World Travel Guides

Bottineau Travel Guides

2009-05-18T02:43:00.000-07:00

Bottineau Travel Guides

Bottineau is the seat of Bottineau County in the the north central extreme of North Dakota. It is located about 10 miles south of the Canadian border, in the Turtle Mountains and is known as the four seasons playground of North Dakota. It has a population of 2,234 people.

See

* The International Peace Gardens along the US/Canadian border.
* Bottineau County Historical Museum, North Main Street, Bottineau
* Bottineau County Fair is the oldest county fair in ND
* Four Chaplains Monument, Bottineau. Honors four chaplains who died in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland in 1943. They were aboard the U.S.S. Dorchester when it was struck by a torpedo, and they helped sailors into lifeboats and distributed life jackets. They gave up their own lives in so doing. They were last seen standing on the sinking ship, their arms entwined, heads bowed in prayer.
* Lake Metigoshe State Park Camping, hiking trails, boat ramp, fishing, swimming, canoe rentals, fishing, boating, golf. 16 miles northeast of Bottineau
* Pierre Bottineau Statue, 314 Fifth St. W, Bottineau
* Thunder Mountain Speedway, Bottineau. 3/8 mile track.
* Tommy Turtle Statue, a giant turtle riding a snowmobile. City Park, Bottineau
* Rock of Fame

Perpignan Travel Guides

2009-05-18T02:40:00.000-07:00

Perpignan Travel Guides

Perpignan (Perpinyà in catalan) is the capital of the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, the Northern Catalonia part of France.

* The cathedral of St Jean was begun in 1324 and finished in 1509.

* The 13th century castle of the kings of Majorca sits on the high citadel, surrounded by ramparts, reinforced for Louis XI and Charles V, which were updated in the 17th century by Louis XIV's military engineer Vauban.

Musée de l'aviation - created in 1976 by Mr NOETTINGER , this museum located at "Mas Palégry" gathers planes , models and hundreds of original pieces. Open from Monday afternoon to Saturday from April 1st to October 31st.

Krasnoyarsk Travel Guides

2009-05-18T02:35:00.001-07:00

Krasnoyarsk Travel Guides

Krasnoyarsk (Красноярск) is a city in Eastern Siberia, Russia. It's located on both banks of the Yenisey River.

There are few direct flights to Krasnoyarsk from abroad, mostly from Asia, so one is adviced to get to Moscow, Novosibirsk or Irkutsk first.

Krasnoyarsk is a very old beautiful city, established by Russian Cossacks (military servants) in 1628. It's name consists of two words — Krasnyi (red, because of clay reddish soil) and Yar (steep bank). Views of Yenisey River and the nearby Sayan Mountains covered by taiga forest are quite picturesque.

* Stolby Nature Reserve (Заповедник Столбы, or Pillars in English ) is famous among alpinists all over the world. Stolby covers an area of 470km² (181 square miles) with numerous giant granite rocks formations up to 100 m high, many of very extraordinary shapes: Ded (Дед, Russian for Grandfather), Babka (Бабка, Russian for Grandmother), Slon (Слон, Russian for Elephant), Peria (Перья, Russian for Feathers). The last one is the most dangerous rock, which has already taken dosens of climbers' lives. Stolby is a major rock climbing location, many local climbers intentionally do not use any belaying equipment and call their extreme sport "stolbizm", which is known around the world as free solo climbing. To get there you should take a bus to 'Turbaza' (Турбаза, Russian acronym for Tourist Base), in the autumn 2008 it was #19 and #30, then you need to walk for 7 km on the asphalted road through the forest until you reach the Pervyy Stolb rock (Первый Столб, Russian for The First Pillar). Most of the distance goes upwards, the last 400m of the way is rather steep, that's why tourists has called this road "Pykhtun" (Пыхтун, Russian for Panter).

There is also a cable car that travels to the Reserve. Check the web-site for more details.

* Divnogorsk city (Дивногорск, means "The Town of Wondrous Mountains") — 40 km West, half an hour on the jet-boat (only in summer) or by train from the central railway station (железнодорожный вокзал). The views to the river and the mountains are excellent. A major hydroelectric dam is located there, during the water discharge in summer it looks fantastic. If you choose train then please note that there are few trains (elektrichkas) per day going there: at 6:37 AM (except Saturday and Sunday in winter), at 3:42 PM, at 6:00 PM plus an additional summer weekend train at 10:38 AM. Trains back to Krasnoyarsk are at 6:00 AM, at 8:28 AM (except Saturday and Sunday in winter), at 5:22 PM plus an additional summer weekend train at 12:18 AM. The schedule may be temporarily changed at any time.

* Karaulnaya Gora (Караульная гора, Russian for 'The Watch Hill') — a large hill with the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel (Часовня Параскевы Пятницы) on its top is a symbol of the city depicted on the 10-ruble banknote. To get there you can take a bus, in the autumn 2008 the suitable bus numbers were #32, #64, #74 and #88, and ride to Ploschad Pobyedy (Площадь Победы, Russian for The Victory Plaza), from there walk the Stepana Razina Str. until you see the chapel. In the village-type surrounding area you can easily come upon criminals and drug traders, so you should better not try to walk there.

* Vasily Surikov Museums (Lenina Str. 98 and Karla Marksa Str. 36) are the museums of the one of the greatest Russian painters who was born and lived in Krasnoyarsk until he moved to Moscow to become a member of the National Academy of Arts. The first is a two-storey wooden house built in 1830 by the painter's father, Vasiliy Surikov was born and lived for many years in that house, the second is a later-built one-storey house holding many of his works.

* Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum (Dubrovinskogo Str. 84) is a recently restored monumental building in an ancient Egyptian style. It holds a lot of good exhibitions on the history of the Krasnoyarsk Krai as well as many archeological artifacts.

* Andrey Dubensky Monument (near Partizana Zheleznyaka Str. 1) located at the top of the Krasnyy Yar hill after which the city was named is a monument to the Cossack leader Andrey Dubensky who has founded the stockaded fort of Krasnyy Yar in 1628 by the order of Michael I. The monument was erected in 2003 to honour the 375th anniversary of the city.

* Flower monuments are located all over the city. Large figures (2–5m) made of flowers can be seen only in summer. The first figure is a Bear, it stands near the mayoralty building known for its modernist Big Ben-like clock, a family of Giraffes on the Lenina str. behind the Regional Government building knows as the Grey House (Серый дом), a Rooster near the Theater of Musical Comedy (Театр Музыкальной Комедии), a family of Elephants on the Kopylova (Копылова) str.

* Roev Ruchey Zoo (Роев ручей, Russian for Royev's Brook) is located westward of the entrance to the Stolby Nature Reserve (one bus stop further). It is a very good zoo, where animals live in good conditions, the city children and adults love to visit it throughout the whole year. Its animal collection is one of the richest in Russia. The most famous inhabitant is a polar bear called Sedov who was gifted to the zoo by the governor Alexander Khloponin in 2003.

Shimoda Travel Guides

2009-05-18T02:31:00.001-07:00

Shimoda Travel Guides

Shimoda (下田) is a city on the Izu Peninsula in Japan. Historically it is famous as the place where Commodore Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy arrived with his "black ships" in 1853. This led to the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa, effectively ending Japan's 200-year era of isolation from the outside world.

Shimoda is as far south as you can go by train on the Izu Peninsula. The train station is the terminal of the Izukyu Railway, and is officially known as Izukyu-Shimoda (伊豆急下田) station.

Odoriko (踊り子) trains make multiple daily runs from Tokyo station via the JR Tokaido Main Line. A one-way trip will generally take 2 3/4 hours at a cost of ¥5890. Holders of the national Japan Rail Pass will have to pay ¥2070 each way to travel over the Izukyu Railway, but if you have a JR East Rail Pass, the entire journey is fully covered. Note that some Odoriko trains also leave from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, and that the name of these trains may have different variants; the Super View Odoriko (スーパービュー踊り子), for example, has wider windows and makes fewer stops.

Local trains take slightly longer, with at least one change of trains required at Atami or Ito, but the cost is much cheaper (¥3780).

* A cable car takes you to the top of Mount Nesugata, 200 meters above sea level. From there you get a great view of Shimoda and you can also explore a small park with a temple. The price for a return ticket is ¥1200, including admission to the park. A printable discount ticket is available on the cable car's official site
* Shimoda Park is near the port, a 20-minute walk from the station. You can also take a bus headed for the Shimoda Aquarium which is next to the park. The park features a 1957 monument of the opening of US-Japan diplomatic relations, and plenty of flowers including thousands of hydrangeas that bloom in June.
* The temple of Ryosen-ji is a 25-minute walk south from the station. A supplementary treaty to the Kanagawa Treaty was signed here by Commodore Perry and representatives of the shogunate. Next to the temple is a museum with exhibitions about the arrival of foreigners in Japan, and even a collection of erotic Buddhist art. Admission to the museum is ¥500. Another temple, Choraku-ji, is close to Ryosen-ji and also worth a visit. It is the site of a trade treaty between Japan and Russia, signed in 1854.
* Cruises around the bay depart several times every day from the harbour. The 20-minute "Black Ship" cruise costs about ¥1000 and departs every half hour. Phone 0558 22-1151.

Chiapas travel guide

2009-04-04T04:35:00.001-07:00

Chiapas is a state on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

Cities

* Tuxtla Gutiérrez -- state capital - large, hot, relatively modern (Sam's Club, Office Depot, Wal-Mart), and home to one of the world's great zoos.
* San Cristobal de las Casas -- 7,000 ft., beautiful, Mayan, lots of handicrafts, small ex-pat community.
* Comitan -- surprisingly sophisticated.
* Tapachula -- the less said, the better.

Chiapas is about as far south as you can get in Mexico. It borders Guatemala on the southeast, the Pacific on the southwest, and the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Yucatan from west to northeast. It has a small international airport in the state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and is also connected by highways (some are toll roads, or cuota) with the surrounding states and Guatemala.

The easiest way to get around within cities is probably by private car, taxi, or colectivo. Colectivos are small vans or buses that are very cheap and follow specific routes. The main destinations on the route of each colectivo are listed on the right side of its windshield, though it is sometimes hard to tell if it is really going your way. Asking the driver usually works, but don't expect him or her to speak English.

Outside of cities, the best way to get around is by private car, bus (slow, with frequent stops), colectivo (a little more expensive than in the city), taxis, or pickups (camionetas). Taxis outside of cities charge very high rates if it is not their regular route, so make sure the driver knows you do not want a "viaje especial" (special trip). Sharing taxis is very common, and almost universal outside cities. The pickups that are for public transportation are usually identifiable. Try to get a seat in the cab, unless you enjoy being pressed against a large group of sweaty locals in the hot sun. Pickups are also fairly slow and make frequent stops, but they are faster than the bus.

Minneapolis travel guide

2009-03-24T16:24:00.001-07:00

Minneapolis travel guide

Minneapolis is part of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. At approximately 380,000 people, it is the largest city in Minnesota.

Districts

* Downtown.
* South Minneapolis. West Bank, Uptown, Lyn-Lake, and Seward neighborhoods.
* North Minneapolis.
* Northeast Minneapolis.
* Southeast Minneapolis. The Dinkytown area and the University of Minnesota campus.

Minneapolis was destined to be a center of commerce due to its location at the Falls of St. Anthony, which was named by the French explorer Louis Hennepin in 1680. St. Anthony Falls is by far the largest source of water power on the Mississippi River. The falls were harnessed to power lumber mills in the 1840s and later for flour milling. By 1870, Minneapolis on the west bank and St. Anthony on the east bank formed the largest flour producing center in the world. In 1872, Minneapolis absorbed its older neighbor. Most of the old St Anthony township is now known as Northeast Minneapolis. A small part of the old township comprises most of the current suburb of St. Anthony.

The name "Minneapolis", meaning "The City of Lakes" in a mash-up of the Dakota word minne and the Ancient Greek word polis, refers to the city's 22 natural lakes. The local jewels are the "Chain of Lakes": Cedar, Isles, Calhoun, Harriet, Nokomis, each 3-4 miles around. The city's excellent parks department maintains walking and biking paths around the lakes, offering residents a place to exercise or stroll. The Lake Harriet Bandshell is a popular summertime event host often featuring the renowned Minnesota Orchestra. Don't miss a ride on the restored trolley between Lakes Calhoun and Harriet operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum.

The city has done an excellent job fostering developed neighborhoods, each with a distinctive feel. Downtown is the visual anchor featuring the high-rise suites, sporting events (Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins all play downtown), and nightclub scene. Northeast is the oldest part of the city, showing off its working-class and immigrant roots in great ethnic food, neighborhood bars, and social clubs, and more recently home to an arts and riverfront redevelopment movement. Uptown historically has been one of the city's youth centers featuring funky food, drink, theater, and plenty of tattoos and mohawks, but is orienting more towards yuppies and young families as real estate anywhere near the lakes becomes an ever more prized commodity. Uptown and the Lakes area dissolves into quiet, tucked-away Linden Hills (a one-time bedroom community) to the south and Lyn-Lake, home to many indie stages, music-oriented cafes and boozers, and alternative lifestyles and hangouts of all sorts, to the east. The University of Minnesota's main campus straddles the Mississippi River in the southeast surrounded by the usual college campus environs.

See
The museums, natural parks and waterfronts, malls, shopping districts, and dining zones should give you several options no matter what your age.

* Holidazzle Parade. This impressive nighttime parade is held downtown Minneapolis several times a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Costumes--which have lights on them--often have themes including: Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, zoo animals, nursery rhymes, walking light bulbs (a crowd favorite!), Santa Claus and others.

Oak Island travel guide

2009-03-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

Oak Island travel guide

Oak Island is a city in North Carolina.

See

* Oak Island Lighthouse, located at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oak Island in Caswell Beach was completed in 1958 and stands 169 ft.

* Oak Island Nature Center & Register Park, Overlooking the marsh and Intracoastal Waterway, located at E Yacht Dr and NE 52nd St the Oak Island Nature Center offers a wide range of educational activities for children and adults alike.

Animals at the Nature Center as of 6/28/2008: dove, blue jay, boat-tailed grackle, 2 parakeets, 4 ferrets, 5 sugar gliders, chinchilla, guinea pig, flying squirrel, rat and 3 opossums. (Open: Wed-Sun noon-5pm)

* Old Brunswick Town, a colonial site dating from 1726-1776, served as a Cape Fear River Port that was the major export of Naval stores and the location of the Stamp Act Rebellion.

* Orton Plantation & Gardens, located about halfway between Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, on the west bank of the Cape Fear River. It has been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films.

* Silver Coast Winery, Coastal North Carolina's premier producer of premium wines. A lovely setting, its the perfect place to learn wines, have a picnic and enjoy art by local artists.

* The Fort Fisher Civil War Museum, remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865.

* The North Carolina Aquarium, explore environments where sharks and sea turtles glide.

* USS Battleship North Carolina, The NORTH CAROLINA is preserved just as she was in World War II. She has been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films.

Paris

2009-03-23T14:14:00.001-07:00

Paris

Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is - with 2.2 million people living in zone 1 (Central Paris) and another 9.9 million people in the suburbs (la banlieue) - one of the largest cities in Europe. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière), it is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Paris started life as the Celto-Roman settlement of Lutetia on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine currently occupied by the Cathédral de Nôtre Dame. It takes its present name from name of the dominant Gallo-Celtic tribe in the region, the Parisii. At least that's what the Romans called them, when they showed up in 52 BC and established their city Lutetia on the left bank of the Seine, in what is now called the "Latin Quarter" in the 5th arrondissement.

The Romans held out here for as long as anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 AD they were gone, replaced by Clovis of the Franks, who is considered by the French to have been their first king. Clovis' descendants, aka the Carolingians, held onto the expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking raids and other calamities, which finally resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which had been the center of the original Celtic village. The Capetian Duke of Paris was voted to succeed the last of the Carolingians as King of France, insuring the city a premier position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded onto the right bank into what was and is still called le Marais (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings from this time can be seen in the 4th arrondissement.

The medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centers for learning in Europe -- if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in the 5th, and 13th arrondissements.

In the late 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, during which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights. Notable events during and following the revolution were the storming of the Bastille 4th arrondissements, and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil that was the French Revolution, sparked by the still known Passion des Francais, emerged the enlightened modern day France.

The Paris of today was built long after the Capetian and later the Bourbon Kings of France made their mark on Paris with the Louvre and the Palais Royal, both in the 1st. In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding the long straight avenues and replacing many of the then existing medieval houses, with grander and more uniform buildings.

New wonders arrived during La Belle Époque, as the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first metro lines, most of the parks, and the streetlights (which are partly believed to have given the city its epithet "the city of light") all come from this period. Another source of the epithet comes from Ville Lumière, a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also to the prominence and aura of Enlightenment the city gained in that era.

The twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Hitler's order to burn the city was thankfully ignored by the German General von Choltitz who was quite possibly convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the savior of Paris, than to be remembered as its destroyer. Following the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the 1970s and 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed experiments in urban renewal.

During this time however, Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all corners of the world, especially La Francophonie, including most of northern and western Africa as well as Vietnam and Laos. These immigrants brought their foods and music, both of which are of prime interest for many travelers. Today there are more nationalities represented in Paris than even in New York (over 100).

Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the arrival of people from Latin America, especially Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. In the late 1990s, it was hard to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possibilities from lowly taquerias in the outer arrondissements to nice sit-down restaurants on the boulevards. Meanwhile Latin music from salsa to samba is all the rage (well, alongside Paris lounge electronica).

The 21st century has also seen vast improvements in the general livability of Paris, with the Mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, larger pedestrian districts and newer faster metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of these policies as much as the Parisians themselves are.

Lawas

2009-03-23T14:10:00.001-07:00

Lawas

Lawas is a small frontier town in the northeastern corner of Sarawak state in Malaysian Borneo. The town is located in a strip of Sarawak territory sandwiched between the Temburong district of Brunei and Malaysia's Sabah state. It is cut off from the rest of Sarawak and is more easily accessed from Sabah.

The town does not have many attractions to interest the traveller but you may find yourself here if you are travelling overland between Sabah and Sarawak. Quiet and peaceful, Lawas is quite pleasant if you have to stop for a day or two.

Lawas is also the starting point for the logging road to Ba Kelalan in the Sarawak Highlands.

Bowen Island travel guide

2009-03-23T14:03:00.001-07:00

Bowen Island travel guide

Bowen Island is a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, connected to Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland by a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

Most people will arrive at Bowen Island by boat. BC Ferries runs a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver's North Shore to Snug Cove on the island. The ferry takes 20 minutes and generally runs hourly (except early afternoon). There are 15-16 trips a day with the first ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay at 6:05 am. Fare is $8 in the summer (adult foot passenger) and $7.75 at other times, bicycles are $1.50 and a car is $25.

There is a local bus service that will take you around to most parts of the island, however it runs infrequently. An information centre is located a minute's walk up the main street from the ferry dock (turn right just before the library). The centre is run by Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce, and provides lots of information on Bowen Island accommodation and activities.

See

* Wander around the village of Snug Cove.
* Visit one of the small beaches on the island. There are a couple near Snug Cove; others are scattered around the island and require transportation to get to.
* Visit Crippen Regional Park. Open every day, 8AM - 9PM in the summer (8AM - dusk at other times of the year). The park has some heritage buildings, a fish ladder, picnic sites and trails for walking, cycling and horseback riding. It is accessible from the main street in Snug Cove.

Rameswaram travel guide

2009-03-19T17:22:00.001-07:00

Rameswaram travel guide

Rameswaram is a town in Tamil Nadu.

* Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple - this temple situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned for its magnificent prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars on either side. The longest corridor in the world is here and it is 197 metres long from East to West and is 133 metres wide from South-North. The temple has a Gopuram 38.4 metres tall. Different rulers built the temple as it stands today, at different periods from the 12th century A.D. Pooja is performed for an hour early morning daily to the Spadikalingamthat was given by the Shankaracharya to this temple. There is a popular belief that one needs to take bath in 22 theertha kundams with in the temple premises before having darshan. There many guides who will attack us as soon as we enter the temple premises. One needs to negotiate the deal of how much to pay them if we need their services. It is believed that the water from these kundams have some medicinal properties.

The history of the temple is linked with "Ramayan" and it is believed the the diety is installed by Lord Rama after the war with Ravana at te instance of the great saints to get rid of the "Brahma Dosham".

* Agnitheertham - Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing. The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham. Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore.

* Gandamadana Parvatham - is a hillock situated 3 km away and is the highest point in the island. Here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.

* Sugreevar Temple/Theertham - is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan Kendra.

* Satchi Hanuman Temple - is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita. Situated 3 km from the main temple, on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

* Badrakaliamman Temple - is a temple for Devi Durga, situated 2 km from the main temple on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

* The Five-faced Hanuman Temple (2 km from themain temple) - the deity of Hanuman drawn withsenthooram. Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanumanbrought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone were placed here. Thefloating stone, used to build theSethuBandanamor the bridge between India and Lanka can be found inthis temple.

* JadaTheertham (about 3.5 km from Rameswaram on the Dhanushkodi road) - legend has it that Lord Rama, on his way back after killing Ravana, Worshipped SriRamalinga (believed to be installed by him). Before doing so, he washed his hair(Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.

* Nambu Nayagiamman Temple - is greatly venerated by the people of Ramnad District. It is situated 8 km from the main temple in Rameswaram on the way to Dhanushkodi.

* Kothandaramaswamy Temple - is located 12 km away from Rameswaram. A popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here.

* Dhanushkodi (18 km) - the southern tip of the island, Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. This is a strip of land about one km wide and 18 km long on the eastern end of Rameswaram island. On one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other the waters of the Bay of Bengal. The two seas otherwise known as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi with their confluence is shaped like a bow while the strip of land resemble an arrow poised for release. Devout Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead, a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is also place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life.

* Villoondi Theertham - is situated 7 km from the main temple on the way to Pamban.

* Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (12 km) - is also known as the Pamban Bridge that connects the Rameswaram island with the main land. It is the longest sea bridge in India and its length is nearly 2.2 km and stands as a fine example for Indian architecture. The bridge was constructed with sufficient elevation. The islands near by and parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from this bridge.

It is very important for you to know the correct procedure to offer Pooja at the main temple. Temple management allow only hindus to perform this pooja. It is advisable to hire a guide one day in advance, who could assist you in Teerth Snanam and getting Pujari in main Pooja. Doing everything on own is a little painful process. Generally, guide charges Rs 400-500 for everything. Pooja at main temple is a 4 step process:

1.Mani Darshanam: One should watch the Sphatic(Emerald) mani first thing in the morning at main temple. Darshan timings are 4:00 - 5:00 a.m. You should not take a bath before Mani Darhanam. There is a special entrance of Rs 50/- but it is advisable to stand in the general queue of Rs 10/- which counter intuitively moves faster.

2.Samudra Snanam: After Mani Darshan, you should walk down to Samudram(Sea) for Snanam(taking bath). Sea is half a kilometer away from the temple. Sea is very peaceful and shallow here without any tides at all. Mythological story says that Samudram surrendered before Lord Rama during his attack to Lanka and since then it is calm.

3.Teerth Snanam: After Samudra Snanam directly proceed to temple for Teerth snanam(Holy bath). Needless to say that don't change clothes or dry yourself as you have to bathe again. Temple has 23 wells, that are supposed to contain holy water from different holy places. You need to sequentially take bath at each place. Your guide will arrange for an attendant for you who would help you at each well. Attendant would pull the water from each well and pour it on on you. Admission fees for this is Rs 10/- and Rs 2/- per well is service fees of attendant.

4.Main Pooja: After Teerth Snanam, you can change your clothes and dry yourself. There are different prices for different kind of pooja. Basic one starts with Rs 111/- Your guide will arrange for the Pujari(Priest), who will do some rituals. Then he will offer milk,grass, leaves, etc to Lord Shiva on your behalf in main temple. You can view all this sitting in front at a price of Rs 500/- special darshan ticket. After the main Pooja, he will tell you the story of Rameswaram. He will also ask you to recite some shlokas after him. Pujari charges around Rs 500-600 for his services.

Xalapa travel guide

2009-03-19T17:18:00.001-07:00

Xalapa travel guide

Xalapa is the capital of Veracruz in Mexico.

Xalapa is a college town that enjoys some fine colonial architecture as well as a nice climate in the highlands above the hot and humid Veracruz coast. It is a hilly town with a smart population hence it is sometimes considered to be the San Francisco of Mexico. Home to a considerable number of expatriates and foreign exchange students, the town really isn't on the typical backpacker/tourist path through Mexico.

Museo de Arqueología (Archaeology Museum): a beautifully-designed museum of the cultures of Veracruz. Avenida Xalapa. A worthy rival to the more famous archaeological museum in Mexico City.

Northwest New Mexico travel guide

2009-03-19T17:14:00.001-07:00

Northwest New Mexico travel guide

Northwest New Mexico is a region in the state of New Mexico in the United States. It is notable for desert scenery, Four Corners (the only point in the United States where four states meet), and a large part of Navajo Nation, the country's largest Indian reservation.

Towns

* Crownpoint
* Cuba
* El Morro
* Farmington with nearby Aztec, Bloomfield and Shiprock
* Gallup
* Grants
* Zuni Pueblo

This region is bounded on the north by Colorado and the west by Arizona. Southern and eastern boundaries are indistinct. For purposes of this article, everything south of Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) is considered to be in southwestern New Mexico, with the exceptions of El Malpais National Monument owing to its association with the definitely northwestern town of Grants, and Zuni Pueblo owing to its location amid outlying sections of Navajo Nation. The eastern boundary is taken to be the Continental Divide north of US highway 550 and the Nacimiento Mountains south of it; areas east of this boundary are covered in the article on north central New Mexico.

This is a rugged, dry area lacking the high mountains that give the north central region more rain, vegetation and scenery more commonly associated with Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. However, there is still spectacular scenery. Shiprock on the territory of Navajo Nation near the town of the same name is one of New Mexico's most cherished landmarks and appears on much of the state's tourist propaganda.

A good scenic drive that gives the traveler a sense of the rugged desolation of this region is US 550 between Gallup and the town of Shiprock. This road appears as US 666 on some maps and was long known as "The Devil's Highway." Take a few minutes at the northern end of the drive and get a photo or two of Shiprock, the amazing volcanic formation that gives the northern terminus of this road its name.

Puerto Vallarta travel guide

2009-03-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Puerto Vallarta travel guide

Puerto Vallarta is a city and popular vacation resort on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta's charm makes the resort famous around the world. Along with its cobblestone streets, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, lush Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival, new golf courses and vibrant culture, Puerto Vallarta is a vacationer's paradise that has maintained its unique Old Mexico charm despite the addition of these modern conveniences.

Around the Bay, beautiful beaches, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls offer many opportunities for the adventurous, while five star resorts, world-class shopping and gourmet restaurants satisfy even the most sophisticated traveler. Stretching from the south end of Old Town to central downtown, a newly extended and refurbished boardwalk along the ocean, called the Malecon, passes by any number of shops, restaurants, and hotels, and often plays host to mimes, breakdancers, clowns and artists.

The residents of Puerto Vallarta are very friendly and generally willing to help with directions and other requests. Old Town Vallarta (or the Zona Romantica district) south of the River Cuale is more like a Mexican town and less like a tourist trap.

See

Beautiful Banderas Bay, one of the largest and deepest in the world, may be admired from many of the surrounding hills exuberant in lush vegetation. Located right at the mouth of the Bay, straddling both sides of the River Cuale lays a charming and picturesque little town with true Mexican spirit, Puerto Vallarta.

For those who just want to relax, Puerto Vallarta's many golden sand beaches offer one of the best ways to experience the beauty and magic of the Bay of Banderas. A section of the beach called The Blue Chairs is the focal point of the gay village.

To the North, the hills give way a little. Here you will find mile-long stretches of golden sand beaches, rich plantations of papaya and mango and, tucked back along tumbling rivers and streams, small villages where life seems to move at a different pace. There are many different ways to explore the Bay.

To the South, the hills cascade towards the sea creating a rich palette that mixes the vivid green foliage with the deep blues of the water. At their feet nestle secluded coves and small fishing villages, many of which are still accessible only by sea.

To the East, the jungle clad Sierra Madre Mountains, which quickly rise to over 8,000 feet, encircle and protect the town from the winds and regulate the semi-tropical and humid weather.

And, to the West, the Bay of Banderas is home to a wide variety of aquatic life. Humpback whales come here to mate every year from December to March, and sea turtles nest on the beaches from May to October. Schools of dolphins and giant manta rays also inhabit these waters. The Bay and the Marietas Islands offer an amazing kaleidoscope of tropical fish, attracting snorkelers, scuba divers and sport fishermen alike.

Tarragona travel guide

2009-03-17T14:38:00.001-07:00

Tarragona travel guide

Tarragona is the first large seaside town south of Barcelona. The town also offers a number of historical sites including churches from several different periods and a well preserved Roman colosseum. The town itself has the usual Spanish assortment of plazas sprinkled with cafes and tapas bars. Tarragona is a good choice if you only have a day or two to get out of Barcelona, otherwise the beaches further south or the remoter seaside villages to the north of Barcelona offer a more unique experience.

Tarragona is on the main train line between Barcelona (1 hrs) and Alicante (2-3hrs), and also on the main line between Barcelona and Madrid (4 hrs). Note that it's best to buy train tickets a few days ahead during the high season to avoid getting stuck in one place. However, you always have the chance to take a stop-train, which is reasonable when coming from Barcelona (it takes basically the same time).

All of Tarragona's sites are within walking distance of the train station. Taxis and local trains can take you further.

See

* Tarraco UNESCO World Heritage Site complex of Roman ruins including colosseum.
* Universitat Rovira i Virgili
* The beaches are north of town. Avoid pollution from the town's larger shipping port (one of the biggest in Spain) by walking a ways up the beach. There is a nice walk following the shoreline, about 6-7 km long, where you will find the five main beaches and several smaller ones.
* Churches
* Plazas
* Museum of Archeology
* Casc antic (old part of the city)

Chiayi travel guide

2009-03-16T16:20:00.001-07:00

Chiayi travel guide

Chiayi (嘉義), also spelled Jiayi, is the main city of Chiayi County, southern Taiwan.

Chiayi is best known as the access point of the scenic mountain area of Alishan. The city itself has little to recommend: it's a cluster of unremarkable lowrise houses crammed tightly together, with uneven pavements and, especially in summer, the smell of sewage wafting up through the cracks.

HSR Chiayi (Taibao) station is on the high-speed line between Taipei (1:30 hours, $1080) and Kaohsiung. The HSR station is over 15 km out of town, but linked to the city by the Chiayi BRT system.

Chiayi is also served by mainline TRA trains and the scenic narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway to Alishan, which both leave from the same station, but have separate ticketing counters. Long-distance buses leave from the terminal immediately outside the station, but local buses (notably those to nearby hot spring town Guanzihling) use the Zhongshan Rd bus terminal a few hundred meters down the street.

Chiayi Park and Botanical Gardens are a lovely way to spend the afternoon. The Botanical Gardens provide pleasant trails that weave you through a large variety of plants and trees native to the area. Ponds hold koi, turtles, and frogs. You can even see hints of a traditional cemetery through the trees in some places. Chiayi park is well-maintained and serves as a center of activity for local adults and children.

Cape Carteret travel guide

2009-03-16T16:16:00.001-07:00

Cape Carteret travel guide

Cape Carteret is a town of 1,214 people (as of 2000) in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina. Like Newport, it's mainly a residential community, even though it's right on the water and boasts some very nice views of the sound. Basically, you're not likely to stay here or to eat here, or really even to do very much here, but there's a good chance you might be passing through.

Cape Carteret is at the junction of NC-58, which runs from Maysville across Bogue Banks to Morehead City, and NC-24, which runs between Fayetteville and Morehead City. It's also a short drive from US-70, the main road in the region, and US-17, which connects Wilmington to New Bern.

Montserrat travel guide

2009-03-15T16:32:00.001-07:00

Montserrat travel guide

Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico. A former popular resort, it is recovering from a hurricane and volcanic activity from the 1980s and 1990s.

Cities
* Brades (de facto capital)
* Davy Hill
* Gerald's
* Little Bay
* Old Towne
* Olveston
* Plymouth (official capital, abandoned)
* Saint John's
* Salem
* Sweeney's
* Woodlands

Once a popular get-away destination (especially after Beatles producer George Martin opened a studio here), Montserrat has been hit hard by the four elements, both from without and from within. First the wind and waves of hurricane Hugo swept through in 1989, damaging 90% of the island's structures. Then the earth and fire welled up in 1995, with the volcano of Soufriere Hills forcing the long-term evacuation of 2/3 of the island's population, and catastrophically closing the airports and seaports in June 1997. The capital of Plymouth was covered by 40 feet of ash, and much of the south end of the island is now uninhabitable.

Government offices have since been set up in Brades on the northwest shore of the island, out of harm's way. Much of the island's population has returned, with estimates ranging from 4,700 to 9,500, compared to the pre-Hugo/Soufriere high of over 12,000.

Proof of citizenship is required. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and CARICOM citizens may present a driver's license or other government photo ID; all others require passports. Visitors from Cuba require visas, obtainable from British Consulate offices. All visitors must have tickets for departure, proof of accommodations, and funds to cover their expenses while on Montserrat.

Several tour operators in Antigua offer day excursions to Montserrat, including observation of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Charter helicopters from Antigua offer another way to view the volcano.

Slovenia travel guide

2009-03-15T16:28:00.001-07:00

Slovenia travel guide

Slovenia (Slovenija) is a country in Central Europe that lies in the eastern Alps at the northeastern end of the Adriatic Sea, with Austria to the north, Italy to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the south. Despite its small size, Slovenia has a surprising variety of terrain, ranging from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Julian Alps, to the rolling hills of the south. Slovenia was already more economically advanced than other "East Block" nations prior to European integration and the powerhouse of Tito's Yugoslavia. Added the fact that Slovenia is also home to some of the finest scenery in the "New Europe", the transition from socialism to the european common market economy has gone well and serves as a model for other nations on the same track to follow.

Regions
* Julian Alps - grand mountains on the Italian border
* Ljubljana Area - the capital and surroundings
* Coast and Karst - the Adriatic coastline and inland caves
* Lower Styria - Maribor, Pohorje, and surroundings
* Savinjska - alpine valleys
* Pomurje - countryside along the Mura river in the northeast
* Lower Carniola - Dolenjska and Bela Krajina
* Upper Carniola - Kranj and Kamniške-Savinjske Alps
* Posavje - region along the lower Sava and Krka rivers
* Zasavje - central Slovenia, east of the capital

Cities
* Ljubljana - the picturesque pint-sized capital
* Domžale
* Izola - port
* Idrija - the oldest Slovenian mining city, with more than 500 years of history
* Celje - one of Slovenia's oldest cities
* Kranj
* Maribor — Slovenia's second largest city
* Nova Gorica - the city literary on the border with Italy
* Novo Mesto
* Brežice - lovely medieval city close to the largest Slovenian thermal resort
* Piran - port
* Portorož — Beaches, casinos and package tourism
* Ptuj - one of Slovenia's oldest cities - pronounced "P-too-ee"
* Slovenj Gradec
* Velenje
* Koper - industrial port city with a Venetian old city

Slavic ancestors of Slovenians came from eastern parts of Europe and inhabitated territory north of present Slovenian territory in 6. century AD. They established a state called Caranthania (Karantanija in Slovene), which was an early example of parliamentary democracy in Europe. The ruler (knez in Slovene) was elected by popular vote. The Caranthanians were later defeated by Bavarians and Franks who subordinated them. They were christianized, but they preserved many rituals of their pagan religion, and above all they preserved their native language. The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria under Habsburg dynasty until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new south-Slavic state ruled by Serbian Karadjordjević dynasty called Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians ("Kraljevina Srbov, Hrvatov in Slovencev" in Slovene), renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. In WWII Slovenia was invaded and occupied by Germans, Italians and Hungarians, leading to a parallel civil war between pro-communist liberation forces (Partizani) and catholic Nazi-collaborator factions (Belogardisti, Domobranci). The victory of the Allies and consequentlly the Partizans resulted in a massive exodus of members of those who had collaborated with the occupying forces. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic in the reestablished Yugoslavia, which although Communist, distanced itself from the Soviet bloc and small territorial gains were made from Italy. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power in Belgrade, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 with minimal bloodshed. In 2004, Slovenia joined the European Union and NATO. Most recently Slovenia adopted the Euro in 2007, completing a quick and efficient accession to Europe and the EU.

Ishigaki travel guide

2009-03-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ishigaki travel guide

Ishigaki (石垣) is second-largest but most populated of the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, Japan.

Ishigaki has 45,000 of Yaeyama's 50,000 people and is thus the political, economic and transport hub of the islands. Most of these live in central Ishigaki, known for lack of a better name in Japanese as shigaichi (市街地 "city streets"), chushin (中心 "center") or just machi (町 "town"). The main districts are Ōkawa (大川) and Misakichō (美崎町) and the main roads are Sanbashi-dōri (桟橋通り), leading north from the port, Shiyakusho-dōri (市役所通り), running west-east along the coast, and Yui Road (ゆいロード), running parallel a few blocks north.

Other population centers on Ishigaki are Kabira (川平), by the bay of the same name on the northwest coast, and Shiraho (白保), at the southeast corner. Much of the island, particularly the central mountains and the scenic northeastern peninsula, is quite sparsely settled.

* Kabira Bay　(川平湾 Kabira-wan). At the northwest corner of the island is this stunning emerald blue bay with a perfect yellow-white beach, dotted by craggy islands — but no swimming allowed, so the closest you can get is a glass-bottom boat tour (¥1000, 30 min). You can walk along the coast from bay to bay, but beware of the fast-moving tides that may trap you if you dally too much in the evening.
o The best free landside views are from Kabira Park (川平公園 Kabira-kōen), a promenade complete with viewing pavilion that stretches along the coast above the beach itself.

* Sukuji Beach (底地ビーチ), 2 km west of Kabira. One kilometer of white sand beach, equipped with changing rooms, showers, toilets and other essentials.

* Yonehara (米原). Offers nice sand and better coral reefs within easy snorkeling distance. Gear rental and a campground too.

* Tōjinbaka (唐人墓), Tōjin no haka stop on the Kabira Resort Line. This ornately decorated Chinese-style "Tang People's Grave" commemorates the sorry fate of some 400 Hokkien Chinese coolies, who mutinied and ran aground on Ishigaki on their way to California. Pursued by the English navy, those captured were killed, so many headed into the mountains where they starved or committed suicide, and only a lucky few were taken under the wing of friendly locals and protected.

o Nearby is also a newer (2001) bilingual monument of angular concrete, dedicated to three Americans shot down over Ishigaki in April 1945, during the closing days of World War II. After being captured and tortured, two were beheaded and one was used for bayonet practice, and monument duly notes that such things are not fair play according to the Geneva Convention.

* Kannonzaki Lighthouse (観音崎灯台 Kannonzaki-tōdai). A little lighthouse on a little cape, not open to the public but there's a little park and viewing pavilion next to it. Not worth much of a detour but conveniently located across the road from Tōjinbaka.

* Kannon-dō Temple (観音堂). Rounding out the trio of low-key attractions around Tōjinbaka is this quiet Okinawan-style wooden temple, with a grand lantern-lined staircase but little to see when you get there. The toilets, however, are kept in excellent shape.

East London travel guide

2009-03-10T10:25:00.001-07:00

East London travel guide

East London is a City in the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

East London is situated on the east coast of South Africa, boasting the only deep water river harbour. Buffalo City Local Municipality incorporates East London, Bhisho and King William's Town, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha. and smaller surrounding towns too. Though the renaming is official most people still refer it still as East London. The East London Airport code is still ELS which references to the old naming. However the airport too will undergo a name change in the near future.

In 1938 the then curator of the town museum found an unusual fish in the catch of a local fishing vessel. The fish turned out to be a prehistoric Coelacanth, long thought to be extinct.

* East Londoners are fortunate enough to have access to an amazing coast line with white sand beaches and excellent surfing spots like Nahoon Reef. "Vaalies" (as visitors from Gauteng, formerly Transvaal, are called) flock down to East London for sun, sea and sand over the Christmas/New Year and Easter periods.
* The City Hall, in Oxford Street, is one of the proudest landmarks the City has to offer which hasn't been vandalized.
* The East London Harbour is the only natural deep-water port South Africa has. There are restaurants along the waterfront, like the Ballyhoo Bistro, where you can enjoy a very affordable meal with a view of the harbour and the moored yachts right before you. The Ballyhoo offers river cruises and caters for parties and general events.

Southeast Asia travel guide

2009-03-10T10:17:00.003-07:00

Southeast Asia travel guide

Southeast Asia is a collection of dissimilar but not unrelated states squeezed between the twin giants of India and China. The area has long been a favorite corner of the world for globe-tramping backpackers, well-known for its perfect beaches, tasty cuisine, low prices, and good air connections.

* Brunei - tiny oil-rich sultanate in Borneo

* Cambodia - recovering from decades of war and home of Angkor

* East Timor - one of the world's newest states, at the eastern tip of Indonesia

* Indonesia - the giant, the largest archipelagic country in the world, with more than 18,000 islands
* Laos - the forgotten, but growing, country of South-East Asia, landlocked by Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

* Malaysia - multicultural country covering the skyscrapers of KL and the jungle headhunters of Borneo

* Myanmar (Burma) - military dictatorship open to the adventurous traveller

* Philippines - freewheeling former Spanish and American colony with over 7,100 islands and beautiful tropical beaches

* Singapore - clean and orderly island-city state

* Thailand - the most popular destination in the region

* Vietnam - firmly marching down the long road to capitalism

Southeast Asia is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and for a reason. Some of the countries here have it all: a tropical climate, warm (or hot!) all year around, rich culture, gorgeous beaches, wonderful food and last but not least, low prices. While its history and modern-day politics are complex, most of it is also quite safe for the traveller and easy to travel around in.

Southeast Asian history is very diverse and often tumultous, and has to an important extent been shaped by European colonialism. The very term Southeast Asia was invented by American Naval strategists around 1940. Southeast Asia was prior to WWII referred to with reference to the colonial powers; farther India for Burma and Thailand, with reference to the main British colony of India, although Thailand was never formally colonized; Indochina referred to the French colonies of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and Indonesia and parts of maritime Southeast Asia was referred to as the Dutch East Indies. The Philippines on the other hand was colonized by Spain for 333 years and by the United States for 44 years.

Pre-historic Southeast Asia was largely underpopulated. A process of immigration from India across the Bay of Bengal is referred to as the process of Indianization. Exactly how and when it happened is contested; however, the population of the mainland region largely happened through immigration from India. The Sanskrit script still used as the basis for modern Thai, Burmese and Khmer has its roots from this process. One the other hand, population of the archipelegos of Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Malaysia on the mainland is thought to have come about though immigration from Taiwan.

For at least two thousand years (and to this day), Southeast Asia has been a conduit for trade between India and China, but large-scale Chinese immigration only began with the advent of the colonial era. In Singapore, the Chinese form a majority of the population, but there are substantial Chinese minorities, assimilated to varying degrees, across all countries in the region.

It's difficult to choose favorites from a region as varied as Southeast Asia, but picking one representative sight per country:

* The awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
* The eerie, continually erupting volcanoes of Mount Bromo in Indonesia
* The laid-back former royal capital of Luang Prabang in Laos
* The surreal mix of modernity and tradition in Malaysia's capital-to-be Putrajaya
* The limestone cliffs, azure waters and perfect beaches of Krabi in Thailand
* The colorful ethnic districts of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam in Singapore
* The delightfully well-preserved ancient trading port of Hoi An in Vietnam

Nigeria travel guide

2009-03-10T10:10:00.001-07:00

Nigeria travel guide

Nigeria is a country in equatorial West Africa. It is the continent's most populous nation. It has a southern coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, and has Benin to the west, Cameroon to the southeast, Chad to the northeast, and Niger to the north. It is the largest oil producer and second largest economy in Africa.

Varies; equatorial in the south, tropical in the center, arid in the north. Natural hazards include periodic droughts and flooding. Tornadoes and hurricanes are rare because they typically are weak at this stage and travel west of the Atlantic. But still beautiful.

Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in the southeast, plains in the north. The Niger river enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea.

On 12 December 1991, the capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja.

Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in May 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the Yar'adua administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability.

Nigeria is a fairly dangerous destination. Crime levels are high, particularly in Lagos.

The Niger delta area is unsafe for tourists. There is continual low-level violence between government and separatist groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers.

The waters outside Nigeria is one of the most likely places to be attacked by modern day pirates.

Be aware of street salesmen. Actually, you could buy a lot of stuff while you drive your car but it's not recommended. Most of the merchandise will be Chinese copies of known brands like "Duracell" batteries and such.

If you have family that live in Nigeria, we advise that you do not stay with them during the tenure. The reason is because once rebels find out that someone from Western countries (America, England, France) is arriving, they rampage the homes and possibly injure or kill the inhabitants of the home.

Salt Spring Island travel guide

2009-03-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

Salt Spring Island travel guide

Salt Spring Island is in Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia in Canada. Salt Spring (Saltspring, one word, by everyone local) is the largest both in area and population of the Southern Gulf Islands. The population has grown from about 10,000 to 13,000 in the past five years with the influx of baby boomer retirees (many Canadian-American from California) and Alberta oil patch money. There are many more seasonal and part time residents.

Salt Spring Island was first called Saltspring (one word) Island by Governor James Douglas in 1853. He believed that the Salt Springs in the North of the Island would bring great wealth to the Island. It was also known by a few other names during the early years: Klaathem (Cowichan Indian word for Salt), Chuam, Tuam, and Admiral Island. Saltspring was the official name as recorded by the Geographic Board of Canada in 1905. However, Canada Post and many locals used (and still use) the name Salt Spring (2 words) Island . It is frequently abbreviated as SSI.

Salt Spring Island was first settled in 1859, primarily by farmers. In the early years it was settled by many different groups including a number of African-Americans and then a number of Hawaiians and settled on Salt Spring and a number of other gulf islands. In the 1960's and 1970's there was a large influx of back to the landers who lived either in informal communes or squatted. Many of these people have settled and have become a large part of the culture of Salt Spring. Since the 1970's Salt Spring has attracted a large number of artists, and has become more and more of a tourist destination and retirement spot for the wealthy. This dichotomy of large developments for the hordes of people who want to get away from the development of the city has created a certain amount of conflict. However the island is still primarily characterized by the artists and farmers.

Artist Studio Tour, get the Salt Spring Studio Tour map on ferry. This is a self guided tour of over 30 different artist studios. The hours and days vary from artist to artist. This is also a very good map of Salt Spring Island. Artists studios vary from painters, sculptures, potters to speciality cheese makers. Most artists studios are open May to September, some are available year around.

Ireland travel guide

2009-03-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

Ireland travel guide

Ireland, known popularly as the Emerald Isle, is an island in north-western Europe which has been divided politically since 1920. The Republic of Ireland, the primary focus of this article, is a nation state in the British Isles. It constitutes the main portion of the island and is bounded to the northeast by Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.

The island of Ireland historically consists of 32 counties, of which six, collectively known as Northern Ireland, have remained as part of the United Kingdom since the rest of Ireland gained independence in 1922. The name "Ireland" applies to the island as a whole, but is also the official name in English of the independent state (i.e., the 26 counties which are not part of the United Kingdom), since 1937. The name Republic of Ireland is commonly used to distinguish the Republic from the North. In the United Kingdom, 'Southern Ireland' is the commonly used term for the Republic, despite the fact that Northern Ireland occupies only a small portion of the island's landmass; 'Southern Ireland' thus occupies about 70 % of the area of Ireland.

Celtic tribes settled on the island in the 4th century B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian Boru defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the early 12th century and set in place Ireland's uneasy position within England's sphere of influence. The Act of Union of 1800 - in which Catholics, 90% of the Irish population, were excluded from Parliament - saw Ireland joining the United Kingdom. In the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century the subject of Irish home rule was a major debate within the British parliament. After several failed attempts, a Home Rule bill finally passed through parliament in 1914 though the start of the first world war saw its indefinite postponement. A failed rebellion on Easter Monday in 1916 showed a hint of things to come with years of civil war to follow beginning with the Irish war of independence (1919-1921) and continuing with the Irish civil war (1922-1923).

Eventually a somewhat stable situation emerged with the independence of 26 of Ireland's counties; the remaining six, located in the north of the country comprising two-thirds of the ancient province of Ulster, remained part of the United Kingdom — a status that has continued to the present day. In 1949 the Republic of Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth.

Ireland's history post-partition has been marked with violence, a period known as "The Troubles" generally regarded as beginning in the 1960s saw large scale confrontation between opposing paramilitary groups seeking to either keep Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom or bring it into the Republic of Ireland. The Troubles saw many ups and downs in intensity of fighting and on many occasions they even spread to terrorist attacks in Britain. Both the government of the UK and Ireland were opposed to the terrorist groups. A peace settlement known as the Good Friday Agreement was finally approved in 1998 and is currently being implemented. All signs point to this agreement being lasting.

Though a relatively poor country for much of the 20th century Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 (at the same time as the United Kingdom) and since then has seen massive economic growth placing it amongst Europe's richest countries today.

* Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) - the capital and the country's largest city. With excellent pubs, fine architecture and good shopping, Dublin is a very popular tourist destination and is the fourth most visited European capital.
* Cork (Corcaigh) - second largest city in the Republic of Ireland - located on the banks of the River Lee. Founded c.600 by St. Finbarre and known for good food, pubs, shopping and festivals.
* Galway (Gaillimh) - a city on the river Corrib on the west coast of Ireland. Famous for its festivals and its location on Galway Bay. Known as the City of Tribes, Galway's summer is filled with festivals of music, food, Gaelic language and culture. Galway hosts over fifty festivals a year, including the Galway Oyster Festival. The locals seem to give off a positive Bohemian vibe. Galway is split between two types of beautiful landscape: the gorgeous mountains to the west, and the east's farming valleys.
* Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) - attractive medieval town, known as the Marble City - home to the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, held annually in early June.
* Letterkenny - Main town in County Donegal, designated gateway status and reputed to be the fastest growing town in Europe. Good base for traveling in Donegal.
* Limerick (Luimneach) - a city on the river Shannon in the south-west of the country.
* Sligo (Town and County)- Home to W.B. Yeats, internationally renowned poet. Mountains and beaches, scenery in general are the best points of Sligo.
* Waterford (Port Láirge) - Ireland's oldest city. In the south-east and close to the ferry port at Rosslare. Waterford is a popular visit for those who want to learn more about the most ancient history of Ireland. It is quite possibly one of the best cities in the country as it is not too large and is full of history. Many festivals take place throughout the year including ((Spraoi)). The food is good and the Granary Museum is the best for ancient Irish history in the country. Don't forget to try a blaa before you leave. (A floury bread bun peculiar to this area of Ireland).
* Wexford - Town and county in the "Sunny South-East"

Aviemore travel guide

2009-03-05T04:12:00.001-08:00

Aviemore travel guide

Aviemore is a town in the Highlands of Scotland, in the area of Badenoch and Strathspey. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities and within Cairngorms National Park.

First Scotrail services link Aviemore with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness several times a day.

National Express East Coast runs a daily service between Inverness and London via Aviemore. The service calls at principle stations including Edinburgh, Newcastle and York.
The Caledonian Sleeper also connects the town with London six nights a week.
Aviemore is just off the A9, the main road north to Inverness.

Buses from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, operated by Citylink.

There are two main taxi companies in Aviemore - Weirs of Aviemore and Geordies. Rapsons, the coach company, runs regular buses around Aviemore, the Cairngorm Ski area and around the Spey Valley. Aviemore railway station handles trains from Inverness south, including destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. There are many official paths around Aviemore including the Aviemore Orbital and walks around the Lochs and the Cairngorm Mountain.

* Hillwalking - many mountains nearby, the Cairngorms includes 4 out of 5 of Scotland's highest mountains.
* Mountain biking & Quad Biking - numerous forests nearby, with tracks and paths suitable for off-road cycling and riding, eg. Rothiemurchus, Glenmore, Glenfeshie.
* Laggan Wolftrax (about 35km from Aviemore) is a network of purpose built mountain bike trails, as well as a cafe and shop / bike hire.
* Golfing - Golf courses in Aviemore and the Cairngorm area.
* Skiing at Cairn Gorm mountain
* Reindeer at The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Glenmore

Aviemore has many hotels and a couple of hostels to suit every need from the common travelling backpacker to corporate executive attending the local conference centre.

* Aviemore Youth Hostel, 25 Grampian Road, PH22 1PR, .. Located as you enter Aviemore, the hostel offers budget dormitory accommodation as well limited private/ family rooms. 2AM curfew. (0)870 004 1104

* Ravenscraig Guest House, Tel 01479 810278, email info@aviemoreonline.com. The Ravenscraig Guest House is located on the main street towards the north end of the village. The guest house has great annex rooms at the rear and the breakfast is awsome. All rooms are ensuite with TV and tea and coffee making facilities.

* Moorfield House Hotel, Tel 01479 831646. A stunning Victorian Guest House / Bed & Breakfast offering luxurious accommodation is located in Boat of Garten (5 miles from Aviemore)in the Highlands of Scotland. Offers 4 Star (STB) accommodation where informality and a warm welcome are the key to your visit. Fully non smoking and licenced, ideal for those of you wanting comfortable, relaxed and peaceful surroundings. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities.

* Muckrch Hotel and Restaurant, Tel: 01479 851257, A very handsome Victorian shooting lodge set in 10 acres of grounds located 12 miles from Aviemore. Stylish and relaxed, Muckrach lodge is the perfect place to explore the breathtaking rugged beauty of the Cairngorms national park.

Isfahan travel guide

2009-03-05T04:05:00.001-08:00

Isfahan travel guide

Isfahan (Es·fa·han (ĕs'fə-hän') or Is·fa·han (Persian: اصفهان) is a city in central Iran. Located south of Tehran, it is considered by the locals to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An ancient town and capital of Persia from 1598 to 1722, it was long noted for its fine carpets and silver filigree. Today textile and steel mills take over their place. Its architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed pace make it one of the highlights of Iran's cities. The capital of Isfahan Province, and once the country's capital, the Persians call it "Nesf-e-Jahan", meaning "Half The World".

The city is 430 km south of Tehran at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran. It is similar to Denver, Colorado in terms of altitude and precipitation.

Squares and Streets
* Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as shah square or imam square-1602. With two mosques and the bazaar.
* Meydan Kohne (Kohne Square)
* Shahshahan square
* Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596.
* Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard

Mosques

The stunning mosques of Isfahan are among the most beautiful and interesting in the world.

* Imam Mosque (it was called Shah mosque before Iran's Revolution)
* Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
* Jame Mosque

Palaces
* Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century
* Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
* Hasht Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669.
* Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of forty columns) - 1647.

Tierra del Fuego travel guide

2009-03-05T03:32:00.001-08:00

Tierra del Fuego travel guide

Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago off the south of South America, separated from the mainland by the Magellan Strait. The 73,753 km² archipelago was divided between Argentina and Chile in 1881. The eastern part belongs to Argentina (the Territory of Tierra del Fuego) and its main towns are Rio Grande and Ushuaia. The western part belongs to Chile (Magallanes province) and its main towns are Porvenir and Puerto Williams. Cape Horn is at the southernmost part of the archipelago, in Chilean land.

* Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego - The main island, with an area of around 48,000 km², is commonly referred to as Tierra del Fuego or as Isla Grande. Shaped like a triangle (with its base at the Beagle Channel), the island's main cities are Ushuaia and Rio Grande, both on the eastern, Argentine side.

The five medium sized islands and numerous small islands, islets and rocks include:
* The islands to the south of the Beagle Channel - Hoste, Navarin, Gordon, Londonderry, Stewart and Wollaston.
* The western group of islands - Clarence Island, Desolation Land and Dawson Island.

* Ushuaia (Argentina) - Tourist centre of Tierra del Fuego, and base for most excursions, treks and trips to Antarctica. Arguably the most southerly city in the world.

* Rio Grande (Argentina) - The economic capital of Argentine Tierra del Fuego, its industries include oil, textiles and cattle breeding.

* Porvenir (Chile) - A small city and base for crossing the Magellan Strait to the mainland.

* Puerto Williams (Chile) - The only settlement on Naravino Island, and arguably the most southerly town in the world.

"Tierra del Fuego" (Spanish: "Land of Fire") got its name from Ferdinand Magellan who, on passing the archipelago in 1520, spotted a number of fires burning along the coastline. These fires may have been made by the archipelago's aboriginal inhabitants: the Ona, Alakaluf and Yahgan (commonly called Yamana). Four aboriginals were taken from Tierra del Fuego in 1830 by Robert Fitzroy, and were sailed to Britain to meet the King. The three survivors later returned to Tierra del Fuego on the Beagle, with Charles Darwin, who believed the native Fuegans to be "the missing link".

The arrival of missionaries, introduction of sheep farming and the discovery of gold in the 1880s led to European, Argentine, and Chilean immigrants, which gradually killed off the native Fuegans. An excellent book on the history of the Yamana and their demise is The Uttermost Part of the Earth by E. Lucas Bridges, the son of one of the early missionaries. His father, Thomas Bridges, documented what he could of the Yamana language and found that it had a larger vocabulary than the English language.

Today, the economy is based on petroleum, tourism, textiles, electronics and, to a decreasing degree, sheep-farming.

The western parts of the archipelago form the southernmost tip of the Andes range. The eastern parts are an extension of the Patagonian plateau. Based in the south of Patagonia, the climate is cold but warmer than many assume; in winter, the average temperature is -2. In summer, it can climb to 30, although in reality it rarely rises far beyond 10. There are frequent high winds and much rainfall, especially in the coastal areas.

There are regular Aerolineas Argentinas flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and Rio Grande. Air services also link major settlements to Punta Arenas in Chile. Buses from all over Argentina enter Tierra del Fuego via Rio Gallegos. NB Buses running from Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia all pass through Chilean land, so include two border crossings. A regular ship, the ferry Melinka, links Porvenir and Punta Arenas, and naval vessels supply Ushuaia and Isla Navarino, Chile.

* Museo Marítimo - Located in Ushuaia's old prison, this excellent museum displays a collection of the history of Tierra del Fuego.

* Estancia Haberton - Open only in the summer months, Estancia Haberton is a worthwhile trip for those interested in the Bridges family and their role in the local history.

Dumaguete travel guide

2009-03-05T03:28:00.001-08:00

Dumaguete travel guide

Dumaguete is the capital city and main port of Negros Oriental, the province that occupies the south-eastern half of Negros Island, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Popularly known as the "City of Gentle People".

Fly from Manila Cebu Pacific ( www.cebupacificair.com ) and Philippine Airlines (http://www.philippineairlines.com/pal_online/pal_online.jsp) both have daily flights. Fast ferries arrive daily from Cebu City, via the main port terminal. It is approximately a 4 hour ride with a stop over in Tagbilaran city, Bohol.

You can also take a bus from Cebu City to Lilo-an or Bato, then take a 20-30minute ferry ride to Sibulan, 20 minutes away from Dumaguete(about 4.5 total travel time). Several daily air-con and non-air-con buses.

Dumaguete is a university town. The population is somewhat more than 100,000 people, and there are some 30,000 students at Silliman University. Silliman is a Protestant University in a predominantly Catholic country, and it is noted as one of the best Universities in Philippines.

Visit the Boulevard, Silliman University Campus, Maranatha Full Gospel Church (Sunday morning), the Dumaguete Catholic Cathedral.

Pisa travel guide

2009-02-26T13:07:00.001-08:00

Pisa travel guide

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Italy with a population of some 90,000 people.

Pisa is best known for the world famous Leaning Tower, but those who come here with their mind already made up that the Tower is the only thing to see may miss the rest of the architectural and artistic marvels of this beautiful city.

The half hour walk from the Campo dei Miracoli to the train station runs through a pedestrian street with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. The best way to visit Pisa is walking the streets, as the city center is very small, and enjoy the sight and the atmosphere.

Pisa will not be Pisa without the University. The city is animated by the students, which organize parties, shows, cultural events, or fills the central street of the city at night. The University of Pisa has 60.000 students in a city of about 100.000 inhabitants. You'll notice the student flair in the the city once you leave the touristy campo dei miracoli.

Pisa is a safe city, you do not need to worry about your safety (except for some zone at night, such as the area surrounding the station). However you should take the obvious precautions (like, if you stay in a very cheap hotel, take your valuables with you) and watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas.

Pisa has regular trains to and from Florence (usually three per hour), to and from Lucca (usually every hour) and is also accessible by bus, and has an international airport.

Pisa Airport "Galileo Galilei" is the main airport of Tuscany and is served by several airlines operating hundreds of weekly flights to national and international destinations. Numerous companies offer charter flights to and from a number of European and non-European destinations. Flying to Pisa is really cheap and easy: the most important low-cost companies reach Pisa. The airport is close to the city centre - it takes only a few minutes to reach the centre by bus, train or taxi. It is even possible to walk to the centre, this takes around 20 minutes.

Do not expect the airport to be open 24/7!

You can purchase bus and train tickets from the information desk in the arrivals hall. The trains are the fastest way to get to the city. The tickets cost €1,10 and the ride takes only about five minutes. However, the trains are not very frequent. There are only two per hour. The bus has a regular service every 15 minutes and it takes about 15 minutes to get to the city. The bus runs to Piazza dei Miracoli and the central station. Since the ticket machine at the bus stop only "speaks" Italian, it's better to get the tickets from the information desk if you don't. Single fare is €0.95, but if you buy them from the driver on the bus, you pay double. The bus terminal is directly in front of the airport, on the right side when coming out of the terminal building. Once in the city, its main sights are easy to locate and are all within walking distance.

If you like it more convenient, a Taxi to the city center will cost around 6-8 Euro.

Klagenfurt travel guide

2009-02-26T13:04:00.001-08:00

Klagenfurt travel guide

Klagenfurt (Slovenian: Celovec) is the capital of Carinthia in Austria. It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships.

Klagenfurt has about 90.000 inhabitants and is located close to Wörthersee. It is the native town of well-known writer Robert Musil (especially known for his book The Man Without Qualities) and is host for the The Ingeborg Bachmann Competition, a famous German literature competition. Gustav Mahler, musician and composer also worked and lived in Klagenfurt. Every year the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Tournament takes place at Wörthersee lake at the beginning of August.

* Lindwurm - Neuer Platz, in the centre of the city. The lindworm is the town's landmark. According to a legend, an evil dragon infested the region where Klagenfurt is located today. The duke of Karnburg promised land to those who would catch and kill the dragon. Eventually a group of menials achieved to kill the dragon by a trick. They got the promised land and set up a village at the place where the dragon was killed. The monument was built in the 16th century. The head of the lindworm was shaped after the head of an glacial rhinoceros found in the same century in this region.
* Minimundus Villacher Straße 241, Tel. 21194, open from April to October. This park offers a huge collection of miniature models of famous buildings from many countries in the world. Entrance is around €11, there are special fares for groups and children.
* Reptilienzoo Happ Villacher Straße 237, Tel. 23425, open daily from 8.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m. - A small zoo offering a large and varied stock of reptiles and animals. Entrance is around €8, there are special fares for children and groups.
* Europapark - This park, located next to the Minimundus and to the Strandbad (beach) of the Wörthersee invites to stroll, relax, play chess and enjoy the beautiful plants. Watch male peacocks fan their feathers.
* Robert Musil Literatur Museum, Bahnhofstraße 50 Tel. 501429 open Mo-Fr 10.00am to 5.00pm, Sa 10.00am to 2.00pm, entrance is free. The museum is actually the house of birth of the writer Robert Musil. If you are interested in literature, this is the place to go.
* Gustav Mahler Komponierhäuschen, close to Strandbad Maiernegg Tel.537 5632) as stated above Gustav Mahler, famous musician, worked and lived close to Klagenfurt. Back in 1899 he bought a small mansion which is now a museum offering postcards, letters written by Gustav Mahler. The museum has guides in english,french and german. Opening times are 10am to 4pm from May to October. Entry is €1, it's free for children. Take bus no.10 or 11 to Strandbad. From there it's only a 15min walk.

Sarandë travel guide

2009-02-26T13:00:00.001-08:00

Sarandë travel guide

Sarandë, the gateway to the southern Albania, is a small town of about 33.000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Located opposite the Greek island of Corfu, Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters. Saranda typically has over 300 sunny days a year. Due to its location and warm weather Saranda is one of the most attractive tourist towns on the Albanian Riviera, where honeymooners traditionally spend their holidays. Fronting the sea and along the main promenade there are some hotels and restaurants which offer you catering facilities and accommodation.

The village of Ksamili is near Sarande. Ksamili has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. There was one hotel in the village in 2005. The owner exchanges dollars as well operates a full service restaurant. You can catch a bus from Ksamili to Butrint.

Just outside of Ksamili, lies Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic.

Despite being one of the greatest classical cities of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. As of summer of 2005, there is an international archaeological team performing excavations at Butrint which can be observed inside the park.

Dali travel guide

2009-02-18T04:21:00.000-08:00

Dali travel guide

Dali (大理) is a city in Yunnan Province, China famous for its old town and handicrafts.

Dali is one of the most popular spots for independent China travellers and hugely popular with those working, teaching and studying in China. Fifty minutes by plane and 5 hours by bus from Kunming, Dali is the perfect place to relax.

Dali is the name of the Prefecture, the local city (aka Xiaguan 下关) and the Dali Old Town (gucheng 古城). Travellers visit the Dali Old Town for its traditional architecture, minority cultures - mostly Bai but also with many Yi and Hui - and simply to relax. The Old Town has a population of approx. 40,000 and the entire Dali Prefecture around three million people and an area of over 10,000 sq km. When discussing 'Dali', it is important to be clear whether you are talking about the entire Prefecture or just the Old Town. There is actually much to do and see in Dali Prefecture well outside the Old Town.

With the beautiful Cangshan Mountains a short distance to the West of the Dali Old Town (approx 4200 metres at the peak) and Erhai Lake a few km to the East, it has a perfect natural setting. The climate is temperate with moderate Summers and mild Winters, though it can get rather windy in Autumn & Winter.

Despite its fame as a backpacker haven, Chinese tourists hugely outnumber foreigners. Chinese tourists tend to stay in nearby Xiaguan town so Dali becomes thankfully quiet in the evenings.

Dali has a long and rather glorious history. In 738 the kingdom of Nanzhao was established with Dali as its capital and covered a large area of Yunnan and northern Burma and parts of Sichuan and Guizhou. The original capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom was located in Weishan (within Dali Prefecture) and later moved to sites around the Erhai lake. The territory conquered was quite substantial and held over a long period. The kingdom survived almost 200 years and had 13 kings before being collapsing. After several decades of chaos the Kingdom of Dali emerged in 937.

The Kingdom of Dali established by DUAN Siping in 937 was controlled by the Duan clan and survived until conquered by the Mongols in the 12th century. The Kingdom retained a close alliance with the TANG dynasty, and was one of the major transit points for the introduction of Buddhism throughout the rest of China. By AD1000, Dali was one of the 13 largest cities in the world.

From 1856 - 1872 Dali was the headquarters of the Panthay Rebellion led by Du Wenxiu. That rebellion commenced as an uprising against local oppressive rulers by the Hui muslim minority and ended as open rebellion against the Qing Dynasty. The Palace of Du Wenxiu is on Fuxing Road and serves as the local museum (the museum exhibition on the rebellion paints it as a patriot workers revolt which it wasn't). The rebellion was brutally crushed by the Qing and hundreds of thousands of Yunnan muslims were killed in revenge.

Many local people in Dali have the surname Duan to this day (rare in other parts of China). These historical events are immortalised in the Martial Arts literature of Taiwanese author Jin Yong (read by every Chinese school kid), giving Dali a fame nationwide. Both the Nanzhao Kingdom and the Kingdom of Dali had a military alliance with the Tang Dynasty against the aggressive Turfan (Tibetan) Empire which made regular and aggressive incursions into their respective territories.

The rulers of the original Nanzhao kingdom were probably precursors to the modern Yi peoples, while the Kingdom of Dali rulers were precursors to the modern Bai minority.

A huge Memorial Steele to the "Pacification" of Dali Kingdom was built during the Ming Dynasty and remains standing at the end of "San Yue Jie" past the city's West Gate. Entrance is free. The Mongols destroyed the old capital & palace of Dali Kingdom, located just to the South of the Three Pagodas. Almost all the records of both the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms were burnt or destroyed, leaving much unknown about these periods. In addition, the Mongols brutally displaced many of the inhabitants of the prefecture, with the result that Bai minority people's were forced as far East as Hunan Province. Many Han Chinese also moved into the Kunming area during this period.

The old Dali City was rebuilt in the early 1400s by the Ming Dynasty. What you see in Dali Old Town today is the rebuilt Ming town. Since then, the fortunes of Dali have declined and its importance as a cultural and economic centre in the Yunnan area have been overtaken by Kunming, the Provincial Capital.

Kampot travel guide

2009-02-18T04:18:00.001-08:00

Kampot travel guide

Kampot is a small town (pop.~40,000) in south-east Cambodia. It is a gateway to Bokor National Park.

There is a regular twice a day bus service from the bus station on 217th street (near the central market), Phnom Penh to Kampot. Expect to pay around US$4 for the bus (one way). Journey takes, depending on road conditions, approximately 4-5 hours.

Many guesthouses in Phnom Penh offer transportation directly from the guesthouse to Kampot. Convenient, although slightly more expensive. Expect to pay US$6 or more.

You can also get to Kampot from Sihanoukville by a shared taxi. Most taxis depart from the traffic pickup point next to the market. Two hour drive, US$3 (although they start off asking $5).

Driving from Sihanoukville to Kampot on a 100cc rented Honda can be lots of fun but if road conditions are poor may take 3.5 hours or more.

Getting around Kampot is easy on foot, given the town's small size. Alternatively, hire a motorcycle (100cc Honda Dream, or 250cc dirtbike) from near the central traffic circle. At the time of writing there are at least three different shops renting motorcycles. Going price starts from US$5/day for a 100cc bike (which is more than enough cubic centimetres) u

It takes about 2 hours by moto from Kampot to the Ha Tien Border, the scenery is very beautiful. If you start early you can catch the 10:00h ferry to Phu Quoc island. The border procedure is hasslefree.

The main reason for most travellers to venture to Kampot is its close proximity to Bokor National Park with its ruined French colonial resort town at the top Bokor Mountain in the Elephant Mountain range. This is one of the most spectacular sites in Cambodia and well worth a visit. Most guesthouses arrange day trips to the national park, prices and quality of transport varies so check before booking. At the time of writing day trip prices ranged from a pick-up transport at US$6 per person for a shared taxi with an English speaking guide / driver to US$24 for the whole car for the day (Mr Cheang Try, a war veteran and now a guide has many great stories to tell about the park, tel. 012 974 698). There is an additional entrance fee to the national park that you have to pay at the entrance gate to the park. As the road has improved smaller cars, even private cars should be able to get upthe mountain.

Most Bokor National Park tours used to consist of a grueling and eventful three hour ride up the mountain (32km), but as of 2008 the road has improved considerably and the tours now spend more time on the mountain itself rather than on the drive. The tours include seeing the ruined buildings (includes a Catholic church that the Khmer Rouge squatted at for years during the armed struggle) and the waterfall (which only has water falling during the rainy season), lunch at the French Casino, and the same 3 hour drive back. While Bokor national park is also an important wildlife reserve the average visitor is unlikely to see much of interest. Tiger are present but very rare, although Gibbon can often be heard. The area is of note for bird watchers as the only accessible site for the Chestnut-headed Partridge as well as species such as the Blue Pitta and Orange-headed Thrush. Several tracks enter the forest, one from behind the old tea plantation, the second from near the waterfalls. It is possible to stay at the range station which is basic but comfortable and contrary to reports some food (as well as French wine) are available.

It is also possible to get up the mountain on a motorbike (250cc dirtbike or 125cc motorbike, both of which can be hired locally), but youwill need to ask around first as the situation changes.

In addition to Bokor, also to be experienced are the fresh seafood and beaches at Kep (45 minutes east from Kampot by moto or shared taxi) which makes a fun day trip. Although the beaches are not as nice as those in Sihanoukville (brown sand and more rocky), it is quiet and during the week you will likely be the only visitors. Fishing boats can also be taken out to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), approximately 45 minutes from the mainland.

Another nice day trip is a visit to Teuk Chrreu, a waterfall/rapids area up the river from Kampot town. It's a nice place for swimming and relaxing, and local vendors sell fruit and water.

Antarctic Peninsula

2009-02-18T04:15:00.001-08:00

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most-visited region of Antarctica. This northward-reaching extension of the polar continent reaches within 1000 miles of the southernmost tips of Chile and Argentina. It includes both the landmass of the actual continent of Antarctica, numerous islands, and the ice sheets that extend and connect many of these bodies of land.

The Antarctic Peninsula is almost a mirror image of southern South America. In fact, it's a geologic extension of the Andes mountain range; an underwater ridge looping through South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands connects the two features. It is claimed by Chile, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, with the United States and Russia both reserving the right to stake a claim should the Antarctic Treaty ever fall out of force. Under the provisions of the treaty, international access to the territory is permitted.

San Cristobal de las Casas

2009-02-18T04:12:00.000-08:00

San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas is in the southern Mexican region of Chiapas.

The express bus system for getting around Mexico is advanced. The buses are generally comfortable and clean and there are multiple lines to choose from in a user-friendly way with professional and helpful ticket clerks at most main stations. The roads to San Cristobal are winding and can be dizzying so some choose the option to take a bus and let a professional driver do the work. You can see the beautiful greenery of Chiapas all around you on the trip through the big bus windows, or pull the curtain to nap.

As of spring of 2006, there is a "new" road to San Cristóbal and it takes about 35 minutes to get from Tuxtla Gutierrez to San Cristóbal and is not so vertiginous as the old road. There is also a new airport that is one hour 15 minutes from San Cristóbal and as of fall, 2007, the fare for a taxi is 600 pesos per taxi to San Cristóbal and 200 pesos to Tuxtla Gutierrez, or a shuttle service offering door-to-door service for 170 pesos to/from San Cristobal. From Tuxtla one can take an "Omnibus" that leaves every 20 minutes to San Cristóbal for about 40 pesos. There are many other public transportation modes from Tuxtla to San Cristóbal: taxi colectivo, autobus, and collective suburbans. The taxi drivers all know where these are located.

Tomsk travel guide

2009-02-12T09:10:00.001-08:00

Tomsk travel guide

Tomsk is the capital city of Tomsk Oblast.

Located on the River Tom, the city was founded in the early 17th century as a military outpost against nomadic peoples. After that it became a place of exile, a trade and transportation center, and, finally, a university town. Today Tomsk has a population of around 500,000, of which every sixth person is a student, coming from all over Siberia, Central Asia and even European part of Russia. Due to this fact, Tomsk probably has a bigger proportion of foreign language speakers than any other Siberian city.

Tomsk is served by Bogashevo airport, receiving flights from Moscow, St.Petersburg, Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, Novokuznetsk and other cities. There is a rail branch from the Trans-Siberian Railway junction at Taiga, Kemerovo Oblast leading to Tomsk. Besides, you can use buses from Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk, Krasnoyarsk and other cities in the region.

Most of the city center is within walking distance. There are a lot of buses and trams going around the city - you can expect a fee of about half a euro for a ride. However, the quickest and most convenient way to get around is by taxi - there are a lot of taxicab companies most of which charge around 2-3 Euros to go anywhere in the city. The problem is the taxi dispatchers and drivers do not speak English, so you would have to learn a couple of key phrases. The possibility of being cheated is close to nothing if you are using a taxicab company, especially if you are using one and the same company several times.

Tomsk State University and other university campuses - Tomsk boasts 6 universities, some of them among the top 3 in Russia in their respective industries. The campuses were built in the late 1800s and are a nice place to visit.

Governor's District - the central location in Tomsk, near the Oblast Administration office, on the bank of the river Tom. It was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city and reflects its history with several attractions, including the city's main cathedral and controversial and funny monument to Anton Chekhov.

Verhnyaya Yelan' - a carefully renovated and well-kept little district with wooden architecture, where old traditional merchant mansions are situated. Stunningly beautiful at night.

Lagerny Sad (Camp Garden) - a WWII monument on the bank of the river Tom which is beautiful by itself and provides an amazing view of the river and the surroundings.

Take a walk through the city center - it won't take you more than several hours to see virtually everything and the town is really beautiful May through September.

Climb the Voskersenskaya hill and go to the city viewing point - see the view the 19th century firefighters watched everyday for signs of fire.

Listen to the church choir in the Epiphany Cathedral or to the Tomsk State University capella performing at what was the University chapel - a must hear for everyone who is interested in vocal music.

Try the Siberian Pancakes (Sibirskie Bliny) with a lot of different stuffings (sold at outlets throughtout downtown).

Have a ride on the Ferris wheel in the Town Park.

Attend a Russian Premier Football League game with the local team called Tom - a great chance to see Russia's best football teams and feel the heat amongst Tomsk football fans supporting their favorite team.

Ask your local friends or guides for other things to do - there is a lot more.

Tomsk is a pretty safe place in terms of crime, especially if you stay within the downtown, don't look too freaky and don't show off with a lot of cash. Still, there are some useful rules:

You are obliged to carry your passport with you - though cases when you are actually asked for it are extremely rare.

Don't take walks outside downtown at night - it is better and faster to use a taxi and watch the night city from a car. Also, try to steer clear of intoxicated people wherever you meet them.

Don't stop private taxis on the street - there are plenty of reliable taxi companies in the city that can be easily called. Ask your guide or a Russian speaking friend for a phone number.

Try not to drink on the streets - or at least not to show it to local policemen - they are usually quite tolerant and in most cases will just tell you to stop drinking, still there may be accidents.

Call your Russian-speaking friends, your country's representative or your guide immediately if you think you may be in trouble with the police or anyone else.

Canoa Quebrada

2009-02-12T09:04:00.001-08:00

Canoa Quebrada

Canoa Quebrada is a beach village in Ceará.

160 km east of Fortaleza, in the municipality of Aracati, Canoa, as it is mostly referred to, is a village installed on red sandstone cliffs.

Canoa is still holding on to its fame as a hippie paradise, although it is slowly growing into another resort destination. Despite all, many locals still work as traditional jangada fishermen. The climate is dry and sunny most of the year, with average daytime temperatures around 30 C. Some daytime rain between March and May, although substantially less than in Fortaleza.

* Buses to/from Fortaleza about 6 times daily by São Benedito tel +55 85 3444 9999, about 3,5 hours, R$ 18,50. An alternative is to jump off any bus that passes Aracati, and switch to frequent minibuses for the last bit to Canoa. You can also take one of the minibuses with daytrippers from Fortaleza, but they will charge you return price, R$ 40. Departure Fortaleza 7:30 AM, Canoa (bus station) 4 PM. 2,5 hours.
* A range of agencies set up 3-4 days packages from Fortaleza. Quite convenient, with hotel pick-up and all, but mostly works out a bit more expensive.
* For other destinations you need to change in Aracati or Fortaleza, but many of these tickets can still be bought at the bus station in Canoa Quebrada

Brevard County

2009-02-12T08:58:00.001-08:00

Brevard County

Brevard County is in East Central Florida. Because of the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, where the manned missions to the moon and the Space Shuttle are based, Brevard County is also known as the Space Coast.

* Cape Canaveral - Site of the Kennedy Space Center.
* Titusville -
* Cocoa Beach - One of the best beach cities in the state.
* Rockledge
* Melbourne
o Melbourne Beach - Awesome surfing town.
* Indialantic
* Satellite Beach
* Indian Harbour Beach
* Merritt Island

Brevard County stretches 70 miles from north to south, and is relatively thin. It is bordered to the west by vast swamplands and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

An important distinction between areas in Brevard County is the mainland and "beachside" on the barrier island facing the Atlantic Ocean. The extremely large Merritt Island falls in between the mainland and beachside, bordered on the west by the Indian River and on the east by the Banana River. (These two rivers are actually channels from the Atlantic Ocean, and contain a brackish mixture of fresh and salt water.)

* Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex - The most famous attraction in the area, which brought on the nickname "Space Coast." Regularly scheduled tours of the facility and museum are offered. Cape Canaveral
* Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - A vast nature reserve featuring endangered Florida wildlife, like manatees and bald eagles, in Titusville.
* Patrick Air Force Base - Has a variety of manned and unmanned launch pads, available to see only occasionally, in Cape Canaveral.

* Canaveral National Seashore
* Beaches - Brevard County has dozens of miles of pristine beach. The most famous area, Cocoa Beach, has the smoothest and shallowest water and is a unique mecca for surfers across the country. The public beach across from the entrance to Patrick Air Force Base is also a popular surfing site. South of Satellite Beach, there tends to be submerged rocks close in to the shore, however the sun and sand are just as delightful. Public Beach access [3] and parks are available frequently along the beachside cities. County and City parks, which provide parking for a reasonable fee, may also offer amenities such as showers, bathrooms, and picnic pavilions. Pets and cars are not allowed on the beach.
* Cruises - Evening and extended cruises are available from Port Canaveral. These are especially popular for their casino facilities which are not available on land.
* Fishing - both Fresh and Saltwater fishing are available, please check licensing requirements. Exciting deep water sportfishing and charter boats are offered by private operators in Port Canaveral.
* Golf - There are many public golf courses.
* Water - Rent jetskis, ski boats, sailboats, canoes, and kayaks. Tours on airboats through the St. Johns River are also offered (see gators up close!)

Satun

2009-02-12T08:54:00.001-08:00

Satun

Satun (สตูล) is the provincial capital of Satun Province.

Satun, having a population of about 22,000, is the gateway to Thailand's southern islands at the side of Andaman Sea. It is only a few kilometres from the Andaman coast but a whopping 940km from Bangkok. Although a majority Muslim population town, Satun has largely escaped the strife that plagues some of the neighboring provinces such as Narathiwat and Pattani, Satun is safe and very friendly place to visit.

There is not much excitement in the predominantly Muslim populated town of Satun. Most visitors head for the Tarutao National Park ( a group of beautiful islands about 2 hours by ferry ride from the jetty of Tammalang). Tammalang is the southern gateway to Satun (by ferry from Langkawi or from Kuala Perlis).

From Tammalang, the ferry times to the island of Ko Li Pe or Ko Tarutao are ETD 10 am and ETA 4 pm (varies, the ferry may turn up at 5 or 6 pm local time). Check out the island activities at the local tour agent at the Tammalang jetty point. After booking your tour, you may want to head back to Satun to stay the night before the next morning early tour (most likely you would have miss the ferry!).

While in Satun, walk around to discover the quaint attractions of Satun town and enjoy the local food. Local food includes spicy Thai food, Chinese style fare and Malaysian influenced cooking of roti canai. There are a few pubs along the main town street. The only disco in town is about 3 km from the town centre - last visit, there were about 4 customers and 2 sexy dancers for the whole night!

The above ferry trip to the Tarutao National Park islands cost about 1000 Bahts return (you can book the ticket through the agent too). Scuba gear, snorkeling sets are available for rent at the island dive shops. So just bring your suntan lotion and cash (better to change the currency on the mainland - better rates).

Restaurants don't seem to have prominent signage or branding. As such it is difficult to label one better than another. Fortunately most of the food is good Thai food with a noticeable lack of western franchises such as McDonald's or Starbucks. Don't be afraid to walk up to any place that looks as if it's serving food and just use sign language or simple English to order food. Most people are very receptive and will go out of their way to help you get something in your belly. Phonetically "Pad See Ewe" is fried noodles with various vegetable bits and perhaps some meat. Be adventurous, chew slowly, and watch out for bones. In Muslim stalls they prefer their "Rotee" with a sauce.

Belgrade travel guide

2009-02-06T03:08:00.000-08:00

Belgrade travel guide

Belgrade (Београд / Beograd in Serbian) [1] – meaning 'White City' – is the capital of the Republic of Serbia. Various styles of architecture dominate the city, while its recent resurgence as the leading hub in south-eastern Europe make it a must see destination.

Belgrade is the capital of the Republic of Serbia and is, as such, the country's largest city with a population of 1,981,551 people. It lies on the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The city has a long history, dating back to the 4th century BC, when the area was settled by Celtic tribes. Later on, it became the Roman city of Singidunum, and relics of that era can still be seen in the city, particularly at Kalemegdan Fortress. As it entered the Byzantine Empire, Belgrade saw many conflicts, including invasion by the Ottoman Empire, until Serbia finally became independent in the 1800s.

After the First World War, Belgrade became the seat of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (in 1928, the country changed name to Kingdom of Yugoslavia) until its collapse, and it saw violence again in 1999 with NATO's bombing campaign in response to Serbia's actions in the province of Kosovo.

This often violent history and outside influence has colored much of Belgrade's evolution, which is evident in its culture and architecture. Often caught between the hammer and anvil of clashing empires, the city has taken on a unique character, reminiscent of both Austrian and Turkish influences, with a unique set of Communist elements thrown in as Yugoslavia was expelled from the Eastern Bloc in 1948. Yet, the city has its own spirit, and in it can be found some not only very unique features, but also a healthy joie de vivre in its café culture, nightlife and often Mediterranean flavor in its view of life.

Whilst there isn't much by way of ethnic or cultural diversity in Belgrade, in terms of different migrant populations – compared to other European cities – there are minority communities (largely Roma and Chinese), as well as people from other former Yugoslav republics, such as Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia. There is also a small expat community [2]. Cultural events from round the world, however, are starting to be increasingly common, particularly in the spring and summer months, thanks in no small part to both local arts and culture organizations, as well as foreign embassies/cultural centers. These attract a good deal of local attention, and will help in raising the city's profile as a cultural hotspot.

Belgrade is an energetic city re-discovering its tourism potential. However, bear in mind that the tourism facilities are still very underdeveloped. One great new magazine, White City is a must read for anyone who plans on visiting. They call themselves an urban magazine but it's a great lifestyle magazine written in English for both locals and foreigners. It's available at any place that sells magazines in Belgrade.

* Kalemegdan
* Belgrade Fortress
* Knez Mihailova Street
* National Museum. Now is under reconstruction. Founded in 1844, has more than 400000 items including Italian Art Collection (230 works) including Titian, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Canaletto, Tiepollo, Carpacio,... French Art Collection (250 paintings) includes Renoir(55 works including 22 paintings), Monet, Degas, Signac, Lautrec, Matisse, Goughen, Utrillo, Pissaro, Corot... Dutch and Flemish Art Collection (120 works) include Vincent van Gogh, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Goyen, Breughel ... Japanase Art Collection has 82 works which include Kunisada, Toyokuni, Hirosige... Cubist Art Collection includes Picasso, Cezanne, Delaunay, Arhipenko, Mondrian... Yugoslav (Serbian) Art Collection includes Paja Jovanovic, Uros Predic, Lubarda... Other Art Collections (German, Austrian, Russian...) include Durer, Gustav Klimt, Kandinsky, Sisley, Marc Chagall, Modigliani, Kassat...
* Sveti Sava Temple Under reconstruction (summer 2008).
* Skadarlija, (Skadarska street)
* Republic Square (Main square)
* Old Palace (Stari dvor)
* Belgrade Zoo (on Kalemegdan)
* National Assembly of Serbia
* The Tito Mausoleum Take trolleybus # 40 or 41 from Studentski Trg or from Kneza Miloša Street in the direction of Dedinje and ask for "Kuća cveća" (House of flowers). Entry is free of charge, but the museum closes in the afternoons. Inside is the grave of the beloved second president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, along with his baton collection and two preserved rooms of his furniture.
* Ivo Andric Museum
* Ada Ciganlija, a river island on Sava River with an artificial lake in the center of the city. The lake has an 8 km long gravel beach, which is visited by about 300,000 bathers during the summer. This is a great place for sports and picnics. In summer, it is swamped with people wanting to cool down in the water.
* Great War Island / Veliko ratno ostrvo, a river island at the confluence of Sava and Danube river, for picnics and bird spotting.
* Nikola Tesla Museum, museum dedicated to the man whom Serbs revere [4]. Half of this small museum is dedicated to Tesla's personal effects, while the other half contains models of his inventions. There are English-speaking guides who are students from the Engineering Department of the University of Belgrade who can help you understand the sometimes-complicated science.
* Terazije Fountain
* Belgrade Cathedral (Saborna crkva)
* Residence of Princess Ljubica (Konak kneginje Ljubice)
* White Court (Beli dvor)
* Army Museum (Vojni muzej), on Belgrade Fortress
* Avala, small mountain (511 m) near Belgrade.

Note that many of Belgrade's museums are closed on Monday. It may be wise to check before making a visit.

Serbs are very proud of their food, which is heavy on grilled meats and sausages, local cheeses and bread. Salads are primarily tomato, cucumber, and onion, or cabbage. Local produce is fresh and organic.

Belgrade has hundreds of restaurants specializing in local cuisine and a few international restaurants. On the whole, prices are cheap compared to Western Europe with main meals ranging from 8-25 dollars per person.

Most Serbian restaurants offer rostilj, a large plate of various unseasoned grilled meats, or any possible variety of grilled chicken wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese. It is possible to order fresh salads, plates of grilled vegetables, crepes, or omelets if you are not carnivorous.

Snacking and eating on the go in Belgrade are easy and cheap. Bakeries – called pekara – are ubiquitous in the city center, and you will find a wide assortment of breads, sweet and savoury pastries, sandwiches and pizza on offer. A snack or light meal of pastry and drinkable yoghurt will give you an added boost when walking about the city center.

Foods that vegetarians and meat eaters alike should try include kajmak (something between cream cheese and butter) and ajvar, a savory spread made out of red peppers. It is also worth visiting a pijaca (green market) to buy some fresh fruit, vegetables and other grocery items. The farmer's market at Zeleni Venac, close to the Hotel Moscow, is one of the largest – and the one with the least expensive merchandise – in the city. Contained in a newly-built complex, it makes for an enjoyable Saturday morning experience, with the lively hustle and bustle of people milling about and stall-owners trying to attract customers. Depending on the season, an amazing assortment of fruit and veg can be found in farmer's markets, including watermelons, olives, wild mushrooms and fresh figs. Take the time to explore the stalls, and compare the quality and prices of the produce.

There is also pljeskavica, the Serbian version of a hamburger, which is about five times larger than an American hamburger and can be purchased from fast food restaurants. You can find your typical McDonalds and Pizza Hut, but most of the fast food restaurants in Belgrade are local and sell baked goods, pizza, sandwiches, and palacinke (the Serbian version of a crepe). Some may go beyond that, selling Turkish delicacies such as baklava, tulumba and other Greek/Turkish treats.

There are a handful of international restaurants, including Japanese,Chinese and Indian. These are moderately priced to very expensive. Many dine out at "Peking" restaurant, and "Mao Tao" is an excellent choice as well for Chinese. Dju-Dju and Ikki Sushi Bar are perfect places for those who like sushi or other tasty japanese dishes. Zapata's is the best (and pretty much only) Mexican restaurant in town.

Skadarlija is a pleasant street filled with Serbian and Italian restaurants, not to be missed by gourmands. It is famous for its old restaurants, some of which have been around for over 100 years. Most of the restaurants have string orchestras which play a selection of traditional and modern Serbian songs.

Flensburg travel guide

2009-02-06T02:59:00.001-08:00

Flensburg travel guide

Flensburg [1] (danish: Flensborg) is a city in Schleswig-Holstein located on the east coast. The 85000 inhabitants live around the Flensburger Förde (Flensburg fjord).

Most people arrive here with car. Flensburg is situated at the border of Germany and Denmark, beside the motorway A7 (danish: E45) leading to Hamburg in the south and to Kolding and further north in Denmark. There are bus and train connections both from Denmark and Hamburg.

Walking is the best way to get around in the city center.

Flensburg offers a nice shopping district with old houses and backyards as well as a variety of museums and churches. The habour is the hosting place for sailing regatta and events.

Museums:

* Musuemsberg Flensburg-a museum on a hill in the center of Flensburg exhibiting local history artefacts and art by not only local artists. On friday entry is for free otherwise varying between 4€ and 0.5€. Monday is closed otherwise open from 10-4(November to March) or 10-5(May to October).

* Naturwissenschaftliches Muesum und Eiszeit-Haus(Science museum and ice-age house)- located on the muesum hill next to the other museum, same opening times, entry is free.

* Phänomenta- an interactive science museum, where you can try experiments on you own, especially interesting for families and children and anybody interested in science. Prices vary from 9,50€ for adults to 7€ for youth and 2€ for children. Opening times on weekdays are 9-5(October to May) and 10-6(July to September) and 11-6 on weekends.

* Museumswerft(shipyard museum)-this musuem shows and builds old ships and boats and offers courses for children, youth and adults. Free entry, open from 8-5(weekdays) and 10-5(weekends), tours can be given when informed in advance. It is located directly on the harbour.

Churches: The following churches have an interesting architecuture and a located in the center of Flensburg. Klick http://www.flensburg-online.de/kirchen/index.html for an (almost) complete list of churches in Flensburg.

* St. Nikolai(lutheran)
* St. Marien(lutheran)
* St. Johannis(lutheran)
* St. Marien, schmerzhafte Mutter(roman-catholic)
* Helligåndskirke(Church of the Holy Spirit, Danisch church, lutheran)

Lots of people arrive to Flensburg from Denmark and the other nordic countries for shopping. In addition to the numerous small shops along the pedestrian street Holm (danish: Holmen) and Große Straße and the new shopping mall Flensburg Galerie [2]with 80 shops in the city there's a shopping center some 2 kilometers south from the city, Fördepark [3] as well as Poetsch [4] at Kupfermühle near the Danish border. Other shopping centers are Scandinavien Park [5] and Citti Park [6]. The Scandinavian Park is conveniently located right off the northernmost exit of A7 motorway in Germany. Due to its location and tourists visiting it is allowed to open all week long and attracts locals from both sides of the board who go there for a Sunday grocery run. Price differences between Denmark and Germany may make a certain item a bargain for Danish people but it might be expensive for Germans.

Hermit Island travel guide

2009-02-06T02:55:00.001-08:00

Hermit Island travel guide

Hermit Island [1] is a small peninsula -- nearly an island -- in Maine.

Hermit Island is a campground located in Small Point, Maine. The camground has many features and amenities including, eight private white sand beaches, a full boating marina, four hiking trails, and many campsites. The white sand beaches are natural, and since no visitors are allowed into the camground, they often have no people on them. The sands sparkle and the water is warm, making the beaches a great place to swim, sunbathe, or just relax. The beaches are Head Beach, Sand Dune Beach, West Dune Beach, Sunset Lagoon, Spring Beach, Sailboat Beach, Bounty Cove Beach, and Sand Dollar Beach. Most are accessible by car, but Spring Beach is only accessible on foot. The beaches also have many tidepools to explore. Hermit Island also has a full boating marina, located on the northern part of the island. The marina rents out rowboats, canoes, and moorings for people coming in by boat. The island also has a Yankee boat, which takes campers on nature and sunset tours daily on Casco Bay. This, and a boat ramp, are located at a dock on Harbor Grove. The waters of Casco Bay and The Branch are also perfect for fishing, especially for lobster. The island also has four hiking trails which wind across the island. The red trail goes right along the coast with astounding views while the white, orange, and blue trails wind through the forest which is full of animal and bird life. The campsites on the island are located on the southern part of the island, with forest on the northern part. Campsites are split into four groups, ocean prime, prime, choice, and value. Ocean prime sights are either right on the beach or have astounding views of Casco Bay. Prime sites normally have great views, choice sights normally have partial ocean views or a short walk to the beach, and value sights are buggy and in the middle of the woods. Hermit Island's main hall is the Kelp Shed, located at the entrance to the island. The Kelp Shed has the check in desk, a snack bar/restaurant, a game room, live entertainment weekly, a large stone fireplace, a volleyball net, and ping pong tables, and it is also the place to sign up for various island activities. You can also apply for a permit to go clam fishing in the bay in front of the Kelp Shed. The store is located next to the Kelp Shed, and provides campers with necessities, food, groceries, supplies, firewood, ice, and fresh seafood including clams, steamers, and live lobsters. The gift shop is located behind the store and sells postcards, tee shirts, and other various gifts. There is also a small laundry room under the gift shop with dryers only. For more information on anything about Hermit Island, Overall, Hermit Island is any campers paradise.

Even though Hermit Island is not huge, a bicycle is nice for campers. Most campers get around by bike or on foot, as cars are a hassle due to the small and narrow island roads. Also, be sure to bring hiking shoes because the island roads and trails are a great place for walking or hiking.

* Maine is a beautiful state and there is plenty of the great outdoors to go around. Enjoy the beautiful island and explore all the beaches, nooks, and crannies.

* A trip to historic Bath, located only a few minutes away, is worth the trip.

* Cook a Lobster, bring a large pot for cooking lobsters; a fireplace grill of any size is always a help in a loose-rock fireplace.

* Hike, along narrow green lanes, over the rocky shoreline, or along moss covered forest floors.

* Canoe or Kayak, bring your own boat and enjoy the serenity of Casco Bay.

* The Kelp Shed, play a game of volleyball, read a book, or play some ping-pong, pool, or arcade games in the camp's lodge.

* Swim, the eight white sand beaches and warm water make Hermit Island a great place for beach goers and swimming

* Lobster and Clams well-priced, alive, and fresh, caught from a location only minutes away, are available for purchase at the campground grocery store.

* The Kelp Shed, located at the entrance to the camping area, is the general service center for Hermit Island. The Shed serves lunches and light dinners (such as grilled cheese, hamburgers, and sandwhices) for a reasonable price. These are served at the snack bar, located in the back of the Kelp Shed. The snack bar also serves ice-cream, and is open seasonally.

Saint Martin travel guide

2009-02-06T02:49:00.001-08:00

Saint Martin travel guide

Saint Martin is an island split between French Guadeloupe and the Dutch Netherlands Antilles. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries. The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 20 square miles. The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 13 square miles. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as "the French side" and "the Dutch side".

* Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side. This is where most cruise ships dock.
* Marigot is the capital of the French side.
* Grand Case is on the French side and has excellent restaurants.

Although this island is owned by two countries, there is no real borderline. There are only monuments and signs that delineate the border. Over 350 years ago the two countries decided that residents of either country could travel across both sides of the border without worrying about any trouble. The two countries live peacefully without difficulties which increases tourism. Any separation is more from separate and dissimilar utilities systems, e.g., power on French side is 250V 50 Hz, while the Netherlands side is 110/120 60 Hz. In addition, one must take special care when dialing from the French to Dutch or Dutch to French side as it is, in effect, an international call and requires special dialing instructions. These instructions are typically posted at hotels and tourist locations.

The Dutch side, Sint Maarten, is much more heavily developed than the French. It has become a leading destination in the real estate market with more and more developments being constructed. There are high rise condominiums and waterfront communities, all of which are popular to buyers, especially American. Tourists on the streets are frequently approached by timeshare offers for them. The language on this side of the island is English and the de facto currency is the US dollar. Note that grocery stores and other local businesses may have prices expressed in Netherlands Antilles Florins (NAF). The US dollar will be gladly accepted at these establishments as well. Many large resorts have been built and on many days cruise ships flood Phillipsburg with their passengers. Phillipsburg is one of the Caribbean's best shopping towns. If shopping's not your thing, you can sit out back on Phillipsburg's harbor beach and have a drink. Or play at one of the casinos just down the street. There are nine on this side. When it all gets too mellow, go rip it up with a 4x4 excursion around the island.

The French side, Saint Martin, consists of the Northern two-thirds of the island. It is governed by the neighboring island of Guadaloupe, and is more European than the Dutch. The native language is French and has the same guiding laws as France. There are no casinos on the French side. It is less developed than the Dutch side, but contains more of the island's natural wonders. The French side is popularly known for clothing-optional Orient Beach and the adjacent nudist resort, Club Orient. http://www.cluborient.com/home.html However the towns of Marigot and Grand Case provide some of the best gourmet meals anywhere and plenty of interesting shops. Beauty abounds on the island, with bluffs overlooking pretty harbors, sandy-cliffed beaches or just tranquil rocky coves where fish provide the beauty. Neither country, and side of the island would be able to stand on its own without the other.

* Butterfly Farm, Rte. de Le Galion, Quartier d'Orléans, Phone: 590/87-31-21. Daily 9AM-3PM. Stroll through hundreds of colorful butterflies under a tented mesh. A fun outing. $12 (good for your stay on the island).

* Pic du Paradis, Route de Pic du Paradis from Friars Bay Beach. Pic du Paradis is the highest point on the island (1400ft/427m) with two viewing areas that provide great views. The road is steep and isolated and four wheel drive is required. This is also an isolated area and is safest seen as part of an excursion or tour.

Euros and US dollars are commonly accepted on both sides of the island, though with the slide of the dollar some stores on the French side hesitate. Many of them prefer credit cards; cards may offer the best possible conversion rates for dollars and convenience for the store. Shopping is duty free on both sides of the island.

Items are often priced in Euros on the French side, so some items are or appear to be more expensive (after currency conversion) than on the Dutch side or elsewhere in the Caribbean. A wide range of quality is available. The French side has a smaller number of retailers; goods (e.g., clothing, perfumes) tend to be premium, European brand-name or designer-oriented and pricey in stores. However, unique items (e.g., souvenirs, spices) particularly at the water-front open-air market in Marigot are more reasonable, and the banter among vendors is worth the visit.

The US dollar is readily accepted on the Dutch side. Numerous stores (primarily in Phillipsburg on Front Street) offer jewelery, liquor, cosmetics, and tobacco, with souvenirs everywhere. Most merchants touted by cruise lines are east of the courthouse. West of the courthouse you'll find more independent stores, e.g., for liquor at excellent prices for many brands (cash only though). For cheese lovers, mild Dutch Gouda, in boxes or 5 and 10 kilogram wheels, is a popular buy in super markets, e.g., Grand Marche, Sangs beyond the east end of Front Street in Phillipsburg.

Anyone touting "freebies" or "cash" to see a resort/condominium will likely lead you to an on-site sales pitch for condos or time-shares. Many involve high pressure tactics over an extended time, with gifts governed by willingness to buy. If you have limited time, it may be totally consumed at the sales pitch.

Quanzhou travel guide

2009-02-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

Quanzhou travel guide

Quanzhou (泉州) is a coastal city just North of Xiamen in Fujian Province China.

The city was once the Eastern terminus of the Maritime Silk Road and home to a large (100,000 by some estimates!) international community, mostly Arabs but also including Persians, Indians and others.

Marco Polo sailed home from Quanzhou. He described it as the world's busiest port, with Alexandria second. The English word "satin" comes from "Zaiton", the Arabic name for Quanzhou, the port from which that fabric first reached the West.

After the emperor cut off foreign expeditions, destroyed the records and let the great ships rot in the 1420s, Quanzhou declined considerably. Today it is less well-known than the provincial capital Fuzhou or Special Economic Zone Xiamen, and certainly gets fewer tourists than either. However, it definitely has its own attractions, notably interesting architecture and good shopping.

Like most Chinese cities, Quanzhou has some of the standard ugly 8-storey concrete apartment blocks. However, there are far fewer of those than elsewhere and whole districts are much prettier. The city government has policies that require new buildings to follow certain architectural conventions. Downtown, there are many new 4 to 6 floor buildings with the traditional Chinese tile roofs with points on the corners. Near the old mosque there are new buildings with Islamic themes in the architecture. The rebuilding of the Zhongshan Road shopping area got a UNESCO award for heritage preservation, and Quanzhou got an international award in a contest for most livable cities in 2003; neighboring Xiamen had won the previous year.

Quanzhou, or rather Jinjiang across the river, has an airport with flights to various mainland cities. Nearby Xiamen has a more important airport with good domestic connections, including flights to Hong Kong and Macau and quite a few international flights.

There are frequent buses from Xiamen (¥27 to 35, 1.5 hours) or Fuzhou (¥46 to ¥65, 2.5 hours).

There are also direct overnight buses to/from more distant places such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, in the ¥300 range.

There are two main bus stations, a fairly large one in a new building toward the East of town and one that is much more central and looks more run down. The latter is the "new bus station". A small bus station next to the Overseas Chinese hotel has busses to Fuzhou.

A high-speed rail line is, as of mid-2008, quite visibly under construction but apparently not near completion. When done, that will link Quanzhou at least to Xiamen and Fuzhou, cutting travel times roughly in half. Likely it will also go much further in both directions; see High-speed rail in China for details.

The town has an assortment of religious buildings, some quite old. It has been called a museum of world religions. Only one Mosque of the many that used to exist survives, but it is worth seeing. There are Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian temples, as anywhere in China, plus Christian churches. There are also Hindu and Zoroastrian temples, and the world's only surviving Manichean temple is on Huabiao Mountain in nearby Jinjiang.

The Qingjing Mosque is on Tumen Jie. One large and impressive Taoist temple is just East of the mosque; the main Confucian temple is a couple of blocks West of those, just off Tumen Jie. Between the mosque and the Taoist temple, and extending out behind both, is a large market area, well worth exploring.

The Chongfu Temple is a beautiful if small active Buddhist Temple northeast of the city center, on Chongfu Road, near where Dong Road turns into Donghu Road.

The "Old Saint", an enormous statue of Lao Tse, the founder of Taoism, on the peak of Qingyuanshan just outside town, attracts people from all over China.

Quanzhou is famous for puppets. There is an excellent free puppet museum. They sometimes do shows, which are excellent, but not on a regular schedule. You need to be lucky to catch one, or to have a group of 20 or so people and make arrangements.

To find the museum: from the mosque, walk West (away from the Taoist temple) along Tumen Jie, take the first right, go a short distance and take the first right again. (If you reach a park on your right, you've gone too far.) The museum is a short way along on your left. (If you reach the French restaurant, you've gone too far).

Other museums include the Fujian-Taiwan Kinship Museum, the Quanzhou Museum, and an excellent Maritime Museum. Quanzhou was, up to the 15th century, one of China's greatest trading cities and a major base for her powerful fleets.

New Plymouth

2009-01-28T15:22:00.001-08:00

New Plymouth is the biggest city in the Taranaki region, located on the western coast of the North Island of New Zealand, about midway between Auckland and Wellington. It lies on the coastal plains just to the north of Mount Taranaki.

New Plymouth is the main center of the Taranaki region, which has a total population of around 100,000.

New Plymouth Airport is located on the coast 7km to the north of the city at Bellblock. A taxi service is available to town (Cost: $15 - $20).

On the rare days when Mount Taranaki is totally free of cloud, southbound flights can get spectacular views of the mountaintop.

Air New Zealand Link operates services to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, with 6 - 7 return flights daily to each, using 50-seat turboprop aircraft.

Bus services to Auckland and Wellington run twice daily, with a choice of several operators. A new bus terminal was opened in 2004 in Ariki St.

State Highway 3 passes through New Plymouth.

From the north (Auckland or Hamilton): State Highway 3 diverges from State Highway 1 at Hamilton and runs via Te Kuiti in the King Country and Waitara in Taranaki. New Plymouth is about 270km from Hamilton and takes at least 3.5 hours by car, though allow 4.5 hours to be safe. A section of this road is narrow, winding, and includes a short single-lane tunnel. It is prone to closure by slips in bad weather.

From the south (Wellington and Palmerston North): Travel via State Highway 1 and/or State Highway 3 to Bulls then via State Highway 3 through Wanganui to Hawera, then inland via Stratford (which always has petrol 2c a litre cheaper than the standard price) and Inglewood. Wellington to New Plymouth is ~360km and takes 4.5 - 5.5 hours non-stop, depending on traffic near Wellington; allow 6 - 7 hours including scenic stops and rest breaks.

State Highway 45, The Surf Highway, which follows the coast (though seldom in sight of it) around the west of the mountain, via Opunake, is ~25 km longer and hillier, but scenic, alternative route from Hawera. Allow an extra half hour over travelling State Highway 3 direct.

State Highway 43, The Forgotten World Highway, intersects State Highway 3 at Stratford. This can be an interesting alternative trip from the Central North Island via Taumarunui. The road winds and climbs for 160km and includes about 30km unsealed though a spectacularly beautiful gorge. It's worth stopping at the numerous historical information boards along the way. Allow 4-6 hours. (Note: There is no petrol available between Stratford and Taumarunui and this highway section is difficult to maintain.)

Passenger rail services ceased in 1985. The remaining railway line is used for goods entering and leaving the port. On rare occasions, a steam engine can be seen on the track. This most likely will be from the Waitara Railway Preservation Society, which runs the engine between Waitara and Lepperton.

Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki St. Museum, library, visitor information centre, restaurant and cafe. Free entry.

The Wind Wand - A kinetic sculpture based on the ideas of Len Lye. It is a 45m pole, with a soft red light on top at night, that moves in the wind. On the foreshore.

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Queen St . Considered the home of one of New Zealand's finest collections of Modern Art. Also the home of the Len Lye Foundation and a very good cafe and gift shop.
The glockenheim clock- please add directions

Festival Of The Lights, Pukekura Park. Runs annualy for about 8 weeks. The beautiful Pukekura Park in the centre of New Plymouth is lit up, with live entertainment and activities for all ages

Bhairahawa

2009-01-28T15:18:00.001-08:00

Bhairahawa is a city in Rupandehi District in Western Nepal.

Bhairahawa is not Sunauli. Bhairahawa (spelling variation Bhairawa) and also known as Siddharthanagar, is a pleasant town of about 70,000 people 3 kilometers north of Sunauliand can be considered as: 1) the gateway to the Nepal side of the Buddhist pilgrim's circuit (Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Kathmandu). Hindus pilgrims also cross here on pilgrimages to (Kathmandu's Pashupatinath); and 2) the gateway to Nepal for the over landers/backpackers heading for jungle and trekking adventures.

Via Kathmandu to Bhairahawa Airport, one of Nepal's busiest, takes 45 minutes, and costs about $200 for foreigners and $115 for nationals. Carriers include Buddha Air, Yeti Air, 160 NRs airport tax applies for all domestic flights.

Via Dehli, Gorakpur, Sunauli, India/Belahiya, Nepal. 24 - 30 hours.

Via Kathmandu, Narayangarh/Bharatpur (var. Narayanghat), Butwal, Bhairahawa. 7 - 10 hours.

Via Pokhara, Palpa/Tanzan, Butwal, Bhairahawa (potholed, windy road, but beautiful views) 5 - 6 hours. Also via Pokhara, Narayangarh/Bharatpur/Butwal, Bhairahawa (better road conditions). 5 -6 hours.]

Via Sauraha/Chitwan Jungle Local bus/jeep to Tandi Bazaar, Bharatpur/Narayanghar. Switch to intercity Butwal, Bhairahawa micro-bus/bus. Road is very good. 4-5 hours.

Via Delhi - Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (about 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Total time approximately 12 - 18 hours.

Via Kolkata, Patna, Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (approximately 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya, and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Total time approximately 10 - 12 hours.

Rickshaws are a good option within the city, or walking. Expect to pay about 2 rupees per minute, depending on how many people you are or if you have a lot of cargo.

Un-metered taxis are now common at the major intersections as well but prepare to bargain hard.

Lumbini Garden Located approximately 22 klometers from Bhairahawa is the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha. The garden stretches one kilometer east west and 4 kilometers north south and besides having abundant bird and even some wild life, has an amazing collection over 20 nation's monasteries.

Devedaha lies 15 -km northeast of Bhairahawa near the village of Khairhani, is an archeological sight associated with the The Koliyas, the maternal tribe of Gautam Buddha. There are archaeological mounds near the village.

Ramagram lies about 20 kilometers due east from Bhairahawa and 4 km south of the town of Parasi in Nawalparasi district. The remains of stupa and monastery lie on the banks of the Jahari river near Kerwani village. The large stupa mound is approximately 30 ft high and 70 ft in diameter. Some have suggested that this was the center of the the Koliya Kingdom. The Koliyas of Ramagram are listed among the eight tribes that received the corporeal relics of the Buddha at Kushinagar. A Japanese funded memorial is located just to the west of the oxbow lake and a monastery is also planned. The all weather road to Ramgram is mostly unpaved and bumpy but passes through wonderful rural village scenes.

Kapilvastu is the name of an ancient Kingdom of the Shakyas the royal family of of Lord Buddha and is an important part of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit. THe modern district center of Kapilvastu, Taulihawa(approx. 30,000 inhabitants), lies about 40 kilometers due west from Bhairahawa (about 18 kilometers from Lumbini) and there are many ancient archaeological sites situated in a 10 kilometer circle around Taulihawa. The roads to and around Taulihawa are in good condition. Click here on Kapilvastu to see more about these important sites.

Tribeni Ghat a small and very quaint village on the banks of the Narayani River (known as Gandaki River when it crosses nearby into India) and just across the river from the Chitwan National Park. A very important historical, religious and cultural area due to the presence of the ancient Valmiki Ashram just across the river, and the propitiousness of bathing at the ghats specifically on ekhi Magh or Surya Pujha on the first day of the month of Magh (approximately 15 January) when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throng to the ghats to bathe. Cross the river here to visit Valmiki a 20 minute hike once you cross the river and just into the Chitwan National Park river. Also believed to be the place where Prince Siddhartha got down from his horse Kantaka and strode off on foot and into the jungles in his search for answers.

Ciudad del Este

2009-01-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

The most common way to arrive is through "Ponte da Amizade" (Friendship Bridge) which connects Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. There are frequent bus connections, also to and from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. Taxis sometimes do the trans-border trip as well.
A couple of kilometers south of Ciudad del Este, where Rio Paraná and Rio Iguaçu join, is a ferry crossing to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina without crossing Brazilin territory. The ferry runs hourly during daylight hours. There´s a bus passing close-by.

If you're travelling through the country, you will have to go to the paraguayan customs office just past the bridge. Citizens of the Mercosul can be granted entry just with their ID, other will probably need a valid passport. The stories of bribings and scams in the paraguayan customs offices are frequent but their are no reason to panic or give up travelling there. Just make sure you get everything you're supposed to get when they check your passport and/or ID. Those that handle them the ID shoud receive back, along with the ID, a formulary with the arrival stamp in it. If you're with the passport, you'll only receive the usual stamp on the page.

Please note: one of the common related scams consist in not handling the stamped paper back with the ID that way you cannot prove having legally entered the country. If in that situation you'll certainly be asked for money for the exit to be granted.

If you arrive with your own car make sure you find a parking lot (usually the local touts will lead you to one. However, if you do not feel comfortable with the situation you still can research a parking lot in advance as some of them have websites on the Internet.

Itapú Binacional Hydrodam, (The visitor centre is on the road to Hernandarias. Any bus to Hernandarias can drop you off there.), ☎ (061) 599-8040. Visits only on guided tours at 8 am, 9:30 am, 2 pm, 3 pm; Sundays morning tours only. On Friday and Saturday evening there's an audio-visual show (reservation required). Passports necessary for all visits. Free.

Museo de la Tierra Guaraní and Zoológico Regional, (About 2 km from the visitor centre on the way back to Ciudad del Este), ☎ (5561) 599-8040. Tuesdays to Saturday 8am to 12pm and 2:30pm to 5pm; Sundays morning only, Mondays afternoon only.. A small museum mainly on the Guarani culture and the local wildlife. Descriptions in English and Spanish. Free.

Shopping is the main business of the visitors. The main shopping streets are Av. San Blas and Camilo Recalde, where you can buy about anything and everything. Many people come for electronics.

A WARNING: If you want to buy electronics such as cellphones or cameras, the procedure shall be as follows:

Ask to test the device, if it works DO NOT give it back to the shopkeeper/assistant as some of them exchange them with faulty versions or hand the box back filled with paper or other but certainly not with what you just bought.

Herndon travel guide

2009-01-24T22:24:00.001-08:00

Herndon is a town in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C..

Herndon is a 10 minute drive from Dulles International Airport. A taxi from the airport is roughly $16.

For those needing to stay at a hotel in Herndon, the Comfort Inn offers free shuttle service to and from the airport from 5am to 11pm.

Herndon Train Depot Museum and Visitors Center - 717 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA - located next to the old town hall at the intersection of Elden Street and Lynn Street, the Herndon Depot Museum houses railroad memorabilia, information on Commander William Lewis Herndon, for whom the town was named; and artifacts from local residents. Operated by the Historical Society of Herndon, the building dates back to the 1850s and served as a train station until 1968. The building also houses the Herndon Visitors Center with information on the town and surrounding areas, restaurants, hotels and historical sights.

Herndon has its own municipal golf course. It is well groomed and maintained and is one of the best municipal golf course around. Green fees are reasonable.

Palestinian Territories travel guide

2009-01-24T22:15:00.001-08:00

The Palestinian Territories include parts of the West Bank (of the Jordan River) and the Gaza Strip. With significant parts of the Territories under Israeli occupation since 1967, their Final Status is still in dispute and remains the subject of ongoing and future negotiation. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is the semi-autonomous state institution (created in agreement with Israel and the United Nations) nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls "the Palestinian Territories"). The stated outcome of negotiations and Final Status talks is currently regarded as the eventual creation of a new, sovereign state - to be called simply Palestine.

Gaza Strip - Located on the southwestern coast of Israel and bordering Egypt to the southwest, it is under the control of the PLA and Hamas.

West Bank - Bordering Israel and Jerusalem to the west, Jordan to the east, including a significant coast-line on the Dead Sea.

The Palestinian Territories, in a wider sense and together with Israel, are considered the Holy Land for three of the world's major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Many sites of religious and archeological significance from the so-called Biblical periods are to be found within the current boundaries of the Palestinian National Authority, most notably Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Jericho. The ownership of parts of Jerusalem, of course, although claimed by the Palestinian National Authority, remain disputed, with Israel claiming the city as its undivided national capital.

The current Palestinian Territories are a sub-division of pre-1948, British Mandatory Palestine. United Nations-projected Arab-held areas of the former Mandate were greatly reduced after the 1948-1949 Israel War of Independence, when the embryonic state of Israel was first attacked by its Arab neighbours, then successfully defeated their armies, leading to a re-drawing of the internationally-recognised borders of Israel. Of course, these hostilities were accompanied by much bloodshed and displacement on both sides, much of the focus being on Palestinian refugees who fled in large numbers to neighbouring Arab countries, or to Gaza and the West Bank. The West Bank and Gaza Strip have been under under Israeli occupation since 1967. Prior to that, the West Bank was under Jordanian occupation (Jordan annexed the West Bank in 1950 but this was only recognized by themselves and the United Kingdom) and the Gaza Strip was under Egyptian control.

Tha Khaek travel guide

2009-01-24T22:07:00.001-08:00

Tha Khaek is in Laos.

From the North: Buses from Vientiane leave the Southern Bus station every 1-2h in the morning, the journey takes around 6h, 50,000 kip standard or 75,000 for a very colorful VIP bus. Note getting to the southern bus station involved a fairly long tuk tuk ride that will probably cost more than 50,000 kip. You can get a local bus from the Talat Soa (market) bus station to the southern one, it will save you money if you can't share a tuk tuk but this will take you quite a bit longer. There is VIP hotel pick up buses that can be booked from the center of Vientiane but they make quite a mark up charging around 130,000 per person!

Buses leave for Savannakhet (25,000 kip, 2-3h) and Pakse (50,000 kip 5-7h) at around 10.30. A tuk tuk to the bus station will probably cost 10,000 kip per person and takes about 15 minutes.

Tha Khaek town is small enough to walk around but tuk tuks will take you most places for 5,000-10,000 kip if you are feeling lazy. One speed bicycles can be hired from the Travelers Lodge at the slightly over

A tuk tuk to / from the bus station will probably cost 10,000 kip per person and takes about 15 minutes.

The market hidden behind the shops on the roundabout corner oppositely the Lao Development Bank is well worth a visit. Narrow lanes wind between the shops leading to a large open market selling fresh produce and sometimes unusual meats (or road kill!), Snakes, Squirrels frogs and bats are just some of the things seen for sale in the southern corner.

Tha Khaek itself is a small town, the Meekong has good views of Thailand and a fountain square is under development at the end of the main road, in Jan 08 the waterfront road was buried under piles of sand and bricks but once construction is complete it could be quite attractive.

Bicycles and Mopeds can be rented from the Tha Khaek Travelers Lodge or from a cloths shop on the southern side of the main road leading to the Lao Development Bank. An internet cafe on the other side of the road is open until about 10pm and charges 120 kip/minute. (Half the price of the dial up connection in the travelers lodge)

The Loop as it has become know is a good few hundred KM round trip along route 13 to the east and then back up and around returning to Tha Kheak on route 12. It is normally done in three to four days on a hired moped or using your own transport. It is not for the faint hearted, the condition of the roads and the driving standards of other vehicles is challenging to say the least! Once you have washed all of the thick orange dust out of you hair and clothing it is hard not to feel a great sense of achievement in having completing it.

Don't attempt to do the whole loop on the bicycles you can rent unless you are very determined. It is possible to reach the Tham Nong Pafa Cave (often referred to as the Budda cave) and some of the southern leg this way if you don't mind the heat and are reasonably fit but the lack of gears and suspension would make it very uncomfortable to go further. Allow a full day if going all the way to Aen Cave by bicycle and at least half for a visit the the signposted Budda cave (approx 15km from town, the last 9 of which is a dusty dirt road that winds through some stunning limestone scenery)

Tha Falang is a swimming spot in the river about 15km east along route 12, is a somewhat disappointing in the dry season but the ride and friendly children still make this trip good fun. It is not signed in English so you will need to turn off to the north, down a sandy track second after the bridge before the road bends around to the right between two cliffs. Immediately south after the bridge there is a shady spot to park and you can follow the river to Tham Xiengliab, a small cave with river flowing through it. Again a guide or pack of children will probably appear to guide you. Bring a torch and some gifts for the children if you want to go inside. After this point the road works being (Jan 08) Its about another 4-5km to the commercialized Aen Cave which is lit with a rainbow of neon strip lamps and has an amazing network of Escher like staircases. It has a river running out of mouth and a big pool at the back and is worth a look for the stair cases alone. 10,000 kip + 2,000 for the bike.

Konglor Cave is likely to be the highlight of this trip if not the whole of Laos, a 7km underground river that can be navigated by motorized long boat using torch light. It emerges into a lush valley on the far side which previously was only accessible by foot. In the dry season you will have to get out while the boat men drag the long boat over the shallows so bring flip flops. 100,000kip for the return trip, max 3 people to a boat. The road to Konglor is currently under construction and parts involve loose gravel and soft sand but it is due for completion around July 08. There are various guest house options along this road and some good home stays in the village about 1km from the cave itself (50,000kip per person with breakfast and dinner, max three people in the same house)

Check your bikes thoroughly before starting this trip, make sure the lights work and check the odometer as a lot of the turnings are not signed and you will have to measure the distance between junctions. If your helmet does not have a visor then sunglasses are essential as the dust and insects will blind you.

There are a number of very informative scrap books filled with tips, maps and others experience on 'The Loop' in the Travelers Lodge.

A number of Cafes line the riverfront road serving the usual types of basic food. In the market good noodle soup and be eaten under the sheltered section towards the middle. Pork Rolls (in hot French baguettes) can be bought as a take away lunch from stands near the new fountain square at the end of the main road, towards the other end night food stall sell pan cakes and pork buns by battery powered lamps. Its makes a good stop on the way back from Rendez-Vous and is good way to spend some money outside the monopolizing Travelers Lodge.

Divača travel guide

2009-01-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

Divača is a town and municipality in the Coast and Karst region of Slovenia. It is known for the many limestone caves in the area, included the UNESCO listed Škocjan Caves

Divača is on the main train line from Ljubljana to Trieste (Italy) and onto Venice.Divača is on the main A1 highway between Ljubljana and Koper.The Škocjan caves are about 4km from the town center and railway station. There is no regular public transport, but there is a spottily signposted footpath (35 min) connecting the two, or you can try to hitch a bus ride to the highway A1 exit near the caves.

There are several caves in the area. These include:

Divaška
Škocjan (see below)
Vilenica

A few kilometers south of Divača is the Škocjan Caves Regional Park (Slovenian: Regljski park Škocjanske jame), +386 5 763-2840 (fax: +386 5 763-2844, email: psj.info@psj.gov.si),. To get there by car, take the Divača exit from the highway and follow the signs.

The park's main attraction is its cave system that includes the highest cave hall in Europe, a massive gorge, waterfalls and a bridge over the gorge that looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings. The caves have beautiful stalactite and stalagmite structures. All told, there are eleven chambers that stretch for about six kilometers and the landscape was considered so unique that the caves are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Admission to the caves is by tour only, an easy guided walk that lasts about 90 minutes and takes you through two chambers: the Silent Cave and the Murmuring Cave. It's a good idea to bring decent shoes, wear a light coat (it's chilly and drippy inside) and be prepared to walk up and down hills. Tour costs €14/10/6 (adult/seniors and students/children).

Also of interest is the river Reka, which flows straight into Škocjan Caves and disappears into the cave tunnels, only to resurface some 20 km west near the Adriatic Sea. They are a further 20 minutes west from Postojna Caves.

There is some hiking in the area:

Within the regional park, there are a few trails including some that bring you to a view point. The longest is the Škocjan Education Trail, a 2 km trail that passes through forest and around various features of a Karst landscape.
The Slovene Mountain Trail passes to the east of town and through the regional park.

Cave related souvenirs (books, postcards, trinkets, etc.) are available in the gift shop at the Škocjan Caves.

There are some basic restaurants around the train station, and a cafe/restaurant in the regional park. There are also some restaurants in the village of Lokev, a few kilometers west of Divača.

Gostilna s prenočišči Malovec, Kraška cesta 30a, ☎ +386 5 763 12 25. Local restaurant that serves Slovenian dishes.

Helen

2009-01-17T15:24:00.001-08:00

Helen

Image: North America,United States of America , South ,Georgia, Helen

Helen is a tourist town that is a re-creation of an alpine village. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley area on the Chattahoochee River in Northeast Georgia.

From Atlanta, GA Approximately 1 1/2 hrs.

I-85 North. Go north to Gainesville Exit 113, which is I-985 and turns into Hwy. 365. Go 42 miles continuing on Hwy. 365 to Hwy. 384. Turn left, go 16 miles to GA Hwy. 75, turn right and go three miles into Helen.

From Atlanta, Georgia via GA 400 GA 400 North. Take 400 North until it ends. Continue ahead on GA Hwy. 115. Go 5 miles to the traffic light. Turn right on to Hwy. 115. Go 13 miles to Cleveland. At traffic light, turn left onto US 129 North. Go to the next traffic light and turn right on Hwy. 75 North. 9 miles to Helen.

From Chattanooga, TN Approximately 132 miles - 3 hrs.

I-75 South. Go South on I-75 to Dalton, GA. Take Hwy. 76 to Ellijay. From ELlijay continue south on Hwy. 52 to Dahlonega. At Dahlonega continue on 52/115 to Cleveland, GA. At 1st traffic light in Cleveland, turn left on Hwy. 129 North to next light and then right on GA Hwy. 75 and travel 9 miles to Helen.

From Birmingham, AL Approximately 3 1/2 hrs.

I-20 E take I-20 East to Atlanta, then I-285 by-pass north toward Chattanooga. Take GA 400 North to the end. Continue straight ahead on a county two-lane road (Long Branch Rd.) for 5 miles to a traffic light. Turn right on Hwy. 52/115 for 13 miles to Cleveland, GA. At traffic light turn left on Hwy. 129 North. At next traffic light turn right on Hwy. 75 and go 9 miles to Helen.

From Florida I-75 to I-675 to I-285 to I-85 and see above from Atlanta.

Horne's Buggy Rides are horse-drawn buggy rides that takes you throughout the city.

Anna Ruby Falls a waterfall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. A trail to the waterfall is also provided for the visually impaired.

Babyland General Hospital - Cabbage Patch Kids Where cabbage Patch Kids are "born". Located in the neighboring Town of Cleveland.

Black Forest Bear Park & Reptile Exhibit A "park" that is the home to many different species of bears and reptiles too.

Charlemagne's Kingdom An Alpine Model Railroad.

Nora Mill Granary & Country Store A Granary Mill built in 1876 on the Chattahoochee just 2 miles south of Helen.

Sautee Nacoochee Center A museum/nature preserve/heritage site.

Sautee Store An old store museum that carries Scandinavian gifts.

Scarlett's Secret A Plantation style museum that contains memorabilia from the movie Gone With the Wind and of the Civil War.

Graubünden

2009-01-17T15:15:00.001-08:00

Graubünden

Image: Europe, Central Europe , Switzerland , Graubünden

Graubünden is a region in Switzerland. The capital is Chur.

The main language in the canton is German. Other official languages are Italian and Rumantsch (Rhaeto-Romanian), a very rare and ancient language that is derived from Latin. You should be able to manage with English, though German can definitely be useful. If you are considering to be in Switzerland for a longer time in any case, get a German phrasebook. Nearly everyone in Graubunden speaks German.

There are no airports in Graubünden so the easiest option is to take the train from either Zurich or Milan, where there are international airports. You can also take the train into Zurich Bahnhof which is a international train station.

The Rhätische Bahn (RhB) is the the train system in Graubünden. The trains are always on time and can get you to most places. Post Buses will take you from the stations up the moutains to the villages

You may want to visit Thermal Bath in Vals.

Skiing is the biggest winter-time activity in Graubünden. There are resorts throughout the Engadin,St Moritz being the most famous, the Pratigau valley, Davos and Klosters, and the Surselva valley, Flims Laax Falera is the biggest. Apart from these larger famous resorts there are many smaller resorts to be found throughout Graubünden. There are 2,200 km of ski pistes in Graubünden.

Hiking is the main activity in the summer. Ski-lifts can help you up or down in some places, or you can go it alone on the thousands of trails that wind across the mountains, valleys and lakes of Graubünden. The views are of absolutely stunning.

Traditional Romansch foods include Capuns,Rosti and Pizokel. RÖsti is shredded potatoes, fried, and cheese melted on top. Occasionally bacon and a fried egg is added on top of the rosti.

Beer is the most drunk alcohol in Graubünden. The beer Calanda Brau is brewed in Chur.

Mineral Water is also bottled in vast amounts in Graubünden. The water Valser Wasser is bottled in Vals and Calanda Wasser is bottled in Lenzerheide.

Italy and Austria border much of Graubünden and both countries are easily accessed from the Engadin and San Bernadino pass. There is also the reset of Switzerland to explore.

Madhupur

2009-01-17T15:05:00.001-08:00

Madhupur

Image: Eastern India,Jharkhand,Santhal Parganas ,Madhupur

Madhupur is a city in Deoghar district of Jharkhand. It is considered a health resort particularly because the water there rectifies many stomach and digestion ailments. In olden times, there were many notable people, particularly from Bengal, who owned a house in Madhupur and lived there for long periods whenever they could. Amongst them were Sir Asutosh Mookerjee. His younger son, Uma Prasad Mookerjee, the writer famous for some of his travel books spent even more time there. Their house Ganga Prasad Bhaban is still there. Earlier Deoghar district was part of Santhal Parganas. The place has lost its earlier popularity but people still go there.

Madhupur is 294 km (via main line) from Howrah. It is on the Howrah-Delhi main line. There is a branch line from Madhupur to Giridih (32 km away). Vidyasagar (Karmatanr), associated with the memory of Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, is 24 km from Madhupur on the main line towards Kolkata. Some of trains which stop at Madhupur are as follows:

Daily trains: 8181/8182 Tatanagar Chhapra Express, 8622/8621 Hatia Patna Pataliputra Express, 8183/8184 Tata Danapur Express, 3007/3008 Howrah Sriganganagar Udyan Abha Toofan Express, 3049/3050 Howrah Amritsar Express, 5047/5048 or 5049/5050 or 5051/5052 Howrah Gorakhpur Purbanchal Express, 3021/3022 Howrah Raxaul Mithila Express, 8608/8607 Ranchi Baidyanathdham Express, 3185/3186 Sealdah Darbhanga Ganga Sagar Express, 3005/3006 Howrah Amritsar Mail, 5027/5028 Hatia Gorakhpur Maurya Express, 3111/3112 Sealdah Delhi Lalquila Express, 3287/3288 Durg Danapur Express, 3039/3040 Howrah Delhi Janata Express, 3231/3232 Howrah Danapur Express, 3019/3020 Howrah Kathgodam Bagh Express,

Other trains: 2023/2024 Howrah Patna Shatabdi Express (no train on Sunday), 2303/2304 Howrah New Delhi Poorva Express (4 days a week), 8449/8450 Patna Puri Express (weekly), 5642/5641 Guwahati Jhajha Express (weekly), 2317/2318 Sealdah Amritsar Akal Tatkht Express (biweekly), 23272326 Howrah Dehra Dun Upasana Express, 5271/5272 Howrah Muzaffarpur Express (weekly), 6309/6310 Ernakulam Patna Express (biweekly), 2315/2316 Sealdah Ajmer Ananya Express (weekly), 2305/2306 Howrah New Delhi Rajdhani Express (weekly), 3405/3406 Ranchi Bhagalpur Vananchal Express (bi weekly),

For timings etc. check with Indian Railways.

Holiday Homes are normally places of stay where one has to arrange for one’s own food. It is generally meant for members only but some of them allow others to stay on payment when vacancies are available. Non-employees of the organisation can check if place is available.

Howrah Municipal Corporation Staff Recreation Club Holiday Home, Howrah contact telephone +91 33 2660 3211.

Bengal Motion Pictures Employees Union Holiday Home, Kolkata contact telephone +91 33 2246 9622.

The University of Calcutta Holiday Home at Bahanna Bigha. The house was donated by Dr.H.C. Mookherjee, the first Governor of West Bengal. There are four rooms. The rent of the rooms at first floor are Rs.300/-per room, and the ground floor rooms are available at Rs.240/ per room. Contact:(033)2241-0071/4984-Extn:282.

There are several guest houses costing between Rs. 100 and 300 - Rajbari Rest House, Munu Guest House etc.

Ciudad del Este

2009-01-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Ciudad del Este

Image: South America , Paraguay,Ciudad del Este

Ciudad del Este is a city in Paraguay. It is mainly a shopping destination for Brazilians and Argentinians. Apart from that the city is not very attractive.

The bus terminal is located in the southern part of the city, a bit hidden behind the stadium.

There are frequent buses from Asunción (5 h) and Encarnación (4 h) in the South.

The most common way to arrive is through "Ponte da Amizade" (Friendship Bridge) which connects Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. There are frequent bus connections, also to and from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. Taxis sometimes do the trans-border trip as well.

A couple of kilometers south of Ciudad del Este, where Rio Paraná and Rio Iguaçu join, is a ferry crossing to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina without crossing Brazilin territory. The ferry runs hourly during daylight hours. There´s a bus passing close-by.

Itapú Binacional Hydrodam, (The visitor centre is on the road to Hernandarias. Any bus to Hernandarias can drop you off there.), ☎ (061) 599-8040. Visits only on guided tours at 8 am, 9:30 am, 2 pm, 3 pm; Sundays morning tours only. On Friday and Saturday evening there's an audio-visual show (reservation required). Passports necessary for all visits. Free.

Museo de la Tierra Guaraní and Zoológico Regional, (About 2 km from the visitor centre on the way back to Ciudad del Este), ☎ (5561) 599-8040. Tuesdays to Saturday 8am to 12pm and 2:30pm to 5pm; Sundays morning only, Mondays afternoon only.. A small museum mainly on the Guarani culture and the local wildlife. Descriptions in English and Spanish. Free.

Chandigarh

2009-01-17T14:44:00.000-08:00

Chandigarh

Image: Chandigarh,Asia ,South Asia,India ,Plains

Chandigarh is a very beautiful city in India. It is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, but the city itself is not part of either state, being a union territory, i.e. administered directly by the Central government.

The most striking thing about the city is the expanse of resplendent blue sky with the mountains in the backdrop. When you are approaching the city, you would see the jagged skyline of the Shivalik Hills looming large over the city and the faint image of an old temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi( 15 km form Chandigarh) from which the city got its name.

The political position of Chandigarh is quite ambiguous for anybody not knowing the city well. It is the capital to two northern Indian states Punjab and Haryana besides being a union territory in itself. The birth of this modern, youngest and happening city was an act of anguish and drama that took place at the time of partition of India and Pakistan. Lahore, the historical capital of Punjab was ceded to Pakistan and Chandigarh was conceived to be a symbol of India's freedom.

The government of the state decided to build a new city at the foot of the Shivalik hills. Architects Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki drew the initial plans in New York. When the latter died in an air crash in 1950, the work was entrusted to renowned Swiss architect Edouard 'Le Corbusier' Jeanneret who created Chandigarh as a city of "Sun, Space and Verdure" to fulfill basic functions of working, living, and care of body and spirit. Today, the city is home to more than 9 lakh people living in harmonious conditions that are considered to be the best in the country.

One can see architectural genius in the neat geometrical design of residential quarters, reinforced concrete structures and self-contained area layouts. Chandigarh is divided into 47 self-contained sectors. Each sector of the city is designed with its own shops, academic, and health care buildings, and places of worship, open spaces, greenery and the residential areas.

The city is divided into four major work areas. In the north, the capital complex, consisting of the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly and High Court, with the hills as a background dominating the city. Sector 17, which is the city and district centre, houses the administrative and state government offices, as well as shopping malls, banks and other offices. The west contains the university, and institutions of engineering, architecture, Asian studies and medicine. Finally, the east zone, which is the industrial area of the city. Chandigarh is one of the few planned cities in India, the others being Gandhinagar in Gujarat and Dispur in Assam.

In 1966, the Hindi speaking areas were split from the Punjabi speaking areas of the state to form a new state of Haryana. Chandigarh, however, continued to be the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. In a strange anomaly, the city itself was not made part of either state to avoid dispute, but was brought under direct rule by the Central Government, as a union territory. It was agreed that in 1986, the city would pass to Punjab. But this has been indefinitely delayed because Haryana insists on getting some territory in return, and the two states have not been able to agree on it.

Rock Garden designed by Nek Chand. One day 36 years ago, Nek Chand, a humble transport official, began to clear a little patch of jungle to make himself a small garden area. He set stones around the little clearing and before long had sculpted a few figures recycled from materials he found at hand. Gradually Nek Chand's creation developed and grew; before long it covered several acres and comprised of hundreds of sculptures set in a series of interlinking courtyards. After his normal working day Chand worked at night, in total secrecy for fear of being discovered. When they did discover the garden, local government officials were thrown into turmoil. The creation was completely illegal - a development in a forbidden area. However, rather than demolishing the garden, they decided to give Nek Chand a salary so that he could concentrate full-time on his work, plus a workforce of fifty labourers. The park is open daily from April to September between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Between October and March, it is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.

Sukhna Lake Located in Sector 1, the Sukhna Lake is an artificial reservoir. A popular place to hang out, one can expect to find residents of the city jogging or strolling along the banks. There is a walking path, a cafeteria, shops and a mini-amusement park and paddleboats. The Sukhna Lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream that flows down from the Shivaliks. Storks and cranes make migratory stops at the lake. The lake, incidentally, has Asia's longest water channel for rowing and yachting.

Rose Garden: The city houses the largest rose garden in Asia. It also hosts annual rose festival which is quite popular among local population.

The Capitol Most of the capitol complex is fenced off due to tight security, the open hand is accessible and from there you can see the main buildings, albeit in the distance. If you want a closer look at the Capitol, you need permission from the Tourist Bureau, in the ‘Deluxe Administration building’ in Sector 9. Please note the capitol and bureau are only open on M-F. The tourist bureau is not well signed, you’ll need to ask. It’s in the single story building out the back. Bring your passport and prepare for the beginning of the most amazing experience in Indian bureaucracy. All in all I spent three hours in total of which 50 minutes was spent looking at architecture. The tourist bureau gives you three letters giving you permission to visit the three main buildings of the Capitol complex, The Secretariat, the High Court and the Assembly.

The High Court - The letter is fine for looking around the High Court just show to security at the entrance, around the back, but if you want to take photos you need to surrender your camera, and head in to fill out some more forms in the protocol office, and the take the forms back to security to get your camera back. It’s worth it as the building is amazing, and extremely photogenic. You can’t take any photos indoors.

The Secretariat - To check out the Secretariat, it’s a little harder. First you need to find ‘reception’, which is just a small building out the back and show them your letter to get a visitor permit, then you need to see security who will let you in, then you need to see the main security officer inside, who will send you up to the registrar who will then send you back to the main security office. Thankfully you are escorted through most of this confusing, overly complex procedure, usually by a junior soldier with large machine gun. Whole process takes about 30 min. to an hour. Once it’s all clear you can go up to the roof, check out the geranium gardens, and take in an expansive view of all of Chandigarh. Then they’ll let you have a look out the front, which is more interesting.

The Legislative Assembly (both for Punjab and Haryana) - Ran out of time, so make sure you have a whole clear weekday to appreciate all the capitol buildings.

Pinjore Gardens - Pinjore Gardens, also called Yadavindra Gardens are 20 km (12 mi) from Chandigarh, 15 km (9 mi) from Panchkula, on the Chandigarh Shimla road. Taxis and buses ply regularly between Pinjore and Chandigarh. Pinjore lies on the foothills of the lower Shivalik ranges. The fascinating Mughal Gardens one of the most popular picnic spots. A mini zoo, plants nursery, a Japanese garden, historic palaces and picnic lawns await tourists.

Museum and Art Gallery - Located in Sector 11, the museum and the combined art gallery is an interestin palce to go to. Artefacts range form the Harrapan Period relics to the paintings and coins from different areas and time periods. Fossils of the local dinosaurs found in the region.

The Chandigarh Museum, which is just next door, provides an interesting aspect on how Chandigarh was founded. It begins with the principles on which Chandigrh was built, selection of the Architects, the design for the people etc.