We keep saying this it seems, in most of our activity articles here on Essential Cyprus, that there are many ways to see and appreciate North Cyprus – this one is just another fantastic way of doing so! If you have ever been on holiday in a coastal location in Turkey, then you may already understand the concept of taking a boat trip here too.
Maraş/Marash or Varosha, is a well-known area to all who live in Northern and Southern Cyprus, and one which is used often as an example of what still remains a huge bone of contention for the divided island.
When researching this article, it immediately became apparent that olives are pretty sophisticated and versatile! Known as ‘Black Gold’, the obvious use is of course in cooking and salad dressings, but they are also used for medical (for their high Vitamin E content), medicinal and cosmetic purposes and in lubricants too! Some swear that by drinking a small glass every morning with breakfast will keep you lean and supple, some use it as a skim balm after bathing or after spending a long period in the sun.
If you are visiting North Cyprus, or indeed even living here, then another of the wonders to be seen is most definitely İncirli Cave, meaning Fig Cave, due to the fig tree hiding it’s rather small entrance! With its own mythic tale to tell about its discovery, there is plenty of factual data on the formation of the caves as well, fascinating stuff!
Started in 2004, the North Cyprus Friends of Karpaz Association is comprised of local residents and other interested parties who wish to protect the much coveted Karpaz region in North Cyprus. For many years now the area has been a valuable home to the traditional rural way of Cypriot life as well as the islands most ecologically diverse landscape. Friends of Karpaz will do its best to keep it just that way.
KEMA, or the Cyprus Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats, was formed by around 40 people under the leadership of Dr. Orhan Aydeniz in 2005, amidst growing concern about the deforestation and destruction of natural habitats throughout North Cyprus.
Zakad, or the Olive Tree Protection and Research Association, was formed in 2003 by Cenk Soykut and other Turkish Cypriot friends, all of whom were concerned about the destruction of the ancient olive tree population in North Cyprus. Due to the major rise in property construction, trees that had been growing for hundreds of years were being felled, making way for apartment blocks and houses.
What can we tell you about water in North Cyprus, apart from the fact that this small island doesn’t have much?
The situation in recent years has become more and more serious, and in other related articles we will attempt to educate and inform people about this issue – which is not about to go away in the foreseeable future, as weather predictions show that more dry and hot weather is likely in the years to come.
