7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Glamorizes but very helpful, May 2, 2001
This review is from: Guide to North Cyprus (Paperback)
I bought this book while considering a teaching position on North Cyprus. The book is very readable and interesting. A few more maps could be included. Little was mentioned about the housing, food places, grocery stores, need for a car, and the military presence.
Most of all, I had envisioned North Cyprus to be like other Mediterranean islands with lots of greenery and trees. I found the pictures to be misleading. For, coming from West Palm Beach, Florida and Okinawa, Japan I found North Cyprus to be almost a vast sand land. There were very few trees but lots of sand. There is a major water shortage and water should be boiled. There were no fast food places although I found a nice Shiskebob place by a corner facing the sea that was pleasant to be.
North Cyprus has a marvelous facility that is not mentioned: Eastern Mediterranean University. EMU is a fine school on a picturesque campus with lots of amenities. Parking is a bit hard to find. But, properly prepared a student or teacher would find EMU and North Cyprus pleasant. It gets very hot and dry. There are a few UN camps and borders to cross as well as many military troops. But neither get in the way and North Cyprus is very safe. The drivers are not menaces. Fresh citrus, tomatoes, wines and fish can be purchased or enjoyed at outdoor restaurant cafes. The ruins are worth studying.
I bought this as a guide book. It largely served its purpose. Those seeking western-practice physicians who speak English can find a few who are good. The airport seems like a long ride from Famagusta. However, given the chance and knowing some of the realities, I would return in a moment. Some of the apartments I saw had as light fixtures, electric cords hanging from the ceiling with bare bulbs: No shades. This was depressing. The apartments can be spacious and airy although there isn't much circulation, at least in Famagusta. I visited a few resort places on the ocean that were ideal. For swimming, fishing, snorkeling and boating, North Cyprus is beautiful. The taxi cab drivers do not try to rip people off.
I like North Cyprus. Some of the points that were not mentioned or over-glamorized have been covered in my review. The hotels can use modernization. But, North Cyprus is worth visiting. I used this guide far more than any other, in any travels. The author can write a third edition giving more of a realistic preview. I flew there from the US via NYC to Istanbul and then switching to a local carrier. North Cyprus is in a good location for further travel. I could have reached North Cyprus from South Korea via Seoul to Instanbul. I can see more attention being devoted to tourism and saw lots of new homes an apartment buildings under construction. Those going to North Cyprus must have patience and not expect all the amenities of some other places. Yet the beauty of the sea is almost breathtaking and so are the sunsets. The sounds of people chanting in mosques around the clock add to its intrigue.
Dr. Alan D. Kardoff, Melbourne Florida USA
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12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A simplified view of a beatiful place, September 29, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Guide to North Cyprus (Paperback)
Forget the emotional diatribe concerning Turkish expansionistpolicies, ethnic cleansing etc. You cannot seriously expect a travelguide to address these issues! Although, just to set the record straight, the 1974 invasion was in response to the Greek armys earlier invasion intended to force Enosis (union with Greece) onto a minority population and to continue a massacre of Turkish civilians that had been escalating for the previous 20 years. TRNC remains a beatiful and unspoilt area, unlike Southern Cyprus it has succesfully avoided over-development, excess commercialisation, exploitation of local communities and "rip-off tourist practices. The guide provides a useful start point for anyone interested in visiting, although much more can be discovered once actually there. Both Famagust (Gazi Magosa) and Kyrenia (Girne) remain as magnificent examples of Venetian Walled cities and later development has, in the main, been conducted sympathetically to the existing architecture. Anyone considering travelling to TRNC could do worse than using this guide to plan their itinerary.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
North Cyprus, Must visit with this book, May 4, 2004
This review is from: Guide to North Cyprus (Paperback)
Like every Rough Guide I've had this is invaluable. It gies you just what is says on the lable. The rough guide to everything from taxi's to where to sleep.
What a pitty the Greek half voted NO to letting the borders come down and a re-unification of the Island. Now the only way to visit this wonderful place is via Turkey.
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