Saturday, June 8, 2013, saw hundreds of guests attend an amazing season opening party, hosted by Karpaz Gate Marina. Situated in Northern Cyprus, this luxury superyacht marina proved itself to be the perfect setting as it played a host to the biggest event in its two-year history to mark the opening of its new beach club.
Marina clients, invited guests and local dignitaries at the VIP reception at Karpaz Gate Marina
Some 80 people arrived by sea, including 15 boats with the Carreta Carreta rally, especially to take advantage of the free weekend’s berthing and VIP invitation offered by the marina, joining other invited guests and dignitaries at the stylish gathering.
The landmark occasion was a significant moment for Karpaz Gate Marina, as the party represented the successful culmination of years of planning and work to complete the impressive venue and associated facilities.
Guests enjoy drinks and canapés before viewing the new photography exhibition: ‘Karpaz Untapped Beauty’
After approximately €70 million of investment in the project, Karpaz Bay Resort Ltd’s Liza Singer said that Karpaz Gate Marina had now opened up the gateway to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Karpaz region as a tourist destination.
“North Cyprus and Karpaz Gate Marina are finally on the map,” said Singer. “When we started our development eight years ago, there was an army zone covering all shores of Northern Cyprus. We managed to lift these limitations and re-draft those maps to make the Northern Cyprus coasts free sailing and cruising grounds. Our marina has been built to be the gate through which people can enter the TRNC. Here, as opposed to flights to the TRNC, the arrival is direct.”
A saxophonist entertains the guests on the promenade
First, at an elegant, early evening VIP reception and cocktail party, with the perfect backdrop of the setting sun over the boats alongside in the marina, some 350 guests and marina clients sipped Champagne and sampled canapés while they were serenaded by a live saxophonist.
Following welcoming addresses by marina representatives and local officials, including Singer, Karpaz Gate Marina Harbour Master Deniz Akaltan and Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Mr Sahap Asikoglu, the assembled guests were then invited to view a new photography exhibition, ‘Karpaz: Untapped Beauty’, which will remain open to the public for 45 days. The photographs by renowned Brazilian photographer Dudu Tresca, featuring stunning scenes from the surrounding TRNC, were arranged in a specially-created gallery space at the marina.
The saxophonist takes centre stage at the beach club party
Karpaz Gate Marina’s unique hospitality continued with an extravagant sit-down meal as diners enjoyed the atmosphere inside the marina’s acclaimed Hemingway’s Resto-Bar or took advantage of the al fresco option on the promenade area.
The marina then opened its doors to hundreds more revellers as the party began by the beautiful infinity swimming pool at the new beach club a short walk along the promenade where a stage and huge screen had been constructed.
The dancing started as DJ Funky Fish warmed up the assorted guests before up-lifting Austrian electro band Makossa & Megablast took to the stage to showcase their impressive vocals with an authentic and unique fusion of African rhythms and electronic club music. Featuring Marcus Wagner-Lapierre and Sascha Weisz, the band thrilled the crowd with their interactive style and broad appeal to both young and old.
Austrian electro band Makossa and Megablast entertain the guests at the beach club party
About 80 marina staff and other personnel were on hand to cater for everyone, entertain the guests and capture the event on video and camera, with the celebrations continuing until 2.30am.
Benefiting from duty-free status, Karpaz Gate Marina, located on the north eastern tip of Northern Cyprus, opened in 2011. It provides 300 berths for vessels up to 55 metres and boat maintenance facilities on site including an 18,000 sq m dry dock for refit and repairs, as well as a substantial 300-ton travel lift that is capable of lifting vessels up to 45 metres and with a beam of up 10 metres.
