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The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a city in the Deep East Texas region of Texas 28 miles north of downtown Houston along Interstate 45. Although it began as a suburban development and a bedroom community, it also has attracted corporations and unique shopping to the area. In addition to residential and corporate housing, The Woodlands features a shopping mall, seven golf courses, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Regional Concert Venue, and a 4 star rated The Woodlands Resort.

By car
For the concert hall and most shopping, take I-45 North from Houston and exit Woodlands Parkway, then right on Six Pines Dr. You can usually find plenty of free parking, but be wary of evenings when concerts are occurring.

By car
Be careful of parking. The Woodlands is close to several high-end hotels, shops, and a major concert area. Traffic and parking can be troublesome, so use caution. Under normal circumstances, The Woodlands Mall parking lot is a safe bet, although other garages may be open as well. Enter at your own risk.

On foot
There are over 60 miles of trails and sidewalks within the Woodlands, although the majority service the local neighborhoods. Although most homes are not within reasonable walking distance, It is perfectly possible to park in the shopping center and take on foot to the hotels, movie theatre, and the local shops. Be careful of traffic and use signals when possible, and always cross at crosswalks. Texas drivers are not known for yielding.

 * Woodlands Trolley. Not to be confused with the Water Taxi, the Trolley is a free-bus service traveling among the restaurants, shops, and hotels. It operates M–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 10AM–10PM, Su 11AM–9PM (Aug 2019).

By bike
The Woodlands is one of the very few areas in Houston where biking is practical. Most shopping malls and shopping centers provide bicycle parking in central locations. As with other pedestrians, be wary of traffic and other individuals. The use of lights, reflectors, and helmets is highly recommended.

Buy
There are hundreds of shops, many upscale and sometimes unique and pricey. The primary sections can be classified into four sections. All but the I-45 Corridor are within reasonable walking distance, although sidewalks may not always be available. When in doubt, ask for directions or use the free trolley service. Be careful of traffic and other hazards.

Eat
There are always new restaurants opening in the area, from local to international, chains to one-of-a-kind.

title: The Woodlands


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Thief River Falls

Thief River Falls is in Minnesota. It offers a quiet relaxing location to get away from the big city life.

By car
US Hwy 59 North and South

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

title: Thief River Falls


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Thies

Thies (pronounced: "chess") (French:Thiès) is the capital of the Thies administrative region and the third largest city in Senegal.

Get in
Thies is 60 km east of Dakar on the N2 road and at the junction of railway lines to Dakar, Bamako and Saint-Louis. A commuter line, the Petit train de banlieu runs several times per day from Dakar. is centrally located on Ave General de Gaulle.

Get around
Taxis are plentiful and most rides will cost you 500CFA. If you're going from the center to the gare routiere in the southern part of the city, 600CFA is not unreasonable.

title: Thies


text:
Thimphu

Thimphu (ཐིམ་ཕུག།) is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and with a population of around 115,000 (2017), it is the nation's largest city.

Understand
Although the Thimphu Valley has supported small settlements for many centuries and a dzong has existed there since 1216, the city didn't really develop until the king declared Thimphu the new capital in 1961. Vehicles first appeared on the streets a year later, and slowly the city began to adapt to its role as the nation's capital. Since then, the town has undergone massive development. Tree-lined streets have been laid and the clock tower area in the center of the city is now a park-cum-open air theater where fairs and live cultural performances take place. In 2008, the national stadium and a new river-side park were completed. The area around the dzong and government buildings is a particularly green and an attractive district.

Norzin Lam is the city's main thoroughfare and is lined with small hotels and shopping complexes.

Climate
The winter season in Thimphu is very cold but dry, while the summers are wet and humid. The best times to visit are from mid September to the end of October and from March to May.

By plane
is the country's sole international airport and a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the capital. Bhutan has four domestic airports and two domestic and international carriers.

To avoid the hefty airfare rates charged to foreigners flying into Bhutan, many overseas nationals opt to fly to Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and then travel overland to Bhutan. The journey from Siliguri to Thimphu takes 9-10 hours. There is no direct bus, and passengers will need to change transportation in Phuentsholing. Indian taxis will travel as far as the border town of Jaigaon and will not enter Bhutan.

By bus
All inter-district buses arrive and depart from the city's bus station across the river from the city centre. It is a 5 hour drive (mostly through Chukha (district) from the border town of Phuentsholing.

Various private operators like Dhug, Meto and Sernya run Toyota Coaster bus services from Phuentsholing to Thimphu. These buses can seat 22 and are very comfortable. Advance reservation can be made at Phuentsholing bus station or online: https://www.drukride.com/

Get around
The city center is small enough to negotiate on foot.

By bus
The city operates an efficient public bus service connecting the downtown with outer suburbs. The station for local buses, known locally as 'Bus Parking' is located just east of Changlimithang Stadium.

By taxi
There is a set rate for taxis plying city routes — within the core area the rate is Nu 120 (Bhutanese ngultrum), while it costs around Nu150-160 to nearby suburbs. There are taxi ranks on Norzin Lam (near the cinema hall and Punjab Bank). Taxis also cruise and can be hailed at any point. There are shared taxis from the city bus station ('Bus Parking), and the rate is around Nu35-40 to suburbs within a 20- to 30-min drive.

See
Although lacking the charm and culture associated with ancient capitals, Thimphu has several attractions of note. A hefty entry fee is charged to all foreign nationals (including those with work permits or who are paying the daily tariff of US$100 to the government sustainable fund) at religious structures and buildings of national significance.

Religious structures
Monasteries are referred to by their Dzongkha title of lhakhang or gompa.

Buy
Bhutan's small population means demand for new and innovative goods is limited. Thimphu has three kinds of stores: clothing, handicraft and hardware. Between these, there is a small assortment of stationery, bookshops, and supermarkets. Almost all shops stock the same goods, so if you cannot find the required items in the first couple of stores it is generally useless to persist.

Haggling at tourist-oriented shops is expected, but the margin for discount is small (unless you make a bulk purchase). However, shop owners are generally honest and there is little possibility to be cheated or offered an inflated price.

Most handicrafts sold in Thimphu are made in Nepal or other Himalayan areas. Exceptions are cloth items, some thankas, goods made of lemon grass oil, incense, and Bhutanese coffee.

Books

Handicrafts
The weekend market in Lower Market (across the river from the vegetable market) has over 100 stalls selling hand woven cloth and other handicrafts. }}

Eat
Most restaurants (including those in 2- or 3-star hotels) in Thimphu stop serving food between 20:30 and 21:30. For information about restaurants in hotels, check the sleep section of this article.

Splurge
Upscale hotels (see the Splurge section in Sleep below) have restaurants.

Alcohol
Thimphu has few scintillating night clubs. Once inside any of these night clubs, it's a complete glamorous affair. The cost of the entry is quite low too (approx Nu 250 per person). Some clubs allow stag entry as well. The drinks are generally inexpensive and the staff friendly. However, the local youths can create problems on small or no issues and might enter into a scuffle with people from neighbouring countries.

Budget
Most of Thimphu's budget hotels are on Norzin Lam (the main road through the city), especially above the Clock Tower. Anything that costs less than Nu 1,000 will offer nothing more than a worn bed, a basic toilet, and about enough space to place a bag. The main door will probably be closed by 22:00 at the latest. Negotiate the rate, especially off season.

Connect
The area code for Thimphu is 02. When calling from overseas dial +975 2 XXXXXX

Internet
Internet cafes in Thimphu are linked to broadband. Connections are reasonably swift.

Cope
Getting work done in Thimphu is relatively straight forward. All offices are computerized and the staff are generally helpful. However, it is often said that Bhutan has one of the world's highest rates of meetings and workshops per working hours. This cannot be substantiated, but certainly meetings are very much part of the civil service culture here. In fact, it is often joked that the last place you should begin a search for a civil servant is at his or her desk! As a result, you should be prepared to make several visits to an office in order to get a task complete as there is a very high possibility that the  person dealing with your case will be out of the office.
 * ATM. Bhutan operates an international ATM service, though as it is sometimes out of order, it is advisable to bring sufficient cash to at least cover basics.
 * Banks. The three main banks in Thimphu are 'Bank of Bhutan', 'Bhutan National Bank' and 'Punjab National Bank'. The first two are both located on the upper part of Norzin Lam, while the Punjab National Bank is on the lower part of the street, near the Clock Tower.
 * Money Exchange. All banks offer money exchange facilities for common convertible currencies. Druk Currency Exchange, !F, Gaaphel Shopping Complex (below Le Meridien Hotel) exchanges a number of foreign currencies at more convenient hours and at better rates than banks.
 * Post Office. The central PO is in the lower part of town on Chang Lam. It is a large and well organized facility that includes a philatelic department. Mailing letters or packages in Bhutan is usually very safe though, like elsewhere, anything of value should be registered. The post office also offers a custom made stamp and packing service.
 * Visa extensions and route permits are available at the Immigration Office, Kawajangsa (above the golf course). Route permits should be applied for at least one full working day before the intended date of travel. A photocopy of passport (pages containing personal information and Bhutanese visa) is required.
 * Western Union, Thimphu Post Office. This facility can receive transfer of funds from overseas, but cannot make outward payments.

Supplies
Pharmacies
 * CityCare, The Woods Hotel Building, Wogzin Lam (from the Clock Tower, next building from Tower Hotel). ☏ +975 77619730. A well stocked medical shop. Very polite and helpful service. 9AM-9PM
 * Kuenphen Pharmacy, 2f. corner or Norzin Lam and Wogzin Lam (near main traffic). ☏ +975 17603802 The largest medical shop in Thimphu. Wide range of over-the-counter medicines, toiletries, and supplements.

Supermarkets

 * 8-11, Gongdzin Lam 23 (a one minute walk from Dusit Hotel). Thimphu's most popular supermarket. A wide variety of imported and domestic goods. 10AM-7PM
 * Chuniding Food, Changlam Square. ☏ +975 17320895. Natural food. Organic and local products. Healthy snacks. Bring own bag, as most items are surprisingly wrapped in single-use plastic. Daily: 9AM-9PM.
 * C-Mart, 1F Gaa-phel Shopping Center (just below Hotel Le Meridien). A well stocked supermarket. 10AM-9PM

Medical treatment
Government hospitals

 * Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWRHl), Changzamtok. This is Bhutan's largest hospital and has a full range of departments, including emergency.

Private clinics

 * Paekar Diagnostic Centre. Olakha (near Hotel Ariya). ☏ +975 2-338044, 17304863. A private clinic with a wide range of diagnostic facilities.

Embassies and consulates

 * 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇰🇼 Kuwait
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand

Go next
Buses depart the inter-district bus station (known locally as 'Bus Booking') throughout the day, though most, especially those heading to the east and Jakar/Bumthang leave between 06:30 and 07:30. As the inter-district buses are often full, it is advisable to purchase a ticket a few days in advance, either at the bus station or online: https://www.drukride.com/. Buses to Phuentsholing depart every half hour until 4PM. Most districts are served by small Japanese Coaster Buses, which are comfortable and sturdy.

Shared taxis are a quick and comfortable means to travel to nearby places, such as Paro (Nu 250) and Punakha (Nu 350) or even to Phuentsholing (Nu1,000) (as of February 2024). Shared taxis depart from the inter-district bus station, with drivers approaching potential passengers. They depart once full.

Monastic complexes are referred to by their Bhutanese title of 'gompa', not 'monastery'.
 * Cheri Gompa — It is the first Drukpa Kagyu Monastery established in Bhutan and is at the site where Shabdrong Rinpoche gained enlightenment. Consequently, Cheri is one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan. The structure is cut into the steep mountainside and has a very atmospheric stone stairway connecting its various levels. Located about an hour's drive north of Thimphu, the trek begins from a prayer flag covered bridge and takes about one hour. Tango and Cheri are about a one hour hike apart, and so are usually visited on the same trip.
 * Dochula Pass — The highest point on the journey between Thimphu and Punakha, it has a very good view of a lot of Himalayan peaks, including the Gangkhar Phuensum, which is claimed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Also has a cafe which serves good coffee and decent parathas.
 * Jakar — A town at the heart of a sacred and beautiful valley. The journey from Thimphu takes between 9 and 11 hours. A minimum of three days are needed to do justice to a visit.
 * Phajoding Gompa — Founded in the 13th century by Togen Pajo, a yogi from Tibet, this monastic complex is a three-hour hike from Thimphu (start from Motithang or BBS Tower). At a height of 3,640 m, it commands excellent views over Thimphu. There is space for camping. Otherwise, the small Thujidrag Gompa (a 40-minute walk from Phajoding) offers simple accommodation (often full at weekends) and cooking facilities - offer donation directly to monk in charge. Even if you do not plan to stay at Thujidrag,  this cliff hanging monastery is still definitely worth a visit. Locally, it is famous for its sacred spring water. There are several sacred lakes in the area, though these are a full day's circular hike from Thujidrag.
 * Paro — The location of the international airport and center of a sacred valley. Paro is a 45-minute to one-hour drive from the capital - an easy day trip.
 * Punakha — The former capital; a 90-minute journey.
 * Tango Gompa — About an hour's drive from Thimphu down town followed by a one hour hike, this is one of Bhutan's historical monasteries in the Kagyu tradition. It was founded by the grandson of the Divine Madman, Drukpa Kinley, and houses some of his relics. The monastery offers spectacular views over the Thimphu Valley.

title: Thimphu


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Thirassia

Thirassia (Greek: Θηρασία, also transliterated as Thirasía and Therasia) is a small satellite island of Santorini in the Cyclades.

Understand
With a population of about 270 people, Thirasia lies very close to Santorini—in fact, both formed the same island until the huge volcanic eruption which is estimated to have taken place in 2nd millennium BCE, when it put an end to Minoan civilization and detached Thirasia from main island of Santorini.

There are five villages on the island, the largest one—which has a population of 150—sharing the same name with the island itself.

Thirassia is what Santorini used to be many years ago. There is nothing there beside peace and quiet. It is mostly visited by day trippers from Santorini, but if you go there for a few days you will be quickly part of the family. Be aware that hardly anyone on Thirassia speaks anything else than Greek.

Get in
Korfos, the "old Port" is where the day trip boats go. You cannot go there with a regular ferry or with a vehicle, and excursion boats are expensive. A much better option is to go to Riva, the "New Port". It is served about 5 times weekly by the regular ferries and a single trip is €3. Schedules can be found at. There is also a small ferry owned by the island itself, which costs €3.75, but it carries vehicles for free. Locals call it the "pantoffla". It goes daily from and to the island, but it is difficult to know when and where it goes. It serves the old and the new port and goes to Fira and Athinios and also to Oia if weather conditions allow. Be aware that if you ask in the travel agencies in Santorini they will in the first place have never heard about it, because they want to sell their daytrips.

Get around
Bring a Bike from Santorini or you don't! (€3 on a regular ferry, free on pantoffla). There is a bus though, but the nicest places are where the bus does not go. If you come for a longer period don't forget to bring some petrol as well, there is a petrol station, but not always petrol.

See
There are many very nice churches and Monasteries on Thirassia.

Do
Relax, have a frappe, visit the many churches. There is a nice beach next to Riva.

Buy
You cannot buy much on Thriassia, bring your stuff from Santorini. The bakery has only bread, but it is made in a wood oven and is absolutely delicious.

Eat
in Riva you have two options: Kapetan Michalis catches his own fish. He has not much choice but what he prepares is delicious. Agistri is the souvlaki and where the locals meet. Try the Fava!

Korfos is the daytrip-tourist mekka, don't know if one should eat here.

Sleep
Ask for Domatia in the Restaurants.

Connect
There is no Internet on Thirassia.

title: Thirassia


text:
Thirukkarugavur

Thirukkarugavur is a small town near Papanasam in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The town is famous for the Garbarakshambigai Temple.

Legend of the temple
The legend has it that, in the ancient past, two Sages (Rishies) by name Gowthama and Gargeya did penance here, called Mullai Vanam (Jasmine Forest) A couple by name "Nidhruva" and "Vedikai" lived in the same Ashramam, and they had no children. They were advised by the Sages to worship the God and then their prayers were answered. Vedhikai conceived. Once during her pregnancy, a Rishi (Sage) named Urdhvapada came and asked for food. As Vedhikai was unconscious that time, she couldn't hear him. Enraged by this, the Sage cursed her. Her foetus disintegrated and came out (abortion). She prayed to the Goddess who then protected the foetus till it developed into a male child, Naidhruvan.

Vedhikai then prayed to the Goddess that She (the Goddess) should remain in that place and help all women and their foetus. Hence the Goddess is called Garbha Rakshambikai (The Benevolent One Who Protects the Fetus).

Vedhikai had no breast milk to feed the child and the Goddess sent Kamadhenu (the Celestial Cow) to this place to feed the child. Kamadhenu scratched the earth with her hoof and milk fetched out in plenty and formed a milk tank. This tank still exists and is called Ksheerakundam.

The Lord is called Mullaivana Nathar and is a swayambu (self-manifested) The Linga is made up of anthill mud.

Women whose marriages are delayed, or those who don't have any children flock this temple in their thousands and pray to the Garbha Rakshambikai amman and their prayers are answered. Those who are pregnant also come here and pray for easy and safe delivery.

Those who don't have children come here and offer a bottle of ghee which is placed at the feet of the Amman. Charged with manthras, this ghee should be eaten by the couple daily for 48 days. They will be blessed with child.

The pregnant women should offer a bottle of castor oil which will be placed at the feet of the Amman. This special oil when smeared on their abdomen to have easy and safe delivery.

Get in
This town is on the Thanjavur - Kumbakonam road. Those who come from Madurai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Salem etc should get down at Thanjavur and take a local bus or taxi to Kumbakonam. Those who come from Chennai should get down at Kumbakonam and take a local bus.

The temple is on the banks of the river Vettaru, a tributary of river Kaveri, 20 km east of Thanjavur and at 20 km south-west of Kumbakonam.

Eashwar Lodge is a well-maintained inn where you can take rest and have good shower before you proceed to temple.

Get around
This is a small village and from here you can visit Thitai, a guru stalam. In Thitai, you also should visit Anjaneyar Temple.

Go next
The darshan should be over in two hours and you can proceed further as you desire.

title: Thirukkarugavur


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Thiruvananthapuram

Located near the southern tip of mainland India, Thiruvananthapuram (Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ), formerly and often still known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala in Southern India. It is the headquarters of the district with the same name, which is one of the 14 districts of Kerala. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen City of India", the city is characterised by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys.

Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the seashore and sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked first in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala and is a fascinating destination for holidaymakers.

Understand

Thiruvananthapuram (thih-roo-vuh-nuhn-thuh-poo-ruhm), with a tradition dating back to 1000 BC, lies on a small strip of land covered with coconut and palm trees. Thiruvananthapuram means "City of Lord Ananta" (the serpent on which Lord Padmanabha/Vishnu reclines) in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Historically, it was a trading post for spices, sandalwood and ivory. Thiruvananthapuram is the largest city in Kerala. The city is the state capital and houses many central and state government offices, organisations and companies. Besides being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and home to several educational institutions, including the University of Kerala, and many science and technology institutions. Some prominent institutions being the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Technopark, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER).

History
Thiruvananthapuram is one of the oldest cities in India, with periodic references in many Greek and Roman literatures. This city came to the forefront when the Venad Dynasty rose to power in the southern regions, after the Great Partition of the Kerala Empire of Cheras in the 14th century. Though Venad rulers had their capital at Kollam (70 km north of Thiruvananthapuram), Thiruvananthapuram was considered the major trading centre. The formation of Travancore Kingdom in late 17th century proved a turning point for the city. In this time, the Raja dedicated the entire kingdom to Lord Padmanabha, the presiding deity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, meaning that the royal family was ruling in the name of the lord. The capital was moved to Thiruvananthapuram, and the city expanded around the temple. In the 19th century, the entire administration was brought to Thiruvananthapuram city from the royal headquarters of Sree Padmanabhapuram Fort (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram), which marked completion of first phase of the city.

Travancore was one of the most powerful Indian princely states during the British Raj, with the kingdom becoming the 3rd-richest state among native states. Thiruvananthapuram city, under the royal patronage, grew into a major academic and cultural hub of India with many firsts to its credit. As the power and wealth of the Travancore Kingdom reached its peak during early 20th century, Thiruvananthapuram became a prosperous city. When India attained independence, the Travancore chose to accede to the India Union. After formation of Kerala state in 1957, Trivandrum was retained as the capital city.

Being a capital and administrative city, it remains the hottest political centres in Kerala. A third phase of development came in early 1990s, when the Kerala Government established Technopark, a large information-technology park. The success of Technopark as the largest IT park in South Asia has been a major impetus for growth in city. Today the city is focused on maintaining its status as a major IT/Bio-Technology hub.

Climate
The city has a tropical climate with little temperature difference between seasons. The mean maximum temperature is 34°C and the mean minimum temperature is 21°C. Humidity is high, and rises to about 90% during the monsoon season.

Thiruvananthapuram is the first city along the path of the south-west monsoon and gets its first showers in early June. However, pre-monsoon showers are common in April and May, accounting for about on average. The second rainy season, the north-east monsoon, is equally strong and occurs during the months of October and November. Annual rainfall is not high compared to other districts of Kerala, but it is still a substantial. The rainiest months are May, June, July, August, and October, but there are frequent showers in other months too between April and November.

February to May is summer, which is very hot and humid, while June to September is the monsoon season.

The winter temperature comes down to about 18°C at some places at high altitudes and summer temperatures can sometimes go as high as 35°C.

When to go

 * For travellers who wish to avoid the rain, the best period to visit is from December to March.
 * The best time to visit Trivandrum is between October and February, the perfect time for beach vacations.
 * The festival of Onam which occurs towards the end of August or early September is a good time to soak up the carnival atmosphere. There are usually many cultural programs during the official Onam celebrations lasting 10 days.
 * The Monsoon season starts from June every year and is a time of heavy rains in the area. The Monsoon has become an attraction for tourists seeking to experience it.

Talk
Like the rest of Kerala, the native language is Malayalam, which is a Dravidian language like Tamil and Kannada. Most educated locals are also able to communicate in Hindi and English. The people are generally very helpful and friendly. Tamil is generally understood, though people may not be too fluent in the language.

By bus
A long-distance bus station is located diagonally opposite the railway station. Buses ply to all major towns and villages in the state in addition to big cities like Kochi, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Chennai. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates 6 class of services, connecting to southern Tamil-Nadu cities, town and all manner of country side in Kerala. KSRTC operates premium luxury Garuda services to Bangalore and Coimbatore. Karnataka STC also operates two class of premium services; Rajahamsa (non A/C Executive class) and Airavat (A/C Sleeper Class) from Bangalore and Mysore. Likewise, Tamil Nadu SETC also operates 3 classes of services from numerous Tamil Nadu cities, particularly to the southern side. In addition, private national corporations like Sharma, Kallada, GTC, Raj National Express also operate premium services to other South Indian cities and Mumbai.

If you are having trouble obtaining a bus ticket in Thiruvananthapuram to a destination in Tamil Nadu, it may be worthwhile travelling to Nagercoil and then taking a bus to your destination from there.

By car
Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to other cities like Kochi (230 km), Kozhikode (420 km), Chennai (780 km), Bangalore (791 km) and Coimbatore (400 km) by road. Traffic congestion can be horrific during certain times as you get closer to the city. It is advised to either be or hire a driver who is comfortable navigating Indian traffic.

By bus
Local bus services are the cheapest way to get around Thiruvananthapuram. There are city buses run by government (KSRTC) and private companies. Most of these are very crowded during peak hours. Route descriptions on the buses are mainly in Malayalam. Route numbers are displayed. Pick pocketing is not very common. The government city buses are painted red with a yellow patch, and the private city buses are blue. Fast passenger buses run by KSRTC are also painted blue and are named Ananthapuri Fast. The city services of KSRTC operate from six depots, namely the City depot, Vikas Bhavan, Peroorkada, Pappanamcode, Kaniyapuram and Vellanad. The central city bus terminal is located at East Fort (Kizhakkekotta), near Padmanabha Swamy temple. The Central and Inter State bus station is located 1 km away at Thampanoor. KSRTC operates AC Volvo services connecting various important places. If you have a little time to spend you can try the new mode of transportaion. KSRTC operates AC buses also for local transportation. You can take these buses for a city tour in AC comfort at about ₹40. minimum fare is ₹10. These buses are orange.

By auto-rickshaw
Auto-rickshaws, or simply "autos", are a cheap way of travelling between attractions. It is always possible to hire an auto from a bus stand, railway station, or special auto stand. All the legal, licensed autos should possess fare meters, and the fare is calculated by the taximeter. Ensure the driver turns the meter on before the start of the journey. Most auto drivers tend to charge more for foreigners; this is illegal. The driver may quote a price first, but simply insist that he use the meter. The minimum charge for the autorickshaw is ₹25 and the running charge per km is ₹12 (as of Dec 2021). This rate is likely to be revised soon due to increase in fuel prices.

The charge for waiting for over 10 min is ₹5 for every 15 min, subject to a maximum of ₹200 per day. There are pre-paid autorickshaw counters available near the airport and the railway station. Complaints related to auto-rickshaws in Thiruvananthapuram can be made to RTO Trivandrum,. Online complaints are also accepted in the traffic police website.

By taxi
Taxis are convenient and cheap, especially if you are travelling in a group. Taxis can be hired for short distances and also for a few days at a stretch. Unlike other metropolitan cities, Thiruvanathapuram has all types of cars as taxi cabs, to be found in taxi stands. If you wish for a luxurious car, you can normally hire one from your hotel by request.

When you hire the taxi with a driver over a few days, a minimum charge is usually paid that covers the hiring charge for the car, the driver's fees, and a certain distance. If the car covers more than that distance, additional charges are levied according to the extra distance covered as per kilometre. Most of the drivers expect to be paid for their meals during the day. If staying overnight, this will include the hotel charges as well.

The present taxi charges in the city are as follows : minimum charge – ₹65; running charge per km – ₹7.50; and charge for waiting – ₹25 per hour, subject to a maximum of ₹300 per day.

By car
The arterial road of Thiruvananthapuram is the 'MG Road' or the Mahatma Gandhi Road, which lies in the north-south direction and connects almost all important attractions in the city. Thiruvananthapuram, being the state capital, has very good roads compared to other parts of Kerala, especially Kochi. Many roads in Thiruvananthapuram are 4- or 6-laned.

Thiruvananthapuram has many car rental companies that offer cars with drivers. There are very few places that sell "self drive" vehicles and these are difficult to find. Those you may find are often unreasonably expensive by local standards. Ask someone with local know-how before you rent a car.

By two-wheelers
Motorcycles and scooters (light motorcycles) are the favoured means of personal transport on the roads. Renting or buying a motorcycle is not for the faint hearted. Traffic in and around the city is a mix of fast and slow, necessitating constant attentiveness to remain safe. Road sense and traffic discipline has improved drastically with a strong administration from the Traffic police department, and helmets and seatbelts are becoming a norm. Lane rules are followed better than in other Indian cities, however you need to be more than just careful if you choose to drive a vehicle. Traffic congestion presents another danger and inconvenience; adjust your expected arrival times depending on traffic.

There are companies arranging tours on Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles out of Thiruvananthapuram.

By bicycle
Bicycles used to be a major mode of transport for residents. However, their usage has declined over time. Thiruvananthapuram is a hilly city. If you plan on bicycle being your main mode of transport, ensure you are fit and well hydrated. There is an absence of cycling lanes and hot weather often makes the day exhausting.

Cycles are available on rent with some companies.

On foot
Many places of attractions within the city are near each other, so it is possible to walk between them. Crossing roads often involves wading across heavy traffic during peak hours. The zebra lanes are used by the locals for road crossing only in major junctions. Other than the major junctions, do not expect vehicles to stop for you in the zebra lines. Try your best to move in a predictable straight line, so vehicles can weave around you. (Better yet, latch onto a group of locals and cross in their shadow.) The recommended walk areas in the city are as follows:
 * Walk from the overbridge towards East Fort. Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple premises. End up your walk in the Gandhi Park in East Fort.
 * Walk from Secratariate towards Palayam. Walk and see the Connemera market and do window shopping.
 * Walk from Museum Junction towards Vellayambalam. Alternatively, you can also walk inside the Museum compounds.
 * Walk from Vellayambalam Junction up to Kowdiar palace. This road is called the Royal Road, as it leads to the palace. There are good coffee shops and snack bars in this area.

See
Thiruvananthapuram is a historical city, dotted with many historical structures, parks, museums, tourist centers and palaces. Its also famous for its distinctive greenery, present all over, a rare site in any bustling Indian city. Most ticketed museums are closed on Mondays, so do check online/by phone before visiting. Visit the official website of Kerala Tourism for more details.

Itinerary

 * See Thiruvananthapuram on foot. Take public transport to Kanaka Kunnu Palace. Visit this public building that adorns the on top of a hill. It is often used for cultural programs which might be a nice addition to your visit. Check local listings to see what is offered and when. Once finished, walk down to the Napier Museum and Zoo. Walk around the park, admire the architecture, and visit the zoo. Also of interest in this area are the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Natural History museum and the Reptile House. Then walk towards Palayam along the MG road absorbing the roadside buzz of activities and shopping at the roadside shops.

Usually there are cultural programs at VJT Hall which may be open to the public. Continue along MG road towards the Secretariat. The area around the secretariat is known locally as Statue, due to a few neglected statues of important figures. There are sometimes political protests or demonstrations along this place. You should sample the food from the local restaurants here. SMS Institute on a side road, near the Secretariat, sells authentic Kerala handicrafts and gifts. Prices start from ₹25 to a few thousands. Continue along the MG road and you will find many local book shops including Modern Book House and Prabhat book store. The Ayurveda college , which teaches traditional ayurvedic medicine, will be on the right side of the street. Opposite this, there is another handicraft store. Walk along the MG road and you will reach the junction with traffic signals known as the Over bridge locally. There are a few movie theatres nearby.

The railway station and bus station are towards the left, about half a mile. If you continue straight, you will eventually reach Pazhavangadi. You will see the remains of a fort (well hidden) on the right side (known as Kottakakam/East fort). The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is nearby, complete with a temple lake (Padmatheertham). The architecture of the temple is more in line with Tamil temples as compared to other Kerala temples. On the left is Chaalai Bazaar. This is a busy congested road teeming with all kinds of shops.

Do

 * Stroll around the town during the dusk time when the city comes to life. It is advised not to venture out alone late into the night
 * Find local bargains and shop for souvenirs.
 * Watch the sunset from the Shankumukham or Veli beach
 * Get pampered with a traditional Ayurvedic massage
 * Watch traditional performers perform a Kathakali dance.
 * Watch a temple procession at the end of a local festival when the deity is taken out on the top of an elephant.
 * Watch a Malayalam or Bollywood (Hindi) movie without subtitles in a local cinema.
 * Check the newspapers for daily events, especially theatre/film/dance performances. Try to find out if anything is on at the Tagore theatre when you're there, especially during the film festivals which screen art house classics from around the world.
 * Take a rain walk - if you're there during the monsoons, buy an umbrella and walk from place to place in the magical monsoon.
 * If you're there during the Onam season, be sure to pass by the secretariat building and the kanakakunnu palace for the brilliant illuminations. If it's Christmastime, walk down a little further to the L.M.S compound to see the awesome collection of Christmas stars.
 * A long breezy stroll on Veli beach with its kilometres of the orange beach is precious. Take note, as you move past the 'Tourist Village' zone you'll come into areas where the locals live by the beach, they may question you. They're trying to be friendly to the 'new face', so feel free to chat up or move on giving them a friendly wave! Here you can witness the fishermen sail back in the evening and mend their nets. Perhaps join the local kids in a game of beach ball or cricket. There is a strip on the left of the boating club where you can find sea eagles circling in the air, it is a majestic sight to see them swoop in for their prey, and then devour it mid-flight.

Learn

 * Yoga classes
 * Bhagyodayam Yoga Ashram +91 9446308505 House # 119 - Cheppil Lane, Sree Varaham 1 Km from East Fort with Yogacharya Girija Maa

 * Kathakali dance and associated arts including the percussion instruments and make-up
 * Kalaripayattu
 * Malayalam and its rich literature
 * Cheap advanced computing and software training!

Work
Opportunities for foreigners to work in Kerala were, at one time, very limited. The dramatic advances in the information technology sector have changed this to some extent. Most companies still prefer to use the locally available and more economically viable manpower.

To work in India, you need employment visa. The prospective employer needs to send a letter providing information about your qualification to the home ministry in India.

Buy
Haggling is quite acceptable and very much needed if you buy anything from the vendors.

Handicrafts

 * Handicrafts, trendy and traditional, can be bought from SARWAA, Sanker Road, Sasthamangalam. Among the collection of handcrafted gifts you can find stationaries, paper crafts, home décor, jewelry and cotton hand-block printed, vegetable-dyed clothing.
 * Handicrafts and gift items can be purchased from the “SMSM Institute” near secretariat in the heart of Trivandrum city or other genuine craft shops (Natesan's, opposite the Ayurvedic college). These are often very expensive, sometimes to the point of questioning whether they exist solely to empty traveler's wallets.

Do not buy handicrafts from roadside shops at tourist places, like Kovalam, as you will be ripped off.

Textiles
When you come to cities like Thiruvananthapuram, do not pack too many clothes. You can buy them cheap at the local shops. There are many shops around the east fort and over-bridge areas.

For western clothes:

For branded clothes, try the showrooms:

Eat
There are plenty of restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram serving South Indian food. There are also quite a few eating places serving other cuisines, such as North Indian, Chinese and American food. Please note that the word 'hotel' is used for restaurants.

Budget
Non vegetarian Kerala cuisine is served in -

Vegetarian options include:

Most of the budget restaurants tend to be crowded and noisy as the aim is a rapid turnover and not relaxed dining. It might be better to use the take away facilities and eat at a local park.

Drink
Traditional drinks include Karikku(tender coconut water) and Sambharam (buttermilk with salt, ginger and green chilly). Karikku can be bought mostly from the streetside vendors while Sambharam can be bought from the ubiquitous Milma outlets. The Bakery Junction area has several fresh juice vendors, serving inspired mocktails like Sharjah and Tsunami. "Sharjah" is very popular and available in various juice shops all over trivandrum.

Bars

 * Hotel-attached restaurant/bar on a street running north, slightly east of the train station
 * Rooftop restaurant/bar on the western side of MG Rd, above Club Purple, slightly north of the intersection with the road running west from the station. This place is a fire trap, the little lift cannot empty the place at speed...

Take home
Take home Alcoholic drinks are more difficult to obtain. Government run beverages corporation shops are there as the one near overbridge. A Pub is there near overbridge junction opposite to SMV school. Hotels/restaurants with "bar attached" signs sell alcoholic beverages. Public consumption of these drinks including beer is not socially accepted. The local "toddy shops" and "arrack shops" sell strong local spirit.

Sleep
Unless you are in Thiruvananthapuram on a business trip, it may be better to base yourself in Kovalam and go to the city as a day trip. The accommodation in Kovalam tends to be more expensive, but many of the budget options can be found off Tivandrum-Bakery-Palayam Rd, near the station.

Budget

 * Hotel b-six, kazhakootam & white dammer, papanamcode.
 * Hotel b-six, kazhakootam & white dammer, papanamcode.
 * Hotel b-six, kazhakootam & white dammer, papanamcode.

Stay safe
Female tourists should be wary of hooligans, especially in New Year parties.

Only eat hot food and drink only boiled or good bottled water. Take water purification tablets with you. Water from corporation supplied lines are generally safe, but to be on the safer side go for purified forms.

If you are visiting during the summers (April–May) temperatures might be higher and you might want to take some preparations against it. Evenings are best time to stroll. City sleeps early so you can roam about until maximum 10PM inside the city (really the limit). Most shops close by that time. If you are staying somewhere outside the centre transport options get harder to find and more expensive later at night.

If you need injections or blood tests, try to provide your own needle, bringing a few with your first aid kit. Private hospitals generally provide good service.

Telephone and mobile
The dialling code for Thiruvananthapuram is 471. When calling from overseas, dial +91 471 XXXX XXX. If you have a non-working phone number with only 6 digits try to add a "2" in front of it.

If you don't have an Indian phone number then get a pre-paid calling card if you planning on using your phone frequently. By government regulation you need a photocopy of your passport (visa and the main photo ID-page) and a color photo to be able to buy a pre-paid card. Pre-paid cards are sold in most shops that sell mobile telephones.

'Telephone booths' or public telephones are widely available usually painted with the letters PCO (Public Call office, local calls), STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling) and ISD (International Subscriber Dialling). All booths have electronic metering and you pay what's displayed on the meter.

Internet
There are many internet cafes around Thiruvananthapuram. They offer cheap, tolerably fast internet access to the public.

Tourist information
There is a tourist information booth open on Thiruvananthapuram station. Helping with train times and local attractions mainly, the guy who works there is usually happy to answer anything else. It is a booth on the platform near the middle and the entrance closest to the booking office. It's marked with a green sign, but easily missed.

Hospitals
Thiruvananthapuram has world class medical facilities with very competitive rates. This attracts "health tourists" from other states and even other countries. If you are in need of medical care, try to go to one of the reputed hospitals listed below.

State-run

 * General hospital general hospital junction, Vanchiyoor
 * Medical College Hospital, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
 * Women and Children Hospital, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram
 * District Model Hospital, Peroorkada
 * Women and Children Hospital, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram
 * District Model Hospital, Peroorkada
 * District Model Hospital, Peroorkada

ATMs
ATMs are widely available in Thiruvananthapuram, mainly along with branches of banks. A number of them are present along the MG road.

Banks
Most of the major banks in India have a branch in Thiruvananthapuram and most of these are around the MG road.

Opticians
Sunshades and prescription glasses in stylish frames are much cheaper in India than in the western world.
 * Rose opticalspulimoodu junction
 * Vision House Murinja Palam Junction, Pattom
 * Rose opticalspulimoodu junction
 * Vision House Murinja Palam Junction, Pattom
 * Vision House Murinja Palam Junction, Pattom

Libraries and cultural centres

 * State Central Library widely known as "Public Library". At Palayam. Has books in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. Housed in an attractive Victorian Style building.
 * University Library, Palayam.
 * State Central Library widely known as "Public Library". At Palayam. Has books in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. Housed in an attractive Victorian Style building.
 * University Library, Palayam.
 * State Central Library widely known as "Public Library". At Palayam. Has books in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit. Housed in an attractive Victorian Style building.
 * University Library, Palayam.

Go next

 * Braemore Estate, Trekkers' paradise 50 km away from Thiruvananthapuram.
 * Kanyakumari - 87 km away in Tamil Nadu state. Visit early evening to see the glorious sunsets where the 3 seas meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean,
 * Kochi - a metropolitan city in Kerala and a major tourist attraction. 5 hours away by train, or 6 by bus.
 * Kovalam - famous for its beaches, among the finest in India. 17 km from the city.
 * Ponmudi - A pleasant hill resort 61 km away from city, elevation 912m above sea level.
 * Swamithoppe - The religious headquarters of Ayyavazhi and the most important pilgrim center of Ayyavazhis.
 * Thiruvananthapuram (district) has many more attractions which are a day trip away.
 * Varkala - a pilgrimage centre for the devotees of Janardhana Swamy and Sree Narayana Guru. 51 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city.
 * Colombo - daily flights, 45 minutes away
 * Maldives - multiple flights a day, 1 hour

Other places in Tamil Nadu state like Kutralam or Courtallam for its Water Falls, Madurai, Palani and Thanjavur

If booking train tickets out from Thiruvananthapuram, the reservation office is upstairs in the main railway station, and follows an odd ticketing system. Tickets are available from a small machine with a red button just near the first counter on your right after you walk in. Although it is usually covered by people. There is unfortunately no tourist window at this station, however tourist class can always still be booked!

There is another train reservation counter in the ground floor of the big LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) building at Pattom. Crowds are thinner here.

title: Thiruvananthapuram


text:
Thiruvayaru

Thiruvayaru is a small town in Tamil Nadu.

Get in
Thiruvayaru is just 13 Km from Thanjavur from where buses ply every 30 minutes. It takes 30 minutes to 45 minutes to travel. By car it takes just 15 to 20 minutes.

Get around
On foot as it is a small village. Alternately three wheeler auto rickshaws are available - fares for which need to be bargained.

See

 * House of Tyagaraja in Thirumanjana Lane
 * Kodandarama Temple
 * The Panchanadeeswarar Temple
 * Samadhi of Tyagaraja

Do
Walk around the streets and if possible walk towards Thillaisthanam village to get the feel of what Tyagaraja's Thiruvayaru was like.

Sit in the hall in Samadhi absorbing silence and outside enjoying silent breezes coming over River Kaveri.

title: Thiruvayaru


text:
Thisted

Thisted is a city of over 13,000 people (2020) in North Jutland.

Drink
Thisted is home to the Thisted Bryghus (brewery), an independent regional brewer, producing Pilsners, porters and ales, as well as seasonal beers. Their more unusual beers can be found, bottled, in many local bars.

title: Thisted


text:
Thodupuzha

Thodupuzha is a gateway town to the Idukki District, in Kerala, India. Even though Painavu is the official capital of Idukki district, Thodupuzha is the de facto capital of the district because Painavu refused to grow from its sleepy village status. The photo seen above is a view of Thodupuzha river

Understand
Thodupuzha is the fastest growing city in the Central Kerala. The rapid development of Thodupuzha over the last 20 years is remarkable, when it was a small village junction with 2,3 Buses in the old bus stand waiting for passengers. It now doubles as a taxi-stand.The town was concentrated in the old pvt bus stand area. The present bus stand ia a large one, capable of housing at least 60 buses.

Situated on the Thodupuzha-Pala Road, it is also accessible from the KSRTC bus stand.

Get in
Its 56 km away from Kochi. Well connected by roads to Kochi International Airport. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses ply from Ernakulam. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours via Muvattupuzha.

Get around

 * To Pala Road (~26 km) via Karimkunnam, Kurinji, Antheenad, Choondacherry, Pizhag. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-Kottayam sector ply every 30 minutes; private buses, every 10 minutes.
 * To Koothattukulam Road (~19 km) via Kolani, parakadavu, nediyasala, vazhithala, marika, palakuzha.koothattukulam. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-vaikom sector ply every 30 minutes; private buses.
 * To Idukki Road (~60 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Moolamattom. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-Idukki/Kattapana/Thopramkudi/Nedumkandom sector ply every 1 hour; private buses, every 30 minutes.
 * To Eratupetta Road (~35 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Challav, Melukavumattom, Melukav, Edamarak & Kalathookadav. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Eratupetta/Kanjirapally/Erumely/Pathanamthitta/Ranni sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
 * To Kaliyar Road (~20 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Vandamattom, East Kodikulam, Kaliyar. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Kaliyar/Vannapuram sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
 * To Vannapuram Road (~20 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, West Kodikulam, Padikkapadam, Thenathoor, Njarakad, Vannapuram. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Thenathoor/Vannapuram sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
 * To Neelur Road (~25 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Challav, Thudanganad (Thodanganad), Neelur. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Neelur/Karimkunnam sector ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
 * To Adimali Road (~75 km) via Manakad, Kumarangalam, Kaloor, Ipe Memorial School, Paingotoor, Pareekanni, Antheenatt Kavala, Oonukal, Neriamangalam, Adimali. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Oonukal/Adimali sectors ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
 * To Kaloorkad Road (~20 km) via Paara, Painkulam, Kaloorkad. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Kaloorkad sectors ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
 * To Muvatupuzha Road (~20 km) via Vazhakulam. KSRTC buses and private buses on the Thodupuzha-Trichur/Ernakulam/Muvatupuzha sectors ply every 10 minutes from the KSRTC Stand/Private bus stand.
 * To Karimannoor Road (~11 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Karimanoor. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Karimannoor/Cheenikuzhi sector ply every 10 minutes from the Private bus stand, every 10 minutes.
 * To Vannapuram Road – via Thomanjuth (~25 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Karimanoor, Thomankuth, Vannapuram. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Vannapuram sector ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
 * To Poomala (~20 km) - via Kummamkallu, Idavetty, Aalakkodu, Kalayanthani, Ilamdesham, Karukappalli Kavala, Pannimattom, Inchakkattu Kavala, Saamikkavala, Poomala. It will take around 1 hr. Private buses from Thodupuzha in each half an hour
 * Thodupuzha-East Kaloor Road (~12 km)
 * Thodupuzha-Ramamangalam Road (~25 km)
 * Thodupuzha-Manakkadu-Arikuzha-Pandappilly-Arakkuzha-Muvattupuzha

See

 * Thommankuthu waterfalls, about 20 km from Thodupuzha
 * Uravapara temple up a rock mountain
 * Malamkara Dam 8 km from Thodupuzha - Idukki route
 * Ilaveezhapunchira - hill top, very scenic, 25 km from Thodupuzha (20 km by car, 5 km by walk or jeep) - Idukki route
 * Hanging bridges - many on the way to Moolamattam
 * Naadukaani - view - 25 km from Thodupuzha - Idukki road
 * Kuruvakkayam waterfalls -18 km in Poomala Route - get a Poomala bus from Thodupuzha
 * Njandirukki waterfalls-19 km in Poomala Route - get a Poomala bus from Thodupuzha
 * Kizharukuthu waterfall -20 km in Karimannoor rute get a Karimannoor bus from Thodupuzha
 * Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
 * Keezharkuthu, Kulamavu, Malankara Reservoir
 * Nadukani, Painavu, Palkulamedu
 * Thommankuthu, Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam
 * Illaveezhapunjira, District Agricultural Farm Arikuzha

Eat
There are numerous restaurants in Thodupuzha offering tasty meat and fish preparations.

Drink
There is a good toddy shop known as Mundekkallu shap near the town in Manakkad road, there you will get tasty food and pure kallu.

Free WiFi
The KFI Project offers free and paid WiFi services near hot-spots in cities of Kerala, usually near the Akshaya-e centers. The free WiFi service is limited to 500Mb a day.

Places with free WiFi in Thodupuzha include:

 * Mangattukava Bus Stand
 * St. George's Forane Church, Muthalakodam

Go next

 * Vagamon - about 60 km from Thodupuzha is a beautiful hill station

title: Thodupuzha


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Thomastown

Thomastown (Irish: Baile Mhic Andáin) is a town in County Kilkenny, with a population of 2445 in 2016. It was originally called Grennan and grew up at a crossing point on the River Nore, 17 km from Kilkenny. It was re-named for Thomas Fitzanthony, who built the castle and town walls in the 13th century; only a few scraps of those survive, but Jerpoint Abbey 3 km southwest is a substantial ruin. Other attractions are Kilfane Glen gardens and Mount Juliet Golf Course.

By train
Trains from Dublin Heuston take about two hours to Thomastown via Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, Carlow, Bagenalstown and Kilkenny. They continue south to Waterford, another 20 min. There are four M-Sa and three on Sunday - not all the Waterford trains stop here. A single from Dublin might be €16, see Irish Rail for timetables and fares.

is 1 km west of the village. It's unstaffed with no ticket vending, so you need to print out internet tickets in advance. There's level access, with just a single track and platform with no bridge to negotiate. Free car park but no bike parking.

By bus
Expressway Bus 4 runs every hour or two from Dublin Airport, Busáras and Heuston station, taking 2 hr 30 min to Thomastown via Carlow and continuing to Waterford. A single adult fare is around €20.

Bus Eireann 73 traverses the Midlands, twice M-Sa and once on Sunday, from Athlone to Clara, Tullamore, Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Stradbally, Carlow, Kilkenny, Thomastown, Ballyhale, Mullinavat and Waterford.

Bus 882 runs once M-Sa from New Ross to Thomastown and Kilkenny. Otherwise you have to backtrack via Waterford.

By road
From Dublin follow M7 then M9 for Kilkenny, then from exit 9 loop onto N10 then the Bennettsbridge road to come onto R700 south.

From Waterford take M9 north to exit 10, then R699 east onto R448 northeast.

From Rosslare and Wexford take N25 to New Ross then R700 north.

Get around
You need wheels. Grennan Castle is an easy walk but attractions such as Jerpoint Abbey are some 3 km away, along a busy road with no sidewalk. A bike would do.

See

 * Town centre follows the pattern of its medieval walls, with a clockwise one-way street system. The only remnant of those defences is by the river bridge. Thomastown Church on Pipe St stands by the ruins of the 13th century church of St Mary.
 * is a picturesque ruin by the river. It was built in the 13th century by Thomas FitzAnthony; he gave the name Thomastown to the village formerly called Grennan but this area south of the river retained the earlier name. The castle was abandoned after a siege by Cromwell but left intact, until the 1800s when it was raided for building masonry. Cattle wander in and out to admire the architecture, mind where you tread.
 * Thomple Church by the castle is the overgrown ruin of a Norman church and graveyard, part of the Priory of Inistioge.
 * St Nicholas' Church just west of the abbey is now the only remnant of the medieval village of Newton Jerpoint. A grave here is said to be the resting place of St Nicholas of Myra (270-343 AD), but the clue is in the name, he actually lies in Myra in Turkey. Jerpoint Park adjacent often has sheepdog demonstrations.
 * Kilfane House is a grand Georgian mansion. In 2019 it was sold to the Seraph Foundation, who plan to convert it to a "spiritual retreat".
 * is the ruin of a 13th century church. One of its denizens is the "Cantwell Fada" or "Long Man", an effigy of a knight carved from a single limestone slab. It originally lay horizontally on a tomb, but for some reason it's been set upright.
 * is a dilapidated medieval turret some 3 km south of town; it was part of the Priory of Kells (see Kilkenny}. Or is it? - according to its most famous resident it may not exist at all if nobody is looking at it. Bishop George Berkeley (1685-1753) argued that what we can't or don't experience doesn't exist, unless it's encompassed by the mind of God. He's spoofed as The Red King in Through the Looking Glass: if the king wakes from his dream, Alice and everything else will disappear. He gives his name to Berkeley, California.
 * is a picture-perfect little village, with 18th / 19th century buildings clustered around the village green. An old ten-arched stone bridge takes the road over the River Nore. You can walk up to Woodstock Gardens from here. Halfway up, Mount Sandford Castle is a folly with panoramic views back down the valley to the bridge. Swiss Cottage was a similar folly but the ruins have been reclaimed by the jungle.
 * is the ruin of a 13th century church. One of its denizens is the "Cantwell Fada" or "Long Man", an effigy of a knight carved from a single limestone slab. It originally lay horizontally on a tomb, but for some reason it's been set upright.
 * is a dilapidated medieval turret some 3 km south of town; it was part of the Priory of Kells (see Kilkenny}. Or is it? - according to its most famous resident it may not exist at all if nobody is looking at it. Bishop George Berkeley (1685-1753) argued that what we can't or don't experience doesn't exist, unless it's encompassed by the mind of God. He's spoofed as The Red King in Through the Looking Glass: if the king wakes from his dream, Alice and everything else will disappear. He gives his name to Berkeley, California.
 * is a picture-perfect little village, with 18th / 19th century buildings clustered around the village green. An old ten-arched stone bridge takes the road over the River Nore. You can walk up to Woodstock Gardens from here. Halfway up, Mount Sandford Castle is a folly with panoramic views back down the valley to the bridge. Swiss Cottage was a similar folly but the ruins have been reclaimed by the jungle.

Do

 * Mount Juliet Golf Course is a championship parkland course at the hotel, see Sleep. White tees 6926 yards, par 72, round from €110. The next championship event is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 1-4 July 2021.
 * Mount Juliet Equestrian Centre at the hotel is open daily for lessons, trekking and cross country rides.

Buy

 * Essentials: the main shops in Thomastown are north along Dublin Rd. Lidl is open M-Sa 08:00-22:00, Su 09:00-21:00.
 * Thomastown has several artisan outlets, collectively promoted as "Made In Kilkenny".

Eat

 * Green Spice on Low St is Indian cuisine.
 * Watergarden has a cafe, see above.
 * Mount Juliet (see Sleep) has two restaurants: Lady Helen Restaurant for fine dining in the main house, and the more informal Hound (previously Kendall's) in Hunter's Yard.
 * Watergarden has a cafe, see above.
 * Mount Juliet (see Sleep) has two restaurants: Lady Helen Restaurant for fine dining in the main house, and the more informal Hound (previously Kendall's) in Hunter's Yard.

Sleep

 * Nore Valley Park is the nearest camping and caravan site, 6 km north near Bennettsbridge: see Kilkenny.
 * Woodstock Arms does B&B in Inistioge.
 * Woodstock Arms does B&B in Inistioge.

Connect
As of March 2021, Thomastown has a mobile signal from Eir and Vodafone, and 4G from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Kilkenny is an attractive small medieval city.
 * New Ross has the Kennedy ancestral homestead and JFK Arboretum.
 * Waterford has a great Viking, medieval and Georgian heritage.

title: Thomastown


text:
Thomasville

There is more than one place called Thomasville:

United States of America

 * Thomasville (Alabama) — A town in Alabama.
 * Thomasville (Georgia) — A town in Georgia (state).
 * Thomasville (Missouri) — A town in Missouri.
 * Thomasville (North Carolina) — A town in North Carolina.
 * Thomasville (Pennsylvania) — A town in Pennsylvania.

title: Thomasville


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Thomasville (Georgia)

Thomasville is a city in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region.

See

 * Pebble Hill Plantation-Historic old-south style plantation home.
 * Sweet Grass Dairy-Family owned dairy known to make Georgia's finest cheeses.

Eat

 * - Menu varies from Lobster Mac & Cheese, to pork tenderloins, and local veggies.
 * - Fresh fried seafood.

Connect

 * The local area code is 229 and is not required for local calls.

Go next

 * Quitman, Georgia. (About 1/2 hour East)
 * Moultrie, Georgia. (About 45 minutes NorthEast)
 * Pelham, Georgia. (About 45 minutes NorthWest)
 * Monticello, Florida. (About 30 minutes South)
 * Tallahassee, Florida. (About 30 minutes SouthWest)
 * Cairo, Georgia. (About 25 minutes West)

title: Thomasville (Georgia)


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Thomasville (North Carolina)

Thomasville is a city in North Carolina. Thomasville at one time was a major industrial city, housing numerous furniture-manufacturing plants for Thomasville Furniture Industries. The company has left Thomasville, but the city is still known as "Chair City", and houses a large replica of a Duncan Phyfe chair in the city center.

By car
Thomasville is directly connected by highway with Winston-Salem (NC 109), Greensboro (Interstate 85), High Point (US 29), Raleigh (US 64), and Charlotte (Interstate 85).

By air
The nearest commercial airport serving the area is Piedmont Triad International Airport, about 25 miles to the north.

By bus
PART Route 9 provides bus service from Lexington and High Point, with connections from other cities in the Piedmont Triad.

By train
Although daily freight and passenger trains still rumble along the tracks that pass through the center of town, passenger service to Thomasville ended many years ago. The nearest passenger rail depot is in nearby High Point, 16 miles (25 km) to the north.

By car
NC 109 (known as Salem Street and Randolph Street in Thomasville) and Main Street are the main ways of travel through Thomasville. Drivers in Thomasville are for the most part passive.

By bus
Thomasville has a bus service with stops around the city, especially on Main Street, Randolph Street, Fisher Ferry Avenue, and Salem Street, as well as a connection to Lexington.

Stay safe
Thomasville is generally a safe city. You are safe just about anywhere in Thomasville during the day. At night, caution is advised when walking in downtown, or on National Highway, where you should keep valuables concealed and try to stay in well lit areas. Randolph Street is generally safe at any time.

Connect
Thomasville's area code is 336, and has two zip codes, 27360 and 27361. Pay phones are not found in Thomasville, or at least they are very uncommon.

Go next
From Thomasville, Lexington and High Point are about 15 minutes away by car, while Greensboro and Winston-Salem are about 30 minutes away by car.

title: Thomasville (North Carolina)


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Thompson

Thompson, a city North of 53 in Manitoba, the largest city in northern Manitoba, and the third largest in the province. With a population of about 13,000 (2016), Thompson is the hub of the north. About 35% of the population is Indigenous.

Understand
The modern history of Thompson began in 1956 when a major ore body was discovered. The community was founded in 1957 following an agreement with the Government of Manitoba and Inco Limited. Thompson is a planned community and is named after Inco's chairman, John F. Thompson. The population has been estimated as high as 26,000 residents prior to the recession in the 1970s.

Thompson came to be known as "The Hub of the North", as it functions as a centre for politics and commerce in the region. However a decline in population occurred during the following decades, levelling off around 13,000 people.

Its most prominent local industry is the mining, milling, smelting and refining of nickel. Aside from Vale Ltd., Manitoba Hydro, Calm Air, MTS and the provincial government employ the majority of the people in Thompson.

Climate
Thompson is marked by a subarctic climate. Monthly means range from −23.9 °C (−11.0 °F) in January to 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in July. Though a majority of the annual precipitation of 509 millimetres (20.0 in) falls from June to September, winter is by no means devoid of precipitation. Snow falls mainly from October to May, with generally small accumulation in June and September, totalling 187 centimetres (74 in) per year.

By car
Thompson is 761 km from Winnipeg via Highway 6, 384 km from Flin Flon via Highway 6, 10 and 39. From the Minnesota/Manitoba border via Highway 6, 101 and 75, it's 870 km.

By bus

 * Service to Thompson from Winnipeg (9.5 hours away) including a stop in Cedar Grove (4.5 hours away). Operates two days per week. Same day transfer available at Cedar Grove for travel to and from The Pas and Flin Flon.  Travel time to Thompson from The Pas is 7.5 hours and from Flin Flon is 9.5 hours.

By public transit
Thompson's public transit service is provided by Grey Goose Bus Lines. There is also one designated handivan, Thompson Handivan Service. There are 2 regular routes, Eastwood and Westwood, and an overload bus for before and after school service for R.D. Parker Collegiate. Hours of operation are M-Th 7:30AM-6:10PM, F 7:30AM-9:10PM, Sa 11AM-6:10PM, no Sunday service.

Thompson Transit operates two bus routes, which meet up at the Plaza Mall and Southwood as transfer points.
 * The Eastwood route stops at Plaza Shopping Centre (transfer point), City Centre Mall, Eastwood School, Princeton Towers, Highland Tower, Thompson General Hospital, Southwood (transfer point) and Wal-Mart.
 * The Westwood route stops at Plaza Shopping Centre (transfer point), Burntwood School, Norplex Pool, Southwood (transfer point) and R. D. Parker Collegiate.

By taxi
Taxi service is provided by: Driftwood-Nickel City, North Star Taxi , and Thompson Cabs.

The Spirit Way Walkway
The Spirit Way Walkway highlights 16 points of interest with historical, cultural, geological, industrial, artistic, and scenic perspectives.

Do
Take a brisk walk downtown past the post office, the liquor mart and the homeless shelter. See some of Manitoba's finest in action.

Buy
Thompson has a large retail sector, providing such things as clothing for all ages, a pet store, jewellery stores, travel agencies, vehicle dealerships, and grocery stores.

Connect
The local newspaper, the Thompson Citizen, is published on Wednesdays. A free newspaper, the Nickel Belt News, is distributed on Fridays.

Stay healthy
is in the southern part of the city.

Go next

 * Kwasitchewan Falls
 * Continue by train or car east to Gillam

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Thompson Falls

Thompson Falls is a city of 1,300 people in Montana. The city sits next to natural waterfalls on the Clark Fork river.

Get in
Thompson Falls is on Montana Highway 200. It is 100 miles north of Missoula and 85 miles south of Sandpoint, Idaho.

The nearest commercial airport is in Missoula.

Get around
Most businesses are along the highway. They are spread out so using a car or bike is best.

Go next

 * Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail (operated by Lookout Pass Ski area) is a 15 mile, mostly downhill rail-to-trail. There are 10 dark tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles.
 * Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail (operated by Lookout Pass Ski area) is a 15 mile, mostly downhill rail-to-trail. There are 10 dark tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles.

title: Thompson Falls


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Thompson-Nicola

Thompson-Nicola is a region in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is a sparsely populated area that follows the Thompson River to its headwaters near Wells Gray Park in the north and includes the Nicola River valley to the south.

South Thompson and Nicola Valley

 * — largest city in the area
 * — the starting point for exploring the Cariboo region
 * — calls itself the Country Music Capital of Canada and hosts the annual Rockin' River Musicfest

Fraser Canyon and Lillooet Country
Dramatic canyons and valleys that transition between British Columbia's Lower Mainland and the interior of the province. The small towns and villages allude to a time past when they played a key role in the gold rushes and opening up the province. The Fraser Canyon (along with the Thompson Canyon) is a narrow canyon which contains two railways, the Trans-Canada Highway.
 * — centre of the Fraser Canyon and home of Hell's Gate.
 * — Mile 0 on the old Cariboo Wagon Road
 * — junction town where Highway 12 splits off the Trans-Canada to follow the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet

Other destinations

 * — the upper part of the Bridge River Country, famous for gold mining history and scenery
 * — ski area with year round activities
 * — large cattle ranch near Merritt

Understand
The region had a population of 133,000 in 2016, over three quarters of whom lived in Kamloops.

Talk
The language of this area is English.

Airport within this region with scheduled commercial flights

 * Kamloops Airport - flights from Calgary, Vancouver, Prince George.  Seasonal flights from Edmonton.

By car

 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) travels through the region, traveling east from around Vancouver, through Boston Bar, Cache Creek, and Kamloops, and traveling west from Alberta including Calgary via Banff

 * Highway 5
 * Southbound (Yellowhead Highway) to Kamloops.  Travels from the Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) just north of Valemount. Highway 16 travels east from Prince George and west from Edmonton via Jasper.
 * Northbound (Coquihalla Highway). Travels from Hope in the Fraser Valley to Kamloops via Merritt.

 * Highway 97
 * Travels north from the border with the United States, the Okanagan cities of Kelowna and Vernon, before entering the region, passing through Kamloops.
 * Travels south from Prince George via Williams Lake on its way to Kamloops via Cache Creek.

By bus

 * Three routes pass through the region.
 * Between Kamloops and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Between Kelowna and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Between Kamloops and Kelowna with stops in Chase, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Enderby, Armstrong, and Vernon. (some trips do not make all stops).
 * Three days per week per direction between Kamloops and Prince George with stops in Savona, Cache Creek, Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Hixon.

By public transit
BC Transit operates local bus services in Cache Creek, Kamloops, and Merritt.

By boat
Ferry in this region:

See

 * Lillooet is a beautiful town that is a great base for exploring the Fraser Canyon.
 * BC Wildlife Park, in Kamloops, is a local zoo with many animals from around BC, such as bears (black & grizzly), wolves, cougars, bighorn sheep, and rattlesnakes.
 * Historic Hat Creek, near Cache Creek, is on one of the few sections of the original Cariboo Wagon Roads still accessible to the public. The ranch includes almost 130 hectares (320 acres) of fields and hills. The buildings stand as they did in 1901; some were built as early as 1860.

Do

 * The Hell's Gate Airtram, 10 km south of Boston Bar, is a gondola ride over the white water of the Fraser Canyon.
 * There is alpine skiing at Sun Peaks Resort just north of Kamloops, whitewater rafting on the North Thompson River (Lytton claims to be the Rafting Capital of Canada), boating on the massive 200-km length of manmade Kinbasket Lake, and horseback riding in various locations through the region.
 * The Kamloops Heritage Railway in Kamloops has a steam locomotive that goes for a one-hour excursion from the historic former CNR station.
 * The Rockin' River Musicfest is four-day country music festival in Merritt on the first weekend in August. For a different vibe, check out the Bass Coast Music Festival, in early July, an electronic music festival founded and run by women with no sponsors or corporate presence.

Stay safe
Be aware of wildlife, avalanche hazards, and adverse driving conditions.

Go next
Mount Robson in the North Thompson and Robson Valley is not to be missed. At, it is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. It is rare to see this mountain completely cloud-free, it is so tall it seems to make its own weather. However, if you do happen to see it on one of those rare bluebird days you will know instantly that you are seeing something special. It's on Hwy 16 just east of where it meets Hwy 5 (about 20 km northeast of Valemount).

title: Thompson-Nicola


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Thompson-Okanagan

The Thompson-Okanagan is a region in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. It encompasses wineries and fun-in-the-sun Okanagan Valley, summer boating adventures on Shuswap Lake in the east and the pretty Thompson River valley to the north.

Understand
Occupying the semi-arid area between the majestic Rockies and Selkirks to the east and the rain forests of the Coastal Mountains to the west, the Thompson-Okanagan looks and feels different than much of the rest of British Columbia. There’s more blue sky (often over 2000 hours of sunshine in a year), more grasslands and ponderosa pines, and more hot days in the summers. All of this has combined to make the area an increasingly popular region to live in and visit.

One of the benefits of the hot sunny summers is the emergence of the Okanagan Valley (and to a lesser extent, the Similkameen) as a wine producing region. Generally smaller in scale, there are over 100 wineries, mostly in the central and southern parts of the valley. Most offer tastings, some offer tours and an increasing number have restaurants on site.

There are also plenty of opportunities for what’s considered more traditional BC outdoor pastimes. The Nicola Valley, Shuswap and Okangan all have many lakes and are popular for fishing. The Shuswap and Okanagan Lake are also very popular for boating. Skiing/snowboarding is popular, with a number of ski resorts throughout the Okanagan and in the Kamloops area. Although nowhere near the size of more famous Whistler, the resorts are more intimate, have quicker access to lifts and tend to have drier “Okanagan” or “champagne" powder. Hiking trails abound through the region and range from alpine mountain treks to grasslands to interpretive trails through desert scrubland. Of particular note is the Kettle Valley Railway, which has been converted to trail that connects much of the southern Okanagan and Similkameen. Popular with cyclists, it combines scenery and a glimpse into the history of what it took to cross the region before cars and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Regions
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Okanagan
The Okanagan Valley is a popular destination for visitors and it's not hard to see why. The combination of sunny dry climate, mountains and lakes provide many recreation opportunities, some great scenery and one of Canada's growing wine regions. By summer, there are the many trails for hiking or biking, or you can play in or hang out by one of the lakes. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is particularly noted for its views and its trestles in the Myra Canyon near Kelowna. By winter, head up to the mountains for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Big White and Silver Star are the largest ski areas — they're more mid-sized in terms of size — but they have a good mix of terrain and generally have drier lighter snow than Whistler. Throughout the summer and fall, you can drop in at many of the wineries for a tasting or take in one of the festivals.

Much of the northern and central valley is dominated by the 155-km-long Okanagan Lake. Kelowna and Penticton have some great beaches and there are several parks along the lake with beaches and camping. Vineyards and fruit stands can be found throughout the Okanagan, but the South Okanagan is the heart of the valley's fruit production. Outside the town of Oliver is the Golden Mile, a string of vineyards on the bench overlooking the valley. Between Oliver and Osoyoos are many orchards -- you can buy fresh or go pick your own. Osoyoos and the southern end of the valley are notable for being one of the hottest spots in the Canada during the summer.

Similkameen
The Similkameen Valley lies in the south of British Columbia and connects two more well-known regions — the Okanagan Valley to the east and Vancouver/the Lower Mainland to the west. With just a few small towns and few tourist attractions, it's often travelled through but not treated as a destination in it's own right. Princeton is worth a stop to walk around and see the murals and the frontier-era look. At the other end of the valley, Keremeos is a great place to pick up fresh produce from the many fruit stands in town. Manning Park has a lot of hiking and camping options and is noted for its wildflower meadows in summer. Cathedral Provincial Park isn't easy to get to (a steep hike in or pay for a shuttle to the lodge up top) but the reward is some stunning mountain lakes and hiking.

Shuswap
The Shuswap is a popular holiday region centered around Shuswap Lake, with activities on or around the water being the main draw of the region. The communities here are small and the tourism infrastructure less developed — don’t expect luxury hotels or glitzy nightlife — it’s mostly about the great outdoors. Salmon Arm is the largest town and main service centre for the region, while nearby Sicamous is called the “Houseboat Capital of Canada”. The North Shuswap is home of British Columbia’s most northern winery and Roderick Haig Provincial Park protects a large Sockeye salmon run, where one to four million salmon are estimated to return to every year.

Thompson-Nicola
The Thompson-Nicola is a diverse area covering a number of smaller regions in the south central interior of British Columbia. To the south, in the Nicola Valley and Merritt, the spaces are wide open and the grass is dry. Heading north from Kamloops, the main city of the region, the mountains get closer and the scenery gets greener as you head up the North Thompson River valley. The countryside turns more from ranching to logging. At the northern end of the region is Wells Grey Country. This is the headwaters of the Thompson River and is a land of many lakes and waterfalls, protected within Wells Grey Provincial Park. -->

Cities

 * — The second largest city in British Columbia's interior and crossroads of three major highways. With grasslands, mountains, two rivers and many lakes in the vicinity, there's a wide range of things to do outdoors. Fishing, golf, hiking and mountain biking are all popular.
 * — The life of the party in summer with water, beaches, microbreweries and wineries. The nearby mountains provide many options for outdoor activities year-round, with Myra Canyon notable for hiking and cycling and Okanagan Mountain Park providing hiking and camping. More tame options include enjoying one of the many golf courses in the area. Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan, the transportation hub and has the widest range of accommodation options.
 * — A recreation center, with beaches, accommodation and boating along Lake Osoyoos. It's also wine and orchard country with 30+ vineyards and over half of the vines in British Columbia nearby. The region’s scrubland and aridness is unique within Canada (often referred to as the only true desert in Canada) and local attractions allow you to learn about and explore this ecosystem with walking and interpretive trails.
 * — A very popular summer holiday destination and small city at the southern end of Okanagan Lake. Enjoy the water by renting a boat or seadoo, floating your way down the canal or hanging with the locals (and other visitors) at one of the beaches. Off the water, Skaha Bluffs has trails and rock climbing and the old Kettle Valley Railway — a hiking and biking trail — has some outstanding views. Penticton is also a good base to explore the South Okanagan's orchards and wineries.
 * — The largest town in the Similkameen and home to two copper mines. There are some trails in the area (including a branch of the Kettle Valley Railway) and the center of town has a number of buildings with a frontier heritage look and colourful murals.
 * — Lakeside town, summer vacation spot and main centre of the Shuswap. The main attraction and focus of activities is Shuswap Lake. There are houseboats to rent, fishing and a handful of beaches.
 * — Largest community in the northern Okanagan Valley with three lakes, beaches, wineries and plenty of outdoor activities. Highlights include the many parks that offer swimming, walking and hiking trails and Predator Ridge, an acclaimed golf resort, located just southwest of town.

Other destinations

 * — Ski resort and village southeast of Kelowna in the Okanagan. It lays claim to having to more ski-in ski-out accommodation than any other resort in British Columbia. Summer activities include hiking and sightseeing.
 * — It isn't easy to get to (a steep hike in or pay for a shuttle to the lodge up top) but the reward is some stunning scenery and hiking. The alpine lakes are beautiful, the mountains dramatic and the 360° views from the mountain ridges go on and on. There are several campgrounds in the park and a lodge if you're looking for a little more comfort.
 * — Large provincial park with year-round activities located at the western end of the valley. The valley floor has lakes, cross-country skiing and a downhill ski area. The mountains have many trails — some multi-day — and the sub-alpine meadows are known for their mid-summer wildflowers. There are a number of campgrounds accessible from the highway, as well as hike-in backcountry spots in the mountains.
 * — Over 100 km of hiking trails and crowned by Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. There are both drive-in and backcountry campsites but no lodges.
 * — A ski resort and provincial park in the northern Okanagan Valley. The ski village is small but the brightly coloured buildings are memorable and make for easy ski-in ski-out access. Nearby Sovereign Lakes is noted for its Nordic skiing trails. Activities are year round with mountain biking and hiking in summer.
 * — Ski resort and village northeast of Kamloops. The ski area has the second largest terrain of any resort in British Columbia. Summer activities including hiking, mountain biking and golf.
 * — The "waterfall park" (as it's sometimes called) has over 30 named waterfalls, including Canada's fourth highest, Helmcken Falls. Beyond the waterfalls, there are fish filled lakes, miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and alpine meadows. Over 5,000 sq km in size, you can stick to the main access road and see one or two highlights for the day, or bring a canoe or hiking boots and venture deep into the park to the campgrounds and sights less visited.

By car
The Thompson-Okanagan region is at the crossroads of several of British Columbia's main highways.
 * Highway 1 BC-1 (TCH).svg (Trans-Canada Highway) connects the Kamloops and the Shuswap with Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to the west and the Kootenays and Calgary to the east. Travel time to Kamloops from Vancouver is about four hours, and to Kamloops from Calgary is about eight hours.
 * Highway 3 BC-3 (Crowsnest).svg (Crowsnest Highway) connects the Similkameen and southern Okanagan Valley with the Lower Mainland to the west and the southern Kootenays and Southern Alberta to the east. It's a five to six hour drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos or Penticton.
 * BC Highway 5 BC-5 (Yellowhead).svg connects Kamloops and Merritt with the Lower Mainland to the south and Hwy 16 near Mount Robson Provincial Park and Jasper National Park in the northeast. The section between Kamloops and Hope is called the Coquihalla Highway. It's built to freeway/motorway standard and is the fastest connection between Vancouver and Kamloops at roughly 3½ hours. The section north of Kamloops is known as the South Yellowhead Highway.
 * BC Highway 97 BC-97.svg runs north-south and connects Kamloops and the Okanagan Valley with Prince George and the Cariboo-Central Coast to the northwest and to the state of Washington to the south. The border crossing just south of Osoyoos is the only road to/from the United States and the Thompson-Okanagan.

Airports within this region with scheduled commercial flights

 * Kamloops Airport - a number of flight options
 * Kelowna International Airport - largest airport in region with domestic flights and limited international flights
 * Penticton Regional Airport - fewer flight options

The airports in Kamloops and Kelowna have connections to larger cities in western Canada like Vancouver, Prince George, Calgary and Edmonton. Kelowna also has flights to Victoria, Toronto, Seattle and Los Angeles.

By bus

 * Daily between Kamloops and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Daily between Kelowna and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
 * Three days per week per direction between Kamloops and Prince George with stops in Savona, Cache Creek, Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Hixon.
 * Three days per week per direction between Kamloops and Prince George with stops in Savona, Cache Creek, Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Hixon.

By train

 * Service is three times a week May to mid-Oct and twice a week otherwise. Kamloops is the only scheduled stop in the region, however the train will stop in Valemount, Clearwater, Blue River or Ashcroft if notified prior to departure. Pickups are available at all five stations.

Get around
Having your own car is the most convenient way, and sometimes the only way, to get around the region. The BC provincial highways are generally in good condition and reach urban destinations and some provincial parks. Access to other provincial parks require getting off the main road, which can vary from well maintained paved roads to the gravel FSRs (Forest Service Road) that sometimes require 4WD and care to avoid logging trucks.

The train serves communities along the Thompson River, but it is infrequent and not really designed for short haul trips.

By bus

 * Daily between Kamloops and Kelowna with stops in Chase, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Enderby, Armstrong, and Vernon.

By public transit
BC Transit operates routes within several communities in the region, such as Clearwater, Kamloops, Kelowna, Merritt, Penticton, Salmon Arm, and Vernon. Intercity bus services are available between communities in the Okanagan.

By boat
Ferries in this region:

Go next

 * West of the region is the Lower Mainland with Vancouver and Whistler.
 * Northwest is the Cariboo-Central Coast with more wide open spaces, guest ranches and gold mining history.
 * Immediately east is the Kootenays with more mountains, lakes and great scenery.
 * Further east and to the northeast are the Alberta Rockies with world famous destinations Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
 * To the south is the North Central Cascades region of Washington state.

title: Thompson-Okanagan


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Thompson Springs

Thompson Springs (sometimes just called Thompson) is a small settlement of 39 (2020) in Canyon Country, Utah.

Sleep
Closest lodging is in Green River and Moab.

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Thonglang Bay

Thonglang Bay (also Ao Thonglang) is a small, quiet bay on the northwest side of Ko Pha Ngan. For those looking to escape the crowds and bask in nature. There are no shops here and only a handful of buildings along the entire bay.

Get in
You will have to either take a taxi or have your own transportation to get here. It is on the absolute opposite side of the island to the harbour where you arrive.

Get around
Thonglang is a small bay which can be easily walked. There is one street in and out. The best way to explore Thonglang is to hire a scooter, although care should be taken on Ko Pha Ngan's notoriously dangerous roads. An old Suzuki 4x4 can be rented for the same daily rate as 2 scooters, so it is a better option for a couple.

Buy
There are no shops here but hotels will sell you some basics.

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Thong Nai Pan

Thong Nai Pan (or just TNP among backpackers) is an area on the northeastern tip of Ko Pha Ngan that includes the two beach resorts of Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi and Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai. They are maybe the most secluded yet developed beaches on the island.

Understand
Yai means "large", and it's the larger and more developed of the two beaches. Noi means "small", and the beach here is about half the size of Yai. Noi is just north of Yai. The two are a 15-minute hike apart.

Get in

From the island's harbour at Thong Sala, there will be one or more songthaews waiting, holding up signs with their destinations. Price is a fixed 300 baht/person. Some taxis don't go to both beaches, so check for the Noi/Yai extension on their signs. As the beaches are less travelled and a long ride, sometimes you'll have to wait for the next boat to arrive, or even the boat after that, because the driver won't drive up and down for just 1 or 2 passengers. Once begun, the trip is about half an hour.

Since you've chosen this destination you're unlikely to be in a hurry. But if, for some reason you are and you are a little bit more adventurous, then catch a quick ride to the town (or even walk. From the harbour, take a left on the main street till the roundabout). Here you can rent a typical Thai 125 cc motorbike (~200 baht/day) or a 4 x 4 for 700-1,000 baht/day. It's about 15 km and it will take you around 30-40 minutes to drive.

The road to Thong Nai Pan begins at Ban Tai village (on the main road between Thong Sala and Haad Rin). The road from Ban Tai to Thong Nai Pan is 13.4 km and about half of it is now paved. From the first mountain outside of Ban Tai to the Than Sadet turn off, the road is unpaved all the way and has some nasty hills with lots of dust and gravel. Once you get to the Than Sadet turn off, the road is concrete the rest of the way (7.5 km) and much better. Care should still be taken as there are some deceptively sharp dusty corners. The improved road from the Than Sadet turn off to Thong Nai Pan has greatly reduced travelling times.

See

 * Try to catch a glimpse of the huge, harmless lizards that are unique to this area.

Do

 * Walk to the waterfalls. Noi (more beautiful, but more strenuous) and Yai each have a waterfall. Ask locals for directions.
 * Yoga classes at The Yoga Studio located on Yai, en route to Wang Thong Waterfall.
 * Get a massage from Susie or Lee on Noi Beach.

Buy
There is really not much to buy here. There are, however, 3 ATMs within spitting distance of each other in the financial district of Thong Nai Pan Noi. Also in Thong Nai Pan Noi you'll find a pharmacy which also sells second-hand books. Don't expect much of it, but when you have decided to stay one extra week in this little paradise, it might come in handy.

Eat
Fresh, deliciously steamed or grilled fish. Available at a few places, usually advertising the fish by having them on display on ice in front of the restaurant.

Drink
All places in town are very much alike, i.e., open bamboo construction with cold beer in the fridge, Western music on the stereo, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Also on the beach you can find a couple of these bars. Some of them, being part of a guest house, close between 22:00 and 23:00. Others stay open till around 02:00.

Sleep

There are villa rentals in the area with private pools as well as guest houses of different ranges all along the beach plus a couple of hidden places in the village. Prices for a bungalow at the beach range, depending on the season, from 200 to 1,200 baht. So drop your bags at one of the bars and start picking out the ones you like best. At both ends of the Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi there are some classy resorts in the splurge range. Accommodation is cheaper on Yai Beach.

The village rooms will give you a more local experience so don't be afraid to go back from the beach a bit.

Connect
There are several Internet cafés charging steep prices for Thai standards of 3 baht/minute. There is also Wi-Fi available on both beaches (Ban Pong on Noi Beach, Indian Bar on Yai Beach) for around 150 baht per hour, so bring your laptop.

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Thong Sala

Thong Sala (ท้องศาลา) is the main port and largest settlement on Ko Pha Ngan.

Get in
Ferries run from Ko Samui daily. The journey takes about an hour.

 * Departing Nathon multiple times a day for 200 baht.
 * Departing Mae Nam at 12:00 for 200 baht.
 * Departing Surat Thani multiple times a day for 250 baht (3 hours + 1 hour bus ride from train station), or 400 baht for the fast ferry (2 hours + 1 hour bus ride from train station)
 * Departing from Raja Ferry (near Don Sak) 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 for 220 baht (2.5 hours)

At Thong Sala, taxis and pick up trucks take passengers around the island. The drivers hold signs stating their destinations. Prices are fixed at 100-150 baht/person to Haad Rin, 150 baht to the northwest corner of the island, and 200-250 baht to Thong Nai Pan. Don't take a taxi from the pier upon arrival, but walk to the roundabout: the taxi station there has better prices that are not newcomer inflated, but still as high as anywhere on the island.

Get around
There are many places where you can rent scooters. Costs range from 100-150 baht/day. They will almost always require that you leave your passport with them for the duration of the hire. Most places are very strict about damage and will charge large fees if you bring back a scooter damaged.

Do

 * Thong Sala has a few very good traditional Thai massage shops where you can also take a massage course.
 * At Lomprayah Pier there is aerobic dancing every evening for free. Starts at 18:00, except Sundays.

Eat
Thong Sala has a food night market which consists of multiple food carts ranging from ready made curry stalls, made-to-order restaurant carts, noodle carts, chicken vendors, and desserts such as Thai confections and banana rotee (pancakes).

Also, along the road near Thong Sala, you will see many "BBQ" restaurants advertising "all you can eat" for about 99 baht. This is a great way to eat, and it is economical as well as delicious.

During the day, food carts can be found throughout Thong Sala. Great food cart items include som tam, the tasty spicy papaya salad, pad Thai, and grilled chicken.

Connect
Thong Sala is well serviced and has numerous facilities. There is a police station, hospital (with English speaking doctors and staff), laundries, pharmacies, a post office, five banks, ATMs, money exchanges, and Western Union.

Go next

 * Haad Rin (Hat Rin) - site of the famous Full Moon Party. A taxi from Thong Sala to Haad Rin is almost always 100 baht, and you can share a taxi with 10-12 people as you get off the ferry.
 * Ferry to Don Sak on the mainland at 05.00, 07.00, 11.00, 13.00, 17.00 (2.5 hours)
 * Thong Nai Pan - secluded east coast beaches

title: Thong Sala


text:
Thornton

Thornton is a city of about 144,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies northwest of Denver in Adams and Weld counties. It is a diverse community with a strong commitment to quality of life and environmental issues.

Understand
Thornton municipal website.

Get in
See this Colorado travel map. Colorado is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07) in the winter and on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06) in the summer.

Do
Thornton has aggressively pursued recreation programs with nearly 1,000 acres of land developed or designated for public parks. The numerous lighted tennis courts, athletic fields, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, recreation centers and gymnasiums offer recreation opportunities for people of all ages and activity levels.

Buy
There is not a mall in Thornton, although there are "Strip Malls" throughout the city. Thornton has the traditional chain stores including; Target, K-mart, Wal-mart (times 2), Lowe's, Home Depot and so on.

title: Thornton


text:
Thoroughbred Country

Thoroughbred Country is a region in South Carolina.

Cities

 * near Augusta (Georgia).
 * near Augusta (Georgia).
 * near Augusta (Georgia).

title: Thoroughbred Country