text:
Wikivoyage:Joke articles/Goudy phrasebook

Goudy is a creole language spoken by about 1 million of the citizens of San Serriffe. It's based on English and Portuguese, strewn across the framework of the native Flong tongue, with borrowed terms from Malay, Arabic, and Spanish.

Basics

 * Hello. : eta. (ay-TAH)
 * Hello. (formal) : etaoin shrdlu. (ay-TAH-oh-WEEN SHIR-dloo)
 * How are you? : Dlrh mt? ( Duh-LUR-'h MOT)
 * Fine, thank you. : Kxz, amt n'nza. (COW-zee uh-MOT ninja (or nenja) )
 * What is your name? : Dwnee amt shivlr? ( Duh-WEEN-a uh-MOT shshv-LUR)
 * My name is ______ . :  Kmbu dwnee ______ . (  KIM-boh duh-WEEN-a _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : Kxzppl amt ff'foq. (COW-zee-PERL uh-MOT fuh-FUH-folk. )
 * Please. : Lxcgxc . ( LOO-see-GOO-see)
 * Thank you. : Znklpeoa . (JING-cull-pew )
 * You're welcome. : Lxcgxc. (LOO-see-GOO-see)
 * Yes. : Np . ( Nip)
 * No. : Ztm . ( Jeh-TAM)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Zo!. ( HAY)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Lr. (HAY )
 * I'm sorry. : Glrmt anyx. (Guh-LUR-mot un-MOO )
 * Goodbye : . ( )
 * Goodbye (informal) : . ( )
 * I can't speak name of language [well]. : [ ]. ( [ ])
 * Do you speak English? : ? ( ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( ?)
 * Help! : ! ( !)
 * Look out! : ! ( !)
 * Good morning. : . ( )
 * Good evening. : . ( )
 * Good night. : . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : . ( )
 * Where is the toilet? : ? ( ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : Leave me alone. (...)
 * Don't touch me! : Don't touch me! (...)
 * I'll call the police. : I'll call the police. (...)
 * Police! : Police! (...)
 * Stop! Thief! : Stop! Thief! (...)
 * I need your help. : I need your help. (...)
 * It's an emergency. : It's an emergency. (...)
 * I'm lost. : I'm lost. (...)
 * I lost my bag. : Lorem ipsum. (LOH-rehm EEP-soom)
 * I lost my wallet. : I lost my wallet. (...)
 * I'm sick. : I'm sick. (...)
 * I've been injured. : I've been injured. (...)
 * I need a doctor. : I need a doctor. (..)
 * Can I use your phone? : Can I use your phone? (...)

Numbers

 * 1 : En (End)
 * 2 : At (At)
 * 3 : Nmba (NUM-baa)
 * 4 : Sole (SOO-laa)
 * 5 : Prcet (per-CENT)
 * 6 : Kre (KA-ree)
 * 7 : An (And)
 * 8 : Astrck (As-ter-ick)
 * 9 : Brake (BRACK-et)
 * 10 : Ins (In-ser)
 * 11 : Ins En (...)
 * 12 : Ins At (...)
 * 13 : Ins Nmba (...)
 * 14 : Ins Sole (...)
 * 15 : Ins Prcet (...)
 * 16 : Ins Kre (...)
 * 17 : Ins An (...)
 * 18 : Ins Astrck (...)
 * 19 : Ins Brake (...)
 * 20 : At Ins (...)
 * 21 : At Ins En (...)
 * 22 : At Ins At (...)
 * 23 : At Ins Nmba (...)
 * 30 : Nmba Ins (...)
 * 40 : Sole Ins (...)
 * 50 : Prcet Ins (...)
 * 60 : Kre Ins (...)
 * 70 : An Ins (...)
 * 80 : Astrck Ins (...)
 * 90 : Brake Ins (...)
 * 100 : Tlde (TILL-dee)
 * 200 : At Tlde (...)
 * 300 : Nmba Tlde (...)
 * 1000 : Grav (GRAVE)
 * 2000 : At Grav (...)
 * 1,000,000 : Tb (tab)
 * 1,000,000,000 : Grav Tb ("...")
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : Cps ("caps")
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : Nmlk _____ (NUM-lock)
 * half : Dl At (DEL at)
 * less : Dlup (DEL-up)
 * more : Dldn (Del-down)

Time

 * now : now (...)
 * later : later (...)
 * before : before (...)
 * morning : morning (...)
 * afternoon : afternoon (...)
 * evening : evening (...)
 * night : night (...)

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : En ji Startp (end jie start-up)
 * two o'clock AM : At ji Startp (at jie start-up)
 * noon : noon (...)
 * one o'clock PM : En ji shtdn (end jie shut-down)
 * two o'clock PM : At ji shtdn(at jie shut-down)
 * midnight : midnight (...)

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (...)
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ hour(s) (...)
 * _____ day(s) : _____ day(s) (...)
 * _____ week(s) : _____ week(s) (...)
 * _____ month(s) : _____ month(s) (...)
 * _____ year(s) : _____ year(s) (...)

Days

 * today : today (...)
 * yesterday : yesterday (...)
 * tomorrow : tomorrow (...)
 * this week : this week (...)
 * last week : last week (...)
 * next week : next week (...)

 * Sunday : Sunday (...)
 * Monday : Monday (...)
 * Tuesday : Tuesday (...)
 * Wednesday : Wednesday (...)
 * Thursday : Thursday (...)
 * Friday : Friday (...)
 * Saturday : Saturday (...)

Months
''If speakers of the language commonly use a calendar other than the Gregorian, explain it here and list its months. See Hebrew phrasebook for an example.''

 * January : January (...)
 * February : February (...)
 * March : March (...)
 * April : April (...)
 * May : May (...)
 * June : June (...)
 * July : July (...)
 * August : August (...)
 * September : September (...)
 * October : October (...)
 * November : November (...)
 * December : December (...)

Writing time and date
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

 * black : oo-oo-oo (OO-OO-OO)
 * white : f'f'f'f'f'f (fuh-fuh-FUH-fuh-fuh-FUH)
 * gray : ady-ady-ady (AY-dee-AY-dee-AY-dee)
 * red : f'foo-oo (fuh-FOO-oo)
 * blue : oo-ooff (OO-oof)
 * yellow : f'f'f'foo (fuh-fuh-fuh-FOO)
 * green : oof-foo (OOF-foo)
 * orange : f'fa-keen-yen (fuh-FAH-keen-yen)
 * purple : oatmeal-ointment (OHT-meel-OYN-men)
 * brown : aseenkdoysh-aduasha (ah-SEENK-doysh-ah-doo-AHSH-ah)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : How much is a ticket to _____? (...)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : One ticket to _____, please. (...)
 * Where does this train/bus go? : Where does this train/bus go? (...)
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : Where is the train/bus to _____? (...)
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Does this train/bus stop in _____? (...)
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (...)
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : When will this bus arrive in _____? (...)

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : How do I get to _____ ? (...)
 * ...the train station? : ...the train station? (...)
 * ...the bus station? : ...the bus station? (...)
 * ...the airport? : ...the airport? (...)
 * ...downtown? : ...downtown? (...)
 * ...the youth hostel? : ...the youth hostel? (...)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ...the _____ hotel? (...)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)
 * Where are there a lot of... : Where are there a lot of... (...)
 * ...hotels? : ...hotels? (...)
 * ...restaurants? : ...restaurants? (...)
 * ...bars? : ...bars? (...)
 * ...sites to see? : ...sites to see? (...)
 * Can you show me on the map? : Can you show me on the map? (...)
 * street : street (...)
 * Turn left. : Your four. (...)
 * Turn right. : Your six. (...)
 * left : four (...)
 * right : six (...)
 * straight ahead : Your eight. (...)
 * towards the _____ : towards the _____ (...)
 * past the _____ : past the _____ (...)
 * before the _____ : before the _____ (...)
 * Watch for the _____. : Watch for the _____. (...)
 * intersection : intersection (...)
 * north : pad eight (...)
 * south : pad two (...)
 * east : pad six (...)
 * west : pad four (...)
 * uphill : peg'up (PAGE-up)
 * downhill : peg'dn (PAGE-dun)

Taxi
get to _____? (...)
 * Taxi! : Taxi! (...)
 * Take me to _____, please. : Take me to _____, please. (...)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : How much does it cost to
 * Take me there, please. : Take me there, please. (...)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : Do you have any rooms available? (...)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : How much is a room for one person/two people? (...)
 * Does the room come with... : Does the room come with... (...)
 * ...bedsheets? : ...bedsheets? (...)
 * ...a roof? : ...a roof? (...)
 * ...a bathroom? : ...a bathroom? (...)
 * ...a telephone? : ...a telephone? (...)
 * ...a TV? : ...a TV? (...)
 * May I see the room first? : May I see the room first? (...)
 * Do you have anything quieter? : Do you have anything quieter? (...)
 * ...bigger? : ...bigger? (...)
 * ...cleaner? : ...cleaner? (...)
 * ...cheaper? : ...cheaper? (...)
 * OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (...)
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : I will stay for _____ night(s). (...)
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : Can you suggest another hotel? (...)
 * Do you have a safe? : Do you have a safe? (...)
 * ...lockers? : ...lockers? (...)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : Is breakfast/supper included? (...)
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : What time is breakfast/supper? (...)
 * Please clean my room. : Please clean my room. (...)
 * Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (...)
 * I want to check out. : I want to check out. (...)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (...)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (...)
 * Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (...)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (...)
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)
 * What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (...)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : A table for one person/two people, please. (...)
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : Can I look at the menu, please? (...)
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Can I look in the kitchen? (...)
 * Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (...)
 * Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (...)
 * I'm a vegetarian. : I'm a vegetarian. (...)
 * I don't eat pork. : I don't eat pork. (...)
 * I don't eat beef. : I don't eat beef. (...)
 * I only eat kosher food. : I only eat kosher food. (...)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Can you make it "lite", please? (...)
 * fixed-price meal : fixed-price meal (...)
 * a la carte : a la carte (...)
 * breakfast : breakfast (...)
 * lunch : lunch (...)
 * tea (meal) : tea (...)
 * supper : supper (...)
 * I want _____. : I want _____. (...)
 * I want a dish containing _____. : I want a dish containing _____. (...)
 * chicken : chicken (...)
 * beef : beef (...)
 * fish : fish (...)
 * ham : ham (...)
 * sausage : sausage (...)
 * cheese : cheese (...)
 * eggs : eggs (...)
 * salad : salad (...)
 * (fresh) vegetables : (fresh) vegetables (...)
 * (fresh) fruit : banana (BAH-NAH-nuh)
 * bread : bread (...)
 * toast : toast (...)
 * noodles : noodles (...)
 * rice : rice (...)
 * beans : beans (...)
 * May I have a glass of _____? : May I have a glass of _____? (...)
 * May I have a cup of _____? : May I have a cup of _____? (...)
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : May I have a bottle of _____? (...)
 * coffee : coffee (...)
 * tea (drink) : tea (...)
 * juice : juice (...)
 * (bubbly) water : water (...)
 * water : water (...)
 * beer : beer (...)
 * red/white wine : red/white wine (...)
 * May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (...)
 * salt : salt (...)
 * black pepper : black pepper (...)
 * butter : butter (...)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Excuse me, waiter? (...)
 * I'm finished. : I'm finished. (...)
 * It was delicious. : It was delicious. (...)
 * Please clear the plates. : Please clear the plates. (...)
 * The check, please. : The check, please. (...)

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : Do you serve alcohol? (...)
 * Is there table service? : Is there table service? (...)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : A beer/two beers, please. (...)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)
 * A pint, please. : A pint, please. (...)
 * A bottle, please. : A bottle, please. (...)
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : _____ and _____, please. (...)
 * whiskey : whiskey (...)
 * vodka : vodka (...)
 * rum : rum (...)
 * water : water (...)
 * club soda : club soda (...)
 * tonic water : tonic water (...)
 * orange juice : orange juice (...)
 * Coke (soda) : Coke (...)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (...)
 * One more, please. : One more, please. (...)
 * Another round, please. : Another round, please. (...)
 * When is closing time? : When is closing time? (...)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : Do you have this in my size? (...)
 * How much is this? : How much is this? (...)
 * That's too expensive. : That's too expensive. (...)
 * Would you take _____? : Would you take _____? (...)
 * expensive : expensive (...)
 * cheap : cheap (...)
 * I can't afford it. : I can't afford it. (...)
 * I don't want it. : I don't want it. (...)
 * You're cheating me. : You're cheating me. (...)
 * I'm not interested. : I'm not interested. (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (...)
 * Can I have a bag? : Can I have a bag? (...)
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : Do you ship (overseas)? (...)
 * I need... : I need... (...)
 * ...toothpaste. : ...toothpaste. (...)
 * ...a toothbrush. : ...a toothbrush. (...)
 * ...tampons. : ...tampons. (...)
 * ...soap. : ...soap. (...)
 * ...shampoo. : ...shampoo. (...)
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ...pain reliever. (...)
 * ...cold medicine. : ...cold medicine. (...)
 * ...stomach medicine. : ...stomach medicine. (...)
 * ...a razor. : ...a razor. (...)
 * ...an umbrella. : ...an umbrella. (...)
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (...)
 * ...a postcard. : ...a postcard. (...)
 * ...postage stamps. : ...postage stamps. (...)
 * ...batteries. : ...batteries. (...)
 * ...writing paper. : ...writing paper. (...)
 * ...a pen. : ...a pen. (...)
 * ...English-language books. : ...English-language books. (...)
 * ...English-language magazines. : ...English-language magazines. (...)
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ...an English-language newspaper. (...)
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ...an English-English dictionary. (...)

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : I want to rent a car. (...)
 * Can I get insurance? : Can I get insurance? (...)
 * stop (on a street sign) : stop (...)
 * one way : one way (...)
 * yield : yield (...)
 * no parking : no parking (...)
 * speed limit : speed limit (...)
 * gas (petrol) station : gas station (...)
 * petrol : petrol (...)
 * diesel : diesel (...)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : I haven't done anything wrong. (...)
 * It was a misunderstanding. : It was a misunderstanding. (...)
 * Where are you taking me? : Where are you taking me? (...)
 * Am I under arrest? : Am I under arrest? (...)
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : I want to talk to a lawyer. (...)
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Can I just pay a fine now? (...)

Learning more
This is where you'd give more information on learning the language, such as links to online courses or textbooks, or suggestions for in-person courses to take, or pointers to a dictionary or two.

 * How do you say _____ ? : How do you say _____ ? (...)
 * What is this/that called? : What is this/that called? (...)


text:
Goulburn

Goulburn is a small regional city 200 km (120 miles) in the Southern Highlands, southwest of Sydney. With a population of 24,000 (2018), Goulburn is one of the largest cities in the region and a rural hub for surrounding agriculture. Goulburn lays claim to be Australia's first inland city to be settled.

Understand
Situated at the confluence of the Wollondilly and Mulwaree Rivers, the fertile lands which surround the area of Goulburn were for centuries the home a number of the local Aboriginal populations. White settlers discovered the area in the late 1700s, and the first land grant was made in 1825. The city grew as a result of its location, being located on the road south from Sydney (now the Hume Highway) and in the 19th century it became the administrative centre for the "Argyle County" district. Goulburn gained a great deal of its prosperity during the Gold Rush (when many of its main buildings were constructed) and the coming of the Main South Railway Line between Sydney and Melbourne in 1869 (which is still in operation). In particular, the area became known for its merino wool which was sent from Goulburn around Australia and overseas. The city had the unique distinction of being granted city status twice - once in 1853 by Queen Victoria (which established the city as a "cathedral city" and allowed its cathedral, St Saviour's, to be constructed), then officially again in 1885.

In the twentieth century, the city's importance declined as a result of the growth of coastal cities in Australia, as well as Goulburn's proximity to the new national capital Canberra. These factors led to many government bodies and institutions that had established branches in Goulburn departing the city for Canberra or Sydney, and leaving Goulburn to rely on its wool trade and its place as a service centre on the highway. The city was finally bypassed by the Hume Highway in the 1990s and the wool trade has declined, but Goulburn is still considered the major "city" between Sydney and Canberra and visitors still take the turn off the highway to visit. Importantly, the city has retained its heritage and remains an important part of Australia's early history.

Though it might be considered quiet compared to the bustling Sydney two hours up the road, the Goulburn area still has a surprisingly large number of things to do and see, and it remains a good stop-off point in between Sydney, Canberra, the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven.

Climate
Goulburn has a climate unlike most of its neighbouring towns due to its location at the bottom of a valley: summers tend to be relatively hot and dry and winters cold. The summer temperature range is 10-40°C (50-104°F) and winter's is -5-18°C (23-64°F). Be sure to bring layers in winter as it can get quite windy and very cold. Despite the varied temperature, Goulburn can be visited at any time of year as long as you bring the right clothing.

Get in
Goulburn's position as a service centre between two major cities gives a visitor plenty of options to choose from when visiting.

By car
Goulburn is just off the Hume Highway, approximately 90km from Canberra and 195km from Sydney. From Canberra, take the Federal Highway (Northbourne Ave) and then the Hume Highway North. From Sydney, take the M5 Motorway and then the Hume Highway. There are two exits to Goulburn from the freeway.

An alternative, and more scenic route from Canberra is to take the Kings Highway east to Bungendore, then follow Tarago and Braidwood Roads north into the city. This route is slightly longer than the freeway and takes just under 2 hours.

If coming from the Blue Mountains, Bathurst or the Central West, a quicker way to get to Goulburn than to drive through Sydney is to drive to Oberon and take the Taralga Road which comes into Goulburn from the north.

By train

 * NSW Trainlink Regional runs 4-5 train services per day from Central Station in Sydney to Goulburn on the way to Melbourne and Canberra (from $28 one-way). A train from Sydney will take just over 2½ hours to reach Goulburn. Goulburn's historic railway station is in the centre of town on Sloane Street. NSW Trainlink Regional trains need to be booked in advance.
 * NSW Trainlink Intercity also run local trains integrated with the Sydney Trains network to and from Goulburn on the Southern Highlands Line. Services are geared more around getting travellers from Goulburn to and from Sydney, meaning that unless you plan on travelling when the commuters do, you will need to catch a bus and be prepared to spend up to 4.5 hours with two trains and a bus to get there (change at Campbelltown, for train to Moss Vale, Moss Vale for bus to Goulburn). The upside is that tickets are cheap ($8.20 adult/$4.20 child one way), accept Opal, and have the Opal caps and rewards.

By bus

 * include Goulburn as a request stop on its GF230 service between Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney-Melbourne service leaves Sydney's Central Station at 9AM and arrives Goulburn at 12:30PM, going on to Canberra (1:30PM) and arriving Melbourne at 11PM the same day. The reverse Melbourne-Sydney service leaves Melbourne's Southern Cross Station at 7:15AM, arrives Canberra 4:30PM, Goulburn 6:30PM and Sydney Central at 9:25PM. Fares from $32.40 from Sydney. Firefly also advertise this route but it is codeshared with Greyhound.
 * run a daily service between Canberra and Wollongong which stops at Goulburn (from $20.30). The Canberra-Wollongong service leaves Goulburn at 6PM and arrives 7:10PM each day. The reverse service leaves Goulburn at 12:30PM (2:30PM on Sundays), arriving Canberra at 1:40PM (3:40PM on Sundays). The express Sydney-Canberra Murray's buses do not stop in Goulburn.

By plane
Goulburn Airport is a general aviation airfield approximately 7 km south of the city. It is a popular trip for light aircraft from Sydney.

The nearest commercial airport with scheduled passenger services is Canberra Airport, approximately one hour away. However, if you're using public transport you'll probably find travelling via Sydney both quicker and easier.

By foot
The main street of Goulburn is short enough to be easily walkable and most of the older buildings and attractions are close to the centre of town.

By bus
PBC Goulburn operate local bus services from the city centre to the surrounding suburbs, including as far north as Kenmore. Fares range from $2.10-5.20 (children $1-2.60) depending on distance travelled.

By car
If you are staying outside of the centre of the city or wish to see some of the other sights, the only practical method of transport is by car or taxi. Car hire is available from:

In town

 * Sculptures in honour of leading Australian blues musicians are located outside the information centre.
 * Australian Domestic Architecture is evident throughout the streets. Being the oldest inland city in NSW, the variety of housing styles is great. There are both good and bad examples of every era from the late 1880s onwards.
 * Sculptures in honour of leading Australian blues musicians are located outside the information centre.
 * Australian Domestic Architecture is evident throughout the streets. Being the oldest inland city in NSW, the variety of housing styles is great. There are both good and bad examples of every era from the late 1880s onwards.
 * Sculptures in honour of leading Australian blues musicians are located outside the information centre.
 * Australian Domestic Architecture is evident throughout the streets. Being the oldest inland city in NSW, the variety of housing styles is great. There are both good and bad examples of every era from the late 1880s onwards.
 * Australian Domestic Architecture is evident throughout the streets. Being the oldest inland city in NSW, the variety of housing styles is great. There are both good and bad examples of every era from the late 1880s onwards.

In the area

 * Morton National Park starts at Bungonia about 20km from the town. In its upper reaches the Park is dry, and carries the Shoalhaven river over the escarpment on its way to Nowra. Walking trails are available from Bungonia.

Do

 * The Public Swimming Pool is on the top side of Victoria Park

Buy
Goulburn has a wide main street, and there are still speciality shops and cafes along the street that you can walk and browse through. It hasn't yet been completely overrun by the large shopping malls yet.

Eat
Goulburn has plenty of cheap and quick food open all hours in town and at the highway services. There are two exits from the freeway from at Goulburn, and the southernmost exit (the furthest from Sydney, and closed to Canberra) has highway service area by the Big Merino, with a bakery and choice of fast food chains. If you take a small diversion through Goulburn there are other fast food options, including another McDonalds.

Drink
Essentially all the clubs and pubs in Goulburn are located around the central part of town up and down the main street and along perpendicular streets. All are within easy walking distance of each other.

 * Flamingos
 * Flamingos

Sleep
Coming off the freeway from Sydney, the road into Goulburn is lined with a range of convenient motels.

Connect
All mobile networks have good coverage in Goulburn. The visitors centre offers free Internet.

Go next
Goulburn is approximately 50 minutes from Bowral, Mittagong, and the Southern Highlands.

Sydneysiders tend to think of Goulburn as being half way to Canberra from Sydney, but it is less than an hour to drive to Canberra from Goulburn, on fast, good quality roads.

Sydney and Wollongong are both around 2 hours drive away; and day trips to Sydney are available by train from Goulburn as well.

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

title: Goulburn


text:
Gould

Gould is in the Northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. Gould is known as the best place for moose watching in the state, and is home to the Moose Visitor's Center in State Forest State Park.

Understand
Every year, millions of tourists flock to Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for a chance to see wildlife in a natural setting. At these popular destinations, the frequent trade-off for glimpsing wild animals such as elk, deer and moose are throngs of people and traffic jams.

Fortunately, this is not the case with the sleepy little hamlet of Gould. The proverbial "wide spot in the road," Gould is an unincorporated community of roughly 20. Colorado State Highway 14 runs through the middle of town, which consists of a community center, bar and grill and a few private campgrounds. Gould is also a prime spot for wildlife viewing minus the crowds.

Flora and fauna
Colorado boasts the southernmost moose population in North America, and is home to the smallest subspecies of moose, Alces alces shirasi, or Shiras Moose. The North Park area surrounding Gould is home to over 600 Shiras moose, observable year round.

Colorado moose are about the size of a horse and can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. While they may seem sluggish or placid in appearance, moose can also be highly territorial. If they feel threatened and charge, moose run up to speeds of 35 miles per hour.

Their favorite haunts are in marshy spots along rivers, streams and beaver ponds, where moose feed upon willows and aquatic plants.

title: Gould


text:
Gourock

Gourock is a ferry port on Clydeside in the Central Belt of Scotland. Most visitors are only passing through, to catch ferries to Dunoon in Argyll. In 2020 Gourock had a population of 10,210.

Understand
Gourock was a fishing village, historically part of Renfrewshire. In the 18th century the "Tail of the Bank" of the Clyde became industrial between Port Glasgow and Greenock, but the wealthy merchants and shipbuilders kept Gourock and western Greenock unspoiled for their fine villas. When the railway arrived in 1889, Gourock became part of the "Costa Clyde" or "Glasgow Riveria" of holiday destinations along the coast down into Ayrshire. It still has that role, but nowadays as a springboard for reaching the Cowal and Rosneath peninsulas rather than as a resort in its own right.

By plane
From Glasgow Airport a frequent local bus runs to Paisley Gilmour Street, which has trains to Gourock as below.

From Prestwick Airport take the train towards Glasgow Central and change at Paisley Gilmour Street. See Prestwick page for discount rail travel to and from that airport.

By road
Follow the M8 westbound from Glasgow to its end where it becomes the A8, continue through Greenock to Gourock. From the southwest, follow the A78 along the Ayrshire coast.

By train
Trains from Glasgow Central run every 15 min via Paisley Gilmour Street, Bishopton, Port Glasgow and Greenock Central and West, taking 40-50 min to Gourock. The first train is around 6AM and the last is towards midnight. As trains and ferries are both frequent, they're not normally held for each other. If you're running late for the last connection of the day, make your plight known to the conductor or ferry steward, and the connection might be held - you won't be the only one.

railway station is 200 yards north of the foot-passenger ferry terminal. It has a staffed ticket office and machines, and a waiting room and toilets. There is step-free access to all platforms.

By bus
McGill's Bus 901 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station via Braehead, Port Glasgow and Greenock to Gourock (80 min), continuing to McInroy's Point, Inverkip, Wemyss Bay and Largs (another 30 min). This bus runs every 30 min as far as Greenock but only continues to Gourock and Largs hourly M-Sa, and every couple of hours on Sunday.

By road
Follow the M8 westbound from Glasgow to its end where it becomes the A8, continue through Greenock to Gourock. From the southwest, follow the A78 along the Ayrshire coast.

By boat
serves foot passengers only, no booking. Until end of March 2025:
 * Calmac ferries take 25 min to Dunoon on Cowal peninsula. They sail every 30 min M-Sa 6:30AM-10:30PM, hourly Sunday; the return fare is £11.10 adult, £5.60 child.
 * Calmac ferries take 15 min to Kilcreggan on Rosneath peninsula. They sail M-Sa roughly hourly 7AM-6PM, no Sunday service. The return fare is £8.30 adult, £4.20 child.

is the terminal for Western Ferries. These sail every 20 min (7AM -11:40PM) and take 20 min to Hunters Quay at the north end of Dunoon by the mouth of Holy Loch. Fares until end of March 2023 are car plus driver £20.10 single, £37.90 return; adult passenger £5.30, £10.20; child £2.70, £3.90. For returns and multi-journeys it's cheaper to buy online, but you have to pay £3 for them to post your tickets by snail mail to UK addresses only. They've yet to grasp the concept of internet sales.

Cruise ships often visit nearby Greenock.

Get around
It's only a couple of miles to walk to Greenock, along the scenic Esplanade. See that page for points of interest along the way and in the town. Any bus going east from Gourock is running via Greenock.

See

 * is a megalith or menhir just above the main street. It's a grey mica schist: it's not known when it was placed here, and may not be in its original position. Bronze Age has been suggested but the markings on it are much more recent. Various superstitions and rituals have attached to it, for instance departing sailors and newly-weds walked seven times around it for luck. In 1662 Marie Lamont confessed to dancing round the stone and trying to throw it into the sea to sink shipping, also to changing her shape into a cat, stealing milk by an incantation over a tether made of cows' tails, and having sex with the devil when he appeared as a brown dog. She and her accomplices were burned at the stake. Marie was 16.
 * is the breezy park overlooking town and the Firth. The stumpy tower at the summit was built in 1847 as a lookout-cum-folly - you can't go in.

Do

 * Golf: Gourock GC is a moorland course of 6512 yards, par 73.
 * Gourock Highland Games are held in mid-May in Battery Park. The next are on Sunday 12 May 2024.
 * Gourock Highland Games are held in mid-May in Battery Park. The next are on Sunday 12 May 2024.

Buy

 * There are just small convenience stores here, such as Co-op Food opposite the ferry terminal (daily 7AM-10PM). Head to Greenock for your big shop.

Eat

 * Fusion at 2 Hopetoun St (opposite ferry terminal) is highly rated for its European and traditional cuisine. It's open Tu-Sa 12:00-3PM & 5-11PM.
 * Others along the same strip are My Kitchen, Gianni's Pizzeria, Bakehouse and Taj Mahal.
 * Others along the same strip are My Kitchen, Gianni's Pizzeria, Bakehouse and Taj Mahal.

Drink
Along the main strip are Kempock Bar and Cleat's Bar. A little way south of the railway station are Victoria Bar, Darroch Bar and Monteith's.

Sleep

 * Gourock is short of accommodation as most people just pass through, try Greenock which has budget chain hotels along the main road.
 * Stay in a castle at, 300 yards west of McInroy's Point ferry terminal. It's a restored 16th-century tower house, open as a B&B Mar-Oct, doubles from £125.
 * Stay in a castle at, 300 yards west of McInroy's Point ferry terminal. It's a restored 16th-century tower house, open as a B&B Mar-Oct, doubles from £125.

Connect
Gourock and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Aug 2022, 5G has not reached town.

Go next

 * Above Greenock is Loch Thom, and you can walk along its aqueduct "The Cut".
 * Take the ferry to Dunoon, where Benmore Gardens and Kilmun Arboretum are the main sights. You can then travel on to Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Oban or Kintyre.
 * Head south along the mainland coast to Ardrossan for ferries to Arran, and to Ayr for the birthplace of Robert Burns.

title: Gourock


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Gour (West Bengal)

Gour (Bengali: গৌড় Gauṛ) is a historical city in the northern plains of West Bengal. Gour is a medieval citadel complete with fortification walls and gateways. Fractions of the wall and a handful of gateways still stand along with the remains of several mosques and a tower. The ruins of Gour are best explored along with its twin citadel of Pandua with Malda as the base. The ruins of Gour also extend into the neighboring country of Bangladesh and are known as Gaud.

Understand

Gour (gourr) is the medieval capital of Bengal. Variously referred to as Lakshmanabati, Lakhnauti and Jannatabad, the area saw three eras of glory–the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Sultans. The Senas, the last Hindu kings of Bengal, were displaced by the Muslims at the beginning of the 13th century. Their capital was initially at Pandua but was moved to Gour in 1453. After the Mughal invasion of Bengal in 1576, the capital of Bengal was shifted to Dhaka, then Murshidabad. The Nawabs continued to rule Bengal till the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

Gour has long lost its former glory. There is no trace of any shrine or structure from the Buddhist or Hindu periods and even those of the Muslim period are virtually in ruin. Whatever has survived is still enough to turn Gour, alongside Pandua, into a leading tourism destination, but sadly the place lacks proper tourist infrastructure. Still, Gour-Pandua along with Bishnupur and Murshidabad are the three important historical tourist destinations of West Bengal.

By plane
The nearest airports are Siliguri and Durgapur.

By car
Gour is south of Malda. The normal route is to take NH 12, which links Dalkhola with Kolkata, but the longer route via Durgapur Expressway (part of NH 19) from Dankuni, NH 19 from Palsit to Panagarh bypassing Bardhaman city, and then taking the Panagarh-Moregarm Expressway up to Morgram and on to NH 12 is a more comfortable and enjoyable option.

Get around
Since Gour has no hotels it is best explored from Malda. Hired cars are the best option to explore Gour. The hotels in Malda can arrange for cars. A whole day is enough to major sites of Gour. Covering Gour along with the nearby twin citadel of Pandua in a single day may be a bit hectic. Tourists looking out for more details need to stay at least two days in Malda, this will provide the opportunity to explore other places like Nandadirghi Vihar in Jagjibanpur, Nimasarai Minar and Old Malda Jami Masjid.

See and do
A whole day trip (from 8AM-2PM) is enough to cover all the sites of Gour in detail.

Eat and drink
There are no proper eateries in Pandua. During the tourist season, makeshift stalls sell tea and snacks along with soft drinks. Vendors also sell freshly cut seasonal fruits and ice cream. For lunch, there are a few dhabas along the highway connecting Pandua with Malda.

Sleep
There are no accommodations in Gour, the nearest options are in Malda. Broadly speaking, there are several lodges around Tourist lodge, some around the NBSTC terminus and the private bus stand near it, and some on ABA Gani Khan Choudhury Sarani.

Go next

 * Pandua - The twin citadel of Gour and is usually covered in the same trip
 * Malda – virtually all the amenities for travellers visiting this area can be found in Malda
 * Murshidabad – about 140 km from Gour
 * Siliguri – about 250 km from Gour
 * Kolkata – about 347 km from Gour

title: Gour (West Bengal)


text:
Gouveia

Gouveia is a small city in Serra da Estrela in Portugal. Gouveia's location offers views over the Mondego valleys with the horizon dominated by the mountains and highlands of Beira Alta region. With wide horizons that allow people to have one of the widest views in Portugal over almost the entire Beira Alta region, Gouveia features a path to the highest geographic point of continental Portugal, with astonishing views over the valley.

Understand

In 2011, Gouveia (goh-VAY-uh, /go.ˈvɐj.ɐ/) municipality was home to 14,046 people (2011), of whom 3,500 lived in the town.

History
The establishment of Gouveia is often attributed to the year 580 BC, but the oldest material proof of human occupation is funerary pottery dating to the Bronze Age. In the parish of Rio Torto, the oldest evidence of human occupation is a dolmen (a stone funerary structure) dating back to the fourth millennium BC.

The Roman occupation was also a part of the city's history. A consecration inscription to the Lusitanian god Salqiu was found in a chapel on the city centre, as was the grave of a Roman warrior with iron artefacts related to war (axe, knife, and an arrow head). In the Folgosinho, Nespereira, and V.N. Tazem parishes, there are Roman roads that can still be walked.

During the Medieval period, the city developed, with shepherding, agriculture, and wool production as the biggest areas of economic development. The Jewish community played an important role in this development, especially in the handcrafts using wool, but also with trade. A Hebrew inscription was found in the late 1960s in one of the old Jewish quarters that certifies the last synagogue to be built in Portugal before the mandatory conversion and expulsion of the Jewish community of Portugal in the year of 1496, which is also the year recorded in the inscription. The inscription can be seen in the museum Espaço Arte e Memória.

During the modern period, the wool industry grew until the 20th century, since which time it has diminished.

The main architectural structures are in the city centre, and they go back to the 18th century, especially the St. Peter's church, a small cathedral, the library and the museum building, the city hall, an 18th-century Jesuit college, and several churches and chapels. The biggest icon is a 16th-century building called casa da torre, which has a "pelourinho" in front from the same period as the building to commemorate the autonomy attained by Gouveia from King Manuel I.

Get in
The main road through Gouveia is the EN17, which can be reached from the A25 motorway (Autoestrada das Beiras Litoral e Alta).

Parks

 * The Ecological Park of Gouveia is in a rural area just outside the city limits in Quinta da Borrachota. With an area of 6 hectares, the park has flora and fauna distributed along its paths as well as support infrastructures and information for visitors about the environmental region that surrounds the city.
 * CERVAS—Centro de Ecologia, Recuperação e Vigilância de Animais Selvagens (centre for ecology, recovery, and monitoring of wildlife centre)—is a national park of Serra da Estrela, managed by ALDEIA Association. Its goals are to identify and solve problems relating to the conservation and management of the wildlife and its habitats. The main focus of this work is related to the recovery and treatment of the wildlife and the release of individuals into the wild.
 * CERVAS—Centro de Ecologia, Recuperação e Vigilância de Animais Selvagens (centre for ecology, recovery, and monitoring of wildlife centre)—is a national park of Serra da Estrela, managed by ALDEIA Association. Its goals are to identify and solve problems relating to the conservation and management of the wildlife and its habitats. The main focus of this work is related to the recovery and treatment of the wildlife and the release of individuals into the wild.

Events

 * The annual literary and painting award, the Vergílio Ferreira National Literature Prize, is named after two of the greatest 20th-century Portuguese authors and artists as an homage to their home town: writer, philosopher, and teacher Vergílio Ferreira (born in Melo, Gouveia) and painter Abel Manta (also born in Gouveia).
 * The city also has a theatre with regular film showings and theatre and music festivals, such as Gouveia Art'Rock, a progressive rock festival going back more than a decade, and a reference in the world within the genre.

title: Gouveia


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Governador Valadares

Governador Valadares is a city of 280,000 people (2018) in the Rio Doce Valley of Southern Minas Gerais. Governador Valadares is widely regarded as the "America-town" of Brazil.

Understand
The American influence in the area stretches back to the aftermath of the American Civil War, when a wave of Confederates immigrated to Brazil and settled in the Rio Doce Valley. By now, descendants of most of those families have dispersed to other areas of the country, and the city is more well-known for the opposite emigration trend; over twenty percent of the population has a relative working in the United States. The influx of dollars into the city is so great that it is sometimes referred to as "Governador Valadólares", and the slick high-rise condos and upscale shopping areas stand out here in what would otherwise be a sleepy agricultural and mining community.

See

 * Mt. Ibituruna - This mountain overlooks the city.
 * Mt. Ibituruna - This mountain overlooks the city.
 * Mt. Ibituruna - This mountain overlooks the city.

Do

 * Hang-gliding or paragliding from Mt. Ibituruna, considered one of the world's top spots for such sports. The city hosts several national and international competitions each year.

title: Governador Valadares


text:
Government Camp

Government Camp is a city in Oregon.

Understand
Government Camp is a small community located on the shoulder of Mount Hood in the Mount Hood national forest. Mt Hood's alpine village was established in 1849 when a mounted Cavalry division was forced to abandon wagons, equipment and draft animals, because heavy snows made conditions impassable. The town was from then on referred to as "government camp" by subsequent emigrants crossing the cascades into the Willamette Valley. Now the town is a destination for recreation and out door activities, best known as the summer time hub for alpine skiing. The local ski area boasts the longest season in North America with 400+ inches of snow year on top of a glacier, lifts are open through September.

Get in
An hours drive from Portland. Take I-84 east to exit 16, turn right off the exit and follow road to the intersection of hwy 26. Turn left on 26 and continue for 40 miles. The turn off for government camp is the loop road on your left at the flashing light.

Get around
Government Camp is a small community. Walking is the best mode of transportation in town. There is a shuttle service in the winter that serves Ski Bowl and Timberline, offering transportation between both ski areas and into town. Raz transportation offers bus service in the winter from Portland to Mt Hood Meadows ski area.

See
The Government Camp cultural museum, on the east side of town on the loop road has exhibits and information about the history of the community. The Oregon Trail interpretative center kiosk is directly across the street and has historical information about the first people to come across the pass via the Barlow trail.

Do
In the winter there are plenty of snow related activities near by. You can ski from Timberline lodge 4+ miles into town via the glade or alpine trails. There is a shuttle service that runs in the winter to get you back to the top, or hitching a ride from the many travelers on their way up to timberline lodge is also a popular mode of transport. There are 4 ski areas that are in the vicinity. Timberline, Ski Bowl, Mt Hood Meadows, Summit. Summer offers many opportunities for hiking and camping. The Pacific Ridge trail comes through town, going north to Canada and south to Mexico.The local trails connect to a network of trails that cover the entire mountain including the 40 mile loop that stretches around the mountain at the 4000/6000ft level.

 * - located in Government Camp

Buy
There are a few ski shops in town. Vallians, Mountain Tracks

Eat
Charlie's Mountain View. The Ratskeller, Ice Axe grill, Huckleberry Inn, The Taco Shoppe

Drink
Charlies, Ratskeller, Beer Stube @ Ski Bowl, Brewery

Sleep
Mt Hood Inn, Huckleberry Inn, Collins Lake, Vacation Rental, Timberline

title: Government Camp


text:
Gower Peninsula

The beautiful Gower Peninsula (Welsh: Penrhyn Gŵyr) was the United Kingdom's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in Swansea, the peninsula is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches and medieval castles.

Understand

This article covers the rural areas of Swansea. It has been given the title 'Gower' as the Gower Peninsula constitutes the largest portion of Swansea's rural area and is the district of most interest to tourists. However, the article also includes the highland areas of Pontarddulais and Mawr. On the peninsula itself, the article covers all points west of Bishopston, Pwll Du Bay, Fairwood Common and Upper Killay. Detailed information of the urban area east of this line is documented in the Swansea article.

The Gower Peninsula is about 29 km long by 8 km wide and, in many ways, represents a microcosm of the very best of British countryside. There are wide sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, historic woodlands, salt marshes and open moors, all of which are interspersed with picturesque villages, country inns, castles, ancient churches and neolithic burial chambers. It is a land immersed in the mists of Celtic legends and secrets of smugglers tales. The peninsula is also home to an abundance of wildlife, with perhaps the wild Gower ponies that roam the moors being the most famous and well-loved. For recreation, Oxwich is the most popular bay for swimming and boating, while Llangennith is a surfers paradise and attracts boarders from all over the UK. Rhossili is a dramatic bay, and the sunset over the headland is one of the most photographed evening scenes in Europe.

The districts of Mawr and Pontarddulais are sparsely populated areas of Swansea's hinterland and offer wonderful opportunities for hillside walking and river-side recreation activities.

History
Historically, Gower covered an area of land under the jurisdiction of the Lords of Gower. It extended as far east as the River Tawe, and so it included what is now Swansea City Centre. This area corresponds very closely to the modern boundaries of the City and County of Swansea. However, nowadays "Gower" would be mostly understood to referring to the peninsula only.

The Gower "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" (AONB) is an invention of post Second World War planning laws covering England and Wales, and represents a level of protection one step lower than offered by that of a "National Park".

Get in

 * The Gower Peninsula is located in South Wales (Map of Gower) a 10-minute drive from the city of Swansea.
 * Gower Explorer buses departing from Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station cover the entire peninsula. Traveline information.

By bus
Most of the villages and popular bays are connected by public transport. The Gower peninsula is served by the Gower Explorer branded bus services from the Quadrant Bus Station in Swansea city centre. The Lliw uplands to the north of the county of Swansea are served by Lliw Link branded bus services from the Quadrant Bus Station. (The Quadrant bus station is a good 10- to 15-minute walk from Swansea railway station, but there are frequent buses to the Quadrant Bus Station from the bus stop outside the railway station.)

On foot
There are some very well-established hiking routes on the Gower. The tourist office in Swansea city center offers good information.

Villages

 * (Llangenydd) – a quintessential British coastal village with hens clucking around the village green, a stone church, a traditional pub and sheep strolling down the road towards a magnificent surfing beach; several B&Bs. Very popular with surfers in the summer, and has a large camping area for families and youngsters alike.
 * and – two adjoining villages on north Gower – some lovely stone houses, a few B&Bs and a pub.
 * – a hillside village running down to the marshes of the Loughor Estuary - some lovely stone houses and a pub.
 * – nestled in the curve of Oxwich Bay and with its thatched roofed cottages and castle, Oxwich is perhaps the Gower's most picturesque village. The village has a wonderful Saxon church, a couple of shops and a hotel.
 * – a quaint village clustered around the sandy beach of Port Eynon Bay. There are a few shops and B&Bs, a pub and a youth hostel.
 * – an inland village surrounded by wild moorland with a good pub and accommodation.
 * – on a ridge offering spectacular views over Rhossili Bay and Worms Head - the village boasts a pub, café, shop and great National Trust gift shop.

Places of natural beauty

 * and . Famous for its breathtaking view at sunset, and the vista is widely considered to be one of Europe's most spectacular coastal scenes. An excellent National Trust gift shop marks the beginning of the cliff-top path, while the picturesque village of Rhossili provides an ideal setting for enjoying cream teas in the summer or for relaxing and taking a contemplative stroll at any time of the year. In addition, the conditions at Rhossili are excellent for hand-gliding and surfing; historians may also be interested to note that there is evidence of a stone-age settlement here. Visitors may also note a distinct lack of trees. The last real tree was at Ash Tree Farm, though this disappeared sometime during the early 1970s. The fierce westerly gales and trees are not a good match. The nearest trees to Rhossili are Middleton, the village just prior to Rhossili.

Walks

 * Lliw Reservoirs, near the village of Felindre. These small reservoirs are surrounded by recreational footpaths.
 * Oxwich Bay, a picturesque four-and-a-half hour walk as recommended in Times Walks

Driving
A less well-known destination in Swansea is the Lliw Uplands which contains some of the best mountain scenery in Wales: From the city centre, head towards the road junction at Dyfatty lights. Take the second left turning onto Llangyfelach Road (B4489) which will take you to the M4 Motorway (Junction 46). Head straight across the roundabouts on Junction 46. This will take you into the rural area of the Lliw Uplands. From here, much of the road consists of a narrow country lane. Follow this lane through the village of Felindre then on over Mynydd-y-Bettws with stunning views of the Lliw Lalley. The road takes you past Penlle'r Castell - the highest point in Swansea. It then descends into the farming village of Garnswllt and continues to Ammanford.
 * City Centre - Llangyfelach - Felindre - Garnswllt - Ammanford

Buy

 * Fruit and vegetables from the peninsula's arable farms.
 * Mumbles Local Produce Market, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles, in the car park near the junction of Oystermouth Road and Newton Road. Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm.
 * Mumbles Local Produce Market, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles, in the car park near the junction of Oystermouth Road and Newton Road. Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm.
 * Mumbles Local Produce Market, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles, in the car park near the junction of Oystermouth Road and Newton Road. Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm.
 * Mumbles Local Produce Market, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles, in the car park near the junction of Oystermouth Road and Newton Road. Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm.

Budget

 * Gower Seafood Hut is a horsebox on Mumbles promenade, open Tu-Su 1-6PM.

Talk
The people of South Gower are traditionally English speaking and cannot speak Welsh. However, North Gower and the district of Mawr has a high percentage of Welsh-speakers.

Connect
As of Aug 2022, there is 4G from all UK carriers down the main road A4118, but lots of dead areas along the coast. 5G has reached Swansea but has not extended down the peninsula.

Go next
Most routes take you back to Swansea, but you can head west by crossing the bridge towards Llanelli.

title: Gower Peninsula


text:
Goyang

Goyang (고양) is a city near Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Understand
Goyang is a planned residential satellite city of over 1 million residents. Most of the city was constructed in the 1990s to alleviate overpopulation in Seoul proper, with apartment complexes fit to a grid pattern. The city is divided into three administrative districts: Deogyang-gu, Ilsandong-gu, and Ilsanseo-gu. In practice the city is usually viewed as consisting of the two distinct parts of Ilsan and Deogyang.

By metro
Metro lines 3 and Gyeongui-Jungang run through the city, with a total of 10 stops in Ilsan and 9 in Deogyang, with transfers at Daegok Station. Most residents use the metro to commute to Seoul. The Gyeongui-Jungang line reaches all the way to the DMZ.

By bus
Express (고속) and Intercity (시외) buses to various cities depart from the two bus terminals:

A number of city buses to and from Seoul proper run along a BRT system. There are faster "metropolitan" buses as well, that only make a handful of stops, at the destination (₩2,800):
 * M7106/7119 (Seoul Station - Ilsan)
 * M7412 (Gangnam - Ilsan)
 * M7129 (Seoul Station - Deogyang)
 * M7731 (Sinchon/Hongdae - KINTEX/Ilsan)
 * M7145 (Hongdae/Sinchon - Deogyang)

By train
Haengsin Station, the only heavy rail station in the city, is the terminus for some KTX trains heading to Seoul from farther south.

By car
The city is well connected to Seoul as well as adjacent cities by various highways.

By metro
Metro lines 3 (orange) and Gyeongui-Jungang (light green) form an X-shape within the city.

By bus
The city has one of the most extensive town bus networks with stops roughly every 500 meters.

See

Eat
Throughout the centre of town there is a huge array of eating options, ask any foreigner in Ilsan about Meat street and they will direct you to the street just before LaFesta that is BBQ heaven. There are plenty of other restaurants throughout the centre of the town, lots of street vendors and fast food outlets.

Drink
Ilsan has a huge number of bars to refresh yourself, look up to the 2nd floor and above. Beer Bistro (5th floor) on the corner of Meat street facing LaFesta has a great balcony to sit out on in the summer months.

Favourite foreigner hangouts include Don't Go bar, Frog and Toad, Intos bar, WA Bar (x2), Bar Boom for music and dancing.

title: Goyang


text:
Goychay

Goychay is a city at the corner of Azerbaijan's Sheki Region. More specifically, Goychay is said to be situated in the Shirvan region, in the center of Azerbaijan.

Understand
Goychay is the major city of the Goychay rayon. Ujar Rayon is south of Goychay rayon, Ismayilli rayon is northeast and Qabala rayon is to the northwest. In the east, Goychay is bordered by Agsu rayon and in the west, it is bordered by Agdash rayon (information given by students of Goychay's English Conversation Club).

Climate
Goychay’s climate is sub-tropical and mild. In summer, the climate is very hot and in winter, the weather is cold. It snows rarely in the winter. In fall, the weather is cool and rainy. Spring is the best season because the trees bloom and the weather is warm and sunny (information given by students of Goychay's English Conversation Club).

By bus or marshrutka
In the following the prices and times for important connections:
 * Baku – 5 manat
 * Ganja – 3 manat. 08:00, 09:00, 10:00.
 * Yevlax – 1 manat (take the Ganja bus)
 * Barda – 2 manat. 10:00, 12:00.
 * Ujar – 0.40 manat. Regularly.
 * Ismailli – 1-1.50 manat. 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00. 1.5 hr.
 * Mingecevir – 2 manat (bus passing through Goychay to Baku)
 * Sheki – 3 manat (passes through Goychay to Baku)
 * Zaqatala – 5 manat (passes through Goychay to Baku)
 * Balaken – 6 manat (passes through Goychay to Baku)

By shared taxi
Shared taxis generally leave when full. The prices per person for shared taxis in the following:
 * Baku – 7 manat
 * Ganja – 4 manat
 * Yevlax – 2-3 manat
 * Barda – 3 manat
 * Ujar – 1 manat
 * Ismailli – 1.60 manat (10 for the full taxi at night)
 * Mingecevir – 3 manat
 * Xaldan – 2 manat (there are buses to Sheki, Zaqatala and Balaken from Xaldan)

Get around
Walking is throughout possible.

Do

 * Visit the Heydar Museum.
 * Relax musical fountain which is on during warm weather nights.
 * Eli Kerim park is near the stadium on the edge of the city.
 * Eli Kerim park is near the stadium on the edge of the city.

Pomegranates
Called "nar" in the native language, this fruit can be found in various states; from jam and preserves to juice and sauces, Goychay is renowned for its tasty pomegranates in both red and white variations. They even have a pomegranate festival every year (information given by students of Goychay's English Conversation Club).
 * Pomegranates (red/sour and white/sweet)
 * Pomegranate juice
 * Pomegranate sharab (a sauce from pomegranate used on fish, but tastes great on anything)

Eat

 * Doners kebap and peroshkis are available near the Heydar Park.
 * Karavan Saray Restaurant is located in the city center and is open to both males and females.
 * Zeynub wedding palace/restaurant is located near school number 7.

Go next

 * Sheki (Şəki, formerly Nukha or Nuxa) – The capital of the Sheki region and a beautiful city in the forested Caucasian Mountains with lots to see and do. It has one of the largest densities of cultural resources and monuments that span 2,700 years of Azerbaijani history.
 * Qabala (Gabala) – New resort town deep in Caucasian Mountains, which has taken its name from the archaeological site about 20 km southwest.
 * Lahich (Lahıc, Lahij) – A cozy and remote highland village. Famous for its copper work.
 * Nij (Nic) – An enormous village of an endangered Christian ethnic group, the Udins.
 * Ujar (Ucar) – The capital of the Ujar rayon.
 * Mingecevir – The city is crossed by the Kura River that divides it into two.
 * Ganja – Azerbaijan's second largest city has a long history, some important sites and an interesting and manifold architecture.

title: Goychay


text:
Gozo

Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Smaller, more remote and less built-up than Malta itself, it is a popular destination in its own right, particularly for more mature British and German couples. With pretty if unspectacular countryside, and interesting churches alongside historic fortifications and megalithic temples it makes a good excursion from Malta and an even better destination for a relaxed short break.

Cities

 * (also known as Rabat) - the island's capital and only real city

Villages

 * - a sleepy village on the hill above Mgarr port which is mostly residential
 * - where Ġgantija temples located
 * - where another prehistoric dolmen Ġebla l-Wieqfa is located. Other interesting things are Ħondoq Bay and Belvedere, offering a nice view of the main islands of the Maltese archipelago and a small fortress
 * - the largest village in Gozo near Ramla Bay
 * - featuring an impressive large rotunda church visible from almost all villages and towns in Gozo.
 * and are 2 small villages in the western part of Gozo among which lies Ta` Pinu basilica, which is a Marian shrine where on 22 June 1883 the Virgin Mary was heard by Karmela Grima calling her for prayer.
 * - where Dwejra (Azure Window) was located, which collapsed in 2017.
 * - a popular seaside summer resort north west coast of Gozo and mostly deserted during the rest of the year. The famous salt pans are located here.
 * - a popular place of entertainment located south west of Gozo. The beach here is small but enclosed between high spectacular cliffs which make Xlendi one of the best spots in Gozo.

Other destinations

 * is arguably Malta's (Gozo's) finest beach. The name means red sands, referring to the beautiful reddish colour of the sand. The bay is completely spared from development, and thus the beach remains relatively uncrowded. This site also claims to be where Calypso's cave is, the cave referred to in Homer's Odyssey.

Understand
One sometimes gets the sense that Gozo is how Malta could have been. With the exceptions of Marsalforn and Xlendi, it has been largely spared from short-sighted overdevelopment, the traditional way of life and society has survived better, and the land has been maintained better giving more fertile ground. Buildings and houses on Gozo are mainly done with natural materials, as opposed to many of the concrete and breeze-block constructions on the mainland.

History
Gozo's history is intimately linked to Malta. It shares its megalithic culture, and with the Ggantija temples, it is officially home of the oldest structure on the planet. Interestingly, Gozo up until the end of medieval times was inhabited in a manner the same as Malta, with Mġarr and Victoria/Rabat being to Gozo what Vittoriosa and Mdina are to Malta: the main port and the main settlement consisting of a citadel and surrounding suburbs. The inhabitants of Gozo were, in medieval times, required by law to return to the Citadella each evening to spend the night there to prevent corsairs from abducting them. These measures were proven to be necessary when, in 1551, the Turks tried their first invasion of Malta. When they failed, they attacked Gozo and took the entire population off in ships to sell them into slavery.

Talk

 * Main article: Maltese phrasebook

People on Gozo speak Maltese with a slightly different accent from the main Maltese islanders, and people from the different Gozitan villages each have their own different dialect.

Like the main island, English is also an official language of Gozo.

Get in
There is the ferry from Ċirkewwa on Malta to Mġarr, Gozo's main harbor. It departs every 45 minutes in the summer and almost as often in the winter, with a lower frequency in the evening (and even lower at night). A round trip costs 4,65 € (as of 2016) and takes about 25 minutes. Bus stops are outside the ferry terminals, and buses are somehow synchronized with the ferry arrivals and departures. The bus ride to Victoria takes around 20 minutes. On the Malta side, buses run from Valetta's bus terminus to Ċirkewwa taking about 75 minutes (using line 222).

By bus
Since 2011, buses are modern, comfortable and all air-conditioned which whilst they lack the charm of the previous fleet provide a significant upgrade in comfort levels. On 1 January 2014 Malta Public Transport Services Ltd took over the bus service in Malta (including Gozo) from Arriva, after their bus system failed in less than three years.

Single ride fare is €2 and you can buy the ticket directly from the driver. It allows you to travel within a two-hour period including changing lines until you reach your destination. Week and combo tickets are available. More information available here.

By taxi
You will find white taxis also on the island of Gozo however these tend to be more expensive. It is suggested to prebook your taxi or airport transfer with a local company.

Note that the taxi drivers may be unscrupulous, and will try to charge the unsuspecting tourist as much as they can. There is an approximate price list posted at the taxi stand at the boat dock, and another at the bus terminal in Victoria. Don't accept a price that is unreasonably higher than the suggested price. If you end up taking more than one or two taxis a day you are better off hiring a car.

By car
If you need flexibility and speed in getting around, your best option is to hire a car. (try TRAC +35699826339 or Mayjo car rentals). You need to be over 21 years old and hold a valid driving license. It's fine to travel to the mainland Malta Island with a hired car.

By foot
Even on foot many of the distances are negligible and most of the roads are fairly quiet and pleasant to walk along. There is also a footpath network, though the paths require good shoes and a good map (they are not always very clear on the ground).

See

 * The Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole all make going to the spectacular west coast of Gozo very worthwhile. In contrast to Xlendi and Marsalforn this place has been spared from development and makes an unusual and picturesque place to swim. The beach surrounding the lake is unfortunately made of pebbles but there are a few piers and terraces in front of the fishermen's boathouses one can also use. The Blue Hole is not a true blue hole in the geological sense but still makes an amazing spot to dive, having won awards as one of the most beautiful diving spots of Europe.
 * The Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole all make going to the spectacular west coast of Gozo very worthwhile. In contrast to Xlendi and Marsalforn this place has been spared from development and makes an unusual and picturesque place to swim. The beach surrounding the lake is unfortunately made of pebbles but there are a few piers and terraces in front of the fishermen's boathouses one can also use. The Blue Hole is not a true blue hole in the geological sense but still makes an amazing spot to dive, having won awards as one of the most beautiful diving spots of Europe.

 * Among the attractions worth seeing in the citadel is a section of the bastions which consists of a gunpowder Magazine, a lower battery, three silos and some air-shelters. The former three were added in the early 17th century, after the disastrous siege of Gozo by Turkish pirates in 1551. Graffiti on the walls are evidence of the French occupation of Gozo as well. During the English occupation, the grain silos were modified into stores for water.  Some air raid shelters were dug by Gozitan families.
 * Mġarr ix-Xini tower, one of the coastal towers built by the Knights in Gozo. Entrance to the tower can be arranged upon appointment.
 * The last surviving dgħajsa tal-latini – the traditional Gozitan boat that used to ply the ferry route from Malta to Gozo is exhibited at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbour.
 * Ta' Pinu Basilica, situated in open countryside is an important place of pilgrimage as miracles are claimed to have occurred here. The interior of the Basicila is rich in decoration.  One can enjoy views of open countryside from outside the church.

Itineraries

 * If you have only one day, spend the morning in the Citadella of Rabat, have lunch there, then spend the afternoon either at Ramla il-Hamra or the Inland Sea.
 * With two days spend the second morning visiting the Ggantija temples, have lunch on the beautiful central square of Xaghra, and then swim at the spot you skipped the previous day, bearing in mind that Ramla il-Hamra beach is very close to Xaghra and the Inland Sea closer to Rabat.

Do

 * Diving Gozo has some very impressive dive sites, one of the most popular being the Blue Hole. The Gozitan underwater geography is very interesting, and so is the sea life. Dive centres in Gozo vary from garage operations to fully equipped 5-star IDC centres.
 * The beaches are usually quiet and idyllic. One of the most beautiful beaches on Gozo is San Blas Beach and is easily accessible by car or bus. Other nice beaches are Mgarr-Ix-Xini and Ramla Beach.
 * Outside the busiest areas and outside the high season, hitchhiking is easy here and can lead to unexpected social interactions and changes to one's plans.
 * Gozo boasts one of the most remarkable churches on the archipelago, situated at Ta'Pinu, which was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1990. A record of his visit is situated at the rear of the church.

Eat
Gozo is the breadbasket of Malta, as the ground is more fertile, and the place is more rural. Therefore there is more fresh produce to be had. One should definitely try Gozo's own cheese: Gbejniet. This cheese is lovely when had fresh, but also nice when cured with pepper and vinegar.

Drink
As on Malta there are vineyards on Gozo, one can often buy unlabeled local wines cheaply but be sure to ask to taste them as quality can vary widely. The shops near the citadel in Victoria/Rabat usually have a good selection.

Stay safe
Gozo is safer than Malta, there is less petty crime.

There is occasionally a strong current on the northern shore, so caution when swimming is advised.

Respect
The residents of Gozo are called Gozitans and will be annoyed if you refer to them as Maltese.

Walking, Rambling and Hiking
Gozo is at its best from October to May. The average temperature in this period is around 18C, ideal for rambling around the island. While exploring the island you will see a wide variety of amazing views due to a large number of valleys, hills and small beaches. There is an abundance of abandoned hidden ancient temples and shrines in the countryside. If you are pressed for time and do not have much time to explore, but also want to see the best hidden places, it is best to hire or join a guide that specializes in country walks. Although Gozo is small, once you go to the countryside you will feel that you are alone on the island since you can walk for hours without meeting anybody. During the winter storms, Gozo's seaside is often totally deserted but spectacular with the big waves exploding on big boulders and lofty cliffs.

title: Gozo


text:
GR 10

The GR 10 is one of the extensive Grande Randonnée (or GR) network of paths and trails. The trail crosses France, from the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic coast, and runs almost entirely through the Pyrenees. While the trail is in France, much of it is near, or even on, the border with Spain. The trail can be walked in either direction, though some suggest that the West-East route is easier in the beginning, as it is both cooler and less steep that the corresponding start heading East-West. This may be an advantage to those not fully in shape.

The trail
Moving from east to west, the trail begins at the Mediterranean, in the small town of Banyuls sur Mer, and finishes at Hendaye on the Atlantic Ocean. Hikers will usually be able to make it to a Gite or small town every other night, and quite frequently every night. Expected time to complete the trail is around 6-7 weeks, though the majority of people only hike sections of it.

The trail is fairly well marked with painted marks on rocks, trees, telephone poles, and even houses, walls, and street signs. If you don't see a mark for 100 Meters, you have probably taken a wrong turn, and should head back to the nearest marker.

It is not realistic to navigate using the markers alone. A trail guide, at minimum, or a topologic map is required.

Hazards
Sunburn is a particular problem, and clothing such as long sleeved shirts and long pants should be worn as they protect from the sun, scratching branches and insects. Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat are highly desirable.

Gear
One of the advantages of the GR 10 is that it can be hiked with minimal gear, as one can eat dinner and breakfast almost every day at the gites. Additionally the hiker can sleep outside on clear nights and pay for a bed in a gite in inclement weather. On nights that only shelters (which usually have no food or staff) are available, pre-purchased food can be eaten.

If one plans to eat at gites and buy food from supermarkets that can be eaten without cooking, the absolute minimal gear in the summer months is:
 * Sleeping Bag/Sleep Sheet, and a mat for comfort.
 * Gortex jacket and fleece for cold and/or wet weather
 * Long sleeved shirt and pants
 * Short sleeved shirt and shorts (including shorts you can wear swimming)
 * Sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat
 * Adequate footwear. Anything less than hiking boots is cautioned.
 * 2+ litres of water, and a purification method for treating water from streams.
 * Toiletries/Medical Kit

Additionally, consider a rain jacket or fleece top for wet and/or cold weather. If you plan to forgo the comforts and delicious food of the gites and hotels, also bring:
 * Tent
 * Cooking Gear/Food

A note on footwear - approximately 80% of the hikers wear full hiking boots and thick socks. While running sneakers may suffice (and Choco-style sandals may work for a few days), your risk of injury is higher, and much of the trail involves hopping around on wet and/or sharp rocks. Choose conservatively, depending on the length of your hike and your experience.

General Advice
For those heading West from Banyuls sur Mer, the hike to the first gite is particularly long compared to the following days, and should be started very early...

title: GR 10


text:
GR 20

The GR 20 is one of the extensive Grande Randonnée (or GR) network of paths and trails. The trail traverses Corsica's mountains, with its end points in Calenzana in the north and Conca in the south, running most of the length of the island. It is often referred to as "the toughest long distance trail in Europe", covering a distance of 180 km and around 12,000 to 13,000 metres of climbing and descent, over rugged terrain.

Route
The trail is normally done in 16 days if you stay at all the refuges, however, people often do it in less. Some of the stages are very short and can be combined. So don't just naively book all the refuges, do some planning about which stages to combine and which refuges to skip. In addition, you don't always have to stay in refuges: there are some private bergeries and hotels. Sometimes staying in a bergerie or hotel makes more sense if it breaks the route into more manageable stages. Also check transport timetables before making any bookings: buses don't run every day.

The route may be walked in either direction. Most people start in the north, however starting in the south creates a nice build up in required effort. Many people walk just half the route, and come back the following year to do the other half. Vizzavona is an ideal place to start or stop, because it has a train station. If you only have time to do half the route, the northern half has the rugged highlights including Monte Cinto, but is slightly longer.

The route is very regularly marked with the white and red stripes of the GR symbol. The route is so well marked that if you lose sight of the markers, you must retrace your steps immediately until you find the route again. It is completely possible to do the whole route without a map, but take one, anyway, as a safety backup.

The route is absolutely unsuitable for children and young teenagers. Some groups of older teenagers do it. It is suitable for adults of all ages, as long as they can manage climbs over boulders and fairly steep rock faces.

The trail passes close to the summits of several mountains, so you can relatively easily make detours to these summits.

The route mostly stays away from civilisation, but occasionally passes through small towns. There is also the possibility at some points to make detours to local villages.

The season

 * The season runs from 22 May to 2 October. You can't book the refuges out of season. Refuges will be open but unstaffed, with no food or fuel. The water may be turned off.
 * Snow will still be present in late May, but will mostly be clear by June, so you don't need specialist equipment such as axes or crampons in season.
 * July and August are the hottest months, and there is a risk of thunderstorms. Some water supplies may dry up.
 * Early September is a good time to go, you will avoid the worst of the sun but it will still be fairly warm with little rain. Buses don't run every day, so check the timetables. Taxi rides can be expensive.
 * From October, refuges are again unstaffed, without food or fuel. Snowfall is likely and will obscure the route.

Getting in and out
Bastia Airport typically has the cheapest flights.

From Bastia Airport to Bastia train station, you can take a bus for €10 as of 2023, but check the timetable to make sure it is running that day. Bastia Airport bus timetable You can also take a taxi, but if the traffic is bad it can cost over €60 (as of 2022).

Calenzana
You can get a bus between Calvi and Calenza for €8 as of 2021. Timetables are here. From 1 July to 4 September, there are two buses each day in both directions. From 5 September, buses from Calvi to Calenzana only run on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 15:30, and there are no buses from Calenzana to Calvi. You could walk it in 3 hours, take a taxi, or even hitchhike.

You can take a train between Bastia and Calvi for €16.40 as of 2022. Train schedules are here. A taxi from Calvi airport costs approximately €30 as of 2022.

Vizzavona
You can take a train to Vizzavona from Calvi, Bastia or Ajaccio. Ajaccio is quickest, you can go straight from the airport.

The train between Vizzavona and Bastia town costs €14.60 as of 2022. Train schedules are here.

Conca
You can get a bus between Bastia and Ste Lucie de Porto-Vecchio (6km from Conca). It does not run every day, see here for details. See Rapides Bleus to view the schedule and book tickets. Price is €30 per person and €1 per bag as of 2024. In July and August only, the northbound bus can drop off passengers directly at Bastia Airport. The bus stop in Ste Lucie de Porto-Vecchio is opposite the Bar U Colombu.

To get from Conca to Ste Lucie de Porto-Vecchio, Gîte étape la Tonnelle used to run a shuttle bus, however as of 2024 it is suspended until further notice. You may be able to get an Uber instead, or the hike is 1 hour 15 minutes.

Maps

 * Corsica High Route GR20 IGN 89027. One map covering the whole route, plastified for waterproofing. Scale 1:50000.
 * Carte de Randonnée 4149 OT - 4253 OT and 4253 ET (6 maps). Scale 1:25000. Much more expensive because you have to buy six maps.
 * Le GR 20 Corse (Fra li monti). Editions Didier Richard. ISBN 9782344000434. Scale 1:50000.

Sleeping
You must bring your own sleeping bag.

The "official" refuges can be booked through the National Parc website. It is cheaper to book in advance, and guarantees you a place. For example, a dorm bed (bât flanc) is €17 in advance or €22 on the day as of 2024. Booking opens at the beginning of February. Official refuges can be booked for 22 May until 2 October. A few additional private refuges ("bergeries", literally "sheepfolds") and hotels exist on the route. Bergerie accommodation is similarly priced to the national park refuges. Hotels are present at a couple of places along the trail but are much more expensive.

Most refuges have a dormitory, as well as tents with air mattresses for rent, and space for your own tent. Some refuges do not have dormitories. If you cannot book a dorm bed, try booking a tent ("bivouac") for that refuge instead. Tents are a bit more private. There is little reason to bring your own tent or roll mat, it is just extra weight to carry and time to set it up. Wild camping is not allowed, you must pay to stay at the refuges even if you bring your own tent.

Most refuges do not accept payment cards, so you must bring cash. As a general rule, if a refuge doesn't have phone signal, it will not accept payment cards.

Refuges typically have hot showers, space to cook, a drinkable water supply, and a small shop selling food and alcohol. They will sell you dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch if you want. Dinner must typically be booked by 17:00 (sometimes 16:30). Breakfast and packed lunch must be booked the night before.

Most refuges have plug sockets to charge your phone, but some charge for this service. At refuges where it's free, the plug sockets are typically in high demand!

Most refuges don't have phone signal, but you will typically find phone signal during the day at some point along each stage.

Food
Refuges will sell you dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch. Dinner must be booked by 17:00 (sometimes 16:30). Typical prices as of 2022 are at least €20 for dinner, and approximately €10 for breakfast and €10 for a packed lunch. Wine and beer are also available (try the chestnut beer, typically €8 for 50cl).

Refuges also have a small shop selling things such as cheese, saucisson, and snack-bars.

In the south of the island below Vizzavona you can often get fresh bread, however you can often get "long life" bread otherwise.

Meals at refuges are typically high carb, low protein, low vegetables. You may wish to take some protein bars with you.

Dinner is typically a three course meal with lots of pasta for the main course. There might be some tomatoes, tuna, cheese, or chocolate mousse. Food is expensive for what it is, you're not paying for quality, you're paying for the food to be delivered up a mountain. That said, the guardians often put in a decent effort.

Breakfast is typically old bread, butter and jam, fruit juice and a hot drink. It's very expensive for what it is - if you're trying to save money, this is the meal to skip. Have an energy bar instead. You can stock up on calories in the evening. If you do decide to have breakfast, you can stock up on calories by eating lots of bread.

You'll probably find that buying 3 meals per day at the refuges is too much food.

At the towns such as Asco and Vizzavona, there are restaurants, and greater variety in the shops.

Water
There are usually marked water sources near all of the refuges, though some years a refuge will lack water. There are also the occasional marked sources on route which are safe to drink. Springs dry up in the summer months and there are some long ridges without points of resupply. You should carry at least 2 L of water, and drink a litre of water before you leave each refuge.

Fuel and cooking
If you want to save money or have a special diet, taking your own food will add weight, so try to take light-weight, energy-dense food.

Most refuges have areas with stoves and pans. These can get busy, or sometimes don't work, so if you want to cook your own food it may be a good idea to take a stove along. If you don't mind cold meals, not taking a stove will save weight.
 * Meths is fairly easy to find in supermarkets, it's sold as cooking alcohol, and won't block Trangias up.
 * Screw-top gas canisters are difficult to find however were available in Calvi in 2008.
 * Press-top gas is fairly easy to find.

Gear
Take as little as possible, pack light! Keep the weight of your rucksack below 15 kg (ideally below 10 kg), including 2 L of water.

Required

 * Rucksack with waterproof cover. 40-50 L is about right.
 * Water bottles. 2 L total
 * Rugged boots - you can easily wear out a set of lightweight walking shoes on the trail. Some people choose to wear lightweight walking shoes to save weight, treating them as disposable.
 * High-visibility quick-dry clothing. Approximately 4-5 sets so you can wash and dry some sets while using the others.
 * Sun protection cream (high factor).
 * Ultra-lightweight wind & waterproof.
 * Fleece top. It can get cold!
 * Quick dry towel
 * Sleeping bag
 * Toothbrush, wash-kit, etc.
 * First aid kit, including plasters to cover/prevent blisters
 * Toilet paper. You can buy tissues from the refuge shops, but free toilet paper is not provided.
 * Cash

Recommended

 * A map. It is entirely possible to do the GR20 without a map, however it would be wise to bring one and a compass. Alternatively, a smartphone with an app like Google Maps and the Corsica maps downloaded will provide your GPS location. More advanced users can download hiking apps with the exact route.
 * Head torch
 * Plastic bags
 * Energy bars
 * Protein bars
 * Mobile phone for safety. Phone charger, European plug adapter, external battery back. Camera.
 * Survival bag
 * Insurance

Optional

 * Brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, sunglasses.
 * Tent that will stand without need for pegs, and air mattress (the ground is usually very rocky). If you hire a tent, it will cost more but save weight and time.
 * Walking poles. About 50% of walkers use these, but they can get in the way when clambering over boulders or holding on to chains.
 * Detergent for clothes (or just a bar of soap)
 * Moisturiser, shampoo, body wash
 * Food, stove

General advice

 * Walk early for safety. You will avoid the worst of the sun, other people will find you if you get into difficulty, and you will have more contingency time if things go wrong. In the dormitories, most people set their alarms for 06:00 so you will probably be woken up then! Aim to depart by 07:00 each day.
 * Only few refuges give written weather reports, ask the guardian for info.
 * Bring cash along. Most refuges are cash only. You should book refuges in advance to reduce the amount of cash you have to carry (and to save money), however this reduces your flexibility. As of 2022, approximately €40 a day will cover 3 meals. You can save money by bringing your own food, but this adds considerable weight. You can also save money by eating lots at breakfast and dinner and skipping lunch. If you want to drink alcohol, bring extra money to cover it.

Books

 * Dillon, Paddy: "The GR20 Corsica: The High Level Route" (Fourth edition, 2016). Cicerone. ISBN 9781852848521

title: GR 20


text:
GR 92

The GR 92 🇵🇱 Poland is one of the extensive Grande Randonnée (or GR) network of paths and trails. The trail crosses Catalonia in Spain, from the Portbou down to Ulldecona, and the follows until Tarifa Andalusia along the Mediterranean coast. The GR92 🇵🇱 Poland in Spain is coincident with the E-12 european route by European Ramblers AssociationE12 path In summer 2023 only Catalonia and Andalusia have verified segments of this route.

Understand

The European Long Distance Path E12, or GR 92 🇵🇱 Poland in its Spanish segment, is a remarkable trail that traverses Catalonia, showcasing the region's diverse natural and cultural landscapes. Stretching across Catalonia, this trail offers hikers a unique journey through coastal beauty, dense forests, charming villages, and historical sites. The route meanders along Catalonia's stunning Costa Brava, with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and hidden coves. It then winds through lush forests in the Montseny Natural Park, offering a glimpse of Catalonia's rich biodiversity. Along the way, hikers can explore picturesque Catalan towns, sample local cuisine, and immerse themselves in the region's vibrant culture, making it an unforgettable adventure for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Prepare
A note on footwear - approximately 80% of the hikers wear full hiking boots and thick socks. While running sneakers may suffice (and Choco-style sandals may work for a few days), your risk of injury is higher, and much of the trail involves hopping around on wet and/or sharp rocks. Choose conservatively, depending on the length of your hike and your experience.

By plane
You can fly to Barcelona, Girona or Tarragona airports, and then go to desired starting point.

By railway
There are many railway station near most parts of the route, being the main exception the Costa Brava from Llançà to Blanes. However you can go to Girona or Figueres and then take a bus to most villages in Costa Brava.

By car
The covers the whole GR 92. And from the exits, go to desired starting point

Hiking
You can follow the E-12 from France into Spain.

Hike
For detailed info and tracks you can check |FEEC GR92] maintained by the catalonia hiking asociation Federació d'Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya

 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters in
 * Crosses GR-5 Viewpoints Trail
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Crosses GR-5 Viewpoints Trail
 * Enters Valencian Community
 * Estanys de Vilaüt
 * Vulpellac
 * Romanyà de la Selva
 * La Casa Nova
 * Pla de Gelpí
 * L'Arboçar
 * Castellet
 * Camí del Mas de l'Artís (Vilanova)
 * Crosses GR-5 Viewpoints Trail
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Enters
 * Crosses GR-5 Viewpoints Trail
 * Enters Valencian Community
 * Estanys de Vilaüt
 * Vulpellac
 * Romanyà de la Selva
 * La Casa Nova
 * Pla de Gelpí
 * L'Arboçar
 * Castellet
 * Camí del Mas de l'Artís (Vilanova)
 * Enters Valencian Community
 * Estanys de Vilaüt
 * Vulpellac
 * Romanyà de la Selva
 * La Casa Nova
 * Pla de Gelpí
 * L'Arboçar
 * Castellet
 * Camí del Mas de l'Artís (Vilanova)
 * Enters Valencian Community
 * Estanys de Vilaüt
 * Vulpellac
 * Romanyà de la Selva
 * La Casa Nova
 * Pla de Gelpí
 * L'Arboçar
 * Castellet
 * Camí del Mas de l'Artís (Vilanova)

Stay safe
Sunburn is a particular problem. Wear clothing such as long sleeve shirts and long pants as they protect from the sun, scratching branches, and insects. Bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. The track is not always well indicated, so don't forget a walking map or a G.P.S.

title: GR 92


text:
Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet is a town of 36,000 people (2011) in the Karoo Heartland. A touch of history wafts around the old houses, the small church and the busy main street of Graaff-Reinet. As one of the oldest cities in South Africa, it is littered with listed buildings from the Wilhelminian era, and has its own flair. The nearby Valley of Desolation attracts thousands of visitors annually with its desert atmosphere.

Understand
Graaff-Reinet was established in 1786 and is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province. It was established to bring law & order, religion and education to the many Dutch farmers on the Eastern Frontier. It was named after the then Dutch East Indian Company Governor of the Cape, Cornelius Jacob van der Graaff, and his wife Cornelia, whose maiden name was Reinet. The town is renowned for its architectural heritage and at 220 sites, has more national monuments than any other town in South Africa. It was once one of the largest centres in the Cape Colony, as it was on the direct route to the minefields of the interior. Today it still functions as an important farming centre with the raising of Merino sheep, Angora goats, ostriches and game being the main activities in this area of the eastern Great Karoo. It is also well known for the nearby Valley of Desolation, which today forms part of the Camdeboo National Park of about 15,000 ha.

Get in

 * From Bloemfontein, take the N9 at Colesberg through Middelburg. You may want to visit Nieu-Bethesda which is 25 km off the N9 on the way.
 * From Port Elizabeth take the R75 for 260 km past Kariega/Uitenhage, Wolvefontein and Jansenville
 * From George take the N9 for 340 km past Uniondale, Willowmore and Aberdeen
 * From Beaufort West take the R61 to Aberdeen and turn left onto the N9. Distance 210 km.

Get around
Graaff is small enough to get around the centre on foot. You can arrange tours to the Valley of Desolation using one of the agencies near the church.

See
The old town centre architecture is well-preserved and you can actually feel the Karoo Heartland-atmosphere there.

Do

 * Walk around to explore the town centre. Go into one of the restaurants to get a feeling for the old furniture and the way the people must have lived once upon a time.
 * Reinet House Museum - the most visited museum in the East Cape
 * Hester Rupert Art museum - contemporary South African Art
 * Pierneef Art Museum
 * The Old Residensie Museum - firearm and war museum
 * Urquart House Museum.

Buy
Most shops are in Church and Caledon Streets around the Dutch Reformed Church which is in the centre of town. On the corner of Parsonage and Church Streets are two little shops called Out of Africa and African Adventure which are both jam-packed with all kinds of curios. McNaughton's Bookshop near to Absa Bank in Church Street has a wide selection of tourist maps, guide books and general information about the area. They also carry a large range of new books with some Africana.

Eat

 * The Coldstream Restaurant on the eastern side of the church in the centre of the town
 * The Coral Tree in Somerset Street one block west of Church Street.
 * The Wimpy near to Spar in Caledon Street serves a great breakfast.
 * The Wimpy near to Spar in Caledon Street serves a great breakfast.

Drink

 * Get someone to sign you in at the Graaff-Reinet Club next to the Coldstream Restaurant. It is the oldest watering hole in the town and filled with all kinds of interesting collections like historical weapons, caricatures of previous members and even has bullet holes in the bar counter dating from the Anglo-Boer War. Ask for Terrance Gush (usually behind the bar) to tell you all about it.
 * Agave Silver or Gold - produced in the district in the only distillery outside Mexico to produce alcohol from the agave plant
 * Withond (White Dog) - a local variation of Witblits (White Lightning) or Moonshine produced by special license on the premises of Reinet House Museum
 * Karoo Cabernet - (Brandy & Coke) the closest thing locals know to red wine

Sleep

Go next

 * The Camdeboo National Park and Valley of Desolation, 14km outside town offers hiking, wildlife (a wide variety of Antelope, Mountain Zebra, Buffalo) and great birdwatching near the dam.
 * Visit Karoo Connections at 7 Church Street for a range of 1/2- and full-day tour options including an interesting Township Tour, a Historical Town Tour and the Valley of Desolation Tour which is a must.Their contact telephone number is
 * Go paragliding or microlight aircraft flying.
 * Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park that is not too far away.
 * Visit Nieu-Bethesda (53 km from Graaff-Reinet) with the Owl House, Fossil Interpretation Centre, Craft and coffee shops, art centres, Ganora excursions.
 * The Agave Distillery
 * A historic Karoo Farm
 * Kalkop Meteorite Crater

title: Graaff-Reinet