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Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands are a small archipelago in Australia's Northern Territory, 100 km north of Darwin.

Understand
The Tiwi Islands are composed of Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of 8,320 sq.km. They have a combined population of just over 2,000 people, over 90% of whom are Aboriginal. The largest settlement, Nguiu (pron. "new-you") on Bathurst, has a population of 1,500.

The Catholic mission established on the Tiwi Islands in 1911 greatly influenced the culture of the Tiwi Islanders. The Islanders also played a role in World War II, capturing Japanese pilots who were shot down during bombing raids on Darwin. Many Tiwi Islanders are prolific artists who produce distinctive art, pottery, sculptures and wooden carvings.

Talk
Unlike the rest of Australia, the Tiwi Islands speak Tiwi and not English. However, most people can speak an advanced level of Australian English while some of the younger generations may be near native at English. Some phrases:
 * Hello. : ajurungwarri . ( )
 * How are you? : Awungana? (Awoo-n-gaa-na?)
 * Please. : pu. (pu)
 * Thank you. : nginja nguwuri. (ng-inja ngu-wuri)
 * Yes. : kuwa. (koo-waa)
 * No. : karluwu or arnuka. ( )
 * Help! : -wani! (waa-ni!)

Get in
Visiting the Tiwi Islands requires a permit from the Tiwi Islands Land Council. For casual visitors, the only way to arrange one is through one of two designated tour operators:

Once your permits are sorted out, there are two ways to reach the Tiwis from Darwin: 20-minute flights on Fly Tiwi (several times daily, from $120/one-way), or a two-hour catamaran journey on the SeaLink Ferry.

Do
The biggest event of the year on the famously football-crazy (Australian rules, of course) islands is the Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final in late March, which draws crowds above 3000 — more than the islands' combined population! Permits are no longer required but in any case you'll need to plan well in advance to secure your seats. The Tiwi Islands Art Sale is held at the same time.

Go next
The only way out is back to Darwin.

title: Tiwi Islands


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Tlaxcala (state)

Tlaxcala is the smallest state in Mexico, just east of the Federal District and Mexico City. It's an excellent destination for foreign travelers who want to see the "real Mexico", far from the crowds on packaged tours heading for dull all-inclusive resorts. Tlaxcala offers quiet colonial towns and magnificent religious artifacts in the state capital.

Cities

 * — its city center is compact and filled with colonial-era building painted in beautiful colors
 * — a jumping-off place for climbing the volcano La Malinche
 * — passing town to Mexico City
 * — small city close to the state capital, historic centro with many old churches
 * — magic town with colorful traditions and capital of the bullfighting
 * — the second magic town of Tlaxcala, door of the forest of Puebla

Other destinations

 * — large Mayan archaeological site with Mexico's best Mesoamerican murals
 * — ruins of a fortified Pre-Colombian religious center
 * - La Malinche volcano is popular for mountaineering and hiking

Understand
Tlaxcala is an interior state with no coast or major rivers. It is mountainous and lies within the Trans-Mexico Volcano Belt. The state's most famous volcano is La Malinche, which lies on the border with Puebla. It is popular with mountain climbers and hikers who use it as a training mountain as they prepare for more challenging climbs (especially to Pico de Orizaba).

The state has an interesting pre-hispanic history with major archaeological sites in the southwestern part of the state. The two largest sites are both Mayan---not Aztec, Toltec, nor other Central Mexican society. Visitors find Cacaxtla particularly interesting because it is a large site and it contains brilliantly painted murals reminiscent of those discovered at Bonampak.

Travelers looking for colonial charm should visit the state capital of Tlaxcala and the smaller town of Huamantla which preserves a taste of Mexico's bull-fighting culture. Huamantla is one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.

By bus
From Mexico City, if you go to the Oriente Passenger Bus Terminal known as TAPO, look for the ATAH bus line (Autobuses Tlaxcala-Apizaco-Huamantla) that leave every 15 minutes. To get to the state from Puebla, go to the Central de Autobuses de Puebla (CAPU) and take the "green" bus line. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

By car
To get to the state from Mexico City, you must take the México- Puebla highway, taking the exit towards Tlaxcala at the height of San Martín Texmelucan past a booth towards Veracruz and only about 20 minutes away you will find the deviation towards Tlaxcala. The tour takes about two hours.

Get around
Because Tlaxcala is a small state, taxis are often a practical choice for getting between cities or to outlying areas not served by bus lines.

Like all states in Central Mexico, Tlaxcala is very well connected by bus lines, especially to Mexico City, Poza Rica, and Puebla. The largest regional bus line within the state is ATAH (Autobuses Tlaxcala, Apizaco y Huamantla). They operate both first-class and second-class buses with basic service at low prices. You can buy tickets at any bus terminal served by ADO, from the ADO web site, or from ADO's toll-free number: 01 (800) 009-9090. You can also buy ATAH tickets at Oxxo stores everywhere.

See
Tourist attractions primarily consist of pre-Hispanic archeological sites and colonial establishments with examples of both religious and civil constructions. However, in comparison with the rest of Mexico, Tlaxcala's archeological and colonial attractions are barely known. Tlaxcala's major attractions are the archeological sites of Cacaxtla, Xochitécatl and Tizatlán, which were not fully investigated until the 20th century, like most of the rest of the sites of this state. When Hernán Cortés came, Mesoamerican civilization here was considered to be in the Post-Classic period, and the kingdom was filled with temples, palaces and grand plazas that impressed the Spaniards.

Xochitécatl was built between 300 and 400 AD and probably reached its peak between 600 and 800 AD. There is evidence that occupation of the sites extends much further back in time than the city. Its main pyramid is the fourth largest in Mexico (by base size) and the Spiral Pyramid is one of the few circular ones to be found.

Cacaxtla was built later than Xochitecatl, between 600 and 900 AD, and is the far larger of the two. It was discovered only in 1975 near the modern town of San Miguel del Milago. The main attraction here is the murals painted with pigments made from mineral sources.

Another interesting archeological site is called Tizatlán. This site does not have pyramids; instead the buildings here are made of adobe brick, a very unusual construction material for this place and time.

The state has 7 archeological sites that are open to the public. Ocotelulco, on a hill near the town of San Francisco Ocotelulco, is a collection of dwellings with raised areas for ceremonial purposes. Its altar is similar to the one found at Tezcatlipoca, decorated with colorful frescos with images of Quetzalcoatl, Xolotl and Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. These images are in the style of the Post-classic period and have been dated to about 1450.

Tlaxcala is home to some of the earliest colonial architecture and art. The oldest church in Mexico, built in 1521, and the first monasteries were built here in 1524. Many other churches and monasteries were built in the state in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Just about every municipality has colonial-era structures such as churches, municipal palaces and plazas but the best examples are in and around the city of Tlaxcala. The Temple and Ex-monastery of San Francisco, built in the early 16th century, is about 14 km southeast of the capital city.

The State Government Palace is in the city proper and was creating by conjoining the former mayor's house, the treasury and the state warehouse, which is architecturally held together with a Plateresque facade. The city's cathedral, called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, built in the 16th century.

A bit later, the Basilica of Octolan was built in the 17th and 18th centuries to comply with a demand of the Virgin Mary who reportedly appeared before Juan Diego Bernardino here in 1541. It is considered be the culmination of the Baroque style in Tlaxcala.

The state also has 140 haciendas, which vary in their state of conservation but some are promoted for tourism.

Itineraries

 * Ruta de los Conventos del Popocatépetl — A challenging week long bicycle tour visiting the earliest 16th-century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl. Along the way you‘ll cross two national parks, an active volcano, and more historical sites than any reasonable person would ever want to visit.

Do
Regional festivals here are known for dances featuring men in mustached masks (imitating Spaniards), large-plumed hats and colorful garb. This is especially apparent during Carnival, when over 4,000 folk dancers from different villages come to the capital to celebrate. Many other festivals are in the state, many of which display the state's long tradition of bullfighting.

Ecotourism is relatively new here and much of it centers on La Malinche National Park, home to the La Malinche volcano, which is 4,461 m (14,636 ft) high. Here you can camp, mountain bike, horseback ride, rappel and climb the volcano.

Buy
Tlaxcala is famous for its clay and textile crafts that you can purchase at the Casa de Artesanías de Tlaxcala.

Eat
The gastronomy of the state can be divided into two main regions. The northern region stands out for the use of maguey in the preparation of barbecue that is covered with its stalks roasted over coals or poultry, rabbits, hares, lamb or pork meat and the famous pulque. The southern region stands out in the production of different moles. Before, insects were an important part of pre-Hispanic Tlaxcala food but it is no longer widely consumed today.

Drink
The traditional pre-Hispanic drink is the Cacao Drink or "Agua de Barranca".

Stay safe
Tlaxcala is one of the safest states in Mexico with a very low crime rate and few reported incidents of violence. Nevertheless, normal safety precautions and vigilance are wise.

Go next

 * Mexico City
 * Puebla

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

title: Tlaxcala (state)


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Toamasina

Toamasina is a port city on the east coast of Madagascar. It is still commonly called Tamatave, which was its official name until 1977.

The population of Toamasina was just over 500,000 as of 2023.

By plane
(You can use Air Austral to go via Reunion too Mauritius or Nosy Be.)
 * Air Austral from Saint-Denis de la Reunion.
 * Air Madagascar & Tsaradia airlines  Avenue De Independence. from Antananarivo and Sainte-Marie.

By car

 * From Antananarivo to Toamasina is 355 km, which takes six hours by car.

By bus

 * Cotisse Transport to and from Antananarivo, (9 hours) 7 trips a day. Lite 30,000, Premium 45.000.

Get around
First when you come at the first time, there are many places that you have to visit during your trips, they are the following ones

 * Bord de la mer: the seaside is a few hundred meters from the city hall to the north point, it has many attractions like the view of the Port and also some domestic bars and restaurants.
 * La Mairie (in Malagasy, "Lapan'ny tanana"): the city hall is the one of the most known places in Toamasina. It is where people prepare their civilian documents like marriage certificates.

Do
Canal des Pangalanes. There are overnight trips on this amazing man-made and natural canal that effectively extends half way down the east coast of Madagascar. Ask at the Hotel Joffre or the travel agents nearby. The boat service is run by a French man who only runs services when there is sufficient clientele.

Banks & ATMs

 * BFV-SG. Avenue De L'Independance. 24-hour ATMs take Mastercard, Visa card, Diners Club, American Express, Discover card, Union Pay.
 * MCB. Boulevard Joffre. 24-hour ATM take Mastercard, Visa Card, Diners card, Union Pay.
 * BOMI.Boulevard Joffre. ATMs take only Visa card.
 * BOA. Boulevard Augagneur. ATMs take only Visa card.
 * BNI. Boulevard Joffre. 24-hour ATMs take Mastercard and Visa card.

Supermarkets

 * Supermaki has two stores in Toamasina: in Ankirihiry and Morafeno.
 * Supermaki has two stores in Toamasina: in Ankirihiry and Morafeno.
 * Supermaki has two stores in Toamasina: in Ankirihiry and Morafeno.
 * Supermaki has two stores in Toamasina: in Ankirihiry and Morafeno.

Budget

 * LA Terrasse Bar and restaurant. Good priced food and drinks.

Connect

 * Telma (next to the post office) Avenue De Independent. It has good 4G internet. 12GB of data cost 75,000 Ar, good for 30 days. Most hotels now have free Wi-Fi.

Go next

 * Antananarivo
 * Reunion

title: Toamasina


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Toamasina Province

Toamasina Province is a province of Madagascar.

Cities

 * — called Mahavelona by the Malagasy, it is a quiet and peaceful village
 * — called Mahavelona by the Malagasy, it is a quiet and peaceful village

By train
As of 2023 Madarail operates only one service in the country, a 9-hour trip between Moramanga (115 km east of Antananarivo) and Ambila Lemaitso on the east coast. The railway dates from the colonial period, so breakdowns are frequent due to poor maintenance, and the line may be closed for several weeks.

Go next

 * Antsirabe

title: Toamasina Province


text:
Toba

Toba (鳥羽) is a city in Mie, on the island of Honshu.

Understand
Toba is a popular tourist destination at the southern entrance to Ise Bay. Toba's greatest claim to fame is as the birthplace of cultured pearls.

Toba also has a number of islands nearby which are accessible by ferry. The two larger islands are Toshijima (答志島) and Sugashima (菅島). Kamishima (神島) is a smaller, more remote island.

Tourist information sites
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site and an English-language guide site with different sets of contents.

By train
Toba Station is the final station of the Kintetsu Toba and Shima Lines as well as the JR Sangu Line. Most travelers connect at Ise or Shima. 2 hours by limited express kintetsu train from Osaka, 1 hour 35 minutes by limited express Kintetsu train or 1 hour 50 minutes by JR Central's Rapid Service Mie from Nagoya.

Get around
Mie Kotsu's CAN Bus is a service providing unlimited travel around the Ise, Futami, and Toba areas. A 1-day pass is ¥1000 for adults, ¥500 for children. A 2-day pass is ¥1600 and ¥800.

Do
Short and easy hikes are possible within Sugashima Island, from where you can enjoy nice views on Toba bay.

Many hotels near Toba Station have onsen that are available for day visits.

Go next

 * Ise
 * Shima
 * Minamiise
 * Meiwa
 * Tamaki
 * Matsusaka
 * Watarai
 * Taki
 * Taiki

title: Toba


text:
Toba (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Toba:

Indonesia

 * Lake Toba (Danau Toba) - a large caldera lake in North Sumatra

Japan

 * Toba - a city in Mie, on the island of Honshu

title: Toba (disambiguation)


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Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is a tiny island off the coast of Belize, popular with budget travellers. Hammocks, novels, group meals and a healthy dose of snorkelling are likely to fill your day, on one of the few islands that won't break the bank in a country that normally excels at doing so.

At only about 200 feet wide and 400 feet long (60 m x 120 m), the atmosphere is intimate and social, but relaxing and friendly (you can circle the island in less than 5 minutes). About 20 Belizeans reside here permanently, but there's no school, so children spend the week on a nearby island, and come home only on the weekends to stay with their families.

Far from deserted, there's very little space on the island that isn't occupied by something. Hurricane Mitch levelled most of the island in 1998, pretty much everything you see now has been rebuilt since then.

Get in

Boats make the journey from Dangriga in about 20-30 minutes and charge BZ$60/person as of July 2022. If you're staying at Tobacco Caye Lodge or Reef's End, you can arrange a time and come on their boats for the same price, or just turn up at 8:30-9AM at the dock and ask around at the Riverside Café when a boat will be leaving (they depart from the dock directly in front of the restaurant).

From Tobacco Caye, at least one boat usually leaves around 9am each morning heading back to Dangriga. If you're interested in heading somewhere else like Glovers Reef or Thatch Caye you may be able to hire a boat to take you direct, or ride along with some snorkelers who are heading there, which saves a trip back to Dangriga.

Get around
Kick off your sandals when you arrive to the island, and plan on leaving them in your room. You'll be walking around the island for the duration of your stay, might as well feel the sand between your toes. If you're a great swimmer and have some energy to burn, consider trying to swim a loop around the island. The hammock will still be there when you get back. There are no roads or vehicles of any sort on the island, and not even a single sidewalk.

See

 * Sunrise – generally occurs off to the east.
 * Sunset – usually spotted out west.
 * Locals – observe their daily routines and skills.

Do

 * Swim. The only exercise you could possibly hope for, short of bringing a yoga mat. While the island is almost entirely covered in sand, the water's edge is rocky, and only a couple small sandy beach areas exist. Several piers scattered around make for easier sea access.
 * Snorkel. There's a reef along the south edge, which you can swim out to and see a decent amount of things and a bit of coral, though plastic bags and trash may keep you a little distracted. Much better is to hire one of the men with a boat to take you a bit further south (1km) where the sea life is much richer. Day trips and 1/2-day trips that visit several snorkeling spots include mangroves to spot manatees, the reef near Thatch Caye, or Glover's Reef.
 * Dive. Possible with the rustic Paradise Dive Shop, or with Reef's End. They both run trips to the beautiful Glover's Reef, the infamous Blue Hole, among others.
 * Kayak. Some of the lodges offer kayaks that you can use to paddle around the island.
 * Watch 'em gut a fish. Around sunset, on the western pier in front of Tobacco Caye bar, local fisherman prepare their fish (or ones caught by fishing tourists) and wash them here at the dock, drawing a little crowd of onlookers. Fish guts may not be that interesting, but the animals that swarm in to eat them are... you'll likely spot a variety of birds, stingrays and even a moray eel all converging on the scene.
 * Bring a book. If none of the above appeal to you, or you've already done them once today, find out what happens after Sally catches Bob with Sue.

Eat
The only restaurants are those attached to the resort you're staying at. Most all of them have communal tables and everyone eats together at the same time. The meal bells usually ring around 7AM, noon, and 6PM.

Gaviotas has a snacks stand behind their rooms, with plenty of imported doritos, cokes, batteries and even Starbucks iced coffees.

Drink

Sleep
Tobacco Caye Lodge and Reef's End both have phones & emails so you can book ahead if you feel like it. For anything else, show up and see what's available. Checkout time is 10AM.

Connect

Internet service is available at the Tobacco Caye Marine Station, located on the property of the Tobacco Caye Lodge. The cost is BZ$15 per hour to use a Station computer, and BZ$10 if you are travelling with your own computer. You can also usually use the internet for free at the bar at Reef's End.

Snorkel equipment is also available for rent from the Station at a cost of BZ$30 per day.

Stay healthy
Mosquitos and sandflies are thankfully scarce here, making bug juice unnecessary. Sunscreen is wise though, if you're planning to be out in the water long or on a boat trip.

Go next

 * Glover's Reef is about an hour east of here, and you can probably arrange a direct boat.
 * Thatch Caye is about 20 min south. Don't head there without a reservation at the expensive resort, who may be able to come fetch you. Alternatively, strike a deal with a boat man or ride along with some snorkellers.

title: Tobacco Caye


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Tobago

Tobago is one of the two islands that comprise the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

Other destinations

 * Pigeon Point, in Crown Point is a lovely white sand beach situated in a heritage wildlife park. There is a TTD18 charge to enter before 5pm.
 * Grafton Beach in Black Rock is a less touristy option further up the north coast with a long sandy beach and warm waters.
 * Castara
 * Englishman's Bay, near Castara Bay is much further up the coast and is highly recommended. The beach is accessed over a sandy road and a suitable car is recommended.
 * Castara Bay is also a popular destination on the Roth shore.

Unlike some other Caribbean islands, all beaches in Tobago are free of charge.

There are a number of old forts worth seeing. The best is Fort St George in Scarborough. There is a museum and a fantastic view over the bay at Scarborough. It is highly recommended for a sunset visit.

Understand
Tobago is a delightful island in the southern Caribbean. It is an escape from the hustle and bustle of Port of Spain for those from Trinidad and, served by British Airways and Condor as a major destination for those from outside the country. The west side of the island features beautiful beaches and the Bucco reef at Pigeon Point. The east side features unspoilt rainforest that are protected and is the oldest protected rainforest on the western Hemisphere.

Talk
The people talk English with a Caribbean accent, a few dialect words and quite fast but after a few conversations you slowly start to understand what the people are saying.

By plane

The area around the airport (Crown Point) is a typical tourist zone and you may wonder why you made the journey. But don't be put off. The rest of the island is a delight.

By boat
A boat service runs between Port of Spain and Scarborough (Tobago). There are 3 ferries per day and the journey is at least 3 hours. Tickets can be bought online on Trinidad and Tobago inter-island ferry service.

Get around
Vehicles can be rented, although the quality can sometime leave much to be desired. Driving around Tobago basically consists of taking the coastal road that circles the island, together with two or three east-west roads. Cars are right hand drive and you drive on the left.

See

 * Tobago Museum

Wildlife

 * Little Tobago Hire a boat and head for the small island of Little Tobago from the marina at Speyside. Little Tobago is a protected bird sanctuary (no place to stay!) with wonderful hiking trails and a few tiny beaches.
 * Turtle watching
 * Corbin Local Wildlife Park

Golf
The Mt. Irvine Bay Golf Course is said to be Tony Jacklin's favourite (remember him?!). It is a challenging weave in and out of coconut palms.

Beaches

 * Englishman's Bay
 * Pigeon Point
 * Mt. Irvine beach Very popular surf-spot with both locals and tourists. There a beachbar and the place is perfect for sunset.
 * Grafton beach/ Stone Haven Bay
 * Turtle Beach named for its turtle nesting during the months of Feb.-Aug.
 * Store Bay
 * Canoe Bay
 * Kings Bay
 * The Grange
 * Lambeau
 * No Mans Land
 * Man O War Bay
 * Pirates Bay
 * Batteaux Bay

If you're staying on the more populous south end (near the airport), Pigeon Point is the more touristy beach, with a small admission fee, cabanas for rent, bar, espresso bar and snack bars. It's the one with the famous pier that's on every Trinidad and Tobago tourism brochure. And then there's more casual Store Bay, favoured by the locals and visiting Trinidadians. Bigger waves, firmer sand, less seaweed. You can easily sample both in one day, as they're about a 20-minute stroll apart.

Diving

 * Speyside
 * Store Bay/Kariwak Reef
 * Mt. Irvine
 * Arnos Vale

Eat
There are a large number of tourist restaurants in the Crown Point area. The Pasta Gallery is highly recommended and is very reasonably priced. Pizza Boys is a pizza chain that mostly does take away and is also of good quality. For a good beach bar option see Buccaneers on Grafton beach. The burger and chips are great and it is right on the beach. The sea house inn is just up the road and is an upmarket alternative with quite a varied menu. For fish lovers the Fish Pot is located near grafton beach and is recommended. There is a KFC and a Subway in Scarborough.

A lot of cafes and restaurants don't take European debit/credit cards, even if they have the sign in the window. The main problem seems to be with HSBC cards.

Stay safe
The puncheon rum is at least 70% alcohol per volume so if drinking it and not used to it take more care than usual.

Go next

 * Trinidad !

title: Tobago


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Tobelo

Tobelo is the capital of the North Halmahera district in the Maluku islands of Indonesia. It is also the second largest town in the province of the North Maluku after the provincial capital, Ternate.

Understand
Tobelo and environs is predominantly Christian and this is expressed colourfully at Christmas with bamboo poles arching over the side of the roads hung with lights and multi-coloured flags. At Easter, local church congregations hold a competition to see who can create the best Easter garden. Tobelo and environs boasts large swathes of locally owned coconut plantations, supplying hundreds of tonnes of copra (dried coconut flesh) every month to the ports of Bitung (North Sulawesi) and Surabaya (East Java).

Get in
Tobelo is accessible by ferry from Bitung (Manado), North Sulawesi. It is accessible by a very good road from Sofifi (four hours by car), the Halmahera port with hourly speedboat connections to Ternate (1 hour journey time). There are small airports in Kao and Galela  with flights from Ternate and Manado by small plane run by Trigana airlines and Wings Air. They fly on one or two days a week and schedules vary.

By bemo
An Indonesian bemo called Angkot serves around the main road of Tobelo city.

By ojek
Using ojek (motorcycle taxi) is more flexible to go to tourists or public objects.

Local handicraft

 * Saloi, a traditional bag of Togutil and Taboru tribes made from wood or rattan.

Local snack

 * Waji Boteme

Stay safe
Mount Dukono is an active volcano. Its last eruption was in August 2022.

Go next

 * Morotai Island — A historic island of World War II.

title: Tobelo


text:
Tobermory

There is more than one place called Tobermory:

Canada

 * Tobermory (Ontario) - A town on Bruce Peninsula in Ontario.

United Kingdom

 * Tobermory (Scotland) - The capital of Mull in Argyll and Bute.

title: Tobermory


text:
Tobermory (Ontario)

Tobermory is a small community in Southwestern Ontario at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula on Georgian Bay. It is the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail and a popular diving destination - regarded by many as the freshwater diving capital of the world. Less than 1,000 people live here permanently, but about 750,000 people visit Tobermory's two national parks each year, while many others make a stop in the town on their way to Manitoulin Island aboard the Chi-Cheemaun ferry.

History
The rough, rocky tip of the Bruce Peninsula was a pebble in the shoes of European sailors, explorers, farmers and loggers trying to settle the area in the 1800s. Land routes toward Tobermory from the rest of Ontario were not yet developed, and lake conditions in the narrow gap between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay were far from ideal for the ships and boats of the time. After determining the land was unsuitable for farming, resembling the pine-covered Canadian shield of northern Ontario instead of the flat and fertile farmland of southern Ontario, the government sold plots of land to adventurous farmers hoping they'd be able to kick-start agriculture. Farmers found themselves working against the odds; soils were not fit for farming, and their work tended to conflict with the logging industry, which had emerged as a more viable industry.

Loggers took over as farmers abandoned their efforts. Sawmills opened, railways extended their networks, and town sites were settled, including Tobermory in 1884. However, logging peaked in the 1890s as demand diminished, and sawmills on the peninsula turned to serving mostly local needs. While serving as a harbour linking the peninsula to industrious American cities such as Detroit, Tobermory developed a connection to American entrepreneurs - in business, but also tourism. Wealthy American travellers would often arrive by yacht from Michigan to tour the scenic Georgian Bay, and many set up cottages along the coast.

Talk of creating a provincial park on the peninsula began in the roaring 1920's, as locals took note of the many American investors looking to buy up entire islands. In 1930, the federal government's National Park Branch took over Flowerpot Island. Soon after, Highway 6 was extended from Wiarton to Tobermory, and ferry service to Manitoulan Island began. In 1972, Fathom Five Provincial Park became Canada's first national marine conservation park, and in 1987 the federal and provincial governments agreed to create both the Fathom Five National Marine Park and Bruce Peninsula National Park, recognizing the need to protect the unique and important ecology of the area. In 1990, the Niagara Escarpment, which includes the Bruce Peninsula National Park, was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Tobermory is still a beautiful small harbour town, but the landscape and lake (home to 24 shipwrecks) that posed obstacles to farmers and sailors many years ago now provide some of the best hiking and freshwater diving spots in Ontario.

Name
The community was named after Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. Scotland's Tobermory gets its name from the Scottish Gaelic Tobar Mhoire ("Mary's well"), but it's the similar harbour that inspired the name in Ontario.

Fathom Five National Marine Park is inspired by a passage from Shakespeare's The Tempest, referring to how a person drowned in a shipwreck is transformed by the sea.

Visitor Information
Tobermory is a summer destination; shops are generally open from May until the mid-October, similar to the Chi-Cheemaun's sailing season, and are closed for the rest of the year.

 * Tobermory Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information
 * Destination Ontario: Tobermory
 * Tobermory is part of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
 * A visitor information centre is also located on board the Chi-Cheemaun.
 * A visitor information centre is also located on board the Chi-Cheemaun.

By car
From the south, Tobermory can be reached using Highway 6, which goes all the way up Bruce Peninsula from Owen Sound. From the North, you can reach Tobermory by going on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.

By air
There are two airports nearby, neither with scheduled flights:
 * Tobermory Airport, +1 519 596-2430.
 * Wiarton/Keppel District Airport, #501262 Grey Rd. 1, +1 519-534-0140.

Get around
The nearest taxi is 1hr 20min away in Owen Sound, so you'd better have your own transportation.

Do

 * Start (or finish) hiking the Bruce Trail. Tobermory is the northernmost point on the Bruce Trail, a hiking trail that follows the Niagara Escarpment south to Queenston (near Niagara Falls). Since it was unveiled in 1967, all hikers who have earned their "End-to-End" badge have found their way to the, where the trail meets Georgian Bay at the Little Tub Harbour. From the town, the trail takes hikers onto some of the mainland portions of the Fathom Five National Marine Park, before continuing through the Bruce Peninsula National Park.

 * Explore . The park preserves a large portion of the Niagara Escarpment on the peninsula, including a variety of natural features accessible to visitors, from sand dunes and rocky coves, a cavern, and interior lakes. Canoeing, Kayaking, bouldering, swimming, and camping are possible in the park.

 * Dive, boat, and island hop through . The shores, coves and islands surrounding Tobermory are a protected freshwater landscape, providing opportunities to explore preserved shipwrecks and rocky islands where the Niagara Escarpment rises above lake level. Diving is one of the unique activities in this park; all divers must register with the Park Visitor Centre prior to diving.

Go next

 * Manitoulin Island — From spring to fall, take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry across the Georgian Bay to explore the Near North.
 * Owen Sound — The largest city in Grey County, south on Highway 6.
 * Village at Blue Mountain — A resort village, popular for skiing in winter, but with outdoor activities in every season, via Highway 6 and Highway 26.

title: Tobermory (Ontario)


text:
Tobermory (Scotland)

Tobermory (Gaelic Tobar Mhoire, "Mary's well") is the main settlement on the island of Mull, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It has the most accommodation and other amenities, and is the obvious base for visiting the island. In 2020 it had a population of about 1000, a third of the island's total; so by mainland standards it's a small village, but in Hebridean terms it ranks as a bustling town.

Tobermory has a picture-perfect seafront, with the buildings painted in bright colours. It's often used as a TV or film location and Britain's Gen Zs will recognise it as Balamory, produced here 2002-05 by BBC Scotland. The colours are a good way to identify places, though they're not immutable.

Get in
The usual way onto Mull is by the Calmac ferry from Oban to Craignure. This sails daily, roughly hourly Apr-Oct and every 2 or 3 hours Nov-Mar, taking 50 min, see Craignure for fares.

Craignure is 21 miles from Tobermory along A848: this is two lane from Craignure to Salen, then single-track for six miles, then two lane for the last four miles into town. West Coast Motors Bus 95 / 495 meets the ferries five or six times daily, running from Craignure via Fishnish and Salen to Tobermory (50 min, no Sunday service Nov-March).

has Calmac ferries from Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, taking 40 min. They sail every couple of hours Apr-Oct but only 3 or 4 times a day Nov-Mar. Until end of March 2025, return fares are £20.80 per car, £6.70 per adult including driver, and £3.40 per child aged 5-15. Although Kilchoan is on the mainland, it's a long way from anywhere and you'd only travel that way in order to tour Ardnamurchan. The same goes for the 20 min crossing from Lochaline to Fishnish further south on Mull.

Bus 494 zigzags through Tobermory then runs to Dervaig and Calgary, 40 min, with three M-F and one on Saturday.

Get around
The town can readily be explored on foot, but there's a steep hill from the seafront main street up to the residential area and the Western Isles and Park Lodge Hotels. Bus 494 zigzags through town but is infrequent. You need a car to reach the theatre to the south.

Taxis: Chris's Taxis (+44 749 3886 237) and Mull Taxi (+44 7760 426351) are based in Tobermory and do point-to-point journeys within Mull, airport and ferry pick-ups, and tours around the island.

See

 * is the low island sheltering the bay, grazing land with a summer cottage but no permanent residents. It's just about tidal, but you need an exceptionally low tide to wade across the channel. Divers can explore its submerged wall and surrounding wrecks, which include Pelican a Calmac ferry.
 * Glengorm Standing Stones are a group of three west of Glengorm Castle (see Sleep). You can follow the path northwest for half a mile to Dùn Ara Castle, but the remains are scrappy and you come for the view towards the Outer Hebrides.
 * is the low island sheltering the bay, grazing land with a summer cottage but no permanent residents. It's just about tidal, but you need an exceptionally low tide to wade across the channel. Divers can explore its submerged wall and surrounding wrecks, which include Pelican a Calmac ferry.
 * Glengorm Standing Stones are a group of three west of Glengorm Castle (see Sleep). You can follow the path northwest for half a mile to Dùn Ara Castle, but the remains are scrappy and you come for the view towards the Outer Hebrides.

Do

 * What's on? Read Round and About Magazine or Oban Times.
 * Boat trips go out to the seabird and seal colonies, e.g., those on Calve Island just offshore. Several operators, enquire in the harbour car park.
 * Walk to the lighthouse at Rubha nan Gall, a couple of miles north along the muddy clifftop path. The 17-m lighthouse was built by the Stevensons in 1857 and automated in 1960; unusually, it's reached by a short bridge. You can stay self-catering in the lightkeepers' cottages but they're totally off-grid with no road access.
 * Tobermory Golf Club is nine holes on the cliff tops north of town. Twice around off white tees is 4912 yards, par 64. Visitors welcome, no booking, but weekends they often stage competitions, so check the club fixture list.
 * The Volcano is the plug of rock north of the lane towards Dervaig and Calgary. Good chance of seeing eagles and other upland wildlife here, but the trail is hard going.
 * , off the main road a mile south of town, has waterfalls and woodland walks.
 * Mull Music Festival in April features folk-rock bands, fiddle, accordion, dance and ceilidh bands. It's held mostly in Tobermory.
 * Isle of Mull Highland Games are held in Tobermory in July on Erray Park at the north end of town, with the next on Th 18 July 2024.
 * And see Mull for events across the island, many of which are in Tobermory.

Buy

 * The Island Bakery produces shortbread, which you can order online or buy in Tobermory and elsewhere. They no longer run a cafe there.
 * The Island Bakery produces shortbread, which you can order online or buy in Tobermory and elsewhere. They no longer run a cafe there.

Eat

 * Tobermory Bakery & Tearoom (lilac) is open M-Sa 9AM-3PM.
 * The Galleon (blue) is licensed, open Tu-Sa 6-10PM.
 * Crystal Palace (red) at 28 Main St serves Chinese Tu-Su 4:30-11PM.
 * Crystal Palace (red) at 28 Main St serves Chinese Tu-Su 4:30-11PM.
 * Crystal Palace (red) at 28 Main St serves Chinese Tu-Su 4:30-11PM.

Drink

 * MacDonald Arms on Main Street is open daily 10AM-2:45PM, 5PM-midnight.
 * Distilleries: see above for Tobermory and Ledaig whisky. Whitetail Distillery makes gin on the north shore of Loch Scridain.
 * Distilleries: see above for Tobermory and Ledaig whisky. Whitetail Distillery makes gin on the north shore of Loch Scridain.

Sleep

 * B&Bs and self-catering cottages: lots. Seafront prices match the hotels but drop sharply as you go inland.
 * B&Bs and self-catering cottages: lots. Seafront prices match the hotels but drop sharply as you go inland.
 * B&Bs and self-catering cottages: lots. Seafront prices match the hotels but drop sharply as you go inland.

Connect
As of April 2022, Tobermory has a very patchy mobile signal from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached Mull.

Go next

 * Tobermory is the obvious base for exploring anywhere on Mull. Iona can be done as a day trip but deserves an overnight stay.
 * The Ardnamurchan peninsula, though it's on the mainland, is even more remote and deserted than Mull.
 * Otherwise it's back to the mainland at Oban. Ferries to the Outer Hebrides sail by but don't call here, so you have to double back via Oban to reach them.

title: Tobermory (Scotland)


text:
Tobruk

Tobruk (Arabic: طبرق, Tubruq) is a port city in the north-east of Libya.

See
Tobruk has two major war cemeteries.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Libya article for information on the security situation.

title: Tobruk


text:
Tocantins

Tocantins is a state in Brazil's North region.

Cities

 * — the state's capital markets itself as an eco-metropolis and has several nature reserves and other green spaces in the urban area
 * — an ecotourist village surrounded by hills and waterfalls
 * — a mining town from the 18th century
 * — an ecotourism destination because of its natural beauty, with fauna, flora, and abundant water that forms beautiful landscapes
 * — the third largest city in Tocantins is the regional hub for the southern region of the state
 * — a base for visiting Lajeado State Park
 * — draws visitors to Morro das Figuras, where wind and rain formed rock columns that resemble human figures; the Fueiro waterfall, with two 10-meter-high waterfalls; and the Morro do Salão cave, with prehistoric writings and which housed residents who fled from the rebels of Coluna Prestes
 * — the state's first capital attracts visitors during the beach season on the Tocantins River, during Carnival, during the off-season Carnival (Micarê) in July, which is the most famous out-of-season Baiano-style carnival in Tocantins
 * — visitors are drawn by its sport fishing and its historic center
 * — visitors are drawn by its sport fishing and its historic center

Other destinations

 * — a departure from the Amazon region, this uninhabited cerrado area has bright orange sand dunes, rivers and waterfalls. Increasingly popular with off-road adventure lovers. It is protected by Jalapão State Park
 * — protects all of the Ilha do Bananal, which is believed to be the largest inland river island in the world
 * — protects the Cantão wetlands, an area of igapó flooded forest in the ecotone where the Amazon rainforest merges into the cerrado. It is about 250 km (160 mi) from Palmas
 * — a fragile, dry, hilly environment that is home to larger mammals such as paca, fox, maned wolf, tapir and jaguar; primates such as robust capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and black-tufted marmosets; birds such as guan, hummingbird, seriema and black-chested buzzard-eagle
 * — protected species in the park include the jaguar, cougar, and giant armadillo

Understand
Tocantins is Brazil's newest state. It was formed in 1988 from the northern two-fifths of the state of Goiás.

The Rio Tocantins has been dammed for hydropower, creating a large reservoir that has become a center of recreation. Because it is in the central zone of the country, Tocantins has characteristics of the Amazon Basin, and also semi-open pastures, known as cerrado. The Bananal Island (Ilha do Bananal), in the southwest of the state, is the second largest fluvial island in the world. Tocantins is also home to the Araguaia National Park, the Carajás Indian reservations, and Jalapão State Park. There, the rivers create oases in the dry landscape, attracting many ecotourists to the region.

The geography of Tocantins is varied. It straddles the Amazon rainforest and the coastal savanna. Many rivers (including the Tocantins River) traverse the state.

Climate
Most of Tocantins (except the extreme western and northern regions) is situated within a vast Brazilian area known as the cerrado. The cerrado region's typical climate is hot and semi-humid, with pronounced seasonal variation marked by a dry winter from May through October.

Get in
Palmas–Brigadeiro Lysias Rodrigues Airport ( receives flights from Belo Horizonte–Confins, Campinas, Goiânia, Recife, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, and Salvador da Bahia. The airport is 20 km (12 mi) from downtown Palmas.

The Belém–Brasília Highway is the major route through the state connecting it to Belém in the north and Brasília is the south.

See

 * Waterfalls (cachoeiras) of Taquarussu
 * Graciosa Beach
 * Lake of Palmas
 * Bico do Papagaio

title: Tocantins


text:
Tochigi

Tochigi is a city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

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

By train
Tochigi is served by JR Railways and Tobu Railway, both of which have stops at its main station, Tochigi Station. The JR Ryomo Line runs through Tochigi from Oyama (two stops away) to Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture. There are three JR Stations (Tochigi, Ohirashita, and Iwafune Stations) within city limits. Tobu Railway has two lines that run through the city from Shin-Tochigi Station, the Tobu Nikko Line, running from Miyashiro (Tobu-Dobutsu-Koen) to Nikko (Tobu-Nikko), and the Utsunomiya Line, which starts here and ends at Tobu-Utsunomiya Station in Utsunomiya. Although the Tobu Nikko Line begins in Miyashiro, many trains actually come from further south, in Asakusa, which makes getting here much more convenient for those coming from Tokyo.

By car
The Tohoku Expressway passes through the city. The historic district is 3 km from the Tochigi Interchange (which itself is within city limits).

See

 * Mt. Iwafune (岩船山).
 * Mt. Ohira (大平山).
 * Hydrangea Steps (あじさい坂).
 * Watarase Retarding Basin (渡良瀬遊水池).
 * Watarase Retarding Basin (渡良瀬遊水池).

Eat

 * Yakisoba with Fried Potatoes (ジャガイモ入り焼きそば).

Go next

 * Sano - A town known for its ramen and family-friendly parks
 * Ashikaga - Best known for its wisteria abroad, but also known for its historic school
 * Utsunomiya - Prefectural capital, as well as the unofficial gyoza capital of the nation
 * Nikko - A cultural and natural treasure trove with World Heritage Sites, multiple waterfalls, and relaxing hot springs
 * Oyama
 * Tsuga
 * Mibu
 * Ohira
 * Maebashi - Capital of Gunma Prefecture

title: Tochigi


text:
Tochigi (prefecture)

Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県) is a prefecture in the Kanto region of Japan.

Visit Tochigi is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.

Cities

 * — the prefectural capital, known for gyoza dumplings and jazz
 * — contains the oldest school in Japan
 * — small town with a big pottery festival every six months
 * —
 * — Shinkansen Station and gateway to Nasu and Shiobara tourist destinations.
 * — UNESCO Heritage Site for its temples and national parks
 * — hot spring boom town gone bust
 * — a big place to change trains
 * — shopping, noodles and a temple that protects people in their unlucky years (yakudoshi)
 * —
 * —

Other destinations

 * - the largest highland marshland on Japan's main island of Honshu.
 * - the largest highland marshland on Japan's main island of Honshu.
 * - the largest highland marshland on Japan's main island of Honshu.

Understand
Tochigi is a rural part of Japan with hot springs, mountains and plenty of hiking. Tochigi lies on the Tohoku northern line of the Shinkansen and highway. Utsunomiya is the largest city.

Get in
The Tohoku Shinkansen passes through Oyama, Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara on its way to northern Tohoku.

The private Tōbu line from Asakusa in Tokyo offers a cheaper alternative for getting to Kinugawa and Nikko.

See

The temples of Nikko are undoubtedly the star attractions of Tochigi.

Nasu is a popular tourist destination. It features hot springs, restaurants, shopping, themed attraction and at the very top Mt. Nasu offers great walking. You can ski here in winter. The emperor has a house here that has been opened to the public.

Do
Those with spare energy can do hiking or skiing in the mountains. Those without can recharge in the numerous hot springs.

You can do horse riding. You can ride in a wide ground. Also you can feel beautiful scene and clean air.

Eat
Kanpyō (干瓢) is a well-known Tochigi product, made from a gourd called yūgao (夕顔, lit. "evening face"). The gourd is thinly sliced and dried, then reconstituted in water when used. The end product is a brown pickle-like substance, perhaps most often encountered as a filling in sushi rolls. Tochigi produces 90% of Japan's kanpyō and is also Japan's largest producer of strawberries.

Gyouza is a famous food in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. These are dumplings with a variety of ingredients, most commonly garlic and pork. There are a lot of tasty Gyouza shops in Utsunomiya. You can enjoy not only yaki-gyouza (pan-grilled) but also age-gyouza (fried) and sui-gyouza (boiled). Tochigi is the prefecture which consumes Gyouza the most in Japan.

Tochigi Wa-gyu is Japanese raised beef. This is a pricey marbled-fatty beef that can be served as (among others) steak, hamburger, thinly cut for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu dishes and well revered by locals.

Soba and udon: Soba is noodles made from buckwheat and other grains. Handmade soba or udon (thick flour noodles) are served in soup bowls with local vegetables and meat or dry with sauce dip on the side. Be sure to slurp as you like!

Go next

 * Fukushima Prefecture
 * Ibaraki Prefecture
 * Gunma Prefecture
 * Niigata Prefecture

title: Tochigi (prefecture)


text:
Todi

Todi is a small hilltown (pop. ~17,000) in Umbria. It overlooks the east bank of the river Tiber, and is both impressive from a distance and has impressive views from its centre. Both the town centre and the outskirts have fascinating buildings. As a town it began to boom after becoming a free commune in the 1200s and many of its interesting buildings date from that time.

Get in
Todi can be reached by car from Rome by taking the Autostrada in the direction of Florence and leaving it at Orte. Follow the E45 highway in the direction of Perugia and Todi is unmissable on the left of the road.

See

Away from Piazza del Popolo are to be found:

Do

 * The Todi Arts Festival takes place in September. You will need to be an Italian speaker to enjoy this.
 * The International Hot Air Balloon Grand Prix takes place in July. Out of competition, the balloons offer rides for around €70 a person.

Eat

 * La Scalette Great Italian food with reasonable prices.

Splurge

 * Tenuta di Canonica. On a hill overlooking Todi. Eleven rooms built into a structure that goes back to Roman times. From €150 {http://www.tenutadicanonica.com/eng/tenuta.php ]

Go next

 * Smallest theatre in the world. This is the claim of the 200-year-old Teatro della Concordia at Monte Castello di Vibio, 10 km north of Todi. It can be visited Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 10:00 and 12:30 and 16:00 to 18:30.
 * Between Perugia and Todi you can find Marsciano.

title: Todi


text:
Todmorden

Todmorden is a pleasant town in Calderdale in West Yorkshire; it is considerably less visited than its better known neighbour, Hebden Bridge. 'Tod' is at the far west of Calderdale, bordering on Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Before the 1970s Todmorden was a borough in the West Riding of Yorkshire and at one time the county boundary between the West Riding and Lancashire was in part the brook that runs under the town hall.

Get in
Todmorden is on the railway line from Manchester and Rochdale to Halifax, Bradford and Leeds. There is also a line to Burnley and Blackburn.

There are regular buses to Burnley, Halifax and Rochdale and less frequent ones to Bacup across the Lancashire border and on to Bolton.

Get around
The local bus services operated by First are reliable and pleasant although somewhat expensive. However, to use the service around Calderdale, and into Lancashire and Greater Manchester you can buy a ticket which lasts all day. The ticket can be purchased from the driver.

There are two railway stations in the Todmorden area: Todmorden and Walsden.

Taxis are plentiful, cheap and safe.

See

 * The conservation villages of Lumbutts and Mankinholes, by the T6 or T8 bus, if you don't want to walk.

Do

 * The Pennine Way, a footpath which runs from Derbyshire into the Borders region of Scotland passes within the town's boundaries. A particularly popular place on it is the monument to the dead of the Napoleonic wars at Stoodley Pike.
 * Walking, cycling, fishing and horse riding are all widely practiced in the area. The town lies alongside the Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, Mary Towneley Loop and Calderdale Way.
 * Todmorden Cricket Club, despite being in Yorkshire, is a member of the well-known Lancashire Cricket League and games are played at its ground adjacent to the park. The Cricket club also has caravan and camping facilities.
 * If you're in Todmorden at the weekend it may be worth taking a bus or driving to nearby Burnley to watch a football match involving Burnley FC.
 * Rochdale FC is also close if you're using bus or train or driving.
 * Manchester United and Manchester City are close by on the train (30-40 min on the train to Central Manchester)
 * If you're in Todmorden at the weekend it may be worth taking a bus or driving to nearby Burnley to watch a football match involving Burnley FC.
 * Rochdale FC is also close if you're using bus or train or driving.
 * Manchester United and Manchester City are close by on the train (30-40 min on the train to Central Manchester)

Buy

 * Todmorden has an interesting market, both outdoors and inside the Market Hall.
 * There are two good secondhand bookshops one of which, Borders, specialises in sport books and, in particular, cricket.
 * There is also a number of antique shops and galleries (including Bare Arts which doubles as a brewery).
 * At the Toy Shop with a nostalgic (and slightly chaotic) Toy and Model Museum in its basement.

Eat

 * Site Pizzeria, restaurant and bar on Rochdale Road.
 * Todmorden Old Hall.
 * Hanuman (Three Wise Monkeys) - bar and Thai restaurant
 * Kava - coffee house and vegetarian restaurant
 * The Tapas Bar - Spanish tapas, with a super £10 tea time menu between 4PM and 6PM. Open Wednesday to Saturday, and Sundays before a bank holiday Monday
 * Staff Of Life - excellent food and traditional beers

There are several other cafes, pubs, and takeaway options around the town centre.

Drink
There are numerous pubs and wine bars in the town centre as well as the Shepherd's Rest and the Top Brink at Lumbutts. The Golden Lion and The Polished Knob pubs often have live music.

Sleep

 * Lindores bed and breakfast
 * Lindores bed and breakfast

Stay safe
Todmorden is a beautiful town and the locals are very friendly. You should not encounter any problems if you act as you would anywhere else.

Go next
The surrounding countryside is beautiful and good for walking, and the great cities of Manchester and Leeds are only a train ride away.

title: Todmorden


text:
Todos Santos

Todos Santos (TS) is a city in Baja California Sur north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side. It is known as a surfing destination.

For the town in Guatemala, see Todos Santos Cuchumatán.

Get in
Flying, the best choice is arriving into La Paz - less hectic than San Jose del Cabo (1½ hours from TS) - and closer at 60 minutes. Two American carriers fly into La Paz, Delta and Alaska, as do some of the Mexican carriers. Stopping in La Paz for a visit is also a nice introduction into Baja Sur.

Eat
The restaurant choices in Todos Santos are amazing for any town let alone a small one in baja with more dusty dirt roads than paved.

 * La Casita Tapas & Wine Bar. Chef Sergio Rivera and business partner, Kim Gianotti Keltto, opened La Casita in 2010 and it has quickly become a favorite among locals and tourists. Chef Sergio has combined his love of travel with his passion for fine cuisine and created an international menu that will blow your mind. In addition to tapas, La Casita serves nightly dinner specials and amazing sandwiches for lunch. The warm atmosphere, friendly service and reasonable prices make La Casita a destination restaurant. Check out their website at La Casita Tapas & Wine Bar
 * La Esquina. Sweet little coffee shop with breakfast and lunch just outside the main part of town. Really beautiful interior with comfortable couches, great lighting, and excellent landscaping. And the food is pretty good too. Also has a bar now.
 * Cafe Santa Fe. Still considered one of the best (and most expensive) in Todos Sanos. Italian food reigns there with some delicious fresh fish (the sashimi and carpaccio are delicious).
 * Ataxon. A local favorite is Ataxcon owned and operated by a pleasant woman (Landi) from the mainland of Mexico. She serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (on selected days) with surprising flavor. Usually there are a few items to choose from (the stuffed zucchini and cauliflower dishes are notable).
 * Los Adobes is a Mexican restaurant which seems to get mixed reviews, but many love the soups especially the Terasca - a cream based soup that will knock your socks off. Stop in to see their cactus garden - it's beautiful.
 * "Todos Santos Inn" has small plates at their bar. With the comfortable seating and impressive bar it's no wonder that La Copa at the Todos Santos Inn has become the new hot spot in town.
 * Coronela. For late night dining (up to 22:00) visit the Coronela at the Hotel California. The have a full menu with some unexpected items. Their gourmet pizzas - with pear and goat cheese - hit the spot.
 * Michael's at the Gallery is one of the few Asian themed menus in town. The chicken larb and panko fish keep the locals coming back for more (the curry dipping sauce is a stand out). Make a reservation - they're only open three nights a week. Bring a sweater during the winter - it's cold sitting on their patio.
 * El Zaguan is one of the best places for fish tacos - their tray of condiments helps you customize your tacos - truly the best.
 * Tre Galline. The most improved restaurant is hands down Tre Galline - the pesto pasta and zucchini pasta will have you eating back to back meals at this authentic Italian eatery!
 * Tre Galline. The most improved restaurant is hands down Tre Galline - the pesto pasta and zucchini pasta will have you eating back to back meals at this authentic Italian eatery!

Sleep
The oldest hotel in Todos Santos is the Todos Santos Inn. Located in the heart of the historic district this former home of a sugar baron, built in 1870, has been carefully restored. There are 4 garden suites with private patios and separate living rooms, the junior suites and terrace rooms open up to a large patio with views of the lush gardens below. The heated pool is surrounded by greenery. With its La Copa Bar, this hotel the place to stay for the most sophisticated traveler.

Go next

 * La Paz
 * San José del Cabo
 * Cabo San Lucas
 * San Carlos

title: Todos Santos


text:
Todos Santos Cuchumatán

Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a town in Western Highlands, Guatemala

Understand
Todos Santos is a small town of a few thousand people, most of whom are descended from the Mayan and most of whom use Mam as their first language. Spanish is widely spoken too.

Todos Santos is one of the last places in Guatemala where both the men and women still wear traditional dress.

Get in
Direct busses from Huehuetenango leave between 4 and 5am and cost Q25. There are some more buses around mid day. If you cannot catch a direct bus, you can take a bus to Tres Cayos (Q10) and change for another bus to Todos Santos. The bus will drop you off near the Parque.

Get around
The town is small and walkable, there are more touristy things to the East of the parque.

Do
Tourist offices can help you arrange tours to some good hikes in the surrounding area.

If you ask permission, you may be able to take a photo of the locals but they may ask you for money (as much as Q100).

The locals are relaxed, friendly and often open to a chit chat.

Buy
You can buy the traditional clothing you see the men and women wearing in various shops along the road Eastbound from the Parque.

Sleep
There are several hotels around. South or East of the Parque seem to be the best areas to find them.

Tourist Information
About 500m East from the Parque there's a tourist information stall offering tours and info on each side of the street.

Internet
There are a few Internet cafes East of the Parque, they charge Q2.50 for half an hour and Q5 for an hour.

Post Office
The Post Office is located on the South Side of the Parque.

Go next
Direct buses leave to Huehuetenango from near the Parque. There's a bus at mid day, and probably some others.

title: Todos Santos Cuchumatán


text:
Tofino

Tofino, population 2,500 in 2021, is a former logging and fishing village that has become a center for ecotourism and activities such as whale watching, surfing, and camping. It is located on Clayoquot Sound, on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island, 208 km (129 miles) west of Nanaimo. Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Understand
Tofino Inlet was named in 1792 by the Spanish explorers Galiano and Valdés, in honour of Admiral Vicente Tofiño de San Miguel y Wanderiales (or Vanderiales), under whom Galiano had learned cartography.

By car
Tofino is only reachable by travelling west on Highway 4, which starts near Qualicum Beach. The road, best driven during the day, is very twisty and narrow (particularly west of Port Alberni) but offers great views of lakes and mountains on the west coast. Coming from Victoria, take Highway #1/#19 north 160 km to the Highway 4 turnoff west to Port Alberni.

Airline

 * Regularly scheduled flights to Tofino from Victoria (YYJ) and Vancouver (45 minutes) are $250-300 one-way.

Ground Transportation

If you do not rent a car, you can arrange for a taxi or ride hailing, see below.

Seaplanes

 * Seasonal flights to Tofino from downtown Vancouver (1 hour) and Victoria harbour (1 hour). Expect flights to Victoria to cost $320 to $400 one-way.

By boat
If you are starting from Vancouver, catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen to Nanaimo on BC Ferries, and drive the rest of the way.

In the summer you can catch the M.V. Frances Barkley from Port Alberni to Ucluelet (37 km south from Tofino), 4½ hours, $30 one-way.

Get around
The town is small enough to walk through. A dedicated walking and bike path runs all the way down to Cox Bay. A free shuttle bus with a surfboard rack runs hourly in the summer season giving access as far as Cox bay.

By bicycle and foot
A multi use bike and foot path runs along the north side of Highway 4 with a space between the path and the highway. The path connects with the multi use path that travels throughout Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which travels near the south side of the highway. It is possible to travel from Ucluelet by multi use path, except for a 1.2-km section immediately south of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where travel would need to be done on Highway 4 in an area with narrow shoulders. Construction to close the 1.2-km gap in the multi use path is to be completed by Summer 2023.

Do
Tofino is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world. The long sandy beaches south of town are the main attraction, as are whale watching, hot springs, and surfing. In the winter, many of the facilities close up. However, there are still a number of travellers who come to see the storm season. For hikers, Tofino is a gateway to the Island's backcountry. With a guide or on your own, explore amazing trails or paddle beautiful inlets. There is still a lot of wildlife, such as Orcas, Bald Eagles, and bears. Tofino and Clayoquot Sound is a world renowned kayaking destination offering wilderness experiences on daily trips between 2 - 6 hr or even multi-day kayak adventures. Usually no previous experience is required.

Surfing locations
Tofino is the surfing capital of Canada. There are only beach breaks in Tofino. Surfing (with a 5mm wet suit, like everybody else surfing here) is popular whenever the surf is up. Winter brings higher waves yet the temperature is still moderate enough to surf. There are 3 surfing beaches and all can get busy in the high season. Many surf shops in and out of town provide rentals and lessons

Sleep
During high season (May–September) hotels here are among the most expensive in BC. During the off-season better deals are available. If you don't mind the 2 hour drive each way, considerably cheaper accommodation is available in Port Alberni.

Campgrounds
In the summer the campgrounds are very popular. There are a number of public and private campgrounds in the Tofino area. Most of these operate from about Mid-March to October or November.

Vacation rentals
Private cabins, homes and condominiums are available year round. This option is ideal for couples, families or groups who desire a self-catered holiday.

Connect
Cell phones work in Tofino, but data connections can be very slow. Computers with Internet access are available at a few shops in town (such as the Tofino Pharmacy and Tofitian Coffee Shop). Free Wifi is available at Darwins Cafe at the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

title: Tofino


text:
Tofo Beach

Tofo Beach is in Inhambane Province, Mozambique. It has been described as "the next Goa", and while this may be pushing it a bit, Tofo has definitely become a traveller's focus on the Eastern coast of Africa. The reasons are not hard to discern: beautiful stretches of beach, a friendly laid-back vibe, a small but pumping nightlife, great diving and snorkeling and a few good restaurants.

By car
By car, follow the paved road from Inhambane through some 30 km of pretty scenery to get to Tofo Beach. The road is generally badly potholed along the entire route so either drive slowly or stay behind a chappa to avoid them.

Tofo is about 6 hr drive north of Maputo. If coming from the north, Tofo is a 5-hr drive from Vilanculos.

By bus
Most buses will leave you in Inhambane - from there take a chapa (minibus taxi, about 15 MT (New Metical)) or a private taxi (about 50-100 MT). If you are lucky there is a big bus leaving to Tofo as well (10 MT).

Buses run from the Maputo junta leaving between 05:00 and 08:00, straight to Inhambane which take 5-9 hr, if it doesn't break down. As of 2009 the cost is 270 MT each plus 50 per bag. Don't get scammed by the "porters" trying to help you with your bag and saying the luggage is 250 MT each. Buy your baggage ticket directly from the guy with the receipt. Both Fatima's and Base in Maputo offer direct shuttle services from Maputo to Tofo at 500 MT each (no extra charge for bag), if you are traveling alone then this will save you money compared to taking a taxi to junta and the standard fare. If you happen to be going the same day as Fatima she offers rides for the same price as chappas but with added aircon.

From the airport
Inhambane Airport is operational M-F from 07:00-17:00, Sa from 08:00-17:00, and opened by (prior) request on Sundays. Customs and Immigration can be organised in advance of arrivals. Fees and taxes apply.

Direct flights are available to Inhambane from Johannesburg.

Inhambane airport is a few kilometres from Tofo. If you exit the airport down the access road the route to Tofo is on your left, thumb a ride or catch a chappa.

Get around
Tofo is very small and you'll likely walk everywhere.

Diving and snorkelling
Tofo and surrounds have some truly excellent diving, with nice reefs and excellent large marine life. Whale sharks and humpback whales in season, reef sharks and much other sea life. Don't miss Manta Reef, home of three cleaning stations where the critters really throng. Most of the better dive sites are at around 25-30 m, requiring deep-dive certification (which you can get through one of the dive shops if you don't have it already). Visibility is usually pretty good at around 20 m. Brace yourself for the unique landing upon return from diving - the shops here all gun it and beach the inflatable speed boats at full speed.

 * Surfing Tofinio is a good surf spot, and Tofo beach is good for beginners, you can hire boards at "the waterworks" right next to Diversity Scuba.
 * Snorkeling is a must... swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world is incredibly special. Although their mouths are over a meter wide and their bodies 8 m long they are harmless. if you're lucky you may also get to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with whales is prohibited, although when you realize how big they are you'll be happy to see them from the boat. Inquire with the dive shops about trips.
 * Surfing Tofinio is a good surf spot, and Tofo beach is good for beginners, you can hire boards at "the waterworks" right next to Diversity Scuba.
 * Snorkeling is a must... swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world is incredibly special. Although their mouths are over a meter wide and their bodies 8 m long they are harmless. if you're lucky you may also get to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with whales is prohibited, although when you realize how big they are you'll be happy to see them from the boat. Inquire with the dive shops about trips.
 * Surfing Tofinio is a good surf spot, and Tofo beach is good for beginners, you can hire boards at "the waterworks" right next to Diversity Scuba.
 * Snorkeling is a must... swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world is incredibly special. Although their mouths are over a meter wide and their bodies 8 m long they are harmless. if you're lucky you may also get to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with whales is prohibited, although when you realize how big they are you'll be happy to see them from the boat. Inquire with the dive shops about trips.
 * Snorkeling is a must... swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world is incredibly special. Although their mouths are over a meter wide and their bodies 8 m long they are harmless. if you're lucky you may also get to swim with wild dolphins. Swimming with whales is prohibited, although when you realize how big they are you'll be happy to see them from the boat. Inquire with the dive shops about trips.

Buy
Currency in Tofo Beach is the Mozambican new metical (MTn or MZN).

 * Mozambican art, right in front of the beach.

Eat

 * If you are self-catering buying fresh prawns and crayfish is simple - local fishermen will pass by most cottages every morning. A fair price is 100 MT/kg for prawns and 150 MT/kg for crayfish. Beware of broken scales over-reading, it is a good idea to test them with a known weight like a 1 kg bottle of water.
 * The Restaurante Ferroviara offers a fairly good range of seafood dishes.
 * Casa Barry. Restaurant with a great wooden terrace overlooking the sea. Selection of international wines, also the only restaurant that is computerized, ensuring speed when asking for your bill. Has accommodation.
 * Dino's Bar and Restaurant. midway between Fatima's Nest and Bamboozi Backpackers. A beach party spot with a roofed-off open-air bar. They do some decent food including good pizza. Bonfires on the beach at night.
 * Black and White, (in a shed at the market). Offers local food for local prices. Will prepare fish purchased at the market for a small charge.
 * Bread Shack, (next to Fatimas Place). Small dishes with home made bread.
 * Casa de Comer. Seafood dishes as well as good international cuisine. Cosy, romantic with good service.
 * The water works. A surf shop that also serves excellent breakfast and lunch, you can also trade books and DVDs there.
 * Bamboozi Can be a little bit pricey but has quality food and a great all-you-can-eat seafood buffet on Friday evenings as well as Wednesday night Pizza Buffet. It has an awesome view of the bay. The seafood pasta is good value and is insanely tasty.
 * Babalaza, (from Tofo follow the road back to Inhambane until you reach the T-junction, the restaurant is on your left). Good restaurant if you have your own transport.
 * Turtle Cove, (a 10-min walk on the road from Tofo to Inhambane). The food is prepared one meal at a time, so if you order as part of a group you'll probably all get your food at different times. It's excellent food, though, so worth it.  They also have a nicely stocked bar.  Open air dining room/bar area.  Go early and enjoy a beer and the sunset sitting in the hammock or oversized couches.

Drink

 * Bottled water is widely available in Tofo, there is a clean source of local drinking water.
 * You can buy your own beer from the shops on the road to Inhambane if you want to save a little money. When buying beer try to get cans rather than bottles, most bars and taverns will ask you not to take bottles away or you can pay a deposit on it. These deposits are hard to get back as vendors seldom have money to pay you or just aren't willing and will coax you into accepting a trade.
 * Going to taverns on the outskirts of town on Sunday afternoons are worthwhile to get away from the more popular tourist spots. You'll find friendly locals willing to share a drink and a few laughs.
 * Local rums and gins are inexpensive but you'll need some courage. Tipo Tinto is a good local rum!

Budget

 * Turtle Cove is also quieter than Fatima's. It's a 10-min walk from town away from the beach on the way to Inhambane. They have a selection of separate chalets and dorms. The dorms have walls and screens, but still use the provided mosquito netting as the walls are pretty porous. That keeps things cool at night, though. The food is quite good, although the kitchen is run by just a couple of people so it takes a while to get your meal and if you order in even a small group you're likely to get your food at different times. The showers are in a block, uncovered but with reed walls that can't be seen through. They don't have shower heads but do have hot water! Dorms and chalets are 240 MT per person per night.
 * Fatima's Nest backpackers' lodging is closed as of June 2024.
 * Fatima's Nest backpackers' lodging is closed as of June 2024.

Tofinho
Tofinho is at the far southern end of Tofo Beach, about a 30-min walk.

Stay safe
Tofo is a paradisaical locale, but the influx of tourists has brought problems that the local police are ill-equipped to deal with. Bag-nabbing is rife, so be sure that there is always someone to watch over your valuables on the beach. The beach walk between Fatima's, Dino's and Bamboozi is entirely unlit, and women should not walk it alone or in the company of strangers at night. There have been... incidents.

Jellyfish can also be a real nuisance in some seasons - a long sleeve shirt can be a good option for swimming. Watch where you step.

Go next

 * Inhambane
 * Praia de Jangamo a quieter beach 30km south of Tofu

title: Tofo Beach


text:
Togian Islands

The Togian Islands are an archipelago in the Gulf of Tomini, Central Sulawesi in Indonesia.

Understand
Bomba is about 2½ hours from the mainland of Ampana. It may be reached by public boats from the small harbor near Marina Cottages. The boats depart on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. The price is about Rp 35,000 per person. Kadidiri is reached by boats from Wakai, provided free by the three resorts on the island. Melange can be reached by public ferry from mainland Ampana.

There are no ATMs, so bring enough cash. There are ATMs for Mastercard and Visa available at the mainland of Ampana.

Flora and fauna
The Togian Islands are very close to the equator, due to that are all islands covered with tropical rain forest. Special for the Togian Islands is the Coconut Crab which can grow up to 4 kg.

The reefs surrounding all islands are full of tropical fish. It is also possible to see big Eagle rays, Napoleons, Bumphead Parrotfish and sharks.

Climate
The climate is all year around warm, due to the close position to the equator (40 km). The driest months are the summer months.

Get in
The Togian Islands are now quite easy to reach, especially if you arrive from Ampana. Take a flight from Palu (connected well with Jakarta and Bali, for example) to Ampana and take a boat the same or the next day.

From Ampana: The public ferries that run between Ampana to Wakai on the Togian Islands leaves every morning at 10:00, except Fridays. However, schedules often change due to breakdowns and weather. Under normal conditions it takes about 4 hr to Wakai, where resorts offer free connecting speedboats to Pulau Kadidiri. The fare for the main ferry is Rp 40,000 as of March 2012). Some of the boats stop in Melange which is another 1½ hr from Wakai.

The resorts are waiting with their boats at the ferry terminal. For Pulau Kadidiri: Black Marlin Dive Resort, Kadidiri Paradise and Pondak Lestari are charging nothing if you stay with them - if you change to one of the other ones, you have to pay a small fee of Rp 25,000 (all 3 resorts are in walking distance to each else).

Faster way is to take the public speed boat Hercules at 09:00. It stops on the way to Wakai also in Bomba. Cost of the boat is Rp 150,000 which is excellent value for the money. The ride to Bomba takes only about 40 min, Wakai about the double.

From Gorontalo: The ferry "Tuna Tomini" runs twice a week from Gorontalo to Wakai (travel time 13 hr) and continues on to Ampana. It leaves Gorontalo every Tuesday and Friday at 20:00, arriving in Wakai the next morning.

The same ferry makes the return trip to Gorontalo twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, leaving Ampana at 10:00 in the morning, reaching Wakai about 15:00. After taking Gorontalo-bound passengers and freight the ferry then leaves Wakai at 16:00 arriving in Gorontalo the next morning about 06:00.

Another option of getting to the Togian Islands is by flying to Luwuk, chartering a car or taxi from Luwuk to Ampana and then taking the ferry to Wakai. Another fast, albeit slower option is to fly to Gorontalo and to jump on the Tuna Tomini ferry (Tuesday or Friday) to Wakai.

Get around
Private boats of varying types can be chartered at anytime to and from the islands and usually cost Rp 1-2 million.

Fees and permits
Entrance tickets to the national park area consist of entrance tickets and tickets for nature tourism service. Entrance ticket is Rp 150,000/person (for foreign tourists) and Rp 5,000/person (for Indonesian residents).

See
Togian is home to an indigenous population known as the Bajo colloquially called "Sea Gypsies". The Bajo are semi nomadic and rely on fishing for their income. Tours from all the resorts can take you to visit them. The young people love foreign visitors and will show off their humble village and school rooms.

Do
Diving! The best walls in the Togians can be found near Bomba, especially the huge atoll reef Bomba Atoll is a must visit for all divers. Taupan island has a fringing reef around it full of fish and lots of sharks. Araya Dive Resort and Poki Poki in Bomba also offer jungle trekking. Good chances to see Tarsius and Kuskus in this area.

There is a long jetty outside of the Paradise Resort that has good snorkeling right off of it. It is possible to swim to the island directly across from Kadidiri, but it takes a few hours. There are sea kayaks for rent from Black Marlin and it takes about 30 minutes to row to a nearby island that has good snorkeling. There are many trails around the island, but some are easy to get lost on. The walks are through dense growths and are not particularly picturesque. Fishing is not allowed in the no take zone so fishing trips must be outside this area. There is diving at Black Marlin (more boats and equipment) and Paradise, check equipment carefully.

For diving Pulau Una Una is good - big groups of Barracudas, Jackfish and Napoleons can be seen. Other good dive sites at Kadidiri are The Gap, Dominik Rock, The Crack, Batugilla and for Nightdives especially Little Lembeh.

The dive boats take normally also snorkelers for free with them, if the dive site is shallow enough.

Buy
Wakai is the biggest place with shops and a market. All the other villages have small shops to buy soft drinks and snacks.

Eat
All resorts include three meals per day in their prices.

Drink
It costs Rp 50,000-65,000 for a large Bintang beer at the resorts. Other option for alcohol is the local Arak, a kind of stronger palm wine - all resorts can get it for you for around Rp 15,000. A large bottle of water costs Rp 10,000 in most resorts. Boiled water, tea and coffee are provided free by all resorts.

Lodging
Bomba is about 40 min from Ampana where you can find 4 places to stay.

Kadidiri has four resorts, when change are next to each other on the very small beach. They all charge per person, per night and include all meals.
 * Araya Dive Resort & Bomba Divers. A very professional and friendly dive center in Bomba, run by 2 enthusiastic instructors. Their dive groups are small and they know the area very well. Dive courses available throughout the year in English, Indonesian, German and Finnish. The have brand new spacious bungalows with an amazing sunset view. Food is very good, a mix of Indonesian and European dishes, and the staff is extremely friendly. They have a coral rehabilitation project going on which can be joined by divers.
 * Poki Poki is 10 minutes per boat from the village Bomba. The place offers eight nice bamboo and wooden huts, all directly beachfront. It's a small family-run place which is known for its very good food. You can take long walks, as the beaches next to the place are all empty. Poki Poki arranges boat trips around the Togian islands, snorkeling trips to the nearest big coral reefs and jungle trekking.
 * Poki Poki is 10 minutes per boat from the village Bomba. The place offers eight nice bamboo and wooden huts, all directly beachfront. It's a small family-run place which is known for its very good food. You can take long walks, as the beaches next to the place are all empty. Poki Poki arranges boat trips around the Togian islands, snorkeling trips to the nearest big coral reefs and jungle trekking.
 * Poki Poki is 10 minutes per boat from the village Bomba. The place offers eight nice bamboo and wooden huts, all directly beachfront. It's a small family-run place which is known for its very good food. You can take long walks, as the beaches next to the place are all empty. Poki Poki arranges boat trips around the Togian islands, snorkeling trips to the nearest big coral reefs and jungle trekking.

Katupat Island is about 1 hour from Kadidiri Island where you can find 2 beautiful resorts 10 minutes with a small boat from Katupat Village Togian Island.

Una Una is home to thriving reefs full of big schools of fish.

 * Pristine Paradise UnaUna is a dive resort that opened in 2017. It is Dutch/Indonesian-owned and -run and is developed in close cooperation with the local community in front of the best divesites of Una Una. Their accommodation ranges from a dorm room, to cozy private huts up to VIP bungalows, all close to the beach. Three meals a day, unlimited coffee, tea and water are included in the room rates. Full range of dive courses are offered up until divemaster level. When contacted a couple days up front, they can arrange (free) pick-up from Wakai. See www.pristine-paradise.com

Stay safe
Coral reefs are sharp and can cause serious injuries. Bring enough mosquito repellent containing DEET (others ware useless), as mosquitoes that bite day and night are a serious annoyance.

Go next
To Gorontalo: take Tuna Tomini Ferry from Wakai: Rp 65,000 for Economy Class, Rp 75,000 for Tatami Class (you can lie down), or Rp89,000 for Business Class (with aircon). Departs on Monday and Thursday at 16:00, reach Gorontalo at 17:00.

title: Togian Islands


text:
Togo

Togo is a narrow country in West Africa, sandwiched between Ghana on the west and Benin on the east. Togo is a charming country, but most of the charm comes from the charming people; this is a small country with a small number of small attractions.

Cities

 * — capital and largest city in the country

Other destinations

 * – a UNESCO world heritage site where the traditional Batammariba people live in mud tower-houses
 * — the largest of three national parks, in Central Togo, near the border with Ghana
 * — a little-visited Park in Northern Togo, with little tourist infrastructure
 * Vogan - town known for its Friday market which has one of the largest voodoo markets in West Africa
 * Vogan - town known for its Friday market which has one of the largest voodoo markets in West Africa

History

In an 1884 treaty signed at Togoville, Germany declared a protectorate over a stretch of territory along the coast and gradually extended its control inland. This became the German colony of Togoland in 1905. After the German defeat during World War I in August 1914 at the hands of British troops (coming from the Gold Coast) and the French troops (coming from Dahomey), Togoland became two League of Nations mandates, administered by the United Kingdom and France. After World War II, these mandates became UN Trust Territories. The residents of British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast as part of the new independent nation of Ghana, and French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the French Union.

Togo's size is just less than 57,000 km² (22,000 sq mi). It has a population of more than 6,600,000 people, which is dependent mainly on agriculture. The mild weather makes for good growing seasons. Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation.

Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, the former leader of the country, led a successful military coup, after which he became President. Eyadéma was the longest-serving leader in African history (after being president for 38 years) at the time of his death in 2005. In 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbé was elected president. About a third of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

People
In Togo, there are about 40 different ethnic groups, the most numerous of which are the Ewe in the south (46%, although along the south coastline they account for 21% of the population), Kotokoli and Tchamba in the center, and Kabyé in the north (22%). Another classification lists the Uaci or Ouatchis (14%) as a separate ethnic group from the Ewe, which brings the proportion of Ewe down to 32%. However, there are no historic or ethnic facts that justify the separation between Ewes and Ouatchis. The term Ouatchi may refer to a subgroup of Ewes which migrated south during the 16th century from Notse the ancient Ewe Kingdom capital, although this classification has been contested for being politically biased (it would designate the Ouatchis as a subgroup of the Ewe just as the Anlo in the Republic of Ghana are a subgroup of the Ewe ethnic group). Mina, Mossi, and Aja make up roughly 8% of the population, with under 1% being European expatriates who live in Togo as diplomats and for economic reasons.

Climate
The climate is generally tropical with average temperatures ranging from 27°C on the coast to about 30°C in the northernmost regions, with a dry climate and characteristics of a tropical savanna. To the south there are two seasons of rain (the first between April and July and the second between October and November).

Landscape
Highly variable stretching from north to south. Gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes.

Religion
Indigenous beliefs 51%, Christianity 29%, Islam 20%

Tourist information

 * Togo Tourism website

Entry requirements

 * A 7-day visa will cost you CFA 10,000-15,000 depending on your nationality at the border or Airport. A one month visa extension costs CFA 500, plus two photo ID (~CFA 1000 for 4 photos).
 * A 30-day visa bought from the Togo Embassy in London costs £55.

By plane
Several airlines offer regular flights to Lomé. Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc have some good return fares from Europe to Lome. You can also fly to Accra airport in Ghana then get a comfortable, air-conditioned, and reasonably priced bus from Accra to the border at Aflao. At Aflao, people must walk across the border into Lomé and find their own transport inside Togo.

By car
There are bush taxis everywhere. These are basically four door cars, with four people in the back, and two sharing the front. From either Accra or Benin, you can take bush taxis for US$5 to Lomé. From there, you can take them out to more rural areas. You can also offer to pay for the entire car, so that you're not cramped. For this, calculate the price of six people, and then bargain down from there.

The Trans-West African Coastal Highway crosses Togo, connecting it to Benin and Nigeria to the east, and Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to the west. When construction in Liberia and Sierra Leone is finished, the highway will continue west to 7 other ECOWAS nations. A paved highway also connects Togo northwards to Burkina Faso and from there north-west to Mali and north-east to Niger.

By bus
There are overland buses from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Benin.

Get around
A taxi-moto (motorcycle taxi) will cost CFA 150-500 to get you around. You can tell who the taxi-moto drivers are: they will honk or hiss at you as they drive by and usually wear baseball caps and sunglasses. A taxi will usually cost about CFA 500 for a one-way short trip inside the city, for trips to the northern parts of the city expect to pay up to CFA 2,500. Taxis will have yellow licence plates and their registration number painted on the car. Always negotiate before you get on/in, the quoted price will include tip.

Sometimes, when you are on a side street, it might be helpful if you ask a security guard to wave down a taxi for you. Tipping CFA 300-600 is expected.

By train
There is no train service in Togo.

Talk
French is the national language and the lingua franca between ethnic groups. Virtually no English is spoken in the whole of the country, aside from business offices and major banks in the capital.

Ewe is far and away the most widely spoken native language, with the Ewe people populating the southern half of the country. You may also come across the related Mina language in the area around Aneho. Kabiyè is the predominant language of the north.

See

Lomé's markets, both general and voodoo, are the most popular stop in the country along the road between Ghana and Benin. The smaller towns of Togoville on Lake Togo and Aneho on the ocean are also popular stops for the former's voodoo shrines and historic sights and the latter's beaches.

Lately, the coffee growing region around Kpalimé has become popular with the errant tourist in Togo, with a good number of nice hikes, cooler weather, and pleasant views.

Perhaps the most alluring part of the country is the hardest to get to—the hilly and sparsely populated north. The best known destination is Tamberma Valley—the Koutammakou UNESCO World Heritage site, to the north of Kara. The local Batammariba people (known by colonists as the Tamberma) constructed and live in unique Takienta (a.k.a. Tata) "tower-houses" of mud and straw, which arguably have become the Togolese national symbol. It's a surreal dreamland of a place, and easily a highlight of a trip to Togo, although it is a journey to get there.

Togo's few parks/reserves are relatively rarely visited, but if you manage to make it out there on a safari, Fazao Mafakassa National Park in the center-west of the country is quite beautiful. In the far north of the country is Kéran National Park, with one of the larger elephant populations in West Africa. Aside from Kéran, the north also offers a ton of potential outdoor excursions, with nice hikes up mountains, out to waterfalls, etc. Akloa falls

Do
Sports, especially football, are the main entertaining activity in Togo. You can watch the football league games played in the weekends (check listings). Apart from football, there are several night clubs that can keep you awake at night, and the capital is full of them; the Chess BSBG is among the most popular.

TV programs are not the best in the world, with films and sitcoms that have been played for years.

The beach offers another type of fun. Many activities and parties are organized there, with people coming from all over Lomé to enjoy the beautiful weather in the weekends. Despite those great things at the beach, you really have to choose a good spot to avoid stepping or sitting on the unwanted.

Money
The currency of the country is the West African CFA franc, denoted CFA (ISO currency code: XOF). It's also used by seven other West African countries. It is interchangeable at par with the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is used by six countries. Both currencies are fixed at a rate of 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs.

The West African CFA franc is to be renamed the "eco" by the end of 2027. It would continue to be fixed to the euro.

ATMs
All Ecobank and Banque Atlantique ATMs in Togo take Master card and Visa card for cash withdrawal.

Costs
A liter of gasoline will cost you around CFA 600, a liter of water around CFA 300. A baguette is around CFA 175 and half a pound of local coffee will cost CFA 1,200. A beer in the supermarket will cost your around CFA 350, at an expat restaurant this will be around CFA 1,000. A Coca-Cola will cost you CAF 200-400 in the supermarket. "Western food", mostly imported from France, can be found in supermarkets, but is more pricey than in Europe.

Markets
The most popular souvenirs from Togo tend to be something voodoo related, like a charm or mask. The obvious place to shop for these curios is Lomé's voodoo market, although you will be paying tourist trap-premium prices.

Eat
Akume is made from corn flour. The "national" dish of West-Africa is Fufu. In Togo, it consists of white yams pounded into a doughy consistency. You will find plenty of Fufu Restaurants in the cities as well as roadside stands. Akume and Fufu are usually eaten with your hands and come with different sauces (from smoked fish to spicy tomato to peanut).

Plantains can also be found in various forms; grilled, cooked, mashed or fried. In the season, mangos, papayas, and pineapples are for sale everywhere.

Drink
Lemonade and Bissap juice are the most popular drinks. There are many bars almost around all corners in Lomé where you will be able to have a beer.

The most popular drinks you will find in common bars are beers and sodas. Here is a list of the beers you may find based on their popularity: Don't be surprised if most of the bars do not have what you ask. The Togolese are not renowned for their organisation and tight management, except one small motel called "Auberge London" in the northern suburbs of Lomé called "Agoe" where you will have all the possible drink listed above.
 * Pils
 * Guinness
 * Castel
 * Flag
 * Eku
 * Lager
 * Cocktail de fruit
 * Coca Cola
 * Fanta
 * Pompom (apple based soda)
 * Limonade
 * Sprite
 * XXL (red-bull-like soda)
 * Schwepp's Tonic
 * Pamplemousse (grapefruit based soda)
 * Sodawater
 * Moka
 * Malta
 * Malta Guinness

Stay safe
As a rule, stay away from public beaches, where tourists find themselves mugged any time of day or night. Most of the country has little crime, but Lomé is a clear exception, and is a good deal more dangerous than any city in Ghana or Benin. If going somewhere at night, take a car taxi, and get the numbers of a few trusted taxi drivers if you plan to stay for a while.

Driving is atrocious in Togo, with fatalistic overloaded speed demons chancing it on curves and hills, capital streets swarming with motorcycles throughout the black of night, and worrisome accident scenes along the main roads. The hilly north-south road north of Kara is particularly dangerous. If you are skeptical, take a day trip, and marvel at all the husks of buses and trucks that weren't there on the way out! Traffic is the single biggest danger to travelers in Togo.

Stay healthy
Drink bottled water such as Volta or sachets of "Pure Water". Bissop juice is also fairly safe as it is boiled, and avoid the lemonade "citron" despite its delicious appearance. Stay away from roadside meals if possible. People relieve themselves in the streets in Lomé, so be aware of that.

Respect
Greetings are a little more elaborate in Togo. Say hello to everyone when coming and going. Handshakes are key. Also, maybe if you try to get to know them, you will fit in. Make sure you make yourself feel like you are at home. Don't make it too homey, though, because you don't want to get on their bad side.

Connect
From some time after 2011, telephone numbers throughout Togo have changed from 7 to 8 digits. The original 7 digit numbers are no longer working in May 2013. Fixed line numbers have an additional 2, so for example, a Lomé number 2## ## ## becomes 22 ## ## ##. Togo Cellulaire, old numbers of the format 9## ## ## become 90 ## ## ##, 0## ## ## and 8## ## ## both are now 91 ## ## ## (the 0 and 8 are both replaced with 91), 7## ## ## becomes 92 ## ## ##. For Moov, numbers starting with 0, 6 or 8 this first digit is replaced by 98 (example: 6## ## ## becomes 98 ## ## ##), numbers starting with 5, 6 or 9 this first digit is replaced by 99 (example: 5## ## ## becomes 99 ## ## ##).

Lomé has Internet cafes, and they are cheap. You buy time by the hour, but most of the cafes feature very slow computers and internet connection speeds. You also have quite a lot of "wifi zones", charging from CFA 100 for an hour to CFA 2000-3000 for a month.

You can buy calling cards along the street. It is, however, much cheaper for people in the United States to call with their calling cards to a Togo cell phone. If you come from Ghana and stay close to the border, your Ghana SIM card will work perfectly, no need to buy a Togolese one.

title: Togo