text:
Geocaching

Geocaching is a popular outdoor recreational activity done all around the world in which the main goal is to locate small containers called "Geocaches" or "Caches", located in specific coordinates that anyone can go out and try locating by themselves while using a GPS receiver or smartphone with a GPS based navigation app.

Understand
Geocaching is a game that involves the internet, GPS map co-ordinates and travel. Players report their treasure hunt activities on-line to gain credits for their finds. Many of the players place caches (treasures) in spots they are quite fond of. So hunting them down will quite often lead to exciting adventures in lesser known locations.

One object of the game is to carry treasure from one cache to the next. Some of the treasures have identification information, so their travels can be tracked on-line.

To play the game you will need a GPS receiver, the cache description (printout or notebook with an internet connection) and about 1 hour spare (more for a difficult cache).

A typical geocache will usually be a waterproof plastic container which contains a small log and sometimes also a pen or pencil. Usually the Geocaches are well hidden, while all you are given are the coordinates of the general area in which it is located, and sometimes one might even have to go through several stations or solve a certain puzzle in order to locate the geocache. The person whom finds the geocache signs the log and indicates on which exact date they found the geocache, in order to document that they were actually there and found it. The geocache must be returned after that to the exact same place where the person found it. Sometimes slightly larger containers are used for geocaches, such as Tupperware containers or ammunition boxes. They will often have in them small items such as small toys/figurines or some cheap jewelry, which will often have some sort of sentimental value rather than monetary value.

Searching for geocaches can often motivate travelers to explore areas they never explored before, especially when they are staying in unfamiliar areas, as by looking for geocaches they might often explore slightly less crowded and touristy areas, and discover interesting places that most tourists don't get to see or even notice if they weren't looking for geocaches - whether they are searching for geocaches in urban areas or in nature.

Types of Geocaching

 * Traditional Geocaching (sometimes also called Tradi) - coordinates are provided and one needs to use them to locate a hidden geocache.
 * Multiple caches (sometimes also called Multi-Cache or Multi) - very similar to the "Scavenger hunt" game. One has to go through several stations, and in each station one has to use various clues that will help you locate the exact location of the next station. A multi-cache might in many instance take more time to complete in comparison with locating a traditional geocaching cache.
 * Mystery cache or Puzzle cache (sometimes also called Mystery) - a puzzle (which can sometimes be quite complex) must be solved in order to be able to figure out the exact coordinates in which the geocache is located. Once one figures out the coordinates, finding the geocach become similar to locating a traditional geocaching cache. Some mystery caches could already be solved from home, so you shouldn't neccesarilty expect to have to find new clues in different locations.
 * There are several other types of geocaching one can participate in, in addition to the three most common ones, although not all of them focus on locating geocache containers.

The most basic equipment
Sometimes, when the level of difficulty involved in locating a particular geocache is relatively high, you may need to bring additional equipment with you in order to locate the geocache. In general it is always advisable to carry with you:

If you are going to use your smartphone instead of a dedicated GPS device, you should make sure that you take with you a power bank to recharge your phone, as your battery will probably run out much faster due to using the phone much more while trying to locate the geocache. In addition, it is also recommended to install a good GPS based navigation app. In general, you can always get by even with simplest navigation apps that are able to lead you to certain coordinates. However, you should keep in mind that often using apps that specialize in locating geocaches may be better because they display both navigation info as well as info about that specific geocache while you are looking for it, and they will usually work also when you are offline, and they would also allow you to add comments after you are finished. Good geocache apps for Android devices include c:geo and the proprietary app of Geocaching.com which is also available for iOS devices.
 * A pen - so that you will be able to document in the log book located inside the geocache container that you actually found the cache. Sometimes there might actually be a pen inside the geocache container that could be used by anyone whom locates the geocache.
 * A GPS device and/or smartphone with GPS capabilities/apps - while many people purchase a dedicated GPS device which they carry while trying to locate geocaches, many people use smartphones with GPS based navigation apps.

Additional equipment worth bringing
Additional equipment one should consider taking with when going to look for geocaches, especially if you are looking for geocaches in nature (some of this equipment might also be necessary when you are trying to locate geocaches in urban areas):

 * Clothing best suited for the environment you will be in - these items can include shoes that are suitable for walking in certain terrain conditions, especially when you are expected to walk in the woods, as well as clothes that are of less value to you, just in case that if they might get dirty or ruined it won't cause you heartache.
 * Food - it is always advisable to pack some food and a bottle of water when going out to look for geocaches.
 * A flashlight/torch - might be useful in locations that might be a bit darker.
 * Small items such as small toys, cheap jewelry, or craft items - they could be useful if you'd wish to exchange them with those you find in some geocache containers.
 * Gardening gloves - they may be especially useful in locations where one needs to dig a little in the ground to locate the geocache.
 * Pocket calculator - when trying to locate a Mystery-Cache one will often need to calculate the coordinates of the exact location where the geocache is located. A calculator might often be helpful for this purpose. Since most smartphones nowadays include a calculator app, they may suffice for this purpose.

Rules of conduct and potential dangers
It is always advisable be discreet when trying to locate a geocache and not arouse the interest of passersby while you are trying to look for the geocache. Particular care should be taken in areas with a lot of passersby (commonly referred to as "muggles") - for example, locations close to busy sidewalks or streets. This is due to the common interest to reduce as much as possible the risk that a passer-by might decide to steal the geocache or destroy it completely. In addition, searching for the geocaches in unusual places can sometimes arouse suspicion towards you by passersby. Once the geocache is located the usual rule is to immediately hide it in the same location in the exact same way it was hidden when you found it. It is also important to make sure that it is not hidden in a better way than the way it was hidden when you found it. If in you found out that the geocache was not hidden anywhere near the coordinates specified on the internet you can indicate this in a note in the geocache log book. In addition, it is also customary to thank the Cache Owner responsible for placing the geocache by adding the acronym "TFTC" in your comment in the log book (which means "Thanks For The Cache").

Since searching for geocaches is usually an activity that takes place in nature, it is always important to take care of the environment - make sure to not throw garbage on the ground, trample plants or disturb animals. If the instructions on the sign at the entrance to a particular site explicitly state that you must not get off the walking path, make sure to always obey this rule. The information posted online about any geocache should always contain information about accessibility considerations, potential dangers, and limitations pertaining to any geocache. Read all of these comments carefully before you head out to locate the geocache.

Potential dangers
Like any other activity done in nature, make sure you are safe while looking for geocaches. Potential hazards might include bad weather; dangerous animals or poisonous plants; surface hazards such as slippery soil, steep slopes, strong water currents, or the danger of drowning; risk from traffic while walking on roadsides or of slipping or falling while climbing. Also be aware of when hunting season occurs in forests you plan to traverse. Often the cache owners add a concise description of all the dangers that may be relevant.

Geocaches are added to the Geocaching.com database by many different people. Where a geocache was hidden a long time ago, new potential risks or dangers may have arisen or were unknown to the cache owner. In any case, you should always be careful so that you will always be safe while looking for geocaches.

Sizes
Common classifications for the different sizes of geocaches:

 * Micro - any geocache that is smaller than a lunch box. Many times very small geocaches are referred to as a "Nano".
 * Small - will usually be the size of a lunch box.
 * Normal - will usually be the size of a shoe box, or an ammunition box.
 * Big - usually refers to a container that is larger than a shoe box.
 * Other - items of other sizes and/or shapes.

The smaller geocaches are usually more difficult to locate, but they will usually be more common in urban areas.

Difficulty levels
There are two different difficulty levels for locating geocaches - the general difficulty level involved in locating a particular geocache, and the difficulty level of the terrain conditions in the area where a particular geocache is located. Both are marked on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being particularly easy and 5 being particularly difficult. The general difficulty usually refers to the difficulty degree of how it was hidden, how difficult it is to solve the puzzle, how difficult it is to open the geocache (e.g. open a physical lock), etc. The difficulty level of terrain conditions usually refers to the degree to which there may be a physical difficulty in reaching a particular geocache - for example the difficulty level rating of 5 may refer to a geocache which one can only reach by climbing, or by making use of other special skills such as diving. The difficulty level of each geocache is determined by the cache owner whom is the person the originally hid that specific cache. For anyone whom has never experienced looking for a geocache it is advisable to start looking for geocaches that are classified as D2 and T2 at most.

Replacing items
Small or large geocaches often contain items (commonly called "SWAG") in the geocache container. It is common that when one takes a SWAG item from the geocache container it is customary to replace it with a different SWAG item that has more or less the same monetary value, or even is of a higher monetary value. In addition, always keep in mind that because the geocache containers are hidden outdoors, and it can sometimes be a long time before someone else locates them, it is best to not put any consumables items back in the container as they might endanger the people whom would locate them eventually or the environment where the geocache is hidden.

Common geocaching glossary

 * Word Value - the term is commonly used when the goal is to look for multiple geocaches or a mystery cache. Each letter in the word is converted to a number based on the position of the letter in the alphabet, after which all the numbers are added together.
 * For example: the word "Wikivoyage" $$\xrightarrow{\text{The values of the letters}}$$ 23 + 9 + 11 + 9 + 22 + 15 + 25 + 1 + 7 + 5 $$\xrightarrow{\text{The result when adding the numbers}}$$ 127
 * TFTC (Abbreviation for Thanks For The Cache) - the most popular way to express gratitude and appreciation to the people responsible for the geocache you located.
 * Final (or in acronyms FN) - the last station of a multi-cache that refers to the actual container at the last station in which the geocache is located.
 * Off - It is common to note that a geocache is considered to be "Off" when its true location does not match the coordinates posted on the internet that everybody have been using in order to try and find it. The term is often used in the comments section of the geocaching app, so that the person who originally hid the geocache will correct his/her mistake, or so that other people that would search for this geocache will be aware of this issue.
 * Lost-Place (or in acronyms LP) - most often the term refers to abandoned buildings, or specifically to abandoned historic buildings that used to be used for industrial purposes.
 * Muggle - A term, which stems from the Harry Potter series of books, that is used in this context to describe "ordinary" people unrelated to geocaching. The term is most often used when referring to passers-bys whom one might come across while trying to locate a geocache.
 * Owner or Cache Owner (or in acronyms CO) - the original person responsible for creating a specific geocache.
 * Digit Sum - the sum one gets when adding together all the digits of a number with several digits.
 * For example: 239119 $$\xrightarrow{\text{All digits should be separated and added up}}$$ 2 + 3 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 9 $$\xrightarrow{\text{The result when adding the numbers}}$$ 25
 * ROT13 - A procedure in which all the letters are changed in a particular word so that each letter is replaced by a letter that is in the 13th position later in the alphabetic order. Alternatively, when one needs to do a ROT5 on a particular word one needs to replace each letter in the word with a letter that is 5 letters ahead in the alphabetic order.
 * SWAG (Abbreviation for Stuff We All Get) - a term that refers to the various items, such as small toys or various cheap jewelry, that one can find in the geocache containers, which can be taken by the people who found the geocache, as long as they put a different item in the container.
 * Wayoint - a term that refers to an exact location, based on the data one can infer from the latitude, longitude, and sometimes also additional data about how high it is located.
 * Spoiler - in the context of geocaching a spoiler is done when one provides information that could ruin the search experience for people that want to look for a particular geocache.
 * Signature Item - unique SWAG items that specific people tend to put in the geocache containers after they find them. These items usually include pins, certain crafts, or other items unique to those people.
 * First to Find (or in acronyms FTF) - a term commonly used in geocache log books by the first person that located the geocache. There can only be one FTF for each geocache.
 * Did Not Find (or in acronyms DNF) - a term commonly used by people who indicate in the geocaching app that they were unable to locate a particular geocache. This helps the person responsible for creating a particular geocache to understand potential issues that might need to fix so that people would be able to locate that geocache in the future. Often when people repeatedly mention "DNF" for a particular geocache, it may be because for one reason or another that geocache no longer exists where it was originally hidden.

title: Geocaching


text:
Geoje

Geoje (거제,	巨濟, also Geoje-do, pronounced "Go-je"), formerly romanised as Koje, is an island in South Gyeongsang province, South Korea.

Understand
Dubbing itself the "Blue City", Geoje is more of an island than a city. It is in fact Korea's second largest island (only Jeju is larger) with a loose collection of villages and settlements scattered in coves around the coastline. The two largest of these are Okpo (옥포) on the east coast and Gohyeon (고현) on the west. Most of the tourist sites lie between these two settlements around, and just off, the southern coastline. The intercity bus terminal is in Gohyeon but services also run from the odd remote bus stop.

The key attraction of the island is its natural coastal beauty. Outside of the two cities it is a near-endless series of calm blue beached coves and sheer pine-forested grey cliffs overlooking the sea.

Geoje has played a significant role in Korea's naval history. The coast of Okpo is the setting for one of Korea's greatest military victories over Japan during the early stages of the 1592-1598 Imjin War. United under Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korean armor-plated turtleships repelled Japanese attackers from taking the Jeolla region. Although this ultimately did not stop the war in its tracks, it did slow the invasion a little and provided a morale boost to the nation.

Today, Geoje is a shipbuilding powerhouse hosting both Samsung and DSME shipyards. Despite the large number of foreign residents employed to supervise these facilities and subsequent notably high foreign presence in Okpo and Gohyeon, English signage on the island varies between minimal and non-existent.

Get in
With the completion of the dual bridges and tunnel that comprise the Busan-Geoje direct expressway link, access by both express bus and car has become significantly faster and easier.

By air
There is no airport in Geoje, although Gimhae International Airport is closer than Busan. Flying into Gimhae from the south (e.g. Hong Kong, Shanghai) provides great aerial views of Geoje.

By bus
Buses leave approximately hourly from the Busan Seobu bus terminal and take 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Okpo via the new bridge (in reality it's actually a bit shorter) for ₩5600. Where the bus drops you off is often not where you can pick it up again. Services to Okpo for example will simply drop you at a local bus shelter outside the Geoje Museum from where you cannot return. To escape the island, you must make your way to the Gohyeon Intercity Bus Terminal to get to Busan. Alternately, the area around Windy Hill has an obscure intercity link to Masan that runs every two hours until 8PM.

There is also an express bus route from Busan Seobu to Jangseungpo that takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The bus terminal is a little far from the ferry piers and with no clear directions, so you should take a taxi (₩2,200 - 5 minute ride).

Intercity buses also still serve Geoje from Masan via Tongyeong (and also Busan, although this route being now superseded is likely to be phased out) taking roughly two hours and one hour respectively.

By ferry
The coast of Geoje is littered with ports, but all ferry services to and from Busan have been discontinued due to the convenience of the new Expressway, and most people now drive or take a bus.

By car
Private cars can take the toll expressway from Busan to Geoje. One key advantage to this is that you can take a brief break at a rest stop constructed on a man-made peninsula beside the undersea tunnel — the view from there is stunning.

By car
This is the transport of choice for Korean visitors and the most practical way of getting around. Daegeoje-ro (대거제로) is a highway that loops the island following the cliffs closely and offering near continual spectacular views of the ocean and coastline as well as passing by practically every attraction.

If in a group, taking a taxi could provide an alternative, but they are rarely seen outside of the designated stands. This is one of the very, very few places in Korea where you should keep an eye on the cabbies; they'll take the long way unless you call them on it.

By public bus
Geoje has an extensive local "inner-city" (cough) public bus service catering towards locals. For tourists, it is a disaster, plain and simple. There is no single service that takes the Daegeoje-ro around the entirety of the island. Instead, the island is divided into a bunch of color-coded regions matching up with number-coded buses (for example, 10-19 and a yellow color represent greater Okpo, Jangseungpo, and parts of Gohyeon). The catch here is that there is only one stop where adjacent service regions match up and it's not announced nor explicitly signposted. And then if you do find it (it is almost never on Daegeoje-ro but instead on a small unmarked detour off the road) there may be more stops than there are sides of the road with no signage in English nor Korean pointing you towards which services your next region. Outside of the two cities, services are infrequent enough to be unforgiving and furthermore, simply stop at sundown stranding you wherever you may be.

Full maps of the bus system in Korean exist on roughly every second bus stop as well as online. If you attempt to tackle the full system, try to pay attention to the colors first, then the individual numbers. The square is not where you are now but the Gohyeon Intercity Terminal.

The most important route is the number 11 anyway and this is a frequent (roughly every 15 minutes) service that passes through the major cities and Jangseungpo Port. In theory, it should be possible to loop the island using the number 11 to pass through the two cities, then transferring on to a blue coded 50-series bus for the rest.

If you do manage to figure the system out, bus fees are ₩1,100 in cash, or ₩1,000 using a transport card. The Seoul T-money card can also be used for paying fares.

By tour bus
A private company, Geojerotour runs a tourbus service following Daegeoje-ro.

There is a Blue City Tour that will take you around the main attractions. Advance bookings are recommended. It has the following four routes:

Geoje Shipbuilding Marine Cultural Center (조선해양문화관) → Oedo Haegeumgang (외도 해금강) → Hakdong Mongdol Beach (학동흑진주몽돌해변) → The Hill of Wind (바람의언덕) → Sinseondae Cliff (신선대) → Samsung Heavy Industries (삼성중공업) → Historic Park of Geoje POW Camp (포로수용소 유적공원)
 * Blue City Tour Route #1

Geoje Shipbuilding Marine Cultural Center (조선해양문화관) → Oedo Haegeumgang (외도 해금강) → Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (대우조선해양) → Kim Young Sam Presidential Archives & Exhibit Hall (김영삼 대통령 기록전시관) → Okpo Daecheop Memorial Park (옥포대첩기념공원)
 * Blue City Tour Route #2

Sanbangsan Beewon (산방산비원) → Birthplace of Cheongma, Yu Chi-hwan (청마생가) → Geoje Giseonggwan/Jilcheong (Government Office) (거제기성관/질청) → The Hill of Wind (바람의언덕) → Sinseondae Cliff (신선대) → Hakdong Mongdol Beach (학동흑진주몽돌해변) → Oedo Haegeumgang (외도 해금강) → Historic Park of Geoje POW Camp (포로수용소 유적공원)
 * Blue City Tour Route #3

The Hill of Wind (바람의언덕) → Sinseondae Cliff (신선대) → Hakdong Mongdol Beach (학동흑진주몽돌해변) → Geoje Shipbuilding Marine Cultural Center (조선해양문화관) → Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (대우조선해양) → Historic Park of Geoje POW Camp (포로수용소유적공원) → Geojedo Sea Spa (거제도해수온천)
 * Blue City Tour Route #4

By ferry
Many of Geoje's attractions are located on smaller island and islets just off the coast so ferry usage is mandatory to get to them. Specifically, close vantage of Haegeumgang and access to Oedo and Camellia Islands require it.

Each port along the south coast hosts a different ferry company with services to Haegeumgang and Oedo, however, even if just visiting Haegeumgang you will likely be railroaded into a 1½-hour stopover at Oedo. What you cannot do is use the ferry to travel between coastal ports as you must leave Oedo with the same company with whom you arrived.

(You will be assigned a badge upon boarding that identifies you with that ferry. You could in theory swap with someone else on the island, although unlikely since most visitors are with Korean tour groups.)

In practice, ferries departing from Jangseungpo Port are the most useful as this is just one bus away from Okpo (take the #11 to the Art Centre). You can also travel to Jangseungpo town from Busan Seobu directly.

Furthermore, access to Camellia Island appears possibly limited to Jangseungpo port. Journeys to Haegeumgang and Oedo from Jangseungpo start from 08:30 in the morning.

The ferry journeys depend on the weather. It is possible that some portions of the journey (or the whole journey) may canceled due to bad weather.

On foot
With settlements spaced approximately 5–20 km apart, walking between individual attractions would mostly be a foolish endeavor. However, one can easily traverse Okpo and the nearby Great Victory Park on foot (likely faster than bus in fact). Similarly, the area around Windy Hill on the peninsula leading up to Haegeumgang can easily be covered on foot.

See

Hike

Being Korea, Geoje is covered with hiking trails.

If just looking for a casual stroll, the 4-km long trail from Okpo to Deokpo is very pleasant and consists of trails along the coast through pine forest and segments along a red boardwalk where you can see older ladies foraging for shellfish for the local restaurants. Passes by the Great Victory Park and Deokpo at the end hosts a couple of hoe 회 (sashimi) restaurants and a coffee shop for refreshments. One of the restaurants doesn't welcome foreigners, but the one two doors down does and is actually quite literally signposted that way. Starting point is at the north end of Okpo port, look for the ruined theme park on the cliffs.

Swim
Geoje has a tonne of swimming beaches around its coast.

Eat
Being a largely coastal destination, hoe 회 (raw fish, similar to sashimi) restaurants are plentiful and delicious.

Furthermore, Geoje city council proclaims the island has 8 signature dishes:
 * Dodari Ssukguk (도다리 쑥국)
 * Meonggeye and Seonggeye Bibimbap (멍게 선게 비빔밥)
 * Gul Gui (굴구이) - An oyster dish.
 * Eo Juk (어 죽)
 * Sliced Raw Fish (생성회) - Sashimi.
 * Mulmegi Tang (물메기탕)
 * Bolrak Gui (볼락구이)
 * Daegu Tang (대구탕)

Geoje also has a large migrant population, so you can also find many international restaurants that may be hard to come by elsewhere in Korea. (e.g. Pakistani)

Drink
The usual array of bars and hofs exist in the major townships of Okpo and Gohyeon.

Budget
A jjimjilbang exists in Okpo roughly halfway between Geoje Museum and Okpo Port. Naturally, expect sauna access, cotton pajamas and a bunch of blankets to sleep on the heated floor. Look for the neon sign. Price is ₩7,000 a night, and the sleeping facilities are larger than usual.

Mid-range
The townships all contain the usual array of motels. Further to this, outside of the larger towns, minbak (homestays for tourists) are scattered around the coast, often attached to restaurants.

Splurge
Being largely a resort island, large hotels are everywhere.

Go next
The two bridges from the island lead to Tongyeong and Busan, each approximately an hour away and with bus links to Tongyeong typically stopping briefly before continuing on to Masan.

From Tongyeong or Masan, the beautiful riverside fortress and delicious food of Jinju or the dinosaur fossil towns of Goseong are a short bus ride away.

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

title: Geoje


text:
Geok-tepe

Geok-tepe is a city in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan.

Understand
Geok-tepe ("Green Hill") was the site of the Turkmen's last battle against the Russians.

Get in
Geok-tepe is situated about 50 km west of Ashgabat, about halfway between Ashgabat and Bakharden. It is about 40 minutes by car from Ashgabat.

See

 * Geok-tepe fortress is the site of the Turkmen's last battle against the Russians in 1881. 10,000 Turkmen troops and 40,000 civilians were inside the fortress, when the Russian general Skobelev attacked Geok-tepe with 7,000 infantry and cavalry and 90 gun and rocket batteries. More than 15,000 Turkmen were killed in the battle and another 8,000 on the escape in the desert. It is reported that General Skobelev commented the battle with the words: "The harder you hit them, the longer they remain quiet". General Skobelev, who is called "the White General" in Russia, because he used to wear a white uniform and to ride on a white horse is called "Old Bloody Eyes" by the Turkmen. The battle of geok-depe is commemeraoted today as a public holiday on Jan 12th ("Remembrance Day").
 * The Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, a modern building with blue domes, was erected after Turkmenbashi's pilgrimage to Mecca in the 1990s.

title: Geok-tepe


text:
George

George is in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. It is the main gateway to the beautiful Garden Route.

Understand
It is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and is halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Cradled by the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, George is an ideal town from which to explore the area's many scenic attractions – be it on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train, on walks and hikes on the George and Cradock Peaks, on a boat fishing, or pushing a cart across the golf courses at Fancourt. Rich in historical landmarks, such as the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, George retains a small-town character without compromising on a sophisticated infrastructure.

By car
George can be reached easily with the N2 highway from Cape Town (to the west) or Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban (to the east). You can also get to George from Oudtshoorn (to the north) via the N12.

By train
The scenic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train used to run between George and Knysna (via Wilderness and Sedgefield) but the railway line was severely damaged by landslides. Classic Rail is working to restore service on this line.

By bus
The main bus companies serve George regularly on their way along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, as does the Baz Bus.

Get around
Preferably by car. York street is the main artery.

There are permanent speed cameras; In season, over Christmas (December and early January) and Easter (April), however, there are temporary manned speed cameras everywhere.
 * 1) York Street
 * 2) Outside Duggies on Courtney Street (driving towards Knysna)
 * 3) At the robots (traffic lights) outside Pick n Pay on Courtney Street (driving towards George away from Knysna)
 * 4) In York Street close to Mei Ling (Taiwanese Restaurant)
 * 5) On way to Wilderness there are 2 cameras as you come around the turn past Far Hills Hotel

Driving between George and Knysna there are permanent speed cameras in the Kaaimans River Pass. The speed limit on this pass is 60 km/h for a reason, the pass is very dangerous to take at high speeds, especially when wet.

See

 * George Museum in York Street.
 * Moederkerk - "Mother church" in Afrikaans. A spectacular Dutch Reformed church in Mead street
 * Caledon street - the most beautiful street in George
 * st.Marks Anglican cathedral in York Street.
 * The old Arts theatre.
 * The splendid George Botanical Garden.
 * The old town hall - build in 1912, in York Street
 * "Die Bof" - outside of George, some splendid Fynbos
 * St Peter & St Paul Catholic Church - oldest Catholic Church in South Africa

Do

 * Go on the Outeniqua Powervan up the Outeniqua Mountains. It takes you from the museum 720 m up into the Outeniqua mountains for incredible views.
 * Enjoy nature and historic trail rides with environmentally friendly motorcycle and quad bikes
 * Experience the historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route (National Monument)
 * Ride on a private eco game reserve
 * Explore the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains (Nature Conservation Area)
 * Go hiking
 * For the more fit: George Peak or Cradock Peak for some spectacular views. 18 km. Trail starts at the forestry station.
 * Do the world-famous Outeniqua trail which will take you through spectacular forests.
 * For the medium fit: Beautiful walks from the Saasveld Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
 * For the less fit: Lovely walks in the Wilderness area around the Ebb and Flow Campsite.
 * Play golf, either at Fancourt or Ernie Els's course Ou Baai
 * Swim, surf or tan at one of the sandy beaches during summer. Parking may be a problem at many of them during peak season. To the west there are
 * (closest) Herolds Bay. Lovely beach trapped between two rock cliffs. Many of the houses are owned by South Africa's rich and famous.
 * Glentana. From the swimming spot you can walk east along the main beach to the remnants of the floating dock wreck (not visible from the main beach). This will take you past many caves. And the really adventurous can continue to Grotto Bay.
 * Great (Groot) Brak.
 * (furthest) Little (Klein) Brak.
 * The beaches to the east are
 * (closest) Victoria Bay. Small. Includes a restaurant. Parents with small children may prefer the well maintained lawn to the sandy beach. Popular surf spot. Watch the Choo-Tjoe go by.
 * Wilderness. On your way there catch a glimpse of the Kaaimans river railroad bridge.
 * (furthest) Gerickes Point. Due to the steep cliffs no development has spoilt this extended beach. At the point itself there are natural pools.

 * There are many fishing spots along the coast as well as fresh water fishing in the lakes and rivers.

Buy

 * Something at the huge new Garden Route Mall.
 * There are many shops along Knysna Road (N9).
 * The St Georges's Square shopping centre
 * The Game Shopping Centre
 * York Street (the main street of George, also has various stalls
 * The Pick 'n Pay centre
 * For second-hand books there is a great shop in the York Street Arcade, near the Dulce' restaurant.

Eat
Mexican food at Coyote Caktus which also serves excellent pizza. Enjoy a delicious "wonderpatat" at the Lila's Arms restaurant in Blanco, a suburb of George. George also has a Spur restaurant and McDonald's. The Upstairs at Harry's is also an excellent coffee shop. The new Garden Route mall, St George's Square and the Pick 'n Pay shopping centres also contain various restaurants. For a more Eastern taste there is a Mai Ling Taiwanese Restaurant.

Drink
There are numerous fine drinking and dining holes along this stretch of the Garden Route. Bongos in Wilderness Village overlooks the lovely beach.

Sleep

 * There are many hotels and guest houses and one Backpackers hostel throughout the city.
 * Victoria Bay east of George has lots of tourist accommodation (and is a popular surf spot).

Go next

 * Go to Oudtshoorn and ride on an ostrich at one of the local ostrich farms or visit the nearby Cango Caves.
 * Carry on along the Garden Route, to Tsitsikamma National Park via Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
 * Return to Mossel Bay

title: George


text:
George (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called George

South Africa

 * George - a town in the Western Cape province

United States of America

 * George (Iowa) - a city in Lyon County (Iowa), Iowa
 * George (Washington) - a city in the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington
 * George County - in Mississippi
 * George West - a city in Live Oak County, Texas

title: George (disambiguation)


text:
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is a United States national park outside Vincennes in Southwestern Indiana.

Understand
The park is located on the banks of the Wabash River on the site of what is believed to be Fort Sackville. A remarkable statue of Clark stands tall in the middle, surrounded by seven murals discussing the history of the Clark's life.

History
As the 150th anniversary of the American Revolution neared, interest in celebrating the accomplishments of George Rogers Clark grew. In 1928 President Coolidge signed a resolution starting the George Rogers Clark Commission to create a monument to celebrate Clark. In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated the memorial. In 1966 it became part of the National Park Service.

The memorial stands more than 80 feet high and 90 feet across at its base. The walls are two thick wide, made of granite from Vermont, Minnesota and Alabama. 16 Doric columns go around the building with inscriptions celebrating the life of Clark.

Inside the memorial are seven murals painted by Ezra Winter at 16x28 feet. The murals depict Clark's remarkable 18-day journey and the events that it entailed. In the middle is a bronze sculpture of Clark by Hermon Atkins, standing over 7 feet tall. Quotes and dates are placed in and out of the building on the walls, discussing the life and death and accomplishments of Clark. He was only 25 years old when these events took place, immortalizing him.

George Rogers Clark captured Fort Sackville from British Lt. Governor Henry Hamilton on Feb. 25, 1779, this is considered one of the most important moments of the American Revolution, leading to Clark's march on the Mississippi River, solidifying America's future in the Northwest.

Landscape
Beautiful green park, reminiscent of the National Parks of Washington, D.C. Located right along the banks of the Wabash River, you can take path down to the water to observe the natural settings. The Wabash is the longest river in Indiana.

Climate
The area experiences all four seasons, with hot and humid summers, somewhat cold winters, and typical moody Indiana weather during spring and fall. Mid-spring is ideal visiting time.

Get in
US-41 heads north-south into the park from Terre Haute and Evansville. US-50 heads east-west from St. Louis and Cincinnati.

Fees and permits
Free

Get around
The park has accessible parking and is small enough to be easily experienced on foot.

See

 * The remarkable monument that features seven murals, and a beautiful bronze statue of a young Clark.
 * A 30-minute film about the western campaign of Clark.
 * Listen to the stories of the murals with a six-minute audio recording provided by the Memorial.
 * Check out the visitor center and pick up maps and handouts. Explore exhibits about Fort Sackville, Clark's life, and the Northwest Territory.

Do

 * Picnic and enjoy the scenery along the banks of the Wabash and in the lovely green shaded park.

Eat
The park is connected to downtown Vincennes which provides plenty of options for dining!

Lodging
Lodging can be found in the nearby town of Vincennes.

Stay safe
The area is fairly safe. Take any cautions as you would in any public place or park.


text:
Georgetown

There's more than one place called Georgetown or George Town:

Australia

 * Georgetown (Queensland)
 * Georgetown (South Australia)
 * George Town (Tasmania)

Canada

 * Georgetown (Ontario)
 * Georgetown (Prince Edward Island)

Cayman Islands

 * George Town (Cayman Islands) - the capital city

Guyana

 * Georgetown (Guyana) - the capital city

Malaysia

 * George Town (Malaysia) - capital of Penang island/state

Saint Helena (island)

 * Georgetown (Ascension) - capital town of Ascension island

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

 * Georgetown - a town on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean

South Africa

 * George - a town in the Western Cape province

United States of America

 * Georgetown (Arkansas)
 * Georgetown (California)
 * Georgetown (Colorado)
 * Georgetown (Connecticut)
 * Georgetown (Delaware)
 * Georgetown (Chatham County, Georgia)
 * Georgetown (Quitman County, Georgia)
 * Georgetown (Idaho)
 * Georgetown (Illinois)
 * Georgetown (Floyd County, Indiana)
 * Georgetown (St. Joseph County, Indiana)
 * Georgetown (Kentucky)
 * Georgetown (Louisiana)
 * Georgetown (Maine)
 * Georgetown (Massachusetts)
 * Georgetown Township (Michigan)
 * Georgetown (Minnesota)
 * Georgetown Township (Minnesota)
 * Georgetown (Mississippi)
 * Georgetown (New York)
 * Georgetown (Ohio)
 * Georgetown (Pennsylvania)
 * Georgetown (South Carolina)
 * Georgetown (Tennessee)
 * Georgetown (Texas)
 * Georgetown (Seattle, Washington)
 * Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)

 * Georgetown (Berkeley County, West Virginia)
 * Georgetown (Lewis County, West Virginia)
 * Georgetown (Marshall County, West Virginia)
 * Georgetown (Monongalia County, West Virginia)

 * Georgetown (Polk County, Wisconsin)
 * Georgetown (Price County, Wisconsin)

title: Georgetown


text:
Georgetown (Colorado)

Georgetown is a city in Colorado, USA located in Clear Creek County.

Understand
The Georgetown Visitors Center is right off of I-70. Georgetown is a historic mountain town which is at one end of Guanella Pass.

By car
I-70 runs right by Georgetown. It is located about 45 miles northwest of Denver, and about 50 miles east-southeast of Vail.

By plane
The closest airport is Denver. Denver International Airport,. Commonly referred to as DIA. It is located about 20 miles to the east of downtown Denver. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.

By car
Georgetown is a smaller city, so once you have arrived, there is little need to drive, especially given that parking conditions are often sub-optimal.

By foot
Generally, walking around Georgetown is very easy.

Hiking
Several hiking trails are in the Georgetown area.
 * Silverdale Trail- I-70 Georgetown Exit #228, follow signs for Guanella Pass Road-Scenic Byway, drive up Guanella Pass hill, go to the first reservoir, Silverdale, entrance road to parking area and trailhead is on the left,
 * Georgetown Express to Silver Plume-I-70 Georgetown #228 park in town, peddle toward the train depot, the paved path entrances are marked
 * Silver Dollar Lake Trail-From I-70 take exit #228 to Georgetown. Follow the scenic byway signs for Guanella Pass Road. Take this road to the first road past Guanella Pass Campground to the Silver Dollar Lake trailhead
 * Rosalie Trail #3-From I-70 take exit #228 to Georgetown. Follow the scenic byway signs for Guanella Pass Road. Drive up Guanella Pass.

title: Georgetown (Colorado)


text:
Georgetown (Floyd County, Indiana)

Georgetown is a city in Southern Indiana.

By phone
Most telephone numbers in Georgetown consist of +1 812 plus a seven-digit number, but a second area code (+1 930) was overlain onto the entire 812 area in September 2014. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 812 before these if no area code is indicated.

Go next

 * New Albany.

title: Georgetown (Floyd County, Indiana)


text:
Georgetown (Guyana)

Georgetown is the largest city in and capital of Guyana. Georgetown is primarily the business and governmental seat of the country but its fascinating wooden colonial buildings also provide a different experience for tourists. Most tourists visit Georgetown as a launching point to the rainforests of the interior.

Understand

Founded as a small Dutch settlement in the 18th century, Georgetown has changed hands between the British, Dutch and French many times - not unusual for places in or near the Caribbean. The influence of several colonial powers is visible in place names. The city got its current name after the British King George III in 1812.

Georgetown is home to about 200,000 inhabitants, around one in four of whom are Guyanese, and is by far the commercial and administrative centre of the country, as well as an important entry point and transport hub. Sitting on the shore of the Atlantic, the city is one metre below sea level and protected by a seawall from the ocean. The city with its surroundings has a notable network of canals. Many homes in the suburbs are built on high stilts to prevent water damage when the dyke protections fail.

Climate
A few degrees north of the Equator, Georgetown has a tropical rainforest climate with stable temperatures around the year; daytime highs at 30°C and nighttime lows at 23°C. There is no true dry season, but February-March and September-October are the driest periods. May-July is mostly the wettest time of the year, and a less intense rain season is in December-January.

By plane

 * Once out of the airport, a taxi is about US$25 or G$5000 and takes 45-60 minutes to get to Georgetown, depending on traffic. The cheaper, slightly slower option is to take minibus #42 to Timeri bus park which is behind the parliament building near Stabroek Market. The minibus costs G$260. The minibuses run at all hours of night and day, however taxi drivers will try to get you as a fare as soon as you come out of departures. They will say it's not safe to walk around in Georgetown at night, which is true. However, a taxi from the minibus station to your hotel will be about G$400.

The following companies have a few daily flights from Zorg-en-Hoop Airfield in Paramaribo, Suriname:

By minibus
From Suriname, there are minibuses from Paramaribo to South Drain in western Suriname, just across the river from Guyana. The trip takes at least 3 hrs and costs ~US$15. From there, you will go through customs on the Suriname side. Then take the 11:00 daily ferry across the river to South Drain. The ferry journey takes about 30 minutes, but you'll need more time for going through customs on the Guyanese side. On the Guyanese side, you will be in Molson Creek and can take minibus #63a to the minibus station near Stabroek Market in Georgetown. The trip takes at least 3 hrs and costs ~US$10. From there you can get a minibus for G$60/pp to where you are staying in Georgetown or a taxi for G$400.

From Brazil travel to Bonfim on the border and walk across the border. Find a minibus or taxi to take you to Lethem city center and inquire about minibuses traveling to Georgetown.

By minibus
When people in Guyana refer to buses, they mean minibuses. Minibuses (known as route taxis elsewhere) are the most common way to get around town. Minibus fares range from G$60-G$1000 depending on the length of the journey. Within the city, minibuses cost G$60 per person. Travel in this mode at night could be risky, however if the minibus does not get you to your exact location, the taxis are very cheap to complete the last leg of your trip.

By taxi
There are numerous taxi services which are listed in the telephone directory and are not expensive. Fares should never be more than G$500 for travel within the city and most fares should be around G$400, regardless of the number of people. All taxis licence plates begin with 'H.' There are set prices for taxis for different destinations, e.g. from the airport to town costs GD$5000, from the airport to Molson Creek is GD$24000, etc. It is wise to ask at your hotel to recommend a driver. The "Yellow" taxis have the best reputation. Once you have found a driver that you trust, ask for his or her mobile phone number. A small tip will ensure that you get prompt service.

See

If you have a day or two to spend in Georgetown, check out the markets listed below, take a walk down, or through one of the markets and have a look at the Umana Yama Church (Amerindian cultural center) or some of the older colonial buildings around town, especially on Main Street. Historical buildings along High Street and Avenue of the Republic include the City Hall, City Engineer's Office, Victoria Law Courts, Magistrates' Courts, Saint Andrew Church (Georgetown's oldest church), State House (residence of the prime minister).

The local seawall may be unimpressive, but it protects a city that lies 1 metre below high-tide level. The sea wall, which helps prevent flooding and drainage is aided by canals protected by sluices, was built by the Dutch and later the British.

Georgetown has an abundance of tree-lined streets and avenues and contains many wooden colonial buildings and markets. Most of the main buildings are found around the western region of the town near Independence Square and Promenade Gardens. Interesting buildings include the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, the National Library, the Bank of Guyana, the National Museum of Guyana, State House and St. George's Anglican Cathedral.

Museums

Parks

Buildings

Do

 * American actor Pauly Shore has a party mansion called the Class Act after his 1992 movie of the same name. The mansion is situated on the outskirts of town in a former mangrove that was drained in order to build the property. During January and February when Shore is in residence, there are many "invite only" parties to attend with B-list semi-celebrities such as Matt Dillon, Carrot Top and Seth Green. However, there are also some open parties for the locals to attend if you can get a ticket. These tickets are even more sought after than one-day-international cricket tickets.

Products

 * Rum Guyana is famous for its rum (see Drink). El Dorado has a good store in Departures at the airport but bear in mind that you cannot take a connecting flight carrying liquids unless they are in your suitcase. There are several places in town where you can buy the best brands.
 * The best place for buying souvenirs is The Hibiscus Plaza located outside the General Post office.
 * Buy wood carvings from the artists outside the Hotel Tower.

Places
The central shopping area is bounded by Hadfield Street on the South of the city, Water Street to the West, Albert Street to the East and Middle Street to the North. Most of the city's stores, supermarkets, boutiques and restaurants can be found within this zone.

Ask around too about designs by local and internationally acclaimed fashion designers, Michelle Cole, Pat Coates and Roger Gary.

Gold
There are several well known places where you can get high quality handcrafted gold pieces, some of them being:

Cost of living
The cost of living in Georgetown City, Guyana is very high. For example approximate prices (as of Jan 2024) of petrol US$1.25 per liter, electricity is US$0.33/unit, a domestic gas cylinder is slightly over US$20. Rent for average family accommodation may exceed 750 US$ per month in central (safe) locations and personal income tax, which is 33.33% of total taxable income makes the living further difficult. Employee's salaries are normally paid in Guyanese dollars and the income tax is deducted at source by employer.

Budget

 * Stabroek Market cookshops. The best for local foods, day time only.

American fast-food chains present include Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut and Popeyes.

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink
The most popular national drink is Caribbean-style dark rum. The two national favorites are El Dorado and X-tra Mature which both offer 5, 10, 12 and 25 year varieties. El Dorado also offers a 15 year old variety which has won the "Best Rum in the World" award since 1999. Mix the cheaper ones with Coke or coconut water if you please. All are quality enough to drink neat or by themselves with the 25 year-olds comparing with high-quality scotch whisky.

Banks is the national beer. It comes in a lager and a stout (Milk Stout). Also available are the lighter Carib (Trinidad and Tobago) and darker Mackisson's. Guinness is brewed locally under licence and is a bit sweeter than its Irish counterpart, but just as good. Polar (Venezuelan) and Skol (Brazilian) can be found randomly throughout the country. You can also find Heineken and Corona at posher bars in Georgetown.

Non-alcohol: Malta is a popular sweet soda that is worth a try. Drink only bottled water.

There are small rum shops and bars throughout the city, those of note are:

Sleep

Since tourism in Guyana is not much developed there are not many online resources. But asking taxi drivers, barkeepers and random locals you meet on the street will yield many contacts to private accommodations that are much more affordable than the ones listed online. Thus, when planning to stay for more than just a few days, it is advisable to only book a hotel for one or two nights upfront and then go hunting when there.

Some hotels post their rates without the 16% tax, and in those cases the price you have to pay is higher.

Budget

Splurge

Stay safe
Georgetown is notorious for petty street crime. Do not walk alone at night, or even in the day, unless you know the area well. Areas such as the Tiger Bay area east of Main Street and the entire southeastern part of the city including, in particular, Albouystown and Ruimveldt are traditionally known as high crime areas but one can be relatively safe if going through these areas in groups and with native escorts. Venturing into the covered area of the Stabroek Market can pose some dangers but if you need to visit it then do so with a group or with Guyanese whom you know well and with whom you feel comfortable. Police are unlikely to help you unless they see the crime in action. Be sensible about wearing jewellery. Even cosmetic jewellery which is gaudy is likely to attract the wrong attention.

It is advised to exercise common sense.

You might have heard of or read about the village Buxton. It is a hotbed of Afro-Guyanese violence, comparable to the American neighbourhood Compton south of Los Angeles. Visits to Buxton ought to be brokered carefully with someone who knows the area well and who is well accepted in the village. If your visit to this village is perceived to be anything other than casual then there could be unwarranted problems. There are a lot of gangs and drug dealers there. Many Indo-Guyanese villages such as Cane Grove, Annadale, and lusignan, are notorious for violence, petty crimes, racism and kidnappings. It is advisable for tourists or people who are not of Indo-Guyanese origin travelling through these areas should also be accompanied by someone known in these areas.

The police response varies depending on the location and time of the crime. Some tourists have reported positive responses.

Discussions of the current affairs of ethnic relations between the two major races, politics and the socio-economic issues in the country ought to be undertaken with much tact and much patience. Be aware that these types of discourses can sometimes lead to very heated and intense debate, and possibly something much worse. Guyanese are generally very open to discussing most issues, but as an outsider, you could be seen as a part of the problem - as absurd as that sounds - so guard your tongue.

Crime is rarely directed at tourists, so don't feel intimidated. Just be sensible about the company you keep, where you go and how you behave.

Safety for gay visitors
Homosexuality is illegal in Guyana and carries a sentence of life in prison. However, no one has been charged under the laws. One organisation, SASOD, organises some events to promote anti-homophobic work. There is no local gay "scene" as most homosexuals remain rather closeted. Private gatherings are known to occur to which one must be invited. Homosexuals who are openly gay are generally left alone providing they are circumspect about their behaviour. Public displays of affection among gay people are frowned upon and can make you the target of overt discrimination, attacks and taunts. There are no hotels, resorts or bars anywhere in the country which cater exclusively to gays and lesbian visitors or locals for that matter. Homophobia is sustained primarily through the influx of music which contains homophobic messages in their lyrics. The gay visitor is wise to be very cautious and conservative in his/her behaviour.

Embassies and High Commissions

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇸🇷 Suriname
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Go next
As the capital of the country, Georgetown is a good place to start exploring the rest of Guyana.

 * Kaieteur Falls. The falls is located on the Potaro river in Kaieteur National Park and is in the center of Guyana's rainforest. Its combination of great height and high water volume make it one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. There are frequent flights between Ogle Airport and Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown and the falls' airstrip. Day trips by airplane start from $275 per person (Air Services Limited). Book ahead to guarantee you don't miss out.
 * Brazil There is bus service to Lethem where you can reach the border with Brazil. It is 14-18 hour journey primarily on a dirt road so be prepared. Pack water and snacks as breakdowns are notorious and you don't how long you might get stuck. From there you can catch a boat for about US$1.50, or you can walk across the bridge to enter Brazil. It is your responsibility to stamp out of Guyana and into Brazil (make sure you tell the taxi driver to stop at immigration) because it is not required for those who are not travelling inland and only go as far as the border town on the other side.
 * Suriname: Mini-buses leave at 4am. Flights leave from Cheddi Jagan International airport later in the evening; from Ogle airport there at least two daily flights leaving, one early in the morning, the other at 1:30pm. Beware that one needs to obtain a tourist card from the embassy upfront.

title: Georgetown (Guyana)