Due to the lack of public transport, we hitched the long way out to the end of North Cyprus’ remote Karpas Peninsula, a place few others make it to see. Two long-haired Italian graduate students drove us in their little rental jeep to check out the views from Apostolos Andreas Monastery, then dropped us off at nearby Golden Sands Beach where we pitched our tent in the wild sand dunes at Hasan’s Turtle Beach.

Hasan operates a restaurant and campground here despite the lack of electricity and looks out for the well-being of the sea turtles when come ashore to nest. We “took” a beer with the Italians before they drove off and spent two days in relative isolation at this beautiful and wild beach.

Photo and text by Stephen Bugno