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Neyveli

Neyveli is a township in Cuddalore District of the Tamil Nadu North Coast in India.

Get in
By Road: Neyveli Township is located at about 200 KM South-West of Chennai (the state capital of Tamilnadu, India). Neyveli is well connected by Road through NH45C and 532. The place is located on the highway to Tanjore from Chennai at about 24th KM from Panruti. There are frequent bus services run by TNSTC, SETC and other Private concerns that connect the township to prominent locations such as Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Shencottah etc.

By Rail: Neyveli has its own railway station that has trains connecting it to some far away places such as Karaikal,Bangalore and nearby places such as Cuddalore, Virudhaachalam the later of which lies on the southern railway main chord line and hence acts as a hop over station to several prominent destinations such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari etc.

See

 * The Township Administration of Neyveli had created afforestation station surrounding Neyveli for about 25 square kilometres. Moreover, the afforestation is built with an artificial waterfall and lake situated just about 5 km from the Airstrip.  The lake has been developed with a boat house and facilities for tourists as the place is visited by seasonal birds and is a mini bird sanctuary. The afforestation area has in inhabited by some wildlife like deer and fox for view to public, however, the same had been temporarily suspended for public viewing for 14 years.

Eat

 * Hotel Blue Diamond - located in Main bazaar is good for nice vegetarian meals.

Sleep
Neyveli Township has lots of hotels.

 * Hotel Krishna - Rooms available, with attached bar/restaurant with vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
 * Hotel Radha - is a star hotel near the bus stand.
 * Hotel Swarnabawan - located inside the bus stand is nice and cheap.

title: Neyveli


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Ngaoundéré

Ngaoundéré is the capital of Adamaoua region.

Get in
Ngaoundéré has its own airport but there are no scheduled services. Nearest airport is in Garoua, a four hour bus drive to the north. Several overland options are available, both buses and private taxis travel from Douala, the capital Yaoundé and other nearby cities, however expect a slow ride.

The railways in Cameroon has its northern terminus here. Camrail runs a daily overnight train from Yaoundé, the train has both seats and couchettes. Additionally, a much slower service runs three times per week, calling in more remote stations.

See

 * Lamidat de Ngaoundere, local history museum.

 * Mont Ngaoundere, tourist attraction with mountain that can be used in hiking.

Do

 * Terrain Bitcou, soccer field.

 * Alliance Franco Camerounaise de l'Adamaoua,  recreation center.

Buy

 * Bamayanga 3 boutiques, general store.

 * Souleymanou Maroua, store.

 * Bamyanga Market, market.

 * Marche Haut plateau.

 * Atelier Aliou Pako Hamfe, tailor store for traditional outfit.

 * Carrefour Aoudi, shopping mall.

 * Marche Bantai, clothing store.

 * Petit Marche, shopping mall.

 * Ancien magasin Pam, it is a store mainly with the African home goods.

 * Source du Pays Ngaoundere, shopping mall.

 * Carrefour Ababou, shopping mall.

Eat

 * Super Kilichi.

 * Terre Promise.

Drink

 * Sofitel Bar.

 * Gadourou Bar.

 * Le Rocher.

 * Transcam Hotel.

Sleep

 * Saiba Salwe.

 * Hill lovers.

 * Maman Am.

 * Hotel Oasis Application.

 * Quartiel Residentiel.

 * Ngaoundere Yoko.

 * Zen Hotel.

 * Complexe Marhaba.

 * Ideal hotel.

 * Adamaoua Hotel Plus Sarl.

 * Ideal hotel.

Connect
2G / 3G / 4G cellular network coverage can be found in most parts of Ngaoundéré. Signal strength can drop further from the city center and occasional network outages can occur at all or some  mobile operators in  remote areas of the city. Different networks tend to be more stable and reliable in different parts of the city at different times. Therefore, it is highly recommended that tourists travel using two or more cellular networks. This can cause one to fail if the other fails. MTN, 9Mobile, Airtel (Zain) and GLO are all available service providers. So if you are planning a visit to Adamawa State, as you would do for many other places in Nigeria, you should probably consider having multiple SIM cards, preferably for all the mobile service providers, since you can`t tell which will be more stable and reliable at a time in your location during your visit. And if you will risk not having any of them, you might be better off not risking the MTN network, because, from indications, it seems to perform well than the others, though its rates may be high and its offers and services might be stringent, you are less likely to be concerned of erratic voice and data connection compared to others.

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

title: Ngaoundéré


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Ngapali

Ngapali Beach (Burmese ငပလီ) is in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar.

Understand
Ngapali Beach is a beach 7 km from the town of Thandwe in Rakhine State and is often regarded as the best beach in Myanmar. However, Ngapali is a seasonal destination and, as a result, most jobs are seasonal and unemployment is extremely high during low season.

There's an increasing number of resorts around along the beach, though it is still relatively quiet and untouched. Most resorts cater to foreign tourist as Ngapli is considered a more expansive destination that only more well off locals can afford.The hotels usually of the high end such as Bayview Ngapali, Amata Resort, Amazing Ngapali and the government-owned Anawa, but there is a few budget accommodations available. The southern stretch is more recommended, due to the range of dining, sleeping and other options there.

Ngapali used to have private bungalows, but these were pulled down in the late 1990s to make way for the development of hotels. The hotels and small tourism industry help to provide income for the villages around Ngapali and also Thandwe. There is also a 9-hole golf course nearby. Myanmar's political climate made Ngapali not as well-publicized as other good beaches of Southeast Asia, but it's changing.

Ngapali caters mostly to foreigners while locals tend to opt for other beaches. Resorts cover parts of the main beachfronts. Thandwe is the nearby town at the highway.

Get in
Thandwe is the transport hub for Ngapali (Beach). Most and frequent options to get in can be found there—by bus, by boat or by plane.

From there you can easily get onward transport for the last 6-12 km to Ngapali, depending on where you want to go along the stretched beach. Local pickups or shared vans are 500 kyat from/to Thandwe. There is no tourist accommodation available in Thandwe itself. Tickets for the ferry in Thandwe are sold at the Bayview Beach Resort.

is actually just 5 km north of Ngapali Beach

By taxi
A trip by taxi can be a little less time consuming and convenient alternative, especially if shared between 3 or 4 people.
 * Yangon – 12 hr, US$60-80.
 * Pyay – 7 hr, US$50-60.

By bus
Apparently, some buses go directly into Ngapali:
 * Yangon &ndahs; From Aung San Highway Bus Station, 11 hr, 21,000/19,000 kyat for VIP/standard overnight bus.
 * Bagan &ndahs; 24 hr with a change in Pyay. 30,000 kyat.

However, make sure, if you book them and pay the extra charge that they actually drop you in Ngapali.

Get around
Ngapali Beach stretches along 12 km of coast line.

On foot
In case you stay close to the or at the southern stretch of Ngapali, most places and restaurants, north even the airport, can be reach by foot.

By (moto) taxi
For a taxi or motorbike expect to pay 2,000 kyat to either end of the beach.

By rental
You might be able to rent a motorbike, but there are rumours regarding the legality of this. However, there are not really many sights, like for example in Hpa-an, for which you would need a motorbike. E-bikes can be rented for 15,000 kyat per day (low season 2017).

By pickup
Local pickups or shared vans are between 300 and 500 kyat along the beach or to Thandwe.

By boat
You might even try water transport via long-tail boat, but bargain hard.

See
For the ones not already satisfied with the beautiful beaches, a few sights are available.

Also, checkout the sights, dos and buys in and near Thandwe.

Do
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar. You can see and do various things in Ngapali, but you might want to pick only the most interesting ones: there are far more exciting things waiting in the rest of Myanmar. So relax and enjoy the calm and leisure.

 * Several options exist to rent a boat

Money
Some places accept card payments but may also add a 3% surcharge. ATMs are available outside the Bayview Hotel which charge a 6,500 kyat fee for up to 300,000 kyat maximum withdrawal.

Shopping
There are a collection of shops near the main junction and along the southern stretch. Local people specialise in coconut handicrafts. There is an art gallery on the road side.

Items for sale on the 'pop up' beach shops include river pearl jewellery, teak handicrafts, painted umbrellas. Large conch shells and coral are for sale which is damaging the marine environment.

Eat
Ngapali is famous for its seafood. There are many options, especially along the southern stretch of the main road. Otherwise, many of the hotels and resorts also cater for non-guests, but you might want to try the cheaper but not less delicious restaurant that can always be found opposite or just outside of the resorts.

Besides coconut handicraft, Ngapali also provides the traveler with delicious fresh coconuts for 1,000-2,000 kyat from the beach hawkers, that carry several coconuts, pineapple and watermelons on their heads. The women will cut open the coconut for you as well.

Drink
Beach bars are popping up all over. After having explored the area by bicycle or taxi, you will know where to find them, mostly at the southern stretch or near the main junction. Happys hour during dusk are common. Most hotels and resorts charge western prices.

Sleep
Budget options in Ngapali are rare. There is no tourist accommodation available in Thandwe at the highway. Only Taungup, another 85 km north from Thandwe, has some guesthouses.

Go next
Many people will fly in and out of Ngapali directly from Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan. Other options exist, and road transport will become more and more popular in the coming years as road conditions are improving. Another rare option is the boat to Sittwe.

 * Mrauk U – Famous for its ancient sights of the past kingdom and traditional, surrounding villages of Chin people.
 * Pathein – Famous for its handcrafted umbrellas.
 * Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city.
 * Taungup – Can be a convenient hub for trips to Pyay, Mrauk U and Sittwe, e.g. by boat for the latter two.
 * Yangon

title: Ngapali


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Ngari (prefecture)

Ngari prefecture (also known as Ali prefecture 阿里地区 Ālǐ Dìqū) is in the far west of Tibet. It is located in the northern Tibetan Plateau and has the most unique natural scenery in Tibet. It is also one of the areas with the lowest population density.

Towns

 * Gar - The prefecture capital of Nagri.

 * Rutok - The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway runs through there, it also has Pangong Lake, which is half salt water and half fresh water.
 * Tsamda - This is one of the most magnificent areas of Tibet, with clay forests and the remains of ancient dynasties.

By plane
Ngari has Gunsa Airport. Destinations including Lhasa and Kashgar. You can come here from these two places.

By car
There is a G219 national highway (Xinjiang-Tibet Highway) running through the whole territory of Ngari. Tourists usually choose to drive into Ngari from Kashgar or Lhasa.

Meanwhile, there is also a G317 national highway that starts from Chengdu, passes through Nagqu and ends here, There are also many people entering from this road.

Get around
There are few shuttle buses here. It is unrealistic to travel only by taking shuttle buses. The general recommendation is to drive yourself everywhere.

After years of repair by the local government, most roads in Ali are in good condition, but some roads may not be in good condition, so please avoid remote areas.

See
Mount Kailash - The reason most people make the long journey out to this part of Tibet, a holy mountain for Tibetan Buddhists and for Hindus and Jains.

The ruins of the ancient Guge Kingdom - a popular destination for tourists, under protection by the Chinese government as an important historical and cultural site. This lost civilization has left only ruins and a few legends behind it but is an amazing place to explore.

Tsada Clay Forest - which has been declared a national park, where you can see the largest tertiary strat earth forest in the world, and the oldest monastery in Ngari Prefecture, Tholing Monastery, where dozens of ancient wall paintings and frescoes have been preserved.

Lake Manasarovar - The highest lake in the world, a holy place of Hinduism.

Pangong Lake - A large lake next to Rutog County, with fresh water on the Chinese side and salt water on the Indian side.

Simbiling Monastery - A monastery full of rich history where the Tibetan government defeated the Ladakh army.

Other nearby places of interest include the Piyang and Dungkar Grottoes, Gurla Mandhata, Korjak Monastery, and Chagcam Cake Salt Lake.

Do

 * Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash
 * Enjoy the world's best stargazing dark night park in Ngari
 * Take a boat trip to Pangong Lake and set up a tent

Eat
The price of food in Ngari is more expensive than that sold in other areas of Tibet, and the quality of food along the way is not very high and the number of restaurants is very small, there are more Sichuan restaurants and some Tibetan restaurants. If you are not used to local food, you can prepare some food by yourself before you go.

Drink
Drink butter tea and sweet milk tea, which are basic drinks in Tibet.

Stay safe
The main safety concerns relate to the extreme remoteness of the area. Always bring a couple days of food with you when traveling outside of a village, and carry a few liters of water when traveling by truck, (The driver will probably have a big jerry can, but don't be dependent on it). In summer it can be warm when the sun is out, but change as soon as it's overcast to wintery conditions. Hail is common, and snow not unknown in the middle of summer. Bring a good sleeping bag, and warm cloths.

This is the highest average altitude in Tibet, and some people will have more severe altitude sickness, so please take care of your medication.

Go next
Go to Nagqu, Kashgar, Xigatse and other areas from National Highway 219 and 317.

title: Ngari (prefecture)


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Ngoc Hoi

Ngoc Hoi is a small town located near border of Laos on Ho Chi Minh Trail. It might be called Plei Kan on some maps or road signs. From Ngoc Hoi it's about 20 kilometers to Bo Y border crossing which might be the reason you are here - unless you just happen to be wandering off the beaten track for some other reason.

By bus

 * from Kontum. Several buses leave daily from a dozen bus stops scattered around Kontum.
 * from Pakse or Attapeu in Laos.

Get around

 * bargain a moto ride from a local

Sleep

 * Hoa Binh Hotel rooms for about US$7
 * Dong Duong as above
 * Viet Lao a dollar or two more expensive

Go next

 * Kontum several buses daily
 * Hanoi at least one daily bus leaves on morning
 * Ho Chi Minh City at least one daily bus leaves on afternoon
 * Attapeu or Pakse in Laos. A bus or two a day might be going via Ngoc Hoi to Laos. You can also get a moto ride to Bo Y border (about 20 km) and hope there's some traffic going to Attapeu. Note that you might end up waiting for hours.

title: Ngoc Hoi


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Ngoketunjia

Ngoketunjia is a division in the Northwest Highlands region of Cameroon.

Ngoketunjia refers to a grasslands plain overlooked by the Ngoketunjia mountain. As such it is an environment of breathtaking beauty, inhabited by semi-Bantu and Fulani people. It is a region where tradition and culture remain strong.

Villages
Ngoketunjia consists of 13 villages. All of which start with the letters "Ba". This is derived from the times of the German colonization denoting "people of".

Each of the villages has its own unique language and tradition presided over by the traditional hierarchy. As such each of the villages is a Fondom and has a traditional ruler - the Fon.

The villages of Ngoketunjia are as follows:

 * Bangolan
 * Babessi
 * Baba I
 * Babungo
 * Bamunka
 * Bamali
 * Bamessing
 * Bambalang
 * Bafanji
 * Bamunkumbit
 * Balikumbat
 * Baligashu
 * Balinganshin

Climate
Cameroon has two seasons. A wet season and a dry season. The wet season spans the months of March to October. The dry season spans the months of October to March.

The villages of Ngoketunjia are surrounded by mountains and the Ngoketunjia plain is elevated. Therefore the conditions are more moderate than in the rest of Cameroon. Ngoketunjia is more arid than the humid southern cities and although hot, the heat is more moderate than in the northern regions.

Government
Administration consists of the government authorities and each ministry will have a representative delegation in the centre of the division. For Ngoketunjia the administrative centre is the village of Bamunka.

As such the hierarchy follows the following order:
 * Senior Divisional Officer (SDO): responsible for the division
 * Divisional Officer (DO): responsible for the sub division
 * Lord Mayor: responsible for the village
 * Delegates: responsible for the representation of the various ministries in the division

The governmental hierarchy exists alongside the traditional authority. This consists of a system of secret societies represented by the Fon. The Fon delegates duties to a traditional council, Quarter heads and Sub-quarter heads. The Fon is the custodian of all the land in the village.

Rulings by the court of law and by the traditional council have equal weight.

Talk
Ngoketunjia falls within the Anglophone North West Province of Cameroon and therefore English is widely spoken.

However, the region is unique due to the diversity of native languages and each village has its own language.

As such a mix of English/French and the native languages (Pidgen) is widely spoken.

Get in
The villages of Bamessing, Bamunka, Babungo Baba I, and Babessi are on the ring road circling the Ngoketunjia plane.

The villages of the Ngoketunjia plane can be reached from Bamenda. Share taxis run from Mile 4 park. In addition the bus operator Amour Mezam offers a bus service to Kumbo which will stop in Bamessing, Bamunka, Babungo and Babessi.

For the other villages, share taxis can be taken from Bamunka.

Get around
Motorbike taxis are the primary means of transport and are widely and easily available.

The following tour operators can provide indepth information on Ngoketunjia and Cameroon:
 * Heritage Tours Cameroon
 * Forest & AgroForestry Promoters (FAP)

See

 * Babungo palace and museum: this beautiful and well organized museum gives the visitor the unique opportunity of viewing the traditional artifacts and understanding its importance in the history and culture of the fondom. The museum is open 7 days a week. Entry to the museum costs FCFA2,000 per person. Entry to the palace is an additional FCFA2,000 per person. Photography is an additional FCFA5,000. Filming is FCFA10,000. For more information call.
 * Presspot Handicraft centre (Bamessing): A centre for artisans in claywork. The visitor can view the entire process from the extraction of clay from the ground, to the final moulding and backing in traditional ovens. Works from the Press Centre in Bamessing are exported.
 * Rice fields (Bamunka): Ngoketunjia is famed within Cameroon for the growth of rice. The plane contains a vast swamp that has been converted into rice fields. Rice is farmed traditionally.
 * Palm wine and rafia wine: the drink of tradition. Palm wine and rafia wine is tapped from the palm tree. The people of Ngoketunjia use the palm tree not only for the wine, but also for oil, soap and household utensils
 * Climb Ngoketunjia mountain: Ngoketunjia in the traditional dialect means the "shape of the roof of a house".
 * Bambalang Lake Dam: visitors can hire a boat to travel around the serene environment of the lake
 * Local artisans in Bamessing: woodwork & weaving (all using traditional methods)
 * BABA1: there is the massive production OF gari at the cassava production centre in BABA 1
 * Local artisans in Babungo: woodwork & ironwork (all using traditional methods)
 * Story telling in Bamunka

Festivals
Each year each of the villages will host a cultural festival. This is a unique opportunity to see dancers, masquerades (jujus), gun firing, snake dancers and fire dancers. After marveling at these sights, sit with the locals and enjoy a glass of the famed palm wine.

All visitors are welcome to the festivals and all festivals are free of charge.

Festival dates for the different villages are listed below:

BAMUNKA
 * 5/Dec/08: Traditional national assembly of the village/pronouncement of the message of the year by messengers of the Ngumba or Nwonserh /Kingmakers (whole day)
 * 6/Dec/08: Fon’s movement or procession to and from Nchilokeh (Meussi)/Sharing of salt to infants/ Display of Njujus or Masquerades (whole day)
 * 14/Dec/08: Fon’s movement to Bekue or first Palace of the Bamunka people/Sharing of salt to infants/ Display of Njujus or Masquerades (whole day)
 * 22/Dec/08: Bamunka Palaces/Annual celebrations of the passing away or death of the two previous fons/ Series of colourful cultural events beginning with queens, masquerades, dignitoaries dances, etc (whole day)
 * 30/Dec/08: Trekking of the Fon and entourage to site/Fon’s stop-over at traditional religious site (Ncheumbeh_ upon return from Ngo-Mbuh/Singing, dancing and blessings of the Fondom (whole day). This is the only opportunity to see women's participation in the annual festivals.
 * 7/Jan/08: Same events as on the 22/Dec/08. Series of colourful cultural events beginning with queens, masquerades, dignitaries dances, etc
 * 15/Jan/08: Annual celebration of the passing away or death of the two previous Fons/Series of colourful cultural events by Princes or those who do not belong to Nwonserh/Appearance of masquerades, of Ngueteh and dignitaries, traditional dances, etc (whole day)
 * 23/Jan/08: Same as 15/Jan/08 (half a day)
 * Last week of January: Other socio-cultural activities of the Meukoh people’ (at least two days)

BAMESSING
 * 19/Dec/08: Start of cultural festival. Notables wearing traditional dress move from palace around the village
 * 23/Dec/08: Girls and women dance bearing peace plants
 * 8/Jan/08: Fire & snake dances
 * 17/Jan/08: Quarter heads from the village bring gifts of palm wine to the palace. The Fon and notables accept the palm wine and dance
 * 19/Jan/08: Prince and princesses dance from the palace to the market
 * 20/Jan/08: Annual dance—masquerades (jujus) dance

BAFOUSSAM Events occur throughout November, December and January. For more information call the palace on +237 94 33 26 48 (Agathe)

FOUMBAN November 28th-November 20th Balikumbat: The famous Lela Dance

Do
Ngoketunjia is renowned for its cultural manifestations. The region is rich in traditional dances and in masquerades. Masquerades have ancestral powers and play an integral role in the tradition and governance of the village. Typically each village has an all powerful masquerade and the secret society of this masquerade is the most powerful body within the village.

Masquerades are normally only seen during particular events such as annual dances, death celebrations etc.

Death celebrations and annual dances usually occur during the months of November to February.

However should the visitor wish to see the traditional dances and masquerades the following organisations will arrange such an event:
 * PCDI Cameroon : a local NGO based in Bamunka who work with the local groups to organise cultural events (www.pcdi-cameroon.org)
 * Babungo Palace: will organise events for tourists. For more information call +237 77 76 71 42

Buy
The market is the central point in the villages and contains everything from food to clothes and household wares. The market occurs every 8th day and is a socially important event in the life of the villagers.

The village of Bamunka has one supermarket which contains tinned foods, shampoos, coffee, etc. However the supermarket is modest in size and apart from a daily necessities, shopping will be at the nearby town of Bamenda.

Money
Credit and debit cards are not accepted in the villages. Similarly foreign exchange is not accepted.

Banks at the villages are local banks and do not accept credit cards or foreign exchange. The nearby town of Bamenda has one ATM.

Foreign currency can be changed in Bamenda. Euros are more widely accepted than US dollars (although a black market for US dollars can be found in the market in Bamenda).

Eat
Maize, cocoyams, cassava, plantain, rice and groundnuts are the staple in the region. As such the diet in Ngoketunjia consists of corn fufu (pounded corn), water fufu (pounded cassava), achu (pounded coco yams), plantain and rice. These are normally accompanied by vegetables and as an extra meat of fish.

Few "Western" type restaurants can be found. However the restaurant at the Kings Heritage Hotel in Bamunka offers the visitor European and African cuisine.

Locals restaurants consist of home cooked food carried in containers to bars. Grilled plantain, grilled (African) plums, grilled meat (soya) and grilled fish (mackerel) are common, particularly in and near the market area.

Drink
The traditional drink is Palm or Raffia Wine, a white milky alcoholic drink. A favourite pastime is sitting in a bar with a bottle of palm wine and chewing kola nuts.

Beer is widely available.

Bars
Bars are common and can be found virtually everywhere.

Night clubs
The Samba night club in the Green Valley Resort in Bamunka is open over the weekends and is a particular favorite with the locals.

Sleep
-Plain Hotel Bamunka (commonly called bamboo hotel) -Pa Metoh Resort Bamunka
 * Green Valley Resort (Bamunka)
 * Atlantic Hotel (Bamunka) - Tel: +(237) 74 57 27 65
 * Kings Heritage Hotel (Bamunka) - Tel: +(237) 79 68 95 90
 * Babungo Palace (Babungo) - Tel: +(237) 77 76 71 42

Police
Policing is done by the police force and gendarmes (responsible for national security).

As such checkpoints of the police and gendarmes is common along highways. Visitors should always ensure that they carry their ID (or certified copies) and yellow fever certificate.

Also, bribery and corruption is very common among the police and the bus drivers

Stay healthy
Malaria and typhoid are common problems in Ngoketunjia. Visitors are advised to carry insect repellent, mosquito nets and to not drink untreated water.

HIV/AIDs is widespread. So visitors are advised to be careful.

Respect

 * A no smoking order was adopted nationwide. So although smoking is not prohibited, it is discouraged in public spaces
 * Crossing legs is perceived to be a sign of disrespect. Therefore when with elders you should not cross your legs. Women are perceived to be inferior to men, and so when in the presence of men, women should not cross their legs
 * The Fon is of elevated status and therefore cannot be touched by ordinary people. Therefore when meeting the Fon, do not shake his hand. The Fon should be greeted with a traditional greeting (which the locals will teach the visitor) bowing down to the Fon is the most acceptable and respectable manner
 * When shaking hands with a more senior person, it is common to touch the elbow of the right hand with the left hand
 * When eating with an elderly person, you can´t watch your hands when the elderly person is still eating or you beg for permission to do it
 * Dressing is conservative

Religion and beliefs
The semi-bantu people (on the plain) are primarily Christian (Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal). The nomadic Fulani and Bororro people are Muslim. However traditional ancestral beliefs are also widely held.

Connect
The village of Bamunka has one public internet centre - this is the only internet centre in the division.

title: Ngoketunjia


text:
Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a park and UNESCO World Heritage site in Northeast Tanzania. It contains an old volcano that has collapsed and formed a crater (caldera). The steep sides of the crater have become a natural enclosure for a wide variety of wildlife.

History
Considered to be "the cradle of humanity".

Landscape
The Ngorongoro Crater is geologically speaking not a crater, but a collapsed volcano. It is a natural "utopia" for East African wildlife, and thus is rich in a wide diversity of animals. Roughly 100 square miles (260 km²) of savanna is completely encircled by a mountainous ring which is covered in dense jungle. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, with a diameter of roughly 21 kilometers. The walls of the crater rise on average 600 meters above the floor. The rim of the crater is approximately 2 200 meters above sea level.

The Ngorongoro Crater is located in a highland area, called the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands, and is the largest of three major craters/calderas in this area; the other two are Empakai Crater and Olmoti Crater.

Flora and fauna
Lions are in the highest density in the world in the crater, so there is a good chance of seeing them. There are herds of wildebeest, zebra, and a lot of buffalo and Grants' gazelles too. This is one of the best places in East Africa to see a Black Rhino. Hippos and flamingos are seen in Lake Magadi. Hyenas are a common predator, and cheetahs are frequently seen. Leopards are in the conservation area but rarely seen, along with Wild Dogs. The crater is a special protection area for rhinos.

Climate
Ngorongoro Crater is, due to its altitude, a lot cooler than most areas in northern Tanzania. The rim of the crater experience chilly nights and mornings, especially between May and August and temperatures are moderated through out the year. The floor of the crater can on days with little wind become quite hot in the afternoons, especially in the hot months between October and March. The Ngorongoro Crater has distinct dry and rainy season with the rainy season being from mid-November to mid-May, but a slightly drier period in January and February and the dry season between mid-May and mid-November. The dry season is not entirely dry however, rain does occur. Due to rain patterns in East Africa, where rain mostly comes from the east, there is actually quite a significant difference between the eastern and the western, outer, slopes of the crater, with the western side being noticeably drier. The eastern side is dominated by forests and quite dense vegetation where as the slopes on the western side of the crater is open and quite dry savannah.

Get in
Most people come to Ngorongoro from Arusha on organized safaris. It is, however, cheaper to organize a safari from Karatu, a town 10 km from the gates. Here you can organize a safari with an independent driver. If using an independent driver, the profit will go to an individual Tanzanian instead of a larger safari company, however these vehicles are less reliable and are known to have parts fall off while driving around the crater. That can add or detract from your experience, depending on what you're looking for.

Fees and permits
For foreigners: No credit cards or cash are accepted, payment by prepaid TANAPA card only.
 * US$70.80 per person/day.
 * US$295 per car/day (not a car full of people, just the car.)

For Tanzanians it's Tsh 15,000 per day. Most of the locals believe that the bulk of the park fees go into pockets.

title: Ngorongoro Conservation Area


text:
Ngwe Saung

Ngwe Saung (Burmese ငွေဆောင်) is the location of several beach resorts and a small village in the Irrawaddy region of Myanmar.

Understand
Ngwe Saung is an aggregation of resort and other hotels stretched along 9 km of beach with a small village at the northern stretch. In addition, the beach is spoiled a little by the local motorbike and sometimes quad-taxi drivers going along the beach and offering tours and transport to tourists. Nevertheless, the beach is nice, and in case you are the beach resort type or want to take a timeout from the busy rest of Myanmar, this would be the ideal and, compared to Ngapali, inexpensive place to do so.

Get in
Buses stop and start at the right before the village.

 * Yangon – There are many buses to Ngwe Saung per day, many in the morning, with prices ranging from 7,000 to 12,000 kyat, depending on the company you go with and the location that you start from, e.g. Dagon Ayar Highway Bus Station or the city centre. Dragon Asia bus line, which can be booked in Yangon near Parkroyal Hotel (not inside the hotel), costs 25,000 kyat for a return ticket. Or try Shwe Pyi Lwin Travel Co (09-43040480, -4200319755, -8550147, 042-42202) for 10,000 kyat one-way, 06:30 and 07:30. from Dagon Ayar Highway Bus Station. The roads are not that good but have improved in the last years, so for the 222 km from Yangon it will take about 5-6 hours including lunch break and bus breakdown. In high season there are also night buses (Asia Dragon, Golden Star) at 21:00. They start in the city center and arrive Ngwe Saung in the middle of the night at about 03:00. So it would be better to make a hotel-reservation for the same night to be sure to get a bed and good sleep for the rest of the night. Buses are generally air-conditioned. The last 1.5 hr of the journey is made over a series of steep and winding hills, which can cause motion sickness. If you are susceptible to motion sickness prepare ahead of time with some medication.
 * Pathein – Some buses and smaller pickups/vans, 1.5 hr to Ngwe Saung for 4,000 kyat. Try the city bus station near Shwemokehtaw Pagoda – there is a green Toyota with the words 'Beach Express' leaving around 09:00 & 13:00; or hail for passing by vehicles at the northern end of Min Gyi Road, which leads to Ngwe Saung. There are also private taxis for around 30,000 kyat available. If you are not traveling with a lot of luggage, it's also possible to do this trip via a motorbike for around 10,000 kyat per person. Pathein can be a hub for trips from Yangon but also cities like Pyay or Ngapali.
 * Chaung Tha via coast and motorbike taxi for about 8-13,000 kyat one-way. This includes at least two river crossings. Reported durations vary widely between 45 min and 4 hr, so clarify beforehand.

As the roads have improved, there is no longer a ferry service to Pathein – from where you would then take a pickup – from Yangon, but double check in case you long for a boat trip.

Get around
You may rent a bicycle or take a motorbike taxis. However, renting motorbikes is probably not a good idea, otherwise the unspoiled place will soon become like an overcrowded Thai beach resort. Walking along the beach can be an option, but can take time. Otherwise, opt for the local motor- or quad-bike taxis, 1000 kyat within the village and 1,500 kyat to either end of Ngwe Saung beach.

See

Do
There is not much to do in Ngwe Saung, that's the idea. Just relax and enjoy the quiet time.

Buy
Bring enough cash because there are not many options to obtain money: there is one ATM at Ngwe Saung Yacht Resort, one at Yamonnar Oo Resort Hotel and another one at Emerald Sea Resort. Sometimes all three of them are out of service. Having said that, resorts usually accept all major credit cards. Also KBZ bank opened an office in late 2016.

 * Painted umbrellas made in town or in Pathein.
 * Fresh coconuts sold on the beach
 * Grass sun hats: You will see locals walking along the beach with stacks of these bright green hats. Buy one for 500 kyat and you will have sun protection for a few days (they're not meant to last).

Eat
There are some roadside restaurants across from Yuzana Resort and Pearl Hotel and generally along the road parallel to the beach for US$2-4 per dish. In addition, many resorts (e.g. Sunny Paradise, Bay of Bengal, Emerald Sea Resort) have their own restaurant open to non-guests, with slightly inflated prices which however is compensated by the pleasant setting. Finally yet importantly, numerous restaurants are available in the village itself.

Drink
There is no club, however the very modern and stylish Bay of Bengal Hotel (see below) has disco-like events. Otherwise, try one of the many restaurants and teashops in the village, which serve beer, coffee and tea throughout the day.

Sleep
Not many budget options exist in Ngwe Saung. Your best bet would be Pearl Ngwe Saung Resort Hotel or the guesthouses near the main junction where the bus stops for about 20,000 kyat.

 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097
 * All star Lovely guest house with modern rooms with air condition, close to the beach in the main road. Rooms rates start from US$25. Contact number +09422506097

Go next

 * Chaung Tha – Like Ngwe Saung, famous for its beautiful beaches. It can be reached via Pathein by bus, 7-8,000 kyat, 3-4 hr. Or you can hire a direct motorbike taxi along the coast for 8-13,000 kyat, which is much more exciting, picturesque and probably better for your stomach. The latter includes at least two river crossings. Reported durations vary widely between 45 min and 4 hr, so clarify beforehand.
 * Pathein – Famous for its handcrafted umbrellas. Pickups and buses take 1.5 hr and cost about 3,500 kyat. Private taxis are around 30,000 kyat. You will most likely get dropped of at the city bus station in the center. Take a motorbike taxi to the highway bus station or start from there, depending on where you want to go. Possible onward destinations from Pathein include Ngapali and Pyay, but also Yangon.
 * Yangon – Buses start at 06:30, 07:00, 08:00 and 10:00. 8-12,000 kyat. For tickets ask around the guesthouses or in the village.

title: Ngwe Saung


text:
Nha Trang

Nha Trang, sometimes spelt Nhatrang, is Vietnam's most famous seaside resort town, and the scuba diving centre of Vietnam. It's more lively and urban in character than other beach destinations such as Mui Ne and Phu Quoc.

Understand
Traces of human settlement in Nha Trang date back to the Cham Empire, though in times of Vietnamese rule, there wasn't much more here than small fishing villages. The French recognised that this beautiful bay, with its islands and white sand beaches, made for a perfect bathing spot, and began the transformation into a resort town. American soldiers agreed, and Nha Trang became a favourite R&R stop during the war.

After the end of Vietnam war, the Soviet military became increasingly more present in the Cam Ranh Bay, just south of Nha Trang. After retiring, many Russian military personnel settled down in Nha Trang and opened tourism businesses, leading to an increasing influx of Russian tourists to the city, who form nowadays the bulk of foreign tourists - in the main tourism area of Nha Trang, signs in Russian are even more common than in English. In the 21st century, Chinese tourists have become quite common as well, as in the rest of Southeast Asia.

However, Nha Trang is definitely not a Westernized resort town like Kuta in Bali - it is hugely popular among Vietnamese tourists, who go to the beach mainly on early morning and late afternoon, and spend the rest of the day enjoying other attractions including mud baths or Vinpearl Land - dubbed Vietnam's Disneyland, although it's probably more akin to Singapore's Sentosa.

Climate
The monsoon season is from Oct to mid-Dec. Sea winds can be heavy, and sometimes the weather can get pretty chilly. Summer, naturally, brings many vacation goers into town and hotel rooms get somewhat more difficult to find.

By plane

There are lots of domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Da Nang, Hanoi, Haiphong, with prices starting at 250,000 dong.

International flights to KL Malaysia (Airasia), Bangkok (BangkokAir, AirAsia), Seoul, South Korea and to cities in China including Hong Kong (via HK Express).

Getting there and away:
 * By taxi – The fixed rate from the airport to downtown locations is 250,000 dong. If going by the meter, it will be about 100,000 dong more expensive.
 * By bus – The airport bus goes directly to the city center; 65,000 dong, 50-min ride. There are a few companies operating on this route, their buses such as the yellow Đất Mới airport buses (no.18) with 16 seats, can be found just outside opposite front entrance of the airport. They stop at certain major hotels — within the traditional tourist center the usual drop off point is hotel Liberty Central. is start and end point for this airport bus route number 18. Online maps have this location called Land Transport Corp New. This bus could be used also as an economical way to visit Bai Dai beach.
 * By shuttle bus – Some mid-range and upscale hotels organise airport transfers, often for free.

By train

Nha Trang is a stop on the main railway line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The journey to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City takes 6-8 hr on SE trains (often delayed), so a sleeper is not really necessary. The scenery on this journey is not that great compared to further north, so you are not missing out too much by travelling overnight.

The distance from HCMC is quite expensive, so better have a stop in Mui Ne (going there by bus) on the way.

By bus

Nearly all long distance sleeper buses stop in Nha Trang. They come from Ho Chi Minh City (10-12 hours, both morning and overnight buses available, both are sleeper buses), Hoi An (12 hours). Besides, there are hourly buses from Da Lat (3-4 hr, hourly between 07:00-15:00) and a couple ones from Qui Nhon (6 hr, 115,000 dong, at 07:30, 08:30, 13:00 and 15:30), Mui Ne (6 hr).

However, tourist (open tour) buses may drop off passengers near the tourist areas.

By car
Private car rental with a driver are usually modern air-con cars and can be rented for about 1,000,000 dong per day. Car rental prices (as mostly anything in Vietnam) usually increase during holiday seasons especially around Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Make sure to avoid high prices by booking it beforehand with the car rental services.

Orientation
Nha Trang has two main beaches: a larger one south of the Cai river, and a smaller one on the north. The southern beach, lined by the Trần Phú avenue, is by far the most popular among the visitors. Tourism infrastructure catering to foreign tourists, including diving schools, tour agencies, western-style bars and international restaurants and cafes, is mostly concentrated in the southern part of the beach, between Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and the old airport. In the central part of the beach, lie the upmarket international chain hotels such as Sheraton, Novotel and InterContinental. The rest of the beachfront, as well as the northern beach, has infrastructure mostly aimed at Vietnamese tourists. A few blocks far from the beach, Nha Trang is a normal, bustling Vietnamese city.

By motorbike
In Nha Trang, as in the rest of Vietnam, motorbikes are the least safe but most convenient way of going around, especially to go to the beaches and sightseeing spots outside of the city. See the general advice: Vietnam by motorcycle.

By bus
Nha Trang's city bus system is surprisingly useful for travellers that have more time than money. And they can also be used to reach the more further away sights and interesting destination outside of Nha Trang.

Buses are white and blue in color, have air conditioning, Vietnamese music, and are very cheap, typically costing around 10,000 dong. While there is very few information available, online or otherwise, about city buses, there are not many bus routes such that it is relatively easy to understand them. Also, check OpenStreetMap (which is used by this travel guide and apps like OsmAnd, Mapy.cz, Organic Maps and Maps.Me) for bus stops around and in Nha Trang, which often have the bus number in their name and can give you a clue on where the bus route goes along.

In addition, buses are rarely crowded except on peak hours. On the negative side, buses are often infrequent and with limited working hours, drivers and fare collectors seldom speak English, and bus stops are often quite far from each other. Therefore, make sure that you have enough time and patience before going somewhere by bus.

Buses are always paid with cash. Fare collectors can provide you change, but avoid using large bills. As in other cities in Vietnam, buses often do not completely stop to allow people to board, and even when they stop, they will often start moving as soon as the first person climbs the stairs of the bus. Therefore, do not stop or try to pay the fare as soon as you board the bus; instead, find a place to sit or stay and the bus fare collector will walk towards you.

Buses:

 * Bus #5 goes mostly along the coast, between Vinpearl cable car in the south and Hòn Xện in the north, good for reaching the Núi Cô Tiên mountain trail.

 * Bus #4 is probably the most useful for visitors, as it passes through the main tourist area (between Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and the old airport) as well as many points of interest, including the Vinpearl cable car entrance, the Hòn Chồng promontory, the Po Nagar towers and Nha Trang Cathedral, as well as nearby the Cho Dam Market. Visitors staying in the main tourist area can take the bus at Nguyễn Thiện Thuật.

 * Bus #3 also passes through the main tourist area, and can be used to go to Doc Let beach. While this would take at least 90 minutes, it is one of the few ways to go to Doc Let for travellers which do not have their own transportation. If you find a bus stop for the #3 try asking the locals where the bus will stop, since the locations are sometimes merged and aren't where you thought they were.

On foot
Although not as treacherous as in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, walking in Nha Trang is certainly no walk in the park. Zebra crossings are almost meaningless as no vehicle will ever stop for pedestrians crossing the street, and the few traffic lights in the city are systematically ignored. Pavements are often unusable for walking, as they are almost entirely occupied with parked motorcycles, kiosks and restaurant tables, such that pedestrians are expected to walk mostly in the road. See the general advice for crossing the road in Vietnam.

One of the few pleasant places to walk in Nha Trang is the walking path along the beach, which is quite well-maintained and lined with nice gardens, monuments and public places, although sometimes interrupted by motorcycle parking lots.

By taxi
The drivers of Mai Linh (preferably) or Vinasun taxis usually use the meter and do not attempt to cheat on tourists. A ride inside the city of Nha Trang should never cost more than a few dozen thousand dong. On the other hand, going to places outside of Nha Trang by taxi can cost hundreds of thousand dong, and possibly much more if you would like the driver to wait for you to bring you back to the city. See full list taxi Nha Trang

Grab now operates in Nha Trang for car and motorbike taxis via their smart phone app.

By cyclo
A wonderful option for seeing the sites is to hire a cyclo-driver for the day. This runs about USUS$15 plus tip. All the in-town highlights, the post office, and a choice of restaurants from 08:00-19:00. English skills may be basic. The driver will keep the touts away--a real bonus! It seems all cyclos are electric assist powered now with colourful LED lights at night. More expensive than using taxi cars for short trips.

By bicycle
Nha Trang is quite flat and bicycles can be rented for typically 30,000 to 50,000 dong for one day for a basic no-gears bike if you lucky to find somewhere. Locals on bicycles are more commonly seen at night when its cooler and no sun to burn their skin. However, if you have no experience with Vietnamese traffic, you should think twice about using a bicycle as your main means of transport in Nha Trang. Electric bikes (ebikes) are a common sight in Nha Trang.

Do

 * Boat cruises – The going rate for a one-day multi-island tour is USUS$6 per person, with snorkelling, fishing, and many other activities among the possibilities. Tours may provide lunch with drinks on board. Booking agents abound, so compare itineraries to find the best for you.

Beaches

 * There are several other beaches in the vicinity of Nha Trang. About 30 km north of Nha Trang, just when past the village of Ninh Hoa, a peninsula juts out into the South China Sea, and on its northern coast is its tinier brother, Hon Khoi. Several resorts are on the eastern beach of Hon Khoi, where you find palm trees, white sand, and turquoise waters. To get there, follow the highway north past the turnoff to Dac Lac Province/Buon Ma Thuot. Then look out for a sign reading "Doc Let-Resort", close to a filling station. A taxi will take 2 people for about 200,000 dong, while a xe om should not be more expensive than 100,000 dong. Or catch a through bus travelling Hwy 1 and get off at the turn off. There will always be some motorbike drivers waiting to take you. Whatever place you choose to go, be sure to reserve a bungalow in advance.
 * There are several other beaches in the vicinity of Nha Trang. About 30 km north of Nha Trang, just when past the village of Ninh Hoa, a peninsula juts out into the South China Sea, and on its northern coast is its tinier brother, Hon Khoi. Several resorts are on the eastern beach of Hon Khoi, where you find palm trees, white sand, and turquoise waters. To get there, follow the highway north past the turnoff to Dac Lac Province/Buon Ma Thuot. Then look out for a sign reading "Doc Let-Resort", close to a filling station. A taxi will take 2 people for about 200,000 dong, while a xe om should not be more expensive than 100,000 dong. Or catch a through bus travelling Hwy 1 and get off at the turn off. There will always be some motorbike drivers waiting to take you. Whatever place you choose to go, be sure to reserve a bungalow in advance.
 * There are several other beaches in the vicinity of Nha Trang. About 30 km north of Nha Trang, just when past the village of Ninh Hoa, a peninsula juts out into the South China Sea, and on its northern coast is its tinier brother, Hon Khoi. Several resorts are on the eastern beach of Hon Khoi, where you find palm trees, white sand, and turquoise waters. To get there, follow the highway north past the turnoff to Dac Lac Province/Buon Ma Thuot. Then look out for a sign reading "Doc Let-Resort", close to a filling station. A taxi will take 2 people for about 200,000 dong, while a xe om should not be more expensive than 100,000 dong. Or catch a through bus travelling Hwy 1 and get off at the turn off. There will always be some motorbike drivers waiting to take you. Whatever place you choose to go, be sure to reserve a bungalow in advance.

Diving & snorkeling
Close off-shore from Nha Trang sit a series of islands that offer decent diving and snorkelling, easily accessible by day trip. The city has about two dozen dive shops, making for fierce competition and great value. PADI open water courses with equipment rental are available for USUS$250. A two-dive boat trip with equipment rental and modest lunch can be had for USUS$45.

Coastal and undersea construction has stirred up a lot of sediment in the area, so underwater visibility is sometimes not great. The area is heavily fished, so fish life is also limited. You wouldn't cross the world just to dive at Nha Trang. But if you always dreamed of getting a scuba certification, Nha Trang is a good place to do it. The shops generally offer good quality equipment and experienced, certified dive masters. Diving goes on year round, but in the Oct-Dec windy season, the boat ride can be a bit rough and diving is limited to a few sites in the lee of the islands.

Organisation of the Nha Trang dive industry is sometimes complex. If you sign up for a trip with shop A, you might find yourself joined with a group and divemaster from shop B, which shares a boat with another group and divemaster from shop C, the boat itself being independently owned. Consolidation is especially active in the off-season, when few if any shops can fill a boat on their own. It's a good illustration of Vietnamese culture, which does not stand on ceremony, and loves a bargain, and is very skilled at making maximum use of resources. The local divemasters are mostly great, friendly guys with lots of stories to tell.

Money
ATMs are everywhere — see Vietnam for general information.

Eat
The local speciality seems to be Bánh Căn, special rice cakes mixed with egg, meat, or seafood — 6 of them go for 25–40,000 dong. But also Bánh Hỏi and Bánh Xèo can be found here and more consistently throughout the day than in Quy Nhon.

Budget
Check out nearby the Central Market — this street is spotted with many authentic local and inexpensive eateries with every one offering something different; Bánh Hỏi, snail soup, spring rolls, Cơm Tấm, Pho, drinks and more. Be careful walking this sideroad since many motorbikes take it as a speedy shortcut.

Otherwise many inexpensive places can be found around the Central Market:

Drink

Budget
There are plenty of budget hotels in Nha Trang with rooms costing around USUS$20 per night and nearly all are en suite and have the usual air-con, cable TV, fridge, bedside table, wardrobe and night light. Most also have Wi-Fi. "Mini-hotel alley" at 64 Tran Phu is a good place to head for as it has a dozen or so budget hotels located in a relatively quiet alley near the beach and the main tourist area. Hostel dorm beds are available for USUS$5-7 per night.

Resorts outside of town
About 60km north of Nha Trang is a stretch of coastline about 20 km long that contains some of the best beaches in Vietnam. Soft power like white sand beaches with clear blue sea and gentle gradients, these beaches are more beautiful and easier for swimming than in Nha Trang. This is an ideal area to explore by motorbike, perhaps taking a night or two side trip from Nha Trang city. The turn off for Jungle Beach gets you off the busy highway for a more relaxing 20 km stretch of road to Jungle Beach Resort. Just after this turn off for Jungle Beach is the turn off for Doc Let Beach, which is another 13 km away and a similarly more relaxing and scenic road. There is an interconnecting road between Jungle and Doc Let so no need to go all the way back to the highway to get from one to the other.

Stay safe
The risk of petty crime in Nha Trang, especially late at night, is high compared to most other places in Asia. The most common crime is pick pocketing after midnight near the Sailing Club. During the day, it is relatively safe though bag snatching on the beach is not uncommon, so don't take any valuables to the beach. Staying cautious at all times is best. Do not wear too much jewellery, and keep an eye on your belongings. It would be smart to travel in groups when you are out roaming the streets at night. Also, people coming home from the clubs should take a taxi and not a motorbike taxi. Single males walking back to their hotels in the early hours from clubs and bars such as the Sailing Club and Why Not Bar, especially if a little drunk, should beware of ladies approaching, typically in twos or threes, but often with a couple of guys on motorbikes watching closely from a distance ready to be get-away drivers or to get involved if things get nasty. They come over all friendly and touchy-feely, first checking to see what valuables you have and where, then relieve you of them. Often the victim doesn't even know he's been robbed until he gets back to his room or after he wakes up. This is almost becoming a tourist attraction in the sense you can watch this spectacle almost nightly, perhaps helping out a fellow drunken tourist being robbed. Unbelievably, no police are seen, and no hotel or bar security gets involved.

Do not keep money in your passport. If you want your hotel to lock up your money, they will usually be happy to do so in their hotel safe and have procedures for doing that. Passports are kept separate from other valuables as they need access to these for reporting each day your stay to the government. Better than giving the passport to the hotel is handing over a photocopy (personal data page and visa). It is never a good idea to give your passport to anyone other than officials. Never store money in your passport. Keep some money in a different pocket to your wallet/money belt. No point in displaying it when paying for small purchases.

Drive-by motorcycle theft is fairly common in Nha Trang. Banknotes and wallets have been snatched from tourists' hands.

If hiring a motorbike, check what coverage your insurance company gives for riding motorbikes in Asia, and it is frequently none.

Do not argue with locals who try to hustle money from you. This includes tourist touts, moto taxis, etc. They can become violent and aggressive easily, often resorting to the use of rocks or even concealed weapons. Although they can be a bit harder to get rid of than in other places, it is best to avoid these people altogether.

There was one negative report about TM Brothers buses. It's claimed, that they have a bad reputation, and some of the seats are broken and you can find cockroaches on the bus. However, their buses are usually a few dollars cheaper than other companies.

Connect
Internet access can be found in many hotels. There are not that many Internet cafes around now as most hotels typically have computers available for free use by guests or Wi-Fi.

When using the telephone at a hotel be sure to check their rates. Skype or Google Hangouts is free or low cost.

Mobile SIM cards are readily available, mobifone seems the best option for tourists. Their SIM cards cost 50,000 dong or a little more depending where you buy it and come with about 100,000 dong credit for use in the first month. They also provide 3G Internet data packages, e.g., 1.5 Gb for one month costs 120,000 dong. Cellular Data info: APN: m-wap Username: mms Password: mms

Go next

 * Dalat – The old French hill-station with "eternal" spring climate and many nearby attractions easily explored by motorbike.
 * Quy Nhon – The inexpensive and tourist-free alternative to Da Nang (just beyond Hoi An), yet off many people's radar and therefore still a tranquil and authentic, lively and pleasant city with a much (among the locals) hyped beach, half way between Nha Trang and Hoi An.
 * Hoi An – A well-preserved ancient port and tourist hotspot, near the ruins of My Son.
 * Mui Ne – A nice resort area in close reach of Ho Chi Minh City.
 * Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam's largest city, a lively and modern Asian city.

title: Nha Trang


text:
Niagara

There is more than one place called Niagara, all closely related:

Niagara Falls straddles the US/Canada border.

Canada

 * Niagara Peninsula - A region of the province of Ontario that includes areas of Canada surrounding Niagara Falls.
 * Niagara Falls (Ontario) - The city in the province of Ontario on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
 * Niagara-on-the-Lake - A small, historic town at the far northeast corner of the Niagara Region, at the mouth of the Niagara River.
 * Niagara is also the name of a neighbourhood along rapidly-gentrifying Queen Street in Toronto's West End.

United States of America

 * Niagara Frontier - A region of the state of New York that includes areas of the United States surrounding Niagara Falls.
 * Niagara County - a County in New York, part of the Niagara Frontier, containing the city of Niagara Falls.
 * Niagara Falls (New York) - The city in New York on the American side of Niagara Falls.

title: Niagara


text:
Niagara County

Niagara County is in the Niagara Frontier region of New York.

Municipalities

 * — the county seat, known for its historic set of five canal locks
 * — old Erie Canal village named for the wells of coal gas that once dotted the surrounding region
 * — charming village tucked under the foot of the Niagara Escarpment where bed and breakfasts abound, also home to Artpark
 * — another canal port
 * — the honeymoon capital of the world
 * — old 19th-century lumber port at the modern-day west end of the Erie Canal, with a restored downtown
 * — a charming sleepy village on the Lake Ontario shore that was once a summer resort
 * — the northwesternmost community in the state, home to Old Fort Niagara
 * — the northwesternmost community in the state, home to Old Fort Niagara
 * — the northwesternmost community in the state, home to Old Fort Niagara

Other destinations

 * — home of the picturesque Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse

title: Niagara County


text:
Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a popular, though often tacky and touristy honeymoon destination on the USA-Canada border, approximately midway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The region is divided by the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York. There are a pair of twin cities, one on each side of the boundary: Other parts of the region are:
 * Niagara Falls (Ontario) in Canada's Niagara Region
 * Niagara Falls (New York) in the United States of America's western New York Niagara County
 * Three waterfalls (the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls) and a group of islands (Goat Island and Luna Island are the largest) straddle the international boundary and form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.
 * The Niagara River, which leads from Buffalo over the falls and downstream to Lewiston-Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The international boundary runs approximately through the middle of the Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three. Despite this, the Horseshoe Falls are often called the "Canadian Falls". The American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the two islands are in the USA. See the individual city articles Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Niagara Falls (New York) for local listings for each side.

With four to six million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water falling every minute, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, based on its exceptionally-high flow rate and a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. Renowned for their beauty, they serve as a huge source of hydroelectric power and are well illuminated at night.

Niagara serves as gateway to attractions in the surrounding Niagara Region, including wineries and the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

There are two road bridges at Niagara Falls, plus one at Lewiston-Queenston and one in Buffalo; these four crossings are usually very busy as they serve Toronto.

By car, Niagara is a relatively easy day trip from Toronto (75 miles, 121 km) or Buffalo (17 miles, 27 km). By rail, it was one of the few places where a bridge could carry a locomotive across the Canadian border during the Underground Railroad era of the 1850s; Amtrak/VIA still use Niagara as a rail border crossing for passengers from New York City on the "Maple Leaf" to Toronto. "GO" commuter trains on the Oshawa-Toronto-Hamilton "Lakeshore" mainline are extended to Niagara on weekends in high season, but do not cross the border.

title: Niagara Falls


text:
Niagara Falls (New York)

Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Frontier region of New York state.

Understand
The Niagara Falls consist of three sections. The large Canadian falls—with their distinctive curved shape—are also known as the Horseshoe Falls. They are separated by Goat Island from the American Falls, which are separated from the narrow Bridal Veil Falls by a small island at their south end.

Each side of the falls offers a different perspective, and it is always best to visit both sides to maximize your experience. In contrast to the panoramic view of the falls afforded by the Canadian side, what is seen from Niagara Falls, New York is a heart-pounding, sidelong, close-up look at the rushing water at the moment it tumbles over the precipice. On the American side, the immediate vicinity of the falls is part of Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the nation. The presence of the state park (originally laid out by renowned landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted) serves to preserve the natural beauty of the area and prevent the kind of commercialization that you'll find on the Canadian side. Visitors looking to experience the falls as a natural wonder will appreciate this.

During the winter season, a lot of maintenance of the falls, tours, and surroundings takes place. Many areas, such as Terrapin Point and Luna Island, are closed due to slippery conditions. Winter brings a different kind of beauty to the falls and a visit during that time is certainly worthwhile, but if you want to experience the full range of tourist amenities described in this article, plan to come in the warmer months.

In contrast to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Niagara Falls, NY has fallen into tough economic times. With manufacturing jobs gone, the population has continued to decrease over the years and the economic state of the city is apparent once you venture out of the actual Falls area.

Watch

 * You might check out the 2016 independent film The American Side, an old-fashioned hard-boiled noir film set in Buffalo and Niagara Falls (thus the name).

By plane

 * Allegiant Air has regular direct flights to Punta Gorda, Orlando-Sanford, and St. Petersburg-Clearwater as well as to Savannah.
 * Spirit Airlines flies year-found to Fort Lauderdale and seasonally to Myrtle Beach.
 * Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, just outside of Buffalo, is a major airport, with flights across the United States. It is about 30-40 minutes away.
 * Buffalo Airport Shuttle, +1 716-685-2550, offers service from the Buffalo-Niagara airport to Niagara Falls. A family of 4 can expect to pay $22 per person and the drivers often have great tips on where to go and what to avoid.
 * BUF Buffalo Airport Taxi Service, +1 716-292-4425, provides service from the Buffalo-Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls. Expected cost is $65 total for 1-7 people.
 * John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is about a one-hour drive west of Niagara Falls in the Canadian province of Ontario. The airport hosts Canadian carrier WestJet which offers frequent flights all over Canada. In addition, Transat Holidays offers weekly direct flights to Cancún, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
 * Toronto Pearson International Airport, in Mississauga is about a 90-minute drive from the Falls, assuming ideal traffic conditions on Toronto-area highways, which is not a good thing to assume.
 * Toronto Pearson International Airport, in Mississauga is about a 90-minute drive from the Falls, assuming ideal traffic conditions on Toronto-area highways, which is not a good thing to assume.

By train

 * Routes:
 * Empire Service operating twice daily between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City including stops in Buffalo, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
 * Maple Leaf train operating daily between Toronto and New York City, in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Stops between Toronto and Niagara Falls (New York) include in Oakville, Burlington, Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Stops between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City are the same as those made by the Empire Service. Border crossing processing takes place in Niagara Falls, where passengers must detrain with their baggage. Train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail within Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States. For trains headed to Toronto, this is the final stop before passengers reach border control for entry into Canada.
 * Maple Leaf train operating daily between Toronto and New York City, in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Stops between Toronto and Niagara Falls (New York) include in Oakville, Burlington, Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Stops between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City are the same as those made by the Empire Service. Border crossing processing takes place in Niagara Falls, where passengers must detrain with their baggage. Train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail within Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States. For trains headed to Toronto, this is the final stop before passengers reach border control for entry into Canada.

By car

 * From Buffalo-Niagara International Airport: Take the I-90 East to the I-290 West to the I-190 North. Take the I-190 North (over both Grand Island Bridges, $1 toll) to the Niagara Scenic Parkway.
 * From Toronto Pearson International Airport: Take Highway 427 S to QEW towards Hamilton. Drive for about 60 mi (100 km) and then keep left to take the Regional Road 420 E/Roberts Street toward Niagara Falls Bridge to U.S. Continue onto Falls Avenue and then cross via Rainbow Bridge. Roberts Street changes to State Route 384/Niagara Street once in the U.S.
 * From New York, Boston, and the East Coast: Take I-90 W towards Buffalo to the 290 W.  Exit onto the 190 N towards Grand Island and Niagara Falls.  Follow I-90 N through Grand Island, then take exit 21A immediately after the North Grand Island Bridge (as you're leaving the island) for the Niagara Scenic Parkway.  Continue until in downtown Niagara Falls.
 * From Chicago and the Midwest: Take I-90 East towards Buffalo to the 190 W. Follow signs for Grand Island and Niagara Falls. Follow interstate through Grand Island, then take exit 21A immediately after the North Grand Island Bridge (as you're leaving the island) for the Niagara Scenic Parkway.  Continue until in downtown Niagara Falls.

By bus
Greyhound offers service from Buffalo. There are two daily departures from the Municipal Transportation Center in downtown Buffalo, at 7AM and 9:30PM respectively, which drop you off in the Falls at the Quality Hotel at 240 1st St. The trip takes half an hour and costs $7. If you're headed in from elsewhere, you'll have to transfer at Buffalo first; see Buffalo for information on service from destinations further afield.

A cheaper ($2) but slower (50 minutes) option from downtown Buffalo is NFTA Metro Bus #40, which you board at the Buffalo Municipal Transportation Center and will drop you off at various locations in Niagara Falls. See the linked schedule and map for details.

OurBus serves Niagara Falls from New York City with intermediate stops in Binghamton, Syracuse, Henrietta, and Amherst. There are six weekly departures from New York (8AM every day but Wednesday) arriving at 4:30PM at the Niagara Falls USA Visitor Center at 10 Rainbow Blvd. Fares are about half what Greyhound charges.

By foot
You can really do a lot without a car once you get to the immediate vicinity of the Falls. If you are staying downtown you may be able to get by without a car. The toll for walking the Rainbow Bridge westbound to Canada is $1 (both U.S. and Canadian currency accepted), paid on the Canadian side coming into Canada. (There is no eastbound toll.) If you travel with any baby carriage, you pay no extra toll. Do not photograph or film on the Bridge without getting Bridge Commission approval and signing a liability waiver first. You cannot walk across the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

By bicycle
Bicycling can be faster than walking to get around. The toll for bicycling and walking the bridge across the national border is the same. On the bridge sidewalk, bicyclists are officially supposed to walk their bikes, but you may bicycle on the far right lane of the Rainbow Bridge and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge like a car.

Reddy Bikeshare, Buffalo's bike-sharing network, expanded to Niagara Falls in 2019, with about three dozen locations spread out citywide but (as you might expect) most heavily concentrated in the downtown tourist area. To use a Reddy bike, sign in to the SoBi mobile app to find and reserve an available bike at any of the various Reddy racks around the city (or simply walk up to a rack and enter your account number and PIN on the bike's keypad to unlock it). Then, when you're finished, simply lock your bike up at whichever Reddy rack is nearest you. There's a $2 fee for locking a Reddy bike up anywhere other than a Reddy rack. If you need to stop off somewhere along the way, you also have the option to "hold" your Reddy bike, which will enable you to lock it temporarily without incurring the $2 fee and without the bike becoming available for reservation by other users. When you're ready to take off again, simply enter your PIN number on the bike's keypad and you're good to go. Rates are $8.50 for a 30-day membership or $55 for an annual membership, after which point use of the bikes costs 6¢ and 1¢ per minute, respectively. If you're planning on visiting Buffalo before or after your trip to the Falls, your Reddy membership works there too.

By car
Car is a convenient option to get around, and to see the attractions surrounding the Falls.

Parking at Niagara Falls State Park is a breeze, with four ample-sized parking lots that charge $10/day. Parking on the American side and walking across the bridge may be an attractive method of getting to the Canadian side for a day trip.

Once you leave the park and enter downtown Niagara Falls proper, rates get steeper and availability gets scarcer. There are four public parking ramps downtown that each charge the same rate: $20/day M-Th and $30/day F-Su during tourist season (May-Oct), $10/day offseason. On-street parking is more expensive still, at $5/hour during the tourist season and $3/hour offseason.

If you're parking downtown, there are clearly posted signs directing you to the tourist area. Most shops and attractions are within walking distance from downtown.

Crossing the border
If you want to see the Canadian side, you can cross at the Rainbow Bridge (downtown) or the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge (north of the city). Be sure you have proper documentation for yourself (passport or other approved alternative) and your vehicle (registration, insurance card, etc.) If you're driving a rental car, pay particular attention to your rental contract. Unlike driving into Mexico, most national rental firms in the US don't have an issue with you driving into Canada; however, there's a decent chance that Canadian travel is not included in your unlimited mileage allowance (unless the rental originated in New York State) and surcharges may apply. Remember, you can always park in downtown Niagara Falls, New York and walk across the Rainbow Bridge to enjoy the sights on the Canadian side.

By bus
In addition to the aforementioned #40 bus, the NFTA municipal bus system includes five additional routes serving Niagara Falls. The two of most interest to tourists are:
 * Bus #55T (Trolley), which begins at Niagara Falls International Airport and runs westward down Niagara Falls Boulevard past the factory outlet mall, then along Pine Avenue through Little Italy as far as the Aquarium of Niagara, then descends southward into the downtown casino and hotel district, and
 * Bus #50 (Main-Niagara), which begins at the outlet mall, proceeding westward from there into downtown via Buffalo Avenue and Niagara Street, and from there northward, with service to the destinations in the upper Niagara Gorge (Whirlpool State Park, DeVeaux Woods State Park, Devil's Hole State Park, and the Niagara Power Vista) en route to its terminus in Lewiston.

Waterfalls
Views of Niagara Falls are free and accessible. Access to the riverside walks and parks offer great views. You can walk across to Goat Island on the pedestrian bridge.

There are a number of attractions designed to give different experiences of the falls.

You can combine all these attractions with a Niagara USA Discovery pass for $35, which you can purchase at the attractions.

 * Whirpool Tours in nearby Lewiston is a jet boat ride that will take you to the falls.
 * Helicopter Rides Howard Johnson's on Rainbow Blvd.

Must stay a night and see the night view of the Niagara Falls. It is equally beautiful.

Do
There are literally dozens of operators offering tours of the area; only a few offer value-added services on top of simply ferrying you place to place and describing the sites.

If you get bored with the scenery and don't much care for probability and statistics, the local Native American tribe has just the place:

If you really want to take the gamble of a lifetime, throw your freedom away by tying the knot in Niagara Falls, the most famous honeymoon destination in the state:

Buy
There is an outlet mall, which may be of interest to bargain hunters crossing the border.

There are numerous places to pick up gifts and souvenirs including:

Book lovers should definitely check out:

Pizza
Aside from a single Papa John's location inside the Quality Hotel downtown and a Pizza Hut way out by the outlet mall, the big national pizzeria chains don't have much of a presence in Niagara Falls. So you may as well take the opportunity to get acquainted with the local style, a closely guarded local secret that's practically unknown even to folks from elsewhere in Western New York. Classic Niagara Falls pizza is cooked in a square pan and always sliced into squares, with a crust that's thin like New York-style but with a pillowy consistency and nutty flavor, and a sauce that is subtly seasoned with oregano and has a faint tinge of sweetness (though nowhere near as assertively sweet as on Buffalo pizza). The cheese is thin and sparse — generally there's just enough to fully cover the crust — with pepperoni baked underneath and any other toppings (generally there are none) on top. If you're intrigued, the stretch of Niagara Street between Portage Road and Hyde Park Boulevard is where you'll find the two best exponents of the style: Frenchy's and The Pizza Oven. Or if that's too rough of a neighborhood for you, head north to Mr. Ventry's on Pierce Avenue.

Drink
The drinking age in New York is 21, however, due to the fact that Niagara Falls straddles the border, 19 and 20 year-olds may cross the border into Canada to legally drink. Alcohol is more expensive in Canada.

Sleep
There are not really any major luxury hotels in the area, but a new hotel is now at Seneca Niagara Casino. There are several other nice-looking hotels downtown by the Falls, and then a series of motels on Niagara Falls Boulevard, including several $20/night fleabag specials (where they really always charge you more than that anyway).

Downtown, the best hotels are Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, and The Red Coach Inn. Radisson on the River is coming soon on Buffalo Avenue and is located on the Niagara River overlooking the North Grand Island Bridge.

There are several B&Bs: Butler House, Park Place B&B, and the Elizabeth House.

Connect

 * The Niagara Falls area code is 716 for the entire area.
 * The Niagara Falls zip codes are 14301-14305

Stay safe
Downtown Niagara Falls — that is, the area immediately surrounding the falls themselves — is undergoing something of a renaissance, with a small boom in new hotels being constructed, new shops and restaurants on Old Falls Street, and a general sprucing up compared to a few years back. However, many of the residential neighborhoods surrounding downtown remain rundown, a victim of the economic malaise that swept over the region as a whole in the late 20th century, a time when many of the chemical plants and other industries that employed residents shut down. If you're straying outside of downtown, common-sense rules for any urban area apply: lock your car doors, avoid flashy displays of wealth, keep your wits about you. Exceptions to this rule are the DeVeaux neighborhood as well as adjacent areas along the lower Niagara River north of downtown, which are quite well-to-do residential neighborhoods, as well as the busy commercial strip of Niagara Falls Boulevard and the adjacent middle-class neighborhood of LaSalle, near Niagara Falls International Airport.

Go next
There are numerous other waterfalls in western New York (all much smaller), notably the 3 falls of the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park. Old Fort Niagara, a historical site, is around half an hour to the north, and Buffalo is about half an hour away.

You can travel to the Canadian side for a closer view of Horseshoe Falls and to visit the other attractions in Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara-on-the-Lake, although you will need a passport or another document proving both identity and citizenship, the main Canada article covers documentation requirements and crossing the border by land in depth.

Lewiston is just to the north, and is usually visited as part of a trip to the Falls. Lewiston sports a cute village center filled with shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfast inns. Lewiston is also home of Artpark State Park, with a popular open-air auditorium in addition to normal park activities.

title: Niagara Falls (New York)