IT WAS JULY 20 OF 1974 . I WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND I REMEMBER MY FATHER LEAVING ON FOOT TO GO TO THE CITY BECAUSE THEY CALLED HIM TO ARMS . IT WAS THE INVASION IN CYPRUS . I CAN REMEMBER THE FEELING OF THIS UNEXPECTED FACT . MY FATHER CAME BACK . NOW HE IS 85 YEARS OLD .
So why was he able to cross with no issues? Because it was a lie and there was no risk is the fact of this video. Thousands cross every day through a few borders and you know it
I am not sure. However I know for a fact that some Americans couldn't cross from some specific road blocks and had to drive miles to get to another one and cross.
Dear dimitra stavrou If Greece never invaded on July 15 1974, Turkey would have never intervened on July 20th 1974. Your father came home luckily, Many of my uncles cousins never made it from 1963 till 1974. They where taken and killed by greek and Greek Cypriots e o k a members just for being Turkish. They just found one of my uncles remains in oroklini which went missing in 1964 along with his 11 friends. They where driving to work and greek soldiers stopped them on the dikellya rd. They took them to a copper mine in oroklini and shot them all dead and pushed there mini bus into the mine with all 12 of them in it. Then buried it with a digger. Was discovered in 2015 when looking for Turkish Cypriots that went missing in that 11 year period from 1963 to 1974. R I P.
Your memory serves you well, when referring to Turkish Cypriot losses but some how fails you when it concerns the murder of Greek Cypriots by VoLcan and TMT organisations.
The point of my Turkish friend is that the Greeks always portray themselves as the victims of Turkish aggression and have a very good job of this on the international scene but the Greeks never give the full story....... pathetic liers.
I lived in Cyprus for a time, so I am surprised you were able to fly out of Larnaca. The border crossing not difficult, we did it several times. I thought the problem would come flying out of an airport in a country that you have no stamp indicting you ever arrived. Souther Cyprus does not recognize norther Cyprus as a country. It is referred to as the occupied territory. Glad you made , just surprised.
Few corrections. I heard the terms "Greek side" and "Turkish side" a few times. The South side (The Republic of Cyprus) isn't "Greek". It is predominantly Greek speaking and has a lot of Greek culture. But it is not Greek. Just like Australia is not the UK, despite speaking the same language. Secondly, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not Turkey. It is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (i.e. Northern Cyprus). Furthermore, it isn't actually recognised as a country anywhere in the world, except for Turkey. The before mentioned "Republic of Cyprus" (the one that I said is not "Greek" is legally the sovereign authority for the entire island, including the bits currently controlled by Northern Cyprus. Finally, it's not a "European" passport. It's an "EU" passport. The uploader mentioned that the passport control might have misunderstood the word "US Passport" for "UK passport". Well, even if he had misunderstood, it makes no difference. The UK is not in the EU, and therefore UK citizens are not holders of EU passports and therefore are not treated any differently to someone with a US passport.
I was born in Lebanon, we fled to Cyprus during the civil war & lived in Limassol for a while. Greatest childhood a little boy can have and I'm very grateful for the memories. As far as I'm concerned...Cyprus was, is & always will be Greek!
ok "freddie" born in lebanon (greek clown typing with fake identity). At least make it sound more believable. Cyprus belongs to the Cypriots and not Greek u ***** :)
Hey there everyone and Gabriel... with everything that’s going on in the world and uk especially as I live there ... your channel is the great escape for me and I need that .. best wishes live and respect to you .. x🤗💕
Good one Gabe, about 20 something years ago I was gonna travel to Cyprus when I was a teenager with my parents and siblings, we had even purchased our tickets and booked our hotel but for some reasons we cancelled our trip, so I didn't get to visit the island.
Glad you got across. Tense when you just don't know if you can cross. I had an experience crossing into China in1981, I thought I may have a fake visa, but got across. Always worth trying.
Gabe glad you made the crossing safely and that you are going on your vacation, well deserved! Relax, rest, enjoy yourself and happy you are soon returning to the good ole 🇺🇸 bet your family will be happy to see you, especially your nephew! Thanks for taking so many places these 9 months, hope you are going have a birthday with family soon. 🕉
Gabe personally I would have been so nervous about border crossing you are really cool about it but thank god you passed and are going back to beautiful Greece
The reason you find vague information is because it is not an international border but an internal "ceasefire line". They are crossing points, not a border. You don't get stamps in your passport because it is illegal to stamp your passport leaving or entering the "occupied" side as it is not a recognised state. . It is not Turkish, it is illegally occupied, hence why you get different information depending who gives it and where. The "TRNC" is a self declared entity that is internationally unrecognised from circa 1983. Northern Cyprus is not a state. You are also a third country national, who entered the occupied zone via an internationally unrecognised airport. Therefore the sovereign state of the Republic of Cyprus, and recognised entry to the state was not registered on your passport on landing and when when you passed through to the crossing point. You essentially don't exist at that point. This can be an issue depending on your nationality. Some people do get denied entrance to the free areas of Cyprus through the crossings. Please remember you went through a crossing, not a border. A ceasefire line. Why would Cypriots not exchange lira? Because it is not the official currency of Cyprus, Euros are. It's not a protest, the lira is the currency of the occupying force of 48 years! The Greek Cypriot fled the onslaught of the Turkish Army in 1974. The Turkish Cypriot people were part of an exchange treaty in 1975 and were encouraged to move to the occupied areas long after the Invasion of 1974. Tricky to understand, but it's not complicated if you arm yourself with what happened in Cyprus and still happens today.
Well, the point of exchange places is that they have foreign currency, otherwise they would not be an exchange place. The exchange places here in Sweden have Turkish liras, as well as euros, dollars, Swiss franc and Norwegian krone.
There are two stamps in my passport, one from entering the TRNC at Ercan airport and one from crossing the border/checkpoint into southern Cyprus. It's not a currency exchange office if they only deal in the local currency, the whole point is to handle different currencies. They don't exchange lira in southern Cyprus because they don't want to be involved in recognizing the TRNC. So it's a matter of principle. Someone could make money by exchanging Turkish lira at the border, but they would probably be ostracized by the locals. Or maybe there's a local law against it. I was able to exchange the Turkish lira in Athens. It's a complicated situation, similar to the Israeli/Palestinian dispute. The only reasonable solution, other than another war in which one side gets displaced, is for everyone to get along and live in harmony together, but that doesn't seem to be possible for now. So they're stuck in a stalemate.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Thanks for your reply! I understand the complicated intricacies of the occupation of Cyprus. Our family is one of the many thousands of people who fled the Turkish forces in 1974. We are also one of the many who cannot return to our homes, lands and properties. We can go and look at it like tourists though. I'd love for Cyprus to reunite as one people. Unfortunately "those that be" seem not to want to do so, and appease the two state mantra because of Turkish interference. Maybe too scared to rock the boat. It's a political mine field to say the least. I love watching your videos and following you around the globe.. Unfortunately, and I do apologise for maybe being too strong in my original comment, but Cyprus and it's occupation really does bring out the emotional side for many. I don't want to put a negative aspect, but the personal experiences will come out with many who comment. Wish you well, back in Greece and beyond.
@@dizzeeblondee5309 Understandable. I remember going to a restaurant in Paphos the last time and on their menu was the story of being forced out of their homes in the north and fleeing to the south, ending up in Paphos and settling there.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos alas your experience in Paphos, it is the tale of many thousands of people. Not just for those who speak Greek, but also for those who speak Turkish, those who are Orthodox, Muslim, Latin, Armenian, or Maronite and all the people who are Cypriot. It is not their fault that politics stop them living together as one people. Maybe one day it'll be the island of love again. For real. We can hope!
Will you end up living on one of the Greek islands, making more visits to Cappadocia? Or will you end up living in a fairy chimney, visiting Greece more often?
Gabriel I’m glad everything worked out for you but next time your in the region please spend more time on Cyprus there is so much to see also there are some beautiful beaches to visit if you have a car
Glad to see things worked out in the end. Enjoy your downtime in the Greek Isles. Oh and I have an 11 y/o nephew that gets my leftover currency! How cool.
A blessed good day sir Gabe Thank u for your Sharing Crossing border in Nicosia Cyprus, Another Beautiful ❤️ European Country have A Great Weekend stay safe Godbless u ♥️🙏🙂 from your solid fan supporter Viewer from the Philippines 🇵🇭 sir Marvin 🙂🙏👏👍
Thanks for saving me a trip to Cyprus, doesn't look like a great destination to visit. You could have saved us all your long winded musings as to whether or not you will make it across the border, was very dry. No surprise about not exchanging Turkish lira!
He didn't show the best of Cyprus and was only there for 2 days! Lots more to see and do and the weather is fantastic this time of year, we have summer till December!
Have you made a summary video about all the places you have been to in Greece? If not, would you consider making a chit chat summary video about the places in Greece in the future?
Recently I read (in French) a book written by Jacques Harvey, and in it he tells about his trip to the ancient Grreek city of SMIRNA. Today that city is called IZMIR (in Turkish). The writer tells that on the airplane, when he said he was going to Smirna,, his Turkish neighbor in seat, with a reddened face told him, "It's Izmir!" Voila, how the neighborhood of Men behaves. Smirna, the Greek city was a Greek city since 2800 years, Hippocrates the famous Greek doctor lived there, the city of Smirna is known for its famous dates (the fruits), and since 100 years, when the Turks occupied it, it is mow called "Izmir." You see the brotherhood of men? What a future are we going to have on Earth? And now here's the Russians in UKraine. Wow!
Yikes....the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is not a legal entity - it's basically Turkish occupied territory since 1974 and that's why Turkish Lira is not accepted in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus - and it is Turkey alone among UN nations that does not recognize Cyprus. The population in northern Cyprus was 80% Greek speaking at the time of the invasion; most of those refugees had to flee to the south or leave the country. Also, your rough commute from Nicosia to Larnaca on basically a one-day stay does not afford you a chance to see all the great things Cyprus has to offer - beautiful mountain villages, monasteries and historical sites like Tombs of The Kings or the neolithic settlement of Chirokitia; cosmopolitan towns like Limassol and Paphos, and yes, secluded beaches. It's a poor and really unfair depiction of this small country.
Waw !! Amazing .A city made of two country?.Never heard of it. Good experience u having there. And u are adventures man. May God be with u . From Ethiopia. Come visit as.
I saw the Jason Billam video about the border, I was thinking of going to Cyprus after that video. It does look ok on both sides of the border, but I'm thinking Kenya now next month, Nairobi, Mombasa and Diani beach.
@ Gabrieltraveller plenty to see in the North you’ll certainly need more than a few days visiting remote beaches and old Crusader castles. Lots of history in Cyprus both north and south.
I'm from the Uk. Lived in Cyprus in th 80's as a kid. We went to Nicosia and it was all UN checkpoints. No entry at all to the Turkish side. Tanks and UN troops everywhere. My Dad drove to Dhekalia thinking we could get into the Turkish side that way. On all the sides of that road from Nicosia was lookout towers, barbed wire and cardboard cut outs of soldiers, the ones you use for target practice. We got to Dhekalia and were turned around by two UK marines at a British check point. I'll never forget any of that. The Turkish side was a bomb site man.
Yes Gabe. You deserve time off after 7 months of traveling. I enjoy and will continue to enjoy your outstanding videos. Enjoy your well deserved down time. 🍕🍔🍳🍻
Dear Gabriel, there is no legal state with the name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", North Cyprus is under Turkish military occupation since 1974. The only recognized government in the Island is the Republic of Cyprus 🇨🇾
So nothing happened at all on 15th July 1974 in Cyprus. GREEK military did not "invade" and remove the legitimate government of Cyprus. Greek shot Greek & Turkish Cypriot? The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus does exist. Some people just don't like the fact. It has it's own government and President. It is only protected by Turkish Troops (for very good historical reasons). Please get the full history out there.
That’s my situation now. Entered the country via the north, then realised it’s considered illegal by the south! WTF!! Will attempt to cross the border in the coming days.
I'm a UK citizen and have been on holiday in TRNC at least 10 times it is glorious, you've just lost the opportunity to see the Mediterranean as it was 40 years ago.quiet peaceful and cheap with friendly people. So ur now back in rip off ville again. Enjoy my friend
Why not take your next holiday in Crimea and other Russian occupied parts of Ukraine, I bet you’ll be all chirpy and happy about how cheap it is and nice..
Just wondering... did you made it to Athens? I will be crossing to North Cyprus in a few days for a day trip to North Nicosia and back and will be going to Greece after that.
Have a great holiday Gabriel !!! I will take a guess and say you chose Ikaria island .... I hope you will disclose your destination, after the end of your vacation... This is a well deserved rest .... Have a great time!!!
I lived in the TRNC for 15 years and never have had a problem crossing any of the borders at any time, even taking my car from one side to another. Your headline can cause an unnecessary concern to be honest. The whole island is beautiful and so are the people. I have very good friends in both side.
Hi Karen, good to know. The only reason I even thought it might be a problem was that people had warned me that I might not be allowed through, as I discussed in the video. When I looked online I found conflicting info about whether it would work, including statements that it was considered illegal to fly into Ercan airport and then try to cross into southern Cyprus. So I was genuinely unsure what was going to happen and thought I might be refused entry. Luckily it all worked out.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos I totally understand what you say as unfortunately there is still so much propaganda! I am so glad you had no issues but it would be nice to see more positivity about North Cyprus and the reality of truth. Happily and safe travels.
I am going to Larnaca tomorrow. I would like to accidentally meet you there, but you are too quick. Already in Greece now. Also very sad to see these Greek houses on the northern part of Nicosia left within a night by the refugees when turks invaded the country.
"If you dont know it might be a problem you are not going to research it" Yeah sounds familiar. Last week I took a little daytrip to Germany from The Netherlands... So in Enschede close to the border, I transferred over from the Dutch railways to the German one. So im sitting there in that German train and suddely I notice...Why is everybody wearing a face mask???? In The Netherlands these are not used anywhere anymore for months so it didnt even cross my mind to check. So I check and sure enough, in trains face coverings must be used at all times in Germany... Feeling very awkward I quickly left the train at the first train station in Germany and got some masks... On the plus side I ended up in a town I otherwise wouldnt have.
Hahaha same happened to me recently...I was in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, no masks...walked across to Austria and everyone was wearing masks. Also, everything was much cheaper 😍
@@no_soy_rubio Yeah Switzerland is getting crazy expensive. It never was cheap by any means but the Swiss Franc is so strong against the Euro and Dollar. When the Euro was introduced in '99, the Franc got you about 0,65. Now it gets you 1.04... This isnt of course necessaraly just a good thing for Switzerland. It makes products from the country very expensive and perhaps less attractive for potential customers. But when you have a large amout of cash laying around and dont know what to do with it, buying Francs seems like a pretty safe investment :D
Hello Gabriel. Great content. Just a little note: please avoid saying "Greek/Turkish side". I know it's a bit confusing, but it already is hard for us trying to unify this small island. Cyprus is one! Hopefully, one day, we'll give peace a chance! :)
@@digitalnomad4844 No. Cyprus is one. The fact that half of it is occupied, does not make that part Turkish. The fact that the other half has a majority of Greek speaking Cypriots, does not make it Greek.
The border crossing is so easy. You just go to the "third country" section. We crossed the border twice a day, 6 days back in June for medical treatment and not once did they question or bat an eye lid :)
What I want to know is were you able to get a flight out of the southern side? Do you have an EU passport? If not, how did you explain the fact that you had no EU entry stamp?
Yes, I had a flight booked from Cyprus to Greece. I have an American passport. When I went through customs at the airport the customs officer asked me if I flew into the north. I said yes and she didn't say anything, let me through. Maybe I got a little lucky, no idea. It could be a bit random, if they are suspicious of you for some reason maybe you would get questioned.
Hi Gabriel, I would think people are crossing over from the Greek side all the time it that may be an issue with certain people but that's always the case. You don't look suspicious in any way so I would think it wouldn't be an issue.
Gabe it's good to see you back to Cyprus. 1) Just for the records: It's not "Turkish side" but occupied areas since July 1974., 2) Cyprus was not occupied by Byzantine Empire, but part of it, 3) It wasn't occupied by Greeks, but it's inhabited by Greeks (80 percent of legal population belong to Greek nation)
Stay safe. I m happy you crossed the borders and then you flight back home 😉 You ll be on vacation or still uploading videos?I hope you are on a new Island. Tip:It is believed that in Larnaca is the second and final tomb of Lazarus who were resurrected by Jesus
US expat who just took a year lease in trnc, I've yet to try crossing to the south. I'm skeptical as you say so much conflicting info. Also as so much might depend on the mood of the border personell that day. Most important thing you left off was did you receive a cyprus stamp on crossing? Otherwise how can you leave thru larnica? Am tempted on my next business trip to return thru the south. But even then, confusing as i doubt my trnc residence permit means much and I'd end up with an overstay penalty. Cool video all in all, gonna check out your other now
This turned out to be the easiest experience. While I now have my TRNC residency permit my 18 year old son was at day 57 of his 60 day entry stamp. Was an absolutely simple crossing north to south with our US passports. No questions asked at all, took 5 minutes total. And on return to the north after just an hour or two shopping and lunch, my son received another 45 days (no stamp, electronic) stay extension. This video gave me some sense on what to expect which is why I looked it back up again 6 months later, was much appreciated.
you deserve a well earned👋 break 🏖🏖🏖my friend. always have some backup videos which you can post while 'unplugged' from 'vlog' travels📽📽 ..great videos, great content and feels like walking and travelling with you as a friend 😇while watching your awesome videos !! have a great vacation .🍺🍺🏄🏄🏖🏖
i am greek tho i have never been in cyprus in my life i had a big feeling you will get on the other side with no issues at all. we are allies after all :)
Id love to see you travel around Northern Cyprus in the future and see the areas very few tourists/travelers go to. The big converted churches , the greek remnants and the "tip" of Cyprus would be cool to see.
I don’t think people realize just how exhausting traveling can be. It really can be hectic and difficult. Hope you get some rest. Were you planning on returning to the states before you start a new leg of your travels? Thanks for all the great adventures!
The situation reminds one of the former problem with having an Israeli stamp (nowdays they don't stamp the actual passport) in one's passport. Did your passport get physically stamped leaving Northern Cyprus as well entering Greek Cyprus.
They don't stamp your passport through the checkpoints because it is illegal. Effectively the occupied areas is a self declared illegal state which is internationally unrecognised. They are not allowed to stamp your passport. You used to get a piece of paper to carry with you for entering and leaving which you carry in your passport. I haven't been through for three years, but I doubt things have changed as Cyprus is still occupied.
That's for sure, the first thing I noticed was the crumbling pavement on the occupied side. It's like they don't have the money to do repairs, I also noticed there were a lot of empty shops close to the border point.
am following yor steps in 3 weeks now ^^ can't wait ^^ flight booked, hotel booked, any tips on the rent-a-car perhaps?? Also, I have EU ID, will that be good enough instead of passport?
I would have guessed that Liras from Turkish Cyprus are worthless outside of TC since no one recognizes the TC state. You might be able to exchange them if you go back to Turkey since Turkey is the only state that recognizes TC.... But I am just assuming here.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos just a reminder to our Greek friends southern Cyprus uses the Euro as it's national currency so it doesn't have an independent currency.
IT WAS JULY 20 OF 1974 . I WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND I REMEMBER MY FATHER LEAVING ON FOOT TO GO TO THE CITY BECAUSE THEY CALLED HIM TO ARMS . IT WAS THE INVASION IN CYPRUS . I CAN REMEMBER THE FEELING OF THIS UNEXPECTED FACT . MY FATHER CAME BACK . NOW HE IS 85 YEARS OLD .
God bless your father. 🙏
@@eugeniastravels8954 T H A N K Y O U ! ❤
God bless him...hoppe him still ok.
@@SuperHfhgfh THANK YOU YES .....
God bless you Father and the rest of your family 👪🙏
I have a Turkish Cypriot friend here in England who flies regularly to Larnaca or Paphos and crosses over to the Turkish side with no issues
This is different. Your friend is flying to the "legal" airports of the Republic of Cyprus.
So why was he able to cross with no issues? Because it was a lie and there was no risk is the fact of this video. Thousands cross every day through a few borders and you know it
I am not sure. However I know for a fact that some Americans couldn't cross from some specific road blocks and had to drive miles to get to another one and cross.
@@yiannisminas2165 so what ?
That border is not risky at all, it seems it's just hype to attract viewers...
Ok chill :)
Dear dimitra stavrou
If Greece never invaded on July 15 1974, Turkey would have never intervened on July 20th 1974.
Your father came home luckily,
Many of my uncles cousins never made it from 1963 till 1974. They where taken and killed by greek and Greek Cypriots e o k a members just for being Turkish.
They just found one of my uncles remains in oroklini which went missing in 1964 along with his 11 friends.
They where driving to work and greek soldiers stopped them on the dikellya rd.
They took them to a copper mine in oroklini and shot them all dead and pushed there mini bus into the mine with all 12 of them in it.
Then buried it with a digger.
Was discovered in 2015 when looking for Turkish Cypriots that went missing in that 11 year period from 1963 to 1974.
R I P.
Your memory serves you well, when referring to Turkish Cypriot losses but some how fails you when it concerns the murder of Greek Cypriots by VoLcan and TMT organisations.
The point of my Turkish friend is that the Greeks always portray themselves as the victims of Turkish aggression and have a very good job of this on the international scene but the Greeks never give the full story....... pathetic liers.
I knew..., slowly but surely comin' closer to Greece again.
Im always learning something new from from videos! Fascinating history.
well done G, glad it worked out for you. enjoy your rest at the beach.
Thank you Gabriel! Glad everything worked out! Enjoy your time in Greece! Take care 🤗❤☀️🌊😎🙏
Happy continued travels Gabe! Thanks for the ride.
I lived in Cyprus for a time, so I am surprised you were able to fly out of Larnaca. The border crossing not difficult, we did it several times. I thought the problem would come flying out of an airport in a country that you have no stamp indicting you ever arrived. Souther Cyprus does not recognize norther Cyprus as a country. It is referred to as the occupied territory. Glad you made , just surprised.
Surprised of what you misinformed soul.
It was a long journey Gabriel 😅, but you did it . Have a rest in the coming days . I'm going to fly to Athens at the end of October .
Very Cool, on the gifts to the nephew, that's how they learn. The rock star we knew you were. Cheers to you Gabe.
Stay safe. Never a dull moment.
Few corrections. I heard the terms "Greek side" and "Turkish side" a few times. The South side (The Republic of Cyprus) isn't "Greek". It is predominantly Greek speaking and has a lot of Greek culture. But it is not Greek. Just like Australia is not the UK, despite speaking the same language.
Secondly, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not Turkey. It is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (i.e. Northern Cyprus). Furthermore, it isn't actually recognised as a country anywhere in the world, except for Turkey. The before mentioned "Republic of Cyprus" (the one that I said is not "Greek" is legally the sovereign authority for the entire island, including the bits currently controlled by Northern Cyprus.
Finally, it's not a "European" passport. It's an "EU" passport. The uploader mentioned that the passport control might have misunderstood the word "US Passport" for "UK passport". Well, even if he had misunderstood, it makes no difference. The UK is not in the EU, and therefore UK citizens are not holders of EU passports and therefore are not treated any differently to someone with a US passport.
I was born in Lebanon, we fled to Cyprus during the civil war & lived in Limassol for a while. Greatest childhood a little boy can have and I'm very grateful for the memories. As far as I'm concerned...Cyprus was, is & always will be Greek!
ok "freddie" born in lebanon (greek clown typing with fake identity). At least make it sound more believable. Cyprus belongs to the Cypriots and not Greek u ***** :)
Hey there everyone and Gabriel... with everything that’s going on in the world and uk especially as I live there ... your channel is the great escape for me and I need that .. best wishes live and respect to you .. x🤗💕
Good one Gabe, about 20 something years ago I was gonna travel to Cyprus when I was a teenager with my parents and siblings, we had even purchased our tickets and booked our hotel but for some reasons we cancelled our trip, so I didn't get to visit the island.
✌️always interesting video, stay safe Gabriel 🙋♀️from🇨🇦
My heart flooded with joy when I saw the Greek flag flying proudly at the end of this video. ❤🇬🇷
Glad you got across. Tense when you just don't know if you can cross. I had an experience crossing into China in1981, I thought I may have a fake visa, but got across. Always worth trying.
Gabe glad you made the crossing safely and that you are going on your vacation, well deserved! Relax, rest, enjoy yourself and happy you are soon returning to the good ole 🇺🇸 bet your family will be happy to see you, especially your nephew! Thanks for taking so many places these 9 months, hope you are going have a birthday with family soon. 🕉
Gabe personally I would have been so nervous about border crossing you are really cool about it but thank god you passed and are going back to beautiful Greece
Its no problem crossing over we have crossed over to Turkish side n back again sae day.
The reason you find vague information is because it is not an international border but an internal "ceasefire line". They are crossing points, not a border. You don't get stamps in your passport because it is illegal to stamp your passport leaving or entering the "occupied" side as it is not a recognised state. . It is not Turkish, it is illegally occupied, hence why you get different information depending who gives it and where. The "TRNC" is a self declared entity that is internationally unrecognised from circa 1983. Northern Cyprus is not a state. You are also a third country national, who entered the occupied zone via an internationally unrecognised airport. Therefore the sovereign state of the Republic of Cyprus, and recognised entry to the state was not registered on your passport on landing and when when you passed through to the crossing point. You essentially don't exist at that point. This can be an issue depending on your nationality. Some people do get denied entrance to the free areas of Cyprus through the crossings.
Please remember you went through a crossing, not a border. A ceasefire line.
Why would Cypriots not exchange lira? Because it is not the official currency of Cyprus, Euros are. It's not a protest, the lira is the currency of the occupying force of 48 years! The Greek Cypriot fled the onslaught of the Turkish Army in 1974. The Turkish Cypriot people were part of an exchange treaty in 1975 and were encouraged to move to the occupied areas long after the Invasion of 1974. Tricky to understand, but it's not complicated if you arm yourself with what happened in Cyprus and still happens today.
Well, the point of exchange places is that they have foreign currency, otherwise they would not be an exchange place. The exchange places here in Sweden have Turkish liras, as well as euros, dollars, Swiss franc and Norwegian krone.
There are two stamps in my passport, one from entering the TRNC at Ercan airport and one from crossing the border/checkpoint into southern Cyprus. It's not a currency exchange office if they only deal in the local currency, the whole point is to handle different currencies. They don't exchange lira in southern Cyprus because they don't want to be involved in recognizing the TRNC. So it's a matter of principle. Someone could make money by exchanging Turkish lira at the border, but they would probably be ostracized by the locals. Or maybe there's a local law against it. I was able to exchange the Turkish lira in Athens. It's a complicated situation, similar to the Israeli/Palestinian dispute. The only reasonable solution, other than another war in which one side gets displaced, is for everyone to get along and live in harmony together, but that doesn't seem to be possible for now. So they're stuck in a stalemate.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Thanks for your reply! I understand the complicated intricacies of the occupation of Cyprus. Our family is one of the many thousands of people who fled the Turkish forces in 1974. We are also one of the many who cannot return to our homes, lands and properties. We can go and look at it like tourists though.
I'd love for Cyprus to reunite as one people. Unfortunately "those that be" seem not to want to do so, and appease the two state mantra because of Turkish interference. Maybe too scared to rock the boat. It's a political mine field to say the least.
I love watching your videos and following you around the globe.. Unfortunately, and I do apologise for maybe being too strong in my original comment, but Cyprus and it's occupation really does bring out the emotional side for many. I don't want to put a negative aspect, but the personal experiences will come out with many who comment. Wish you well, back in Greece and beyond.
@@dizzeeblondee5309 Understandable. I remember going to a restaurant in Paphos the last time and on their menu was the story of being forced out of their homes in the north and fleeing to the south, ending up in Paphos and settling there.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos alas your experience in Paphos, it is the tale of many thousands of people. Not just for those who speak Greek, but also for those who speak Turkish, those who are Orthodox, Muslim, Latin, Armenian, or Maronite and all the people who are Cypriot. It is not their fault that politics stop them living together as one people. Maybe one day it'll be the island of love again. For real. We can hope!
Very informative video.
Safe travels.
Thanks, glad to hear it.
Hi Gabe, loving your vids :)
Will you end up living on one of the Greek islands, making more visits to Cappadocia? Or will you end up living in a fairy chimney, visiting Greece more often?
Always interesting content on your videos. 👍
Well done Gabriel 👍👍🙋
Gabriel I’m glad everything worked out for you but next time your in the region please spend more time on Cyprus there is so much to see also there are some beautiful beaches to visit if you have a car
Great show..Thanks for the tour❤🐱
Glad to see things worked out in the end. Enjoy your downtime in the Greek Isles. Oh and I have an 11 y/o nephew that gets my leftover currency! How cool.
Cool indeed.
A blessed good day sir Gabe Thank u for your Sharing Crossing border in Nicosia Cyprus, Another Beautiful ❤️ European Country have A Great Weekend stay safe Godbless u ♥️🙏🙂 from your solid fan supporter Viewer from the Philippines 🇵🇭 sir Marvin 🙂🙏👏👍
Thanks for saving me a trip to Cyprus, doesn't look like a great destination to visit. You could have saved us all your long winded musings as to whether or not you will make it across the border, was very dry. No surprise about not exchanging Turkish lira!
Very dry?
@@s125ish yeah very bland and uninteresting
He didn't show the best of Cyprus and was only there for 2 days! Lots more to see and do and the weather is fantastic this time of year, we have summer till December!
@@normanlee31 he will be back no doubt
@@robcanad oh come on what do you want
You shpuld have stayed in the TRNC. It is the most beautiful part of the island. You missed out.
It's not an Internal Border, due to the illegal occupied land of northern Cyprus is NOT a recognised country, it's referred to as The Green Line
It is recognised by Turkey. So It is a Turkish country .
@@vlkngrt8805 The invaders! lol
@@jonhewitt3 according to whom,lol
@@vlkngrt8805 incorrect. It is not a Turkish country. It was self declared in 1983
The island is very far from Greece, let it go.
Im glad you made it to The Greek side of Cyprus have a nice time on The Island Gabe! 👍😀
Have you made a summary video about all the places you have been to in Greece? If not, would you consider making a chit chat summary video about the places in Greece in the future?
Recently I read (in French) a book written by Jacques Harvey, and in it he tells about his trip to the ancient Grreek city of SMIRNA. Today that city is called IZMIR (in Turkish). The writer tells that on the airplane, when he said he was going to Smirna,, his Turkish neighbor in seat, with a reddened face told him, "It's Izmir!" Voila, how the neighborhood of Men behaves. Smirna, the Greek city was a Greek city since 2800 years, Hippocrates the famous Greek doctor lived there, the city of Smirna is known for its famous dates (the fruits), and since 100 years, when the Turks occupied it, it is mow called "Izmir." You see the brotherhood of men? What a future are we going to have on Earth? And now here's the Russians in UKraine. Wow!
Gabriel has made a ton of videos of greek islands and greek sites !!
Check them out....
Yikes....the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is not a legal entity - it's basically Turkish occupied territory since 1974 and that's why Turkish Lira is not accepted in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus - and it is Turkey alone among UN nations that does not recognize Cyprus. The population in northern Cyprus was 80% Greek speaking at the time of the invasion; most of those refugees had to flee to the south or leave the country. Also, your rough commute from Nicosia to Larnaca on basically a one-day stay does not afford you a chance to see all the great things Cyprus has to offer - beautiful mountain villages, monasteries and historical sites like Tombs of The Kings or the neolithic settlement of Chirokitia; cosmopolitan towns like Limassol and Paphos, and yes, secluded beaches. It's a poor and really unfair depiction of this small country.
He did do Cyprus videos before, in Paphos and Larnaca. I agree, Cyprus is beautiful, and I have only seen the west coast (Paphos) so far
I visited Cyprus in winter 2018, had an interesting time, experienced a snowstorm in the mountains: ruclips.net/video/zVjMIds7bKE/видео.html
Waw !! Amazing .A city made of two country?.Never heard of it. Good experience u having there. And u are adventures man. May God be with u . From Ethiopia. Come visit as.
Very emotional. Safe travels!
I saw the Jason Billam video about the border, I was thinking of going to Cyprus after that video. It does look ok on both sides of the border, but I'm thinking Kenya now next month, Nairobi, Mombasa and Diani beach.
Hi Gabe, I'm not sure why you had to look for an ATM machine. I was able to use EUR in northern Cyprus the whole time I was there.
They also accepted debit and credit cards.
I'm English and did the crossing from the the south to the north for a holiday and then back again no issues
Of course
@ Gabrieltraveller plenty to see in the North you’ll certainly need more than a few days visiting remote beaches and old Crusader castles. Lots of history in Cyprus both north and south.
A kind of a thriller action, but you survived. Interesting video to learn about different cultures on a island. 👍
I'm from the Uk. Lived in Cyprus in th 80's as a kid. We went to Nicosia and it was all UN checkpoints. No entry at all to the Turkish side. Tanks and UN troops everywhere. My Dad drove to Dhekalia thinking we could get into the Turkish side that way. On all the sides of that road from Nicosia was lookout towers, barbed wire and cardboard cut outs of soldiers, the ones you use for target practice. We got to Dhekalia and were turned around by two UK marines at a British check point. I'll never forget any of that. The Turkish side was a bomb site man.
Sounds like things have changed for the better. It was all pretty relaxed and easy.
How do you know it was a bomb site if you didn't cross and see it?
Love this video 📹 interesting Cyprus, nice place to visit
Your problem is getting on the flight from the republic of Cyprus to anywhere else since technically you didn’t enter from a recognised point of entry
I have lived in Cyprus for 6 years. They will let you through, but generally not allow you to fly out of the different airports.
Yes Gabe. You deserve time off after
7 months of traveling. I enjoy and will continue to enjoy your outstanding videos. Enjoy your well deserved down time. 🍕🍔🍳🍻
Dear Gabriel, there is no legal state with the name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", North Cyprus is under Turkish military occupation since 1974. The only recognized government in the Island is the Republic of Cyprus 🇨🇾
That's politics
So nothing happened at all on 15th July 1974 in Cyprus. GREEK military did not "invade" and remove the legitimate government of Cyprus. Greek shot Greek & Turkish Cypriot? The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus does exist. Some people just don't like the fact. It has it's own government and President. It is only protected by Turkish Troops (for very good historical reasons). Please get the full history out there.
In Athens now or already left for our islands? :D I'll keep suggesting Skyros :)
Have crossed numerous times from Larnaca, love North cyprus and it's people... was just talking about buying a property before this popped up.
Cyprus uses the Euro. You can use banks to exchange USD or you can use an ATM to withdraw cash in Euros.
Correct, southern Cyprus uses the euro. But you can't exchange Turkish lira. You probably can in northern Cyprus.
That’s my situation now. Entered the country via the north, then realised it’s considered illegal by the south! WTF!! Will attempt to cross the border in the coming days.
I flew out to Greece with no problems, hopefully it goes smooth for you. Good luck. ✌️👊
I don't know where you found the Republic of North Cyprus. Not in your guide.
Sometimes, your prolonged stories become boring….. but love your travel documentaries ❤❤⁉️⁉️
This nord Cyprus or 🇨🇾Cyprus Greece?
The video is filmed in both, I crossed the border.
I'm a UK citizen and have been on holiday in TRNC at least 10 times it is glorious, you've just lost the opportunity to see the Mediterranean as it was 40 years ago.quiet peaceful and cheap with friendly people. So ur now back in rip off ville again. Enjoy my friend
😂That's Yanks for you!
Why not take your next holiday in Crimea and other Russian occupied parts of Ukraine, I bet you’ll be all chirpy and happy about how cheap it is and nice..
If I'm in Istanbul can I get turkey for Thanksgiving?
Cyprus was actually discovered by b real out of cypress hill in 1993 but nobody likes to talk about it.
Cypress Hill, Brooklyn?
Are you insane in the membrane?
We ain't goin out like that
Just wondering... did you made it to Athens? I will be crossing to North Cyprus in a few days for a day trip to North Nicosia and back and will be going to Greece after that.
Yes, I didn't have any problems catching my flight to Athens.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos That's good to know. Thanks.
Have a great holiday Gabriel !!!
I will take a guess and say you chose Ikaria island .... I hope you will disclose your destination, after the end of your vacation...
This is a well deserved rest ....
Have a great time!!!
I lived in the TRNC for 15 years and never have had a problem crossing any of the borders at any time, even taking my car from one side to another. Your headline can cause an unnecessary concern to be honest. The whole island is beautiful and so are the people. I have very good friends in both side.
Hi Karen, good to know. The only reason I even thought it might be a problem was that people had warned me that I might not be allowed through, as I discussed in the video. When I looked online I found conflicting info about whether it would work, including statements that it was considered illegal to fly into Ercan airport and then try to cross into southern Cyprus. So I was genuinely unsure what was going to happen and thought I might be refused entry. Luckily it all worked out.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos I totally understand what you say as unfortunately there is still so much propaganda! I am so glad you had no issues but it would be nice to see more positivity about North Cyprus and the reality of truth. Happily and safe travels.
I look forward to going back and spending more time there. I've heard that it has some of the best beaches in Cyprus.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Some traveller ! 😄😄😄
I just wonder if you managed to get your onward flight from Larnaca? As far as I know there might be problems if you entered via ERCAN
Yes: instagram.com/p/Cilccy-syvS/
I sense that Gabe is so very glad to be on the Greek side for more than one reason.
Tell us the reasons....! Turkey has more to offer for tourists if we take out the beaches.
I am going to Larnaca tomorrow. I would like to accidentally meet you there, but you are too quick. Already in Greece now.
Also very sad to see these Greek houses on the northern part of Nicosia left within a night by the refugees when turks invaded the country.
This was a little different and interesting.
"If you dont know it might be a problem you are not going to research it" Yeah sounds familiar. Last week I took a little daytrip to Germany from The Netherlands... So in Enschede close to the border, I transferred over from the Dutch railways to the German one. So im sitting there in that German train and suddely I notice...Why is everybody wearing a face mask???? In The Netherlands these are not used anywhere anymore for months so it didnt even cross my mind to check. So I check and sure enough, in trains face coverings must be used at all times in Germany... Feeling very awkward I quickly left the train at the first train station in Germany and got some masks... On the plus side I ended up in a town I otherwise wouldnt have.
Achtung baby
Hahaha same happened to me recently...I was in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, no masks...walked across to Austria and everyone was wearing masks. Also, everything was much cheaper 😍
@@no_soy_rubio Yeah Switzerland is getting crazy expensive. It never was cheap by any means but the Swiss Franc is so strong against the Euro and Dollar. When the Euro was introduced in '99, the Franc got you about 0,65. Now it gets you 1.04... This isnt of course necessaraly just a good thing for Switzerland. It makes products from the country very expensive and perhaps less attractive for potential customers. But when you have a large amout of cash laying around and dont know what to do with it, buying Francs seems like a pretty safe investment :D
Gabriel, its not Northern Cyprus, its the Occupied area, its an insult to us Cypriots to say Northern Cyprus!
And it's an insult to Turkish Cypriots to call it occupied.
Hello Gabriel. Great content.
Just a little note: please avoid saying "Greek/Turkish side". I know it's a bit confusing, but it already is hard for us trying to unify this small island.
Cyprus is one! Hopefully, one day, we'll give peace a chance! :)
There is no need to ignore the facts. There are Turkish and Greek sides bro.
@@digitalnomad4844 No. Cyprus is one.
The fact that half of it is occupied, does not make that part Turkish.
The fact that the other half has a majority of Greek speaking Cypriots, does not make it Greek.
North Cyprus has some beautiful places. Please visit it
every country has beautiful places
The border crossing is so easy. You just go to the "third country" section. We crossed the border twice a day, 6 days back in June for medical treatment and not once did they question or bat an eye lid :)
What I want to know is were you able to get a flight out of the southern side? Do you have an EU passport? If not, how did you explain the fact that you had no EU entry stamp?
Yes, I had a flight booked from Cyprus to Greece. I have an American passport. When I went through customs at the airport the customs officer asked me if I flew into the north. I said yes and she didn't say anything, let me through. Maybe I got a little lucky, no idea. It could be a bit random, if they are suspicious of you for some reason maybe you would get questioned.
I live in Kyrenia( Girne ) , would you like to travel? :) I can show you historical places.
Hi Gabriel, I would think people are crossing over from the Greek side all the time it that may be an issue with certain people but that's always the case. You don't look suspicious in any way so I would think it wouldn't be an issue.
Gabe it's good to see you back to Cyprus.
1) Just for the records:
It's not "Turkish side" but occupied areas since July 1974.,
2) Cyprus was not occupied by Byzantine Empire, but part of it,
3) It wasn't occupied by Greeks, but it's inhabited by Greeks (80 percent of legal population belong to Greek nation)
I wonder why you often back to Places you already visited?
Stay safe. I m happy you crossed the borders and then you flight back home 😉
You ll be on vacation or still uploading videos?I hope you are on a new Island.
Tip:It is believed that in Larnaca is the second and final tomb of Lazarus who were resurrected by Jesus
US expat who just took a year lease in trnc, I've yet to try crossing to the south. I'm skeptical as you say so much conflicting info. Also as so much might depend on the mood of the border personell that day. Most important thing you left off was did you receive a cyprus stamp on crossing? Otherwise how can you leave thru larnica? Am tempted on my next business trip to return thru the south. But even then, confusing as i doubt my trnc residence permit means much and I'd end up with an overstay penalty. Cool video all in all, gonna check out your other now
expat = immigrant
This turned out to be the easiest experience. While I now have my TRNC residency permit my 18 year old son was at day 57 of his 60 day entry stamp. Was an absolutely simple crossing north to south with our US passports. No questions asked at all, took 5 minutes total. And on return to the north after just an hour or two shopping and lunch, my son received another 45 days (no stamp, electronic) stay extension.
This video gave me some sense on what to expect which is why I looked it back up again 6 months later, was much appreciated.
@@philwanadoo7435 I wish. Coming up with 50% down payment on a home purchase was a non-starter as home prices are insane. We leave next month
@@escobar4599 where to ?
I am curious...
You could have tried to buy lunch with the Lira
Which passport do you have? I need to cross the border in a couple months, with a British passport
USA.
you deserve a well earned👋 break 🏖🏖🏖my friend. always have some backup videos which you can post while 'unplugged' from 'vlog' travels📽📽 ..great videos, great content and feels like walking and travelling with you as a friend 😇while watching your awesome videos !! have a great vacation .🍺🍺🏄🏄🏖🏖
I think more videos from both sides of Cyprus would have been cool. Especially TRNC since its not much known.
i am greek tho i have never been in cyprus in my life i had a big feeling you will get on the other side with no issues at all. we are allies after all :)
16:20 I walked there 2 weeks ago🤣
Id love to see you travel around Northern Cyprus in the future and see the areas very few tourists/travelers go to. The big converted churches , the greek remnants and the "tip" of Cyprus would be cool to see.
I don’t think people realize just how exhausting traveling can be. It really can be hectic and difficult. Hope you get some rest. Were you planning on returning to the states before you start a new leg of your travels? Thanks for all the great adventures!
The situation reminds one of the former problem with having an Israeli stamp (nowdays they don't stamp the actual passport) in one's passport. Did your passport get physically stamped leaving Northern Cyprus as well entering Greek Cyprus.
As far as I know they don’t stamp it
They don't stamp your passport through the checkpoints because it is illegal. Effectively the occupied areas is a self declared illegal state which is internationally unrecognised. They are not allowed to stamp your passport. You used to get a piece of paper to carry with you for entering and leaving which you carry in your passport. I haven't been through for three years, but I doubt things have changed as Cyprus is still occupied.
If you go to three different Greek border officials and ask them how it works you will get three different conflicting explanations
you can really see the difference of the EU part of the city compared to the poor occupied part
That's for sure, the first thing I noticed was the crumbling pavement on the occupied side. It's like they don't have the money to do repairs, I also noticed there were a lot of empty shops close to the border point.
Such an ignorant comment, North Cyprus has been under economic embargo where as South Cyprus has he had international investment.
Yet another shaggy dog tale with a Catch 22 thrown in for good measure.
the Cypriot Muslims from the Southern part of the island eventually moved to England, Canada and Australia.
You are in KEDRA STREET
am following yor steps in 3 weeks now ^^ can't wait ^^ flight booked, hotel booked, any tips on the rent-a-car perhaps?? Also, I have EU ID, will that be good enough instead of passport?
Gabriel I was wondering how you book your hotels ahead....app, internet? Thanks for the videos.
Booking.com
Thank you Gabriel. Καλό ταξίδι 👍🏼
@@GabrielTravelerVideos They take 22 % unless you are a Genius traveller and choose the right places
@@philwanadoo7435 Yeah I get the genius discount.
SORRY, there is nothing says north Nicosia. Nicosia is Nicosia, other than that is a Turkish occupation to Cyprus
I would have guessed that Liras from Turkish Cyprus are worthless outside of TC since no one recognizes the TC state. You might be able to exchange them if you go back to Turkey since Turkey is the only state that recognizes TC.... But I am just assuming here.
The lira used in TRNC is exactly the same as the Turkish lira in Turkey. I was able to exchange them in Athens.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Interesting. Maybe that says something about Turkish Cyprus "independence" from Turkey.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Now you can use the proceeds to buy yourself a souvlaki and a beer, lol!
And cost 3 times as much
@@GabrielTravelerVideos just a reminder to our Greek friends southern Cyprus uses the Euro as it's national currency so it doesn't have an independent currency.
gabe is it time for India again in october ??
I don't see anything risky but the title! Actually, I have never seen Gabe take a risk, even in food choices 🤣
Yes i pass this border many times every week, there isn’t any risk , i think someone fools him with wrong information
@@Drsshocd attracting more viewers...