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Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is a vast region in Ladakh, India.

Cities

 * – The de facto main town in Nubra Valley, famous for its apricot plantations and a 350-year-old monastery.
 * – This village owes its growth to the nearby sand dunes, and it's the one with the most accommodation options, with at least two hostels. The gardens of the village are filled with delicious apricot and apple trees, and lots of green vegetable fields.
 * – A scenic village with mountains rising from the valley as some child has made them of mud, popular for its hot springs.
 * (Sumoor) – A village with numerous guest houses, and the Sumur Dunes and Eco Buddha Park nearby.
 * – The last inhabited place before Pakistan, a magnet for Indian tourists but unfortunately closed to non-Indians since August 2012.
 * – A remote and scenic village of about 4,000 residents, inhabited by ethnic Muslims. On the edge of the Shyok Valley, in popular understanding a part of the Nubra Valley, it is a few kilometres from the 'line of control' (the de facto border) between India and Pakistan, on the Indian side. It had numerous homestay options.
 * (Shaksey) – The last settlement non-Indians can go to, with a single guesthouse, but otherwise not particular interesting.
 * – It basically means T junction in Hindi, the point where either of the two valleys Shyok and Nubra branches off and you have to decide where you are heading, Also, a good place for hitch-hiking.

Understand
Nubra Valley lies in the old Silk Route from South to Central Asia. Traders and their caravans used to traverse this route from areas in Ladakh and Kashmir to Central Asian places like Yarkand and Baltistan. Now it is a military area because this region is bordered by Pakistan and China, with whom India does not have very cordial relationship. The valley is relatively warm during summers but temperature goes down to -40 °C during winters.

This region is fed by two rivers, one is Shyok and other one is Nubra. When descending from Khardung La pass, one encounters Shyok river and continues on its left bank. The river's entire basin is visible from road. The river is not full of water so, it has many channels. The basin is filled with sand, stones and occasional green patches of trees, shrubs and sometimes cultivated fields. Same is the case with Nubra river which originates at Siachen Glacier. They both meet near a place called Khalsar.

Turtuk is the penultimate village open to foreign tourists before Pakistan. Until 1971 Turtuk was a part of Baltistan, shared strong economic and cultural ties with Tibet.

Talk
The people here speak Ladakhi or Balti and their dialects but they also speak and understand Hindi fairly well and know a bit of English, mostly due to the number of foreign tourists who visit this region.

Get in
There are essentially three routes into Nubra Valley:
 * directly from Leh via the scenic Khardung La (pass), the most popular route but wrongly claimed to be the highest motorable pass in the world
 * from Kharu via Wari La (pass),
 * and from Pangong Lake via Tangtse.

In Nubra Valley the road forks at a place called T-mord, one of which goes towards towns Diskit and Hunder, and further up to Turtuk and the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. The other road goes to towns like Sumur and Panamik, and further up to Sasoma check point and Siachen base camp, but tourists cannot go beyond Panamik.

By bus
There are two bus routes that run daily in each direction at 8AM:
 * Leh–Skuru – private, via Diskit and Hundar
 * Leh–Sasoma – government, via Sumur and Panamik

They take about 7 hr for the complete distance and cost ₹250–320, depending on how far you go. (As of 2023, the Leh–Sasoma might not run once a week, but it is unclear on which weekday.)

It is a long ride, although the road is well-paved almost all the way from Leh, apart from Khardung La, the ride involves at least two longer stops and some parts of the way are unpaved.

By taxi
Some people share a taxi for around ₹2,000 from Leh.

By tour
Many people book a tour in Leh for visiting Nubra in 2–3 days. This includes taxi tours and self-riding motorbike tours. Often these tours last up until a week and will include Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri.

By thumb
Hitch-hiking in directly from Leh is possible, but the bus might be the most straight forward choice. The Pangong Lake route is least served by anyone, and also few people decide to take the Wari La route.

On foot
The only meaningful hiking route into Nubra Valley is from Leh to Hundar, a 64-km trail via Lasimiru La at 5,466 m. The trail actually starts in Phyang, but you can also start from Leh combining two routes—see starting trail and main trail.

Fees and permits
Non-Ladakhi visitors will need a permit to visit Nubra—see Ladakh.

By bus
There is one bus running between Panamik and Diskit, but it will be quite full:
 * Panamik > Diskit: 9AM
 * Diskit > Panamik: ≈3PM

You can also use the Leh buses to get around in the valleys, at these approximate times:
 * Diskit > Skuru: 1–1:30PM
 * Skuru > Hundar > Diskit > T-mord: Skuru 8AM, Hundar 8:30AM, Diskit 9AM, T-mord 10AM
 * Sumur > Panamik: noon
 * Panamik > Sumur > T-mord: Panamik 9AM, Sumur 10AM, T-mord 10:30AM

There have been no bus connection to Turtuk since COVID.

By thumb
A lot of local traffic will ply the two roads in either of the Shyok or Nubra Valley. Ladakhis are generally very welcoming and you shouldn't have any issues finding a ride to see all sights.

It is best to start before 11AM, just to make sure not to get stuck anywhere. Heading to Turtuk is also better in the morning than in the afternoon. Heading out from Turtuk in the afternoon is possible, because many tourist visit for the day and then return to the more center of Nubra.

See India for general tips and which vehicles to choose.

By taxi
Many taxis will run through the valley, bringing in tourists or carrying them between sights. You can of course always rely on them. Keep looking for vans, minibuses and jeeps (no pickup) with yellow licence plates, but they probably introduce themselves to you early enough.

Aim for ₹20/km.

Do

 * Roam around the bank of the Nubra river.
 * Trekking to gompas and villages rewards with endless scenic vistas from snow-covered mountains to gorges and deep valleys for the adventure buffs. Saboo to Khalsar and beyond is a good trek option to start with.

Buy
This remote region is barely the place to get anything of importance. You might be able to purchase some stone carvings (of animals) in the tea shop near the mosque in Turtuk.

Eat
Enjoying a typical Ladakhi meal in Nubra is quite a delightful experience. Chang, a local brew (type of ale or beer) and butter tea are must-haves in Nubra. Most guesthouses and homestays prepare the freshest meals.

Remember, for Turtuk, that if visiting in the summer, you could well be here during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan (or Ramzan to the locals), in which the locals don't eat from sunrise to sunset.

Apricots are the main harvest in September—try to find a guesthouse with these trees.

Sleep
As of 2023, the main and most budget place to stay is Hundar with at least two hostels (₹400–500) and countless guesthouses. Also, Turtuk has many homestays starting as low as ₹400 without food and ₹700–1,000 including dinner and breakfast. In terms of choice, your next options are Sumur, Diskit and Panamik—in this order.

Your best bet to find and reserve accommodation is Google Maps in combination with WhatsApp.

Camping near the river is an interesting option for adventurous travellers. Close to the village of Sumur is a beautiful camp site by the river.

Go next

 * Pangong Lake – Many tourist choose to head to this famous soda lake after coming from Leh and visiting Nubra Valley. So, the gravel road along Shyok Valley running east, is always busy with motorbikers and taxi vans west to east.
 * Leh – You either head back via directly Khardung La or another scenic mountain pass, Wari La, the 13th highest road pass in the world.

title: Nubra Valley


text:
Nueva Ecija

Nueva Ecija is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines.

Cities and towns

 * - came to be known as “Venice of Nueva Ecija”. After the flood, the sand and dust in the street was almost knee deep. Hence, he name Sahara Dessert of the Philippines”. The floods deposited several inches of mountain soil to the town each years, so much that the buildings were gradually buried.
 * - home of Mt. Olivette.
 * - the largest city of Nueva Ecija (with 302,231 people during the time of 2015 census) has worthwhile historical sites: the Camp Pangatian Shrine and the General Luna Statue and Marker.
 * - The town is part of the so-called "Rice Granary Capital of the Philippines", and is also remarked as the "Sweet Sorghum Capital of Nueva Ecija".
 * - this 41,131-people town (as of 2015 population census) is home to Barrio Puncan, nicknamed the "Little Baguio" because of its cool mountain breezes.
 * - is nicknamed the "Footwear Capital of the North" due to the thriving footwear making industry in the city.
 * - was declared by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as Muñoz Science Community owing to a large measure in the existence in the municipality of various state-of-the-art centers of excellence or research and development agencies, foremost of which is the Central Luzon State University.
 * - the capital city of Nueva Ecija province
 * - features the Minalungao National Park.
 * - Rizal Hot Springs.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - was declared by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as Muñoz Science Community owing to a large measure in the existence in the municipality of various state-of-the-art centers of excellence or research and development agencies, foremost of which is the Central Luzon State University.
 * - the capital city of Nueva Ecija province
 * - features the Minalungao National Park.
 * - Rizal Hot Springs.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - was declared by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as Muñoz Science Community owing to a large measure in the existence in the municipality of various state-of-the-art centers of excellence or research and development agencies, foremost of which is the Central Luzon State University.
 * - the capital city of Nueva Ecija province
 * - features the Minalungao National Park.
 * - Rizal Hot Springs.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - Rizal Hot Springs.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.
 * - a city of 139,738 people (2015 census) offers the scenic Diamond Park to its visitors.

Other destinations

 * Minalungao National Park, General Tinio, Natural area with a river, rock formations & activities such as cliff diving, fishing & raft rides.

Understand
Nueva Ecija, to many, houses many rice paddies, the source of most rice supplied in Metro Manila, and is well known by its nickname "Rice Granary of the Philippines".

The province gains its name from the town of Écija in Seville province, Spain, that reminded the Spanish colonial authorities of its hot climate. The province does have history of record-breaking temperatures, mostly recorded in its capital, Cabanatuan, so be prepared.

Nueva Ecija is quite overlooked as a rural backwater over nearby Pampanga, but the province has scenery of rice paddies and mountains, some historical sites, other hidden natural wonders. Agritourism is another good way of seeing Nueva Ecija.

The province's population of over 2,000,000 is mostly Tagalog (77%) and Ilocano (19%), with the former concentrated in the south and center, and the latter in the north. A tiny percentage of the population are Kapampangan, mostly living in the southwestern part of the province bordering present-day Pampanga and Tarlac. The remainder of the population are the Pangasinan, and indigenous peoples like the Abellan Agta, the Bugkalot, the Ibaloi, the Isinai, the Kankana-ey and the Mag-anchi Aeta.

Talk
Tagalog and Ilocano are the main languages spoken in Nueva Ecija. The Tagalog dialect spoken in Nueva Ecija is basically the same as in Bulacan (as Bulakenyo Tagalog), with much Ilocano influence. Other languages spoken are Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Abellan, Kankana-ey, Bugkalot, and the Dumagat languages.

By bus
Much of Nueva Ecija is reachable by buses coming from Manila, from the Cubao terminal.

By car
From Manila, Nueva Ecija is a 2-3 hours drive via the Maharlika Highway (Rte 1). Alternatively, you can take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), then exit at Tarlac City onto Santa Rosa–Tarlac Road (Rte 58).

From Pampanga, the main route is through the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Rte 3), which ends at Maharlika Hwy in Gapan. From Tarlac, it is on Rte 58. From Pangasinan, it is either on Rte 56 or Rte 114.

Construction is continuing for the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx, also known as the Central Luzon Freeway). Part of the expressway has been opened to traffic in 2022, from SCTEx in Tarlac City to Aliaga, but onward to Cabanatuan will involve driving through narrow highways.

By plane
Except for Fort Ramon Magsaysay airfield, there are no airports in Nueva Ecija. Nearest airports are in Clark or Manila.

Get around
Buses reach most cities and towns in Nueva Ecija. From Cabanatuan's central bus station, you can catch a bus going anywhere in the province. Most bus service are part of services going to Manila or the other provinces.

Main highways are the Maharlika Hwy, which runs north to south, and Santa Rosa–Tarlac Road which goes west onward to Tarlac. Highways are mostly good, but expect slower speeds and a lot of tricycles. Also watch out for livestock, farm equipment, and rice drying along the road.

Within cities and towns, most travel is on jeepneys and tricycles.

Eat
Longganisa from Cabanatuan City, locally called "Batutay". Garlic or "Hamonado" flavor is sausage made from beef or pork.

Tilapia ice cream milked flavored ice cream with steamed tilapia flakes.

Drink
Gatas ng Kalabaw or Buffalo's Milk. Milk from carabao or water buffaloes are popular in Nueva Ecija.

Flavored Yogurt Drink also made from Buffalo's Milk.

Sleep
Nueva Ecija is underserved by hotels, but there are out-of-the-way inland resorts and some countryside inns, the few places to sleep outside the city. Cabanatuan has the bulk of hotels in the province, while the other cities will have few to none. Many only accept cash and some do not have online booking.

Stay safe
The weather is far one of your safety concerns if you travel in the province, and Nueva Ecija is far one of the hottest locations in the Philippines to record. Daytime temperatures always stay in the 30s, and the heat index can soar up into the 50s during summer. Even just going for a short walk or shooting the picturesque rice fields and mountain ranges can give you immediate dehydration from the sweltering to extreme heat. Always follow hot weather advice if you plan to go out.

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

title: Nueva Ecija


text:
Nueva Esparta

Nueva Esparta is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. It was granted free-port status in 1973 and is in the Caribbean Sea, just a short distance off the northeastern coast of Venezuela.

Regions
Nueva Esparta comprises the larger Margarita Island with around 420,000 residents, the nearby smaller island of Coche with around 10,000 residents, and the even smaller Cubagua which is only very lightly inhabited.

The state is made up of the following regions, or local municipalities:

 * Antolín del Campo - La Plaza de Paraguachí
 * Arismendi - La Asunción
 * Díaz - Playa El Yaque
 * García - El Valle del Espíritu Santo
 * Gómez - Santa Ana
 * Maneiro - Pampatar
 * Marcano - Juan Griego
 * Mariño - Porlamar
 * Macanao - Boca del Río
 * Tubores - Punta de Piedras
 * Villalba - San Pedro de Coche

Cities

 * Juan Griego is a city of around 45,000 people. Not far from the city center is the site of the fortress La Galera. In the early 1820s, a fierce battle for independence was fought at this site. Juan Griego also has some smaller shopping centers and beaches.
 * La Asunción is the capital of the Federal State of Nueva Esparta and is located in Arismendi on Margarita Island. It is the seat of the regional government and home to around 25,000 people. La Asuncion has some colonial era pink cathedrals and is home to the fort "Castillo de Santa Rosa".
 * the second largest city has several beaches, around 95,000 inhabitants and is home to a good number of the larger shopping malls including; Centro Comercial AB (Avenida Bolivar), La Redoma, Rattan Depot, Sambil Margarita. There is an area downtown that hosts restaurants with local and international cuisine.
 * - Once a sleepy fishing town only 10 minutes from the airport, Playa El Yaque is now a Internationally renowned wind and kite surfing location. International championships are held there every year. There are many classes available from the beginner to the advanced. The beach is lined with international, national and local hotels, restaurants and bars. The white sandy beach and the shallow water makes it a favorite for families as well as sports enthusiasts.
 * is the states largest city. This is the main commercial center and has many shops and good restaurants. Population reported to be between 200,000 and 300,000 during the low season rising in the high season. It has two city beaches.

Other destinations

 * Isla de Coche - A small island about 11 km long and 6 km wide. The capital is San Pedro de Coche. The main activities are fishing and tourism. Estimated population on Coche is said to be less then 10,000 and the island is located just 8 miles from Margarita Island. Coche has a small airport Andres Miguel Salazar Marcano.
 * Pedro Gonzalez- A village located between two rocky hills. A white sandy beach extends along a bay for around 2 km with clear water and good surf.
 * Punta de Piedras- A fishing port and the good place to admire the traditional colourful local houses with their brightly painted windows and doors. Site of the College, La Salle Foundation Oceanographic Experimental Station and Technical Fishing school.
 * - Is said to be a more popular beach destination, due to the surf conditions, the good selection of shops and restaurants available. The surf at times does get very rough and there are no life guards on duty.

Understand
Nueva Esparta is situated in the Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of the mainland and located to the Northeast of the country's capital Caracas. It is about a 35-minute flight to Caracas, if your flight is on time or a few hours by sea using the ferry from Puerto La Cruz. The state is the smallest in area within Venezuela and is located off the northeast Caribbean coast of Venezuela.

Margarita Island is the largest in the island group with a total area of 934 km² and is also the site of Porlamar, the largest city in the state and La Asunción, the capital of the Federal State of Nueva Esparta.

Climate
Nueva Esparta is outside the "hurricane belt", situated in the Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of the mainland and has never been hit by a hurricane. The tropical weather is about the same all year, hot. Seasons tend to come and go with such gradual change one hardly notices. It tends to rain more in the winter then anytime else. It is not unusual for the rain to be nightly, leaving many sun-filled days. It is said that the state gets on average over 320 sun-filled days per year. The state has more than 60 beaches along 235 km (145 miles) of coastline.

Talk
The language is Spanish, although in many of the tourist areas they may speak and understand English as well as other languages. Keep in mind that even if someone says they do not speak English, many understand it although some are to embarrassed to speak it.

By plane
Del Caribe-Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe "Santiago Mariño") is located 20-25 km southwest of the city center of Polamar and is serviced by several airlines providing flights to Europe, Canada, South America and the Caribbean. The Airport has two terminals divided for international and domestic flights. The two terminals are separated by only a few minutes walk. Primary domestic routes are to Caracas, Maturín and Ciudad Bolivar.

By sea
Via ferry from mainland Venezuela at Puerto La Cruz with Conferry. Passenger/vehicular ferries operate the route providing access to the state for motorbikes, cars, buses and trucks.The Carmen Ernestina or any express ferry is preferable.

Get around
Once on Margarita, Coche can be reached by private boat service out of Playa El Yaque or the ferry from La Isleta and Punta de Piedras. On Coche the most popular means of transportation is by bicycle and walking. There are private vehicle services available, as well as ATV rentals.

The only access to Cubagua is by private tour.

When traveling on Margarita Island ensure that you carry sufficient local currency in smaller denominations so that you can make purchases without running into problems. Smaller local traders and transport operators may not be able to give you sufficient change for larger bills and will most likely be reluctant to accept foreign currency as it will be difficult and troublesome for then to exchange it later.

Taxi hire is subject to negotiation with the driver. Taxis can often be chartered for a day. Most of the taxi have fix rates and should be inexpensively priced.

The taxi painted in white with yellow license plate are often considered to be the most reliable. It must be understood that only taxi with the official government issued yellow plates are licensed to operate as a taxi service. Care and common sense should be used to ensure the taxi and driver are legitimate and licensed, especially late at night. Before commencing the trip try to ensure that you have sufficient local currency in smaller denominations to pay the driver as they may otherwise not be able to give correct change when you arrive at the destination.

Por puesto service most of the island. These are a little like a shared taxi having much more flexibility than a conventional bus service. Many locals use the Por Puesto services which normally travel a fixed route offering a cheap and safe alternative to a taxi. The journey can sometimes be a little slow however, as they often stop to pick up and discharge passengers at frustratingly short intervals and this may draw a trip out considerably.

Buses run to the most destinations in daytime only. Typical service hours are daily from 06:00 to 20:00 with reasonably priced fares. Flag the bus down if you are on the side of the road and want it to stop. Check the rate to your destination with the driver as you board the bus and pay when you arrive. The local buses may be a little too rustic for some visitors used to more modern transportation systems but they are a good inexpensive way to get about and to meet the local people.

Buseta (mini-buses) offer an opportunity to travel cheaply and to get in touch with the locals. Trip times will depend on distance and traffic conditions. Knowing a little Spanish is always helpful to get through, but some locals will be pleased to practice their English with you. Fares are inexpensive and depend on the length of your travel. Before boarding a mini-bus, ask the driver how much the fare is to your specific destination to ensure there are no misunderstandings.

Rental cars are available from major chains such as Avis, Budget and Hertz, as well as local operators. Look for established operators with an identifiable operating base. Outlets are to be found in the main city of Porlamar, at Playa El Yaque, and there are several offices and kiosks at the islands airport. Always use common sense when renting and make sure to check for any hidden costs and levies that may appear when you return the car. To rent a car you will need a current driver’s license and a passport. Make sure you have adequate insurance to cover any loss/damage or purchase a Collision Damage Waiver and do not leave your passport, drivers licence, or any other important documentation with the rental company as a security deposit. Since in most cases the contract will be in Spanish, make sure you understand what you are signing. Do not take the rental agents word in translating it, you are signing a legally binding contract. Thoroughly check over the vehicle including the glass and all panels for any damage and have the salesperson initial a damage record. If in doubt at all photograph the vehicle from all sides prior to taking delivery. Make sure that the vehicle is registered with the municipality as a rental car, there will be a sticker on the drivers side windshield. Check the vehicle over thoroughly before you leave the depot to ensure everything is functioning on the vehicle and that it is roadworthy. Fuel is cheap so most companies do not require the car be returned full.

See
The climate is warm and pleasant with vacationers visiting all year long. It becomes extremely busy in the summer months and Christmas holiday season as Venezuelans bring their family for holiday. During those times it is wise to pre-plan all aspects of your holiday. Many visitors enjoy the states' duty-free shopping. In the evening, an active nightlife awaits you, full of beach bars, discos, salsa clubs and fine restaurants. The Caribbean's largest indoor shopping mall, Sambil, with over 250 stores, is located in Pampatar.

Exploring the mangroves of La Restinga National Park, visiting Spanish Colonial historical sites, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, exquisite spa treatment, a shopping trip to buy a hammock made in the state, a visit to the maritime museum, fishing or sailing, Wind and kite surfing are the major tourist activities on Coche and in Playa El Yaque.

Do

 * Visit La Restinga National Park, which consists of a sandbar that unites the eastern part of Margarita with the Macanao Peninsula and is home to interesting flora. The park's mangrove-covered natural canals can be accessed by boat from El Indio sector, where one can take either an hour or half hour tour of the mangroves. Once at the beach let the boat driver know what time you want to be picked up to go back. The beach is made up of very fine seashells. There are a few restaurants that are open air and serve on paper plates. The oysters on the half shell served there are the freshest available. The park can be crossed by vehicle on the road to San Francisco if you have a 4x4 vehicle.

 * Visit the fort just north of Juan Griego to watch an awesome sunset. "Fortin de la Galera" is atop a large hill overlooking the bay in Juan Griego. Parking can be an issue the closer it gets to sunset.
 * Visit Isla de Coche, a quiet fishing island with around 10,000 inhabitants. The island offers windsurfing and kitesurfing. Take a ferry from Punta de Piedras or a lancha from El Yaque. The most popular beach on the island is Playa la Punta.
 * Visit Conejeros Market, located just outside of Porlamar on the main highway coming from the airport it is on ones left. This "flee market" type shopping is filled with souvenirs,clothing, beach towels shoes, sunglasses and knock offs of all kinds. The market is only open in the mornings and early afternoon. Some sellers begin closing around 12:00, but most stay open until 13:00 or 14:00.

 * Go for a night out at Kamy Beach in Pampatar, a great club where many of the mainland tourists go. Another club is Pampatar Beach Bar located in the La Caranta section of Pampatar. It is beach front and on Thursday nights offer cinema night where one can sit back and watch a newly released feature while sipping on their favorite cocktail.
 * Try your luck at surfing if you are so inclined at Playa Parguito, located just off 31 de Julio, just before Playa el Agua. Like Playa el Agua, the surf can get quite rough at times and there are no life guards on duty.
 * Take a private tour to Cubagua, the smallest island of Nueva Esparta, located to the southwest of Margarita Island and about 15 kilometers to the west of Coche. Some like to snorkel and explore the sunken ferry that is just off the coast.
 * Visit Plaza Bolivar in La Asuncion is in a valley making it very lush and green most of the year. Spend a few hours checking out the museums around the plaza, the Cathedral, said to be the second oldest surviving colonial church in the country and walking amidst the houses painted in many Caribbean colors. About a 15-minute uphill walk will take you to the fort "Castillo de Santa Rosa".
 * Explore on your own. If on Coche, rent a bicycle or ATV to see the island. On Margarita Island one can rent a car to explore the island. It can take a full day to drive around the entire Island, so plan for at least 2 days to explore.
 * Spend a day at Playa El Agua, one of the most popular beaches with Venezuelans and foreigners on Margarita Island. Take the time to have something to eat in one of the many restaurants along the beach. Playa El Agua is a good location to arrange tours or to do some shopping from one of many stalls selling things like hand carved sculptures, handmade jewelry and paintings, Many unique and inexpensive souvenirs are available here.

Eat
The island of Margarita has a wide range of restaurants and local eating houses to cater for all budgets and styles. It is customary for a 10% service charge to be added to your bill. While your server may receive a small portion of this, it is not a tip for your server. In most cases part of it goes to the "house" for breakage and incidentals, with maybe a small portion split between the help. If you received good service, it is customary to tip your server. Some go as far as rewarding the bartender separately when eating out and their service was exceptional. Don't be surprised if you order a mixed drink and the bartender brings the bottle of liquor, glasses of ice and mixer to your table. A bartender pouring a triple shot of liquor for the price of a single is not unusual.

Drink
Alcoholic beverages abound throughout the state. Both import and domestic alcohol are available, the beer tends to be mostly domestic production. A popular brand is Polar, it comes in both bottles and cans. There is a light, a regular and a dark. Sunday is a dry day and the purchase of alcoholic beverages has been restricted. So make sure you stock up on Saturday. It is popular to pack a cooler with ice, beer, your favorite spirits, spending the day on the beach getting sloshed.

There are many popular tropical drinks in Nueva Esparta. Just ask at the club, hotel, bar or restaurant you are visiting and the local bartender will no doubt be pleased to get things moving. Watch out, some of these drinks can be a little potent.

 * Cuba Libre Load the glass with ice, add rum to just under the brim, add a splash of Coca Cola, serve with a limon wedge.
 * Coco Loco 1 fresh coconut, 1 cup ice, 1 ounce white tequila, 1 ounce melon liqueur, 1 ounce coconut rum, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1/2 fresh limon. Slice a couple of inches off the top of the coconut, keeping the coconut milk inside. Put everything inside the coconut and squeeze the limon half over the mixture then drop the limon in. Stir, drink, repeat.
 * Margarita Mojito 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, juice from 1 limon, 4 mint leaves, 1 sprig of mint, Cacique Rum, club soda. Put the mint leaves into glass and squeeze the juice from a cut limon over it. Add the powdered sugar, then crush the mint into the limon juice and sugar with a muddler or spoon.  Add crushed ice add rum until glass almost full, stir, add a splash of club soda and garnish with mint sprig.
 * Kapiroska Squeeze the juice from one limon into a glass, add 2 Tablespoons of powder sugar, fill glass with crushed ice then add vodka until almost full and shake for a full minute. Strain into clean glass and garnish with limon wedge, drink, repeat.
 * El Ritual is not about mixing the flavors in a glass, but setting up the steps that allow you to mix the flavors in your mouth. First pour a shot-glass of Pampero Aniversario (aged Venezuelan rum), next you need a limon wedge, then you pour brown sugar and instant coffee into two separate piles on a small dish. Dip one side of the limon into the sugar, the other into the coffee and bite and suck on it, chug the rum and let the flavors intermingle in your mouth before swallowing.

A limon is a cross between a lemon and a lime and is common in Nueva Esparta.

title: Nueva Esparta


text:
Nueva Vizcaya

Nueva Vizcaya is a province in the Cagayan Valley region of Luzon.

Towns

 * — Provincial capital.
 * — site of Bagabag Airport
 * — Major stopover for buses headed to Banaue or Tuguegarao

Other destinations

 * — A largely rural and remote area bordering Central Luzon, dominated by the Caraballo mountain range. It is composed of the small towns of Alfonso Castañeda, Aritao, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kayapa, and Santa Fe, and two nature reserves, Casecnan Protected Landscape and Salinas Natural Monument.

Understand
The province's name derives from the province of Vizcaya (Biscay) in Spain's Basque Country. During the early Spanish colonial era, Nueva Vizcaya used to be a part of a larger Cagayan province, along with Isabela — named after Queen Isabella II of Spain. When Nueva Vizcaya was created in 1839 through the advice of the alcalde mayor of Cagayan, it included the present area occupied by the province plus present-day Mountain Province, Quirino, north Aurora, and much of Isabela today.

Nueva Vizcaya is mountainous, full of steep mountain ranges, rolling hills, and valleys and plains between them. Mountain ranges form the provincial boundaries: the Caraballo Mountains to the south, the Luzon Cordillera to the north and west, and the Sierra Madre to the east. The Caraballo range has Dalton Pass, which carries Asian Highway 26 between Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

Nueva Vizcaya has a population of 452,000 (2015 census figures) and is sparsely populated. The Novovizcayanos — as the residents identify themselves — are largely ethnically Igorot, coming from tribes like the Ifugao, the Isinai, the Dumagat, the Kalanguya and the Bugkalot, and these indigenous peoples hold ancestral land claims for most of the province. The remainder of the population are Ilocano settlers, brought to Nueva Vizcaya during Spanish times to work in tobacco plantations and help with construction of Catholic missions to evangelize and pacify the Igorot. Therefore, Nueva Vizcaya is culturally closer to the Cordilleras than to Cagayan Valley, and many Novo Vizcayanos support the inclusion of their province into the Cordillera region.

Talk
The primary language spoken in Nueva Vizcaya is Ilocano, brought by settlers, but is not native to the region. Most Novo Vizcayanos speak indigenous Igorot languages like Isinai, Bugkalot (or Ilongot), and Ifugao, but they switch to Ilocano, Tagalog or English when dealing with visitors.

By bus
All the towns along the Maharlika Highway are served by buses from Manila to destinations such as Banaue, Kalinga, and Tuguegarao further north. Victory Liner provides much of the services that travel Maharlika Highway all the way through the province, while Ohayami Transport plies the Manila-Banaue route. Most buses have a food stop on Dalton Pass, and another major stopover at Solano.

By car
Maharlika Highway (Asian Highway 26) traverses the province all the way from both the boundaries with Nueva Ecija and Isabela.

From the Cordilleras, Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road (Route 110) provides a scenic route from Baguio, while Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road (Route 109) is a north-south route that serves Banaue and Bontoc

The town of Alfonso Castañeda is only reachable through a road from Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija to Baler in Aurora.

See

Mt. Palali stands at above sea level. The municipalities of Quezon and Bayombong bound Mt. Palali. Once the hunting ground of the Bugkalots, Gaddangs and the Ifugaos, the mountain offers a magnificent view of the low-lying municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya. Its dipterocarp forest contains unique diversity of flora and fauna and is a crash site of a World War II tora-tora plane.

Ambaguio is the gateway to Mount Pulag, the second highest in the country at above sea level. Guided tours offer treks along hanging bridges, climbing through mossy forest and remote farming barangays with friendly Kalanguya tribe. Walk through an area of bonsai forest and grasslands of dwarf bamboos over a horizon of clouds. Mt. Pulag is a perfect eco-tourism destination and is home to the pitcher plant, giant cloud rat and whiskered pitta. Ambaguio is from Bayombong and is home to four indigenous tribes namely Kalanguya, Ibaloy, Kankanaey and Karao. For trips and arrangements contact the Municipal Tourism Council.

People's Museum and Library in Bayombong stands beside the St. Dominic Cathedral. A two-storey historical building which houses the Novo Vizcayano’s history and heritage. The former seat of the provincial government now showcases the culture and tradition of the tribes of Nueva Vizcaya.

Paraiso Tribu Vizcayano (also known as Lower Magat Ecotourism Park) is being developed as a high-end back-to-nature resort facility showcasing the rich culture and natural attractions of the province.

Rizal Shrine in Brgy. Casat, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya is one of the tallest statues of José Rizal.

Bangan Hill National Park is a historic landmark and cultural treasure. It is the site of the annual "Stations of the Cross" staged by the local Catholic church during the Lenten season using live actors depicting the last moments leading to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Also great for hiking enthusiasts.

PLT Wellness and Resort in Brgy. Bascaran, Solano. Known for the longest zip line and biggest swimming pool not only in the province but also in the Cagayan Valley region.

Other sites of interest include Salinas Natural Monument, Casecnan Protected Landscape, and waterfalls in the province which include Mapalyao Falls and Señora Falls both found in Quezon; Uddiawan Falls in Solano; and Edralin Falls in Kasibu.

Eat
This landlocked province is famous for its high quality citrus fruits. Unsurprisingly, this has given it the nickname of “Citrus Capital of the Philippines.”

Go next

 * Banaue, via Rte 109
 * Benguet, via Rte 110
 * Isabela, via AH26
 * Nueva Ecija, via AH26 down Dalton Pass

title: Nueva Vizcaya


text:
Nuevo Laredo

Nuevo Laredo is a city of about 375,000 people (2010) in Tamaulipas, Mexico, across the border from the smaller Laredo, Texas. The twin cities are collectively referred to as "Los Dos Laredos". As the busiest land port in North America, many pass through it. It is the point where the PanAmerican Highway crosses into the United States via Mexico and, as such, you might find yourself in Nuevo Laredo merely passing through en route to points further north or south. You might also be visiting San Antonio, Laredo, or some other South Texas town and be lured to the border to see what’s on the other side... or just to say you’ve been to Mexico.

Understand
Nuevo Laredo (along with Laredo, Texas) is the most important trade border crossing of Latin America (approximately 8500 trucks cross the border each day). Its geographical position has enabled this city to grow and specialize in the international trade business. Nuevo Laredo has a very developed logistics and transportation industry, complemented with a variety of hotel chains, restaurants and a cultural center where events such as the Tamaulipas International Festival take place.

Climate
Nuevo Laredo's weather ranges from long periods of heat to sudden violent storms in a short period of time. Nuevo Laredo is cold for Tamaulipas standards during winter, the average daytime highs are around 66 °F (18.9 °C) and overnight lows around 43 °F (6.1 °C).

Nuevo Laredo experiences an average high temperature of about 99 °F (37.2 °C), and an average low of about 75 °F (23.9 °C) during summer, and 20 inches (508 mm) of rain per year.

By car
From Mexico:

 * Mexican Federal Highway 2 (Mex Dos) starts at the international dam at Lake Amistad near Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila and runs through Piedras Negras, Colombia (Nuevo Leon), Nuevo Laredo Reynosa, and ends near Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
 * Mexican Federal Highway 85 starts in Nuevo Laredo and runs through Monterrey, Nuevo León, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, and Pachuca, Hidalgo. It ends in Mexico City.
 * Tamaulipas / Nuevo Leon State Highway 1 starts in Colombia, NL at Bridge 4 and ends in Monterrey.

From the United States:

There are three bridges that connect Nuevo Laredo to Laredo, Texas for private vehicles: if you are driving, you will have the option of crossing Bridges 1, 2, or 4. If you are on foot, you will have to use Bridge 1.

 * Bridge 1 is accessed from Downtown Laredo and will connect you directly to Downtown Nuevo Laredo.
 * Bridge 2 is at the end of I-35 and connects with Blvd. Colosio in Mexico. If you are not stopping in Nuevo Laredo, or are simply not heading downtown, Bridge 2 is often the most seamless option.
 * Bridge 3 is the "International Commerce Bridge" and used only by trucks.
 * Bridge 4 is about 20 km out of Laredo and crosses at Colombia, Nuevo Leon, a different state from Nuevo Laredo. While Colombia is an interesting small village, that particular bridge is a rather out of the way option if you are bound for Nuevo Laredo.

Getting into Mexico is generally pretty quick regardless of the bridge you use. Each of the three bridges costs US$3 to cross going into Mexico, payable in US dollars or Mexican pesos (M$). You will notice a different road surface when you pass the border plaque on the bridge.

By plane

 * Laredo International Airport is a public airport 3 mi (4.8 km) northeast of Nuevo Laredo in Laredo, Texas. The airport has scheduled direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (80 minutes) and Houston (80 minutes) and Las Vegas (165 minutes) via American Eagle, United Express, Allegiant.
 * Laredo International Airport is a public airport 3 mi (4.8 km) northeast of Nuevo Laredo in Laredo, Texas. The airport has scheduled direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (80 minutes) and Houston (80 minutes) and Las Vegas (165 minutes) via American Eagle, United Express, Allegiant.

By bus

 * US and Canada. Buses go to Laredo frequently, connecting Nuevo Laredo with the Greyhound Network and all points further north. Bookings can be made online. Passengers heading north by bus might consider purchasing a travel pass for unlimited travel on Greyhound within a 7-, 15-, or 30-day period. There are also a number of other lines that travel to points in Texas, Florida, and Illinois.
 * Mexico City. Buses leave for Mexico City frequently with Grupo Senda. Bookings can be made online.
 * Monterrey. Direct buses to Monterrey run as low as M$200 and take about 3 hours.

Get around

 * By car, taxi, city buses, or on foot.

By bus
Transporte Urbano de Nuevo Laredo (TUNL) is the mass transit system that operates in Nuevo Laredo with fixed routes. TUNL hub is located in downtown Nuevo Laredo.

See
There are plazas and monuments can be found throughout the city. Most visitors focus on shopping and strolling the streets of Vicente Guerrero and Ignacio Zaragoza. You may also see Los Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo (Mexican Professional Baseball League) game. You may also see a play or a Broadway-style show in the Centro Cultural.
 * Theaters: Nuevo Laredo has three main theaters the "Centro Cultural", "Teatro de la Ciudad", and "Casa de Cultura". The Centro Cultural, is Nuevo Laredo's main theater with a sitting capacity of 1,200 guests. The theater has presented high level shows high level, plays, concerts and dance recitals and one independent Art Gallery "Casa Black" that opens 2 times a year for a single weekend. The theater has a museum, library, and a cafeteria. The Teatro de la Ciudad is a theater which presents plays, dance recitals, concerts and musical shows and special events. The Casa de Cultura houses music, painting, dance and literature workshops and also presents major artistic and cultural events such as art exhibitions, concerts, film samples, dance recitals and plays, among others.
 * Natural history museum. Its permanent museum exhibits human skeletons, dinosaur bones and fossils in general that allows to make a chronological history travel of the region, fauna, flora and geography, from the jurassic to our era.
 * Jose Reyes Meza Museum. It has the name of a remarkable painter, designer and muralist from Tamaulipas, the museum displays various plastic works.

Do

 * Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos bring AAA-level Mexican League Baseball to Nuevo Laredo from March through the end of July. Games are held at Parque La Junta. The schedule is online. Some games are played in Laredo, Texas.
 * Enjoy a show at the Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo. Here there is a permanent history museum that walks you through the age of dinosaurs up to modern day Nuevo Laredo. There are also two rooms that host temporary art exhibitions and a sculpture walk outside. The Centro Cultural also hosts some really decent events, including an annual international music festival.
 * The Plaza de Toros "Lauro Luis Longoria" in Nuevo Laredo attracts international bullfighting talent., Address: Ave. Monterrey No. 411, +52-867-712-7192
 * Doctor, dentist, pharmacy. Healthcare is far cheaper, and generally a higher quality (according to international rankings), than that in the United States. Are you due for a dental cleaning and check up? In Mexico, you can pay anywhere between US$10 and US$40 for a checkup and cleaning. Try to avoid the clinics closest to Bridge 1, where one will be approached by clinic promoters as soon as you clear customs. Many of the clinics accept US insurance (if you have it), Mastercard and Visa. If you have a prescription for medicine, you can have it filled in Mexico for less than it would be in the United States. Do not buy a prescription drug unless you have a prescription for it as crossing back into the United States with it will be a problem.
 * La Zona de Tolerencia (Boys’ Town). La Zona is the infamous red light district on south Calle Monterrey near the corner of Calle Anáhuac. Largely in ruins today, it used to be a "Little Vegas" with bars, brothels, casinos, restaurants, hotels, and just about anything else one could want for a care-free night out complete with infrastructure for its residents and visitors, including a fully functioning police station and clinic. While some bars and recreational activities continue to operate, the walled town within a town is now largely in ruins.
 * Parque Viveros is a 124-acre (0.50 km²) forest park that overlooks the Rio Grande on the eastern side of Nuevo Laredo. The park features a zoo, two large swimming pools, walking trails, and picnic areas with barbecue pits and playgrounds.

Buy

 * Mexican handmade arts, crafts, and pottery in Vicente Guerrero Ave located in downtown Nuevo Laredo.
 * Markets. There are several markets in Nuevo Laredo. One of the best is open only a few days a week; it is close to Calle Los Dos Laredos (what Anahuac turns into after Calle Monterrey). If it is a market day, the roads will be packed and you will likely need to park several blocks away. If you GPS the address Sonora 6102, you will be led into the midst of it. Another really nice market is along Héroe de Nacataz close to the junction with Tamaulipas [State Road] 1. This market flanks the railway tracks and offers hours of stalls to browse. If you GPS Calle Héroe de Nacataz 7553, it should take you to the thick of it. Market Maclovio Herrera in the historic city center, here you can find many kinds of Mexican crafts from all the country, e.g. costumes, jewelry, traditional Mexican candies and piñatas.

Eat

 * When you cross on Bridge 1 and go straight, you will be on Av. Guerrero, which is a main artery of the city. Several blocks over to the left, there is a hospital called IMSS. In front of this hospital, there are several hawkers set up in front of the hospital. All of them are pretty good (as of 2013).
 * At Guerrero and Heroe de Nacataz, at night, there is a popular and established taco stand set up. Known by locals as Tacos de Caballo. Regardless of the name, they do not serve horse meat.
 * If you are on Blvd Colosio, there is a humble little restaurant very close to Parque Viveros. Take the exit for Parque Viveros, head up to the roundabout and take the 4th exit (Calle Carranza). A few blocks down you will see Tacos el Venado on the left just before the baseball fields. Parking is on the street wherever you can find it.
 * A small and humble taco stand close to La Zona is a local favourite for barbacoa. From the entrance of La Zona, travel north along Calle Monterrey to Calle Guanajuato. There is another well established hawker at this corner across from Mariscos Los 7 Mares. This guy makes some awesome barbacoa on the weekends.
 * If you are not into hole-in-the-wall restaurants or street food, you might consider El Rancho which is a well established restaurant serving a variety of Mexican favourites.
 * El Nuevo Sol (Vegetarians): While meat is pretty hard to escape in Norteña Cuisine, El Nuevo Sol is an excellent chain of vegetarian restaurants. The main restaurant is on Peru, but there are several others scattered around the city. The daily plated lunch special is always an excellent value or you can sample the menu for vegetarian takes on other Mexican classics.

Drink
Day and nightlife is abundant in downtown Nuevo Laredo in Vicente Guerrero Ave. It is filled with bars, clubs and restaurants.

Stay safe
Like many other Mexican border cities, Nuevo Laredo has a high crime rate. Most crime in Nuevo Laredo is related to the drug trade across the American-Mexican border. Nuevo Laredo is the base of Los Zetas, who began as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel; the two organizations separated in early 2010 and have been fighting for the control of the smuggling routes to the United States.

If you go to La Zona (Boy's Town), whether just to see it or for its various recreational activities: do not go there after dark, be extra cautious and alert to your surroundings, and be wary of those seeking to “help” you find anything. It might be prudent to bring a friend with you.

Consulates

 * 🇺🇸 United States

To the United States
Getting (back) to the United States is generally a pain. If you are crossing on foot, once again you only have the option of Bridge 1. If you went with your car, take the time to check the bridge cams in order to pick the best option before you set out. Remember when you look at the cameras, that Bridge 3 is not for private vehicles.

If you are comfortable driving a little bit further away from the border for a bit, sometimes it is worth it to drive to Colombia to cross there. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Colombia from Nuevo Laredo, and about 50% of the time that is faster than waiting in the queues of Bridges 1 or 2. The easiest way to get there is to head south (towards Monterrey) and then take a right on Blvd Aeropuerto and then continue on towards Mexico 2 towards Colombia.

On Bridges 1 and 2, you will know which side of the border you are on based on the presence of street vendors capitalizing on the queue. Before you cross the magic line, you will have no shortage of people selling food, water, candy, trinkets, music, and offering to wash your windshield for a few pesos.

Further into Mexico
If you feel adventurous: travel down Carretera Federal 2 and visit Colombia, Nuevo Leon and Hidalgo, Coahuila. Both are small and charming towns that are off the typical tourist path and, as such do not have hotels, cash machines, or the typical tourist infrastructure. Travelers on Carretera Federal 2 are subject to a checkpoint. At this checkpoint, Marines will randomly direct cars to pull over for inspection. If selected, they will take everyone out of the car as they search it and will expect to see passports. You can also travel to Monterrey.

title: Nuevo Laredo


text:
Nuevo León

Nuevo León is a state in Northern Mexico. The state is home to the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, which is the second largest metropolitan area in Mexico with an estimated population of 5.3 million people in 2020.

Cities

 * — Mexico's third-biggest city and capital of Nuevo León.
 * — founded in the 17th century, the main plaza is one of the best places to hang around.
 * - small frontier town in a remote part of the state with an impressive show cave
 * — a desert oasis that smells of orange trees and offers abundant recreation with two lakes
 * — town in the Sierra Madre Oriental with dense forests and rivers with scenic waterfalls
 * — city between two rivers, with some interesting colonial buildings. Good place to buy carne seca (dried meat) and glorias.
 * — small city in the heart of Nuevo León's orange-growing belt.
 * - quiet small town with abundant outdoor recreation activities, a designated Pueblo Magico.

Other destinations

 * — One of the largest Mexico national parks, Cumbres de Monterrey is a playground for extreme sports, offering canyons, sheer cliffs, caves, and gorges in the Sierra Madre Orientals. The national park includes several popular destinations such as La Huasteca and Matacanes.
 * — Little visited archaeological site that is home to numerous stone carvings dating back some 13,000 years. Estimated to have been settled around 8900 BC, excavations show the site was in use for as much as 8000 years. Thousands of petroglyphs can be seen. Excavations discovered about 20 ovens dating from 6960 BC. Marked hiking trails are available. The site is isolated from any populated area, being deep within a desert area. It is 40 km northwest of Monterrey on MEX 53 to Mina, then 14 km to site entrance.
 * — The smallest park in the Mexico national parks system, El Sabinal preserves a stand of Moctezuma bald cypress (Taxodium Huegelii). It was established as a national park in 1938 and is a popular park for picnics and family outings. The park is in the town of Cerralvo in the northern part of Nuevo Leon, near the Tamaulipas border. The park features sheltered picnic pavilions with grills, a public swimming pool, and a miniature train ride.

Understand
Nuevo León is bordered by Coahuila to the west, Tamaulipas to the east and north, and San Luis Potosí to the south. It also shares a 15-km border with the US state of Texas.

Highly industrialized and very commercial, the Monterrey metro area drives the state economy and gives Nuevo León a high standard of living overall. Outside of Monterrey, Nuevo León is not at all urban. Most of the state is open rangeland with ranches and very small rural communities (sometimes little more than an Oxxo and Pemex station watched over by a herd of goats). The state also boasts a rich agricultural core, called the "orange belt", which comprises the municipalities of Allende, Montemorelos, Hualahuises, General Terán, and Linares.

Climate
Nuevo León has many different climates. Some areas in the mountains are very cold in winter and temperate in summer. In the northern part of the state the climate is arid as a result of the proximity to the Chihuahuan desert. Extremely high temperatures of 47 °C or more occur on the desert areas while winters are short and mild. In Monterrey the climate is hot semi-arid with extremely hot summers and mild winters. There is very little rainfall throughout the year, usually about 500 mm or less.

Talk
Spanish is the official language. English is widely taught as a second language. People will speak it in various levels, but within the Metropolitan area of Monterrey is where most likely fluent speakers will be found.

Get in
Car, bus, plane, and 18-wheeler are the most common ways to get to Nuevo Leon.

By plane
Fly into Monterrey International Airport in Monterrey. It has extensive domestic flights to every major destination in Mexico, and dozens of daily international flights, mainly to and from the United States. Monterrey has almost 300 daily flights from more than 35 destinations.

By car
Highway 85 south of Nuevo Laredo enters the state of Nuevo Leon about 32 km (20 miles) south of the border. The Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge just west of Laredo is the only vehicular bridge that connects the United States with the state of Nuevo León, crossing over the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) river.

By bus
Most people in the region use buses heavily. Monterrey is the major hub. Very frequent buses go between Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo to the north, or south toward San Luis Potosi and Mexico City. Some northbound buses will cross the U.S. border. The southbound buses can be used to reach Linares or Montemorelos. Less frequent (usually second class) buses serve more remote parts of Nuevo Leon.

Get around
People usually get around by car or by bus. Buses go to almost every place in the whole state. Within the city of Monterrey, you can also use the subway, a taxi, or if you prefer, you can walk to your destination

See
In the metropolitan area of Monterrey, the urban complex made up of the Macroplaza, the Paseo Santa Lucía and the Fundidora Park houses the largest concentration of historical sites, museums, cultural expressions and recreational walks in the city. The Paseo Santa Lucía is a canal or artificial river and pedestrian path. The Macroplaza is a large downtown plaza that offers monuments and pleasant walkways. In it the green areas are combined with the old monuments and colonial buildings that contrast with the new constructions. The most notable monument is the Faro del Comercio, a 70-meter-high monument that has a laser beam at the top that illuminates the city's sky at night.

There are more than 30 museums in the state. MARCO (Museum of contemporary art of Monterrey) has a changing exhibition of contemporary Latin American images. The Museo de Historia Mexicana  (Museum of Mexican History) explains the history of the state and the country starting with prehistory.

Outside the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, Santiago is a picturesque town with good restaurants, a lively shopping zone on the highway, a pleasant temperate climate, surrounded by forests and groves, ideal for camping and spending a weekend away from large urban centers. Santiago is one of Mexico's "Pueblos Magicos" --- a designation for particularly scenic and tourist-friendly small towns. Other scenic small towns include Linares and Montemorelos to the south of Monterrey, Garcia to the west, and Abasolo and El Carmen to the north. The town of Bustamante is also one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Magicos.

The Cola de Caballo waterfall is popular with hikers who also visit the Pozos del Chipitín and the Potrero Redondo waterfall. In the same area are Matacanes and Hidrofobia, which are outings for extreme canyoneering. All of these recreation areas are part of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park.

La Boca de Potrerillos is an archaeological site about 14 km from Mina, about 60 km northwest of the city of Monterrey in the interserran valleys of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The “mouth” or entrance to the Potrerillos Canyon appears between the hills of La Zorra and El Antrisco. The area covers about 6 km². This site hosts one of the largest concentrations of rock art in Mexico. Although there are some paintings, the vast majority of the works are petroglyphs -- about 3,000 in the area.

The Grutas de Garcia are 30 minutes out of Monterrey is a delightful underground world. The caverns are reached by riding a cable car to the cave entrance where guides lead visitors on a mile-long trek through the cave system. From Monterrey, take Mexico route 40 toward Saltillo, then follow N.L. highway 65 north to Garcia.

Do
Cumbres de Monterrey National Park is in the Sierra Madre Oriental between the municipalities of San Pedro Garza García, Monterrey, Montemorelos, Rayones, Santiago, Allende and Santa Catarina. The mountainous formations of the area include the Cerro de la Silla and the Huasteca Canyon. It is a good place for those who practice extreme sports such as rappelling, canyoning, caving, mountaineering, hiking and excursions. The Chipinque Ecological Park is part of this same park in the municipality of San Pedro Garza García and is easily reached by taxi.

Eat
Some Nuevoleonense specialties include:
 * Arracheras — Flank steak served with tortillas and carmelized onions, similar to what is called fajitas north of the border.
 * Cabrito — Young goat prepared a number of different ways-- wood roasted (a la lena), cooked in beer (en cerveza), or in ancho chili sauce (en chile ancho).
 * Chicharrones de Móntemorelos — Pork cracklings prepared in the unique style of the city of Montemorelos.
 * Lengua de res en pipián — Beef tongue cooked in a sauce made of pumpkin seeds.
 * Leche quemada — A carmelized milk candy for which the region is famous. Look for glorias de Linares, a pecan-flavored version from Linares.
 * Machacado con huevos — Dried, shredded beef with eggs.
 * Sopa de col y queso — Cheese cabbage soup.

Drink

 * Local craft beers from an ever-growing list of small, artesanal local breweries. Look for beers from Cerveceria Rrey, Cerveceria Duarte, and many others.
 * National beer brands from the local Cuauhtemoc Brewery, makers of Sol, Dos Equis, and Bohemia.
 * Sierra Madre Brewing Co. brewpub chain offers a variety of locally brewed beers, certain varieties are available only on certain seasons.
 * Topo Chico mineral water has been enjoyed in Monterrey and beyond since 1895.

Stay safe
The state police and the federales often set up checkpoints on highways. They are looking for drug traffickers, but they will occasionally ask to see your tourist permits or vehicle import permits. They are usually efficient and quick, and chances are good that if you look like tourists, you'll simply be waved on.

Go next

 * Saltillo
 * Coahuila
 * Tamaulipas
 * San Luis Potosi

title: Nuevo León


text:
Nuggehalli

Nuggehalli is in Karnataka.

Get in

At a distance of 140 km from the provincial capital Bangalore, the village is situated just off (16 km) the national highway no.48 connecting Bangalore with Hassan/Mangalore.

Get around
Sravanabelagola 28 km

Do
Must visit the two enchanting temples, which mesmerise you with divine sculpture in stone. The two temples are Trikutachala housing the idols of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, Lord Keshava & Lord Gopalakrishna. The other temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Eat
Meals commonly eaten in Nuggehalli include Iyengar puliogare, a tangy and spicy rish dish which uses tamarind paste and sakkarpongal, a sweet rice and bean pudding.

title: Nuggehalli


text:
Nukus

Nukus is a city in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. It is the capital of the region However, even by Uzbek standards the town is fairly decrepit and most travellers only stay one night in order to see the Savitsky gallery. Despite this, the locals are a friendly lot. Learn a few words of Karakalpak and you'll be rewarded with delighted smiles.

By rail
Trains depart from Tashkent daily and head for Kungrad via Samarkand and Bukhara on the way; these trains stop at Nukus station. The journey takes about 17 hours, the fare is around 170,000 som. Book as early as you can as they are quickly booked out.

From Kazakhstan, a train runs three times a week from Beyneu. There is no direct train between Nukus and Urgench (for Khiva) as Urgench is on a different branch line. As an aside, the main station has open WiFi.

By car
Shared taxis run to and from Urgench, which is a major interchange with taxi connections to Khiva, Bukhara, and the airport. You will probably need a local taxi between the taxi stand the hotels in the centre of Nukus.

Get around
Taxis are plentiful and cheap: a short hop in town should cost 500-1000 som. Everything you'll want to see is in walking distance.
 * Aral Sea
 * Khiva
 * Urgench

See

Nearby is the Museum of Applied Arts showing local fabrics, traditional clothing and jewellery. The Karakalpak State Museum exhibits examples of natural history, including the very last Turan Tiger, caught in 1972.

Do
Due to being the closest major city to the Aral Sea, Nukus is a good place to start trips to the shore and to Moynoq. The former fishing town is some 200 km away and a witness of the dying Aral Sea. Its main "attraction" is the infamous ship graveyard.

A taxi from Nukus to Moynaq costs around US$70, higher if booked through a hotel. For a day trip, start early as it is 3-3½ hr one way. Marshrutkas also go to Moynaq via Kungrad.

Buy
There is a huge sprawling market near the bus station, selling the usual range of cheap consumer goods, clothing and food. Most of it is under cover and hence not a bad place to wander during the heat of the day. A camera and a polite 'Mogu li ya snyatʹ vashu fotografiyu?' (May I take your photograph?.) can lead to some very atmospheric pictures.

Eat
There are few options, both the Mona Lisa and the Sheraton restaurants, listed in a popular guidebook, have shut. Searching around you will find acceptable kebab places, such as the one just east of the Savitsky museum (42°27'54.03"N, 59°37'11.17"E, on the corner of Rashidova & Dosnazarov).

"Samsa" are popular, samosa-type pastries filled with ground beef and onions. 1,500-3,000 som, and they're rather filling. For a meat-free option some places sell slightly cheaper potato versions, ask for "kartoshka samsa".

As in the rest of the country Plov is the most widely known dish of the region and delicious, especially when homemade. Usually made with chicken.

Kimchi is popular with the locals, and is sold it at the main fruit and vegetable market. A large Korean community was resettled in Nukus after the second world war and now comprises ~20% of the population of the city.

Drink
Find some "Qarataw" brand vodka. Local to Qaraqalpaqstan and even difficult to find outside of the region, it's smooth and complex, and the Qaraqalpaks are rightly proud of it.

Sleep
The prices in US dollars are higher than prices in som, and the hotels will want you to pay in US dollars (except in Nukus Hotel).

Taxi
If looking for taxi to the dying Aral Sea, you may contact +99861 7178779.

By plane
Uzbekistan Airways operates flights to:
 * Moscow Domodedovo International Airport.
 * Tashkent.

By shared taxi
Shared taxis from the South Bus Station leave to
 * Urgench US$10-12 per seat, 2 hrs

title: Nukus


text:
Numazu

Numazu (沼津) is a city in Shizuoka.

Understand
Stories of Japanese multimedia franchise "Love Live! Sunshine!!" unfold in Numazu.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By train
Numazu is on the JR Tokaido Main Line between Atami and Shizuoka. It is also the terminus of the JR Gotemba Line.

Some direct local trains on the Tokaido Line depart from Tokyo Station early in the morning and late in the afternoon, otherwise you will have to change trains at Atami (2 hours, ¥2270). You cannot use an IC card if you travel from east of Atami, including Tokyo, as the station is operated by JR Tokai. If you accidentally use an IC card to enter the railway, get a fare ticket at a fare-adjustment machine at Atami.

The nearest bullet train station is in Mishima on the Tokaido Shinkansen, from which local trains run to Numazu in 5 minutes. From Tokyo, taking a Kodama service from Tokyo to Mishima and changing to a local train will bring the travel time down to 70 minutes (¥4000).

All of these trips are free with the Japan Rail Pass.

By bus
Fujikyu and Keio are among the major bus companies that operate to Numazu. Buses run from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) and Shibuya Station, running to Numazu in 2½-3 hours depending on stops (¥2160). These buses make a rest stop at the Ashigara Service Area on the expressway along the way.

There is also an overnight bus service to Numazu from Kyoto (¥7000) and Osaka (¥7500) operated by Fujikyu Bus.

Do

 * Walking or biking a dike. On the beach, there is a long dike from Numazu to Fuji city. So many people walk, run, and ride a bike here to exercise and relax. You can do that while watching Mt.Fuji and Bay of Suruga. The scene is so beautiful!
 * Walk to the sea. From the Numazu Station, you can take a walk to the sea along the Kano-river, the largest river in Numazu. People will relax, ride a waterbike and so on along the banks. In summer, the city has a fireworks display which draws a good crowd of spectators. This is the famous display around the cities.

Go next

 * Fujinomiya, Gotemba: The two cities are by the foot of Mt. Fuji. Fujinomiya on the west side and Gotemba on the south side. Go there for up close views of Mt. Fuji or for the trail heads to climb Mt. Fuji. Go to Fujinomiya to access the Fujinomiya trail and Gotemba to access the Subashiri and Gotemba trail.
 * Mishima
 * Izunokuni: Known for the Izu-Nagaoka hot-springs. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, is also in Izunokuni. Izu-Nagakoa may be accessed by bus from Numazu station: take the Izu-Hakone bus to Nagaoka Station (長岡駅); or by train: transfer to the Izu-Hakone Sunzu Line at Mishima.
 * Shizuoka
 * Atami
 * Izu
 * Nishiizu
 * Kawazu
 * Odawara

title: Numazu


text:
Numbur Cheese Circuit

The Numbur Cheese Circuit is in Ramechhap District of Nepal.

Understand
The Numbur Cheese Circuit is a trek in the Ramechhap District of Nepal. The starting point of the trek is Shivalaya, also the start of Everest Base Camp trek for those who don't fly to Lukla.

This route has a recommended itinerary of 14 days trekking, although at a push it can be completed in up to 10 days by combining some of the shorter days. It can also be extended several days for those who wish to visit some of the nearby glaciers, peaks or lakes. A rest day on the trek is also a good idea.

The trek can offer visitors superb views of major Himalayan peaks including Annapurna South, Langtang, Gaurishankar and Numburchuili and many more. Walk through deep river gorges, glacial lakes, terraced rice fields, subtropical forests and Sherpa villages to the Lhiku Khola glacier, watched over by the towering peaks of Pathibarra and Numburchuili. Visit one of Nepal's first cheese factories, established in 1957 and the famous Thodung Monastery on the way.

Landscape
In April and May rhododendrons bloom in profusion, you may also see eagles, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr, a species of goat antelope. If you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard.

During the wet season the mountain meadows are very green and lush with flowers and grasses. However trekking at this time is difficult in the wet and clouds will obscure any views.

Get in
Shivalaya and Those are the start and finish points of the Numbur Cheese Circuit and are 8-9 hr drive from Kathmandu. Seasonal Super express bus service goes to/from Kathmandu's Old Bus Park, near the Nepal Tourism Board (07:00 daily). Kathmandu to Jiri/Shivalaya takes 6–8 hours (Rs 450). The winding road is very well paved with fine mountain views. The route follows the Arniko Highway towards Tibet before turning right over the Sun Koshi at Lamosangu for the climb on the Swiss built Lamosangu-Jiri Road, the "gateway to the Solu Khumbu", through Sindupalchowk, Dolahka Districts to Ramechhap. Buses make a lunch stop after 4 hours at Mude Bazaar, famous for the largest potatoes in Nepal.

During the monsoon season (June to mid-September) the road is usually closed to Shivalaya, so it is necessary to walk from Jiri to Shivalya - adding an extra day to the trek. The buses will also not run as far at Those (the end point) so it is necessary to return to Jiri.

Interesting stops along the way are Charikot, where you can stay at the luxurious Charikot Panorama Resort, run by friendly hosts Judith and Top Thapa, or continue on to Jiri.

Fees and permits
There are no fees or permits needed for this trek.

See

 * to . "Wilderness" is the only apt term for the wild and rugged basin of the Lhiku Khola valley. The mountain views are sensational, with views extending north into Tibet, as you cross the Thulo Lapcha pass at 4838 m, traditionally used by local Sherpas to bring yaks across the mountains to Ngeju. The trek follows the Likhu Khola Valley until you reach the remote yak pastures of Ngeju nestling at the foot of the ice-fall tumbling from the sacred summit of Numbur. The ancient Buddhist Shrine of Kau Gumba lies above the tree-line in the upper Likhu Khola Valley enclosed by a great sweep of high rock and snow peaks. Dudhkunda, the 'Milky Lake' rests in the heart of the basin, surrounded by tumbling glaciers and large moraines.

Eat

 * Yak cheese

Drink

 * High altitude organic tea
 * Raksi
 * Chaang

Sleep
The villages of Jiri, Shivalaya, Deurali, Bamti-Bhandar and Gumdel are well-served with trekking lodges, toilets and hot (bucket) showers.

In Kharare, Lahaksewar and Kyam accommodation is in an actual home or 'Community-run homestay', so the cross-cultural exchange is more authentic. Although part of the trek is in uninhabited areas, community-run homestays operate during the trekking season so it's quite suitable for independent trekkers.

The area above Khahare to Sewar is uninhabited so camping is the only option at Panipakha, Phokte, Maanedanda, Jatapokhari, Panch pokhari, Thare, and Ngeju.

Note: the trek requires camping for at least 4-5 nights (usually night 2-6), so you will need to be well equipped with tents, sleeping gear, cooking equipment and sufficient food. There is no shortage of drinking water along the route (although bring water purification tablets to be safe). There are some basic stone and timber shelters at the camp sites. It is possible to sleep in the shelters, however they are open on one side and the roofs are not entirely waterproof. Shelters to be muddy from May – September during the monsoon season. There are no toilets at the camp sites.

Stay safe
This trek is challenging and should be considered as "difficult" and only suitable for trekkers with a good level of fitness and some trekking experience. The trail route is through a remote wilderness area for days 2–6. It is strongly advised to take an experienced guide as it would be easy to get confused by the various paths. Guides and porters can be organised through some trekking agencies in Kathmandu or it is possible to find a local guide in Jiri or Shivalaya.

The trekking route requires some fairly dramatic gains in altitude. Allow sufficient time to acclimatise to altitude to avoid altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness - AMS). It is possible to trek from Khare - Panipakha in one day, and then from Panipakha to Jata Pokhari on the next day, however this involves a gain in altitude of 2200 m in two days which may cause issues for some people.

If you plan to continue along the Everest trail, the 'Numbur Cheese Circuit' provides excellent options for acclimatization.

title: Numbur Cheese Circuit


text:
Numidia

Numidia is a town in Pennsylvania.

By car
PA 42 is nearby.

Sleep
Nearby Danville, Bloomsburg, and Frackville have some large hotels and motels.

title: Numidia


text:
Numinbah Valley

Numbinbah Valley is in the Gold Coast hinterland of South East Queensland, Australia.

Understand
The word Numbinbah comes from the Aboriginal word "nyummin", meaning 'hold-tight country'. Natives believed the mountains were held together by the narrow valley.

During World War II, Australian airmen were trained in the area to prepare for jungle combat in Papua New Guinea.

The area includes the settlements of Numinbah, Chillingham and Crystal Creek

Get in

 * Drive your own car, or hire one from the many hire car companies based at the Gold Coast.
 * Tour with an organised group, such as Ruffles Lodge, and visit townships and rainforest by day, or the glow worms at Natural Bridge by night.

Do

 * Horseriding (Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails )
 * Bushwalking/camping (Springbrook National Park and Numinbah Forest Reserve)
 * Swimming in creeks.
 * Glow worms at Natural Bridge  (only visible at night time).
 * Sit in an outdoor cafe and admire the rainforest.
 * Birdwatch - see king parrots, hear catbirds, wompoo doves, kookaburras and more.

Sleep

There are many more B&Bs in the Springbrook NP and surrounding Gold Coast hinterland.

title: Numinbah Valley


text:
Nunavik

Nunavik (Inuktitut: ᓄᓇᕕᒃ) is the northernmost part of Northern Quebec. It is the homeland of the Inuit people of Quebec. For thousands of years, the Inuit have lived in this vast Arctic territory.

North of the 55th parallel, Nunavik covers some, larger than the U.S. state of California. Almost all of the 12,090 inhabitants (2011) of the region, of whom 90% are Inuit (the term "Eskimos" is no longer used in Canada), live in 14 northern villages on the coast of Nunavik and in the Cree reserved land of Whapmagoostui, near the northern village of Kuujjuarapik.

Nunavik means "great land" in the local dialect of Inuktitut and the Inuit inhabitants of the region call themselves Nunavimmiut.

Villages

 * — a village of 1800 people on Hudson Bay, and home of a museum of Inuit arts and crafts, traditional tools, hunting and fishing gear
 * — the largest village in the region and the administrative capital of Nunavik
 * — the southernmost village in the region, with its twin, Whapmagoostui

Other communities

 * — summer refuge for many bird species in the islands to the north
 * — smallest community in Nunavik. It is near the mid-winter migration route of the caribou
 * — with fewer than 400 inhabitants, it's Quebec's northernmost settlement
 * — the community name is in Inuktitut for "the very large bay". Unfortunately it is easily mixed up with Kangiqsujuaq (see below) which is 450 km northeast of Kangiqsualujjuaq
 * — the community means "the large bay" in Inuktitut
 * — known for its high tides, mussel harvesting and marine wildlife
 * — a community of 1800 people on Hudson Bay, and aviation hub of the Hudson Bay coast
 * — rich in marine wildlife, seabirds and musk ox in the area.
 * — the community was created when some relocated from Kuujjuarapik due to the impacts of the James Bay hydro-electric project
 * — rich in marine wildlife, seabirds and musk ox in the area.
 * — the community was created when some relocated from Kuujjuarapik due to the impacts of the James Bay hydro-electric project

Other destinations

 * — a national park of Quebec on the east side of Hudson Bay near the village of Umiujaq; it is one of North America's largest parks, with an area of 26,100 km2, making it larger than North Macedonia
 * — a very large national park of Quebec (1,134 km2), 100 km southwest of Kangiqsujuaq; it is famous for its crater left by meteor impact
 * – home to one of the best preserved Inuit rock art

Understand
The principal village and administrative centre in Nunavik is Kuujjuaq, on the southern shore of Ungava Bay; the other villages are Inukjuak (where the 1922 documentary film Nanook of the North was shot), Salluit, Puvirnituq, Ivujivik, Kangiqsujuaq, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kangirsuk, Tasiujaq, Aupaluk, Akulivik, Quaqtaq, Kuujjuarapik and Umiujaq.

Negotiations are underway to create a regional government for Nunavik which would provide more autonomy for the Nunavimmiut people.

There are five meteorite craters in Nunavik: Pingualuit crater, Couture crater, La Moinerie crater and the two craters that together form the Clearwater Lakes.

The Nunavimmiut people carve sculptures from soapstone and eat primarily caribou and fish.

Climate
The climate of Nunavik is severe. It is dominated by the long and bitterly cold winters as the seas to the west, east and north freeze over. In summer, when the surrounding sea thaws, temperatures remain low. Inukjuak for example has summer highs averaging just 13 °C (55 °F) with January highs of −21 °C (−6 °F). Annual temperatures are up to 15 °C colder than marine areas of Northern Europe on similar parallels.

Talk
French, English and Inuktitut (an Inuit language) are widely spoken.

Get in
There are no road links between Nunavik and southern Quebec, although the Trans-Taiga Road of the Jamésie region ends near the 55th parallel on the Caniapiscau Reservoir, several hundred kilometers south of Kuujjuaq.

Parts of the interior of southern Nunavik can be reached using several trails which head north from Schefferville.

Canadian North flies to Kuujjuaq from Montreal, Iqaluit and other airports in the north.

Air Inuit has a year-round service from Montreal, Quebec City and Sept-Îles to every village in the region.

There is seasonal shipping in the summer and autumn.

Get around
There are no roads, so you will have to fly from village to village on Air Inuit.

See

 * Old Chimo: original settlement a few kilometres downstream from Kuujjuaq on the opposite shore.

Do

 * On clear nights, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) is often visible, and outdoors activities are abundant in this region.
 * Atlantic salmon and sea-run trout fishing
 * Caribou hunting

Buy
Traditional craft such as prints and stone sculpture are often sold in the community Co-op store.

Northern Stores and Co-op stores are often the only groceries stores in town. Due to high shipping cost, food is expensive in this part of the country (often double or triple of what you see in major cities). Some of the healthy foods are subsidized by the government so their sticker price is less shocking.

Stay safe
Be prepared for extremely cold weather, snow blindness, and isolation. While clinics with nurses are available in each town, the nearest emergency hospital can be several hours away by plane.

Go next

 * Further north to Nunavut
 * East to Nunatsiavut

title: Nunavik


text:
Nunavut

Nunavut is a territory in northern Canada which contains Canada's northernmost lands. With only 37,000 inhabitants, Nunavut covers a land area larger than Mexico, divided between mainland North America and an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

As of 2016, almost 85% of the people are part of an indigenous group called the Inuit. They used to be called Eskimos, but this word is no longer used in Canada, and is considered offensive by some. The singular form of "Inuit" is "Inuk" ("he is Inuk" vs "they are Inuit").

Communities
Nunavut doesn't have "cities" in the sense that southerners would recognize, just small towns.

The Inuktitut name is in italics.
 * — capital and largest settlement of Nunavut
 * – Nunavut's third largest settlement
 * (Pangniqtuuq) — gateway to the Auyuittuq National Park
 * (Qausuittuq) — on Cornwallis Island, close to where Sir John Franklin's lost expedition spent their first winter
 * (Inuktitut: ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ Iglulik)— the home-base of the only Inuit circus, Artcirq
 * (Kangiqliniq) — an air transport hub, and gateway to Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park
 * (Uqsuqtuuq) — Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, intent on traversing the Northwest Passage, anchored the Gjoa here for nearly two years. Today, more than 1000 Netsilik Inuit call it home.
 * - nowadays, it's the largest stop for passenger and research vessels traversing the Arctic Ocean's Northwest Passage.

Other destinations

 * — the world's northernmost settlement, on Ellesmere Island
 * — the land nearest the geomagnetic north pole, which used to pass through the island
 * (Inuktitut: Tatlurutit) — the world's largest deserted island... with a cemetery, the northernmost in the world
 * — the remote meeting point of the borders of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
 * – home to one of the best preserved Inuit rock art

National parks

 * — its name means "the land that never melts", and it includes many terrains of the Arctic wilderness, such as fjords, glaciers, and ice fields
 * — covers 2/3 of Bathurst Island, and protects an important Peary caribou habitat
 * — protecting a huge area of polar desert on Ellesmere Island, accessible by charter tours, the launching point for trekking to the North Pole
 * — the "place of glaciers" consists of three parcels on Baffin Island
 * — a park with more than 400 documented archaeological sites, near Repulse Bay on the mainland of Nunavut

Understand
Nunavut means our land in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit. The official languages are English, French, Inuktitut, and Innuinaqtun.

It is one of the most sparsely populated regions of the world. The immense territory includes most of Canada's Arctic Islands, from Baffin Island in the territory's southeast, where the capital Iqaluit is located, to Ellesmere Island a few hundred kilometres from the North Pole. The territory also includes all of the islands in Hudson Bay.

History
The region which is now mainland Nunavut was first populated approximately 4500 years ago by the Pre-Dorset, a diverse Paleo-Eskimo culture that migrated eastward from the Bering Strait region. The Pre-Dorset culture was succeeded by the Dorset culture about 2800 years ago. The Dorset culture has been assumed to have developed from the Pre-Dorset, however the relationship between the two remains unclear.

Helluland, a location Norse explorers describe visiting in the Sagas of Icelanders, has been connected to Nunavut's Baffin Island.

The Thule people, ancestors of the modern Inuit, began migrating into the Northwest Territories and Nunavut from Alaska in the 11th century. By 1300, the geographic extent of Thule settlement included most of modern Nunavut. The migration of the Thule people coincides with the decline of the Dorset, who died out between 800 and 1500.

The written historical accounts of the area begin in 1576, with an account by English explorer Martin Frobisher. While leading an expedition to find the Northwest Passage, Frobisher thought he had discovered gold ore around the body of water now known as Frobisher Bay on the coast of Baffin Island. The ore turned out to be worthless, but Frobisher made the first recorded European contact with the Inuit. Until the end of World War II, when the Canadian government began to realize its strategic importance, the Canadian far north was seen as a barren and desolate place, inhabited by Indigenous peoples and containing vast mineral resources that had (and have) yet to be exploited.

Cornwallis and Ellesmere Islands featured in the history of the Cold War in the 1950s. Concerned about the area's strategic geopolitical position, the federal government relocated Inuit from Nunavik (northern Quebec) to Resolute and Grise Fiord. In the unfamiliar and hostile conditions, they faced starvation, but were forced to stay.

Discussions on dividing the Northwest Territories along ethnic lines began in the 1950s, in order to give the Inuit people a degree of self-government. In 1982, after much debate and argument, it was decided to divide the Northwest Territories into two parts, one called Nunavut and the other retaining the name "Northwest Territories". On April 1, 1999, Nunavut came into existence.

Climate
Nunavut experiences a polar climate in most regions, owing to its high latitude and lower continental summertime influence than areas to the west. In more southerly continental areas very cold subarctic climates can be found, due to July being slightly milder than the required 10 °C (50 °F).

Tourist information

 * Destination Nunavut website

Talk
Around 65% of people living in Nunavut speak Inuktitut as a first language, and the language is co-official with English and French in the territory. Inuktitut is the traditional language spoken by the Inuit people, and is very closely related to Greenlandic. It is a somewhat hard language to learn for the English speaker, and most English speaking people won’t even be able to read it because it is written in its own unique script. Though most Inuit will probably speak English, it would be a good idea to learn a few key phrases or bring an Inuktitut phrasebook along. Learning the script in any case is relatively easy to do. French may sometimes also be useful, though most of the time, not necessary. However, in some more remote places, Inuktitut may be necessary. Public signage is generally bilingual in Inuktitut and English but rarely in French.

Get in
Access is only by air: there is no road or rail from the south or west. Every settlement has at least a landing strip.

Iqaluit Airport hosts scheduled passenger services from Ottawa, Montreal, Rankin Inlet, and smaller communities throughout eastern Nunavut. Flights from Yellowknife and Winnipeg go through Rankin Inlet.

Exploring Nunavut by cruise ship is a popular, but expensive option. Adventure Canada, Quark Expeditions, and EYOS Expeditions do cruises to the territory.

Get around
In the smaller communities (less than 3,000), ATVs and trucks are used during the short summer (when there is no snow).

In the winter, snowmobiles are the main way of getting around. Dog sleds are also used but owning and maintaining a dog team can be a very costly endeavour. Getting to and from the different communities can only be done by air; there are no roads linking the different population centres in the territory.

See
The capital, Iqaluit, has a few buildings of interest: the territorial legislature, a museum, and an igloo-shaped Anglican Church.

The Aurora Borealis can be easily seen from October to March in the centre of the community, but by taking a walk out of the town, they can be more spectacular. Inuit people have many legends about the auroras, which can be heard by talking to people in Rankin.

The midnight sun adds a magical element to travel in the Arctic. Winter is the time of darkness, but in summer, daylight lasts almost 24 hours in the more northerly communities.

In Gjoa Haven, you can explore sights associated with the Sir John Franklin's 1845 lost expedition and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. 100 km east of Resolute, you can visit Beechey Island, the Franklin expedition's first wintering location.

Artcirq is an Inuit circus performance collective based in Igloolik. It blends techniques of modern circus arts such as acrobatics, juggling, and clowning with traditional Inuit cultural practices including Inuit traditional games, throat singing, and drum dancing to create meaningful and original work through performing arts, music, and video.

Do
Guided excursions around the island and Arctic expeditions further afield organized by outfitters (there are several in Iqaluit) are the principal way of seeing Nunavut's truly great outdoors. Summer activities include trekking, and boat and fishing tours in Frobisher Bay. In the winter months, dog-sledding journeys are an excellent way to get out and explore the landscape.

Marine wildlife watching is particularly good in Resolute Bay: pods of beluga and narwhal can be seen from the beach as they head to their summer feeding grounds.

A walk five minutes outside a community like Rankin Inlet will give you the opportunity to see terrain which appears untouched by humans. Spring and summer brings wildlife like squirrels, which are everywhere, chattering incessantly from their perches, as do peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons. Keep a watchful eye on the area to see loons, geese, swans and cranes, which will keep photographers busy. Ovayuk Territorial Park, east of Cambridge Bay, has 20 km of trails, camping areas and interpretive signage. Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park, near Rankin Inlet, includes the archaeological site of Thule.

In April, Rankin Inlet celebrates Pakallak Time with a sled race, snowmobile races, and igloo building.

Buy
Traditional crafts and carvings are the items to look out for. The Uqqurmiut Centre is an Inuit arts facility in Pangnirtung that sells local products.

Eat
Some towns may offer small restaurants or coffee shops.

Try some traditional Inuit food, such as raw seal meat. For many Inuit, hunting is still the primary way of acquiring food, so many northern foods can be bought from local fishers or hunters and cooked. Arctic char has been a staple food for thousands of years. It is a sustainable fish related to salmon and trout that is valued for its delicate taste, striking colour, and health benefits. Caribou meat.

The main grocers are Co-op and Northern, a common grocery for Nunavut. Because most food is shipped in on planes, be prepared to pay extraordinarily high prices for perishables, such as milk, fruit, and vegetables.

During the short summer, foraging for wild plants such as mountain sorrel, snow-bed willow, Labrador tea, lamb's quarter, violet and shepherd's purse has been an important supplement to the Inuit diet. Local berries include cranberries, cloudberries, blueberries, gooseberries and crowberries.

In Nunavut, any food that the land provides is called "country food": caribou, Arctic char, salmon, musk ox, seal, whale, seafood (fish, clams and mussels), Arctic hare and ptarmigan. Country food is often accompanied by imported sauces, such as soy sauce, or traditional sauces made from caribou or seal.

Drink
In many places in Nunavut there is a local law prohibiting all alcohol. Given the high rates of addiction and suicide in many places, communities have felt the need to adopt this extreme position. Do not bring any alcohol into an officially dry community, as you can exacerbate the local problems with alcohol abuse and even cause a person's death. When flying into those dry communities, local RCMP police may meet the flight and inspect every passenger's luggage to make sure that you're not smuggling any alcohol.

In other communities, local bars are permitted to operate. There are no local liquor stores outside Iqaluit; a warehouse in each of Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit will ship hard liquor outside the community but this must be ordered in advance.

Sleep
As with food, accommodation is very expensive in Nunavut. Expect to pay premium prices for fairly basic accommodation. For example, a B&B in Iqaluit, the largest town, starts at $130 a night.

Connect
Wireless network services are now available at towns and hamlets. Qiniq and Bell Mobility are the service providers. Despite government subsidies, rates are somewhat higher due to high maintenance cost associated with the cold weather and small customer base to distribute the cost. Satellite phones are better choice if you're outside of these settlements.

Stay safe
The cold weather and dangerous animals articles have advice which will be relevant to many travellers in the Arctic.

There is no 9-1-1 emergency number in Nunavut. Use the local seven-digit numbers to reach individual emergency services in each community.

Respect
The Inuit people have always been at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the Canadian population. The disadvantage can also be seen in wealth, life expectancy, health, etc., and it's best to avoid bringing up these controversies.

title: Nunavut


text:
Nuneaton

Nuneaton is the largest town in Warwickshire, with a population in 2021 of 89,000. It was heavily bombed in the Second World War and rebuilt in typically unsympathetic post-war style. Its best-known landmark is Mount Judd (aka the "Nuneaton Nipple"), a 518-foot spoil heap.

Understand

"Eaton" means a settlement next to water, and the "nun" was added when a Benedictine nunnery was founded in the 12th century. In the 17th century, Nuneaton manufactured silk ribbons, and in the 19th century, it became a coal-mining town. That era was captured by George Eliot (penname of Mary Ann Evans, 1819 – 1880); born locally, her novels depict rural provincial life as it becomes challenged by the march of industry, and they refer to the town as "Milby".

Get in
Nuneaton is east of Birmingham.

By car
The town is close to the M6, M1 and M42 motorways, so is easy to reach by road from anywhere in England.

Buy

 * Buy market produce at the market in the town centre.
 * Buy market produce at the market in the town centre.

Connect
As of May 2024, Nuneaton and its approach roads have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from EE, O2 and Three.

Go next

 * Coventry

title: Nuneaton


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Nungwi

Nungwi is a charming little village at the northern tip of Zanzibar.

Get in
From Stone Town the journey on surface roads takes 1½-2 hours, depending on the delays of road obstacles and police checkpoints, and number of stops the driver makes en route. There are several options available:

 * Hire a car and self-drive: US$50/day
 * Shared taxi / Shuttle bus: US$10/person.  This will collect you directly from your current accommodation and drop you anywhere in Nungwi - book tickets here: The Zanzibus
 * Hotel-arranged transport in private car or 4WD: US$50-60 each way. call +255 7732 04323 email. vuai180@gmail.com
 * Hire taxi from Stone Town ferry terminal: Tsh 70,000-100,000 each way (US$30-50)
 * Ride dalladalla #116 from Darajani/Creek Road in Stone Town: Tsh 2500 (1 USD, 2024/02) per person is the regular price, but the operator may insist you pay a "tourist rate" of Tsh 5000.

Get around
The 'boat yard' in Nungwi, with its tapping and tamping and seemingly casual activity, calls for photographs. At sunset about 50 boats leave from Nungwi, all of them with white sails at a certain angle, to go deep sea fishing at night: another beautiful sight.

The aquarium on the north coast of Nungwi near the lighthouse, rears small turtles found on the beach until they are large enough and then released to survive in the sea. The aquarium is a natural pond with seawater that seeps through the cliff at high tide. There is also a python, monitor lizard, and tortoises that can be handled.

At low tide, wade far out into the ocean. Be careful not to step on sea urchins.

Buy
Maasai crafts.

There is one brand new ATM on Nungwi Road at the Up petrol station that opened on July 23, 2019.

Sleep

 * Nungwi Village Beach Resort is right next to Jambo Brothers.
 * Tanzanite Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in town. The hotel is well maintained and smoothly run.
 * Nungwi Village Beach Resort is right next to Jambo Brothers.
 * Tanzanite Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in town. The hotel is well maintained and smoothly run.
 * Nungwi Village Beach Resort is right next to Jambo Brothers.
 * Tanzanite Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in town. The hotel is well maintained and smoothly run.
 * Nungwi Village Beach Resort is right next to Jambo Brothers.
 * Tanzanite Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in town. The hotel is well maintained and smoothly run.
 * Tanzanite Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in town. The hotel is well maintained and smoothly run.

Stay safe
Although Nungwi is normally quite a friendly and safe place to be, there have been some thefts of guests' belongings. Some basic care should be taken whilst handling money. Most of the hotels do have a safe for guests' use, which should be used for storing hard cash and valuables.

Go next

 * Kendwa, 3½ km to the south, can be quieter although its full-moon parties are gaining in popularity.

title: Nungwi