Talking Round North Cyprus

At 8 years old, Alper Mehmet arrived in England from Cyprus speaking no English. He eventually joined the Foreign Office and became the first British Ambassador with foreign heritage. Part 2

At 8 years old, Alper Mehmet arrived in England from Cyprus speaking no English. He eventually joined the Foreign Office and became the first British Ambassador with foreign heritage.

Giving up life on the island of Jersey and taking a leap of faith to live in the TRNC, Martin Palmer, a retired manager at Jersey Post, and his wife Glenda couldn’t be happier.

From serving in the army to working in finance to running a popular restaurant in North Cyprus, Mike Whitehouse tells us about The Eagle’s Nest and his plans for the future.

There are three things certain in life. Death, taxes and Janet Mcghee being at Bogaz harbour raising money for N Cyprus cats! She tells us about her life in the TRNC.

James Clark has made the TRNC his home and started two thriving business - both quite different. From jeeps and wine to becoming a celebrant.

Determined lady Sara (another one!) moved her family from Kazakhstan to TRNC 3 years ago and has set up her own business. Hear her story as she chats with (the other) Sara and Roger

Sara and Roger chew the fat about stuff in the TRNC! Another coalition failure, future guests and why we enjoy this country.

Fancy a pork sausage? Then you’re in luck as Zanan pork farm, just outside Nicosia, is a brand new farming venture in the TRNC. Roger went to meet Ulkem and Aras Yeşilada and some pigs…

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.