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Tapachula

Tapachula de Córdova y Ordóñez or simply Tapachula is a city of 320,000 people (2010) in Chiapas. Tapachula is Mexico's main border city with Guatemala on the Pacific coast area although it is some kilometers away from the border.

Understand

It is one of the most important cities of Chiapas economically as the capital of the agriculturally rich Soconusco region, and a port for trade between Mexico and Central America.

History
The first human settlements of the peoples that later developed into the Mayan civilization have been found on the northern Pacific coast of what is now Guatemala. However, southern Chiapas state in Mexico and Guatemala were a unified region prior to colonization.

One archaeological site of note, Izapa, is 10 km from Tapachula. In addition, the Museo Archaeologico del Soconusco is located in the center of Tapachula in the same building that houses the tourist information center and the Casa de Cultura.

Climate
The climate of the city area is hot and humid most of the year. The area is one of the rainiest in the world with annual rainfall in the mountains of about 3,900 millimetres (150 inches).

By plane
The following airlines offer year-round service:
 * Aeromexico Connect (Mexico City)
 * Viva Aerobus (Monterrey)
 * Volaris (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Tijuana)

It is the nearest airport to Tapachula, Puerto Chiapas and the Guatemalan frontier towns of Cd Hidalgo/Cd Tecun Uman; and Talisman/El Carmen. It is also another transit point for onward travel to Guatemala from Mexico as it may be less expensive to fly to Tapachula from Mexico City (or elsewhere in Mexico) and continue by bus or shuttle to Guatemala then flying into Guatemala City from Mexico or the U.S.

By car
From Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, it is about 130 km to Tapachula and will take about 2 hours driving plus whatever time is needed at the border for immigration and customs formalities.

From Salina Cruz, it is 470 kilometers, or about a 6-hour drive to Tapachula via federal highway MEX-200.

From Tuxtla Gutierrez, it is about 370 kilometers, or about a 5-hour drive to Tapachula via the autopista MEX-190D and then highway MEX-200.

By bus

There are plenty of buses arrivining from Huixtla, Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico City, Oaxaca, among others. Also, Tapachula is a good connection point between Guatemala and Mexico with plenty of buses going to Guatemala City. Unlike other Mexican cities, bus companies in Chiapas have their own separate bus stations with the following:

By train
A new daily intercity train from Salina Cruz is planned to launch in 2024.

See

 * Most of the city's monumental structures in the historic center were built in the first decades of the 20th century, although there are large homes near this same area built in the 1960s in Art Deco style, such as the La Portaviandas building. Outside the city downtown, the structures just about all date from the latter 20th century on due to recent growth.
 * The historic center is marked by a large, tree-lined plaza called Parque Miguel Hidalgo. The center of this plaza contains an octagon kiosk with Baroque ironwork with some Moorish influence. Parque Miguel Hidalgo is the center of the city. It surrounded by the old and new municipal palaces, the Perez Porta and the Teatro al Aire Libre (Open Air Theater), which often has marimba concerts.
 * The San Agustín parish church dates from the 18th century, established to honor the patron saint of the city, Augustine. It is a simple construction with a red Spanish tile roof, supported by wood beams. The facade is a simple Neoclassical with six Ionic order columns, three on each side of the entrance, joined by false arches. The top of the facade has two bell towers. This design is based on the Teopisca church. The church became a cathedral in 1958, shortly after the Tapachula diocese was established but that status has since been ceded to the San José Cathedral, consecrated in 2009.
 * The Casa de Cultura was built in 1929 as the municipal palace when the city was prosperous because of the surrounding coffee plantations. Although the style is Art Deco, the facade is decorated with Oaxacan style fretwork, images of Aztec warriors and stylized serpents along with the Mexican and state coats of arms. Today, the building functions as a cultural center for the city.
 * The municipal cemetery is notable as a testament to the immigrant past of the area, with gravestones with German names and Chinese characters. The best examples of both date from the late 19th to early 20th century.
 * Head out of town a little to Calle Miguel Hidalgo (the one out near Calle Semanarista) and check out the crocodile zoo. A quirky little backyard business that houses something like 50 crocodiles and alligators of various species and sizes. the family that runs it is friendly and as much as seeing the crocs themselves it's funny to watch small children chase an even smaller puppy around a backyard literally packed with ferocious reptiles in various cement and chainlink enclosures. Cost is M$25 per person, and a taxi should cost about M$25 each way.
 * The municipal cemetery is notable as a testament to the immigrant past of the area, with gravestones with German names and Chinese characters. The best examples of both date from the late 19th to early 20th century.
 * Head out of town a little to Calle Miguel Hidalgo (the one out near Calle Semanarista) and check out the crocodile zoo. A quirky little backyard business that houses something like 50 crocodiles and alligators of various species and sizes. the family that runs it is friendly and as much as seeing the crocs themselves it's funny to watch small children chase an even smaller puppy around a backyard literally packed with ferocious reptiles in various cement and chainlink enclosures. Cost is M$25 per person, and a taxi should cost about M$25 each way.

Do

 * A tour of Mayan archaeological sites in western Guatemala and southwest Chiapas is available. These sites include: Izapa, Iximche, Zacalueu, Tenam Puente, and Chinkultic.
 * The Cafetaleros de Tapachula represent the city in the Ascenso MX, the second division of Mexican football.

Budget
If you´re on a budget, Tapachula has very affordable lodgings. One example is Hotel Tacana (8a Norte at 13a Poniente). The rooms go for as little as M$100 per night and many have been newly renovated.

Located a block and a half from the main plaza in town (Miguel Hidalgo), on 5a calle pointe, one of the cheaper places to stay is Hotel Quinta instantly recognizable by its astonishingly large sign that says "hotel" in black and white vertical letters.

The lowest budget rooms go for M$200 with no television and no air conditioning. Rooms are a little dirty and toilets have no toilet seats but you can't beat the price in this part of town.

Connect
Tapachula has extensive cellular network coverage but only the downtown area has reliable 5G. Outlying areas are typically 4G. Broadband internet is ubiquitous and most hotels and restaurants offer WiFi connectivity.

Go next

 * Izapa
 * Quetzaltenango
 * El Castaño

title: Tapachula


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Taplejung

Taplejung is the seat of the Taplejung District in the eastern Middle Hills of Nepal.

Drink
Said to be the best place to drink tongba, a mildly alcoholic beverage made from millet in eastern Nepal and neighboring Sikkim and Darjeeling.

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

title: Taplejung


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Taquarussu

Taquarussu (also written Taquaruçu) is a city in the state of Tocantins (Brazil).

Get in
Located 30 km from Palmas (capital of the State of Tocantins, in the center-north of Brazil) it's easy to arrive by road.

There is a bus line connecting directly to the bus station of Palmas. The bus station connects with many other towns in the state and the whole country.

The modern airport of Palmas is located just 20 km. Daily flights connect to Brasilia and other towns of Brazil.

See
One of the best known attractions of Taquarussu are the Cachoeiras (waterfalls). There are dozens of them in the hills surrounding Taquarussu, some reaching heights of 80 meters.

title: Taquarussu


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Tara

Tara (太良) is a town and peninsula located in Saga prefecture.

Understand
Tara is bordered by Isahaya, Omura, Kashima and the Ariake Sea. On a clear day, it is possible to see the mountains across the sea. Tara includes Mount Tara, which is one of the highest mountains in Kyushu and part of the Tara mountains. Tara is comprised of two sections, which were once independent towns: Tara (多良) and Oura (大浦). Tara is located quite close to the Kashima Gatalympics, which takes place near Hizen-Iida Station.

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

By train
Tara is serviced by the JR Kyushu railroad company. It has two stations and one switchbox.

By plane
The closest airport is Saga Airport, followed by one in Nagasaki. Most travelers go to Fukuoka Airport for travel abroad.

By car
Route 207 runs through the length of the town, and is the only road to Nagasaki Prefecture. The mountains are seeded with small roads, many of them one lane and unpaved. A road leads from camp Nakayama towards Kashima and Ureshino.

By boat
While fishing is a huge industry, there is no known sea travel, nor are there ferries available.

See

 * Takezaki Castle
 * Kinsenji. A temple that once had influence on shrines throughout kyushu.
 * Takezaki Kanze Onji. A temple
 * Tara Takezaki Hot Spring. One of the few sources of tourism in modern times
 * Shirahama beach. Small and littered with sharp shells, yet facilities exist and a sea-center is close by with recreational activities such as jet-skiing
 * Kenkou no Mori Park ("forest of health"). A fairly large park in the middle of the mountains
 * Mount Kyoga (経ヶ岳) taller than mount Tara, making it the tallest in the prefecture. It is more readily accessible from Kashima or Ōmura, though a ridgeline exists between it and mount Tara that hikers often use.
 * Takezaki Castle Ruins. Degraded into not much more than a wall, its purpose was once to be a lookout for invasions from Nagasaki
 * Takezaki Castle Observatory. A re-creation of the original Takezaki Castle, this tall structure is at the edge of the peninsula overlooking the sea
 * Lighthouse Ruins. Reduced to a memorial stone
 * Lighthouse Ruins. Reduced to a memorial stone

Go next

 * Kashima
 * Shiroishi
 * Takeo
 * Ureshino
 * Isahaya
 * Omura
 * Nagayo
 * Togitsu
 * Nagasaki

title: Tara


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Tarabuco

Tarabuco is a town in Bolivia, some 60 km from Sucre. It has gained its fame for its handicrafts and arts, best seen at its Sunday market. Tarabuco (and area around) has a deep tradition in festival clothing and handicrafts, and some history of cannibalism (you can gain an overview in Museo de Arte Indígena ASUR in Sucre).

Get in
Many agencies offer a Sunday daytrip from Sucre, leaving at around 08:00, at Bs. 30. Public transport is frequent and cheaper (Bs. 10 one way).

Get around
The town is not big and can be walked on foot.

See

 * An amazingly colourful collection of rural people come to town to buy necessary household items and clothing.
 * On the way from Sucre there is a statue of dancing Jesus.
 * Occasional exhibitions and live artistic performances (i.e. diablada from Oruro) in Samay Wasi cultural space and restaurant.
 * Status in main square, depicting local people and cannibalism tradition in history.

Do
Once a year, in March, there is town fiesta - a bustling event (with dances and traditional wrestling) accompanying Sunday market. If you are on time, take a part.

Buy
The market is an outstanding place to see and buy local textiles and other handicraft items. A section of the market deals not in cash but in barter.

Sleep
Basic accommodation available.

Cope
There are no banks or ATMs.

title: Tarabuco


text:
Taradale

Taradale is a suburb of Napier, in the Hawke's Bay region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's 10 km southwest of the Napier city centre and is also known as the Taradale and Greenmeadows area. It's the home of some of Hawke's Bay's finest vineyards.

Understand
Taradale had a population of 16,599 in the 2006 Census. It was a separate town until it merged with Napier in 1968, and is only a 10-minute drive from the CBD of that tourist destination. It has more than a third of Napier district’s population and is one of the most important areas in the region, with one of the highest socio-economic demographic profiles in Hawke's Bay. Many of its residents commute to the Napier or Hastings CBD and prefer rural or suburban life rather than the city life of central Napier.

It's a prosperous, established community nestled against the Taradale hills in an area rich in wine heritage dating back to the 1850s. Two of Hawke's Bay's most famous vineyards, Mission Estate and Church Road, are in the area and together attract over 300,000 tourists a year.

By road

 * From Napier: Prebensen Drive, Kennedy Road, Meeanee Road, Taradale Road.
 * From Hastings: State Highway 50 or Napier-Hastings Expressway 50A.

By bus

 * There is a regular route 12 bus from Napier and Hastings. There are two buses per hour weekday daytime, but the last bus leaves Napier at 6PM, and the service is hourly on Saturday and once every two hours on a Sunday.

Get around
Driving or biking are the best options although, because of its compact nature, walking is also an option.

See

 * Art deco buildings. The former (1932), cnr Lee Rd & Meeanee Rd, is an attractive example. McDonald's Art Deco Family Restaurant, opposite on Meeanee Rd, previously Taradale's first hotel, has its features partly obscured by McDonald's signs.

Wineries
Some of the region’s oldest wineries are at Taradale.

 * Other wineries near the area include Brookfields Vineyards, Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery, Dolbel Estate, on the banks of the Tutaekuri River, and Tironui Estate nestled just below Sugarloaf Peak.
 * Other wineries near the area include Brookfields Vineyards, Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery, Dolbel Estate, on the banks of the Tutaekuri River, and Tironui Estate nestled just below Sugarloaf Peak.
 * Other wineries near the area include Brookfields Vineyards, Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery, Dolbel Estate, on the banks of the Tutaekuri River, and Tironui Estate nestled just below Sugarloaf Peak.
 * Other wineries near the area include Brookfields Vineyards, Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery, Dolbel Estate, on the banks of the Tutaekuri River, and Tironui Estate nestled just below Sugarloaf Peak.

Do

Taradale also has several large parks and reserves, Taradale Park and Centennial Park, Anderson Park, Dolbel Reserve, Tareha Recreational Reserve.

Buy
Gloucester St, the main street and shopping area of Taradale in the Town Centre, is within 2 km of the wineries and benefits from the regular influx of visitors attracted by the wineries. It has many boutique and local stores.

Sleep
There are a few hotels and several upmarket bed and breakfasts, but the majority can be found in other parts of Napier.

Go next

 * Nearby Napier
 * Hastings

title: Taradale


text:
Tarai

Tarai (or Terai) is the name for the southern lowlands of Nepal.

 * Eastern Tarai - the eastern side of the mountain range
 * Western Tarai - the western side of the mountain range

title: Tarai


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Tarakan

Tarakan is a city on an island of the same name in East Kalimantan, and the largest city of the province of North Kalimantan.

Understand
Tarakan is 100km south of Nunukan, and also serves as a visa-free border-crossing between Indonesia and the Malaysia town of Tawau in Sabah.

Although Tarakan is the only independent city (kota) of the province of North Kalimantan, and the most populous city by far (population about 220,000), it is not the capital. The provincial capital is Tanjung Selor.

By boat
A less mind numbing way of travel to Tarakan is to take the ferry service which plies a few times a day between Nunukan and Tawau, and a twice daily flight that goes between Nunukan and Tarakan. To get into Tawau this way, take the 11AM ferry (which usually waits to depart until it's full, which can mean it leaves at noon) from Tawau to Nunukan. The Labuan Express ferry tends to be the cleanest. The journey will take 45 minutes to an hour and it costs 40 Ringgit. After getting through Indonesian immigration, catch a minibus (RP 20,000 to charter the whole thing, but be prepared to bargain) to the airport, 15 minutes away.

Of course you can travel to Tarakan from the Indonesian side (mainly going through the oil city of Balikpapan). From Balikpapan there are three to four flights daily except Sundays. By the way, if you do choose to go through Balikpapan airport, try the "Nasi Sop Buntut" at the Blue Sky restaurant on the second floor of the airport. Right beside the viewing gallery. Excellent stuff. Probably the best in Kalimantan.

To/from Tawau: One departure daily except on Sunday from Tawau. M.V. Indomaya sails every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30, while M.V. Tawindo M.V Labuan Express departs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10:30. Tickets cost RM130 to RM140 (depending on which ferry you get on) one-way and travelling time is 4 hours (and that's not counting the usual 1 hour delay in departure time).

Be prepared to pay porters to haul your bags for you. On the Malaysian side, RM10 should be sufficient, on the Indonesian side about 20,000-30,000 rupiah for a couple suitcases. In Tawau, the ferry docks at the Customs jetty behind the fish market. In Tawau, the ferry docks at Tengkayu port, which is close to the city centre. The jetty, in this case, is a very long walk to the customs/immigration building. The minute the ferry docks (at either port), a crowd of porters will jump on board and hustle to grab your bags.

Go next

 * Derawan
 * Tawau

title: Tarakan


text:
Tarama

Tarama (多良間) is one of the Miyako Islands in Okinawa prefecture, Japan.

Tourist information site

 * Tarama Village's official site has a Japanese-only tourism section with integrated machine translation.

 * The local tourist association has a one page stuff, also Japanese-only.

Get in
While Tarama is geographically closer to Ishigaki, the only way to travel to the island is via Miyako.

By plane
RAC operates two return flights per day from Miyako Airport. The flight costs from ¥7000 and takes 20 minutes.

By ferry
Tarama Kaiun operates one return ferry daily from the port of Hirara (平良) on Miyako, taking two hours each way. The standard adult one-way fare is ¥2,510.

See

 * Hachigatsu Odori (八月踊り, Literally meaning is "August dance", but the real meaning is "The theater, celebrating paid all taxes.") Every year, from 8th to 10th of eighth month of the traditional calendar, the village has a traditional festival called "Hachigatsu Odori" lasting 3 days and 3 nights. All schools and most businesses are closed for the duration. There's also an increased media presence, and anthropologists come to document it as well. Also, many Taramans who are now living off-island return for this festival. The island is basically stretched to its seams for the festival. If you're not interested in the festival, you'll probably want to make sure you're not on Tarama during it. Although there's a lot of drinking, things stay relatively calm, or at least as calm as a festival of this magnitude could ever be.
 * Tarama Village Ethnographic Learning Center (多良間村ふるさと民俗学習館 Tarama-son furusato minzoku gakushukan). Find out more about the history and culture of Tarama. Tel: 0980-79-2223. 09:00-17:00, closed Monday. Discounts for primary and secondary students.

Do

 * Yaeyama Toomidai (八重山遠見台). Location: 多良間村字仲筋1097 (1097 Aza-nakasuji, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2674 (not to the tower itself, but rather to the organization responsible for its maintenance). Because Tarama is very, very, very flat, the highest point is not a geological feature such as a hill or a mountain, but rather a 33-m-high structure on a small hill. It's named "Yaeyama Toomidai" because, on a clear day, if you look west from the tower, you can see clearly the Ishigaki island, the nearest part of the Yaeyama Islands, ("Toomidai" means that it allows you to see way out into the distance beyond the forest). You can also see all of Tarama (Tarama island and Min-na island). You might see Miyako, but other than that you probably won't see much more than open water. Obviously, there aren't any obstructions, so you can see as far as the current visibility conditions permit, in all directions.
 * Hometown Beach Park (ふるさと海浜公園).Local name is "Nagashak".It has nice beach and shower. Also some benches with roof.

Eat

 * Agari-shokudo (東食堂). Location: 多良間村字塩川513 (513 Aza-shiokawa, Trrama village). Tel: 0980-79-2621. Serves meals.
 * Giriki (ぎりき). Location: 多良間村字塩川196 (196 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2280. Izakaya. Serves meals.
 * Tukaama (とうかあま). Location: 多良間村字塩川564-3 (564-3 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2488. Izakaya. Serves meals.
 * Adan (あだん). Location: 多良間村字塩川528 (528 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2088. Izakaya. Serves meals.
 * Fuji (ふじ). Location: 多良間村字仲筋56 (56 Aza-nakasuji, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2813. Oden only.
 * Mamigapana (豆が花). Location: 多良間村字塩川1687 (1687 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2025. Snacks only.

Sleep

 * Chitose Ryokan (ちとせ旅館). Two meals are included. Location: 多良間村字塩川37 (37 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2332. ¥5600/night.
 * Midoriya Ryokan (みどりや旅館). Two meals are included. Location: 多良間村字塩川142 (142 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2232.
 * Pension Adan (ペンションあだん). Two meals are included. Location: 多良間村字塩川528 (528 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2088.
 * Minshuku Marumiya (民宿丸宮). Two meals are included. Location: 多良間村字塩川141 (141 Aza-shiokawa, Tarama village). Tel: 0980-79-2881.

title: Tarama


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Taranaki

Taranaki is a region of the North Island of New Zealand that is dominated by its volcanic mountain, (Mount) Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont. The volcano has formed a gently sloping semi-circular coastal plain on its western side and a wide plain of rich farm land in the east to connect it to the rest of the North Island.

Cities

 * – the main city
 * – attractions include the Tawhiti Museum
 * – probably best known for the local Patea Māori Club and their 1984 chart-topping single Poi E. Major attractions include the Museum of South Taranaki and the Aotea sculpture.
 * – the political seat of Taranaki, noted for its glockenspiel clock tower and its Shakespearean-inspired street names.
 * – probably best known for the local Patea Māori Club and their 1984 chart-topping single Poi E. Major attractions include the Museum of South Taranaki and the Aotea sculpture.
 * – the political seat of Taranaki, noted for its glockenspiel clock tower and its Shakespearean-inspired street names.

Understand
The Mountain, as it is often called, is properly known as Taranaki, without the honorific prefix Mount. This is in keeping with the Māori tradition of considering the great mountains to be personalities in their own right. To also call him a mountain is unnecessary as when you refer to Taranaki it is the mountain and his surrounding lands that are referred to.

According to Māori legend, Taranaki competed with Tongariro for the affection of Pihanga (a small mountain between Lake Taupo and Tongariro). Tongariro won, and the dejected Taranaki fled west to its current location.

Captain Cook named the mountain Mount Egmont, and a scene depicting his ship sighting of the mountain is shown on the New Zealand 50 cent coin.

Following the New Zealand Land Wars of the 1860s, the colonial government confiscated large tracts of land owned by the Taranaki Māori. A hundred years later, as part of the land grievance settlement process, the government agreed that the mountain be known by its Māori name, Taranaki in addition to the European name of Mount Egmont.

Significant petroleum deposits were known in the region for over a hundred years, with oil being drilled for in New Plymouth. The discovery of natural gas at Kapuni in 1959 and later offshore in the Maui gasfield has meant Taranaki has become New Zealand's think big energy province. Taranaki is also known for its dairy industry; the Whareroa dairy processing plant near Hawera is one of the largest in the world, alone producing enough milk, butter and cheese each year to feed New Zealand's population twice over.

For many, Taranaki is strikingly similar to Mount Fuji in Japan. The scenery and the countryside look very similar. Because of this similarity, The Last Samurai was filmed in Taranaki instead of Japan.

By bus
InterCity Coachlines operate NZ's national bus network with daily services to Taranaki from Auckland and Wellington. Tickets can be purchased online or throughout the country at numerous agents including the i-site network.

By plane
New Plymouth has a regional airport, but no international flights.

There are also many aerodromes around the region, if you're the sort to charter flights.

By car
Follow State Highway 3.

From the north (Auckland and Hamilton) the only route (other than some unsealed back-country roads) is State Highway 3. The journey from Hamilton is 250km - about 3.5 hours by car. The main rest-stops and service centres for the trip are Te Kuiti (70km from Hamilton), Piopio (90km) and Mokau (70km from New Plymouth). The 15km of the Awakino Gorge between Piopio and Mokau - is narrow, winding, and prone to closure by slips in bad weather. it includes a very short single-lane tunnel at the north end. There is a steep hill climb (cyclists beware) over Mt Messenger between Tongaporotu and New Plymouth.

To the south there are two highways linking New Plymouth and Hawera: State Highway 3 is the inland route, travelling east of the mountain and passing through the towns of Inglewood, Stratford (which always has petrol 2c a litre cheaper than the standard price) and Eltham. This route is 70km.

The scenic alternative is the 95km State Highway 45, "The Surf Highway" which follows the coast (though seldom in sight of it) around the west of the mountain via Opunake. This road has many ups and downs as it crosses the gullies of the numerous rivers flowing off the mountain. From Hawera it is a further 90km via SH3 to Whanganui. New Plymouth to Wellington is 350km and take 4.5 - 5.5 hours depending on traffic near Wellington.

An interesting alternative trip is The Forgotten World Highway - SH43, which winds and climbs 160km from Stratford to Taumarunui - including about 30km unsealed though a spectacularly beautiful gorge. The section north of the tiny town of Whangamomona has the honour of being the least busy part of the NZ state highway network. Other points of interest are Whangamomona itself (which has an annual republic day in protest at being treated poorly due to its isolation), the timber-shored Moki tunnel and the grave of the road's surveyor. Note that there is no petrol available between Stratford and Taumarunui, and that this highway is not well maintained. It's worth stopping at the numerous historical information boards along the way.

Taranaki has a higher proportion of its rural roads sealed than any other part of New Zealand, due to the intensive dairy farming. However, this does not extend to the back-country routes. Roads which appear on the map to be short-cuts, such as Ohura - Tongaporotu are very marginal and it is usually faster to travel the extra 80km via the main highways.

By bus
In addition to the long distance bus services listed above, there are some infrequent regional services supported by Taranaki Regional Council.

BL Tourism Group offers Shuttle services throughout all of Taranaki as well as airport shuttles and guided tours

See
A trip round the mountain allows the different aspects of Taranaki to be seen in all their glory.

Visit the smaller towns of Opunake, Hawera, Stratford, Eltham, Inglewood and Waitara.

Go next

 * North to Waikato
 * East to Whanganui (region)

title: Taranaki


text:
Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is in Tanzania.

Understand
Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for wild animals in the Tarangire Ecosystem during the annual dry season. The Tarangire Ecosystem is defined by the long-distance migration of wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season thousands of animals concentrate in Tarangire National Park from the surrounding wet-season dispersal and calving areas.

It covers an area of approximately 2,850 km² (1,100 square miles.)

Landscape
The landscape is composed of granitic ridges, river valley, and swamps.

Flora and fauna
Vegetation is a mix of Acacia woodland, Commiphora-Combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grassland, and Baobab trees.

The park is famous for its density of African bush elephants and baobab trees. Visitors to the park in the June to November dry season can expect to see large herds of thousands of zebra, wildebeest and cape buffalo. Other common resident animals include waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, Common eland, Grant's gazelle, vervet monkey, banded mongoose, and olive baboon. Predators in Tarangire include African lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger, and African wild dog.

The park is home to more than 550 bird species.

The park is also famous for the termite mounds that dot the landscape. Those that have been abandoned are often home to dwarf mongoose.

Get in
Tarangire National Park can be reached via paved road south from Arusha in under two hours. Lake Manyara National Park is a 70-km (43-mile) drive from Tarangire.

Fees and permits
US$35 per person

Lodging

 * Tarangire Treetops: Tree houses perched high up in the age old Baobab and Marula trees.  Astride the path of the Elephant Migration, Tarangire Treetops sits alone in a private game reserve bordering Tarangire National Park and the Maasai Steppe amid rolling, baobab-studded hills with views to Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley wall. Twenty suites, each 65 m² with a private balcony, are furnished with natural materials blended with contemporary Africana décor. Encasing a vast Baobab tree, the dining room, reception and lounge overlooks the swimming pool and a waterhole that sees a constant flow of wild animal visitors. Guests can enjoy guided walking safaris, day- or night-time game drives, and bush dining. info@elewana.com
 * Kuro
 * Little Oliver's
 * Oliver's Camp
 * Sanctuary Swala
 * Sopa Lodge
 * Ndovu Camp
 * Tarangire Safari Lodge

title: Tarangire National Park


text:
Taranto

Taranto (Tarantino: Tarde) is a city on the Ionian coast of Apulia, in southeastern Italy. With 200,000 inhabitants it is the third-largest city of Southern Italy and the second-largest city of the region, after the capital Bari. Taranto is home of one of the most important naval bases in Italy and it boasts a thousand-year-old history, having been one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean during the Greek period.

History
Taranto was founded in 706 BC by Dorian Greek settlers, as the only Spartan colony outside of Greece (the town is still called "the Spartan city"). A legend gives the credit of the city's foundation to Taras (Τάρας) who, according to Greek mythology, was the son of Poseidon and of the nymph Satyrion; after being saved from a shipwreck by riding a dolphin, sent to him by his father, an image visible on many ancient coins.

The city, effectively named Taras, became soon a commercial and militar power of the Ancient Greek world, as well as the most important and inhabited centre of Magna Graecia. Its golden age finished in 272 BC, with the conquest by the Romans, that chose to favor Brindisi as the main port of the Roman Empire.

The town, now called Tarentum, fell in a period of decline and it was later contested between the Lombards, the Byzantines and the Arabs, being attacked and ransacked several times. It was then conquered by the Normans, that made it the capital of the Principality of Taranto, an almost independent feudal fief of the Kingdom of Sicily (and later of Naples), from 1088 to 1465.

The city was later governed by the Monarchy of Spain (for two centuries) and by the Bourbons, that created the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1815. Taranto had a population of about 18,000 inhabitants, all of them living in the small island of the old town.

After the Italian unification, the city became the main base of the newly formed Italian Navy in 1866, and site of important events like the "Battle of Taranto" in 1940, with the victory of the British naval forces against the Italian ones. An enormous steel mill was built not far from the city centre, causing a controversy that lasts still today, making the town famous only for its industry.

Despite this, Taranto is not only a steel mill, but a place worth visiting with a high amount of artistic and historical treasures.

Climate
Due to its location in the innermost part of the eponymous gulf Taranto can boast a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with scarce precipitation and average warm temperature during the year.

Summer is quite hot with an average temperature of about 26°C (79°F), but it is generally windy and not very muggy since the town is surrounded by the sea. Autumn and winter are mild and include most of rainfalls but snow is definitely hard to be seen, because average minimum temperature doesn't go below 4°C (39°F). Spring can be relatively humid and with variable temperatures.

By plane

There are discount flights available from London, Rome, Milan, etc. For a complete list, check out the website of Apulian airports.

By car
The runs from Bologna to Taranto, so it is the best way to arrive in town from the main cities of northern Italy and of the Adriatic coast.
 * From Rome: Autostrada A1 Italia.svg until Caserta, Autostrada A30 Italia.svg until Nola, then Autostrada A16 Italia.svg to Canosa di Puglia and finally Autostrada A14 Italia.svg until its end. (5 hr)
 * From Naples: cross the Basilicata region through Autostrada A3 Italia.svg and Autostrada A2 Italia.svg motorways until Potenza, then Strada Statale 407 Italia.svg Basentana and finally Strada Statale 106 Italia.svg Jonica. (3¼ hr)
 * From Lecce: drive along Strada Statale 613 Italia.svg until Brindisi, Strada Statale 16 Italia.svg to bypass its centre and finally Strada Statale 7 Italia.svg. (1 hr)

By bus
The is located in Via Cristoforo Colombo, close to the commercial port and few steps away from the stone bridge of Via Napoli. You can reach Taranto from various cities of Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland via private bus agencies: Almost all the routes from abroad requires a transfer in Milan or Bologna. Fares can drastically change according to the period and even the day chosen.
 * Buscenter from Bologna, Catania, Milan, Turin, Palermo and other Sicilian towns.
 * Flixbus from 76 destinations in Italy and Europe such as Florence, Genoa, Matera, Milan, Munich, Nuremberg, Pescara, Pompeii, Rome, Venice.
 * Marino Bus from Bologna, Foggia, Frankfurt, Lucerne, Milan, Naples, Stuttgart, Turin, Zurich and other localities.
 * Marozzi from Bari, Brindisi, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Siena.
 * Miccolis from Caserta, Matera, Naples, Pompeii, Potenza, Salerno.

By bus
AMAT is the company that manages the local bus transport system. A single ticket (biglietto ordinario) can be purchased at every tobacconist and newspaper seller for €1, or it can be bought on board for €1.50 and it is valid for a single ride. You can also choose a ticket valid for 90 minutes (€1.30), a 1-day solution ticket (€2.60), a 3-days ticket (€6.50) or a 7-days ticket (€15.50).

Harbor tour
AMAT company also provides the (waterways) service, consisting in a 1½ hr tour sailing around the Big and Little Sea with the presence of a guide that will explain Taranto history as well as telling various curiosities and anecdotes. You will pass by the old town island, modern town coast and San Pietro island, sailing through the navigable channel outgoing and incoming.

Boats leave from mainland dock at Piazzale Democrate, near the stone bridge of Porta Napoli. The cost is €8 for an ordinary ticket, €6 if part of a group of more than 20 people. Tours start at 10:30, 11:00 or 16:30 depending on day and month. Consult AMAT site for detailed info.

Drink
One of the most popular drinks is without doubt "Birra Raffo" the beer of Taranto par excellence. Deep-rooted in the recent history and society of the town it represents a sort of local institution that can be enjoyed practically in every bar or restaurant.

Go next

 * Alberobello – its world-famous characteristic white "trulli". (40 min by car)
 * Brindisi – relevant Romanesque churches and port with ferries to Albania and Greece. (45 min by car)
 * Lecce – the triumph of the Baroque architecture in the heart of Salento peninsula. (1 hr by car)
 * Martina Franca – large old town rich of Baroque buildings. (½ by car)
 * Matera – the suggestive scenario of its "sassi" definitely worth visiting. (1 hr by car)
 * Ostuni – the famous "white town" can be discovered after 45 minutes of driving.

title: Taranto


text:
Taranto (province)

Taranto is a province in Apulia in Italy.

Cities

 * — the third-largest city of Southern Italy boasts a thousand-year-old history
 * — a city of many ravines
 * — the "City of the Clementines"
 * — its historic centre is filled with a mixture of Baroque and Rococo limestone buildings

By air
There is no airport with commercial flights in the province. There are two airports with passenger service close to the province: A shuttle service allows the connection of Taranto (from the bus terminal of the merchant port) with the two airports.
 * Bari airport ("Karol Wojtyla")
 * Brindisi airport ("Salento")

By road
The province is crossed by the A14 motorway, also known as the Autostrada Adriatica Bologna - Taranto, and by provincial and state roads. The capital is the crossing point between the three major road arteries of the province:
 * the state road 7 Via Appia, which connects Taranto with Brindisi on the eastern side and Matera on the western side;
 * the state road 7 ter Salentina, which connects the capital with Lecce, crossing many centres of the eastern province;
 * the state road 100 of Gioia del Colle, which connects Taranto with Bari and joins the SS 7 at the height of the town of Massafra;
 * The highway 106 Jonica, which starts from Taranto winds along the coast of south-western Ionian;
 * the Strada Statale 106 dir Jonica, which joins the SS 106 at the height of Chiatona with the SS 7 at the height of Palagiano;
 * the state road 172 dei Trulli, which connects Taranto with Casamassima through some inhabited centres of the Itria Valley.

Byvtrain
There are five railway lines in the province. Three sections are managed by RFI, and two by the Ferrovie del Sud Est:
 * the Bari-Taranto line via Gioia del Colle (RFI);
 * the Taranto-Brindisi line (RFI);
 * the Taranto-Reggio Calabria (RFI) line.
 * the Martina Franca-Lecce line (FSE);
 * the Bari-Taranto line via Martina Franca (FSE);

The main railway station of the province is that of Taranto; it is also the only one in the province where an interchange can be made between the Ferrovie del Sud Est and the Ferrovie dello Stato. The Martina Franca station is an important FSE exchange hub between the Martina Franca-Lecce and Bari-Taranto lines.

Get around
A provincial road of considerable importance for local tourism is the Litoranea Salentina SP 100/122, on the coast of the Salento side of the province, which connects the capital to Santa Maria di Leuca.

Eat
It can boast some products with DOP and IGP certification :
 * Terra d'Otranto PDO oil
 * Terre Tarentine DOP oil
 * Clementines of the Gulf of Taranto PGI

Drink
DOC wines from the province of Taranto

title: Taranto (province)


text:
Tarapith

Tarapith is a temple town in the central region of West Bengal, India. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre and several thousand devotees visit the temple every day.

Understand
According to Hindu belief, an insulted Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, sacrificed herself at a yagya (fire worship ritual) which was being performed by her father Dakshmaharaj. Angry with this incident Lord Shiva started the Tandava Nritya (Dance of Destruction). In order to prevent the destruction of all creation, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan charka (wheel) to cut the body of Sati into several parts. Sati's body was scattered all over the Indian subcontinent. There are 51 such holy spots where temples have been erected and they are called Pithas or the Shakti Pithas. Some of the Pithas are in West Bengal. The most popular of them are Kalighat (in Kolkata), Bakreshwar and Tarapith. It is believed that the eyeball of Sati fell down at Tarapith. In Bengali, the eyeball is called 'Tara' and that is why the name of the village was changed from the earlier Chandipur to Tarapith.

It is said that in ancient times Saint Bashistha attained his divinity by meditation under a Simul tree on the bank of river Dwaraka. He attained his divinity by worshipping the Goddess Sati or Tara (in the form of Kali) and sitting on the panch mundi ashan or the sitting place surrounded by 5 skulls of different animals, like human, owl, elephant, black snake and monkey. That Simul tree is no more there and river Dwaraka has moved away. Subsequently, a number of saints like Saint Bamakshyapa (19th-century devotee) and Kamalakanta (18th-century devotee, who composed many songs, and still sung) came here to worship the Goddess for their spiritual salvation.

The old temple of Goddess Tara is somewhat damaged. The present temple with eight roofs was built in 1225 by one Jagannath Ray of Mallarpur village. On the main gate of the temple, the statue of Goddess Durga and her full family are carved. On the left, the war of Kurukshetra (Mahabharata) and on the right stories from Ramayana are depicted.

This article also covers Rampurhat, a nearby city often used as a waypoint to Tarapith.

By car
Several highways run over Tarapith. Panagarh–Morgram Highway heads south to Durgapur via Suri, Dubrajpur and Ilambazar and heads north to Morgram via Nalhati. NH 114 (previously NH 2B) heads south to Bardhaman via Sainthia and Santiniketan.

Get around
Tarapith is a small town and you can walk around and rickshaws are also available. Beware of crowds during peak season.

Buy

 * There are many shops trying to attract attention of the pilgrim-tourists.

Eat and drink
There are plenty of moderate eating houses serving standard Bengali meals.

Most hotels have restaurants - check if they provide meals for non-guests. Many of the hotels provide a variety of cuisine.

Since hard drinks are not available openly, it is better to carry one's own stock of hard drinks if you need one.

Sleep
There are around 350 lodges or hotels in Tarapith, mostly catering to budget tourists. There is little that is luxurious as this is a pilgrimage centre. There is no problem in getting a place to stay but many people get back to Rampurhat or move on to other places.

Go next

 * Nalhati
 * Santiniketan - 88 km
 * Bakreshwar
 * Massanjore

title: Tarapith


text:
Tarapoto

Tarapoto, known as the "City of Palms," is in the District of San Martín, "la tierra de las cataratas" (the land of waterfalls), on the high jungle plateau in the northern part of Peru.

Understand
Tarapoto sits in the valley where the two rivers, the Cumbaza and Shilcayo, meet. Bordered by the cities of Morales (on the west) and Banda de Shilcayo (on the east) Tarapoto is the commercial center of the District and one of the larger metropolitan centers in the Amazon Rainforest.

While Tarapoto is sometimes overlooked by tourists heading to Iquitos, visitors will find that because of its cloud forest location at an altitude over 350 meters, the temperatures won't get as hot, usually not above, and perhaps more importantly, the humidity is not generally as high as the low jungle. Many day trips within a half-hour to a two-hour drive from Tarapoto include some of the most spectacular natural beauty anywhere, historic wonders, and some of the places have cooler weather than in the city. There are scenic outlooks, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, fauna and flora of all sorts, and some of the most interesting people in the world live in this area.

Tarapoto has many restaurants, hotels, Internet cafes, markets, and other attractions that would interest tourists from all walks of life. With a rich cultural heritage and many historic landmarks nearby, it is a great place for people who want something more than just a hammock and a tropical drink -- although the latter can be found readily as well. Few businesses have air conditioning. There are several hotels that have air conditioning, but many do not so it is important to ask.

Another thing travellers should be sure to ask about before checking into a hotel -- unless they don't mind a cold shower -- is if the room has hot water; many do not. In most neighborhoods, there is no running water during the early afternoon and early morning, so it is also wise to ask about the hours of availability of water -- although many hotels and restaurants have their own holding tanks for water which makes it no problem.

One of the things that makes Tarapoto attractive to travelers who have discovered this city is the fact that it is a great central location in the northern part of Peru. The mountains (high sierra) to the west, and the jungle (selva) to the east, make Tarapoto a good place to call home-base when visiting northern Peru. A modern airport makes travel to the major cities fairly easy, if only somewhat dependable, with daily flights to and from Lima.

In many ways, Tarapoto still has a "small town" atmosphere. While it is always necessary to keep alert when traveling anywhere, Tarapoto is a place one can relax more. Europeans and North Americans are not targets of crime as much as in the other places like Trujillo, Cusco, and Lima. Since there aren't as many tourists around Tarapoto, the locals don't see too many foreigners. So expect to be noticed if you don't look like a Peruvian, but tourists generally find themselves treated very well in Tarapoto.

By plane

 * Latam (Lima, Tumbes)
 * JetSmart (Lima)
 * Sky Peru (Lima)
 * Star Peru (Lima, Chiclayo, Iquitos)
 * Saeta Peru serves as the regional airline with propeller driven aircraft to/from Chachapoyas, Pucallpa, Iquitos, Rodriguez de Mendoza, and Yurimaguas.
 * Saeta Peru serves as the regional airline with propeller driven aircraft to/from Chachapoyas, Pucallpa, Iquitos, Rodriguez de Mendoza, and Yurimaguas.

Upon exiting the airport, there will be several mototaxis and a few cars waiting to win your fare to town. Many mototaxi drivers may try to bring you somewhere other than where you requested to go because they earn commission. Communicate with your lodging before you arrive to get an idea of how long the ride should take or to arrange a private airport pick-up. Some hotels include airport pick-up in the room price

By bus

 * There are also bus services from Lima, which roughly take 24 hours via Trujillo & Chiclayo to Tarapoto.

Get around
A mototaxi looks like a rickshaw with a motorcycle welded onto the front of it and is the most common form of transportation in Tarapoto. Automobile taxis are also available in lesser numbers. Whether using a taxi or mototaxi, tourists should always negotiate the price of the trip before getting into the vehicle, or they might find themselves paying far more than necessary for the ride. Mototaxi drivers are sometimes reckless, so tourists should not hesitate to tell the driver to slow down if necessary.

See

 * Cataratas de Ahuashiyacu : Not really worth the money (the taxi, not the S/3 entrance fee). A nice waterfall but the pond is tiny and if you want to swim you have to squeeze through hordes of Peruvians.
 * Cataratas de Huacamaillo: You can hire a mototaxi from town to the trailhead of this waterfall which dumps into fast flowing river. A guide is recommended to find the waterfalls, which requires multiple crossings of the river, bring a few extra soles to pay the approx. S/3 entrance fee at a booth located less than halfway down the trail. The trail climbs and hugs dripping eroding cliff and so is quite treacherous, not recommended if you are not surefooted. However, it is a great option for someone looking to do a day hike in the rainforest for cheap.
 * Reserva Alto Chiclayo: Hire a mototaxi to the end of the road(past the animal rescue center) to this preserve containing the Rio Chiclayo. Entry with a guide (required) is approx. S/80. Guides help you across a few river crossings, and can help spot wildlife such as the local poison frogs.
 * Petroglyphs of Polish

Do
Take the "takiwasi" road along the Shilcayo for 2-3 km, then it becomes a small path which goes far into the forest following the river and it is a nice walk. If you have children, they might be interested in visiting Urku (on the left, about 2 km from Tarapoto), where they have monkeys and others animals rescued from captivity.
 * Go to the new movie-theater of Tarapoto. A new one has just open (Jr Alfonso Ugarte). If it is raining too much and you want to watch movies in Spanish, enjoy!
 * Visit the Tabacalera del Oriente cigar "factory" in town
 * Walk along the Shilcayo River
 * Walk along the Shilcayo River

Drink
There are many discos in the Morales district. Highlights include Anaconda, Aqua and Bunker.It can be closed at the beginning of the week, but it is open and generally free from Thursday to Sunday.

In the street in front of the restaurant Patarashca, about two blocks from the Plaza de Armas (in the direction of the artesanal market), they are bars with drinks and music at night. Calle Bolognesi or Calle Lamas.

The musmuki bar is a good address to try some cocktails from the jungle (about one block from the Plaza de Armas, when you left on the Scotiabank side in Calle Moyobamba).

Sleep
A reasonable place to stay in the centre of Tarapoto is the La Posada Inn, 50 m from the Plaza on Jiron San Martin. It is quieter than some hotels there and has wifi, hot and cold water and a good restaurant.

Or go to Lamas and stay in the relaxed and laid-back hotel Hospedeja de la Sangpilla (30 minutes by shared taxi from Tarapoto) S/60 double, with swimming pool and breakfast.

Go next

 * Moyobamba - the capital of the region. Bus ride takes about 2 hours from Tarapoto.
 * Sauce - relaxing lakeside town 1½ hours away from Tarapoto around the Laguna Azul.
 * Juanjui - To the south.
 * Lamas - north-west (small town)
 * Yurimaguas - The doors to the Amazon. You can get there in 2½ hr on a good road.

title: Tarapoto


text:
Tarata

Tarata is a small city in the department of Cochabamba. It is prominent among the region's colonial towns for its surviving traditional architecture, and it is home to the annual festival of San Severino which marks the coming of the rains in late November.

Understand
Tarata's history as a colonial village is slowly disappearing, as increasingly colonial buildings are destroyed to make way for concrete multi-story buildings.

Get in
Tarata is 29 km or a little over an hour from the city of Cochabamba. Shared taxis and minibuses offer direct service regularly from Avenida Barrientos, between the marketplace at la Cancha and Avenida 6 de Agosto. The one-way fare is about Bs. 5 (2010); buses leave when full.

Get around
The entire town of Tarata is walkable.

See
The Cathedral of Tarata houses the remains of a mystical former Bolivian President, General Mariano Melgarejo. The convent houses a museum with several relics, and together the religious structures are among the most impressive colonial buildings in the town.

Do
Walk around town, especially up to the monastery, to experience the colonial feel, how it has been impoverished over the centuries, and how it is transforming into a more internationalized city (as new construction replaces characteristic old buildings). The most interesting colonial buildings are around the main square and the convent to the southwest. There are also several remaining large colonial villas that exhibit older architectural styles around town.

The festival of San Severino happens during the last weekend in November, and is an excellent opportunity to see the vast range of traditional dances from the region and around the country. The best place to sit is near the political officials' pavilion in front of the cathedral, because all of the dancing groups put on a special show for the mayor and town officials.

Buy
Tarata is known for its traditional arts and crafts, especially for pottery and weaving. It is still inexpensive to buy the crafts in the town, many of which are useful for travelers such as clothing. Souvenirs and knick-knacks are also available from a few sellers around the town.

Eat
Tarata has a tradition of preparing very thin sausages or chorizos, which are available at several local eateries at low prices.

Drink
Chicha is the traditional corn-based alcoholic drink, but changes to the method of preparing have mafe the chicha less than trustworthy. For adventurous travelers wishing to try, chicha is available at any shop hanging a red cloth diamond off a pole outside the entrance.

Sleep
It is possible to see Tarata on a day trip from Cochabamba, so it isn't necessary to look for a place to stay. Arrive early, visit the town, and leave when you feel you've seen enough.

Go next
Cliza and Punata are similar towns in the same valley, and may be worth exploring to understand more of the older way of life in Cochabamba department.

title: Tarata


text:
Tarawa

Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, and the location of the capital of Kiribati. It is home to 63,017 i-Kiribati, more than half of the country's population!

Understand
Tarawa was the site of the Battle of Tarawa, one of the most brutal battles in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. It was previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

For a full understanding of this atoll you should pick up a book called "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by J Maarten Troost. This is a very informative insight to the everyday life on Tarawa. (The title is misrepresentative, and perhaps slapped on by the publisher, as there is nothing naughty or cannibalistic in the book.)

Geography
Tarawa is separated administratively to South Tarawa, comprised of the developed islands at the south of the atoll west from the airport at Bonriki and where the vast majority of the population lives, and North Tarawa, the tiny islands extending north of the airport, which have a population of less than 7,000 inhabitants.

By plane

 * Fiji Airways with a 737 aircraft operates flights from Suva on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
 * Nauru Airlines operates a weekly flight from Brisbane, Australia via Honiara and Nauru leaving on a Saturday and then interlines with Air Kiribati who fly a 737 aircraft onto Nadi and returns on a Monday.
 * Nauru Airlines operates a weekly flight from Brisbane, Australia via Honiara and Nauru leaving on a Saturday and then interlines with Air Kiribati who fly a 737 aircraft onto Nadi and returns on a Monday.

By boat
Supply boats periodically leave Fiji. There’s no point quoting schedules or details as there are none. Just ask around in Suva, Nadi or Lautoka harbours. Captains usually accept hitchhikers for a small fee. Prepare for the worst: no comfort, bad food. And for the best: great company, Polynesian and Micronesian hospitality and adventure.

Private yachts cruising the Pacific sometimes also take passengers. Ask around in yacht clubs, marinas, slipways. Good luck!

Buy
South Tarawa has a few international ATMs through the Bank of Kiribati.

title: Tarawa


text:
Tarbert

There is more than one place called Tarbert. The name is also often confused with Tarbet:

Scotland

 * Tarbert
 * Tarbert (Harris) - A village on the island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
 * Tarbert (Loch Fyne) - A village on Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute.
 * Tarbert (Jura) - A hamlet on the Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides in the council area of Argyll and Bute.
 * Tarbet
 * Tarbet - A village on Loch Lomond in Argyll and Bute.
 * Tarbet (Loch Nevis) - A house or two on the banks of Loch Nevis, near Mallaig.
 * Tarbet (Sutherland) - A hamlet to the North of Scourie Bay Sutherland.

Ireland

 * Tarbert (Ireland) - A town in County Kerry.

title: Tarbert


text:
Tarbert (Harris)

Tarbert is a village on Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. With a population of 550, it's the main town and ferry terminal for Harris. It's the ideal base for touring the whole of Harris: you can also tour Lewis (which of course is the same island) but that's quite a drive from here.

Get in
has Calmac ferries year-round daily from Uig on Skye, taking 1 hour 40 min. Until end of March 2025, return fares are £73.60 per car, £14.90 per adult including driver, and £7.60 per child aged 5-15. Buses from Glasgow connect with the ferries at Uig.

Other routes are from Ullapool on the mainland to Stornoway on Lewis then south by road, or to North or South Uist then by ferry to Leverburgh on Harris and go north by road.

By bus: Five buses run M-Sa between Tarbert and Stornoway, taking 75 min. A bus / ferry service runs up the Western Isles through Barra, the Uists and Harris and across Lewis to Stornoway, so M-Sa it's possible to go the whole route within a day. To do so northbound you need to set off from Castlebay on Barra at 6:20AM, but for Harris you could leave it till 10:20AM, reaching Lochboisedale on South Uist at 1:20PM, Benbecula at 3PM, Lochmaddy on North Uist at 3:30PM and Leverburgh on Harris at 17:00 then Tarbert at 5:30PM. Going south, you need to leave Stornoway at 9:30AM to go the whole route, and leave Tarbert at 10:45AM, Lochmaddy at 1:45PM, Benbecula at 2:25PM and Lochboisdale at 3:25PM reaching Castlebay at 5:35PM.

Get around
Tarbert can easily be explored on foot, but you needs wheels to get anywhere in rugged Harris.

Car Hire Hebrides are based at the filling station opposite Harris Hotel, tel +44 1851 706500.

No Sunday buses; M-Sa Bus W10 runs along A859 six times, Bus W11 runs 2-3 times between Tarbert and Rhenigidale. Bus W12 runs 3-4 times between Tarbert, Amhuinnsuidhe and Huishinish. Bus W14 runs 3-4 times between Tarbert and Scalpay.

See

 * or Bunavoneader along B887 west of Tarbert is the remains of a whaling station, active from 1904 to 1929. Its three ships worked in the North Atlantic, seeking oil from whale blubber. Thereafter oil was derived from other sources and whaling became uneconomic, though the station had a brief revival in the 1950s. It's a unique survival in Britain of a shore station.
 * Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (see Sleep) is one you can't help visiting, since the public road grazes its front doorstep. But no tours or stopping on the road here, it's for guest shooting-parties only.
 * is a cabin in the hills near Loch Scourst. Park on B887 at Meavaig and hike two miles up the track. Most visitors see no eagles but read in the sightings book that the place was besieged by them the previous day and a Fiat 500 was carried off.
 * Beehive shielings are Hebridean igloos - lacking wood or ice, shepherds make these little shelters out of stone covered with turf. There's a collection on the hillside above the track to the observatory.
 * may have Scotland's most scenic loo at "The Gateway" shelter where B887 ends. Look out for wildlife along the coast, and you might hike the two miles northeast to Crabhadail glen and beach.
 * Scarp is the island half a mile west of Huishnish, uninhabited since the 1970s. The channel is narrow but tricky to navigate, so in 1934 Scarp was the target of dingbat experiments to send mail by rocket. The positive point to take from this endeavour is that the rockets did hit the island.
 * or Scotasay is an island uninhabited since the early 20th century, near the ferry route into Tarbert. The lighthouse is a stubby navigation light on a separate islet.
 * is an island ten miles east of Tarbert, connected by bridge since 1997. Sgalpaigh may mean ship island or scallop island, and this is specifically Scalpay of Harris to distinguish it from Scalpay off Skye. The village is west near the bridge, with a pub bistro and couple of B&Bs. The lane southeast peters out at Kenavaig, from where you can hike a couple of miles to Eilean Glas lighthouse, built 1789 and now automated and still in use.
 * are a group in The Minch five miles east, uninhabited since the early 20th century and now grazing land and a wildlife reserve. Geologically they're an extension of Trotternish peninsula on Skye, with rocks much younger than the Lewis gneiss.
 * See Leverburgh for access to Luskentyre beach.

Do

 * at 799 metres (2621 ft) is the highest mountain and only "Corbett" in the Outer Hebrides. The simplest ascent is from the crest of the A859 between Tarbert and Ardvourlie (Aird a' Mhulaidh), and head up the southern shoulder.
 * Rhenigidale (Rèinigeadal - see Hostel below) was only connected by road in 1990. Until then, the land route was the "Postman's Path" - a steep but firm hiking trail, not recommended for bikes. The way leads by the abandoned villages of Gearraidh Lotaigear (abandoned in the 1970s) and Molingeanais (abandoned 1964). Eventually the trail reaches the Tarbert-Scalpay road.
 * Drive or cycle the Golden Road, the switchback lane along the east coast from Tarbert to Rodel at the south tip of Harris.
 * Hebridean Way is a way-marked hiking and cycling trail the length of the Outer Hebrides. Stage 11 northbound for hikers crosses the hills from Scaladal to Balallan, 21 km (13 miles), 6 hours. The final Stage 12 takes the road to Laxay, crosses the moor to Achmore, then follows the lane into Stornoway. At 30 km (18.25 miles) it's the longest stage, but with much of it on paved roads can be done in 8 hours. Woodlands Centre west side of town is the ceremonial finishing point. However cyclists simply stay on the main road all the way from Tarbert to Langabhat then branch west towards the Butt of Lewis.
 * Visit St Kilda. Kilda Cruises is based in Tarbert but in calm summer weather does day-trips from Leverburgh, see that page for boat operators.
 * Visit St Kilda. Kilda Cruises is based in Tarbert but in calm summer weather does day-trips from Leverburgh, see that page for boat operators.

Buy

 * Cash: there's an ATM within Essence of Harris candle shop on Pier Rd, open M-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM. The Bank of Scotland doesn't have an ATM: it's open M Tu Th 10AM-2PM but will close permanently in Feb 2024.
 * Harris Post Office opposite AD Munro on Main St is open M Tu Th F 9AM-5PM, W Sa 9AM-1PM.
 * Harris Tweed: Isle of Harris Shop next to the distillery is open M-Sa 9AM-5PM. It's the outlet for Clo Mor in the old school at Drinisher (near the hostel at No 5, see Sleep), where there's a small exhibition and you can also buy.
 * Harris Tweed: Isle of Harris Shop next to the distillery is open M-Sa 9AM-5PM. It's the outlet for Clo Mor in the old school at Drinisher (near the hostel at No 5, see Sleep), where there's a small exhibition and you can also buy.
 * Harris Tweed: Isle of Harris Shop next to the distillery is open M-Sa 9AM-5PM. It's the outlet for Clo Mor in the old school at Drinisher (near the hostel at No 5, see Sleep), where there's a small exhibition and you can also buy.

Eat

 * Island Bites is a fast-food trailer parked by the junction of Main St and Pier Rd, open Tu-Sa 9AM-2PM, 5-7PM.
 * Pierhouse Restaurant is within Hebrides Hotel, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Water: fill your bottle from the blue pillar fountain opposite Hotel Hebrides.
 * Bistro Bar is within the Hebrides Hotel, open daily noon-9PM.
 * Brewery: Loomshed is at Cnoc na Greine half a mile east of town. The shop is open Tu W noon-5PM, Th-Sa 5-9PM.
 * Brewery: Loomshed is at Cnoc na Greine half a mile east of town. The shop is open Tu W noon-5PM, Th-Sa 5-9PM.

Mid-range

 * Self-catering cottages include Ullabhal & Clèiseabhal on Tarbert Main St.
 * Self-catering cottages include Ullabhal & Clèiseabhal on Tarbert Main St.
 * Self-catering cottages include Ullabhal & Clèiseabhal on Tarbert Main St.
 * Self-catering cottages include Ullabhal & Clèiseabhal on Tarbert Main St.
 * Self-catering cottages include Ullabhal & Clèiseabhal on Tarbert Main St.

Connect
As of Sep 2023, Tarbert has 4G from all UK carriers, but it's very patchy and doesn't extend far from town. 5G has not yet reached Lewis and Harris.

Go next

 * North to Stornoway, which is the best base for exploring Lewis.
 * South to Leverburgh and Rodel church, and onward by ferry to the Uists.

title: Tarbert (Harris)


text:
Tarbert (Loch Fyne)

Tarbert is a village in Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland. An Tairbeart is a Gaelic term meaning "carry across", indicating an isthmus where small boats could be portaged from one body of water to another. It's therefore a common place-name in Highland Scotland: this one is specifically Tarbert on Loch Fyne above the Firth of Clyde, a two-mile portage to reach the West Loch opening into the Atlantic. In 2021 it had a population of 1150.

By bus
Citylink Bus 926 runs daily every 2-3 hours to Tarbert from Glasgow via Dumbarton, Tarbet on Loch Lomond — don't get off by mistake here! — Arrochar, Inveraray and Lochgilphead, taking 3 hours; one bus a day runs via Glasgow airport. They continue south via Kennacraig ferry terminal, Tayinloan (for ferry to Gigha) and Muasdale to Campbeltown, taking another hour.

By boat
Calmac car ferries sail four routes in this area:
 * (east pier) to Portavadie on the Cowal peninsula, hourly daily 8AM-6PM, taking 25 min. Until end of March 2025, return fares are £20.30 per car, £6.60 per adult including driver and £3.30 per child aged 5-15. This scenic route cuts off a lot of road distance around Loch Fyne but doesn't save any time, as you first have to reach Bute by ferry from Wemyss Bay, then reach Cowal by ferry from Bute to Colintraive. There are bus links between the various ferries.
 * (6 miles south of Tarbert) to Islay, either Port Ellen or Port Askaig (for Jura). There are five per day Apr-Oct and two Nov-Mar, taking two hours, see Islay for fares. Once or twice a week the ferry continues from Port Askaig to Colonsay and Oban then returns.
 * (10 miles south of Tarbert) to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, April-Oct daily every 75 min, taking 30 min. See Isle of Arran for fares. In winter Claonaig is too exposed, so there's just one daily ferry to Lochranza sailing from Tarbert east pier, taking 90 min.
 * Tayinloan (15 miles south of Tarbert) to Gigha daily, hourly, taking 20 min. There's no other transport from that island so you have to come back to the mainland at Tayinloan.

Booking ahead is always wise, and at Kennacraig it's essential for caravans and motorhomes - these are not permitted to join the unbooked stand-by queue. You'd be sent away to make a booking, and if you couldn't sail that day, at least you'd have accommodation. This rule improves space in the queue but is more about capacity to shoehorn cars into odd spaces on the ferry, that couldn't possibly fit a caravan. The policy applies to most Calmac ports, but not Tarbert, Claonaig or Tayinloan which are just "turn up and go" routes.

Also with a caravan or motorhome, in summer be prepared at check-in to show a pitch reservation at your destination, else you may be turned away. All the Scottish islands have a problem in summer with visitor vehicles camping illegally on the verges and passing places.

Get around
The village can be easily explored on foot, and the east pier (for Portavadie) is half a mile away. You need wheels to reach the other ferry jetties. Kennacraig and Tayinloan can be reached on the inter-city buses from Glasgow.

West Coast Bus 448 runs thrice M-Sa from Lochgilphead to Tarbert town and east pier, Kennacraig ferry pier, Claonaig ferry pier and Skipness castle.

Bus 447 runs twice on school days M-F from Tarbert to Torinturk, Kilberry Inn and Coulaghailtro.

Bus 449 runs twice on school days M-F from Lochgilphead to Tarbert, Tayinloan, Muasdale and Campbelltown.

The village taxi is Tarbert Cars on +44 7930 884851.

See

 * Knapdale is the district north of Tarbert, with B8024 looping along the west coast then back to A83.
 * Kilberry Sculptured Stones are a collection of ancient grave markers in Knapdale, up a lane from the Kilberry Inn (see Sleep) along B8024.
 * Kilberry Sculptured Stones are a collection of ancient grave markers in Knapdale, up a lane from the Kilberry Inn (see Sleep) along B8024.

 * Kintyre is the peninsula stretching south of Tarbert.
 * Kilbrannan Chapel is a quarter mile west of the castle, of similar age and ruin.
 * is a line of three prehistoric standing stones, the tallest being over 11 feet. They're by the A83 12 miles south of Tarbert.
 * See Campbeltown for sights and amenities in the southern part of Kintyre.
 * See Campbeltown for sights and amenities in the southern part of Kintyre.

Do

 * Golf: Tarbert GC a mile west of town is nine holes.
 * Torinturk on B6024 towards Kilberry is the start of a 3-mile loop walk through forestry plantations to Dùn à Choin Duibh (an Iron Age redoubt) and Giant's Grave, a Bronze Age structure. Use OS Landranger Map 62.
 * Five Ferries is a cycle route of 51 miles, often done as a charity challenge. Start in Ardrossan, cross to Brodick on Arran then from Lochranza to Claonaig and Tarbert, thence to Portvadie in Cowal then via Colintraive onto Bute and back to the mainland at Wemyss Bay. There are steep gradients along the route and you need to keep the pace up else you miss the next ferry and your life unravels.
 * Scottish Series Sailing is an annual regatta, with the next on 24-27 May 2024.
 * Seafood Festival is in early July, the next is probably 6-7 Jul 2024, tbc.
 * Tarbert Music Festival is mid-September, the next is probably 13-15 Sep 2024, tbc.
 * Tarbert Book Festival is next held on 25 Nov 2023.

Buy

 * Co-op Food on Barmore Rd is open daily 7AM-10PM.
 * Harbour Gallery sells prints and original art daily 10AM-5PM.

Eat

 * Others in Tarbert town centre are Marine Bistro (F-W 8AM-8PM), Loch Fyne Fish Bar (daily noon-9PM) and Cafe Ca' Dora (Su-Tu 8AM-5PM, W-Sa 8AM-7PM).
 * Others in Tarbert town centre are Marine Bistro (F-W 8AM-8PM), Loch Fyne Fish Bar (daily noon-9PM) and Cafe Ca' Dora (Su-Tu 8AM-5PM, W-Sa 8AM-7PM).
 * Others in Tarbert town centre are Marine Bistro (F-W 8AM-8PM), Loch Fyne Fish Bar (daily noon-9PM) and Cafe Ca' Dora (Su-Tu 8AM-5PM, W-Sa 8AM-7PM).

Drink

 * The Corner House is the village pub, open daily 11AM-1AM.
 * Distilleries: none in Tarbert, but see Campbeltown for its three whisky distilleries and one for gin.

Sleep

 * Wild-camping is generally tolerated along the back lanes of Kintyre and Knapdale, but please don't block passing places or leave a mess.
 * The Barge in the harbour has rooms, which sounds cool but doesn't get good reviews.

Connect
Tarbert and the A83 have 4G from all UK carriers. As of June 2023, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Ferries west take you to Islay, those east bring you to Cowal.
 * See Skipness castle then take the ferry from Claonaig to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. You can return to the mainland from Brodick on the other side of Arran.
 * A83 south follows the west coast; turn aside at Tayinloan to see Gigha. A scenic minor road follows the east coast from Claonaig to Carradale and Campbeltown, the obvious base for visiting the Mull of Kintyre. Campbeltown has a ferry in summer for foot passengers to Ballycastle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
 * A83 north leads to Lochgilphead, from where you either continue north to Oban, or return east via Inveraray and Loch Lomond to Glasgow.

title: Tarbert (Loch Fyne)


text:
Tarbet

Tarbet is a village on Loch Lomond in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Arrochar is a village two miles west, on Loch Long.

Tarbet and Arrochar are good bases for exploring the west bank of Loch Lomond, but they're far from peaceful. All the traffic from Glasgow to the Highlands and Hebrides is funnelled this way, so the roads are pounding with trucks and buses at all hours, plus city day-trippers at weekends. You need to get away into the hills or out onto the water to enjoy the area. "The Arrochar Alps" is the range of hills above, five peaks ranking as "Munros". One of several locations for water sports is Ardlui eight miles north of Tarbet; its facilities are also described on this page. The three villages of Tarbet, Arrochar and Ardlui have a combined population of just under 1000.

Understand
In Gaelic An Tairbeart means a place where boats can be dragged overland from one body of water to another, and Tarbet is the east side of the pinch of land separating freshwater Loch Lomond from the sea at Loch Long. Both lochs are fjords, scooped out by glaciers.

A famous dragging of boats was in 1263 when Vikings sailed up Loch Long, crossed to Loch Lomond and raided the settlements along its shores. But there are several places called "Tarbert" in the Highlands - make clear when taking transport or setting Satnav that you want to go to Tar-BET on Loch Lomond.

Get in
By train: is on the West Highland Line and has trains every couple of hours from Glasgow Queen Street, taking 80 min via Dumbarton and Helensburgh. They continue north via Ardlui to Crianlarich, where they divide for Oban or for Fort William and Mallaig. One train a day is the Caledonian Sleeper, leaving London Euston Su-F around 9PM to reach Arrochar & Tarbet by 7AM, and continuing via Ardlui to Crianlarich and Fort William. The southbound return train picks up around 1PM to reach Euston by 8AM.

By bus: Citylink buses from Glasgow Buchanan Station pass through Tarbet every couple of hours M-Sa, with three on Sunday. Bus 926 for Campbeltown and 976 for Oban turn west here and serve Arrochar, following A83 towards Inveraray. Bus 926 then continues southwest to Lochgilphead, Tarbert (Loch Fyne) (yes, one of the other Tarberts) and down the Argyll peninsula to Campbeltown, while Bus 976 branches north to Taynuilt and Oban. Buses 914, 915, 975 and 977 stay on A82 along Loch Lomond via Ardlui to Crianlarich then branch to Oban or Fort William and Skye.

Garelochhead Bus 302 runs from Helensburgh three times M-Sa to Luss, Inverbeg, Tarbet (30 min), Arrochar, Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle.

By bike: a waymarked cycle path runs from Balloch at the south end of the loch, with frequent trains from Glasgow Queen St, along bypassed loops of road and purpose-built track to Luss and Tarbet, 17 miles in all. It's level going and suitable also for hikers, wheelchairs and horses.

Get around
Tarbet and Arrochar are two miles apart along a busy main road. There's a sidewalk but it's no fun, with trucks thundering past and showering you from the puddles. Ardlui is eight miles north of Tarbet and that road is equally busy with no sidewalk.

Apr-Oct a waterbus crosses Loch Lomond five times a day between Tarbet and Inversnaid, plus one service to Rowardennan. There's no onward transport from either, so take your bike or plan a long hike, the timetable suggests some itineraries. At the north end of the loch, the waterbus runs hourly on demand between Ardlui and Ardleish on the west bank: this is an access and bailout point for the West Highland Way. Luss 8 miles south on A82 has more connections across the loch, reaching Balloch, Balmaha, Inchcailloch and Rowardennan.

See

 * Any short walk above the villages will be rewarded by views over the lochs and mountains beyond.

Do

 * Boat trips cruise around Loch Lomond, eg Sweeney's Cruises, but they mostly sail from Balloch at the south end of the loch.
 * Climb aka Ben Arthur (884 m / 2900 ft). It's a distinctive triple peak, the highest central summit being a difficult scramble. Start from the car park on A83 at Succoth just north of Arrochar and allow 4-6 hours.
 * at 943 m / 3094 ft is a Munro; it has several routes but is perhaps easiest climbed from Inveruglas five miles north of Tarbet on A82. Note there's another Ben Vorlich on Loch Earn.

 * Freshwater activities on Loch Lomond include water-skiing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Try the Ardlui Hotel, or head south to Inverbeg and Luss.
 * Scuba diving: you definitely want to be in the sea at Loch Long, not in dull peaty Loch Lomond. Loch Long remains sheltered when other spots are blown out, with walk-in dives from the A83 west of Arrochar, anywhere you can park safely. Look for drowned beaches from the Ice Ages, marine life around the abandoned jetties, and deeper down are conger eels rolling their goofy eyes at you.
 * Luss Highland Games are held at Luss 8 miles south of Tarbet on the first Saturday in July. Events include caber-tossing, dancing and pipe bands.

Buy

 * Tarbet Village Shop near the railway station is open Su-W 7AM-9PM, Th-Sa 7AM-10PM and bakes its own bread daily.
 * Braeside Stores in Arrochar is a newsagent open Tu-Sa 9AM-7:30PM, Su 10AM-7PM.

Drink

 * Arrochar Alps is a gin distillery in Ballyhennan Church, Tarbet.
 * Arrochar Alps is a gin distillery in Ballyhennan Church, Tarbet.

Sleep

 * Arrochar B&Bs include Fascadail House and Lochside.
 * is north end of Arrochar village, and Village Inn south end.
 * Ardlui Retreat is upmarket self-catering accommodation a quarter-mile south of Ardlui Hotel.
 * Ardlui Retreat is upmarket self-catering accommodation a quarter-mile south of Ardlui Hotel.
 * Ardlui Retreat is upmarket self-catering accommodation a quarter-mile south of Ardlui Hotel.

Connect
As of June 2023 Tarbet, Arrochar and their approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * North along Loch Lomond to Crianlarich, thence Oban or Glencoe.
 * South to Luss, Balloch and Dumbarton.
 * West to Inveraray, with its fine castle.

title: Tarbet


text:
Tarboro

Tarboro is a city in North Carolina going all the way back to British settlement in 1760. A thriving river port just below the fall line of the Piedmont in the years leading up to the Civil War, now its level of activity could probably be better compared to the languid-like flow of the Tar River floating by.

Tarboro has many preserved antebellum homes of the Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and Arts and Crafts-style, and the only original remaining town common outside of Boston, this in spite of decimation to the area by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

Get in
Tarboro is about 17 miles east of Rocky Mount on US 64.

title: Tarboro


text:
Tarcutta

Tarcutta is a city in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

Understand
Tarcutta is the half-way point on the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne. One of the last towns to be bypassed on this busy dual-carriageway route, its main street long had a constant stream of cars and rumble of trucks, but is now wide and quiet. It is unclear how or if Tarcutta will adapt to its new role of quiet country town. The immediate effect has been prounced, with the service station and several take-away places now boarded up, and town's pub for sale.

The neighbouring town of Holbrook is the competition as a stopping point. Also bypassed, Holbrook has the submarine, the park, and a few nice cafes to make the stop a little more worthwhile.

Get in
The Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne passes near Tarcutta at the half-way point. The freeway diverts around around the town, and the diversion into the town will cost you less than a minute on your journey.

Buy

 * Refuel at the large Caltex service station

Eat

 * Tarcutta Hotel also has a restaurant onsite.
 * Tarcutta Hotel also has a restaurant onsite.

Drink
There are no only pubs in Tarcutta, but a beer can be fetched at a hotel.

title: Tarcutta


text:
Taree

Taree is a city on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

Understand
Taree is a large service town on the Manning River, around 20km from the coast. The Pacific Highway used to pass straight through the town, and cross the narrow Manning River bridge, but now a freeway section bypasses the town, which no longer has the volume of trucks and traffic passing through it.

There are attractions and tourist facilities in Taree, but it is not developed as a major tourist destination in itself. It is certainly a reasonable place to stop on the drive along the Pacific Highway.

By car
Taree can be accessed by car when going along the Pacific Highway

By plane
Taree Airport is just around 5.8 km north east to Taree City Centre. There are Regional Express Direct Flights to and from Sydney three times a day.

By train
Taree Train Station is around 10 minutes walk from the city centre. The New South Wales TrainLink runs between Sydney as far north as Brisbane. Taree Station is one of the major stopping stations on the line.

See

 * The Big Oyster is one of the Big things in Australia, just north of the town. You can lookout through the opening in the oyster shell.  Breathtakingly tacky.

Do
It is a little drive from Taree, but if you head over to Old Bar Beach:
 * During the January summer holiday period there's a sand modelling competition which has become a traditional and popular family fun activity.
 * The path from Old Bar Beach to Wallabi Point, 2.5 km, is an ideal distance for light exercise and scenic views.
 * A unique aspect of this beach is that it's alongside a heritage-listed airstrip so that flying enthusiasts can fly into the airstrip and then go to the beach.

Go next

 * Visit the beachside village of Old Bar, directly on the coast from Taree.

title: Taree


text:
Tarfaya

Tarfaya is a small port town on the southwestern coast of Morocco.

Understand
Tarfaya is about 32 km north of the disputed Western Sahara territory border. The town is home to the largest wind farm in Africa, called Tarfaya Wind Farm.

By bus
Buses run regularly from Laayoune in Western Sahara to the south, and Agadir to the north. Usually there is at least one bus per day, costing around €18 one-way (CTM and Supratours).

By boat
A car ferry from the Canary Islands was scheduled to open since 2017, but as of February 2018 it is neither operating nor is a date for the start of service known.

Get around
The center is pretty compact and can easily be discovered on foot. Small taxis are also available.

See
Antoine de Saint Exupéry, famed writer of The Little Prince, was stationed here in 1929, then named «Cape Juby». There is a small airplane statue dedicated to him in a small park on northern end of the beach and a museum about the flying postal service dedicated to him in the town center. Also, the Castle Dar Mar (also known as Casa Mar), built 1880 by the British, is located about 50 m off the shore, just north of the port.

Do
The main road is usually full of people from sunset on. Men talk, barter, and discuss the day's happenings as the day comes to an end. There are usually more donkeys then women present on the road, and the female traveler could be subject to stares and strange looks.

Buy
There are many general stores, restaurants, and one travel agency in town. As tourism isn't very big in the town, souvenirs are limited to what is present at the general stores. The excellent exchange rate from dollars or euros to dirham makes most goods in the city extremely cheap.

Eat
There are several restaurants along the main paved road, specializing in traditional Moroccan food. However, the most popular food of Tarfaya is what can best be described as a squid and mixed seafood kebab. They are sold off of a cart on the main road for about 5 dirham each, and are absolutely delicious.

Drink
As found commonly throughout Morocco, sweet mint tea is served in most of the restaurants. Tarfaya is mainly a Muslim town, and does not have bars serving alcohol.

Sleep
There are several hotels in Tarfaya. Hotel Casamar, close to the entry gate to the port, is a good budget choice, with a good kitchen.

It is also possible to rent rooms or apartments in the town from select townspeople. If you remain on the main road and ask around during sunset hours or inquire at shops and restaurants during the day, people can point you to the correct place.

Connect
There is one internet cafe in the town, which is relatively cheap.

Most cafes, restaurants and hotels offer free Wi-Fi.

4G is available.

Go next

 * Agadir – a long bus ride (about 8-10 hr) through the desert and along the coast will take you to this southern Moroccan tourist paradise.
 * Western Sahara – The main city of Laayoune (El Aaiún) is about an hour away.

title: Tarfaya


text:
Tari Basin

Tari Basin is a region in the Southern Highlands. The only city located here is Tari where there is an airstrip, trade stores, and a few lodgings.

This is the best place for birdwatching and for experiencing the culture of the Huli Wigmen.

Get in
There are frequent PMVs between Mendi and Tari. Warili Lodge and Ambua Lodge sit on the edge of the valley. You will drive by them just as you enter the valley.

To get from the lodges to Tari, you can either wait for a PMV or walk along the road to Tari for about an hour to where the local haul PMVs from Tari frequently run.

Do

 * Birdwatching at Warili Lodge or Ambua Lodge.

 * Visit the Huli Wigmen villages in the valley.

 * Lumaria Guesthouse

About an hours walk into the hills surrounding Tari. Ask for Peter Hariwa at the Women's Guesthouse in Tari or contact Peter directly. He will meet you in at the Women's Guesthouse or Tari airstrip and walk you to his village.

Telephone: 00675 6382502

Address:

P.O. Box 63 Tari/Southern Highlands Province Papua New Guinea

title: Tari Basin


text:
Tarifa

Tarifa is a small, historic town in the Province of Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain. Tarifa is the southernmost point of mainland Europe and Africa is just 14 km away across the Strait of Gibraltar and is exact point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.

Tarifa's popularity as a holiday destination has markedly increased in the 2010s, mainly fuelled by its position as Europe's most significant kitesurfing destination.

Understand
The charming walled Old Town has maintained a distinctive atmosphere and the surrounding area has avoided the worst ravages of the tourist developments which have blighted much of the Spanish coastline. Much of the surrounding coastline is still protected by law and a few kilometres to the west of the town are two of Spain's most beautiful beaches.

By plane
The nearest airports are Malaga a 1½-hour drive, Gibraltar, 35 minutes, Jerez de la Frontera a 1-hour drive and the airport of Tangier, Morocco. Tangier is a 1-hour ferry journey from Tarifa.

By bus
You can get the bus to Tarifa from Algeciras (45 min), La Linea, Malaga, Jerez, and Cadiz (1½ hr). Most if not all rides are operated by Transportes Generales Comes.

By boat
From the port a fast ferry by FRS leaves every other hour to the port of Tangier, Morocco. Cruise time varies from 35 minutes to 1 hour. One-way, €40 (includes shuttle from Tarifa to Algeciras). Round-trip, €71. There's also another company plying the route, Intershipping. Also here, there are departures every second hour, the crossing taking one hour and prices are as of June 2016 practically the same (€65.70 for a round-trip). Ticket holders can then take free shuttle buses at Tarifa onward to Algeciras, duration 45 min.

See
A walk around the is a good start to exploring Tarifa. Many of the most interesting architectural sights are on a walking distance.

Sealife watching
Seven species of marine mammals can be found in the Strait of Gibraltar. In addition to the year-round local bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and pilot whales, you can occasionally see orcas, fin whales and sperm whales. In Tarifa, various providers offer observation trips from the end of March to the beginning of November. Such trips only take place when the sea is calm.

Windsurfing
Tarifa owes its fame to windsurfing. The bay is ideal, with fresh winds from the Atlantic, the so-called Poniente wind, and the warm strong Levante wind from the Mediterranean. The best spots are Valdevaqueros, Los Lances, Balneario, Playa Chica, and Bolonia. Windsurfing schools are open all year around and offer the best and latest equipment.

Kitesurfing
Tarifa is also a great place to kitesurf, with huge beaches, steady winds and sun all year round.

Go next

 * Tangier — Africa is just a short boat ride away
 * Cadiz — the capital of the province offers 3000 years of history and a huge Carnival.
 * Gibraltar
 * Ceuta
 * Granada
 * Jerez de la Frontera
 * Seville
 * Ronda

title: Tarifa


text:
Tarija

Tarija is the capital and largest city of the Tarija Department of Bolivia, with a population of some 268,000 (2012), and is the centre of Bolivia's fledgling wine industry.

Understand

In the central valley of the district, at 1,800–2,000 m, the climate in Tarija is mild and semi-arid, in contrast to the harsh Altiplano and the humid heat of the Amazon Basin. Average daily highs are 27–30 °C year round, while average nightly lows vary 8–17 °C depending on season. Freezing temperatures in winter are not uncommon. The winters (May–Aug) are dry, while summers are more rainy.

As the Inca Empire conquered the valley, the original population was dispersed. The stone roads might have been built by the pre-Inca cultures. The city was founded in 1574.

Tarija is the most important wine district of Bolivia.

By bus
There are direct connections from most cities including Villazón, La Paz (18 hr, Bs. 100) and Santa Cruz (14 hr, Bs. 90).

 * Tupiza – Buses leave from Tupiza at 10:00, 20:00, and 22:00.
 * From Argentina, it is possible to take a bus or hire a colectivo (shared taxi) at the bus station from the Bolivian border town of Bermejo. If you have crossed by small ferry from Aguas Blancas and there is no Bolivian immigration officer to stamp you in on the Bolivian side of the river or at the bus station, take a taxi or instruct the colectivo driver to take you to the immigration office at the bridge.
 * Potosí - Nightbuses leave from the new terminal, however if you go to the old terminal you can take a colectivo. Cars leave when full. About 20-45 mins wait if you come in the morning. 100 Bs, ~5 hrs. (June 2024)

Get around
The main plaza is picturesque and pleasant. The plaza is surrounded by restaurants of various cuisines, local handicraft shops, and internet cafés. The public market, a university campus and a number of sights are nearby. These areas are easily walkable.

 * Hop-on micros, many lines, ask the locals or watch the windscreen for routes & destinations; ride within city limits Bs. 1.50. Some go further afield (e.g. San Lorenzo, San Jacinto).
 * Trufis and colectivos go to El Valle de la Concepción from the stand at Calle Corrado (btwn. Trigo & Campero) – Bs. 10 per person.
 * Short rides in taxis cost Bs. 3.50 per person.

See

Connect
Internet cafes and centros de llamadas (call centres) everywhere; expect modem- rather than broadband-like speed. Some places allow you to hook up with your own laptop, e.g. two shops in the plaza principal (opposite Bufalo).

Go next

 * Sama Biological Reserve - flamingo gathering, 90km away on the road to Villazón.
 * Potosi and Oruro. Flecha Sur operates fast minibuses to them from the bus terminal. Depart when full. Bs. 100 to Potosí (2016).

title: Tarija


text:
Tarija (department)

The Tarija Department is a department in the Sub-Andean region of Bolivia.

Cities

 * — Famous for its wine production and pleasant climate. The Festival of Wine is held annually in Tarija.
 * — A minor town but great way to catch the bus into Paraguay for Filadelfia or Asunción.

Get in
Asunción, Paraguay – The bus travels between Asunción and Santa Cruz and is extremely slow (the Transchaco Highway is only paved as far as the Bolivian border). Buses generally travel only at night - meaning that you miss out on any views of the Chaco, and roadblocks on the Bolivian side of the border can cause your journey time to double. There is at least one bus daily. The trip takes 21-24 hr, costs US$40-60 (bargain if you can), and flights might actually only be marginally more expensive, depending on the time of booking. Any intermediate exit or boarding (like Filadelfia or Villamontes) will likely cost the same as the complete trip. But if your nerves are strong, you will get the price down bargaining directly with the bus driver.

Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza Airport

See

 * The Angostura canyon

Go next
The Tarija department can be a convenient place to head further into Paraguay, like Filadelfia or Asunción.

title: Tarija (department)


text:
Tarim

There is more than one place called Tarim:

China

 * Tarim (China) — A region in China.

Yemen

 * Tarim (Yemen) — A town in Yemen.

title: Tarim


text:
Tarim (China)

Tarim is in Xinjiang in China. It is south of Tian Mountain running through the middle of Xinjiang Province. It consists of Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Kashgar Prefecture, Tumxuk city, Aksu Prefecture, Aral City, Khotan Prefecture and Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.

Cities

 * (also known as Qiemo)
 * (Kashi)
 * (also known as Hotan)
 * /Kuche
 * (Kashi)
 * (also known as Hotan)
 * /Kuche
 * /Kuche

Get in
Kashgar Airport

title: Tarim (China)