Talking Round North Cyprus

Ipek Ozerim is the editor of the online English speaking Turkish Cypriot newspaper T-Vine. She chats with Roger and Sara about her Turkish Cypriot roots and her passion in protecting and promoting the TRNC.

Head into Famagusta Old Town and opposite Othello’s tower is Champion Inn tourist shop run by the very friendly Huseyin Ummanel. He tells us about fleeing from his family home in south Cyprus to make a new life in the North.

Bayrak International radio personality, Can Gazi, is on the other side of the microphone, for a change, as he chats about his life and work with Roger and Sara.

Here it is. A year of chatting to great people about their association with the TRNC. Join Sara and Roger with some of their highlights.

Editor in Chief of newspaper “Cyprus Today”, Eltan Halil, joins Sara and Roger to look at the results of the latest TRNC election (23/1/22) and explains the current political system

Could you give a “furever” home to dog or cat from North Cyprus? We hear from Serife who runs the dog shelter in Iskele and also from Kim from Kyrenia Animal rescue who knows all about pet travel.

Taken from an idyllic life in Cyprus at the age of 9 to England where she found it hard to fit in; to being forced into a marriage at only 15, Gül Ciplak has finally returned to her beloved Cyprus as a world renowned artist. She chats with Roger and Sara at her home in Dipkarpaz about her life, loves and hopes for the future.

Co host Sara makes it to the TRNC in time for carols round the piano and a dip in the sea for charity on Christmas Day. Plus she gets to share a long awaited glass of wine with Roger.

So how many PCR tests does it take to visit the TRNC? Lots it seems but it’s worth as co host Sara Palmer goes through all the stages in order to get back to North Cyprus for Christmas. Hear too from Pam, who lives in France and has been visiting Roger and his wife, about her experiences. But it hasn’t put her off visiting - quite the opposite in fact!

Roger catches up with Neshe in North Cyprus and discovers more about how she teaches yoga all over the world.

If you’ve ever been to Girne/Kyrenia you’ll know The George sports bar. It’s a real landmark and a very popular place. Our Roger stopped for a coffee and a chat with owner Ali - George as he’s known!

Would you buy a holiday home from a drawing on a piece of paper and a small hut in an empty field? Well that’s what our guests John and Dave did - they took a leap of faith and have been enjoying their holiday home in the TRNC for over 15 years.

Cyprus has an amazing history from Alexander the Great to the current situation of a divided island. Our guest Akin Yilmaz has a new book out with short stories viewing the history of Cyprus through the eyes of his father’s village Terra.

The Afik Group has built a reputation, and a multi cultural community, in N Cyprus. Mickey Mistriel tells us about their ethos of offering a lifestyle rather than just places to buy, as well as their plans for the future.

Our guest Steve Comer is a former councillor and trade union rep in Bristol who has a places in both North and South Cyprus. He knowledgeably compares and contrasts both sides of the divided island.

We catch up with Helen from “A Journey with my Son” as her plans to walk with her 6 year old, along the north coast of N Cyprus, have to be rearranged.

David Walker flies in from New York to pay his respects to his dad Ron Walker who died in North Cyprus. He shares his feelings about his dad and the place he called home.

Hear why a 16 year old wanted to move from his home in Tajikistan to North Cyprus. Jamshed Rahimov chats with Sara and Roger

Why do people choose North Cyprus as their home? We chat with two Iranians who have both moved for different reasons - but mostly for the peace and freedom offered by the TRNC.

Our guest Helen Karayman wanted to leave her 6 year old son with great memories of her so they’re undertaking an epic walk from Beşparmak to Karpaz.

Having never visited N Cyprus before, our guest Conrad Prollius left his life in Namibia behind for the peace, quiet and security of the TRNC. He sounds a bit of a party animal!

Confused about TRNC Covid rules? Then you need help from our guest Issy Atahasan who translates all official documents from Turkish to English and puts them on FB North Cyprus Expats Uncut Version.

How have people running restaurants coped during this past difficult year? Denise from DEKS at Thalassa Beach Resort chats with Roger and Sara and we hear from Riz from “Pisces and Spices” in Bogaz. And why doesn’t he want his parents to hear this episode?!

Have you got questions about residency? Need insurance? Who would you go to if someone dies? Havva Karabeyaz from expats consultancy service.com is our guest. A former lawyer in London she moved to North Cyprus a few years ago and realised there was a need among expats for advice on many aspects of Turkish law. She was supposed to be retired but is glad to be busy helping people out.

Are you looking to buy a property in North Cyprus? Get the latest views on the market with our guest this week, Kate Ozikiz from Ian Smith Estate Agency in Girne.