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Aruba

Aruba is a desert Caribbean island, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located off the coast of Venezuela, this flat, river-less island is renowned for its white sand beaches.

Aruba is divided into the northeast and southwest coasts. The southwest has white-sand beaches, turquoise seas, and warm waters. The northeast coast, exposed to the Atlantic, has a few white sand beaches, cacti, rough seas with treacherous currents, and a rocky coastline.

Cities
The entire island has a population of just over 100,000, so the term "city" is relative here.
 * – the capital

Other destinations

 * – Aruba's only national park

Understand
Aruba is a Caribbean island 25 km (15 miles) north of the coast of Venezuela. It is 30 km (19.6 mi) long and 9 km (6 mi) across, at its widest point, with an area of approximately 184 km² (70 sq mi).

The time in Aruba is Atlantic standard time; it is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings time all year round.

Climate
The climate is tropical marine, with little seasonal temperature variation. Because of its location south in the Caribbean there is very strong sun, but a constant light breeze keeps the temperature pleasant. (These persistent winds out of the east shape the island's distinctive, lop-sided divi-divi trees.) The divi-divi trees have become a signature tree to Aruba's landscape. The weather is almost always dry, with most rain showers coming at night and lasting only a little while. The yearly rainfall usually does not exceed 508 mm (20 inches). Temperatures in Aruba do not change dramatically. Between the months of January and March the temperatures stay around 24-29 °C (76-85 °F); this being their high season. However starting in April and through December this is considered off season and temperatures do not change much beyond 26 and 31 °C (79 and 88 °F). It lies outside the zone usually affected by hurricanes.

Landscape
The island is flat with a few hills, arid with mostly desert vegetation (cacti) and negligible natural resources other than white sandy beaches. The highest point is Mount Jamanota (188 m). There are no tropical rainforests on the island. Palm trees are generally found only in landscaped areas around the resorts and tourist areas.

History
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush starting in 1824 was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil transshipment facility, which became one of the world's largest oil refineries by the 1940s. Aruba was of value at the time to Americans due to its proximity to the nearby oilfields at Maracaibo, and because facilities built on Dutch territory were less vulnerable to being expropriated by Venezuela. The massive number of workers and executives required by the oil refinery led to massive development of the island's infrastructure, which greatly improved living standards and became the foundation for Aruba's modern tourism industry.

In the last decades of the 20th century, the local oil industry gradually declined due to automation and competition from Venezuelan refineries, but tourism boomed. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important (both ended in 2009). The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level.

Symbolism
Papiamento, the anthem, the national flag and coat of arms are the most important national symbols. They stress the inhabitants' love for the island, the close connection to the Caribbean Sea, and the multi-cultural composition of the population. The national anthem is played and sung on many occasions. The Dutch flag represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands of which Aruba is a part.

Electricity
Local electricity is officially 120 V 60 Hz, which is identical to the U.S. and Canadian standard. Outlets are North American grounded outlets, identical to the NEMA 5-15 standard wall outlets found in the United States and Canada. Occasionally non-grounded outlets may be found, which do not accept the third, round pin present on grounded plugs, and require an adapter. Older North American outlets may not be polarized (with one slot wider than the other). Otherwise, adapters are available which can accept a polarized plug and adapt it for use with a non-polarized outlet.

Tourist information

 * Aruba Tourism website

Entry requirements
Countries eligible for a visa-free entry are shown in cyan on image to the right.

Other countries require obtaining a visa, which is valid for Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands and allows multiple entry for a maximum period of 90 days within 180 days. The maximum uninterrupted stay in one of the individual countries is 30 days. The visa is not valid for the European part of the Netherlands.

Travelers are not allowed to work during their stay in Aruba. To enter Aruba, one should be able to present the following at time of entry:

 * a passport that is valid upon entry and for the duration of stay in Aruba. If the tourist holds a passport from a visa required country (list A), he must have a valid visa sticker in his passport;
 * a completely filled-in and signed Embarkation and Disembarkation card (ED-card); The Online ED-Card Aruba helps verify that all the necessary steps were taken in order to board an inbound plane to Aruba. You can fill in the ED-Card as early as 7 days before you travel to Aruba. https://edcardaruba.aw/
 * a valid return- or onward ticket;
 * the necessary documents for returning to the country of origin or to a country that he has the right to enter, for example a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent), a re-entry permit or a (entry) visa;
 * if so requested, the tourist has to be able to prove to the satisfaction of the migration officer that he has a valid reservation for an accommodation in Aruba (e.g. hotel or apartment) or that he owns property in Aruba (a residence, condominium, apartment, timeshare apartment or a pleasure yacht moored in Aruba with a length of at least 14 meters measured on the water line);
 * if so requested, the tourist has to be able to prove to the satisfaction of the migration officer to dispose of adequate financial means to provide for hotel expenses (if applicable) and living expenses during his stay or that he has a declaration of guarantee from a legal resident of Aruba.

The final authorization for admission to Aruba remains with migration officer at the border-crossing/port of entry. The migration authorities at the border-crossing/port of entry have the authority to grant or refuse admission. Admission can be refused if not all admission requirements are fulfilled by the time of entering Aruba of if the tourist has been blacklisted.

By plane
Usually you get the best fares arriving from Colombia, Florida or New York.

Aruba Airlines is the island's national airline. American Airlines schedules flights from Charlotte, Miami, and Philadelphia. Other major carriers from the US include Southwest (Baltimore, Orlando), United (Chicago, Newark, Houston Intercontinental, Washington/Dulles), Delta (Atlanta, New York JFK), and JetBlue Airways (New York JFK, Boston).

TUI flies charter flights from London Gatwick in the UK, and KLM flights to Amsterdam connect to most of the rest of Europe. Avianca and Aires connect Aruba to Colombia.

Daily connections to Venezuela (before service was suspended in 2019) included Caracas, Maracaibo, Las Piedras and Valencia, by Aeropostal, Aserca, Santa Barbara Airlines and Avior.

The highest-volume airlines at AUA (primarily US airlines) use gates equipped with jetways, while airlines with less frequent service must use remote stands and buses (which can result in significant delays).

Aruba offers US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities for those traveling to the United States. However, the process is slow and confusing.

Passengers must first check baggage in the USA Departures terminal, then pass through a primary airport security checkpoint and Aruba's outbound customs inspection checkpoint, followed by the secure area of the terminal for the "Non-USA Gates." US-bound passengers must turn right and follow the signs to the "USA Gates", where airport staff will check for boarding passes for US flights, and then enter a baggage claim area to reclaim the baggage they just checked. Global Entry kiosks are positioned in this area. Members may photograph themselves and are automatically recognized by the kiosks from their photographs on file with CBP. Members who are recognized are simply told to proceed (no receipts are issued).

Next, all passengers go through CBP preclearance immigration and customs inspection. In lieu of having to fill out declarations forms, passengers are orally questioned by CBP officers. Global Entry members get their own reserved line to the right, where the kiosks will already have sent ahead their profiles to the CBP officer covering that line. (This is the only part of the process where Global Entry membership actually helps; the two security checkpoints do not support TSA PreCheck.)

Upon finishing preclearance, passengers must recheck baggage onto the appropriate conveyor belt for their airline, then pass through a secondary security checkpoint because they just touched their checked baggage. Finally, passengers enter the US preclearance waiting area, which offers several American restaurants not found elsewhere on the island, such as Auntie Anne's and Panda Express.

By boat
Cruise ships can dock quite close to the downtown area, offering their passengers an easy walk to many stores and services.

Get around
You can conveniently get around Aruba by car, bus, or by foot. As a tourist, it is not completely necessary to rent a car because many restaurants, beaches, and shopping areas are within walking distance. If something is not within walking distances, taxis are always available and the ride is never very long. There is also a bus line that can take you close to major tourist areas.

By car
Like most Caribbean islands, Aruba's transportation network consists primarily of two-lane paved roads.

Oranjestad is often jammed with traffic when Aruba is full of tourists. For much of Aruba's history, Oranjestad lacked an inland bypass; the island road network was so disorganized that any attempt to bypass Oranjestad by detouring inland took as long as sitting in Oranjestad traffic. On November 5, 2019, the Aruba government opened Watty Vos Boulevard, a modern four-lane arterial road which provides a high-speed inland bypass route for travelers bound from the airport for points north of Oranjestad.

By car hire
Although the island has a half-decent transport system, you can take life on this laid-back island at a pace that suits you by using a car hire vehicle. Take a map with you to determine what road signs mean because they are not immediately obvious. This is one of the easier holiday destinations to negotiate your own car around so keep the pace easy and book ahead online.

Because Aruba is small, consider not renting a car until you know what you want to do. Many activities are central to the resort area of the island and are within walking distance. Renting cars/jeeps is easy, and many rental companies provide pickup service from area hotels.

If you do decide to rent a car, be aware that the local rental car companies often rent older, higher mileage cars. It's especially important to recognize that even the big brand rental car agencies will rent you a vehicle in mediocre condition.

Rental car companies at the Aruba airport do not give you the keys and tell you where to find the car (as in the US). They will bring the car to the alley that runs behind the rental car offices directly facing the airport terminal, and you are expected to return the car there.

Driving in Aruba
The most important thing U.S. drivers need to remember is that there are no turns on red. Also, there are several roundabouts (circles), which can be frustrating to some drivers but are quickly gotten used to. Aruba uses international road signs, which generally have no words or obvious relation to their meaning. Fortunately, tourist maps usually contain quick references to these road signs if you are unfamiliar.

The major road is LG Smith Blvd, on which people usually drive at about 40 mph, though that is a very rough guideline. Because the island is so small, everything of interest is close to everything else of interest, and it takes special talent to get lost—if you don't know where you're going, you can basically just keep driving, and statistically speaking you are likely to end up where you need to go eventually. Most of roads are identified by signage that is easily identifiable (look for a blue rectangle sign with white letters on a white pole).

Driving in downtown Oranjestad is quite easy. The best advice is to simply follow the road, but if it is your first experience in Aruba, it might be best to park near the Renaissance Mall and simply walk to your destination. A cab might also be easier than navigating the narrow unmarked streets.

You should also be cautious when driving, as there are certain "bus only" roads that are not marked but that feature large pits in the road designed to trap normal cars while letting buses drive through.

While driving in downtown be careful to avoid the tram tracks. Accidents often happen when tourists think that the tram will stop for them.

Traffic rules
International road signs are used in Aruba. Foreign & international driver's licenses issued by a member country of the Vienna Convention, are valid. Car speedometers and road signs are in kilometers. The speed limit in urban areas is 40 km/h; out of town it's 60 km/h, unless a higher or lower speed is specifically indicated. Much of Oranjestad's traffic is one-way and at intersections, where there are no road signs, traffic from your right has the right of way.

By taxi
Taxis are available at the airport and at hotels. The cost is about $31 from the airport to Palm Beach.

By bus
Arubus is a great way to see the island and to travel from Oranjestad to the tourist hotels all for about $2.60. You can take bus to the far end of the island, have lunch at St Nicholas, and see how the majority of the 116,000 islanders actually live. The bus stops at 9 pm.

You can find city/island buses at a main station right downtown. Outside of "rush hour", friendly drivers and some riders will help you choose routes and provide commentary on stops and sights. Fares are quite modest. The bus drivers will accept US currency as payment for bus fare, though they may give you change in Aruban florins. Buses are an economical way to get to the resort beaches.

Talk
Languages spoken are Dutch (official), Papiamento (also official, it's a creole of Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch), Spanish, and English (widely spoken).

See

 * Natural Pool (Conchi) - On the northern side of the island and only accessible via ATV or Trail Rated 4x4. This is a small pool of water hidden in natural rock formation that jut into the ocean, just off the shore of Aruba. This location makes for a great day trip - make sure your vehicle has a spare tire.
 * California Lighthouse - On the northernmost tip of the island. Many scenic views and is also the location where you can access the dirt trails to travel down the northern shores of Aruba.
 * Our Lady of Alto Visto Chapel - On the northern side of the island. The chapel is very picturesque and historic.
 * Casibari Rock & Ayo Rock Formations – You can climb and explore these formations, the tops of which provide a great view of the countryside.
 * Natural Bridge @ Boca Andicuri – There are 7 "Natural Bridges" in Aruba. The original (biggest and most famous bridge that people are referring to when they say Natural Bridge) collapsed in 2005 leaving a pile of rubble in the bay. There is a smaller bridge right next to the fallen bridge that still stands.
 * Bushiribban Gold Mill / Smelting Station – The ruins of the smelting station are the way to the Natural Bridge. Climbing the ruins you can get great photos of the coastline.
 * Boca Catalina and the Antilla Shipwreck – These are 2 of the many sites snorkel tours will take you. The Antilla Shipwreck is the remains of a scuttled 400-foot German cargo ship that was anchored off of Aruba during World War II. It was thought that this ship was supplying German U-Boats in the Caribbean and after The Netherlands was invaded in 1940, the captain was given notice to surrender the ship. Instead of surrendering the ship to the Dutch Marines the captain sunk the ship by blowing up the boilers. (The crew swam to shore, and were taken POW and shipped to Bonaire.) The joke you will hear is "They did not want to surrender the cargo and they also wanted to provide future tourists with a site to see." The remains are off of Malmok beach. After the war, the captain and his crew purchased their former POW camp and converted it into a hotel. Today the site is the Divi Flamingo resort.
 * Arikok National Park - The park consists of lava formations, a quartz diorite formation, and a limestone formation extending inward from the coastline. These formations have played a pivotal role in the history of Aruba.
 * Quadirikiri Cave - Renowned for having two rooms that are lit by sunlight entering through the cave's ceiling openings. The length of the cave is roughly 100 feet. Hundreds of harmless bats are nested in the cave's darkest corners.
 * The Palm Island
 * Hooiberg (Haystack Mountain) a.k.a. "the Haystack" – Standing over 500 feet, the haystack is in the center of the country and provides a breathtaking view of Aruba. People suggest going on a cool & clear day because it will be easier to climb the 561 steps required to reach the top and you can see the coast of Venezuela to the south!
 * Butterfly Farm - set in a tropical atmosphere, tour guides at the Butterfly Farm will elucidate butterfly habits and metamorphosis.
 * Bubali Bird Sanctuary - over 80 species of migratory birds reside in the sanctuary. Get the best view of the birds, by using the observation tower.
 * De Oude Molen/ Windmill It was built in 1804 in Holland then shipped to Aruba in 1906.
 * Bubali Bird Sanctuary - over 80 species of migratory birds reside in the sanctuary. Get the best view of the birds, by using the observation tower.
 * De Oude Molen/ Windmill It was built in 1804 in Holland then shipped to Aruba in 1906.

Do
On and off the resorts:
 * Horseback Riding
 * Jeep Safari
 * Hiking
 * Cycle Tours
 * 4 Wheeling Tours
 * Rock Climbing
 * Sailing
 * Scuba
 * Sea Trek
 * Snorkeling
 * Fishing
 * Kayaking
 * Kite Surfing
 * Windsurfing

Museums

 * Historical Museum- It contains a large collection of artifacts and paintings from Aruba's earliest through those reminiscent of colonial times up to the present day.
 * Archaeological Museum - The archaeological museum exhibits ceramic, shell and stone artifacts which portray the customs, beliefs and traditions of these first cultures.
 * Numismatic Museum- The museum contains over 35.000 different pieces covering over 400 countries.
 * Aruba Model Train Museum

Beaches

 * Baby Beach - Southern tip of the island. It's called Baby Beach because it is no more than five feet deep at any point - like a giant wading pool.  This beach also has some of the best snorkeling on the island.
 * Boca Prins - Secluded beach within Arikok National Park. Swimming not recommended.  Restaurant a short walk away.
 * San Nicolaas Beach
 * Eagle Beach – Often called "1 of the 10 best beaches in the world"
 * Hadikurari Beach a.k.a. Fisherman's Huts. This is where the High Winds Pro AM windsurfing world championship is held every June.
 * Palm Beach White sand and excellent swimming conditions in calm water. Nearby hotels allow you to use public areas for changing. Accessible by bus, car or taxi.
 * Malmok Beach
 * Arashi Beach - Calm water, white sandy beaches with palapas and huts for shade.
 * Boca Catalina- Shallow waters with plenty of fish, good place to snorkel. White sandy beaches with some pebbles and stone.
 * Manchebo Beach- Gentle surf, long white beach. Hotels near by.
 * Andicuri- Not advised for swimming, tough currents and big waves. This is a good beach for someone looking to go surfing.
 * Druif Beach- Excellent for swimming with calm waters. Hotels near.
 * Surfside Beach- White sandy beach with some pebbles and stones. Calm water good for swimming.
 * Dos Playa- can get there by 4 wheeler, not good for swimming strong currents and big waves. A nice place to have a picnic to check out the view.
 * De Palm Island- Waterpark for kids, great place to snorkel, with shallow waters.
 * Mangel Halto - Shallow water. Can be reached by car or taxi.
 * Santo Largo - Shallow waters, good place for picnic. Can be reached by car or taxi.
 * Boca Grandi - Good for people who enjoy extreme sports, not good for swimming tough current.
 * Bachelor's Beach - A good beach for windsurfing or snorkeling. Not really good for swimming.
 * Rodgers Beach - Very calm water with white sandy beaches.

Money
The currency used is the Aruban florin, denoted by the symbol "ƒ" or Afl (ISO currency code: AWG).

The official rate at which banks accept U.S. dollar banknotes is ƒ1,77 and checks at ƒ1.78. The rate of exchange granted by shops and hotels ranges from ƒ1.75 to ƒ1.80 per U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.

Coins in Aruba come in denominations of 5-, 10-, 25 and 50 cents, ƒ1-, ƒ2$1/2$, and ƒ5. Banknotes in Aruba come in denominations of ƒ10-, ƒ20-, ƒ50-, ƒ100 and ƒ200.

Traveler's checks are widely accepted and there is no charge for using them in hotels, restaurants and stores. Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted.

Cash may be obtained with MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards at credit card offices, banks, in some casinos and via Western Union. ATM cards and credit cards are accepted by ATMs of Aruba Bank, Banco di Caribe, RBTT Bank, and Caribbean Mercantile Bank. The card must have either a Cirrus or Visa Plus logo. ATM instructions are normally given in Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento. Cash is normally dispensed in local currency.

American dollars are accepted virtually everywhere at a decent exchange rate. If you have U.S. dollars, there is no need to change money into the local currency, the Aruban florin. The island is not a duty-free zone, but merchants respond well to competition on other islands, and duty free goods are offered by a few shops at the airport as visitors depart.

Shopping
Most stores are open from 9AM to noon or 1PM and from 2PM to 6:30PM, although some remain open between noon and 2PM. Shops are open from Monday to Saturday. Hotel stores have varying business hours so check directly with your hotel for their hours. Above all, it appears that Arubans are very aware that their economy is completely dependent on tourism - so Arubans are polite to tourists, and even street vendors don't generally seek to rip off their customers (though as in all traveling, don't let advice like this lull you into a sense of complacency). This may be helped by the fact that Aruba is a relatively expensive place to visit, so it tends to attract the reasonably well-off.

Oranjestad's waterfront has many vendors/stalls selling souvenirs. Many of these souvenirs are imported from the United States with island scenes/slogans, only to be purchased by Americans and brought back to America.

In Oranjestad, the Renaissance Mall contains various American and European major apparel brands (i.e., Polo Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry) at essentially the same prices as in the United States.The mall and the rest of the downtown area are also home to numerous other types of stores catering to visitors, including jewelers, souvenir shops, apparel shops, and two modest grocers.

You'll find strip malls and grocers at modest (not easily walked) distances west of downtown and elsewhere. They offer most everything a visitor or resident might need for short stays or living there. Groceries and other supplies are all imported, so prices tend to be high. You can catch the bus from the hotel areas to the grocery shops which are about 10 min from Eagle Beach but before you get to Oranjestad.

With numerous cruise ships visiting, downtown stores offer jewelry and other goods typical of other Caribbean cruise ports, some at "duty free" prices. For cheese lovers, mild Dutch Gouda, in boxes or wheels, is a popular purchase in super markets, though not the great bargain it used to be. Do ensure the integrity of the package seal from the maker to avoid spoilage and difficulty at customs inspection.

If you've flown to the island and are returning home, the airport duty-free store offers some items at slightly better prices than downtown, e.g., a decent selection of rums.

Eat
The most famous dish in Aruba is Keshi Yena. It is a spicy mixture of chicken and peppers, capers, olives and tomatoes traditionally baked in a Gouda cheese "shell". This is often considered to be the national dish of Aruba.

Many chain restaurants, both fast food and upscale, from the United States are present in Aruba (i.e. Texas de Brazil, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Hooters, Subway, Tony Romas). You'll find some downtown, and many near the large resort hotels.

The upscale restaurants near resorts vary in quality as there are a limited number of them and they have a steady stream of tourist customers, as they advertise in pamphlets available in the hotels. The fast food places are essentially no different than their American counterparts.

Also good are some of the local fare restaurants. While obviously relying on tourist income, good food can be had. Nos Cunucu is a good example of such. With meals like the traditional baked cheese and some more interesting items such as Iguana soup. Don't be afraid to eat at random bars and such along the road, (with normal caution of course). Good food can be had for relatively low cost. These pander to locals.

Drink
By the glass, sixpack or case, imported Dutch beers are relatively good buys. Balashi Beer - Aruba's National Beer... a must-drink beverage, perfect after spending all day at the beach. Don't, however, confuse it with a "Balashi Cocktail", which is a local term for the equally enjoyable Aruban water. Founded in 1996, the name Balashi is derived from the words Bala Bala and Balana and means "near the sea." It is the only beer brewed on the island of Aruba. Daily tours of the brewery are available with an open-aired bar and restaurant on the premises. Balashi Brewery Tel. 592-2544 / 523-6544. Balashi Gardens open from 6:30AM-4PM. Tours Monday - Friday. There is also a Balashi logo store, with mostly t-shirts, and a few other things located on L.G. Smith Boulevard, right before the Harley shop and after the Caribbean Mercantile Bank. Very easy to miss but worth a trip if you enjoyed the Balashi! There is also a drive-thru beverage store next door that is nifty.

Sleep
There are resorts all over the island. See the individual city articles for listings.

Aruba offers many options for sleeping arrangements. There are hotels in downtown, but the majority of them are on or near the beach. There is a Holiday Inn, a Marriott, other chains, and smaller boutique hotels, such as Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts and local places. The Holiday Inn is next to the Marriott. They share a long, narrow stretch of beach known as Palm Beach. The Marriott is the only resort that offers a timeshare on its premises. There are two timeshare "clubs" apart from the Marriott. One is the ocean club which has been around for quite some time. The second is the surf club which. The Marriott includes three swim-up bars, a lazy river, two gyms, and a casino. The Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts is a boutique hotel with oceanfront rooms and suites. It is on the widest stretch of Eagle Beach.

Learn
There are two private, but IMED approved, medical schools on the island that prepare students for practice in the United States. These are Aureus University School of Medicine and Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM).

Work
A working permit is required to work in Aruba. tourists are not allowed to work on the island without a working permit.

Stay safe
Aruba is generally a very safe place at any time of day or night. However, it would probably be wise to stay away from the area surrounding the Citgo refinery on the southeast part of the island at night (in the words of a Valero employee, "you will get some undesirables down there at night"). There is generally no reason for a tourist to go there at all anyway, so this likely will not be an issue.

Drug possession laws are strictly enforced. Possession of cannabis is illegal.

Stay healthy
The running water in Aruba is absolutely safe to drink. It is referred to as "Sweet Water" because it is very good.

The main 280-bed hospital is well-equipped with staff and equipment. Oxygen tanks and hemodialysis services are available. Hotels have doctors and dentists on call and appointments can also be arranged through your hotel. Several other medical clinics also exist on the island.

Respect
Nature is very cherished by the Aruban people. 18% of their island is dedicated to the Arikok National Park.

 * You should not wear beach attire anywhere but on the beaches or by the pool.
 * Make sure to properly greet someone.
 * Ask before snapping a picture of someone.
 * Men should wear dress shorts or slacks to dinner, no jeans allowed in most restaurants.

Go next

 * Curaçao
 * Bonaire

title: Aruba


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Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is a city in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Understand
Arugam Bay is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. The bay is located 320 km due east of Colombo. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination. Many of the buildings were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami.

By bus
Frequent buses from Colombo to nearby Pottuvil (4 km). Most are via Ratnapura, Welawaya, Buttala, Monaragala.

A luxury aircon bus (Rs.2700, new Yutong buses, ~8 hr) leaves to Colombo Airport and Fort at 8:15PM from nearby Akkaraipattu. A tuktuk to there from Arugam Bay costs around Rs.2000 and takes 1½ hr. Tickets are sold by "Al-Rasith Travel (Pvt) Ltd."). Galaxy Lounge can reserve seats.

From Batticaloa: two daily direct buses at 6AM and 10AM. Rs.135, 5-6 hours. Stops for 1 hour in the town of Akuraivili. Tuk-tuks offer to take travelers directly from there to Arugam Bay for Rs.1500, but you could just wait for an hour for the bus to continue and not spend any additional money. The bus ride ends in town of Putuveli, which is about 3-5 km to most guesthouses in Arugam Bay. Tuk-tuks ask for Rs.200-300, but Rs.150 is a fair price. Or you could walk if no luggage; it's pleasant and flat.

By train
Nearest train stations are Ella or Badulla on the Mountain line and Batticaloa using the inland line via Polunaruwa. All three stations are about 135 km from Arugam Bay.

By air
Sri Lankan Airlines operates Air Taxi services on demand landing directly on the Arugam Bay lagoon.

By taxi
Private taxi services can be arranged at any time of day or night. The transit time from the main international airport to Arugam Bay is 6 hours for the 350 km trip

See
Since the 1960s Arugam Bay's main surf point has been the main attraction. It is a righthand reef break, famous for long, constituent runs up to 750 m.

Buy
The nearby market town of Pottuvil (4 km to the north) has the only proper, air-conditioned supermarket. A new branch of Cargill's Food City. Other small shops are in the Bay itself. The perhaps best equipped and stocked one is "Home Needs" in the centre of the Bay.

Eat
Most restaurants are either directly on the beach (such as Emma Restaurant or Friends Indeed) or on both sides on the main road. Many restaurants have their fish (e.g. tuna or marlin, without cooling) shown, but check twice if it is really fresh or from the day before.

Drink
There is no legal wine or liquor shop in or anywhere near Arugam Bay. Palmgrove Holiday Inn caters for local patrons and has a licensed bar. Meena's Beer Bar also, but is restricted to bottled beer only (no liquor). Opposite, part of the old Siam View Hotel, Asia's perhaps oldest MicroBrew Pub existed. They produced famous All Natural Arugam Bay Surfer's Beer on draft (only). Due to strict licensing laws their operation could not legally continue after the 2009 end of the 30 year war. Hideaway resort operates a secluded bar in their garden.

A bar close to Galaxy Lounge plays electronic music till sunrise every wednesday.

Sleep
There are approx. 70 establishments in Arugam Bay offering accommodation. Most are simple, family run cabana style low budget places. In total there are only about 120 somewhat better equipped rooms available with a working air-conditioning and a few basic luxuries. The most popular hotels are, as follows, coming from the bridge/Pottuvil end: #01 Stardust, #03 Galaxy, #05 Beachhut, #15 Tsunami Hotel, #32 Tristar Hotel, #37 Hideaway, #39 Arugam Bay Surf Resort, #50 Siam View Hotel (SVH). Only the latter (SVH) is air-conditioned throughout.

Go next

 * Panama (13 km S) – Crocodile Tank and Radella Tank
 * Kudumbigala Monastery (22 km S)
 * Okanda (30 km S) - Kovil and Beach
 * Kumana National Park (45 km S)
 * Matara. One daily bus at 6AM. Rs.305, 7-8 hours. Arugam Bay bus stop is in the nearby town of Putuveli (3-5 km from most Arugam Bay guesthouses). Note that the bus does not start in Putuveli. When it arrives in Putuveli at 6:00-6:30AM, most seats are taken; you might have to stand for 1-2 hours until the people get off at the bigger towns.
 * Batticaloa

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Arugam Bay


text:
Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is one of the northeastern states of India. It is bordered by Bhutan in the west, China in the north and northeast, Myanmar (Burma) in the southeast, and the states of Assam and Nagaland in the south.

Cities

 * — the state capital
 * — home to Pakke Tiger Reserve and the Tipi Orchard Research Centre
 * — a small town with 3 famous Buddhist monasteries
 * — a village that is a treat for environmentalists, biologists, and nature lovers, with several varieties of fruits and rich flora and fauna
 * — a city with several forts and the remnants of Dirang Dzong (a fort)
 * — one of the oldest places in the state, and an educational hub
 * — a Himalayan town with the second-largest Buddhist monastery (gompa) in the world, built in 1681
 * —
 * — a small town often used as the start of the journey to the Pemako area, on the border with Tibet
 * (Zero) — a picturesque town included the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Site for the Apatani cultural landscape

Other destinations

 * — (humid and wet area) named after Mouling peak part of the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve

 * — the largest national park in India, known for its biodiversity and for being home to the northernmost rain forest in India

Understand
Arunachal Pradesh was part of Tibet until 1914, when a treaty between the British government and the Tibetan government brought the Himalayan region under British control as part of British India. However, China considered the Tibetan government to be a local government that had no power to sign treaties with another sovereign state. As a result, China refused to recognise the treaty, and continues to claim the region as part of Tibet.

Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) till 1987, when it was renamed to the current name. The current name literally means the "province of the dawn-lit mountains".

The only modern book written about travelling through this state is Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent's Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains from 2017. This book is well worth reading for anyone interested in visiting.

Talk
People of Arunachal Pradesh can speak and understand Hindi and often English. There are more than 36 major tribes and more than 306 sub-tribes, many of whom do not understand each other's languages, with Hindi generally used as the common language between them. English is commonly spoken well by educated people, but don't expect everyone to understand it.

In Buddhist areas near the Chinese border, such as Tawang, it is common to see signs written in Tibetan, which is understood at least by monks and some older people.

Fees and permits
Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter the state. The PAPs are issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and for foriegners, the easiest way to get one is to apply for it when applying for your Indian visa, though this is not possible with eVisas. If you will be entering as part of a tour group, the tour operator will handle all permits for you.

If you're traveling independently and already in Northeast India, the easiest way is to visit the Office of the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh in Guwahati. It's not necessary to hire help for this — the officials there are very friendly and familiar with the rules and process, even for solo travelers, despite what you might read or hear elsewhere. The permit typically takes 3-4 business days to be approved, and can be sent to you by email or Whatsapp, so you don't need to visit the office again or stick around in Guwahati. It should also be possible to apply at the offices in Kolkata or New Delhi.

Individual travellers are granted up to 30 days in the state, but are only allowed to visit the districts of West Kameng (Bomdila and Dirang), Tawang, and Lower Subansiri (Ziro), and have to promise not to visit non-tourist areas or take any pictures of military facilities. You will be asked to fill out a proposed itinerary, but you don't have to stick to it, so its advisable to invent one that covers the maximum amount of time and number of places you might go, to make sure you receive authorization for the whole thing. You must leave photocopies of your passport, visa stamp, and a printout of your permit at the police checkpost when entering Arunachal, and inform the police when you leave. Police from each district will likely be in touch with you repeatedly during your visit, to verify details of your travel plans and offer you assistance.

If you want to visit other parts of the state, it's possible to get permission to travel other routes if you have a group of two or more people, especially if your trip is arranged by an Indian travel agency.

Indian citizens require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state, which is now applied for online. The ILP is provided for each of the following sectors:

 * 1) Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang
 * 2) Itanagar, Ziro
 * 3) Namdapha, Changlang

You can get the ILP for any one of the above sectors.

By plane
Arunachal Pradesh has four commercial airports at Itanagar, Pasighat, Tezu and Ziro.

There is a helicopter service available from Guwahati to various destinations like Pasighat and Tawang. The service is operated weather permitting. The fares are reasonably priced. There are no public taxis operating at the helipad in Tawang. If you want to trek from the helipad to Tawang town, make prior arrangements for road transport before boarding the flight.

By car
If you are visiting Bomdila sector, then the easiest way to reach there is by road from Tezpur (Assam). One can then go to Tezpur by state transport buses. From Tezpur, shared vehicles are available every morning from 05:30. It's recommended to use a reputed travel agency to book seats. Requesting your driver to stop at Sela pass during the winter allows you to see picturesque snow-covered views. The roads are good and well maintained by Border Road Organisation (BRO), but there can be landslides in the rainy season.

By car
For first-timers driving by your own in mountainous roads is not recommended. There are numerous rental cars available in almost all cities in the state. The rental cars are generally safe and charge reasonably.

By bus
Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services provides daily bus services between the cities. The bus might get jam-packed sometimes. The prices are very cheap and the journey is safe.

See

 * Bomdila is a great place for adventure sports, rafting, angling and trekking. The best time for trekking is October to February.
 * Pasighat is one of the oldest cities of Arunachal Pradesh. This is a great place for tourists who wish to experience the beauty of nature. The city is the entrance point for the Arunachal Pradesh.

Places to visit around Tawang include:
 * Tawang Monastery. A Tibetan Buddhist gompa (fortified monastery) that was constructed in 1681. It is the second-largest Buddhist monastery in the world.
 * Anni Gompa, a Buddhist monastery managed by nuns.
 * Nuranang Falls, a large waterfall near Tawang.
 * Tawang War Memorial is not to be missed. It is maintained by the Indian Army and has inscribed therein the names of those who died defending Tawang during the Chinese intrusion in 1962. A sombre place, it elicits awe, gratefulness and perhaps a tear in the eyes of many Indian visitors.

Do

 * Greener Pastures - An Eco-tourism venture that offers travelers an escape into the unexplored mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. They organize tribal cultural exchanges, treks, extreme river rafting challenges, and sightseeing tours around the region.
 * Kameng River Rafting: - This River was known as the Bhareli River, before it was renamed Kameng. This river flows on the India-Tibet border, in India it flows from Arunachal Pradesh. This is one of the most challenging rivers for river rafting in India.
 * Rafting - Brahmaputra is counted as one of the best rivers for rafting in the world. This river gives an amazing and exciting, lifetime memorable rafting expedition experience into the North-East of India. The Tsang Po River flows in the east side of Tibet, passing through great Himalayan. This river also passes through the Namche Barwa, highest unclimbed mountain and then reaches to Arunachal Pradesh. Brahmaputra river rafting is a challenging activity in which one can experience the “Zebra ock” and “Roaring Rikor”. Tourists can also set their camp on beaches in the night time. This journey also includes a ride at Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra River also the densely forested river valley from the plains of Pasighat.
 * Biking - The curvy mountainous roads of Arunachal Pradesh offers stunning views of valleys. It is known as a biker's paradise. Biking through the sights of snow-capped mountains is a great experience.

Eat
Tibetan delicacies like thupka, momos or simple and delicious paratha-sabzi eaten hot from the roadside shacks on cold misty days are a treat. Most restaurants in Tawang serve them. A small shack called Annapurna serves delicious alu (potato) chips. The traditional Monpa cuisine uses a generous amount of chillies and fermented cheese which has a strong flavour.

Some traditional Arunachal dishes are:

 * Gyapa khazi is a type of pulao made of rice, fermented cheese, small dried fish or shrimp, chillies, ginger and other spices.
 * Khura is a pancake, often taken with tea.
 * Momo is made by stuffing minced pork and onions into dough and then steaming the dumpling in a three-layer steamer or frying them.
 * Thukpa is a soup filled with noodles, minced meat and vegetables, also known as der thuk. Ashum thukpa is made of maize, beans and meat.
 * Zan is the staple dish of the Monpa tribes. It is usually made of millet flour, and is served with vegetables or meat, to which fermented cheese, soya bean or herbs are added.

Drink
Getting tea or coffee is quite easy in Arunachal Pradesh. There are many local drinks which include local beers.
 * Saraku is a local alcoholic drink.
 * Apo is a local beer. It can be categorised as a rice beer. You cannot find it in shops as they are usually brewed in households and often served along with rice and chutney and is a part of a tradition and culture.

Stay safe
In December 2022, there were clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Check on current conditions before you visit the region.

Arunachal Pradesh is a safe state. The inhabitants are generally friendly and ready to help visitors. However, there are dangers of altitude sickness for the visitors of the state, especially in the high mountainous areas. You are not advised to visit sensitive places near the Indo-China border. Stay inside your hotel and its premises in the night as going out between the mountains during the night might not be a good idea. The most important, drive carefully!, if you are driving in mountainous roads, speeding or overtaking might not be a safe choice. Avoid visiting the state in the rainy season. The heavy rains cause the roads to get really muddy and landslides are frequent which lead to road blocks. All the places are well guarded and the crime rate in this region is very low.

Go next

 * Assam - known for its lush tea gardens and wildlife,
 * Nagaland - known for its unique landscape and culture.
 * Meghalaya- known for its exceptional wildlife and natural beauty. The world's wettest place Cherrapunji is also located here.

title: Arunachal Pradesh


text:
Arundel

There is more than one place called Arundel:

United Kingdom

 * Arundel (England) - A town in West Sussex, England.

United States of America

 * Arundel (Maine) - A town in Maine.

title: Arundel


text:
Arundel (England)

Arundel is a town in West Sussex in southeast England, with a population in 2021 of about 3500. Its main attraction is the medieval castle.

Understand
Harhunedell is Old English for "valley of the horehound", the common mint plant. (The "hore" refers to its hoar-frosted appearance, not its breeding habits.) But this became garbled with arondelle the old French word for a swallow (nowadays hirondelle), and these appear on the town crest. The large bird on the town hall originally perched on the Swallow Brewery, long closed. According to the Domesday Book of 1086, the town had four burgesses, a mill and fishery, and the whole lot was worth £27.

Arundel is at the foot of the South Downs where the River Arun flows out, and until 1908 it had the lowest bridge on the river. The valley also created a route north through the Downs. So it was an obvious defensive position and there was already a castle by the early 11th century, which the Normans strengthened. The river is tidal for 25 miles and Arundel was a port until superseded by Littlehampton on the coast in the 19th century. Victorian industry largely passed the town by so its old centre was preserved, while the castle was re-fashioned into what the Middle Ages ought to have created if only they'd had makeover specialists and interior design consultants. It's nowadays the town's chief attraction.

Visitor information

 * Visit Arundel website

Get in
Stagecoach South Bus 9 runs hourly from Shoreham-by-Sea via Lancing, Worthing, Durrington, Angmering and Littlehampton to Arundel railway station and town.

Compass Bus 85 runs three times M-Sa from Chichester. There isn't a bus station in Arundel, the buses make multiple stops.

Arundel is on A27 the main coast road, which runs east to Worthing, Brighton and Hove, and west to Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton.

A284 is the old London road, but from London you're better staying on A24 until it meets A27, then turn west.

Get around
Walk, the town is compact, although High Street is steep.

Taxis: Castle Cars are based at the railway station, tel +44 1903 884444. They're not very reliable.

See

 * Blackfriars was a Dominican priory founded some time before 1253 and dissolved in 1538. All that remains is a few stumps of masonry next to the museum.
 * is a folly within the parkland of the castle, although the folly here was by the builder rather than the landowner. In 1797 Frances Hiorne was pitching to re-build the castle, and erected this as a demonstration; he didn't get the contract and died two years later. Its modern fame is as the site of a TV skirmish between Dr Who and the Cyborgs.
 * Blackfriars was a Dominican priory founded some time before 1253 and dissolved in 1538. All that remains is a few stumps of masonry next to the museum.
 * is a folly within the parkland of the castle, although the folly here was by the builder rather than the landowner. In 1797 Frances Hiorne was pitching to re-build the castle, and erected this as a demonstration; he didn't get the contract and died two years later. Its modern fame is as the site of a TV skirmish between Dr Who and the Cyborgs.
 * is an attractive hamlet four miles west of Arundel. The parkland estate just beyond it is managed by the National Trust and has walking trails, dogs welcome on leads.
 * is an attractive hamlet four miles west of Arundel. The parkland estate just beyond it is managed by the National Trust and has walking trails, dogs welcome on leads.
 * is an attractive hamlet four miles west of Arundel. The parkland estate just beyond it is managed by the National Trust and has walking trails, dogs welcome on leads.
 * is an attractive hamlet four miles west of Arundel. The parkland estate just beyond it is managed by the National Trust and has walking trails, dogs welcome on leads.
 * is an attractive hamlet four miles west of Arundel. The parkland estate just beyond it is managed by the National Trust and has walking trails, dogs welcome on leads.

Do

 * Boat hire is available at the Riverside Cafe next to Arundel Museum.
 * Golf: there's a putting green on Mill Rd past the museum, open Apr-Sept. Avisford Park Hotel 3 miles west on A27 has an 18-hole course.
 * Horse-racing: see Chichester for Fontwell Park, a jumps racecourse five miles west on A27.
 * Golf: there's a putting green on Mill Rd past the museum, open Apr-Sept. Avisford Park Hotel 3 miles west on A27 has an 18-hole course.
 * Horse-racing: see Chichester for Fontwell Park, a jumps racecourse five miles west on A27.
 * Golf: there's a putting green on Mill Rd past the museum, open Apr-Sept. Avisford Park Hotel 3 miles west on A27 has an 18-hole course.
 * Horse-racing: see Chichester for Fontwell Park, a jumps racecourse five miles west on A27.

Buy

 * Supermarket: Co-op Food is on Queen St just south of the river, open daily 6AM-10PM. Head south to Littlehampton for big stores.
 * Art and antiques shops and galleries are dotted all over town.

Eat

 * Most eating places are along High Street, Tarrant Street and Queen Street.

 * Green and Coal is a stylish coffee shop at 5 Tarrant St behind La Campania, open daily 8:30AM-4:30PM.
 * Motte & Bailey opposite Norfolk Arms does good lunches and gets busy.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.
 * Juniper is a bakery and cafe at 37 Tarrant St between Nineveh Chapel and the Eagle Inn.

Drink

 * Fauna Brewing is in the Old Engine Shed, off London Rd just west of the cathedral. Decent ale, the froth on your pint is from all their flapdoodle about how drinking this stuff will help save the planet. The taproom is a long-table affair like a beerhall, open Th F 3-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su 11AM-7PM.
 * Arundel Brewery is on Ford industrial estate, no tours.
 * Sussex wine: the South Downs are chalk soil suitable for vineyards. There are several further north, and The Pig at Madehurst (see above) plans to begin production in 2023.
 * Fauna Brewing is in the Old Engine Shed, off London Rd just west of the cathedral. Decent ale, the froth on your pint is from all their flapdoodle about how drinking this stuff will help save the planet. The taproom is a long-table affair like a beerhall, open Th F 3-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su 11AM-7PM.
 * Arundel Brewery is on Ford industrial estate, no tours.
 * Sussex wine: the South Downs are chalk soil suitable for vineyards. There are several further north, and The Pig at Madehurst (see above) plans to begin production in 2023.
 * Arundel Brewery is on Ford industrial estate, no tours.
 * Sussex wine: the South Downs are chalk soil suitable for vineyards. There are several further north, and The Pig at Madehurst (see above) plans to begin production in 2023.

Sleep

 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.
 * Travelodge is 5 miles west on A27 towards Chichester, next to Fontwell Park racecourse.

Connect
As of Feb 2023, Arundel and its approach roads have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from Three.

Go next

 * Littlehampton is a nearby port. Bognor Regis is better for seaside activities.
 * Chichester was a Roman regional centre and has several museums and historic places.
 * South Downs are the chalk uplands flanking the coast.

title: Arundel (England)


text:
Arusha

Arusha is a city of approximately 416,000 people (2012) in the northeast of Tanzania. It is regarded as the gateway to the popular Northern Safari Circuit.

Understand
Arusha, called "A Town" by the locals, is situated at the foot of Mount Meru, Africa's 5th highest mountain. The altitude gives the city a pleasant climate and lush green environment.

Arusha is not a particularly attractive city in itself and is regarded by many visitors as little more than a necessary stopover before their safari starts in earnest. However, the natural charm of the Tanzanians and the buzz of a fast-growing city mean that Arusha has plenty to offer for those who are prepared to see beyond their air-conditioned safari trucks and satellite-TV hotel rooms.

Arusha is home to the UNICTR, the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. It is also the site of the signing of the Arusha Declaration.

By plane
Arusha is served by two airports.

Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport for US$50, or US$100 for some nationalities. The visa must be paid in US dollars -- 1 dollar bills and coins won't be accepted. Immediately outside the arrival hall is an ATM and a currency exchange office that you can use if you don't have the necessary cash with you.

By bus
Arusha is a major transport hub and has connections throughout the country. Some companies offer first-class tickets which are slightly more comfortable although it is worth noting that standards are generally comparable with most African bus services. Especially when doing long distance trips, it is usually wise to take one of the better companies (e.g. Dar Express or Killimanjaro Express or Modern Coast Bus) and buy the ticket at least a day in advance.

Direct express coaches go from/to
 * Nairobi (Kenya) (6 hr, Tsh 22,000-25,000) with Dar Express, Riverside Shuttle Service, modern Coast and Impala Shuttle Service.
 * Dar es Salaam/Ubungo (11 hr+) mainly morning departures, several companies, e.g. Dar Express (Tsh 33,000), Kilimanjaro Express (Tsh 33,000).
 * Karatu (3 hr, Tsh 5000TSh) several daily with Dar Express, Saibaba
 * Kampala (Uganda) (17 hr)
 * Moshi (1 hr, Tsh 2000). There are various shuttle buses between Arusha and Moshi which are more comfortable than coaches.
 * Mwanza (12 hr+)
 * Loliondo/Wasso with Loliondo Express (10 hr+, Tsh 22,000), a couple of departures per week with notoriously overloaded busses. The bus passes three toll pikes where you need to pay (US$8-15) each time.
 * Other services also go to Tanga, Lushoto

By train
There is an overnight service from Dar es Salaam via Moshi, operated by TRC. Tickets are quite cheap and the full journey takes just over 17 hours. The train from Arusha to Moshi 86 kms by rail. takes 2-3 hours.

Get around
The main mode of public transport is "daladala", the ubiquitous minibuses which ply their trade on all the main routes in town. They are very cheap. The government regulates all pricing of transportation in Tanzania. Prices are listed on the sides of the daladala for each distance or stop covered. You are not obliged to pay above that price. As with most destinations in the world, they will try to fit as many people as possible to maximize their profits. Accidents involving daladalas are frequent and usually with serious consequences for the passengers. Pickpocketing is also common on daladalas, but can be easily avoided by sitting with bags on your lap and not keeping valuables in your pockets. Nevertheless, people are very honest and will often stop someone trying to steal or rip you off.

Taxis are plentiful and cheap, although you should make sure to agree to a price before leaving for your destination. The standard fare for a small trip in town is TSH 4,000 to 16,000 depending on the distance. Remember that fuel is expensive in Tanzania, so taxis try to cover costs every way they can.

Car hire is possible though most companies prefer to provide their own drivers. Self driving is possible, Tanzanian roads are good if paved and can be challenging when gravel. You should have some experience in offroad driving (e.g. from Namibia or Botswana) and a sense for adventure. Flat tyres are common but are usually no problem as you will have spare tyres and every filling station can fix a tyre.

See

 * Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for Tsh 15,000-50,000. These cultural tourism visits can be some of the most rewarding parts of a trip to East Africa, and the human (cultural) element involved complements an animal-centric safari to the game parks. Some cultural tourism programs (Ilkiding'a, Ng'iresi) are within an hour's hike of Arusha. Several others are within an hour's drive (Monduli Juu, Longido, Mulala, Tengeru, Ilkurot, Oldonyo Sambu). They are great opportunities to learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes who live nearby, pastoralism, agriculture, stories & legends, local economies. There are several good hikes around Mt. Meru, including some good waterfalls. Longido has camel safaris. And they are flexible in nature, meaning you can arrange an hour-long visit or a day-long one. Some sites have lodging or camping. Keep in mind your guide will probably hassle you for donations to their school or orphanage. Some dishonest guides might pocket the money, so it is advisable to give money to a reputable charity. Trust your instinct.
 * Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for Tsh 15,000-50,000. These cultural tourism visits can be some of the most rewarding parts of a trip to East Africa, and the human (cultural) element involved complements an animal-centric safari to the game parks. Some cultural tourism programs (Ilkiding'a, Ng'iresi) are within an hour's hike of Arusha. Several others are within an hour's drive (Monduli Juu, Longido, Mulala, Tengeru, Ilkurot, Oldonyo Sambu). They are great opportunities to learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes who live nearby, pastoralism, agriculture, stories & legends, local economies. There are several good hikes around Mt. Meru, including some good waterfalls. Longido has camel safaris. And they are flexible in nature, meaning you can arrange an hour-long visit or a day-long one. Some sites have lodging or camping. Keep in mind your guide will probably hassle you for donations to their school or orphanage. Some dishonest guides might pocket the money, so it is advisable to give money to a reputable charity. Trust your instinct.
 * Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for Tsh 15,000-50,000. These cultural tourism visits can be some of the most rewarding parts of a trip to East Africa, and the human (cultural) element involved complements an animal-centric safari to the game parks. Some cultural tourism programs (Ilkiding'a, Ng'iresi) are within an hour's hike of Arusha. Several others are within an hour's drive (Monduli Juu, Longido, Mulala, Tengeru, Ilkurot, Oldonyo Sambu). They are great opportunities to learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes who live nearby, pastoralism, agriculture, stories & legends, local economies. There are several good hikes around Mt. Meru, including some good waterfalls. Longido has camel safaris. And they are flexible in nature, meaning you can arrange an hour-long visit or a day-long one. Some sites have lodging or camping. Keep in mind your guide will probably hassle you for donations to their school or orphanage. Some dishonest guides might pocket the money, so it is advisable to give money to a reputable charity. Trust your instinct.
 * Tanzania Tourist Board can arrange cultural excursions to nearby villages for Tsh 15,000-50,000. These cultural tourism visits can be some of the most rewarding parts of a trip to East Africa, and the human (cultural) element involved complements an animal-centric safari to the game parks. Some cultural tourism programs (Ilkiding'a, Ng'iresi) are within an hour's hike of Arusha. Several others are within an hour's drive (Monduli Juu, Longido, Mulala, Tengeru, Ilkurot, Oldonyo Sambu). They are great opportunities to learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes who live nearby, pastoralism, agriculture, stories & legends, local economies. There are several good hikes around Mt. Meru, including some good waterfalls. Longido has camel safaris. And they are flexible in nature, meaning you can arrange an hour-long visit or a day-long one. Some sites have lodging or camping. Keep in mind your guide will probably hassle you for donations to their school or orphanage. Some dishonest guides might pocket the money, so it is advisable to give money to a reputable charity. Trust your instinct.

Do

 * Century Cinema has movies for Tsh 5,000-7,000. It is part of a modern complex on Njiro Rd, which also houses modern and upmarket restaurants including popular Indian restaurant "Khan's", steak outlet "McMoody's" and multi-cuisine restaurant "Spice Retreat". However, Njiro Rd is not safe to walk on at night, so get to the complex by another form of transport rather than by foot. A taxi to/from the town centre shouldn't cost more than Tsh 4,000.
 * Climb Mount Meru (4,667 m). It can be done in 3–4 days, depending on your condition. You are not required to take guides and porters up Mount Meru, but you must be escorted by armed rangers. Temperatures can be freezing, so prepare for warm clothing and sleeping bags.

Safari
Definitely something to try, if you can afford it. There are multiple types of trips for multiple budgets; usually the pricier ones get you out farther into the Serengeti, to places that are a little less touched by man. But even the cheaper excursions to reserves and parks are worth doing. If there's one trip that will change your perspective on life, it's an African safari.

Not all tour guides are equally knowledgeable. It doesn't hurt to do a little research on your own about the places you'll be visiting. That way when you ask the guide, "What kind of bird is that," and he replies, "It's called an African bird," you'll know that it's time to get out the field book. Beware of paying over the market price, as you will still sleep in the same accommodation as the guy who paid the normal price, you'll eat the same food, and your vehicle is just as likely to break down.

To save a lot of money it is a good option to do the long transportation on your own. Try Karatu for Ngorongoro or Mto Wa Mbu for Manyara National Park.

Buy

 * You can find almost anything at these markets, from food to clothing to little trinkets to take home to friends and family. The batik and screened cloths in bright colors are highly recommended. They're usually sold just as bolts of cut cloth, but you can do pretty much anything with them when you get home. Also, the Kikoys that the women of Tanzania wear make wonderful and original wrap skirts.
 * Maasai women make beautiful hand-beaded jewellery that they sell to tourists, frequently to pay for their children's schooling. If you come across this you should definitely purchase a few items, as they are extremely beautiful and make wonderful, unique gifts.
 * Maasai women make beautiful hand-beaded jewellery that they sell to tourists, frequently to pay for their children's schooling. If you come across this you should definitely purchase a few items, as they are extremely beautiful and make wonderful, unique gifts.

Eat
Arusha has a wide variety of restaurants and informal eating places, with a predominance of Indian cuisine, which as a rule of thumb is the best food, thanks to the large sub-continental community in the city. Liquid Blue in Njiro and Big Bite on the Swahili Rd are among the most popular Indian restaurants. For 'Nyama Choma', or Tanzanian roast meat, Nick Bar in Njiro is also popular. Meals range from US$ 0.40 for street fare to US$15 for main courses at the high-end hotels.

Drink

Arusha has many interesting bars and restaurants. There are uncountable local bars which are generally welcoming to adventurous foreigners. The less adventurous visitors stick to Via Via, in the grounds of the old German fort, which is an interesting cultural centre and part of an NGO which trains locals in the hospitality industry.

There are plenty of options for bars and restaurants for those who for some reason seem to wish to avoid locals altogether; these places are very easy to find.

For nightclubs, the Velocity, Colobus Club, Maasai Camp, Triple A, 777 and Polygon Triangle are popular with locals and foreigners alike. They start late and finish very, very late (or early). Pickpockets have been known to operate and all these bars are popular with the local sex workers so the usual discretion should be applied.

Sleep
Arusha has plentiful accommodation to cater to all ends of the scale. There are many hotels in the centre of the town, including the international-grade Impala Hotel and the Arusha Hotel (see below). You won't get any surprises in this sort of accommodation. At the highest end of the scale there are numerous luxurious lodges in and around the city, some of which offer stunning scenery and the best standard of accommodation.

Be sure to avoid touts (people hired by hotels or hostels to get travellers to stay there). If you are travelling as a couple, a good idea is for one person to sit in a lobby or restaurant with the bags, while the other looks at the rooms. You are likely to get a cheaper price without the bags, and not be targeted by sneaky touts (they signal reception or hang around behind you) which will raise the price US$5–10 for you for their commission.

For budget travellers, many recommend the Maasai Camp (about 45 minutes walk from the city centre) or the Snake Park (which is in a village called Meserani, about 16 km out on the Dodoma Rd). These are both lively locations with popular bars and good services at a very low price. For a quieter stay, Centre House, run by nuns is located a few minutes walk from the clock tower and offers basic rooms, both dormitory style and smaller rooms. Food and drinks including beer is available from the sisters.

Stay safe
It is not advisable to walk at night, alone or in groups - cabs are plentiful but fares should always be agreed upon at the start of a journey (cabs have no meters, making it all too easy to exaggerate fares at the end of a journey). Avoid taking motorcycle taxis, especially at night in front of clubs. Thieves easily use this opportunity to rob people.

In the city centre (on Sokoine road) and in certain areas (along old Moshi road) there are frequent attacks on tourists, especially when they are walking with their backpacks/bags. Make sure that you take a cab when you are arriving/leaving from Arusha (as gangs usually know when and where backpackers arrive) and avoid taking a bag when walking in town.

Foreigners are virtually guaranteed to be approached by touts. This can be intimidating, especially when they latch onto and follow you, but they are usually harmless. In this case do not stop, slow down or make eye contact; simply say "hapana asante" (no thank you) if they ask or offer you anything. You will save yourself a lot of bother if you do not engage them. When walking in any part of the city beyond the central district, it is advisable to take a guide. The bridge on Old Moshi Rd is a particularly notorious mugging spot, and although often patrolled by police it should be avoided if on foot.

In 2013 and 2014 Arusha experienced bomb attacks. They have targeted religious sites and figures, restaurants and hotels frequented by visitors.

Avoid drinking the local water, even when using water purification drops/tablets. The region has an unusually high level of fluoride in its natural water sources.

Volunteering Opportunity
Arusha has different organizations with volunteering opportunity
 * Dunia Salama Foundation, Usa River, works in environmental preservation, children's educational support, health, digital rights and Internet pPromotion: duniasalama.foundation@gmail.com

Go next

 * Arusha National Park
 * Ngorongoro Crater
 * Lake Manyara National Park
 * Serengeti National Park
 * Kilimanjaro
 * Katavi National Park
 * Mahale Mountain National Park
 * Gombe Stream National Park

title: Arusha


text:
Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is in Northeast Tanzania, near the city of Arusha.

Flora and fauna
Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife, but don't expect the same game-viewing experience you'd find in other national parks of Tanzania's northern circuit. Despite being a small park, common animals include giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingo, elephant, and lion. Leopards are present, but rarely seen. Birdlife in the forest is prolific, with many forest species more easily seen here than elsewhere on the tourist route - Narina trogon and bar-tailed trogon are both highlights for visiting birders, whilst the range of starling species provide somewhat less gaudy interest.

Fees and permits
Park fees:
 * Entrance/Conservation fees: US$45 per person per day (foreigners)
 * Hut fees: US$30 per person per night (foreigners)
 * Guide fees: US$15-20 per person (possibly per day, foreigners)
 * Rescue fee: US$20 per person (foreigners)

Thus a three-day, two-night climb will cost a minimum of US$260 for foreigners. However, because of the new/more strictly enforced regulations, other fees may also be added depending on the tour operator you organise through and may include porter, cook, and meals. These additions will likely add at least another US$100, and probably more. As always, be prepared to negotiate and shop around.

See
There is a small village, called Kirua, that is not very far from Arusha.

Do
Climb Mount Meru - 4566m

Best done in 4 days;

Day 1 : 4-5 hours to Miriakamba hut

Day 2 : 3-4 hours to Saddle hut

Day 3 : summit by sunrise and back to Saddle or Miriakamba hut (8 - 11 hours)

Day 4 : final descent (2-5 hours)

Cost - about US$200-300 with a compulsory ranger. Porters can be hired for about US$20 per day to carry luggage if needed. All trips up Mount Meru must be arranged through a tour group and thus it is no longer possible to climb independently. However, it is sometimes possible -and likely cheaper- to talk to the rangers at the station and see if it is possible to join an existing group.

Buy
In Kirua, there is a shop called co-op which is like budgens.

Sleep
There are options within and outside of the park.
 * Camping inside the park starts at US$30 per person per night (foreigners).
 * There is also a hostel for US$10 per person per night (foreigners).
 * Colobus Mountain Lodge: located about from the Arusha National Park entrance arch, it is a fairly pleasant -and probably cheaper- alternative to staying in the park.  The property underwent a change in management and thus the facilities were still undergoing renovations in August 2015.  Manager is friendly and things are generally functional nonetheless.  Camping US$10 per person per night.  Rooms also available.

title: Arusha National Park


text:
Arvayheer

Arvayheer is the capital of Övörhangai province in Mongolia.

Understand
Arvayheer has quite the scrubby steppe look.

Get in
Arvayheer is well connected by paved roads with Ulaanbaatar to the northeast and Bayanhongor to the west, making it one of the easier places to reach in Mongolia.

By bus
Buses for Arvayheer leave from the Dragon bus station in Ulaanbaatar at 8:00 and 14:00 daily. The ride typically lasts at least 6-7 hours, and tickets must be purchased a day or two in advance. Bus tickets from Ulaanbaatar to Arvayheer cost approximately 20,000 ₮. There are paved roads the whole way.

There are also microbuses that run between Ulaanbaatar and Arvayheer. These are often very cramped (four across a bench seat), as drivers want to fit as many people in as possible to maximize profit. If possible, it is not a bad idea to pay for an extra seat to be left empty.

See

 * High street
 * High street

Go next
Just north of Arvayheer is the Orkhan Valley and the ruins of the Karakorum, former capital of the Mongol Empire.

title: Arvayheer


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Arvika

Arvika is a town in Värmland in Sweden with 14,000 inhabitants, and the centre of Arvika municipality (Arvika kommun), which has about 26,000 inhabitants.

Understand
Arvika is known for various cultural activities, such as (until 2010) holding the Arvikafestivalen music festival each summer.

The area is also renowned for its arts and crafts: e.g. the Klassbols linen mill, a glass-blowing studio. In town there are many arts and crafts shops. Around 1900, there was an artists community working in Rackstad Colony, which is now a museum. These artists designed the church of Arvika in Nordic Romantic style.

The area around Arvika is mainly forest area. There are several nature reserves where you can walk along marked hiking trails.

By plane
Oslo Gardermoen Airport is the nearest international airport. Karlstad airport has daily flights from Stockholm.

By train
Take the train from Karlstad or Oslo.

By bus
Take a bus from Karlstad or Oslo.

Public transportation within Värmland is available, although can be infrequent. The website for Värmlandstrafik is really only in Swedish but is largely usable to English speakers and provides a phone number which you can call to find out more.

See

 * In town there are a number of modern sculptures to admire.
 * In town there are a number of modern sculptures to admire.
 * In town there are a number of modern sculptures to admire.
 * In town there are a number of modern sculptures to admire.

Do

 * Walk around in Arvika stadspark. It is a lovely park with a small lake and a fountain.
 * Visit Glava Glasbruk (35 km away, on the other side of lake Glafsfjorden), an old glassworks that has gone from producing 40% of Sweden's window glass to being closed down to being a studio glassworks and museum.

Buy
There are various shopping opportunities on Storgatan and Kyrkogatan.

Go next

 * Klässbols Linen Mill,.

title: Arvika


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Arvilla

Arvilla is a small township in the Red River Valley, in the northeastern area of North Dakota. Its population is about 150 people.

Understand
The town was originally named Orange, after Orange County, NY which was home to some early settlers. When it was platted on Dudley Hershey's farm, it was renamed in honor of Arvilla Hershey, his wife.

Get in

 * By car: about 22 miles west of Grand Forks on US Hy 2.

Do

 * Fishing Turtle river is stocked with rainbow trout. Fishing gear available at park office.
 * Cross Country Skiing, trails in TRSP.
 * Hiking, trails in TRSP.
 * Biking, trails in TRSP.

Go next

 * Devils Lake is about an hour west on US Highway 2, for those who like to fish.
 * The bustling city of Grand Forks is only about 20 miles east on US Highway 2.

title: Arvilla


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Asahikawa

Asahikawa (旭川) is the second-largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. It is located at the confluence of four rivers and is surrounded by hills. It is near the centre of Hokkaido, and is a good base for visiting the nearby Daisetsuzan mountain range and the picturesque Biei-Furano area. The place has few foreign visitors, though Asahiyama Zoo attracts many Japanese tourists.

Understand
With 130 rivers and streams, and over 740 bridges in the city, Asahikawa is a pleasant city to walk or cycle around, especially during the warm season. It is a middle-sized city with a rural feel and direct access to the mountain and outdoor areas.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

The city government's site has a Japanese-only section on tourism. Its Pamphlets section has many materials in English.

By train
Asahikawa is the terminus of the JR Hakodate Main Line to Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate. The spacious station hosts a tourist information centre and lounge with free wifi; helpful English speakers are usually available.

Limited express services run between Sapporo and Asahikawa frequently: every 30 minutes during morning and evening hours, and every hour at other times. The journey takes 85 minutes and costs ¥5,080 return. Infrequent local trains can take anywhere from two to three hours at a cost of ¥2490, in which case - unless you have a Seishun 18 Ticket - a bus may be the better option.

Many of JR's Hokkaido lines branch out from Asahikawa: the Soya Line connects to Wakkanai, while the Sekihoku Line connects to Abashiri and the Furano Line goes to skiing hotspot Furano.

By bus
Chuo Bus Service and JR buses offers frequent (every 20 minutes or so) bus service from the Sapporo JR Station for ¥2000 (¥3750 round trip). It takes just over 2 hours. In the winter, the trip takes 2 hours 25 minutes.

There are some bus services to Daisetsuzan National Park.

By bus
The city has an extensive bus network. All attractions are easily reached by bus from the main train station.

On foot
Most of the sites are easily accessible by foot from the main train station, though others like the zoo, Otokoyama brewery, and the ski resorts need a bus or taxi.

By bicycle
Most of the town is in flat land and cycling is easy in summer. Cycling is allowed in the pedestrian lane of all streets, and some streets have special bicycle lanes. There are also dedicated lanes along the embankments of most of the rivers (and there are many). Some hotels offer free bicycle rental. The Tourist Information Center (in the train station) lends bicycles. The region is covered in thick snow in winter.

See

Do
Asahikawa is the coldest city in Japan, holding Japan's temperature record of -41°C (in 1902). It's not that bad most of the time though, and the good side to cold and snow is that there's some great skiing nearby.
 * You can also do cross-country skiing in some of its parks, including the Tomizawa skiing course at Kamui no Mori Park.
 * Biei and Furano are each about one hour away.
 * Back-country options include Asahidake and Kurodake.
 * Back-country options include Asahidake and Kurodake.

If you come in summer you will enjoy fine weather with maximum temperatures sometimes exceeding 30 °C. Take advantage of the fine cycling paths following the river banks.

Buy
Asahikawa's main shopping area is next to the train station, in what is called the Kaimono Koen ("shopping park"). When it was built in 1972 it became the first pedestrian-only outdoor shopping mall in Japan. The street is lined with department stores, shops, cafes, and restaurants. A more remote area is the Arashiyama pottery village. Located on a hill overlooking Asahikawa to the north, this neighbourhood has several crafts workshops including pottery, glass craft, wood work, and textile. Some of these offer courses and many of them have a display area where visitors can see and buy their products.

Eat
Asahikawa is known as one of Japan's gourmet towns, and despite its small size, contains many restaurants of nearly every description. Many restaurants are clustered in the Kaimono Koen (Shopping District Park) area, in front of the JR station. This makes touring a number of restaurants on foot a viable option for a day trip. Asahikawa's ramen noodles are nationally famous, with shoyu (soy sauce) being the flavor of choice. There are also a large number of ethnic restaurants. Hokkaido is generally known for having good dairy products, and Asahikawa is no exception.

Drink
Asahikawa is famous for its sake, especially Otokoyama (男山, lit. "man mountain"), which is probably Hokkaido's best-known label. Other local sakes include Takasago (高砂) and Taisetsu no Kura (大雪の蔵). Beer fans will wish to look for the local Taisetsu microbrew.

Sleep
There is a hotel booking service at the railway station.

If you plan to climb Mount Asahidake in the morning, there is a convenient camp for tents at the foot of the mountain, reachable by bus.

Go next
Being in the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is a good base to explore other parts of the island.

 * Biei
 * Furano is a village set in a picturesque landscape that is often used in Japanese dramas and advertisements about quite, rural life in Japan. A popular way to travel between Asahikawa and Furano in summer is the Norokko-go, an old style locomotive that runs purposely at a very slow speed.
 * Sounkyo Gorge and Asahidake at the Daisetsuzan National Park, with very popular onsens (hot-spring resorts) and fine mountain hiking.
 * Wakkanai the northernmost point in Japan.
 * Higashikagura
 * Horokanai
 * Shibetsu
 * Bifuka
 * Engaru

title: Asahikawa


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Asakuchi

Asakuchi (浅口市 Asakuchi-shi) is a city in Okayama Prefecture.

Understand
Asakuchi has three main settlements. The two largest are Kamogata (鴨方) and Konko (金光). The third settlement, Yorishima (寄島), is a fishing town on the Inland Sea. Although difficult to get to, a trip to Yorishima is worth it for the seaside scenery, pretty beaches, some easy hiking and a glimpse at Japan's beautiful rural lifestyle without having to go too far off the beaten track.

The three settlements used to be independent towns until they were merged as a city in 2006. A fourth town, Satosho (里庄), declined to merge into the city. The four towns used to be collectively known as "Asakuchi District" (浅口郡) and Satosho is still considered to be part of the district, though the city is not.

Konko is famous for two things. The first is being home to the mother church of the Japanese 'new religion', Konkokyo which has about half a million followers in a number of different countries. The second is for being the birthplace of famous Japanese filmmaker Hideo Nakata. If you're hoping to see what kind of town created the brilliant mind behind sick Japanese horror films like The Incite Mill you'll be disappointed: Konko is peaceful and friendly unlike Nakata's films.

A trip to Asakuchi is a good option for an adventurous traveler who wants to see some of what rural Japan has to offer or as a place to check out the Seto Inland Sea. It's close enough major transport options that it can be reached as an easy day trip from Okayama City or Kurashiki (or Hiroshima or Osaka or Kyoto) if you use the bullet train on a JR Pass) but you're very unlikely to see any other travellers and you might even attract a few inquiring looks.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in
Asakuchi has two stations on the Sanyo Main Line: Konko Station (金光駅) and Kamogata Station (鴨方駅).

The Sanyo Line is the main train line in Okayama and is serviced by local trains relatively frequently. Okayama is the nearest shinkansen stop.

Get around
The areas around the stations probably aren't on most itineraries. Quickly find vehicle transportation and make your way to the interesting place, the beach.

Infrequent buses depart from the front of Kamogata Station and Satosho Station.

Taxis are more expensive than buses, but they're typically much quicker, and can generally be found at the stations. A taxi to Yorishima costs around ¥2,500 one way. Once the taxi drops you off, you'll have to call them (in Japanese) to pick you up again. Alternately, it's a long walk back to the train station.

If you are going to the beach by car, you can park for free at the Sports Park and walk the last stretch.

See
Yorishima has beautiful beaches, a small mountain by the seaside you can climb for great views of the Inland sea, and relatively gentle hiking trails. There are good facilities such as picnic spots, ample car parking and clean, accessible public toilets in the area.

Do
Have an adventure! Go for a walk in Asakuchi and soak in the atmosphere of rural Japan! Japanese drivers are very courteous and will give you plenty of space if you want to walk down the rural roads and have a look around.

Buy
You don't go to Asakuchi to shop; you go to enjoy the atmosphere and scenery and to have an amazing adventure.

The supermarket chain Marunaka is close Konko and Kamogata Stations. In Yorishima there is a supermarket and a Lawson convenience store near the bus station.

Eat
Chain restaurants can be found along Route 2, although you might have a nicer time bringing a picnic lunch or snacks. Route 2 is quite beautiful, and an outdoor food break would suit the scenery. A great picnic spot in Yorishima is on top of the mountain, just past the sports park by the sea. Commanding views of the Inland Sea and a good walk to help you burn off your lunch. There are supermarkets and convenience stores near the stations. Some local restaurants can be found, but don't expect an English menu.

Drink
Yorishima has a brewery which produces the rather dry, but very tasty, Kamikokoro (嘉美心) sake. You can pick it up in supermarkets and convenience stores in Asakuchi, especially in Yorishima.

Sleep
Most visitors find hotels in the nearby cities of Kurashiki, Okayama, and Fukuyama.

Connect
You should have no trouble with internet or phone reception, even in the most rural parts of Asakuchi.

Go next

 * Bizen — Home to Hinase, another rural town on the Inland sea famous for its Oyster festival
 * Kasaoka
 * Ibara
 * Kurashiki
 * Okayama
 * Takahashi
 * Fukuyama
 * Onomichi
 * Satosho
 * Yakage

title: Asakuchi


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Asan

Asan (아산,牙山) is a city in South Chungcheong Province in South Korea. It serves as the location of the oldest hot springs in Korea, Onyang Hot Springs.

Understand
It is located in the northern part of Chungcheongnam-do. The east-west length is 29 km, the north-south length is 34 km, and the length of the coastline facing Asan Bay is 7.96 km. The area is 542.62㎢, accounting for 6.6% of the total area of Chungcheongnam-do. As of 2020, the population was 332,124, which is about 15% of the total population of Chungcheongnam-do.

By train
You can get to Asan by taking the Janghang-seon Line Railway or Korail from Seoul. Pick up the Janghang-seon Line Railway train, which takes about 1 1/2 hours, at Yongsan Station, towards Onyang Hot Spring. The Korail train can be picked up at Yongsan Station as well, just take the train that will drop you off at Cheonan-Asan station.

If you are willing to spend time, Seoul Subway Line 1 gets you to Asan from Seoul in approximately 2 hours. By express train, the time gets shaved off at least 15-30 minutes, but you may have to transfer to an all-stop train at Cheonan Station.

By bus
Buses run regularly from Cheonan and Seoul.

title: Asan


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Asansol

Asansol (Bengali: আসানসোল Āsānsol, Hindi: आसनसोल Āsansol) is the headquarters of the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is at the centre of a major industrial area and the second largest urban agglomeration in the state.

Understand
Asansol (AH-shahn-shohl) is an important mining and industrial centre in Eastern India. Over the years, Asansol grew considerably with the growth of coal mining, development of railways and growth of the steel plant of IISCO (Indian Iron and Steel Company) in Burnpur.

By plane
The nearest airport is Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Durgapur (around  by road). Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is the nearest international airport.

By train
is an important railway station on the Howrah–Delhi main line and most of the trains stop here. Daily direct trains to Delhi, Jammu Tawi, Dehradun, Kalka, Kathgodam, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Mumbai either start from Asansol or pass through Asansol. There are several weeklies and bi-weeklies to far off destinations such as Kanyakumari, Yesvantpur, Ahmedabad and Dibrugarh. For travel from Kolkata or Bardhaman, short-distance passenger and localtrains are ideal. Be sure to book a reserved seat in advance because the trains are generally crowded. Some long-distance trains also offer reservation from Howrah to Asansol. Online bookings can be done on the Indian Railway site.

Asansol station has three double-bedded AC retiring rooms, two double-bedded non-AC retiring rooms and an eight-bedded dormitory. Escalators are present at platforms no. 2 and 7. Wi-Fi service is available here. A food plaza in the station premises is open 24/7. It also has an air-conditioned premium lounge for upscale passengers.

By bus
Air-conditioned Volvo and SBSTC buses along with non-air-conditioned buses leave daily from Esplanade, Kolkata for Asansol via Durgapur. The tickets can be booked in either advance, online or at the spot before the departure of the buses. The bus journey is comfortable and relaxing in comparison to the journey by SBSTC AC buses. Bookings can be made online through portals like Redbus.

By car
Asansol is on the historic Grand Trunk Road in South Asia. Those travelling from Kolkata should take either the Durgapur Expressway (NH 19) or the GT Road from Howrah.

Get around
Hired cars, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. Nobody goes by meters and so be sure to check about the hire charges before boarding.

By taxi
Just like the taxis in Kolkata, the Ambassador taxis in Asansol are painted yellow and blue. They are readily available at the railway station and certain other fixed points.

Buy
Asansol is one of the big markets in West Bengal. There are many shops for buying clothes, electronic goods, sports accessories etc.

Eat and drink
Many of the larger hotels have bars and restaurants. Most of clubs in the area have the colonial old world charm but entry is restricted to members and their guests.

Go next

 * Biharinath - holiday resorts
 * Bishnupur — The famous terracotta temple town and home to major art and craft is about 100 km from Asansol. The Bankura horse, symbol of Indian handicrafts is produced at Panchmura, near Bishnupur. It is also the home of the Baluchari sari, initially woven with Ramayana and Mahabharata motifs but now modernised.
 * Durgapur - 42 km from Asansol.
 * Dhanbad - 60 km from Asansol.
 * Garh Panchakot — Home to Panchet Dam, about 17 km from Asansol. It is approachable via Chirkunda.
 * Kendubillo – Temple and birthplace of Sanskrit poet Jaydev, on the banks of the Ajay river, is about 80 km from Asansol. Makar sankranti mela with bauls (religious singers with a detached philosophy and spontaneity of their own) participating is held in mid January.
 * Maithon — About 20 km from Asansol. It is approachable via Neamatpur or Asansol Bypass, or one can take a little circuitous route via Chirkunda. Those travelling in a car often take one route for going out and return by the other.
 * Santiniketan — Visva-Bharati, founded by Rabindranath Tagore and now a central university and an institution of national importance, is located here. It is about 90 km from Asansol.

title: Asansol


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Asbury Park

Asbury Park is a popular resort and residential town on the Jersey Shore in the state of New Jersey in the United States. The town has historically been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and as a popular place for live music fans, made famous in the 1970s by musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny. The community is an inclusive town, mixed with both blue-collar local workers and white-collar New York City commuters.

Understand
Asbury Park was founded as a Christian retreat in the 1800s by a man named James A. Bradley. It remained one of the most popular family resorts in the United States until 1970, when race riots burned down much of the downtown area.

Soon radicals, beatniks, hippies, and musicians moved in, making Asbury Park a very diverse place where the famous "Stone Pony" saw the first performances of Bruce Springsteen and became symbolic of failed urban re-development in the 1980s and early 90s.

In 1988, the city had about enough of its new cultures, and a plan to redevelop the entire waterfront went into affect. Most businesses were ordered to be closed, so the boardwalk, casino, hotels and amusements all closed for the redevelopment. High rise hotels and condos began construction, but were then abandoned before they could be finished, leaving the waterfront an odd mix of abandoned buildings and rotting construction.

The city declined in the 1990s, after almost all businesses failed. Crime rose, and Asbury Park had higher crime than any other town in Monmouth County.

However, in 1998, Shep Pettibone converted an abandoned hotel into a gay nightclub, drawing thousands of gay travelers to Asbury Park. Every Friday night the city became the only place on the East Coast that could rival Fire Island! Gay couples and artists began buying cheap homes, abandoned bars and nightclubs, closed storefronts downtown, and abandoned pavilions on the boardwalk, and restoring them to they way they once were.

Today, Asbury Park is popular amongst even mainstream tourists for its shopping, beaches and restaurants. Major summertime events hosted in Asbury Park include; the Wave Gathering, the Gay Pride Parade, Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park Jazz Festival, "Road Trip", and the Tri-City Arts Tour.

Asbury Park was once rated #5 in the top ten beaches of NJ.

Now the town is on the mend and is the next trendy area in central New Jersey, it can still be a little rough at night. You can go to the beach in Asbury in the middle of August and be one of maybe three families there. There is a boardwalk and a fishing pier. The beach gives an unwelcoming sort of appearance in Asbury Park, but the town is interesting enough itself.

Get in
By car: Parkway to exit 102. Take Rt 66 / Asbury Avenue into Asbury Park. Follow Asbury Avenue directly to the beach.

By Train: From New York City, take the North Jersey Coast Line directly to Asbury Park Train Station.

By Bus: NJ Transit offers bus service to Asbury Park from Philadelphia, Freehold, Long Branch, Red Bank, and Point Pleasant. See schedule for more information.

Travel time from New York is approximately 1 hr.

Travel time from Philadelphia is approximately 1 hr 15 min.

Get around
Getting around in Asbury Park is easy by foot or by bike. Bikes can be rented at the boardwalk at hourly or daily rates. A car is not necessary for visiting Asbury Park.

Most of the downtown parking spots cost up to $2/hour depending on the day of the week and season. During the summer months there are three lots near the beach that have an attendant - pay them the rate $5 or $10 to avoid feeding the meter. Off season these lots are usual free, so avoid the spaces.

Taxi service is also available at the train station and by calling ahead.

Circuit shuttle cars are available during the summer.

Do
Visiting art galleries, going to the beach, shopping, dining and more can all be done on foot and are within close proximity to each other. The downtown shopping district offers antiques, beach accessories, cafes, art galleries and more. The first Saturday of the month is celebrated with local discounts, events, and other promotions.

There are a smattering of shopping and restaurants on the boardwalk as well. There are two clubs, the Stone Pony and the club at the Empress Hotel. The renovation of the Paramount Hotel and Convention Center is complete.

Nearby Wesley Lake connects the beach to downtown. On the south side of the lake are fresh condominiums, beach houses, and bed and breakfasts. The north side is split between the commercial area of downtown, a small patch of new luxury housing, and a rougher neighborhood with several active construction sites.

The city's website lists current events, has a feed from the radio station WKTU, and accepts contributions from visitors.

Events

 * First Saturday Asbury Park - A yearly event celebrating downtown businesses. Each month features a different theme.
 * Gay Pride Weekend - Annual LGBTI festival and parade held on the first Sunday in June.
 * The Wave Gathering Annual three day music festival featuring over 150 bands.
 * Asbury Park Jazz Festival - A two-day outdoor jazz festival held in late June.
 * Garden State Film Festival - Annual film festival showcasing upcoming independent directors and filmmakers.

Eat
Downtown

At the Boardwalk

 * Biggies Clam Bar - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Fresh and friend clams, fries, salads and beach fare.
 * The Baker Boys - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Cupcakes and baked goods.
 * O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.
 * O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.
 * O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.
 * O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.

Stay safe
The main tourist areas are much safer than the outskirts.

Go next
Other popular towns in Monmouth County:

 * Red Bank
 * Long Branch
 * Freehold

title: Asbury Park


text:
Ascea

Next to Velia, Ascea is a town in the province of Salerno, Italy

By train
Naples - Reggio Calabria line, get off at Ascea, Marina di Ascea.

By car
Freeway A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria towards Reggio Calabria and exit at Battipaglia. Continue along the SS towards Agropoli-Vallo della Lucania until the exit Vallo Scalo (1h). Continue along the SS towards Velia - Marina di Ascea.

See

title: Ascea