text:
Kokkola

Kokkola (Swedish: Karleby) is a town in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland, with a population of 48,000 (2021). It's the largest town in the region, with industry based on chemicals and metals. The old wooden town (Neristan) has been well-preserved, and is the main reason to visit.

Understand

Kokkola was founded in 1620 under Swedish rule, and much of the current built-up area was underwater at that time; the area is still rebounding from glaciation, at almost 9 mm a year. Kokkola was an important exporter of tar in the 18th and 19th century, an essential commodity when ships were built of wood. But it was always losing a race with the receding sea, as its offshore archipelago became a narrow peninsula, then a broad headland, and the harbour dwindled to a narrow creek. The modern dockland and industry are now 5 km to the west.

By train
There are six direct trains daily from Helsinki via Tampere, taking just under 4 hours, and continuing to Oulu (Uleaborg) and other far-north towns. A couple of sleeper trains to the far north also call at Kokkola in the small hours. is central, but cold and shuttered at those hours. The waiting room is open Su–F 07:00–18:00, Sa 07:00-15:30 with a couple of ticket machines and a Sixt car rental office. See Finland#Get around: By train for advice on fares and ticket purchase.

By bus
Kokkola has direct buses from Helsinki (8-9 hr), Turku (7 hr), Jyväskylä (4 hr), Vaasa (2 hr 30 min), Jakobstad (1 hr), Oulu (3 hr) and Tampere (5 hr 35 min). Bus is the quickest way from Vaasa, Jakobstad and Jyväskylä as the railway route is indirect. The town bus station is just across the road from the railway station.

By car
The main highways into town are E8 Turku–Vaasa–Kokkola–Oulu–Kemi–Tromsø, and E12 Helsinki–Tampere–Kokkola.

By boat
There are ferries from Umeå to Vaasa, taking 5 hours.

The passage from the High Coast of Sweden via the Kvarken Archipelago, or along the coast from the Bothnian Sea can be a nice voyage by yacht. From Sweden, the open-sea leg can be made short, with lighthouses in view all the time (if visibility is good).

Get around
The town is fairly small, so the easiest way to see the sights is walking.

By bus
A small number of city bus lines circle Kokkola. The Matkahuolto route planner covers local transport. The only two lines a visitor is likely to use are numbers 4 and 5, which run hourly from the centre via the market square to Halkokari (east of the river outlet) and west to the dockland.

By bike
Pyöräliike Lybäck Oy on Isokatu 21 does bike repairs and rentals. They're open M–F 09:00-17:00 and Sa 10:00–14:00.

By electric kick scooter
German Tier rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See

 * Neristan is Swedish for "lower town", the artisan and sailors' quarter (Finnish Vanhakaupunki). This is a fine old district of wooden houses, one of the best preserved in Finland, laid out on a grid pattern. Oppistan or "upper town" was the more prosperous merchant quarter, but less of this has survived. The station area is bland and modern, go north a couple of blocks back to come into the attractive part, bounded to the east by the river and park and to the north by Chydeniuksenkatu. The tourist map suggests a walking route but you can just quarter the streets at random.
 * : 19th-century Finland was part of the Russian Empire, and in 1854 during the Crimea War a force of British Royal Marines raided the town. They were beaten off, nine were killed, and one boat was captured. It's by the creek along Isokatu, in a boathouse which is locked but has a shop-window front. The British ask for the boat's return, but the Finns decline. It's being looked after nicely (the boathouse is being re-painted in mid-2019) and is safe enough where it is.
 * : this area was outside town until the 19th century when it was laid out as a public park. At its north-west corner, the Katarina Cemetery is a walled graveyard set up in 1770 on the site of the earlier plague pits. It's surrounded by charnel houses, where those who died in winter were stored until the ground thawed in spring and they could be buried. One block north, note the Orthodox Chapel and the 1930s-style filling station.
 * : 19th-century Finland was part of the Russian Empire, and in 1854 during the Crimea War a force of British Royal Marines raided the town. They were beaten off, nine were killed, and one boat was captured. It's by the creek along Isokatu, in a boathouse which is locked but has a shop-window front. The British ask for the boat's return, but the Finns decline. It's being looked after nicely (the boathouse is being re-painted in mid-2019) and is safe enough where it is.
 * : this area was outside town until the 19th century when it was laid out as a public park. At its north-west corner, the Katarina Cemetery is a walled graveyard set up in 1770 on the site of the earlier plague pits. It's surrounded by charnel houses, where those who died in winter were stored until the ground thawed in spring and they could be buried. One block north, note the Orthodox Chapel and the 1930s-style filling station.

Do

 * Walk or cycle north along the creek to the sea shore, 2.5 km. There are tarmac paths both sides, but the west bank is more pleasant, a bosky parkland of native birch and fir. At the ring road Pohjoisväylä / Norraleden you need to switch briefly onto the east bank. Then take the footbridge by the supermarket to return to the west bank path, for the campsite and ferry to Tankar Island.
 * Kokkola Cup is an annual football (soccer) tournament for under-18s held in and around town in July. The next event is 18-21 July 2019.
 * The Venetian Festival (Venetsialaiset) at the end of August is when people close up their summer cabins and cottages and have a party, before the September nights and cold winds set in. There's a lot of bonfires, lights and fireworks - hence the name, as fireworks were introduced to Finland from Italy and became known as "Venetian lights".
 * Live music is often on at local bars and pubs, e.g. at Bar West Coast on Rantakatu 16.
 * Classical music: the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra often play at Snellman Hall, Kokkola.
 * Anniversary: The city's anniversary is celebrated on 7 Sep.
 * Anniversary: The city's anniversary is celebrated on 7 Sep.

Buy
There are many larger stores and smaller shops as it is regional centre.

Eat

There are at least three fast-food franchises, over ten pizzerias and many small cafés and food stalls, plus Italian, Chinese and (sort-of) Mexican. The main concentration is in and around Chydenia mall near the railway and bus stations.

Drink

 * Reino Nightclub (formerly Socis) is in Hotel Seurohuone (listed below), F Sa 23:00–03:30.
 * Reino Nightclub (formerly Socis) is in Hotel Seurohuone (listed below), F Sa 23:00–03:30.
 * Reino Nightclub (formerly Socis) is in Hotel Seurohuone (listed below), F Sa 23:00–03:30.
 * Reino Nightclub (formerly Socis) is in Hotel Seurohuone (listed below), F Sa 23:00–03:30.
 * Reino Nightclub (formerly Socis) is in Hotel Seurohuone (listed below), F Sa 23:00–03:30.

Go next

 * Kalajoki 70 km north has sandy beaches where you can swim in the Gulf of Bothnia in the summer.
 * Raahe 125 km north is an industrial town.
 * Oulu 200 km north is the largest city in Northern Finland and the provincial centre of the region North Ostrobothnia, with many sights and activities, e.g. an excellent science museum.
 * Jakobstad (Pietarsaari), 35 km south, still has a Swedish-speaking majority, has an extensive wooden town, the ship replica Jacobstads Wapen and a nice botanical garden.
 * Vaasa (Vasa) 120 km south is the provincial centre of the Ostrobothnia region, with plenty of history and with a ferry across the sea to Umeå in Sweden.

title: Kokkola


text:
Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track is a hiking trail in Southern Papua New Guinea.

Understand

What is now known as the Kokoda Track was a collection of trails and trading routes used by villagers to cross the Owen Stanley Range and travel from the south to north coast of Papua New Guinea for hundreds of years, and in the 19th century by Europeans keen to reach the goldfields on the northern half of the island.

Even today, there is not a single route from what is now known as Owen's Corner in the south to the Kokoda Valley in the north, but alternative tracks that go through different valleys and different villages for about 96 kilometres. The most commonly used series of tracks follows about two thirds of the original track that was fought over.

The track became famous during the Second World War when troops of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion and Japanese Imperial Forces fought a long and arduous battle along its route to prevent the Japanese forces from reaching Port Moresby in the south, and thus a potential starting point for an invasion of mainland Australia.

Since then, walking the Kokoda Track has become a rite of passage for Australians of all ages, on a par with visiting Gallipoli on Anzac Day. It has become one of the most popular activities in Papua New Guinea, attracting over 4,000 walkers a year, most intensively over Anzac Day in late April when the track is at its busiest, and then over the dry season from May to October.

Certainly it is difficult for Australians and Japanese to not shed a few tears when they reach the war memorial site at Isurava.

Prepare

The Kokoda Track is a tough but doable hike in subtropical rainforest. A sufficient level of fitness and suitable equipment are critical for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Before walking the Kokoda it is important to carefully assess how fit you are. There are incidents of people dying of heart attacks from over-exertion, which has led to many operators requiring a medical evaluation before walking the track. There are several speeds at which one can walk the Kokoda, taking from a leisurely 12 days to a gruesome 16 hours, 34 minutes and 5 seconds, the world record held by local porter Brendan Buka. Basically the most important thing is that you have fun doing it. Going too fast isn't fun, but taking it too slow can be boring also if you have to wait for the others all the time.

For seasoned hikers the Kokoda Track is very doable, but if you’re not used to walking about 15 km a day over uneven terrain then this is going to be a challenge... Groups typically spend about 60 hours in total walking up and down steep, often muddy hillsides, with flat sections a rarity. In terms of equipment a good pair of hiking boots is critical, and bring enough socks for a fresh pair each day. There are plenty of streams to wash clothes in but especially in the lower parts of the track the humidity makes it difficult to dry things. Inspect your feet every day and apply blister packs at the first sign, to prevent more serious issues developing. The other critical piece of equipment is a pair of hiking poles (much better than one), as the track is often rooty and muddy. You'll spend most of the time looking at your feet to ensure that you don't trip over, and poles help hugely with balance and control. Other must bring items are anti-malarial drugs as there are mosquitoes around, though the numbers vary significantly by season, warm layers for the higher parts of the track where you camp at about 1,900 m, water purification tablets to treat the stream water, a travel towel ir sport chamois to dry after camp showers or streams, swimming costume for washing in streams, an inflatable mattress, a head lamp, ear plugs, hiking sandals for river crossings, sun protection (lotion, hat), insect repellent, toilet paper as there is none along the track (though every campsite and village has at least one long-drop), hydralytes to rehydrate after sweating from the exertion and humidity, a light sleeping bag though a sleeping bag liner is fine for the lower parts of the track, a spare set of dry clothes for the campsites, and dry bags to keep your things dry if it rains.

Useful items to consider taking include a solar charger as there is no electricity along the track, an inflatable travel pillow, a Z seat for comfort, and an old toothbrush to clean your boots after the walk if you're returning to Australia or New Zealand, given the strict border controls.

Get in
If time or stamina is a problem you can join the Kokoda Track in the middle. Airlines PNG flies to Efogi, Kagi and Manari and from Port Moresby, as well as to Kokoda. The southern starting point can be reached by road from Port Moresby. Kokoda can also be reached by road from Popondetta, which receives regular flights by Air Niugini.

Walk

The vast majority of people walk the track as part of a guided group. There are over 80 operators, almost entirely Australian owned, who run tours ranging from six to twelve days long. The largest and best known operators include Adventure Kokoda, Escape Trekking, Kokoda Spirit, and No Roads Expeditions. There are a handful of PNG-owned operators including South Sea Horizons (used by Intrepid Travel), KoTreks, and Buna Treks and Tours, who ensure that all money involved stays in PNG. Expect to pay AU$3,000-5,000 for an all inclusive trip (excluding flights). It pays to understand the size of the groups, as they can range from 3 to 20 people, making a large difference in the time taken to walk each day, and access to facilities at campsites.

The track can be walked independently but this is not recommended from a safety perspective, both in terms of the terrain, and walking without a guide in the bush in PNG can be risky (see Stay safe below).

Almost all itineraries include going through Imita Ridge, Ofi Creek, Nauro, Menari, and Templeton's Crossing. Different companies have different guiding styles and areas of focus. Many employ ex-military tour leaders or historians to provide a detailed understanding of the 1942 Kokoda campaign, while others focus more on the local communities.

There are many campsites along the track, which are very similar in set up though the quality does vary. They have two huts for the crew, to cook and sleep in, one hut for the group to use, a grassy area for tents, usually a shower or at least a swimming hole, and one or two long drop toilets with standard green seats.

There is very little wildlife along the trail, expect to hear some birds but sightings are rare. As the only way to cross the Owen Stanley Range is by foot or plane expect to hear a few flights passing overhead. There is some litter along the track, but it is nowhere near as bad as many countries, and reflects the difficulty of disposing of rubbish in a remote area with limited community services. There are a few clinics and primary schools in the large villages, often funded by the Kokoda Initiative, a partnership between the Australia and Papua New Guinea governments.

There are four official museums along the track, at Efogi, Kokoda, Isurava Memorial, and Alola. They’re not guaranteed to be open though; it depends if the person with the keys is around. Off the main track there are a few spots where locals have found ammunition from 1942 and stacked it in neat piles. To visit usually costs 10 Kina, if there is someone there to take the money.

The track can be walked in either direction, but the most popular is from Kokoda to Owen's Corner as it is regarded as slightly easier (though day two has a huge hill to climb up to Alola), and ends with a visit to the Bomana War Cemetery on the way from Owen's Corner back to Port Moresby. Walking from Owen's Corner to Kokoda is quieter, and finishes with the scenic flight from Kokoda back to Port Moresby, following the path of the track below, putting the walk into perspective.

By far the most popular time of the year to walk the Kokoda Track is over ANZAC Day, a public holiday in Australia and New Zealand held on 25 April. This is toward the end of the wet season with 2–3 wet days a week to be expected. The actual Kokoda battle was fought between July and November 1942, during the dry season when rain is much rarer. It can rain any time of the year, though, particularly in the higher parts of the track.

Stay safe
There have been a number of deaths on the Kokoda Track. In 2009 a small plane flying a group crashed, killing 13 people, and during the same year, four walkers died on the track from medical issues. In 2016 a British man and an American woman walking the track without a guide were attacked near Templeton's Crossing II campsite. To put these incidents in context, thousands of people walk the track every year, and there have been no issues with guided groups. The biggest risks are injury from slipping or tripping on the track, health challenges from not being fit enough, and acclimatising to the tropical heat and humidity.

Go next
Kokoda Track trips start and finish from Port Moresby, which is worth a day or two to explore. On the way to or from Owen's Corner all trips stop at the moving Bomana War Cemetery, home to the graves of those who died on the track during World War II.

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

title: Kokoda Track


text:
Kokomo

Kokomo is in Indiana, in the United States of America. Kokomo, named after a Miami chief, is known as "The City Of Firsts" due to innovations that occurred in tandem with the birth of the natural gas extraction industry there, especially as it pertained to automobile manufacturing. On a less dignified note, it also holds notoriety of hosting the largest Ku Klux Klan gathering in history which took place in 1923, and of early stigmatization surrounding HIV and AIDS with the emergence of Ryan White, an adolescent who was shunned from school after acquiring the virus through a hemophilia related-transfusion.

By car
US-31, US-35, SR-22, SR-26, SR-931 pass by Kokomo

By bike
The Indiana Heritage Trail passes through.

The Nickle Plate Trail goes north to the town of Peru.

See

 * Old Ben, in Highland Park. Old Ben is the world's largest preserved steer. Ben weighs 2.5 tons. At one time Old Ben was the world's largest living Steer before being injured falling on the ice.
 * Sycamore Stump, in Highland Park.
 * Vermont Covered Bridge, in Highland Park.
 * Vermont Covered Bridge, in Highland Park.

Go next

 * Mississinewa Lake, north of Kokomo
 * Kokomo Reservoir, east of Kokomo, near Greentown
 * Grissom Air Reserve Base and Museum, north of Kokomo
 * James Dean Museum and James Dean Festival, east of Kokomo in Fairmount. Festival is the last weekend in September.
 * Glass museum in Greentown east on SR-22/US 35

title: Kokomo


text:
Ko Kret

Ko Kret (also Koh Kred) is an island in the Chao Phraya River, in Nonthaburi province 20 km north of Bangkok, Thailand.

Understand
The island dates only to 1722, when 10,000 people were given shovels and put to work digging a canal to bypass a bend in the Om Kret branch of the Chao Phraya river. In a month and a half, the 12m wide by 3m deep canal was completed which cut journey times on the river significantly. The river responded to this shortcut by changing course completely, and over the years the canal has become the 30m wide and 10m deep main course of the river seen today. In 1757, Mon people from southern Myanmar were permitted to settle in areas around the Chao Phraya, including Ko Kret and adjacent Pak Kret. Due to laws at the time banning foreigners from farming, the Mon people used river clay to make traditional pottery. This same group dominates this area even today. They have retained a distinct identity in their flavour of Buddhism and, particularly at Ko Kret, their pottery.

Get in
The easiest way to reach Ko Kret is to take the once-weekly Chao Phraya Express, which leaves the Central Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) every Sunday at 09:00 and visits a number of attractions before returning at 15:30. The cost of the cruise and guided tour is 300 baht (no lunch). Many other companies also offer similar tours, often just as a stop on a longer upriver trip to Ayutthaya.

Independent travel to Ko Kret is a little more challenging. The easiest option is to take public bus 166 from Victory Monument (at the footbridge's end) or bus 505 from Central World to the end of the line in the Pak Kret market. From there, you have to walk about 500 m (or take a motorbike taxi/samlor) towards the river to the ferry pier, which is located behind Wat Sanam Neua.

More fun, though, is to arrive by boat. If you plan to stay overnight the "green flag" Chao Phraya express boat offers a direct service from BTS Saphan Taksin to

Outside peak hours, the closest you can get is From here, the options are:

 * Take the air-con van service (just 10 baht) or public bus 32 to Pak Kret, then head to the ferry pier serving the island. The catch is that there's no signage in English, so finding your way can be tricky.
 * Hire a river taxi, for which touts will quote prices around 500 baht. With enough haggling this may be a reasonable option for a group.
 * If you can't get a return trip for less than 200 baht (and you probably can't), it'll be cheaper to take a taxi to the temple of Just tell the cabbie "Ko Kret". He will understand.

Getting back is more interesting still, the easy way out again being the river taxi, plenty of which lounge about near the pier. If not, take the ferry back to Wat Sanam Neua, then take a moto or samlor out of the soi (5 baht) to the main street. From here you can easily grab a taxi back to the pier, or try your luck with the many buses, minibuses and songthaews heading back to central Nonthaburi and Bangkok. The pier you want to return to is Tha Nam Nonburi or simply Tha Nam Chao Phya in Thai (Chao Phraya Pier).

Get around
Compared to getting in, getting around is easy. The most popular option is by foot. The island is roughly square in shape, each side measuring about 2 km, and a path runs around the entire island. The walk at a pleasant pace takes about 1.5–2 hours. Other options are renting a bicycle from the company located in Moo 6. From the 2 baht ferry crossing make your way counter-clockwise around the island about 200 m. At about the same point, which is near the end of the tourist area, motorcycle taxis wait to take people around. If you walk and get tired, you can proceed down one of the paths leading out to piers by the river. From these local piers, you can flag down a small water-taxi. These miniature versions of the famous Thai long-tailed boats will zip you around the island and back to the Pak Kret pier on the mainland if you like. Prices are reasonable, maybe 20 baht per person for a group of four and the ride warrants a Disneyland "E" ticket, but better know how to swim as life vests are not included. Also do not expect to use English with the boatman.

You can also rent a bicycle at couple of places (for example in Village #1), yet do not expect to find one with a seat for small children.

Sightseeing boats that do a loop of the island (see itinerary below) leave the pier every hour from 09:00-17:00, costing 50 baht/person. There is also the possibility of renting a boat at the price of 500-4,000 baht depending on the distance and the size of the boat. It will take around 1.5 hr for the whole trip. For more information, contact Wat Poramaiyikawat Pier at +66 2 5845012.

While the locals speak little English, there are useful multilingual maps of the island near the ferry pier and at a couple other points around the island. There are occasional distance signposts along the footpath, and most sights around the island have been labelled in English.

Itinerary
A sample one-day Ko Kret tour:

 * 1) Take the ferry from Wat Sanam Nuea to Wat Poramaiyikawat Pier to worship Nonthaburi’s Buddha image then take a look around Rama V Museum.
 * 2) Walk from Wat Poramaiyikawat to Moo 6 and Moo 7, enjoy the walking tour and the shopping of various style of pottery then visit the museum of Kwan Aman Pottery.
 * 3) Drifting along the river from Wat Sao Thong Thong Pier to Ko Wat Yai Sawang Arom in Tambon Om Kret. Feed the fish in front of the temple. In addition, various kinds of aquatic animals are reserved in this area. Before leaving, don’t forget to taste the sweet scented coconuts which are on sale here.
 * 4) Go downstream to the south then turn right to Khlong Bang Bua Thong or Khlong Khanom Wan admiring the beautiful scenery of the Dessert Village and shopping sweetmeats as souvenirs.
 * 5) Drifting back to the mouth of the canal where the chimney of the first brick kiln of Thailand can been seen. Pass Ban Kret Trakan, then head north for Wat Chim Phli Pier and shop for agricultural products. Carry on with the walking tour starting from Wat Chim Phli to the Assembly of Pottery Craft. Take a look at the demonstration of how to make a pottery and end the tour with shopping for porcelains before getting back to Wat Klang Kret by ferry.

See

Do
Ko Kret is another world compared to Bangkok and much of it retains the air of a rustic village, with wooden shacks propped against palm trees and the occasional dilapidated temple slowly crumbling. Hence the main attraction is just walking around, browsing the merchandise in the many pottery shops.

 * Mon Songkran Festival at Ko Kret, Amphoe Pak Kret, one week following 13 Apr with a caravan and shows of traditional Mon playing and entertainment
 * Mon classical Dance Dating back long time ago, the traditional Mon dancing accompanied by the Mon gamelan remains till today as an invaluable heritage to the descendants of Mon at Pak Kret, Phra Pradaeng and Pathum Thani.

Buy

Ko Kret is renowned above all as a centre for kwan aman, a style of Mon pottery, which is fundamentally just baked unglazed red clay carved with intricate patterns. Prices for the simplest and smallest pots start from 5 baht, but can go up to hundreds or even thousands of baht for large ornate pieces. Particularly popular among visitors are candle and incense holders with ornate patterns of holes to let the smoke or light out, costing around 200 baht.

There are around 20 pottery workshops on the island and you will see many kilns as you walk around, but the primary shopping districts (perhaps too grandiose a word) are the imaginatively named:

 * Pottery Village #1 (Mu Neung) - on the east coast south of Wat Poramai Yikawat.
 * Pottery Village #6 (Mu Hok) - on the north coast to the west of the wat

Eat & Drink

 * Although not considered an activity, this is one of the primary attractions for Thais visiting the island. There are numerous vendors cooking up a number of local treats mainly Thai and Mon snacks and desserts. Favourites that the island is known for include "Khao Cher." This dish is a Mon specialty of rice served with chilled fragrant water and a number of little side dishes.  It was a royal favourite for hot summer days, but now is hard to find most anywhere besides here. "Tod mun pla nor gala" is another treat. This is spiced fish cake with the shoots of local ginger.
 * There is a food market near the ferry pier featuring the usual suspects, but also including a local specialty best described as Mon tempura: deep-fried vegetables, fish, shrimp and such served in a large banana-leaf krathong (leaf-shaped bowl). A number of stalls also serve chaa yen (Thai iced tea) and other drinks in red clay cups with carrying handles, which you can keep as a souvenir for a few baht extra.
 * Banpasoon Dessert Home, in Village #1 along the main tourist path 50 m before the bicycle rental. Very pleasant place with simple Thai cuisine and great desserts, cost around 30 baht per dish. No English menu or sign but English spoken.
 * Around the island in the touristed section, there are a number of other riverside restaurants and many vendors selling snacks and desserts, so a taste as you go approach works well. On the less touristed section, there are a few places but more spread out and just the basic noodles and Thai "aharn tam sung" dishes.
 * Dessert Canal (Khlong khanom waan). The local people living in the compound of the dessert canal as well as other canals around Ko Kret earn their living by selling several traditional Thai home-made desserts and sweets. Tourists can also enjoy the show on how to make Thai desserts and shopping all the sweetmeats as souvenirs from Khlong Khanom Wan.
 * Dessert Canal (Khlong khanom waan). The local people living in the compound of the dessert canal as well as other canals around Ko Kret earn their living by selling several traditional Thai home-made desserts and sweets. Tourists can also enjoy the show on how to make Thai desserts and shopping all the sweetmeats as souvenirs from Khlong Khanom Wan.

Sleep
There are only a few simple places to stay on the island. Most visitors visit the island as a day trip from Bangkok.

Mid-range

 * Baan Dvara Prateep 53/3 Moo 5; A low-key retreat offering yoga and meditation courses with accommodation included. Prices vary but expect to pay around 5,000 baht for a 3 day/2 night course, including meals and transfers to Pak Kret. Reservations required.

Go next

 * Ayutthaya
 * Bang Pa-In
 * Bangkok
 * Nonthaburi

title: Ko Kret


text:
Kokrobite

Kokrobite is a beach on the Ghanaian Coastal Plain. Though geographically close to Accra (25km), Kokrobite Beach feels as if it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. It's an ideal place to spend a few days relaxing while soaking in the view of this tropical beach.

Understand
As with any beach, do not leave items unattended. Valuables and electronics should preferably not be brought onto the beach. Use your best judgement. It may also be a good idea to ask about swimming conditions before entering the water.

By Tro-Tro
From Accra, go to Kaneshie Station. You may have to ask around in order to find your way to the tro-tros leaving direct to Kokrobite, as they depart from a back corner of the station. As of December 2011, the one way fare was one cedi per person. Kaneshie is roughly 25km from Accra, and the drive will likely take over an hour (possibly much more depending on traffic). Most travelers to Kokrobite will want to disembark at the very last stop. If in doubt, ask the tro-tro mate for "Big Milly's."

After leaving the tro-tro, the most popular beachfront hotels are just a short walk down dirt roads. The directions are clearly signposted.

Get around
Within Kokrobite, you'll likely just walk. Taxis and tro-tros are available at the main road.

See

See the colorful boats, as they bring in their fresh catch.

Do

 * Relax on the beach.
 * Buy fabrics, clothing, crafts or souvenirs from one of the many vendors.
 * Enjoy a nice meal and drinks at one of the restaurants.
 * Watch the colorful fishing boats along the shore.

Buy

 * Excellent souvenir stalls can be found near Big Milly's Backyard. Vendors sell a variety of clothing, carvings, and instruments at reasonable prices.  As with most curio shops in Ghana, haggling is expected.

Eat
Meals: Big Milly's Backyard and Kokrobite Gardens are recommended.

Snacks: In case your sweet tooth kicks in, Big Milly's has a small snack bar stand located inside the premises, selling cookies and candy.

Fruit: Fresh bananas and pineapples can be purchased from vendors on the beach.

Drink

 * Beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are available at every hotel.
 * Enjoy a mixed or blended drink at Big Milly's Backyard.
 * "Pure Water" sachet bags can be purchased at the beach.

Sleep
Probably the most well known hotel in Kokrobite. Directly on the beach. A good menu with international cuisine and breakfasts (7 - 15 cedis), a bar, and a cocktail & juice bar. A range of rooms are available at various prices. Curio sellers are on site. As Big Milly's is a popular destination, it seems an excellent place to meet other travelers. A book exchange is also available at the reception office. http://www.bigmilly.com/ Two spots down from Big Milly's with direct access the beach. This hotel includes a large suite with bedroom, large bathroom, living room, and a balcony overlooking the beach. Ocean views directly from the room's living room area (~50 cedis). Korkor Inn is a good value for a beachfront view and seems to be a popular place for Ghanaians to eat and drink on busy days. The kitchen can prepare jolof rice and fried rice (~10 cedis). Double rooms here were only 25 cedis and seemed like a very good value. A very nice garden area with hammocks, tire swing, and gazebo. The garden area is kept meticulously clean, and the rooms likely are as well. The guesthouses are owned by a friendly Spanish couple who have young children. Even if you decide not to stay here, it's still worth coming by for a meal. They serve excellent Italian pastas and pizzas in the 12 - 20 cedi range. Kokrobite Garden is a peaceful place to relax, and while not directly on the beach, it's an extremely short walk to the water. http://www.kokrobitegarden.com/
 * Big Milly's Backyard -
 * Korkor Inn -
 * Kokrobite Garden -

Go next
Tro-tros to Accra leave from the paved road. It would be wise to ask your hotel for the best time to leave.

title: Kokrobite


text:
Kokshetau

Kokshetau is a city of 151,000 people (2022) in the north of Kazakhstan, part of the former Soviet Union, and sits on the shore of Lake Kopa Kona, though the urban design doesn't seem to embrace it much.

By plane
The capital city Astana is close, it has an international airport.

From Almaty (the only flight!), which stops in Kokshetau, unloads passengers, and then takes off for Petropavlovsk. From the airport, buses to the city center run about every 30 minutes, and taxis are plenty and inexpensive (about US$5-7).

By taxi
Abundant taxis. Average trip cost US$2.

See

 * The end of the world's biggest powerline: it starts in Ekibastusz and ends here
 * Burabai (Borovoe): Mountainous resort area 50 km (30 miles) from town. Numerous other lakes.

Do

 * Bowling alley
 * Movie theatre
 * The Central Park has a small amusement park with a slow-moving ferris wheel and other fast-moving rides.
 * In warmer weather, there are lots of amusements for small kids in the paved square opposite the new movie theater.
 * In freezing cold weather, the same paved square hosts an amazing ice-carved village, including a very long ice slide. Lots of fun, but bundle up because it gets c-c-c-cold.
 * In freezing cold weather, the same paved square hosts an amazing ice-carved village, including a very long ice slide. Lots of fun, but bundle up because it gets c-c-c-cold.

Eat

 * Crosta Restaurant, Ulitsa Auyel'bekova 116. Daily 12:00-02:00. Kind of a fussy bourgeoisie eating establishment on the 9th floor of the Greenwich Hotel. If you like looking at cityscapes of old concrete buildings, you're in for a treat.
 * Toykhana Shalkar, Ul.mira 24. They do weddings, but also serve kabobs and other nice dainties.
 * Coffee Boom, Gorkogo St дом 57. Daily 08:00-22:00. You can get some pretty big breakfast dishes here along with a coffee. Waffles, potato and onion and sausage stir fry, plov, bread focaccia things.

Eating shish kebabs (shashlyk) is definitely in.

The bowling alley might also have a food court. You could enjoy good food and a fun game.

Drink
Do not drink from tap, only drink bottled water. Local bottled water is also sold in 5-liter containers.

Cheap, good beer, including the ubiquitous Brazilian import, Brahma.

Nightclub: A'ngar (Ulitsa Kanaybi 31). Su-Th 08:30-22:00, F Sa 21:00-06:00.

Sleep
The hotel industry is in rudimentary state. There are world-class hotels in Borovoe (Burabai) resort region. In Kokshetau, however, the hotels are built on the legacy of the Soviet Union. There are high quality apartments available.

 * Hotel Samruk, Abay Street 121. Here you get a standard room and a restaurant on the premises of the stone building serving halal food.
 * Hotel Green Which, Ulitsa Auyel'bekova 115. Highrise place featuring a karaoke room, bar, breakfast buffet, and the previously mentioned penthouse restaurant.

Stay healthy

 * Avicenna: a private hospital in Kokshetau.

title: Kokshetau


text:
Koksijde

Koksijde is a sea resort in West Flanders. It consists of Koksijde section (with Koksijde-Bad and Sint-Idesbald as the coastal neighbourhoods of the town), the seaside resort of Oostduinkerke and the rural village of Wulpen. In 2018, it had 22,000 permanent residents.

Get in
Even though there is a train station called Koksijde it is easier to continue until the train station of De Panne (the terminal station of that railway line) and hop on the coastal tram to Nieuwpoort. For direct trains from Bruges, Ghent and Brussels it may be easier to get off in Ostend and hop on the coastal tram there.

Get around
Coastal trams connect the resorts of Koksijde-Bad with Oostduinkerke-Bad. Close to the sea promenade there are several places where it's possible to rent bikes, but these might be closed on weekdays in the less busy winter months.

Go next

 * Take the coastal tram and go to other seaside towns like De Panne, Nieuwpoort, Ostend, De Haan or Knokke-Heist.
 * If travelling by car, the towns of Veurne and Diksmuide are close by.

title: Koksijde


text:
Koktebel

Koktebel (Ukrainian: Коктебель) is in the Crimea. Also known as Planerskoye, is one of the most popular resort townlets in the Crimea, situated on the shore of the Black Sea about halfway between Feodosiya and Sudak. It is best known for its literary associations. The Russian poet Maximilian Voloshin made it his residence, where he entertained many distinguished guests, including Marina Tsvetayeva, Osip Mandelshtam, and Andrey Bely (who died there). They all wrote remarkable poems in Koktebel.

Get in
You can get to Koktebelj either directly by minibus from the train station in Simferopol or by going to Feodosiya and catching a minibus from there. You can also get by boat from Feodosiya.

See
If you go for a walk into the eastern hills over Koklteblj you will have a great view of the bay. Frequently from here you can see schools of dolphins jumping and playing in the middle of the bay.

Do
You can take boat trip out around the national park to see a 'natural bridge' several hundred meters out into the ocean You can go for a horse back ride into the national park  Great beaches for swimming. Koktebel is well known for its naturist beaches and communities with naturist tourist coming from Russia and Eastern Europe. The Koktobel Jazz Festival, which takes places each September.

Sleep
Accommodation in Koktebelj is a bit more expensive than many of the other places in the Crimea (and a lot nicer too). For US$20 per night (for up to 3 people) you can get a western standard room. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper head east down the main road towards the large Arab looking hotel. Around the hotel you should be able to find accommodation for US$5-10, and for the price it will generally be quite clean and nice.

title: Koktebel


text:
Kokubunji

Kokubunji (国分寺市 Kokubunji-shi) is a city in western Tokyo.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By train
Kokubunji is on the JR Chūō Line (中央線). Chūō trains depart from Tokyo Station (40 minutes, ¥540) and from Shinjuku (20 minutes, ¥380). Fast trains designated Special Rapid, including Chūō Special Rapid (中央特快 chūō-tokkai), Ome Special Rapid (青梅特快 ōme-tokkai), and Commuter Special Rapid (通勤特快 tsūkin-tokkai), stop at Kokubunji.

Kokubunji is also terminal of the Seibu Kokubunji Line (西武国分寺線) and Seibu Tamako Line (西武多摩湖線).

Go next

 * Kunitachi
 * Tachikawa
 * Hino
 * Fuchu
 * Koganei
 * Kodaira
 * Higashiyamato
 * Akishima
 * Hachioji

title: Kokubunji


text:
Ko Kut

Ko Kut (also Koh Kood), Thailand's 4th largest island (25 km long and 12 km wide), is in Trat Province in the Gulf of Thailand. It's the Thai island closest to Cambodia.

The island is a popular spot for package tourists and families. The island has virtually no nightlife, so if you are looking for parties, it's not the place to go.

From Trat
Up to date timetables for all services mentioned below can be found here: KohKoodFerries.com

Koh Kood Princess ferry 350 baht per person one-way. 1 hr 45 min. The boat ticket includes a free taxi from Trat to the pier in Laem Sok and on Ko Kut from the pier to your resort. Taxis in Trat depart from the market near the big clock/thermometer or your lodging. Leaves the market in Trat at 11:30 sharp! Departs from Laem Sok daily at 12:30. Departs from Ko Kut daily at 10:30, both high- and low-season.

Ko Kut Express Ferry 350 baht per person one-way. 1 hr 15 min. The ~140-person boat includes a free taxi from Trat to the pier in Laem Sok and on Ko Kut from the pier to your resort. Taxis in Trat depart from the market near the big clock/thermometer or your accommodation. Leaves the market in Trat at 11:30 sharp! Departs from Laem Sok daily at 13:00. Departs from Ko Kut daily at 10:00, also during low season.

Koh Kut Express Speedboat 600 baht per person one-way. 60-90 min. Two speedboats depart daily from Laem Sok on the mainland near Trat. Stops are made on demand at most west coast piers on Ko Kut, finally terminating at Ko Kut's Bang Bao Bay. First boat departs from Laem Sok at 10:00 and the second boat departs at 15:00. Two boats depart from Ko Kut daily at 11:00 and 13:00. Times change each season so confirm when booking. The speedboat tickets also include a free taxi from Trat to Laem Sok Pier. The speedboats do not operate during low season due to weather conditions.

Boonsiri ferry 500 baht per person one-way. 75 min. Two departures daily from Laem Sok. The boat tickets also include a free taxi from Trat to Laem Sok Pier and from the pier in Koh Kood to most resorts on the west coast. Also stops on Koh Mak once a day.

Boat fares (350 baht slow boat, 600 baht speedboat) include transport to/from Trat, but only when using taxis that are associated with the boat companies. If you take the speedboat, you will usually be dropped at or very close to your destination.

Some hotels will try to rip you off by requesting hundreds of baht for the transport to the pier. Do not agree to this, and if you find the deal changes when you arrive at the pier and the boat operators (who run the taxis as well) try to force you to pay this fee, and taxi drivers/boat operators are connected in a sort of mafia-style operation. Politely mention that you may need to phone the tourist police and wait for a resolution if this happens to you.

If you take the speedboat, you will usually be dropped at or very close to your destination so this is not required.

From Ko Chang
Check timetables at KohChangFerries.com/ for inter-island boat services.

Bang Bao Boat (speedboat) 900 baht per person one-way. Daily from Bang Bao pier on Ko Chang (09:00 and 12:00)

Kai Bae Hut Express (speedboat) 900 baht per person one-way. Daily from Kai Bae Pier on Ko Chang at 09:00.

The trip can take 1-2 hours depending on conditions and the number of stops at the islands between Ko Chang and Ko Kut, (Ko Mak, Ko Wai, etc.) and the number of stops around Ko Kut. The boat ticket includes a pick up or drop off at most hotels on Ko Chang/ Ko Kut.

Services between Koh Chang and Koh Kood only run during the High Season (1 November to 1 May) There aren't any inter-island services during the low season.

Get around
Public taxis are available on Ko Kut. Siam Beach Resort (in Bang Bao Bay) also runs a taxi service. Another fun way to travel around is by motorbike. Expect to pay around 300-350 baht per day. Resorts often charge 400-450 baht. Road conditions vary between dirt roads and paved roads, but there is a small concrete road covering the western coastline from north to south. Maps are available though a bit confusing. Bicycles can also be hired (around 150 baht per day), but the heat and the hilly nature of the roads makes them of limited usefulness for all but diehard cyclists. For those not in a hurry, small fishing boats can be hired to tour around the island.

See
There are virtually no towns on Ko Kut, so sightseeing is pretty limited.

Do
Swimming in the crystal clear waters, sunbathing, scuba-diving, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking to the waterfall, checking out the view of Klong Chao Beach from the viewpoint which can be accessed by motorbike or by foot along a path that originates at the southern end of the beach and winds through some trees and has a short climb along a paved path to the viewpoint. Good coffee can be enjoyed here. Or just relax and read a book.

Scuba diving is a great way to discover the underwater world around Ko Kut. Diving off Ko Kut is easy, fun, and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish and sometimes sea horses.

Nearly any time of the year except from July till the end of September is good diving weather in Ko Kut and visibility can exceed 30 m. Average visibility is around 15-20 m. From July–September visibility is reduced to 5 m and the seas are choppy. It is possible and perfectly comfortable to swim and dive without a wet suit year round. However, as with most diving, a wet suit is recommended to help reduce risk of cuts or injury. Avoid contact with coral reefs.

Various dive locations around Ko Kut are:
 * Ao Tum
 * Bang Bao
 * Clong Hin
 * Hin Jedi
 * Hin Loi
 * Ko Reat
 * Ko Rang National Marine Park

There are three dive shops on the island:

Buy
There is a souvenir shop in Ao Salat. Other than that, you'll be hard pressed to find anything in particular to buy outside your resort.

Eat
Many of the resorts, but not all, have good restaurants. Outsiders are always welcomed. Prices are slightly above mainland. The cheapest feed is roughly 60 baht for a bowl of noodles. Expect to pay 80-200 baht for a main course at non high-end places (usually 100-150 baht).

If you want to cook for yourself then a small selection of fruit/vegetables is available at a stand/shop operating some distance across the bridge from Ban Klong Chao, before the Sunset Bar. Basic staples and ice cream are available at a number of shops around the Klong Chao.

Sleep
For high season (Nov-Feb) it is recommended you book ahead, especially weekends. Although there are many different places to stay, most of them can easily be fully booked during Thai holidays that Western tourists are unaware of. Also, apart from the Klong Chao area, Ko Kut is not an island where you can easily stroll from resort to resort. About 40% of the resorts remain open during the rainy season (May-Sep). Expect services to be limited during that period. Some restaurants, bars, and shops close, and diving is not always possible. Accommodation is widely spread out over the island with Klong Chao in the middle where most activity is. Low budget/backpacker accommodation can be found there. Most beach resorts are connected to the main road by dirt tracks.

 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg
 * Ko Kut, Thailand, Soneva Kiri, Beach - panoramio.jpg

Connect
Compared to neighbouring Ko Chang, infrastructure is generally thin. Some resorts, such as Siam Beach Resort and Koh Kood Resort, offer Internet access while others do not. As of January 2023, AIS provides 5G service in the more-developed parts of the island, with intermittent 3G/4G elsewhere.

Local tourist information is hard to come by, but Internet searches will reveal maps of the island.

As of January 2023, there are at least four ATMs on the island: a GSB ATM and a Krungsri ATM by High Season, a GSB ATM by the hospital, and a Krungsri ATM about 500m south of the police station. The Krungsri ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, JCB, and others. The GSB ATMs only accept Visa.

Only higher-end resorts take credit cards.

If you run out of money, secondhand sources report that credit card cash advances are possible at the larger resorts for a 5% fee.

Go next

 * Ko Chang
 * Ko Mak

title: Ko Kut


text:
Ko Lan

Ko Lan (or Ko Laan or Ko Larn, or Coral Island) is an island 7.5 km west of Pattaya. It covers an area of 5.6 sq. km and has six popular beaches with a decided "day-trip" flavour.

Get in
Regular ferries from Pattaya in Pattaya cost 30 baht per person and take about half an hour. Some go to on the Pattaya side of the island; others go to  on the far side of the island.

You can take a speedboat for 200 baht (15 minutes), or alternatively you can charter a speedboat just about anywhere along the main beaches, typically for 1,500-2,500 baht.

Or you can book a day trip via an agency. Expect to pay 500-600 baht for minibus collection from your hotel around 09:00, a boat from Bali Hai Pier direct to one of the main beaches (taking about an hour), lunch, soft drinks, return trip around 16:00, and mini-bus back to your hotel.

Get around

 * Songthaews connect all main beaches with Na Baan pier, ride costs 20-30 baht per person.
 * Motorbike taxi are abundant near Na Baan pier, and much less but still possible to find at other spots around the island.

There are several shops/agencies offering motorbike rental, starting price is 300 baht per day, which can be bargained down to 200 baht.

See
Naul Beach on the south end of the island is sometimes visited by monkeys from a nearby hillside. Arriving at Samae Beach you'll see the large solar array building and wind farm that generate energy for the island.

 * The island has some nice, , und  with views over the island, down to the beaches and over to Pattaya.

Beaches
Ko Laan has six popular beaches with a decided "day-trip" flavour, offering banana boat rides, jet-skiing, para-sailing, and the like. Also available from and around Ko Laan are various underwater activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, seabed walking, and submarine rides.

Eat
Numerous beach-side eateries have typical Thai menus. Try to gauge the hygienic standard of any given restaurant prior to deciding on a place to eat. More upscale and nice-looking restaurants tend to be near Na Baan pier.

Sleep
There are many guesthouses and small hotels on the island.

Go next
The only destination that can be reached from the island is Pattaya city.

title: Ko Lan


text:
Kolašin

Kolašin is a city of about 2,700 people (2011) in the middle of the Morača region of Montenegro. Kolašin is one of the centres of Montenegro's mountain tourism. Although Žabljak is considered more attractive destination, Kolašin has the advantage of being easily accessible by road and rail.

Understand
Kolasin entirely has turned towards the mountain recreational tourism. Kolašin is on the foot of Bjelasica and Sinjajevina mountains, which offer great conditions for skiing. Because of Kolašin's altitude (954 m), the town is considered an air spa.

Biogradska Gora National Park is in the town's vicinity, and is considered a premium tourist attraction. The development of Kolašin as a tourist destination is bolstered by opening of Bianca Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in town's centre.

Get in
Good geographical position of Kolasin is seen in its great connection with the rest of the towns in the republic.

By plane
You can come to Kolasin from Podgorica airport that is 80 km away; through Belgrade airport, and then over the highway Belgrade – Podgorica, or maybe through Dubrovnik airport which is somewhat longer. Kolasin is 400 km away from Belgrade, as it is from Sarajevo, from Dubrovnik it is 220 km, Zagreb 740 km, and from Ljubljana it is 950 km away.

By train
Railroad of greatest importance for this region Belgrade – Bar goes through Kolasin. In this way Kolasin is excellently connected with both the sea and hig Montenegrin hinterland.

By car
Kolasin is one hour away of ride by car through the canyon Platije from the capital city – Podgorica, in the south. Towards the north to the border with Serbia it also takes somewhat more than 2 hours of ride.

See

 * Botanic garden of the Slovenian biologist Danijel Vincek. In which on a relatively small space he treasures hundreds of various plant species. Plant species, which are dominant in the garden, are characteristic for the areas of Durmitor, Bjelasica, Prokletije, and Sinjajevina. Healing herbs, forest fruits, and endangered species are found in this garden which beside the scientific has also an educational purpose because students of biology from this region visit it.
 * Visit the canyon of Mrtvica
 * Monastir Moraca (about 15 km away from the city)

Do

 * Winter tourism. Ski centre organizes transport to the ski centre with their own buses. Kolasin has three ski clubs. Today the ski centre on Jezerine is far famous for the quality of its service with a high quality funicular railway and several ski lifts which can take you up to 1950 m above the sea level. There are numerous hotel facilities on Jezerine.
 * Fishing. Nearby the town there are rivers rich with trout. The town itself has a hunting and a fishing association.
 * Picnic on the shores Biogradsko lake or some of Pesic lakes on Bjelasica.
 * Tara rafting. It is possible to raft from Kolasin to Mojkovac in the length of about 15 km. In springtime Tara is particularly fierce river, which will make your experience an adrenaline injection.
 * There are several open sports fields. Not far from the centre there is also a football stadium.
 * If you like walking or jogging there is also a trim track not far from the shore of Tara which is a few kilometers long.

Moraca Mountains
They are located in the very heart of Montenegro, surrounded by national parks and mountains on which your view stretches forward. In the north are Maganik, Durmitor, Maglic, and Ljubisnja, in the west your view goes towards Golija, in the east towards Prokletije and Komovi – in short – from some of the 2,000-m-high summit you can see all mountains of Montenegro, and during a clear day you can even see the sea. There are a few lakes as well.

The best time of the year for mountain climbing activities is late springtime, and summer, and early fall, while during the winter the experts advise you to take with yourself good alpine gear.

Some of the standard mountain routes during which picturesque summits of Moraca Mountains are being conquered are:

 * Kapetanovo jezero (Captain’s lake - 1673 metres above sea level (m asl)) – Lastva (2226 m asl) – Zagradac (2217 m asl). Time needed for the tour is about 4 hours, and the height difference is about 555 m.

 * Kapetanovo jezero (Captain’s lake - 1673 m asl) – Manito jezero (Crazy lake - 1764 m asl) – Stozac (2140 m asl). Tour lasts about 2½ hours, and it is about 5 km long.

 * Strug (1475 m above the height of the sea level) – Popov do (1750 m asl) – Borova brda (Pine’s hills - 2006 m asl) – Mali Zebalac (Small Zebalac - 2073 m asl) – Veliki Zebalac (Big Zebalac - 2129 m asl). Extremely long tour for which it takes four hours to pass it.

 * Osreci (1375 m asl) – Ropusnica (1472 m asl) – Korita (Thorough - 1485 m asl) – Ruda Glavica (2020 m asl). Tour lasting three hours.

 * Bare Bojovica (Bojovics’ puddles - 1540 m asl) – Veliki Zurim (Big Zurim - 2036 m asl) – Mali Zurim (Small Zurim - 1962 m asl) – Ilin vrh (Ilin’s summit - 2051 m asl). Somewhat longer tour which lasts about 4 hours, and which is 7.5 km long.

 * Crkvine (1045 m asl) – Bistrica (1258 m asl) – Barski Katun (Puddle summer pasture cottage - 1462 m asl) – Mioski Katun ( 1542 m asl) – Umovi (Minds - 1945 m asl). A route which is 9 km long.

 * Madjurijecje (211 m asl) – Mrtvo Duboko (Dead Deep - 360 m asl) – Granica (Border - 1042 m asl) – Poljana (Field - 1549 m asl) – Medjedji vrh (Bear’s summit - 2139 m asl). Somewhat more demanding tour with a bigger height difference for whose conquering it takes more than 6 hr.

Sinjajevina mountain
Southeast from the spacious Durmitor massif is Sinjajevina, the biggest pasture area in Montenegro which stretches down the Dinar wreath of mountains. Its average height is about 1,600 m asl, and its biggest summits are Babji Zub (Grandmother’s teeth - 2277 m), Jablanov Vrh (Polar’s summit - 2203 m), Gradiste (2174 m), Savina greda (Sava’s timber - 2101 m), Veliki Pecarac (Big Pecarac - 2042 m), Starac (Old men - 2022 m), and Babin Vrh (Grandmother’s summit - 2013 m). Sinjavina is a glacial mountain. It stretches from Kolasin to the very rims of the National Park Durmitor. It is a massif 40 km long and 15 km wide. It is an exquisite terrain for all mountain and walking activities.

Zminicko and Zabojsko Lakes are pearls of this mountain. The first is 1295 m asl, and it is 4 m deep, while the second is 1486 m asl, and its depth is about 19 m. Mountain expeditions go on following paths:

 * Kolasin (940 m asl) – Gornje Lipovo (Upper Lipovo) – Klisura (Gorge - 1189 m asl) – Katunina (1418 m asl) – Djedov do (grandfather’s valley) – Dzavrlje – Babji Zub (Grandmother’s Teeth - 2277 m asl). Height difference is about 1100 m, length is about 8 km and the time needed for the tour is about 5 hours. Certain parts of the tour are inspirational even for more experienced mountain climbers.

 * Kolasin (954 m asl) – Gornje Lipovo (1208 m asl) – Prevoj Vratlo (Saddle Vratlo - 1730 m asl) – Pilac (1872 m asl) – Jablanov Vrh (Poplar’s summit - 2203 m asl). The length of the route is about 8 kilometers, and it takes 4 hours to cross it. Route is attractive and it includes great sightseeing places, passing by the small puddles – lakes and numerous summer pasture cottages. The best time of the year for mountain activity is late spring, summer and early fall.

Eat
National restaurant Savardak with national food. It's 3 km from city center in direction to 1450 Ski resort.

Try special menu and eat Kacamak.

Bambi bakery, Vojvode Mine St. (Pink sign on Main Square). Cheap and friendly local bakery, kevapi, burek, pastries.

Go next

 * Biogradska Gora National Park (17 km from Kolašin there is an entrance to this National Park).

title: Kolašin


text:
Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta (เกาะลันตา) is an island off the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand. Like many other destinations in Krabi Province, it is known for its diving and long white beaches.

Understand

Ko Lanta consists of several islands, the two largest of which are Ko Lanta Noi (เกาะลันตาน้อย, "Small Lanta Island") and Ko Lanta Yai (เกาะลันตาใหญ่, "Big Lanta Island"). However, Ko Lanta Yai is where all the tourist action is, so this article will refer to it simply as "Ko Lanta".

Ko Lanta is popular with tourists seeking a holiday away from the parties. It's popular with a significantly older crowd than nearby Ko Phi Phi: more walking on the beach and watching the sunset than drinking and dancing. However, there are plenty of bars and the longer term stayers are friendly and know how to party. It is also popular with families with young children, and of course, with divers. Ko Lanta can provide a party if you know where to look.

Ko Lanta is a little less well-known than Ko Phi Phi, which has become more commercialised and corporate, but it is hardly undiscovered: the several beaches on the west coast of Ko Lanta Yai are each strung with a line of resorts and bungalows, although the farther down the island you venture, the less this is true. And even when the island is at it fullest, there will be a quiet place for you to relax: the beaches are never full. Ko Lanta is especially popular with Swedish tourists: although the "tourist language" is English as it is in most places in Thailand, and you will find menus and so on are translated into English, expect the poolside language to be Swedish much of the time. However, there are still many English and Irish bars and restaurants.

Ko Lanta was hit by the tsunami in December 2004, which killed 20 people.

Orientation
The main island is 6 km wide and over 30 km long, and approximately 70 km from Krabi Town. The island has 9 attractive white sandy beaches and splendid scenery. Off the coast are more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and sea life. The geography of the island is typically mangroves, coral rimmed beaches and rugged tree-covered hills.

A paved road runs along the beaches from the northern part of the island almost all the way to the southern tip. The last 8 km leading to the headquarters of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park in the south are quite hilly and aren't yet paved so can become quite tricky to navigate if it rains. The landscape is dominated by a series of mountains covered with rainforest. To the east is an old settlement.

Ban Saladan (near Saladan pier, approximately 3 km from Klong Dao Beach) — is the tourist centre of Ko Lanta. Facilities include inexpensive and easy to find transport, diving trips, banking and shopping.

Climate
Weather in the region is tropical and there are two basic monsoons:

During the months of November - April the island experiences the dry monsoon, northeasterly prevailing winds come overland and bring dry air. Temperatures rise during March/April and it gets quite arid and dusty on the island after many months of no rain.

May - October is the wet monsoon season, where southwesterly winds bring wetter weather from the Indian Ocean. Around April the season changes and the increase in rain helps revitalise the island to its tropical lushness, everything regrows and the cool wet spells brings relief from the heat of the dry season.

Temperatures during the year average 25ºC to 32ºC (77ºF to 89.6ºF) and the yearly rainfall averages 2569 mm. Unlike in say Europe, the rain in this region comes down heavily and quickly over short periods. The sea stays at a warm 29°C all year round.

Culture
Krabi and Ko Lanta are a melange of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. Most of the people speak with a thick southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.

With this kind of mixture, Krabi is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.

The unique lifestyle of the Chao-Le (sea-gypsy) in Ko Lanta particularly is well-worth seeing, a life-style that has been almost completely unaffected by the booming tourism on the island.

By air
The nearest airports are Krabi, Trang and Phuket. Krabi and Trang have direct road and boat connections to Ko Lanta, and are the best options if you're only visiting Ko Lanta. Flying into Phuket is a better option if you're intending to spend time in Phuket and nearby islands, or, since Phuket has many more international flights, if you don't want to have to organize a domestic flight to Krabi or Trang from Bangkok. As an alternative to Bangkok, there are daily flights to Krabi directly to and from Singapore, as well as Kuala Lumpur.

There is scheduled van service from Krabi Airport taking roughly 2.5 hours, 250 baht if prearranged and 400-500 baht if arranging it at the airport (2016). When going back to the airport from the island, van can be booked via any tourist office for 250-300 baht, departs every round hour in the morning.

Private vans and taxis can be chartered to Ko Lanta for about 2,000 baht per vehicle (2,500 baht if you are going to the south end of Ko Lanta).

Air Asia and Nok Air have a special “Island Transfer” offering that includes a flight from Bangkok to Krabi, surface transport to the port, and a ferry to Ko Lanta. It can all be booked at their websites for additional price: Air Asia 470 baht, Nok Air 900 baht (2016).

Alternative to passenger van is an express transfer - the quickest albeit much more expensive way to get from Krabi Airport (2,045 baht per person) and Phuket Airport (3,350 baht per person) to Ko Lanta. It is a combination of minivan and speedboat travel. If you arrive early you will not have to wait for the ferry and if you arrive late at these airports you can still arrive on Ko Lanta the same day. From Krabi airport a 45-minute air-conditioned minivan to the first car ferry port. You then go on board the speedboat which then takes you on a stunning boat ride across the water along the coastline of Ko Lanta. The journey takes around 15 minutes depending on weather and conditions. You will arrive directly in Saladan (alternately written as Sala Dan) on Ko Lanta, where you are then transferred to your hotel by car. That means the total journey time should be 1.5 to 2 hours. This eliminates the waiting time at the car ferry and also if you are going from Ko Lanta to one of these airports allows you more time to enjoy your visit.

By passenger van
There is a minivan service that runs between Krabi Town and Ko Lanta, However it must be booked in advance through your hotel or someone local, the cost is 350-400 baht per person. Book early as it fills up quickly. It will pickup and drop off at the airport or hostel. You should factor in 3-4 hours to get from Ko Lanta to the airport, since the minivan will pickup and drop off other people along the way.

Vans going to Ao Nang cost 450 baht (2016), 3 hours, number of vans greatly varies during a year.

Buses can be booked at Surat Thani train station (Phun Phin) to Saladan pier includes ferry for 600 baht.

By car
The distance from Bangkok to Krabi is approx 950 km or about 12 hr by car.

 * Route 1: Phetburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon-Phang Nga-Krabi = 946 km.
 * Route 2: Phetburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon (Hwy 41) to Chaiya (Surat Thani)-Krabi (Viangsra) - Hwy 4035 - Krabi (Ao Luk) and along Hwy 4 again = 814 km.

Ko Lanta does not have roads connecting it directly to the mainland, but is served by car ferries. Take Rte 4206 off Hwy 4 about 20 km southeast of Krabi airport. Drive to the end of the road, where there is a car ferry from Baan Hua Hin to Ko Lanta Noi. From the pier here, turn right and follow the "ferry" signs to the second car ferry to Ko Lanta Yai. Ferries operate 07:00-22:00.

There are plenty of car taxi and minivan taxi services from Krabi and the nearby airport. A seat in a ten-person minivan from the airport to Ko Lanta costs about 300 baht. These minivans usually don't have much room for luggage (although they can usually find room for one or two large suitcases together with backpacks for the rest of the passengers) so if you're not travelling light you might need to get a private taxi. This is what the divemasters do. A private minivan taxi will usually be quoted as 2,500 baht. It's possible to bargain a few hundred baht off this price but not much more or the tolls will consume too much of the price. Car taxis cost about the same.

When travelling to/from Ko Lanta in the afternoon by road, allow 2–3 hours for the journey as the queues for the vehicle ferries can be lengthy. The passenger ferry which leaves Ko Lanta pier (high season) at 08:00 and arrives at Krabi pier at 10:00 is quicker.

By boat
Private companies on Ko Lanta operate boat services to many destinations.
 * Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi: 08:00 and 13:00, 350 baht
 * Ko Lanta – Krabi: 08:00 and 13:00, 300 baht (apparently, in high season, at least 400 baht)
 * Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Phuket: 11:45 - 13:00 and 14:30, 950 baht (2022)
 * Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Krabi: 09:00 and 13:30, 700 baht

All ferries can be booked on-line or at any tourist agent.

Ferry services run from Krabi Town, Ao Nang, and from Phuket via Ko Phi Phi to Ko Lanta Yai's During high season, there are sometimes direct ferries as well. Ferry services are subject to weather and to demand: many ferries have limited room for luggage.
 * A ferry departs from Krabi pier every day at 11:30, taking 2 hours to reach Ko Lanta (400 baht including pickup from Krabi hotels), making two stops on the open water where passengers transfer from and to longtail boats that connect the smaller islands on the route. Alternatively, for 300 bath a package is available from Krabi where the majority of your trip is spent in a minivan traveling further south, with only a short part on a vehicle-ferry.
 * Services from Ao Nang are run by Ao Nang Travel and Tour (+66 75 637730) and depart at 10:30 (280 baht).
 * Ferries depart from Ko Phi Phi at 11:30 and 14:00, and take 1 hour. A speed boat departs at 15:20 for 600-700 baht. If travelling from Phuket in a single day, you will need to leave Phuket on the 08:00 ferry to transfer to the 11:30 ferry. Tickets to Ko Lanta are 200 baht from Ko Phi Phi and 450 baht from Phuket.

All above routes operate only during high season, while during low season only 1-2 daily ferries to Ko Phi Phi remain.

By train
The nearest train station to Ko Lanta is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok.

Get around
The main roads on the island are well paved. However the road just north of Mu Ko National Park is still unpaved dirt. That road ends at the park and so it isn't possible to drive from that point up the eastern side of the island.

It's worth knowing the names of the resorts near yours: both the pickup trucks and motorcycle taxis will often want to pick you up or drop you at a nearby resort with a better road.

Resorts and some of the major tourist services (like the dive shops) own large pickup trucks and transport tourists around in the tray. Very occasionally, they own minibuses instead. If you come in by ferry your resort will almost certainly meet you at pier with their truck; if you're travelling with very small children who you don't want to cling to while you bump along sitting on the side of the truck you might want to warn them in advance that you'll want to ride in the cab: it's generally assumed to be the private domain of the driver.

You will find the locals almost exclusively ride motorbikes; you can hire these all over the island for around 250 baht a day (2022). Almost every rental agency will ask for a deposit of your original passport. If you don't feel comfortable handing over your passport to an unnamed shop at the side of a road then give them your driver's licence card instead or a photocopy of your passport and the address of your hotel/bungalow. Some of the shops will happily accept it thinking it's your passport/ID card. Petrol is available on every street corner for 40 baht/litre.

You can also hire motorcycle taxis with sidecars. These will happily take you on the unpaved roads but the ride can be as slow as walking.

Otherwise, plenty of tuktuks and songthaews are available on the main road. A typical fare for a ride from Saladan to Klong Dao Beach is 40 baht.

Jeeps can be hired for 1,200 baht per day. Be sure to check insurance, contract terms and the condition of the vehicle. The "roads" of Ko Lanta combined with the driver operation characteristics of some renters are a serious challenge for any car.

See

Island's far south
There are a few beaches in the south of Ko Lanta. All are small, just a few hundred metres long. The beaches are very quiet with little in the way of accommodation, ideal for those who want to get away from it all. They are:

 * There are two beaches in the Ko Lanta National Park.
 * There are two beaches in the Ko Lanta National Park.

Performing arts

 * Likae Pa (ลิเกป่า) An adapted play, Likae Pa follows the adventures of an Indian merchant from Calcutta who married a local girl named Yayi. The story is then followed by other plays. Likae Pa is accompanied by the music of folk instruments such as various kinds of drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lyrics are a mixture of the traditional Manora and Buranyawa songs. With its long history of popularity in Krabi, Like Pa performers are abundant here. It is believed that the play originated in this province.
 * Shadow Plays (หนังตะลุง)This is an Indian influence. There are many shadow play or nang talung companies in Krabi.
 * Manora (มโนราห์) This is a dance performance, native to southern Thailand, which reflects its traditional culture.
 * Rong Ngeng (รองเง็ง) and Phleng Tanyong (เพลงตันหยง) A Malaysian adaptation, of Portuguese origin, rong ngeng is a traditional folk dance and music customarily performed in noble houses. It was later performed by the locals with Thai lyrics called phleng tanyong.

Diving
There are no scuba diving sites on the island itself, all require a boat trip. However Lanta is the closest island to the famous Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, and Ko Haa sites, so it is very popular with divers.

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang near Ko Lanta are perhaps the best dive sites in Thailand (frequently ranking in the world’s top ten) with more than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish catalogued in a study underway, but thousands more organisms abound. Hin Daeng has the steepest and deepest in the whole of the country with fantastic marine life. Hin Muang next door is completely underwater and it is covered with delicate violet coral. The sites also have one of the world's highest incidences of whale shark sightings.

For details refer to Diving in Ko Lanta.

Events and festivals

 * Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival (งานกระบี่เบิกฟ้าอันดามัน) Held annually in November to inaugurate the tourist season. Water sports competitions, cultural shows, and good-natured fun are on the schedule.

 * Laanta Lanta Festival (เทศกาลลานตา ลันตา) The festival is usually held in March every year in Lanta Old Town, which has a history of more than 100 years. Old Chinese-style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, tourists can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, local performances, folk games, water sports competitions, and enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by hotels on the island.

 * Loi Ruea Chao-Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is held to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.

 * Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ) This is the southern traditional merit-making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as khanom la, khanom chohu, khanom phong, khanom ba, and khanom kong or khai pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.

 * Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ) The original waterborne procession, where images of Buddha are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats pulled along the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was used to be accompanied by a performance of traditional boat songs, but they have disappeared.

Fishing
Wannabe fishers can catch the likes of marlin, sailfish, barracuda, red snapper and tuna. Three different kinds of fishing trip are offered by private long tail boat: half-day, full day and night fishing.

Hiking
Elephant rides can be arranged to take visitors to the top of the hill in Ko Lanta National Park. However, travellers should be aware that treatment of elephants is usually poor, and elephant riding is discouraged as very unethical. Ko Lanta's forests with excellent flora and fauna are suitable for hiking.

Kayaking

 * The east side of Ko Lanta with its rich mangrove forests and caves is a great option for off-the-beaten-path kayaking. Kayaking can also be done on Ko Talabaeng, the limestone cliff near Ko Lanta.
 * Rapu Sea Kayaking, 10/5 Moo 2, Ko Lanta Yai +66 92 871749 (contact Chutima Junsirikamon) - guided sea kayak tours of the mangrove areas.

Longtail boating

Massage

Snorkelling
Most operators only offer ko haa and ko rok day tour as one. price 1500-2000 bhat including 400 bhat for park fee via speedboat (~1h trip one-way). You may focus on one through diver shop but often at a more expensive price. Be aware than jellyfish may appear, especially between late January and April.

Ko Haa - this is the best site in Thailand for mixed groups of snorkellers and divers. For divers only, it offers amazing swim-throughs. There has been a large increase in the number of fish present at the reefs, due to committed conservation policies.

Ko Rok - some of Thailand’s finest snorkelling spots are off Lanta's coast. Ko Rok, 47 km south of Lanta, is considered by most to be the pick of the bunch, though other people say they rate Ko Haa's snorkelling even more highly. Ko Rok consists of two islands, Ko Rok Nai and Ko Rok Nok, both graced with powdery white sand beaches and with an extensive bed of coral in between. This sheltered and shallow channel is an ideal habitat for reef fish, and the place swarms with innumerable shoals of them. Visibility is very good, and many interesting species of reef fish can be found in these waters. Many snorkellers are most amazed by the sheer numbers of fish here, which swirl and swarm around the swimmers.

4 Island Trip - Ko Mook's amazing Emerald Cave is the highlight of this trip. The cave is a window into a lagoon through which safety-vest-clad swimmers are towed by local guides. The swim into the lagoon is fully 80 metres in length and a real adventure.

 * Thai boxing: There is one small boxing stadium on the island which hosts regular events. It also holds training camps, which are popular among tourists who wish to learn Thai boxing.

 * Thai cooking: Thai cooking courses on Ko Lanta offer foreign tourists the chance to learn to cook their favourite dishes such as tom yum kung, sweet green curry, and chicken with cashew nuts.

 * SUP: Stand-up paddle boarding is gaining its popularity around the world and Koh Lanta is not an exception with a number of different tours being offered: 4 island tour, mangrove forest tour, etc.

Buy

Eat
Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian, and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (khanom chin), and khao mok kai (chicken biryani). Pad Thai is one of the most favoured dishes and is available throughout the island group.

The wing shell (หอยชักตีน) is Krabi's famous cuisine. It is eaten with a spicy dip. In addition, stir fried spotted babylon (หอยหวาน), which is found in mangrove forests, with chilies and basil is also famous. This cuisine is common in Ko Lanta's restaurants. The Ko Lanta beach areas have several restaurants with the "catch of the day" displayed on ice outside. One can find all kinds of fish: juicy crabs and langoustines; shellfish, including giant oysters; as well as squid and lobsters.

Drink
There's not much in the way of party nightlife, which, for many, is part of Ko Lanta's appeal. But there is always something going on if you ask around. There are a few restaurant/bars at the harbour, beaches and most hotels. Since it is a small island free of crime and drunkards, the local police are lenient about allowing bars to stay open until the last customer goes home.

Sleep

Ko Lanta has three tourist seasons:

 * Peak season: late Dec, early Jan and for some resorts also around Songkran in Apr; expect premiums of 25–50% or more over the high season price and on Christmas and New Year's Eve many resorts have a compulsory banquet costing about as much as an extra night's accommodation.
 * High season from Nov-Feb, excluding peak season
 * Low season: Apr/May-Oct. Many resorts will be as much as 50% cheaper than the high season price. Many places used to close entirely but increasingly they're open year round.

You won't have much trouble finding accommodation as late as your arrival. During peak season some places may be fully booked and prices higher. Prices vary widely even in the same class of rooms and at a similar distance from the beach. Shopping around the area where you want to stay may get you great deals.

As of 2022 peak season, it seems that beach front accommodation starts at about 1500 baht per night but going a bit behind (which is also a better choice if you don't want the sound of waves to disturb your sleep) could get you as low as 700 baht for a basic bungalow. Again, prices vary widely and shopping around, especially when not during peak season may yield very good deals.

As many things are cheaper near Saladan pier, you can hire motorbikes for 200-250 baht a day and ride towards the location where you'd like to sleep and later use the motorbike to explore the island.

'''Accommodation is arranged by beach, north (most convenient to Saladan) to south (least convenient). ''' Prices quoted here are for the high season unless otherwise specified.

Medical
The major medical facility providers are:

 * 1) Ban Saladan Clinic. Saladan.
 * 2) Ko Lanta Hospital. South of Lanta Old Town in the southeast of the island.
 * 3) Dr Salarin Clinic, the island's main English-speaking private doctor. Phra Ae village.
 * 4) Siam International Clinic. Phra Ae village (open only Nov - Apr).
 * 5) Andaman International Clinic. Next to post office, Phra Ae.

Go next

 * Ao Nang
 * Ko Phi Phi
 * Krabi Town

title: Ko Lanta


text:
Kolari

Kolari is a municipality in Finnish Lapland, best known as the northernmost railhead in Finland, with overnight trains from southern Finland. Most tourists continue from the town itself to Ylläs or other resorts.

Understand
(Ylläs fell) by Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, 35 km away from the railway station and the administrative centre, is by far the most important destination in the municipality. During the winter sports season the villages and  are crowded with skiers. Otherwise the municipality is largely forest and swamps, including an important bird site, with some fells in the west.

The river Muonionjoki is an important salmon river and salmon fishing is the major attraction during the summer months.

Historically Kolari was famous for its mines. There are several closed mines around the municipality and the large iron ore resources are still in interest of many international mining companies. Today tourism is the main source of income, and the question about how well the mining industry would fit with it is a hot topic among the locals.

Get in
The municipality, at the Swedish border (by Pajala), has one of the northern railheads, with overnight trains from southern Finland.

By train
Kolari is the northernmost railway station in Finland. During the winter season there is a direct train connection daily from Helsinki via Tampere; at 995 km, this is the longest single train route in Finland. An overnight trip takes 13 hours and is most comfortable in a sleeping cabin. Sometimes the train contains a special club car serving as a nightclub during the trip. The train also carries cars from Helsinki. Off season you might need to use the trains towards Rovaniemi and transfer to bus in Kemi, or unload your car in Oulu or Rovaniemi and drive from there.

See VR for timetables.

By bus
Daily connection from Oulu, Kemi and Tornio is available. See timetables from Matkahuolto.

By plane
The nearest airports are in Kittilä to the east and in Pajala across the border to Sweden. Rovaniemi, farther away but with better connections at least off season, is another option.

For small private planes there is the (EFAA), used by the local flying club.

By car
Kolari is on E8.

From Helsinki, drive by E75 to the north until you reach E8 near Oulu.

If driving from Germany or Central Europe in general, the shortest alternative is to drive through Sweden along road E4 all the way to Luleå and then through Pajala to the Finnish border and on to Kolari.

Unless you like driving long distances or visit destination en route, a good alternative would be to take a ferry from Germany to Helsinki, then to board an overnight train from Helsinki and just unload your car in Kolari. Off season, you might have to take the train to Rovaniemi instead (optionally get off already in Oulu; no unloading of cars in Kemi).

From Sweden there is a bridge at about 3 km south from the municipality centre. There are bridges also at Haparanda/Tornio, Övertorneå/Ylitornio (Aavasaksa), Pello and Karesuvanto.

From northern Norway use E8 from Tromsø, road 93 via Kautokeino or E75 via Tana. From E75 you can turn at Sodankylä and continue via Kittilä.

Get around
Matkahuolto Reittiopas includes information about some long distance bus routes which can be used for local travelling.

The town is mostly built along the Muonionjoki river and its Saaripudas fork. The train station is in the north end. The Kolari and Kolarinsaari churches are some 3 km downstream, the latter across the Kolarinsaari bridge. The bridge over Muonionjoki is 3 km further downstream, in the south end of the town, 25 km from Pajala centre.

The island Kolarinsaari is some 7 km long, sparsely settled near the bridge in the south. The settlements in the north are adjacent to Saaripudas on the Finnish side and the Swedish Kolari village (there was no border here before the 19th century).

In and near the centre

 * Kolarinsaari island
 * Kolarinsaari island
 * Kolarinsaari island

Do

 * Snowmobiling; a day hut, lean-to shelters and similar service along the route not far away, the routes extend to most of Lapland.
 * For salmon fishing you need to buy a licence. Most accommodations near Muonionjoki river will arrange these.
 * For salmon fishing you need to buy a licence. Most accommodations near Muonionjoki river will arrange these.

Sleep
Lodgings in the Ylläs area and farther in the national park are not included here. See Ylläs and Äkäslompolo for a number of lodging alternatives from hotels to cabins at or near the ski resorts, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park for cabins and huts in the park itself.

Here are lodgings in the town or otherwise closer to the Muonionjoki river:

Go next

 * Ylläs or Äkäslompolo, ski resorts, also usable as a base for hikes.
 * Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, the most visited national park in Finnish Lapland, with an old hiking trail to Hetta and well-developed services.

title: Kolari


text:
Kolding

Kolding is a city of 62,000 people (2020) in Jutland. Visitors come to Kolding to see the 13th century royal castle of Koldinghus, the stone Church of Saint Nicholas, the Trapholt art museum and the gardens Geografisk Have.

By train
Kolding does not have a very big train station (3 platforms), but trains between Aarhus and Copenhagen normally stop here. If not, the 2nd-largest train station of the country in Fredericia has a train departing for Kolding every 10 or 20 minutes.

By car
When following the E45 motorway (mid-Juttish motorway), follow motorway exit 62, which should take you directly in to the city at ease.

By plane
The nearest big commercial airport near Kolding is Billund (2nd-largest of Denmark). From Billund, either take the train or a bus to Kolding (both easily found. If you can't find one, take a bus to Fredericia and then take the train to Kolding (the personnel will happily help you on your way).

By bus
Due to the Bosnian war in the 1990s there are several bus companies, mainly serving the Bosnian diaspora, which provide a cheap and clean way of getting to the other side of the European continent.

Get around
Kolding city center isn't very big, so getting around in the city centre is quite easy. If you wish to go to more remote locations, e.g. the botanical garden of Geografisk Have, buses run by Sydtrafik are cheap and drive all over town. It should also be possible to get a taxi cheaply (by Danish standards. Taxi-driving is mostly very expensive in Denmark.)

As Kolding city center is not very big, you should somewhat easily be able to get around by foot.

See

Do
Because most of Kolding's sites are very centralized to the center of the city (Church of St. Nicholas, Koldinghus, Geografisk Have), most travellers will not have to do much travelling once the city has been reached.

Koldinghus is only a few hundred metres from the city center and the church (they form a sort of triangle between them). The botanical garden of Geografisk Have does require either a short bus ride or walk (appx. 5 km or 3 miles).

Kolding also has quite a big swimming facility, Slotssøbadet, which is only a few hundred metres from Koldinghus Castle.

Eat
Many restaurants can be found in the city centre of Kolding with various themes: Asian food, pizza, traditional Danish food, American buffets and steak houses can all easily be found in the city center and near the train station.

Budget
The youth hostel on a hill overlooking the center

Go next

 * Billund with the theme park Legoland.
 * Odense
 * Flensburg in Germany, about one hour by car.
 * Egeskov Slot one hour by car.Beautiful Castle with big gardens and museum.
 * Vejle, The regional capital of south Jutland

title: Kolding


text:
Kolenchery

Kolenchery is a steadily growing town located on National Highway 49 (NH 49), 27 km east of Kochi in the Ernakulam District of Kerala, India.

Kolenchery was just a hamlet with church, handful of schools and cinema theatre five decades ago. It was known outside as the home of contractors and real estate owners. It is absolutely diverse now; Kolenchery is among those few towns in Kerala, which has made great progress during the near past, whether it is the case of industries, educational institutions or any other concern.

See

 * Kottoor Church
 * Thammanimatton
 * Kottoor Church
 * Thammanimatton

title: Kolenchery


text:
Kolhapur

Kolhapur (Marathi: कोल्हापूर) is a city in the south west of Maharashtra. It has a population of around 619,000. It is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and is famous for the Mahalakshmi Temple. The city also lends its name to many things it is famous for, like Kolhapuri Chappal, Kolhapuri Lavangi Mirchi, Kolhapuri Gul (Jaggery), Kolhapuri Pailvan (Wrestler), Kolhapuri Mutton and spicy Kolhapuri Cuisine.

Understand
The history of Kolhapur can be tracked back to the Satavahan Empire era.

In the modern times, Kolhapur has played a significant role in the politics of Maharashtra state. The city is famous of Kolhapur SAAJ (necklaces with traditional patterns), jaggery, Kolhapur chappal (traditional leather sandals) and wrestling. Kolhapur is also famous for its non-veg food recipes (Marathi: Kolhapuri pandhara rassa, tambadaa rassa) and unique spices.

By train
Kolhapur is on the Pune-Miraj-Kolhapur section of the Central Railway. The railway station is named after Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. It is well connected with all the important cities in India. Mahalakshmi, Koyna and Sahyadri express connect Mumbai to Kolhapur and they run daily. Miraj is the nearmost major railway station and is well connected to important cities in India. From Kolhapur Railway Station, there are daily trains for Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Tirupati, while weekly trains also run for Delhi, Ahmedabad and Dhanbad.

By road
Kolhapur lies on National Highway 4 a.k.a NH4 which connects Mumbai to Bangalore. Mumbai to Kolhapur is an 8-hour drive by road. Pune to Kolhapur is around 3 hours journey by private car, while bus takes around 4 hours. The road is excellent and almost like Pune-Mumbai express highway.

The MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) has buses running every 30 minutes from Pune to Kolhapur and vice versa. These are A/C, Non-A/C general transport buses and cost approximately ₹220 for Non A/C & ₹360 for A/C. There are also hourly buses from Mumbai, which are non-A/C general transport buses and cost approximately ₹180-₹240.

Private operators also operate buses on this route with A/C and Non-A/C option, the fare ranging from ₹200 to ₹350.

Similar options are available from Pune. The private/state buses and shared taxis all start from Swar-Gate in Pune which is a large bus/transport hub to the south of Pune.

From the south side, there are direct buses (private and state-owned) from almost all places from Karnataka, including Bangalore, Belgaon, Mangalore, and Hubali.

Get around
Overall, Kolhapur has become a crowded place. Huge number of two wheeler vehicles precides over the number of four wheelers (private & commercial). The central city being non-planned is very crowded during peak hours. Also, due to many road constructions going on, the roads are jammed. You can avoid traffic jams by travelling on newly built roads, which are much more wider and better ones. Auto rickshaw is the popular public transport available.

By car
There are quite a few car rental agencies in Kolhapur. Most of them charge around ₹2400 a day for a mid-size car. There are extra charges for distances above 250 km.

Do
A visit to Mahalaxmi Temple can be followed by a trip to Panhala Fort. The Auto Rickshaw charges approx. ₹450 for Panhala Trip from Kolhapur to Panhala and back. The visit will take around 6 hrs and after coming back to Kolhapur city one can go to Rankala Lake in evening and visit Shalini Palace Hotel and Chowpatty there. One can enjoy snacks from vada pav to South Indian dishes at the Chowpatty.

Next day one can start the morning in Kolhapur with a visit to New Palace Museum. After seeing museum one can proceed to Jyotiba Temple.

It is also recommended to visit a local" Gurhal" a traditional family owned Jaggery Making place just outside of the city. Here you can watch local people make jaggery from scratch with sugarcane juice. They are also open for visitors to try and taste fresh sugarcane juice and jaggery.

One should also visit Bhavani Temple near Mahalaxmi Temple.

Also to visit is much forgotten "Ruikar Colony" which was Maharashtra state's first Residential Bunglow estate (and so far the only estate that has remained like this and most estates are now being converted to apartments) Ruikar Colony, always featured in Marathi Films, is famous for its huge beautiful mansions complimented by landscaped gardens, nature strips, well designed roads, community gardens, Ganesh and Jain Temple, playground and Community Hall and its own shopping area.

Eat
Kolhapur is well known paradise for non vegetarian lovers, but it has many eating options equally wonderful for vegetarian food. Also, in general there is a misconception about "Kolhapur" food that it has to be really spicy and having lot of chillies. Only when you visit Kolhapur, one realizes that this is a myth.

Once in Kolhapur, you should never miss out on misal, which is a famous Maharashtrian snack made from spicy sprouted moth beans. Authentic misal can be tasted only in Kolhapur. Outside Kolhapur, in many other places in Maharashtra, people only add lot of oil and red chilly and serve it as 'kolhapuri misal'. There are many famous misal eating joints.

List of restaurants

Don't forget to eat the "paandhraa rassaa" & "taambdaa rassa" in non-veg. These are two special curries which are tradition of Kolhapur.

Drink
For party freaks Kolhapur has got some decent bars & restaurants like Scores (beside Hotel Victor Palace) & Texas (in Hotel Ayodhya), also Mithila is a family bar & restaurant in Hotel Ayodhya.

Go next

 * Goa
 * Belgaum
 * Anshi National Park.
 * Karwar
 * Bijapur

title: Kolhapur