I know its early butttttttt

topten · Post by **topten** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 9:09 am

Can anyone recommend a restaurant for Christmas lunch please.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 10:13 am

I am sure you will get flooded with suggesitons, and soon th emedia wil be flooded with adverts of restaurants wanting your trad,e and hopefully some of them will post on here. So although it is early and sensible to think of it, I suggest you wait and see what is on offer. But to get personal recommendaitons, I think it would help if yousaid wha tyou wanted - large, small, quiet, noisy, with/without entertainment etc, etc.

Happy Christmas.

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 10:35 am

It`s still September - give us a break, this TRNC!

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 10:49 am

Hi there, yes it's early and our next door neighbours have just arrived for their summer holidays!!! To be honest I can't even begin to think about Christmas yet. However, I'm told that decorations and cards are already on sale in the UK and I don't think we want to get to that stage. Marion is quite right though, it's horses for courses and you will need to be a bit more specific as to your tastes, i.e. we avoid like the plague anywhere that has "entertainment"???, to us most of it's sheer purgatory and thankfully Christmas isn't two weeks long as it was back in UK. Having to visit and have visitors for that length of time and eat at least three Christmas lunches was awful. Bah Humbug!! Much prefer the short sharp version as per TRNC.

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 11:00 am

Any chance of a total ban please on anything to do with Christmas , maybe until at least first week in Dec.

As someone pointed out, This is TRNC.

This was one of the things about the UK I came here to get away from, (not Christmas. I like Christmas at the correct time). But the hype and the expense and all the other crap that goes with it especially in September.

topten · Post by **topten** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 11:08 am

Johnny Lee wrote:Any chance of a total ban please on anything to do with Christmas , maybe until at least first week in Dec.

As someone pointed out, This is TRNC.

This was one of the things about the UK I came here to get away from, (not Christmas. I like Christmas at the correct time). But the hype and the expense and all the other crap that goes with it especially in September.

Ho Ho Uncle Ebeneezer

topten · Post by **topten** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 11:16 am

Marions wrote:I am sure you will get flooded with suggesitons, and soon th emedia wil be flooded with adverts of restaurants wanting your trad,e and hopefully some of them will post on here. So although it is early and sensible to think of it, I suggest you wait and see what is on offer. But to get personal recommendaitons, I think it would help if yousaid wha tyou wanted - large, small, quiet, noisy, with/without entertainment etc, etc.

Happy Christmas.

As I am led to believe size does not matter but to me it does,I would prefer a place that is quieter and `traditional` {get ready for we are in a muslim country people} And may I be the first wish you all a very merry Christmas
PS Especially Lee

The young ones · Post by **The young ones** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 12:46 pm

Only 89 sleeps to christmas, we tend to go to rafters lovely crowd traditional christmas lunch x

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 1:10 pm

Johnny Lee wrote:Any chance of a total ban please on anything to do with Christmas , maybe until at least first week in Dec.

As someone pointed out, This is TRNC.

This was one of the things about the UK I came here to get away from, (not Christmas. I like Christmas at the correct time). But the hype and the expense and all the other crap that goes with it especially in September.

Amen to that Lee

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 1:36 pm

Amen Lee. My very posting a couple of days ago, when Soner is advertising for cheaper advertising for Christmas in Kibkom Times!!!!!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 2:09 pm

I agree. For some people Christmas is not a very happy time and they dont need to have it shoved down their throats unnecessary early, and for others it is a religious festival and the blatant commercialism is an insult. It was far better here when Christmas was simply acknowledged at the appropriate time by some tasteful street decoration and those who had families got together quietly for a traditional meal in their own homes, and or or two restaurants without making a lot of strident noise and fuss about it and spending small fortunes that could be put to better use.

Most of us try to be respectful of Bayram, but we cant expect respect for our own festivals if we use them for an excuse for eating and drinking and going on a spending spree.

topten · Post by **topten** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 2:41 pm

What is it called when the corners of the mouth turn up....................................... thats it a smile, its a pity there is no school where this can be taught.

bargainboozeandwines · Post by **bargainboozeandwines** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 2:57 pm

topten wrote:
Marions wrote:I am sure you will get flooded with suggesitons, and soon th emedia wil be flooded with adverts of restaurants wanting your trad,e and hopefully some of them will post on here. So although it is early and sensible to think of it, I suggest you wait and see what is on offer. But to get personal recommendaitons, I think it would help if yousaid wha tyou wanted - large, small, quiet, noisy, with/without entertainment etc, etc.

Happy Christmas.
As I am led to believe size does not matter but to me it does,I would prefer a place that is quieter and `traditional` {get ready for we are in a muslim country people} And may I be the first wish you all a very merry Christmas
PS Especially Lee

Forget about the muslim country as it is only a rumour,there shall be more whisky and other alcohol drank over the bayram period next week to fill a few dozen 10x5 pools,this is not a muslim country and i never came to live in a muslim country.Hopefully next week there shall be many on here moaning about the bayram fireworks at midnight and the music from the cratos and the casinos .

Moan moan moan...

I love christmas,back in the UK the Islamists are trying to stop it

PS: Efendis would be great for christmas dinner

http://www.yourchristmascountdown.com/

kaiserphil · Post by **kaiserphil** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 2:58 pm

Think yourselves lucky. In the USA they are already doing Xmas commercials on TV.

They think they are fooling people by calling it "Merry Birthday"!

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 3:06 pm

Tried to post three times so this will probably be duplicated!! Topten don't get me wrong, I don't mind Christmas, but at the right time, December, not in September. In the UK even before Halloween and bonfire night

JoandJelly · Post by **JoandJelly** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 3:25 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:Most of us try to be respectful of Bayram, but we cant expect respect for our own festivals if we use them for an excuse for eating and drinking and going on a spending spree.

Lol! My Cypriot friends spend huge amounts of cash at Bayram on clothes, toys, etc for the kids not to mention all the food.

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 4:37 pm

Not Ebeneezer Ken, I loved Christmas especially the 2 weeks before , the office parties, the whole package , I would give anything for those days again. Even the Same Christmas songs in the shops, I made two of my very own Cassettes for the car and played them non stop , all my Christmas favourites.

I think I invented the little cute Santa sitting on the tip of my car phone antenna on my cars, I actually really wished IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY.

Don't forget also our superb 30 minute slot at Haci Ali. in our red and white . Christmas Special, we nailed it!

So Ken have a very Happy Bayram and look forward to Wishing you a Happy Christmas in December.after the 20th. Maybe I can swap you some Pakora for a Pork Pie

Actually our next door neighbours in UK, would never put their Christmas tree up until Christmas Eve .

Lots of Laughs . Regards Lee. P.S. this is Cyprus and it's September.

Barbieb · Post by **Barbieb** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 6:14 pm

Almond Holiday Village, Alsancak, excellent for Christmas Lunch, limited spaces so gets fully booked early, so right time to enquire, Happy Christmas everyone he he!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sat 27 Sep 2014 9:43 pm

I suppose I will be called Scrouge and a spoilsport but I spent several Christmases in the UK at nursing homes for the frail elderly, trying to help the overworked skeleton staff get some cheerful spirit into place deserted by those who just saw the festival as an excuse to party . And then had to drive homes through roads made dangerous by people who had overindulged at celebratory lunch. And returned to work to a distraught assistant who had got into serious debt as a result of spending hundred of pounds on electronic toys and designer clothes for her preteen-age children - stupid you might say but according to her they would be bullied at school if they couldnt keep up with the others. And this was less harrowing than the stories of a friend who did a stint with the "Samaritans" on Christmas Day with the lonely and homeless.

It was not what I was brought up to believe Christmas was about and it really put me off , and it was a relief when I could get away from the commercial hype to North Cyprus in the 90s and early 2000s when it was celebrated but low key. Now it is getting nearly as bad as the UK and I suppose soon all the useful items will be emptied from the Supermarket shelves to make way for booze, Christmas delicacies and tinsel!

People dont celebrate "Christmas" now - most are celebrating "Yule" which is a pre Christian pagan winter festival

Despite this I still enjoy , within reason, decorating (particularly since I can get most of the material by pruning the garden!) and Christmas songs and carols. But the twelve days of the official Christian festival is enough - I dont want them to take up months, and if Christmas starts early I have had more than enough by twelfth night! I am still thrilled by the sight of snow on the mountains and I particularly love Bing Crosby and "White Christmas" preferably sitting by a log fire with a hot drink and a mince pie, but I really dont want it when I am trying to decide which soap powder is the most economic. And if I see and hear one more pneumatic Santa Clause jangling "Jingle Bell" I warn I will probably lose control and do something obscene with a sharp instrument!

Yes Kurban Bayrami does include feasting, but those Cypriots who maintain their culture share the meat from the sacrifice as part of keeping up with family and friends and a portion still goes to the needy - the more "progressive" give a donation to Charity , I know one which relies on the money they get at Bayram, I think I was the only one who thought Christmas was a suitable time and what I could afford hardly filled the coffers.

frontalman · Post by **frontalman** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 7:54 am

It's the season of goodwill to all men. Merry Christmas everybody!

KWAKERT4 · Post by **KWAKERT4** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 8:17 am

Johnny Lee sez "
This was one of the things about the UK I came here to get away from, (not Christmas. I like Christmas at the correct time). But the hype and the expense and all the other crap that goes with it especially in September"

Charity begins at home, doing any collecting this year, from us (mostly) Christians, JL

T

topten · Post by **topten** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 8:55 am

Look, all I asked the question for is that the better places tend to booked up,thats all.
Do not forget to get the sprouts on all of you thats staying and cooking at home this year,and get old Jeffs nuts roasting by an open fire.

karmels · Post by **karmels** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 9:18 am

Why not just go out for a Kebab as it is normal working day here.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 10:00 am

Went to Ikimiz the first year they opened for a NORMAL Turkish meal. What did they serve TURKEY even after checking they were doing nothing special. Very disappointed with limited choice of starters and 3 main courses (including Turkey).However have been back for their normal cuisine since then and always enjoyed it.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 10:18 am

This thread is losing it's way and a lot of it, interesting though it is, is

So please can some more people give TopTen some helpful answers. |I am sure many people have enjoyed local hostelries, so please share the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, relaly all TopTen wants to know is the good!

But I still think it would help Ton Ten if you said exactly wha tyou think you are looking for. Oh, and does it have t be Kyrenia - what about Famagusta, Iskele, Karpaz, Marina etc, etc.

topten · Post by **topten** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 10:36 am

Marions wrote:This thread is losing it's way and a lot of it, interesting though it is, is

So please can some more people give TopTen some helpful answers. |I am sure many people have enjoyed local hostelries, so please share the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, relaly all TopTen wants to know is the good!

But I still think it would help Ton Ten if you said exactly wha tyou think you are looking for. Oh, and does it have t be Kyrenia - what about Famagusta, Iskele, Karpaz, Marina etc, etc.

As I have stated above a quieter more `traditional` Christmas lunch preferably the west side of Girne cannot stay overnight because of my two wonderful dogs,if it is offending anyone then close it down, it really is pathetic when you have to justify a quite simple request.But I suppose it gives those people that look on the forum for something to have a go at, pleasure.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 11:15 am

Dopn't despair Top Ten. Sorry if I missed your posting. Culpa meum for not reading it properly.

You wil ofind a lot of places offer 'traditiona;l ' lunch and over west (where I am) there are lot sof restaurants and hotels that wil offer tha.t some are packed out with ex pats and last year we went with tow friends for a realy nice trad lunch spoiled by very large noisy and happy ex pat groups. But if that doe snot bother you, I can tell you the name of th eplace. ~And there will be many others of a similar ilk. Great grub, great value fo r money, but can be extremely noisy with other groups.

Aswto having the dogs, that is one reason we don't stop over anywhere.e Our dog stay in the car while we have fun, unless it is one of the few restaurants we can take her (outside, and not suitable at Christmas).

But I am sur eyou will find somewhere.

As to those who shout 'too early' I know for a fact that the best places get booked up quickly. Some people even book for the following year when they have paid their bills for the current year.

So maybe some others would like to say their favourites out wes,t and also share why.

We will ge t you there, Top ~Ten.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 11:17 am

Topten, not" having a go". Just pointing out that sometimes you go expecting something quiet and local and the venue changes it!!!

Barbieb · Post by **Barbieb** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 4:06 pm

Topten, as I said Almond Holiday Village and you do not have to stay overnight, traditional Christmas Lunch with a wonderful family in beautiful surroundings, don't take all comments to heart, am sure they are not meant, Happy Christmas to you, whatever you do I hope you enjoy!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 28 Sep 2014 8:55 pm

Christmases in the UK were an unhappy memory for me. In North Cyprus, they have been mixed:

The worst was when a visitor gallantly insisted on standing treat at a favorite local restaurant to save me cooking (or to avoid my cooking!): I wont name it because normally they are excellent: but they obviously did not know how to cater for Christmas fare for a large number, the food was disappointing and the forced jollity of the noisy crowd of Brits totally spoiled the occasion.

The funniest was when a friend brought over a joint of bacon for a complete change , we decided to have the meal in the evening and the electricity went out for 11 hours! Cooking a Christmas dinner with the aid of a candle powered warmer and a camping stove taken in (and with) the right spirit turned out challenging but hilarious.

But the best was when I decided to forget tradition and make the most of the climate, and packed bottles of fizzies, smoked salmon sandwiches, a selection of cheese and biccies, grapes and mince pies, and ate them in the sunshine on an empty beach, watching the dogs enjoying a marvellous Christmas treat gamboling around.

woodspeckie · Post by **woodspeckie** » Mon 29 Sep 2014 4:52 pm

Any recommendations for dinner on New Years Eve?

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Mon 29 Sep 2014 6:11 pm

Oh my Gawd. We`ve moved on to New Year now! Get a grip you guys it`s still September and I`m enjoying the hot sunshine. Get a grip or I`ll set Johnny Lee on you. Anyone got good ideas for an Easter party? Really looking forward to decorating an egg. Baaaaaaahhhhhh Scream.... get a life. Err sorry, rant over.

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Mon 29 Sep 2014 6:36 pm

ps. Marions, you`re nearly as bad as those who are winding you up

jazzdolly · Post by **jazzdolly** » Mon 29 Sep 2014 7:34 pm

Has anyone tried out any of the hotels? Do they do anything special that time of year?

I would genuinely like to know more about the attitude and quality of hospitality this holiday enjoys in the TRNC...not just the obvious consumerism!

I'm sure it can't hurt to be organised...I get the feeling there are few options to choose from and most are keeping them close to their chest!!!

( I hope I'm proven wrong!!)

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Mon 29 Sep 2014 8:38 pm

silverfir I would never wind Marion up she's one hell of a clever lady. We are just all having a laugh.

Maybe I can organise a Christmas show next week, maybe a bit late in the year and I should have done it in July.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 2:45 pm

jazzdolly: The point is Christmas is not a holiday here! and not part of the culture. So. though lots of places provide what may be seen as a "traditional" Christmas food and entertainment to cater for expats, it is all commercial.

If you want to experience the true TRNC holiday spirit go to the Harbour on New Year's Eve (which IS a local holiday, but not a religious one) and watch the fireworks, but be prepared for crowds, parking problems and crowded bars and restaurants.

Meanwhile, Iyi Bayramlar , everyone , and Happy Holloween and Bonfire Night!

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 8:43 pm

PLEASE, PLEASE can Message 36 be the end of this, I think RR has said it all. We're still using the pool for heaven sake.

topten · Post by **topten** » Wed 01 Oct 2014 8:59 am

sophie wrote:PLEASE, PLEASE can Message 36 be the end of this, I think RR has said it all. We're still using the pool for heaven sake.

Thats right lets get on to something more interesting like `There is a dog running loose in the back of beyond, does anyone own it?`or `Went to the Karpaz over the weekend and it was lovely.`or `Doing some charity at such and such` brilliant.

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Thu 02 Oct 2014 10:03 am

Couldn't believe it when the "Xmas " word is creeping into the posts.
For goodness sake its only October.
But, then I realised had we been back in the u.k. we would have had the Xmas thing since July!
Happy days

Post by **Soner** » Thu 02 Oct 2014 10:52 am

Hats off to Topten, I wish my thread had as good a response as yours did - maybe I will change my heading and put "I know its early buttttt" - hope you do not mind.

topten · Post by **topten** » Thu 02 Oct 2014 11:02 am

Soner wrote:Hats off to Topten, I wish my thread had as good a response as yours did - maybe I will change my heading and put "I know its early buttttt" - hope you do not mind.

Not at all Soner hope you get a better response than me, I think you will because there are one or two that will bow to your every wish.

topten · Post by **topten** » Sat 04 Oct 2014 12:56 pm

Just to say to all you moaners out there two places we have enquired of, one is BOOKED solid the other one is not open.
Thank you for your `helpful` comments

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Sat 04 Oct 2014 5:42 pm

Top Ten we are not moaning just having a laugh. I am so looking forward to it, I spoke with my Aunty Ivy and her daughter Holly in the UK they are just nuts about the "Big Day". Her husband Frank is not happy though he is incensed about the expense.

Actually I really did have an Uncle Frank and Aunty Ivy. I must put that on face book with a photo of last nights dinner should be really interesting.

OK Guys and Girls Iv'e started the Double Entendres, now if you all join in maybe we could keep this going until April 2015 and that would save re posting.

Seriously Top Ten hope you find a super venue. xx

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sat 04 Oct 2014 7:12 pm

Is this thread going crackers?

Johnny Lee · Post by **Johnny Lee** » Sat 04 Oct 2014 8:24 pm

That's a good start R.R. Just a load of baubles maybe.

topten · Post by **topten** » Sun 05 Oct 2014 11:07 am

Chips & Egg on the 25 December Thank you very much all you kind hearted helpful people.And to Lee hope your nuts are over roasted.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Sun 05 Oct 2014 12:57 pm

Happy October Happy November Happy Christmas Why wait until December for good wishes wouldnt it be nice to bring happiness and joy to others all year round?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 05 Oct 2014 8:18 pm

I think most people are concentrating on enjoying this lovely but all too short season of sunny but not overwhelmingly hot weather (or they are busy getting houses and gardens ready for the change to wet and wintry which will come all to soon and suddenly) and arent ready to think about Christmas yet.

Just think about the rain, dear, not the reindeer.

woodspeckie · Post by **woodspeckie** » Sun 05 Oct 2014 8:23 pm

I booked my Christmas/New Year holiday to North Cyprus in March.

geroff · Post by **geroff** » Tue 07 Oct 2014 9:31 am

Where can I buy Easter Eggs please

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