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"