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Turkish North Cyprus is one the best-kept secrets of the Mediterranean. It has the best local weather, food, people and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Although culturally in many ways it is part of the middle east, visitors feel at home no matter which country they come from. It is the only country I know where I can pay in Turkish Lira, UK Sterling, and Euro as well as credit cards in most shops without having to visit an exchange bureau. English is also widely spoken as well as Turkish.

Every time you visit you will find a new interesting place to go to or explore. In my most recent visit, I found an interesting place in Karsiyaka to the west of Girne (Kyrenia). The Horseshoe Beach Restaurant is perched on a cliff overlooking a horseshoe-shaped bay offering beautiful views, a lovely atmosphere and sunny outdoor dining area.  The owner Apo Arslan has a unique collection of collectable antique and new items hanging in his establishment, as well as a peaceful, carpeted Ottoman style sitting area with floor cushions available for adventurous souls to recline and rest in if they wish. [Read more…] about TRNC (Turkish Republic of North Cyprus) – Meds best kept secret

I met John (Mu’adh) and his wife Mo (Iman) during a recent visit to Ireland when we were thrilled to be guest in their home.  Some mutual friends from the Norwich Muslim community had introduced them to us, so we called them before our arrival in Ireland and they both insisted that we should visit and stay with them – at least for a night or so.

I have to be honest and say that I previously had no idea about John’s style of painting and art but I was curious to learn. When we arrived at the house, John was sitting on his sofa and working on his sketch book of paintings.  Yes – a book of paintings being worked on simultaneously, in which he was creating a different painting on every page.  Some were half done, some completed and some were just starting to take shape. [Read more…] about The Art of John Kingerlee

Cyprus has been ruled and visited by many people throughout history including the Persians, Romans, Venetians, Lusignans, Ancient Greeks, Ottomans and more recently the British – who leased Cyprus from the Ottoman Turks in the 1870s until Cyprus gained its independence in 1960. Each of these civilizations has in turn left behind unique traces on the island and, if one digs deep enough, hidden jewels of history can be found. [Read more…] about Hala Sultan (Umm Harâm bint Milhân) Tekke (Mosque) and Shrine