Talking Round North Cyprus

Sara visits Gul Ciplak (The Artist) in Dipkarpaz to find out about her holiday lets and paintings and catches up with Mike and Veysal from Eagle’s Nest a year on. Plus The Russians are coming… or here already in large numbers

Sara grabs a quick week at her apartment in North Cyprus and catches up with some previous podcast guests - “The Artist One” and “The Eagle’s Nest One”. Plus of course her co-host Roger Bara - in his pool!

Listen here to our guest Peter Wills, who lives in the TRNC, and encourages film makers to come to the island. But his background is very diverse and he famously missed out on hiring The Beatles!

What would you do if you needed part time, or full time care, in the TRNC and had no family to help? They are only 6 care homes in the TRNC and they’re not fit for purpose. Professor Hatice Jenkins is working tirelessly to get the government to address this growing problem but we all need to help because sadly, one day, you may need someone to look after you.

Sarah Woods is the author of over a dozen travel books, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. She writes for national newspapers and travel magazines and has appeared regularly on TV and radio. So, of all the places she could have chosen, why has she chosen to live in North Cyprus?

Born to Turkish Cypriot parents in London, Fez grew up in the UK, only moving to North Cyprus once married. She worked hard to make it her home and now works with children inspiring them to be better people. She’s passed this on to adults though her volunteer work with Tulips Cancer charity. Enjoy her zest for life!

Former accountant and former hairdresser Nigel and Paul Woollaston-Evans gave up their careers to move to the TRNC where they now help others with their health and well-being. We’re also told they host great parties!

As President Erdogan is re-elected in Türkiye, how does that affect the TRNC going forward? We get a full insight from Cyprus Today Editor in Chief Eltan Halil

If you ever have a question, or want help, on life in North Cyprus then Issy Atahasan is your man. He was invaluable during the pandemic in keeping people informed of regulations and his work hasn’t stopped. He told us why he does it and about his charity work

This episode is slightly rude! Roger’s equipment let’s him down so he and Sara end up chatting bollocks (quite literally!)

Barry Miller had been living in the TRNC for around 10 years and has moved into a house in the country. He thought at one point, during the pandemic, he’d leave but he tells Sara and Roger he couldn’t be happier.

Irene Scott retired to North Cyprus with her daughter and granddaughter. She picked up a stray dog from the roadside and nearly 10 years later she’s set up her own Little Ranch Rescue. She looks after and then rehomes stray dogs. Hear her story as she chatted with Roger and Sara

Well known author Malcolm Hollingdrake’s first novel was set in North Cyprus. He lived in the TRNC in the ‘80s and remembers it fondly. You can get his book “Bridging the Gulf” on Amazon

Laura Ozkerimler and her husband have opened a wine bar in Alsancak. It’s quickly become a hit. We find out more Laura and how she came to be in the TRNC. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087181704493

Conrad arrived in the TRNC two years ago, from Namibia, having never visited before. He has now had to return to South Africa. He reflects on life in the TRNC.

A short, sombre episode as Roger and Sara discuss the devastating impact the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have had in the TRNC. Our thoughts are with anyone affected.

From Playboy Bunny girl to Bayrak International’s Radio Angel, via Australia, America, S Africa and the USA, Denise Phillips tells her story of finally putting roots down in the TRNC.

Buse Celebi is a lovely, young Turkish Cypriot woman who runs the family hotel - Celebi Garden Hotel - that sits on the cliffs of Mehmetçik village overlooking the valley and the sea. It is the pioneer of sustainable tourism practices in the TRNC.

Cey Sesiguzel is a film director with Turkish Cypriot heritage. With his Greek Cypriot friend and colleague they are putting the finishing touches to a fascinating documentary about the Divided Island. He’s crowdfunding for the project. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-divided-island#/?fbclid=PAAaZEAdZyeVrsr1kbCwyte2rtWOyicZyJVkZlQPdMGIQLMSHajwOlOm2qtiE

Helen trained as a nurse but set up her own company providing medical expertise to the film industry. Married to Turkophile Norm, she too now loves living in the TRNC.

Norm Russell is a real Turkophile and, being able to speak Turkish in his early days in the Met Police, led him to the TRNC, where he eventually chose to live.

From cooking for Royalty to retiring to the TRNC, Paul Wells tells us that he enjoys not eating gourmet meals all the time and how he’s loving life in North Cyprus.

Sara chats about being on the Graham Norton show and Rog tells us how he’s doing after his cancer op. But our main guest is Vikki who runs the entertainment venue The Black Olive in Alsancak TRNC

We’re back after a little break. Roger tells us about his prostate cancer treatment and Sara chats about working for the BBC in London the day of HM The Queen’s funeral.

Host Roger is on his holibobs in England so we are replaying one of our very interesting episodes - how Conrad fled from Namibia to the TRNC.