Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:21 pm

I wanted to post a straıghtforward answer to your questıon about accessıng Gemikonağı, but the thread has been locked. I cannot confirm whether this is the Turkish name for Xeros, but I do know Gemikonağı; I have travelled through it on the way to Lefka. It looks like quite an ordinary settlement to me with people sitting outside coffee shops and walking along the street. I can't imagine that access is forbidden. You can get there on the bus from Nicosia to Lefka/Lefke which runs every half an hour until 5 pm (no service saturday afternoons or Sundays). Usually you have to change to a smaller vehicle at Güzelyurt/Morphou, but there is one ticket for the whole journey. Buses depart from the bus terminal in north Nicosia. If you cross at Ledra Palace this isabout two miles away. Go to the Girne Kapısı/Kyrenian Gate then turn left and follow the main road: you can't miss it when you get there.
Hope this helps.

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:23 pm

Sorry, turn RIGHT after the Kyrenian Gate.

by **humanist** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:35 pm

Thank you Tim,

Does the occupied Lefkosia feel as safe as the south of the green zone. Is it safe to travel on public transport?

by **denizaksulu** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:55 pm

humanist wrote:Thank you Tim,

Does the occupied Lefkosia feel as safe as the south of the green zone. Is it safe to travel on public transport?

I reckon its safe for everybody. Even ardent TC haters from other forum told me how nice the TC police were. ...and that was after 'illegal' parking. They were directed eo a better parking place.

If you are taliking road safety, then you have idiots everywhere. Just be careful. Pray to Panagia in the south and Allah in the north and you will be fine. If you are non-denominational, hope for good karma.
Regards and enjoy
:lol:

DA

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:24 pm

humanist wrote:Thank you Tim,

Does the occupied Lefkosia feel as safe as the south of the green zone. Is it safe to travel on public transport?

Well, I have been just about everywhere in Cyprus apart from the panhandle and Polis, and have never felt the slightest bit threatened anywhere. I think this island is one of the safest places on earth. Unfortunately, some gangs of criminals from mainland Turkey are allegedly targeting Cyprus for its richer pickings - they can travel here on ID cards alone, so I would exercise all the normal precautions. Some of the children of families from Turkey who have settled in Cyprus can be verbally abusive to passers-by. A lot of these hang out in side streets in the walled partof Nicosia. But there is no serious danger.
By public transport safety, if you mean "Are the buses full of undesirables who are likely to mug you?" then the answer is a resounding no. If you are referring to the mechanical state of the vehicles and safe driving, well I couldn't give you a 100% endorsement. I have frequently used the buses in the north of Cyprus and I have suffered no adverse consequences!

You can find a small amount of information here about the place you are interested in here:
http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/city/gu ... index.html
It seems the Greek name is either Karavostasi or Xeros. I think most Turkish Cypriots will be very welcoming if they know you are of Cypriot heritage, but with settlers from Turkey you would do better to say you are Australian, and leave it at that.

by **humanist** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:28 pm

Thank you Tim and Deniz,

I was meaning about personal safety on public transport, I will be doing this alone, and the extended family have not crossed over into the occupied area, (they have their reasons). I am a bit put off, and that is directly in relation to a few TC's on this forum with their bigotted views of GC's. I guess I'll know on the day whether I would be game enough to do it or not. I just want to walk the street that I played and walked as a four year old, and see my grandmothers home and visit the orchard if still there. Thank you so much for your information

by **halil** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:43 pm

humanist wrote:Thank you Tim,

Does the occupied Lefkosia feel as safe as the south of the green zone. Is it safe to travel on public transport?

humanist, everypart of the north cyprus is safe to travel.
ten munites ago i was at dinner with Greek cypriots at northern part of the Nicosia. we were eating at same table with ex roc spokeman Papapetru . There was also reporter from BBC world service.İt was enjoy able dinner. Reporter amased with everything.as i told u u must come and see it with your own eyes ,otherwise u can question your self always.

by **humanist** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:56 pm

THank you Halil, just as I said though, your re-assurance and those of VP are just not good enough my friend. You are right though unless I experience it for myself I will not know. It pays I guess for all of to be mindful of what we say on this forum as it builds a false perception perhaps.

by **Piratis** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:09 am

humanist, everypart of the north cyprus is safe to travel.
ten munites ago i was at dinner with Greek cypriots at northern part of the Nicosia. we were eating at same table with ex roc spokeman Papapetru . There was also reporter from BBC world service.İt was enjoy able dinner. Reporter amased with everything.as i told u u must come and see it with your own eyes ,otherwise u can question your self always.

A BBC reporter comes to Cyprus and he goes to see the bayrak people and Papapetrou in the occupied areas. And then you will come and give us what these AngloAmericans friends of yours write as the "world opinion"? :lol: