the 6th block from phase 1 (96 apartments). We will start to handover phase 2 (about 100 apartments) from this August onwards. The site has really transformed over the last couple of months, the central building ground floor is now open and host the inside pool & Jacuzzi, with changing rooms, toilets and shower as well as the Gym and the Bar, which the bar should be running by June. The outdoor facilities now in place are; Amphitheatre, outdoor Gym, Children’s playground, established green areas. By the end of May one of the outdoor pools and children’s paddling pools will be ready. We are having an opening party on the 19th of June, it is going to be a great event and we hope to see you there.

Izzet: Your new project is now Sea & Sun Bay in Esentepe. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Jack: I felt that it was very important to be able to construct for a wide range of purchasers. I appreciate that there is a market for people who want to retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday. Sea & Sun Bay Cyprus is like a small piece of heaven that fell to earth. The serenity is just breath taking. I have designed this project in a way that is affordable to everyone’s budget. Upon entering the project at a first glance you would think all construction are villas. The villas are along the sea front and behind, in a cul’de’suc design, are the villas which are split into 2 ground floor apartments and first floor penthouse, all with sea and mountain views. Prices start at £53,000, enabling the opportunity that you can live in one of the most beautiful locations regardless of your budget.

Izzet: Is there an open show house at Sea and Sun Bay?

Jack: There are 11 sea front villas and 22 villas split into 2 ground floor apartments and first floor penthouses. This project is under construction and has a fully furnished show villa. I am a couple of months away from finishing the ground floor and first floor penthouse, which will also be furnished as a show apartment. I anticipate that this project will be completed in 2 years time, along with the following site facilities:
• Gymnasium
• Swimming pool
• Coffee shop
• Snack Bar
• Mini-Market
• Tennis Courts
• BBQ and picnic areas
• Back-up generator for public area

Izzet: Lastly, what do you think about the North Cyprus property market in 2009?

Jack: I believe that Northern Cyprus is still the best place to invest. As a Developer I am confident in my projects and with the advantage of having my own capital to finance my projects this ensures delivery to my purchasers. I have a fantastic team that are all long standing and all with constructional background. We pledge to uphold our commitment and high reputation therefore ensuring that for Afikgroup 2009 will be as successful as 2008.

Izzet: Thanks for this quick interview Jack and we wish you good luck with your property developments.

You can get more information about Afik Group on www.afikgroup.com

It's not often I find myself gently nodding in agreement with an article in The Washington Post (EU and Turkey: still talking barely) but this one was an exception.

On Tuesday, talks resumed on Turkey's entry to the EU, and as the paper's correspondents said; "While neither side says the process is dead, few question that Turkey's goal of joining Europe's club is in deep trouble."

Despite opposition to membership by European heavyweights French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkey's strategic position as the 'tap' between Europe and their supplies of former Russian state gas cannot be overlooked.

Now, all this may be very exciting in Brussels, but what does it actually for us here in North Cyprus?

First of all, thank heavens we were NOT in the Euro currency when the credit crunch came, and we have been spared at least some of the pain of tumbling exchange rates.

But looking ahead, what can the EU give to us? Based on Britain's example, we'll get grants for deprived areas regeneration, but at the expense of endless red tape and EU regulations that often defy logic.

We'll get freedom to work anywhere in the EU, but at the expense of other countries being entitled to do the same, and risk an influx of workers.

An, of course EU membership alone will not solve the issues still being discussed in reunification talks.

A top analyst says it will take up to a decade for Turkey to join the EU as a full member, and so perhaps now is the time to get those talks moving faster, so that the way is paved for EU membership - if we want it by then, of course.

Got a view about EU membership? Discuss it as our Cyprus 44 forum!

I'm sure I don't need to tell any rental villa owner here that the UK recession has meant holidaymakers have either opted to stay at home this summer, or leave booking their holiday until the very last minute in search of bargains.

However, there are signs that 'last minute' might actually be now, as national newspaper are pushing our articles saying "book now, as it won't get cheaper and availability will fall".

The Sunday Times Travel section, (link) always a good indicator of trends, summarised the best bargains to be had in each of the major Med countries (Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Turkey), and only in Greece and Turkey were villas actually in short supply. Elsewhere, the theme was that villa holidays were being discounted, and heavily too.

So, despite North Cyprus actually being cheaper to holiday in once you get here, this year we might miss out to panicking Italian or Spanish villa owners dropping prices by up to 40%.

Or will we?

On the same day, the Mail on Sunday (link) had a feature on the delights on North Cyprus, selling its natural beauty and its history, rather than the beaches. Now, that kind of comparison makes North Cyprus look far more attractive to those who normally like the mix of ancient sites and countryside in Tuscany, or the peaceful delights of rural France. And certainly, when it comes to sunshine and beaches, we can shine just as brightly as Spain, without the currency exchange costs of the Euro.

So, perhaps it's time to get the message out about how North Cyprus IS as peaceful as France, as ancient as Greece, as beautiful as Italy, as sunny as Spain - and as cheap as Turkey.

And a lot, lot less wet that the British summer is turning out to be - again....

Villa owner with a view? Tell us all about it at our Cyprus 44 forum!

For villa rentals in North Cyprus, I recommend Amy Villa Holidays...

I love the wild side of North Cyprus, from the migrating birds to the wild flowers that herald the arrival of spring in the mountains, but most 'eco-minded' visitors just want to see one sight, hatching sea turtles in northern coast of Cyprus.

It certainly is heart-warming to see these miniature turtles scuttle to the sea, if a little distressing to realise that elsewhere in Cyprus, the bright lights of bars can prove more alluring than the natural fluorescence of the waves.

Which is why I always point visitors to the Goatshed at Alagadi beach, the SPoT (Society for the Protection of Turtles in Northern Cyprus) information centre. The student volunteers here work for the Turtle Project by protecting and caging the nesting areas against foxes and other predators. They also organise public viewings of baby turtles releases, starting at about 5.30pm most evenings. (Booking is essential). You can also join night watches, both for the females laying eggs (they do this every two weeks or so) and for the hatchings themselves. Seasoned night watchers take blankets and sleep on the beach, as it can get chilly in the middle of the night down there!

Now I know some people think these organised releases are too 'unnatural', but think of it this way. That scuttle to the sea is the most dangerous part of the young turtles life to date. Timed, night releases are actually part of a well-developed system that rescues stragglers from 'natural' hatchings, and saves them from overheating in the heat of the next day's sun. The conservation staff take these ‘at risk’ hatchlings to Alagadi, where they are weighed and measured, before being released in the cool of the evening.

Supervised releases reduce the risk of predation or confusion by lights, and allow visitors to witness this amazing sight and perhaps be more conscious of the need for conservation of pristine coastline as a result. And with only 300-400 green turtles nesting each year in the Mediterranean, every hatchling is precious! (The loggerheads are more numerous, with approximately 3000 females laying eggs each year.) It's the green turtles who need SPOT's help most, as approximately 30% of the Mediterranean breeding population nest in North Cyprus.

The best way to find the Goatshed is to drive east out of Kyrenia towards Catalkoy and then towards Esentepe. Head for the Acapulco Hotel and carry on past it towards the power station. Look out for a turning on the left marked Alagadi, St Kathleen and the Turtle Project. Carry on down this road, take the left fork past St Kathleen restaurant, then turn right after the last house on the road. The Goatshed is the white house ahead of you, with a large green turtle painted on the side!

Follow the SPOT team's progress at their 2009 blog:
http://www.turtleproject09.blogspot.com/

Or track the Alagadi sea turtles on their wanderings across the globe at
http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?project_id=156

Been turtle watching this year? Tell us all about it at our forum!

Kathy

After living here for a few years now, I reckon I've discovered how you can spot a dug-in TRNC expat from a newbie from 60 paces.

1. We're the ones who were dancing around like idiots during the only rainstorm in August that anyone can remember (unless you weren't in Alsancak of course). We know that rain means less cash for the tankerman.

2. We're the ones carefully counting the lira and NOT saying how brilliant the exchange rate is compared to the Euro.

3. We're the ones whose sandals are dusty, whose cars are dusty, whose patio/roof terrace is dusty, and who know that cleaning them when the wind blows is a complete waste of time.

4.. We're the ones NOT moving about at midday wearing nothing but shorts, inadequate sunscreen and red raw skin. We know better than to fry.

5. We're the ones who are still here after October half term, and who wake up every morning to the promise of sunshine and the lure of the ocean. And not a Tube or train or bendy bus in sight. Bliss!

For those of you suffering the winds and rains of a dying tropical storm in the UK, here's one website guaranteed to make you green with jealousy - Nigel Heasman's weather page.

Nigel's incredibly detailed site has got every temperature reading you could ever need, and more, but the most interesting reading is the total rainfall this year to date - 34.7 cms. That's just over the length of the average school ruler. I used to get that much in a flash flood on my patio in Blighty.

Ah well, time to call that tankerman again...

Kathy

OK, so salsa probably wouldn’t be the first kind of dance that you’d associate with North Cyprus. Salsa dance is vibrant and mesmerizing and in recent years it’s exploded all over the world. Now the good news for all you dance lovers is that the much-loved Latin scene is taking off here too.

Mehmet Aslan, also known as DJ Salsero, will be spinning the best sizzling beats at Nostalgia music bar, Lefkosa, on Saturday 20^th February, and it promises to be a fun-packed night. Also joining the line up will be Mehmet Ceyhan, organizer of the annual Turkey Latin Music & Dance Festival and co-founder of Mundo Latino Dance & Promotions in Istanbul. Mehmet Ceyhan’s troupe danced at the 6^th International UK Salsa Congress in 2009, wowing the crowd with an Anatolian-Latin fusion, I dream of Turkey. There will be a special show, exclusive to Cyprus, around midnight.

DJ Salsero, who co-founded the hugely popular annual Salsa Jam in Cyprus, returned to here in 2001 after a career as a Latin DJ and began working in Nostalgia Music Bar. His passion for Salsa has earned him the DJ of the Year Award at the 2^nd Cyprus Salsa Congress.

If you’re looking for something a bit different this weekend and want a lively, entertaining evening with an international flavour, head on down to this North Cyprus salsa-fest. And don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes because you can even take part in a class from 9pm – 10pm.

Entrance: 20 YTL or 10 Euro inc. first drink + Class + Party

Contact: 0533 868 3611