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Garhwal

Garhwal (गढ़वाल Gaṛhvāl) is one of two major regions of Uttarakhand. Garhwal is the more easily accessible northern and western part of Uttarakhand and borders China.

Cities

 * — the capital of Uttrakhand and its largest city, nestled between the Himalayan foothills and the Shivliks, including the popular and nearby Sahsastradhara (Thousandfold Spring) with springs and caves

 * — known for its ski resort

 * — temple of Vishnu is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage

 * — picturesque, less frequented hill station

 * — a small town with natural beauty

 * – picturesque town where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet and take the name Ganga

 * — a small town (hill station), Dhanaulti has became a popular getaway

 * — a place of pilgrimage at the headwaters of the mighty Ganges River

 * — starting point for the treks to the Valley of Flowers (a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its outstanding natural beauty, endangered animals and endemic alpine flowers) and Hemkunt the Sikh pilgrim centre, lake and Gurudwara

 * (Gateway to God) — an important Hindu holy place on the Ganges with Chandi Devi Mandir and Mansa Devi

 * — gateway to the Nanda Devi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the highest mountain in India

 * — temple of Shiva, one of the 4 Char Dham Hindu pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand, India.

 * — several interesting temples including Kanvashram temple and Sidhbali temple, and Mahabgarh Mahadev nearby

 * — a small hill station described by some as the gates to the heavenly abode (Himalayas) with the beautiful St. Mary's Church and Bhulla Lake

 * — famous hill station near Dehradun known for its scenic beauty and as a holiday resort, with Kempty Falls nearby

 * — the Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from this beautiful location

 * (रुड़की Rūṛkī) — a small city divided by the Upper Ganges Canal and famous as a centre of learning

 * — site of Devi koonjapuri temple and glaciers and opportunities for trekking

 * (उत्तरकाशी, Kashi of the north) — home to a number of ashrams and temples

 * — a great spot to visit with its beautiful places such as Dak Pather and Katta Pather

 * — trek to the famous Yamunotri temple and enjoy the hot sulphur springs and view areas various waterfalls

Other destinations

 * — a beautiful Bugyal (alpine meadow or grassland) in the Chamoli District, providing breath taking views of Trishul & Nanada Devi peaks.
 * — a beautiful bugyal in Uttarkashi District. A world class ski resort is coming there
 * — a beautiful hill town in the Chamoli District, one can get close views of Trishul & Nanda Devi peaks, it's a base camp for Roopkund & Bedni Bugyal (meadows)
 * — a village located on the banks of Bhagirathi River. It is a resting place for pilgrims visiting Char dham
 * — among its attractions are: the Laxman Siddh Temple, Rajaji National Park and Forest Reserve
 * — according to Hindu belief, Lord Brahma (the Creator) meditated beside this lake, which has become a good trekking spot
 * – between Haridwar and Rishikesh
 * — part of a, featuring the highest mountain entirely in India

Understand
The name Garhwal has an unknown origin, but some believe that it's derived from 'Garhwala' (literally 'owner of forts'), possibly a reference to the first ruler of the Garhwal Kingdom, Ajay Pal.

Talk
Though the people living in cities and towns usually speak Hindi, outside of it Garhwal (a local dialect of Hindi) is much more common.

Get in
To get to Garhwal, one can easily get a bus from I.S.B.T Kashmiri Gate (Metro Station) in New Delhi to Kotdwar and Rishikesh.
 * Rishikesh is around 280 km from Delhi
 * Kotdwar is around 215 km from Delhi.

Dehradun is another useful entry point, with regular trains from New Delhi and shared taxis and buses available to several destinations within Garhwal.

Jolly Grant Airport.

Get around
Terrain vehicle and taxis are the best modes of transport in Garhwal. Shared terrain vehicles and buses ply the major north-south routes during the day, connecting Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar with most of the towns listed above. For towns that are not on the major north-south pilgrimage routes you may have to change vehicles multiple times - most drivers will be able to drop you at the right intersection and point you in the right direction to get where you need to go.

Garhwal has a good bus network for all of its important cities. There are 24-hour regular bus services for Dehradun, Roorkee, Rishikesh and Kotdwar.

See
Within the Garhwal region, there are many places to visit and enjoy. Visit the city articles to find more.

Museums and other places of interest.

 * Darwan Singh Museum – A war memorial and museum in Lansdowne established by Garhwal Rifles in the memory of Darwan Singh, the first Victoria Cross holder from the regiment during World War I.
 * Forest Research Institute – One of the oldest institutes in India, FRI is located in Dehradun Spread over a campus of 450 ha, the impressive brick structure build on colonial architecture houses the biggest botanical museum  in India. The entry is open for general public with a nominal fee.
 * Interpretation Centre: Bio Cultural Diversity, Nanda Devi National Park – Based in village Lata, the gateway to the Nanda Devi National Park, the interpretation centre offers a detailed history of the region and biodiversity profile of the Nanda Devi National Park along with showcasing traditional artifacts and handicrafts. The centre also conducts outdoor interpretative trek to the Nanda Devi National Park.
 * Malsi Deer Park – Located on the Dehradun-Mussoorie highway, Malsi Deer Park is a small zoological garden and a favourite stopover for families with kids visiting the hill station of Mussoorie.
 * Nehru Institute of Mountaineering – Based in Uttarkashi, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is a premier mountaineering institute in India. The institute offers courses in Basic/Advance mountaineering and mountain search & rescue. For general awareness the NIM has established a museum of mountaineering and souvenir shop with in its campus.
 * Regional Science Centre – Located with in the campus of Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology at Suddhowala, the Regional Science Centre offers a science museum, planetarium and a 3D theater. The RSC is popular with educational tours.
 * Tribal Heritage Museum – A private museum in Munsiyari showcasing the tribal heritage of the Bhotiya community.

Do
Take woolen clothes with you as many hilly places are always cool. Traditional Garhwali knitted clothes are also for sale in most towns.

Itineraries

 * Dodital Lake, Dodital – 5- to 7-day high altitude trek. Day 1. Arrival and Overnight at Kuflon Camping site in Assi Ganga Valley. Day 2. Drive 3 km to Sangamchatti and trek 8 km to Bebra Campsite. Day 3. Trek 14 km to Dodital (3024 meters). Day 4. Trek 6 km (one way) to Darwa Top (4200 meters) and return to Dodital. Day 5. Return trek of 14 km to Bebra. Day 6. Trek 8 km to Sangamchatti and return drive to Dehradun/Haridwar. Note: One can crossover to Hanumanchatti side on day 4 to camp at lower Seema. Next day, 6 km downward hike to Hanumanchatti road head in Yamnotri valley. For kids and senior citizens there is an option to camp midway at Manjhi between Bebra and Dodital.
 * Roopkund – Six days Trek. Day 1. Arrival at Loharjung campsite. Day 2. Drive 8 km to Kooling and trek 4 km to village Dhidna. Homestay in Dhidna. Day 2. Trek to Bedni Bugyal via Tolpani and Aali Bugyal. Day 3. Trek to Baguabasa. Day 4. Attempt Roopkund and return to Pattar Nachouniya. Day 5 Trek to Village Wan via Bedni Bugyal and Gairoli Patal. If on time drive back to Loharjung or camp above village Wan. Day 6. Return drive.
 * Roopkund – Six days Trek. Day 1. Arrival at Loharjung campsite. Day 2. Drive 8 km to Kooling and trek 4 km to village Dhidna. Homestay in Dhidna. Day 2. Trek to Bedni Bugyal via Tolpani and Aali Bugyal. Day 3. Trek to Baguabasa. Day 4. Attempt Roopkund and return to Pattar Nachouniya. Day 5 Trek to Village Wan via Bedni Bugyal and Gairoli Patal. If on time drive back to Loharjung or camp above village Wan. Day 6. Return drive.

Eat
There are numerous traditional dhabas available in Delhi-Rishikesh and Delhi-Kotdwar-Pauri route.

Drink
Though popular cold drinks are available in every nook and corner, one should search for traditional and tasty burans juice which is made up of burans, an indigenous plant known as the rhododendron in English.

Stay safe
G.M.V.N guest houses are in nearly every town of the region and often provide cheap dorms. Most towns along the main pilgrimage contain at least a few hotels.

Go next
One can get out from Kotdwar direct to Delhi following N.H 119 and from Rishikesh through Haridwar-Delhi highway. Trains run every day from Kotdwar and Rishikesh to Delhi.

title: Garhwal


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Garibaldi

Garibaldi is a quiet coastal town on the Northern Oregon Coast. It is on the mouth of the Tillamook Bay and an excellent hub of crabbing, fishing, clamming and several other sea activities.

Get in
To get to Garibaldi take highway 101 from the North or South or highway 6 from the East. Located 75 miles West of Portland and 8 miles North of Tillamook.

Get around
Garibaldi is beginning a project to connect the city with the marina and the surrounding area with a walkpath. Check out the project at Oregon Coastal Futures Project

Buy
The town has many antique stores.

Sleep
The town has many Bed & Breakfasts as well as hotels. There are also homes for rent.

Go next
Take Highway 101 North or South or Highway 6 West towards Portland.

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

title: Garibaldi


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Gariep Dam

Gariep Dam is a town of 1,600 people (2011) in the Free State province of South Africa next to the dam with the same name. It is a popular outdoor destination for boating and water sports enthusiasts, and makes a good break on the journey between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Understand
The dam is on the Orange River about 48 km (30 mi) north-east of Colesberg and 208 km (129 mi) south of Bloemfontein. It is in a gorge at the entrance to the Ruigte Valley some 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Norvalspont. The dam crest is some 1300 m (4250 ft) above sea level.

The wall is 88 m high and has a crest length of 914 m and contains approximately 1.73 million m³ of concrete. The Gariep Dam is the largest storage reservoir in South Africa. In South African English, 'dam' refers both to the structure and the water volume it retains. Gariep Dam has a surface area of more than 370 km² (140 sq mi) when full. The hydro-electrical power station houses four 90 MW generators.

Get in
Take the marked turn off from the N1 highway or take the R58 from Colesberg.

Do

 * The Gariep Dam Nature Reserve on the northern shore of the dam is the Free State’s largest nature reserve. It has the largest population of springbok in the country.
 * Water sports (like sailing, jet skiing and power boating)
 * Gliding — international glidingvevenrs are held over the dam

Go next

 * Visit the historic Norvalspont concentration camp.

title: Gariep Dam


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Garissa

Garissa is a city in Eastern Kenya.

Understand
This is the main town of Garissa district. Garissa is a predominantly Muslim (Somali) town. Garissa lies on the Tana River and is the geographical 'gateway' to the interior of North Eastern province. It is a hub in the ongoing humanitarian food aid programme into the north east of Kenya.

Get in
There are daily bus services from Nairobi to Garissa. The road to Garissa is hard surfaced and in good condition. By car, the journey takes about 4 to 5 hours. Garissa has an airfield but no scheduled flights.

Get around
Garissa is small enough to get around on foot, but taxis can easily be hired. Beyond Garissa, the roads are unsurfaced and frequently become impassable even by 4-wheel drive vehicles during the rains.

Transport from Garissa is good if heading for Nairobi. However, when trying to reach the coastal towns, such as Malindi or Mombasa, be aware that transport is very limited, with buses only leaving at around 5am. The Garissa - Mombasa road has an unsurfaced gap of around 60 km, on which travel is fairly difficult without a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Give at least a day to travel this route.

See
Garissa is off the tourist trail but gives an interesting insight into the Somali way of life without crossing into Somalia itself. The town has attractive side streets with typical brightly-painted shop fronts. Out of town the landscape is thorn scrub. Wildlife to be glimpsed from the road includes eagles, dikdik, baboons, giraffes, warthogs, garnoogs and meerkats. Large herds of camels are often seen being moved by families between seasonal village sites.

Buy
You can buy traditional Somali curio items such as dhiil, ameel and an array of calabashes

Eat
Most 'internationals' eat at the Nomad Hotel but there are several small 'hotels' (cafes) around town.

Drink
This is a mainly Muslim town so alcohol is not widely sold. The Major Club opposite the Nomad Hotel is the most popular gathering place for non-Muslim locals and visitors to town. There are also quite a number of other places to socialize and have a cold tusker, like the Government Guest House, and Jamhuri Club.

Sleep
The Nomad Hotel is the most popular accommodation for visiting 'internationals' including UN and other aid agency staff. There are two other hotels in the main street (one is the Halgan) that offer modern air conditioned rooms with en suite facilities for less than US$10 per night. There are also Hidig and Ainulqamar which offer good accommodation and meals.

Stay safe
North eastern Kenya has an 'edgy' feel but there is no particular threat to foreigners. Garissa town was named to be the safest town in east and central Africa. People in Garissa are generally very friendly but visitors may be assumed to be UN personnel.

Connect
Cellular phones operated by Safaricom and others work well in the town and along much of the Nairobi-Garissa road. Phone cards can be bought in kiosk and shops in town.

There is an internet cafe on the ground floor of the Halgan Hotel building in the main street. It is usually closed for short periods at prayer time. Another reliable and fast Cyber cafe is in Jihan center which is at the center of town.

title: Garissa


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Garland

There is more than one place called Garland:

Australia

 * Garland (New South Wales) - A place just south of Lyndhurst in rural New South Wales, south west of Bathurst and inland from Sydney.

United States of America

 * Garland (Arkansas) - A town in Miller County, Arkansas, also known as Garland City.
 * Garland (Maine) - A town in Penobscot County, Maine.
 * Garland (Nebraska) - A village in Seward County, Nebraska.
 * Garland (North Carolina) - A town in Sampson County, North Carolina.
 * Garland (Texas) - A town in Texas that is a suburb of Dallas.
 * Garland (Utah) - A city in Box Elder County, Utah, where a meteorite fell in 1950.
 * Garland (Wyoming) - A village in Park County, Wyoming.

title: Garland


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Garland (Arkansas)

Garland, which is sometimes known as Garland City, is a small town of about 240 people in Arkansas, about 22 miles east of Texarkana.

title: Garland (Arkansas)


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Garland (Texas)

Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.

Understand
Garland is a suburb of Dallas, and hence much of its activities are hubbed around Dallas, especially Northeast Dallas, as well as adjoining suburbs, Mesquite (Texas), Rockwall and Richardson (Texas). At the same time, Garland abounds in self-sufficiency. The fact that you have to drive to Dallas to get to a club with some real action or visit the museum is generally viewed as a feature by the locals; on the one hand, Garland lends itself to an uncluttered existence, but on the other hand, if you do want to do that stuff, Dallas and all its urban delights is just down the road.

By plane
You will come in through DFW Airport, to the west in the mid-cities, or from Love Field, near downtown Dallas. One very convenient approach is to come in through DFW airport, hitch a train ride to the DART system, and ride the Blue Line from downtown Dallas straight into downtown Garland.

By train
DART's blue line will take you all the way from downtown Dallas to downtown Garland in under an hour. From Dallas Union Station, you can take the Trinity Rail Express to Fort Worth or even catch Amtrak. The most central station is, located at 430 West Walnut Street. Park and ride facilities are available at the more suburban west of downtown, at 3232 Forest Ln.

By car
From the south or west, you will probably be heading on I-30 or I-20, which will pass through south Dallas and come up to I-635, which you will take north. There are several marked Garland exits. Exits for La Prada and Oates are marked as being for Mesquite, but will actually take you into south Garland if you go north. From the north, you will probably take I-635 east, which will bend south into Garland. From the far north, the George Push Turnpike and the connected freeway offer a thoroughly un-scenic way into north Garland. Many toll stations are manned by cameras, which will simply take a picture of your car and mail you a bill.

If you are visiting Garland from Dallas, especially north Dallas, Northwest Highway runs east-west and will allow you to bypass traffic on I-635 that is very heavy during peak times, instead requiring you to pass through traffic lights. From the Lakewood or White Rock area, Loop 12 to Northwest Highway offers a simple and efficient route to southwest Garland.

By bus
DART buses help connect to the train at awkward times. DART buses do run throughout Garland, but end abruptly a few neighborhoods south and west of George Bush turnpike, demarcating the practical borders of south and downtown Garland from the more suburban north Garland. The bus is pleasant, although sometimes meandering, during the day, but beware of unusual schedules and limited stops as it gets late in the evening!

Get around
People in Garland drive. People who are too poor or too young to drive walk or use the bus. Biking is common in park neighborhoods, but requires some bravery to do crosstown.

See
Downtown Garland is typically quiet during the day, achieving a lively buzz in the evening. There are a number of local businesses, some of them pleasantly quirky, and an understated city square facing the community theatre. During the winter season, a large Christmas tree and attractions such as ice sliding take over the city square.

Do
Catch a show at the community theatre, or sometimes an attraction at the cultural center. Drop by Rosalind Coffee TX at 107 N. 6th Street for a toasted sandwich or a pastry and a mug of flavored coffee and play board games with colorful locals, who seem to split evenly between aspiring artists, unemployed eccentrics, and friendly local students of all ages, plus the occasional yoga mom with pups in tow.

 * - located in Garland

Learn
Stop by Audubon Park on a Saturday afternoon to learn how to sew, make chainmail, or fight with foam-padded swords with the warriors of Amtgard.

Buy
Downtown Garland is dominated by knick-knacks and home furnishings, but there are genuine art pieces to be had, and at good prices, if you travel on foot. In North Garland, fire up the SUV and visit the Firewheel Mall, a sprawling, multi-block shopping experience that covers nearly every designer brand ever conceived.

Splurge
Maybe you want to hop the Blue Line into Dallas and hit the West End.

Drink
Almost strictly local taverns and strip mall-based night clubs. Forget about a discotheque. You might be able to dig up some karaoke.

Sleep
Garland is surprisingly steep compared to highway-side stops, owing to a steady influx of business travelers, as well as savvy travelers avoiding even more expensive stays in north Dallas. Look for the usual: Motel 6, Red Roof, and so forth.

Connect
Starbucks and many of the local restaurants offer free wi-fi.

Stay safe
Garland is a pretty safe town, statistically, but practice good awareness at night, even if you think you're in a relatively quiet part of town. It's easy enough for roughs from the wrong side of the tracks (literally) to up Garland road into north Garland looking for trouble. Garland is a big city and should be treated as such.

Cope
There are very few problems traveling in Garland that can't be solved by finding Northwest Highway or Garland Road/Highway 78 and a convenience store with an ATM.

Go next
Head east and take a surprisingly lovely drive over a lake bridge into Rockwall for a cozy exurban night out and watch the stars. Meander up into Murphy if you'd like to see more farm country, or cross the road into Mesquite for rodeo, the big AMC 30, and Texas BBQ (try Dickey's, or any number of dubious yet undoubtedly authentic places wedged into a shopfront). And, of course, take the Blue Line straight into Dallas to visit downtown, the West End, a hip Mockinbird station experience, or the Dallas Zoo. Shoot down I-30 west and take the second exist for Fair Park to hit the Museum of Science & Nature and a number of other affiliated sites situated in Fair Park. During fair season, of course, Fair Park hosts the State Fair of Texas, which is definitely worth doing twice, if only for the fried whatsis funnel cakes, and a ride on the Texas Star ferris wheel.

title: Garland (Texas)


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Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is in Upper Bavaria.

Understand
Garmisch-Partenkirchen was founded by uniting the two towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen by a decree of Adolf Hitler to bring the 1936 Winter Olympics to Germany. The International Olympic Committee was going to pass over Germany as the host, because there were not enough hotel rooms in the host town, so Hitler forced the unification of Garmisch and Partenkirchen to create a larger town, which would be more appealing to the IOC.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is home to a large US military base.

Get in
Garmisch is less than an hour by car from Munich, and the ride is a beautiful stretch of Autobahn, unfortunately not the whole way. Expect to drive up to three hours on weekends and public holidays.

Intercity buses connect Garmisch-Partenkirchen non-stop to Berlin. Flixbus connects Garmisch-Partenkirchen with Innsbruck and Munich Hackerbrücke at competitive prices. All buses depart in front of the main train station.

Also, trains leave to and from Munich every hour, and the (beautiful) ride lasts 80–90 minutes on the local and 60 minutes on the rush hour express. The weekend ICE trains connecting Garmisch Partenkirchen to Munich and beyond are slower than the stopping train.

It is also a great end to a Romantic Road day trip beginning in Rothenburg, driving down the Romantic Road stopping at the various recommended heritage towns and ending in Garmisch for an overnight stay; or better still, a few days as it is a great base to drive out and back to Füssen (King Ludwig's castles) and Innsbruck along some of the most spectacular mountain drives you will ever see.

Get around
Public buses in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area very efficient. Lines #1 and #2 run every 20 minutes (30 minutes on weekends) and head from the Klinikum (hospital) via Bahnhof (train station) to Kreuzeck (ski area) or Breitenau (US-facilities). Lines #3, #4 and #5 run in opposite circles from the neighbouring villages of Farchant and Burgrain via Bahnhof and Marienplatz back to their origins. Fares are €1.50 per trip or you can buy a weekly or monthly pass. Those who stay in hotels in town receive passes for free bus usage during their stay.

The blue line (Eibseebus) connects Garmisch every hour with Grainau and the Eibsee. This bus is helpful for hikers starting or ending trips along the valley trails and lifts.

Beside the train station is the terminus of the 'Zugspitze Railway (Zugspitzbahn)''. The cogwheel train (Zahnradbahn) takes you up to the Zugspitze mountain. The ride takes 1 hr 20 min.

Main stops for all lines are Rathaus (townhall), Bahnhof (train station) and Marienplatz (centre of town). There is also a bus stop of the RVO (orange buses) at the train station. Those buses connect Garmisch with Oberammergau/Füssen, Mittenwald and Krün/Kochel.

Taxi ranks can be found outside the train station (+49 8821-1616) and at the Marienplatz (+49 8821-2408) right in front of McDonald's.

Partnachklamm
The Partnach river flows through this gorge. Though it is very touristy and often crowded it is well worth a visit. After 700 m, the path chiselled in the rock ends and you can continue your walk to one of the surrounding huts. If you arrive by car follow the signs to the Skistation or Olympic Stadium (fee for parking depending on how long you stay). The entrance fee to the Klamm is €5 per person; however the gorge should be open all times: before or after opening hours it is free (at your own risk). A torch is useful, or use your cellphone flashlight. It takes about 30 minutes walking to get from the parking to the gorge entry, and 15 minutes to get through (each way). Go early to avoid crowds.

Höllentalklamm
This gorge is the more impressive and challenging version of the Partnachklamm (Open only during summertime). You can reach it by using the Zugspitsbahn to Hammersbach (Bavaria Ticket is valid until Grainau). Or you can take the Blue-White bus connecting the Eibsee with Garmisch Partenkirchen (this bus runs every hour between 7 and 22). From the Gaststätte Hammersbach (where the bus stop is) follow the signs into the woods along the Hammersbach to the Höllentalklamm. It takes about half an hour more or less to reach the entry of the gorge (entry €4 (adult), €1 (children). Walking through the gorge takes another 45 minutes. After exiting the gorge, you can continue walking to the Höllentalangerhütte lodge (another 30-60 minutes). The lodge is situated in a large valley surrounded by large mountains. You can also see the Zugspitze from here. To go back to Hammersbach backtrack your way through the gorge (keep your ticket). There is a mini museum about the gorge at the entrance. You will need proper attire (good boots, warm and waterproof clothing even during summer time) when going to the gorge as the gorge is very wet, steep, cold and slippery.

Homes
Just walking around the town is a real treat. Take the time to walk down any street and you will be amazed at the paintings on the outside of the homes. The Bavarians have a long history of decorating the exteriors of their houses and businesses with both religious and historic paintings. The structure of the homes is also amazing. Go at the right time of the year and you can enjoy the beautiful flowers trellising down off the picturesque balconies.

Hiking and mountain views
During the winter the slopes surrounding the town are amazing for skiers and sightseers alike. During the summer months hours can be spent hiking the many trails (such as around the Eibsee) and enjoying the panoramic views. There is a cogwheel train trip up to the top of the Zugspitze mountain which is an event in itself and a cable car descent with amazing views.

Alternatively, the Garmisch-Classic cable cars offer a nice short 'circle' hike with pretty views. Go by car (or Zugspitzbahn) to the Kreuzeck-Alpspitzbahn. Take the Kreuzeckbahn to the top, then walk to the Hochalmbahn and nearby restaurant, enjoying the pretty views. From there, either walk up the narrow road or take the Hochalmbahn to the Alpspitzbahn, where there is a metal X-shaped lookout point, offering beautiful views of the valley and the Hollentalklamm. From there, you can take the Alpspitzbahn back down to where you started. Hikers that want more challenge can walk through the Hollentalklamm to the Alpspitzbahn (6 hours or more), and then take the bahn back down.

Before buying tickets to either the cable cars or the cogwheel train, be sure to check out group, family, and combination rates to avoid wasting money.

Außerfernbahn
It is a romantic train ride between Garmisch and Kempten (via Reutte in Austria) through picturesque Alpine valleys and cute towns. Bayern Ticket is valid along the entire route. You can access the Neuschwanstein Castle, at Füssen from the station Ulrichsbrücke-Füssen (a request stop, change in Reutte). It takes about an hour to walk from this stop to Füssen. It takes about 1,5 hours to access Neuschwanstein Castle. Lindau, at Lake Constance (Bodensee), is around 1 hr 15 min from Kempten by regional trains.

Zugspitze

 * Zugspitz-Zahnradbahn from Partenkirchen to Zugspitzplatt and with the Seilbahn to Zugspitze. Ticket: Zugspitz-Rundreise: €50, young people 16-18 years: €35, children 6-15 yr: €29, family with 1 child: €109, 2 children: €118, 3 children: €127 (summer 2013). Bayernticket valid until station Grainau.

Alpine sports
Garmisch-Partenkirchen boasts some of the best skiing in Germany. Located at the base of the country's tallest mountain, year round glacial snow is guaranteed. The "Happy Ski Pass" can be purchased for use of four ski areas in that area in both Austria and Germany: Seefeld, Mittenwald, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the region "Tiroler Zugspitz Arena". The pass starts at €88 and offers 3 to 21 days of skiing, 4 of 6 days and 5 of 10.

Lodge am Hausberg adjacent to the big parking lot at Garmisch-Hausbergbahn station is a US Military Forces bar, and requires SOFA ID or equivalent to enter.

Sleep
Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a wide variety of lodging. If you want to camp, stay at the youth hostel, a bed and breakfast or a 4-star hotel, you can find it all. The tourist information Am Kurpark is open 7 days a week and can help you find a room.

Go next

 * Mittenwald
 * Oberammergau
 * Lermoos — ski resort over the border with Austria that can easily be reached by a direct train connection.
 * Murnau
 * Füssen — the amazing Neuschwanstein Castle which seems to come right from a fairy tale.
 * Innsbruck

title: Garmisch-Partenkirchen


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Garner State Park

Garner State Park is in the Hill Country River Region of Texas.

Flora and fauna
Less common animals include raccoons, skunks, and armadillos.
 * Deer of the White-tailed and Axis varieties.
 * Squirrels of the Fox and Black Rocks varieties.
 * Local birds include Eastern Bluebirds, Golden-cheeked Warblers, the Rio Grande Turkey, and the Morning Dove.

Get in
The park is north of Uvalde off of US 83 at FM 1050.

Do

 * Biking - There are many paved trails throughout the park which are good for biking. Bicycle rentals are available at the park store.
 * Dance - On long summer evenings, young people flock to Garner Pavilion for a nightly jukebox dance, a tradition dating back to the 1940s. Nightly sunset to 11PM.
 * Kayaks and paddle boats can be rented at the dam for $6 an hour. Mid-March to Labor Day weekend.
 * Putt-putt - There is an 18-hole course next to the pavilion.
 * Tubing - Innertube rentals are available at the store for $6/day with a $10 deposit. A shuttle is available to take you upstream so you can float back down into the park.

Lodging
A limited number of cabins are available. Inquire at the visitor's center.

title: Garner State Park


text:
Garni

Garni is a village in the Kotayk Province of Central Armenia. Most visitors come on day trips from Yerevan to see Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery, but the area deserves a longer stay.

Understand
Garni is rich in history. The area was first occupied in the 3rd millennium BC along easily defensible terrain at one of the bends of the Azat River. In the 8th century BC the area was conquered by the Urartian King Argishti I. The fortification at Garni was erected probably sometime in the 3rd century BC as a summer residence for the Armenian Orontid and Artaxiad royal dynasties. Later around the 1st century BC the fortress of Garni became the last refuge of King Mithridates of Armenia, where he and his family were assassinated by his son-in-law and nephew Rhadamistus. The fortress was sacked in 1386 by Timur Lenk. In 1679 an earthquake devastated the area destroying the temple.

Much of the population today descends from people settled in the population exchange of 1829–1830, following the Treaty of Turkmenchay between Russia and Persia.

By marshrutka
Marshrutkas number #266 are the standard way to reach Garni, but they're not the fastest or the most comfortable option. They run from Yerevan's Gai Bus Station (in reality a park and you will fin the bus in the middle of the park) every 30 mins or so, cost 500 dram. (See Yerevan for directions to Gai Bus Station.) The route is east to Garni, where the is in town centre, and onward to Goght and Geghard Temple.

You can also go the whole way to Goght, which is also 500 dram. Another 500 and they will even bring you up to the Geghard monastery if there are other tourists on board and depending on your bargaining skills. Otherwise it is just 3-4 km each between Garni, Goght and Geghard, which you might just walk or hitch are ride.

Generally, you are better off, first going to Geghard, and from there working you way back to Garni and all its sights. A taxi from Goght to Geghard, and then to Garni should not be more than 2000-2500 including waiting at Geghard. It is just 15 km.

By taxi
Taxis are the quickest way to reach Garni, Goght or Geghard (+/-17 km). The one-way fare from Yerevan will be about 2,000-3,000 dram.

Get around
Unless you are in a hurry, walking is the best way to see Garni. If you need to know where to find something, almost any of the residents will be willing to point you in the right direction or even walk you there.

Khosrov Reserve
It's a national park located directly across from Garni. It is a noted area in the Caucasus region for unique European and Asian flora and fauna; and is located at an altitude of 1600-2300 m above sea level. To get there you may take a taxi or walk down the road that crosses the river and goes up the ridge across the gorge from Garni and Goght. You must obtain permission to enter the reserve, it can be acquired at the Garni's Information center or at the forest guards' kiosk located on the trail leading to Havuts Tar Monastery (after passing 11th-century footbridge). Some additional info about reserve can be found at reserve's official web site.

Do

 * Hiking – There exist extensive hiking opportunities around Garni with waterfalls, churches and spectecular mountains.
 * Horseback riding or camping at the Khosrov Reserve.
 * It's possible to do a simple 2-hour return hike from Garni temple. First, descend from the temple to the river, follow it for 2-3 km till the 11th-century footbridge, then start ascending to the Garni village. Passing through the village you'll be able to see Mashtots Hayrapet and Surb Astvatsatsin churches.

Buy
Because the economy of the village is based predominantly on tourism, many "tourist" stands may be seen near Garni Temple and the main roads. Some good foods may be bought from villagers trying to make a living.

 * Walnuts - The quality of walnuts vary from each part of Armenia. Garni has good tasting walnuts.
 * Garni Village Gata - Specific to certain towns or villages in each region, this sweetbread is especially delicious from here.

Sleep
Given the proximity of Yerevan, most of the visitors stay in the capital.

Connect
All three mobile operators have a decent 3G coverage in the area.

However, there was no WiFi spotted in local restaurants (2015), although some hotels might have WiFi available.

Go next

 * Yerevan — Armenia's capital and the center of modern Armenian life

title: Garni


text:
Garopaba

Garopaba is a town on the South coast of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Before being discovered by tourists, Garopaba was a small fishing village. During the 1970s, foreigners carrying backpacks and tents discovered this then small fishermen village, and started to lend the city a different air and color. This kicked off changes that led to what today is a city that thanks to an adequate urban land legislation, still keeps the old characteristics of the original village, with one and two-story houses.

Climate is moderate and humid, without a dry season. Summer is hot, with average annual temperature of 18ºC, but reaching peak temperatures close to 40ºC. Winter is mild, with average temperatures of 10ºC.

By car

 * For those coming from the north, take the BR-101 to the south, to the kilometer 272, bending left, access to Araçatuba (there are signposts), and entering the SC 434, continuing for 14 km to the entrance to the city.
 * Coming from the south, take the same road, turning right at km 272, continuing the SC 434.

By plane

 * Closest airport is in Florianopolis, and then by bus (there are several a day) until Garopaba.

Do
Blessed by nature with beauty, the city is ideal for eco tourism and the practice of sports such as: surfing, windsurfing, hang gliding, paragliding, trekking and enduro. For those who appreciate lively parties and lively people, there is some fancy meeting "points" along Ferrugem beach.

title: Garopaba


text:
Garoua

Garoua is a port city lying on the Benue River in Northern Cameroon. Third biggest city in Cameroon.

Sleep
Two hotels close to the centre:

title: Garoua


text:
Garrett County

Garrett County is in Western Maryland. It is the westernmost county in Maryland and a scenic area with a large amount of state park/forest land.

Cities

 * - county seat
 * - county seat
 * - county seat
 * - county seat
 * - county seat

Get in

 * I-68E from Morgantown, WV & Preston County, WV.
 * I-68W from Cumberland, MD (Allegany County).

Do

 * Fishing, hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting

State parks, forests, & rivers

 * Casselman River Bridge State Park, Grantsville
 * New Germany State Park, Grantsville
 * Savage River State Forest, Grantsville
 * Herrington Manor State Park, Oakland
 * Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland
 * Big Run State Park, Swanton
 * Deep Creek Lake State Park and Natural Resources Management Area, Swanton
 * Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River, Swanton

Resorts

 * Wisp Resort, McHenry - skiing here
 * Deep Creek Lake Resort, Swanton

Whitewater rafting

 * Crabtree Creek (Swanton): 6 mi., class III-IV+,
 * Top Youghiogheny (Oakland): 3 mi., class IV-V,
 * Upper Youghiogheny (Friendsville): 9.9 mi., class IV-V,

Learn

 * Garrett College (McHenry)
 * county hospital in Oakland has various low-cost health classes & workshops

Stay safe

 * Garrett County Memorial Hospital (Oakland)
 * 251 N. 4th St.; Oakland, MD; 21550-1375; 1-301-533-4000 (dial 911 for emergencies); website
 * Garrett County Sheriff's Office (Oakland)
 * 311 E. Alder Street; Oakland, MD 21550; 1-301-334-1911 (dial 911 for emergencies); 1-301-334-8852 (fax); website

Go next

 * by car: Interstate 68 (Friendsville, Grantsville)
 * by plane: Garrett County Airport (Accident)
 * 771 Airport Rd.; Accident, MD 21520; 1-301-746-8599; 1-301-746-7026 (fax); [mailto:airport2g4@garrettcounty.org e-mail]; website

title: Garrett County


text:
Garrettsville

Garrettsville is a village in Portage County in Northeast Ohio.

By car
SR 82 and SR88 pass through Garrettsville.

Get around
The Headwaters Trail is a crushed limestone hike and bike trail that runs from Garrettsville to Mantua which starts near the old "Paul's Do It Center", or at the Village Park near the library. The ride to Mantua is about 6 miles.

Go next

 * Cleveland
 * Kent

title: Garrettsville


text:
Garrison (North Dakota)

Garrison is a town of 1,500 people (2018) in the Lakes and Gardens region of North Dakota.

By car
From Interstate 94 in Bismarck, take US 83 north about 70 miles, then west on ND 37/1804 approximately 3 miles.

From US 2 or 52 in Minot, take US 83 south about 40 miles, then west on ND 37/1804.

By bus

 * Souris Basin Transportation,, offers departures to Minot every first Monday of the month, and departures to Bismarck every third Monday of the month. Call before 4PM Central Time the day before.
 * New Town Bus Lines,, provides service between Minot and Bismarck every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays. The bus will not stop in Garrison without prior reservations.

By train

 * Amtrak serves Minot with its Empire Builder line.
 * The Dakota, Missouri Valley, and Western Railroad provides freight rail service on a line between Max and Bismarck.

By plane

 * Garrison Municipal Airport, . Operated by the city of Garrison for civil aviation.
 * Minot International Airport in Minot is served by Delta Air Lines.
 * Bismarck Municipal Airport in Bismarck is served by Delta, United, and Allegiant Air.

Get around

 * Souris Basin Transportation,, offers local dial-a-ride service. Call before 4PM Central Time the day before.

title: Garrison (North Dakota)


text:
Garut

Garut is a town in the Parahyangan mountain region of Western Java, Indonesia. It's located within Garut Regency.

Understand
In colonial times, Garut was known as 'the Switzerland of Java'. The town is surrounded by various mountains, including the Mount Galunggung volcano in the east, Mount Guntur volcano in the west, and Mount Cikurai volcano (over 2,800 metres high) in the south.

Garut is the capital of Garut regency, which stretches from near Sumedang in the north to the Indian Ocean coast in the south.

By car
Garut is about halfway between the cities of Bandung and Tasikmalaya. To get to Garut from Bandung, you will need to take the road over the Nagreg mountain pass. The journey takes about 2 hours if traffic conditions are good. However, serious traffic congestion is common on the mountain pass road.

By bus
On the northern side of the city, Garut's serves a wide range of local, regional, and intercity buses. There are frequent buses from several bus terminals in Jakarta. For example, there are Primajasa buses from Lebak Bulus terminal in South Jakarta from 05:00-21:00 every half hour (Rp52,000). The journey from Jakarta usually takes about 5 hours, but this heavily depends on traffic conditions.

Regular buses also depart from Cicaheum terminal in East Bandung. In addition, to travel from Bandung to Garut, you may opt to wait at the bus stop near the toll gate in Cileunyi (east of Bandung), because all buses from Jakarta and several other destinations pass here on the way to Garut.

By train
The serves one economy class train per day to and from Jakarta through Bandung and a local train to Purwakarta. The line to Garut is a branch line, and the nearest railway station on the Bandung-Yogyakarta mainline is, about 20 km north of the city. Cibatu station serves a few economy class trains per day to the west (to Bandung) and a few to the east (to Central or East Java).

Get around
Most places in the city of Garut and surrounding areas can be reached by angkot (public minivan). Another option is a traditional andong (horse carriage). To get to more remote places, you will need to hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi).

See
Most of the tourist attractions of Garut are not in the city, but in the surrounding area.

Buy
The most famous type of food from Garut is the dodol snack, a sticky sweet made of coconut milk, jaggery, and sticky rice flour. There are various types of dodol Garut, such as dodol with sesame seeds or nuts, or with fruit such as pineapple, jackfruit, or durian. Dodol is sold by street vendors throughout Garut (both the city and the wider regency). Another thing that is quite famous from Garut is leather products. You can find shoes, jackets, wallets, etc., made of leather in several shops in Sukaregang street.

Eat
Sundanese cuisine is ubiquitous, in restaurants and hotels, as well as in roadside stalls. Examples of popular roadside snacks include nanas goreng (fried pineapples), fried cassava, boiled salted peanuts, and bakwan sayur (vegetable fritters). Apart from that, dodol Garut (as mentioned above in the 'Buy' section) can be found in many places.

Go next

 * Tasikmalaya — larger city to the east, with a wide range of restaurants.
 * Bandung — the provincial capital, and economic and cultural centre.

title: Garut


text:
Gary

Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the legendary pop star Michael Jackson.

Founded in 1906 as a company town for U.S. Steel, it thrived in the 1950s and early 60s and earned the nickname "The Magic City". In 2007, it was described by writer Jessica Hopper as "the Pompeii of the Midwest, a city of ruins where life can seem to have just suddenly stopped".

Understand
Gary is both famous and infamous. It's the "just one place that can light my face" and "home sweet home" effusively described in the song of the same name from the 1957 musical The Music Man. It's the childhood home of Janet, Michael, Tito, Jermaine, and the rest of the Jackson family. It's also home to an unattractive and often industrial-smelling stretch of highway east of Chicago, and has repeatedly ranked first in the nation among large cities for homicides per capita.

When designing the city, the U.S. Steel Corporation bragged that its engineers "took for their guidance the motto that hangs in the office of the big company's chief executive, "It can be done," and made Gary at least an attractive, if not a beautiful, residential town," and posited Gary as evidence that "management has always shown its realization of the fact that "not by bread alone does man live"; that the mere paying of employees a living wage is not sufficient, and that even the least educated worker has an aesthetic sense, even though often uncultivated, that should be developed and pandered to within reasonable limits if the best good of the worker and the employer is to be achieved." As U.S. Steel began to struggle in the late 1960s, the city's economy followed, and it has yet to recover.

Two casinos, legalized in Gary out of sheer desperation, make it a destination for gamblers on short trips and locals on pay-day. Its crumbling architectural heritage also makes it a favorite—and dangerous—destination for urban exploration.

By plane
The nearest airport for regular commercial flights to Gary is Chicago Midway International Airport, northwest of Gary via I-90 and W 59th St (Exit #58A). Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier here. Midway is more compact, less crowded, has fewer delays, and usually cheaper and closer than Chicago O'Hare International Airport which is away.

By train
The Chicago/South Shore Line has two stops in Gary, with departures at least every two hours. and, the latter one is near downtown. Tickets vary depending on how far you are traveling.

The nearest Amtrak stations are 10 miles (16 km) away in Dyer and Hammond.

By car
Take the Indiana Toll Road from Illinois ($3 from Chicago) or Ohio to exit 14A (Gary West) or exit 17 (Gary East). Exit 17 intersects with Interstate 65 and U.S. Routes 12 & 20.

By bus

By boat
Lake Michigan and the Grand Calumet River are nearby.

Get around
There is a limited local bus service. The depot is two blocks west of the baseball stadium, and it's quite easy to walk around the four-five blocks of downtown Gary (including the City Methodist Church ruins). However, while visiting Gary, use of a car is strongly advised, both due to limited transport, and relatively high levels of violent crime (even downtown, at night).

Architecture
Gary was a thriving city in the 1950s and early 60s, and it has the architecture to prove it — intact or otherwise.

The Ingwald Moe House and The Wilbur Wynant House were designed by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1910 and 1916, respectively. The Wynant House was destroyed by fire in 2006.

For more Prairie-school action, head to Marquette Park for the Marquette Park Pavilion and the Gary/Chanute Aquatorium, designed by George Maher in 1922 as the Gary Beach & Bathing House. An aquatorium is a place where one can view — not swim in — water, so don't show up in your bathing suit. There's a major display dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen.

The old Gary Post Office is missing a few things, most notably the US Postal Service and a roof, but it's still there; built in 1936, the interior is now off-limits, but fans of tree-in-building shots who can't make it all the way to Angkor can catch a glimpse of several saplings behind the teller windows.

The Gary Memorial Auditorium and the City Methodist Church are former city landmarks, in ruins after the Great Gary Arson of 1997. The latter is something of an Urbex mecca, and well worth a visit if you're willing to brave it. Don't let the barbed wire fence fool you, there are two wide open entrances on Washington, no "no trespassing" signs, and, happily, a parking lot opposite the building! The stairs are well-tested and safe enough, although the upper levels are not interesting compared to the amazing theater & main room on the first. Be sure to look for the last of the church's grand fireplaces in between the theater and main church — it's the last, as the rest have been stolen by enterprising, and quite undoubtedly strong, thieves.
 * Palace Theater, 791 Broadway. Behind the marquee it's just a slowly disintegrating shell.
 * Palace Theater, 791 Broadway. Behind the marquee it's just a slowly disintegrating shell.
 * Palace Theater, 791 Broadway. Behind the marquee it's just a slowly disintegrating shell.

The Gary Mural Project redecorates boarded-up storefronts along Broadway.

Others

 * The Gary Children's Museum (273 Cleveland St; +1 219 882-7061) is in town.
 * The West Side Theater
 * The Morning Bishop Theater Playhouse
 * Jackson family home 2300 Jackson St.

Do

 * Marquette Park is a beloved outdoors area, and is really quite beautiful (especially Marquette Aquatorium listed above). The beach is by far the nicest west of the Indiana Dunes National Park's West Beach, and is a fine place for a dip during the day. A stroll through around the lagoon and its pretty bridges west of the Aquatorium is also a nice way to kill some time.
 * Marquette Park is a beloved outdoors area, and is really quite beautiful (especially Marquette Aquatorium listed above). The beach is by far the nicest west of the Indiana Dunes National Park's West Beach, and is a fine place for a dip during the day. A stroll through around the lagoon and its pretty bridges west of the Aquatorium is also a nice way to kill some time.

Learn

 * Indiana University Northwest has a campus in Gary, with about 5,000 students.
 * Ivy Tech Community College is also in the area.

Buy
The city is not widely renowned as a shopping destination, and with good reason. There's little to buy here that you couldn't buy elsewhere, and most (budget) shops are in strip malls outside the city center. Gary is, however, perhaps ground zero for Michael Jackson and Jackson Five memorabilia. An easy (and, it must be said, cheesy) spot to pick up the goods is the small indoor marketplace at 487 Broadway, which also boasts a good collection of over the top celebratory Obama tees.

 * The Market City Flea Market (4121 Cleveland St., +1 219 887-3522) is open F-Su 9AM-5PM.

Eat

Gary is extremely short on sit-down eateries. Take out is much easier to find if you have a car—look in and around the run down strip malls along 5th Ave outside of the city center. Lake St, on the way from the city proper to Marquette Park, has about two blocks that look incongruously charming, and there you'll have no trouble getting a slice of pizza.

Drink
There are bars and lounges all over Gary. The trouble is, they're all shuttered, having closed or burned down in years gone by.

Sleep
You'll probably want to day-trip from Chicago, which is about 45 minutes away; Hammond (about 20 minutes) has some reasonably non-decrepit discount options.

Stay safe
As mentioned above, Gary has repeatedly ranked first in the United States for murder rates per capita, so take care. Due to the economic depression, many businesses close in the evening, so call ahead to confirm that wherever you're going is still open, and don't set out at night without a destination in mind. If you're tempted to do some urban exploration, bear in mind that the poverty of the city means that much more potential danger from people squatting in abandoned properties. Make sure someone knows where you're going, and check in with them as you go.

Go next

 * The Indiana Dunes are a short drive away.

title: Gary


text:
Garzê

 * For the region, see Ganzi (prefecture).

Ganzi (དཀར་མཛེས་ Garzê; 甘孜: Gānzī), is the capital of Ganzi county in Sichuan Province in south-west China.

Understand
It is an important city in what is still seen by the indigenous Tibetan population as the historical region of Kham. Ganzi is in a large valley with grassy hills at an elevation of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), tucked north-east of the gorgeous snow-peaked mountains of the Gongga Shan range. Tibetan culture is abundant and vibrant here, and the friendly people won't let you go by without offering you the Tibetan greeting 'Tashi Dele'! The town is set along the main road passing from east to west towards Dege or Kangding (which is to the south). Visitors are unheard-of in the cold winter months, but if you come then, you would be the guest of the entire town!

Get in
Buses from Kangding leave for Ganzi at 06:00 for around ¥120. The ride takes 12–14 hours, depending on the condition of your bus and or the number of times it breaks down. The road is relatively good: it's bumpy, but it's 95% sealed (spring 2017). Try not to book a seat in the back of the bus, especially on smaller buses, as you'll be thrown around violently by the bumps through much of the trip. Masks may be advisable if people are smoking on the bus; but this seems less common than has been reported.

Public bus
The bus station is in the center of town just south of the main road. You can hire a private van/car too.

Get around
The main street is Chuanzang Road (川藏路). You can easily visit the town on foot. For longer distances, you can use taxis. The fare should not exceed ¥6 to any place in town.

See

 * Garze Monastery. A short walk north along the river dividing the town or the street running parallel to the west leads you to the Tibetan quarter of the town, which lays at the foot of the monastery. Follow the narrow paths between the houses to reach the site. Look out for little chapels containing giant prayer wheels circambulated by devotees on the way. Though being the most important of its likes in the Ganzi region and being more than 540 years old, Garze Monastery is not as spectacular as other monasteries in Kham, since the greater parts of its temples had been rebuilt using Han-Chinese-style white-tile facades and plastic-pane windows. Still the views over the valley from its terraces and the maze of the approach through the old Tibetan quarter plus gaudy mix of Tibetan and Chinese architecture make it well worth a visit.

 * (Information as of 20 June 2005)

 * Den Gompa is much smaller but the structures are supposed to be more traditional. It's in the southern part of Ganzi.
 * Dontok Gompa and Dingkhor Chörten make up for a nice half-hour walk across a suspended bridge over the Yalong Jiang. To reach there, head south from the bus station and follow the right path after crossing the bridge. The complex is under construction but has distinctive features to its buildings, including vertical white, grey and crimson stripes on the walls surrounding the houses. The friendly monks will show you around the place.
 * There is a new Chörten built on a small hill on the eastern edge of town. The adjacent temple houses a Buddhist library. Although the building itself does not bear that ancient flair you might be looking for, its a nice place to catch views over the valley and the city.

Do
There is a vegetable market in the center of the newer part of town, some bazaar style shopping (but prices are generally higher than for the same goods in chengdu)

Locals will take a great interest in western travelers and monks near the monastery might invite you in for tea

Buy
Small shops downtown provide typical Tibetan clothing and jewelry and accessories bought by the herdsmen and nomads frequenting the town. Look out for stores selling antiques. On the road leading north from the bus station, you'll find several shops catering for monk's outfits and religious artifacts, as well as selling the beautiful curtains adorning windows and doors in that region, there are also stores selling decorative pots and kettles. There are even shops selling traditional Tibetan hand-carved furniture which is made locally.

Supermarkets on main-street sell food and toiletries, you can also buy bottles of beer and decent Chinese wine to make up your own nightlife.

Eat
Plenty of small restaurants are to be found on the road next to the bus station.

Drink
There is not much nightlife in town. To have a beer, visit a restaurant.

Budget

 * Chengxin Binguan - Just across the street and south from the bus station at No. 27. With friendly and tidy doubles or triples. Room rates are negotiable but are listed as ranging from ¥70-150. Some rooms have en suite bathrooms, while the condition of the shared bathrooms varies. Using the shared showers is an extra ¥10. In winter, there is no running water in this hotel.
 * Snowland Hotel - Just when you enter Garze from the east, you will cross two petrol stations (on your left and right). Turn right afterwards and 50 m up the street and you will see the hotel on the right. Doubles with bathroom (hot shower, squat) are ¥100, without bathroom ¥50. Internet via ethernet-cable. (March 2017)
 * Snowland Hotel - Just when you enter Garze from the east, you will cross two petrol stations (on your left and right). Turn right afterwards and 50 m up the street and you will see the hotel on the right. Doubles with bathroom (hot shower, squat) are ¥100, without bathroom ¥50. Internet via ethernet-cable. (March 2017)

For those looking to avoid the high foreigner charges mentioned below, walk one street east of the bus station on Chuangzang Rd to the corner on the south (right) side of the street. There are a bunch of locals hanging out there (as of May 2017) who will approach you for an unofficial bed or room in the nearby buildings (usually by making the hands-pressed-together-to-head 'sleeping sign'). Beds offered at ¥30, or bare-bones rooms with attached bathroom (hot water) but no Wi-Fi for ¥60.

Mid-range

 * Golden Yak Hotel is inside the bus station compound. A bed in a dorm, and doubles with bathroom, that has low water pressure, go for ¥150. More luxurious accommodation offering en suite bathrooms and western style toilets is also available. The hotel also has a restaurant and tea room. Power and water is iffy in winter months. Bring a flashlight and sleeping bag. No heat. This seems to be a citywide policy as the few hotels licensed for foreigners in the town all rent at the same rate. Customer service at the Golden Yak was dour and unfriendly and the showers did not work, even in summer.

Stay safe
Beware of altitude sickness if traveling here straight from the Sichuan lowlands. As in most of West Sichuan and other Tibetan regions stray dogs are common and totally unpredictable. Throwing rocks is your best bet, if you have to time to react. Wearing study boots and thick pants and socks are another way to protect yourself from injures. The area gets a lot of sunshine due to its high location in a long broad valley and temperatures change a lot during the day. Sunglasses and sunblock are a must.

There have been isolated protests against Chinese rule calling for the return of the Dali Lama including violence towards locals on behalf of the authorities and vice versa. There is a very large Chinese military and police presence in the city. Being sympathetic to the local cause is one thing but bear in mind you are putting locals and not yourself at risk. Best to stay neutral and change the topic.

Internet
There is an Internet place with decent connection speed (though no printer). It may rank as the biggest smoke den in all of China. Walk to the road bridge crossing the river in the middle of town and follow the stream north (away from the big river towards the monastery). After 300 m, you will pass a pedestrian bridge on your right hand side. Shortly after that, there is a small concrete 'picnic' sitting area on the right. The entrance to the second floor Internet cafe is up the private looking staircase just opposite that place. There are no signs advertising the service, so if in doubt just ask the neighborhood.

It appears there may be restrictions on using the internet, though I'm not sure.

Visa extension
Although some online discussions suggest otherwise, as of 27 May 2011, it is not possible to extend a Chinese visa in Ganzi. Reportedly, the nearest locations for visas are Kangding and Xinning.

Money
The Agricultural Bank of China has an ATM that accepts foreign bank and credit cards.

Laundry
There are small laundry shops located at numbers 223, 239 and 239 on the main strip, Changzang Road, that will wash clothes. They are easily identified by the clothes hanging from the ceiling. It generally costs ¥2-5 per article/pair of clothing and you can pick up your clothes the next day. If you're in a hurry the clothes can be dropped off in the afternoon and picked up in the evening, but they will still be moist.

title: Garzê


text:
Gascoyne

Gascoyne is one of the nine administrative regions of Western Australia. It's hot, dry and sparsely populated, with only 9277 residents in 2019 over its 135,000 sq km - half of them in Carnarvon the main town. It has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean: the Mid West  region lies south and east, and Pilbara lies north and east. Tourism is its main industry, with Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay the big draws.

Towns

 * is an interesting "real town" rather than a resort.
 * is the tiny place you come to for Kennedy Range National Park.
 * is a small resort with a tranquil coral-studded lagoon.
 * has great snorkelling and scuba-diving.

Other destinations

 *  Ningaloo Reef is 260 km long so it flanks the entire coast. Its south end is far from shore, but north it lies close and creates coral-filled lagoons. The main visitor access is from Coral Bay, Cape Range National Park and Exmouth.
 * were used 1908-1909 to incarcerate Aboriginals thought to have venereal disease: men on Bernier, women and children on Dorre. The islands are now a nature reserve.
 * is accessed from Exmouth.
 * is an eroded mesa 150 km east of Carnarvon. It's arid except when spring rains bring out the wild flowers.
 * is a national park 500 km east of Carnarvon.
 * is a rugged coastline with surfing and fishing.
 * is a land and marine park visited from Denham or Monkey Mia.

Understand
The Aboriginal people of this region had five language groups: the Yinggarda, Baiyungu, Malgana, Thadgari and Thalanyji. There was little European interest in the area because of the poor coastline, dry interior and lack of mineral wealth, yet it saw one of their earliest footfalls when Dirk Hartog landed in 1616 on the island now named for him. He stayed long enough to affix a pewter plate inscribed with his senior crew's names, dub the continent "Eendrachtsland", then get the hell out of this unpromising spot. In 1772 the French also landed on the island and claimed all of Western Australia, but failed to let the Yinggarda and others know they were now the loyal subjects of Louis XV.

The British dominated subsequent exploration and settlement, eyeing the local pearls. In 1839 they named the Gascoyne river for Captain John Gascoyne RN, a missionary, and son of Bamber Gascoyne a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, the sort of fellow you wanted to keep in with. (The TV presenter Bamber Gascoigne (1935-2022) was his direct descendant.) This river only visibly flows for four months of the year, but seeps continuously underground through the sandstone and limestone aquifer. You wouldn't have to drill down very far to furnish your farm with a water supply. So although the region is not as pastoral as further south, it's suitable for sheep and cattle at low density, gnawing the scrub. By the end of the 19th century Gascoyne was parcelled into sheep-ranges, and the port of Carnarvon sprang up. That town maybe had a lucky escape, being named for the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, better known to his chums as "Twitters".

The settlers' problem was always transport, as the coast lacks natural harbours, and the sea is too shallow for large vessels to get in. The "One Mile Jetty" was built at Carnarvon to export livestock and wool. It was only in 1944 that a road connected from Perth, just a dirt track until it was sealed in the 1960s. This made possible long-distance trucking, and an outlet to market for small-scale fishing, fruit and veg growing, mining and quarrying that weren't previously viable. It also brought in tourists, lots and lots of tourists, to enjoy Gascoyne's corals, water sports and marine life.

Get in
There are flights from Perth daily by Rex Air to Shark Bay and Carnarvon, and by Qantas to Exmouth (with transfers to Coral Bay). You have to double back via Perth to fly to northern cities such as Broome.

Integrity Coaches run from Perth three times a week via Jurien Bay, Dongara, Geraldton (7 h 30 min), Carnarvon (13 hr), Coral Bay (16 hr) and Exmouth (19 hr) and onward to Port Hedland and Broome. For Shark Bay the highway drop-off is 130 km from the resort. Another weekly service runs far inland via Mount Magnet to Port Hedland. TransWA buses don't run beyond Geraldton.

By road the choice coming out of Perth is the inland Highway 1 or the coastal Highway 60 (scenic but short of filling stations); these join at Dongara. Reckon at least a day but likely two for Geraldton, and two or three for Exmouth. The buses do it quicker as they have changing shifts of drivers and don't want to see any sights along the way.

Get around
You need a car. If you didn't rent from Perth you can do so in Geraldton, Carnarvon or Exmouth. The rental offices for these are downtown but you can pick-up / drop-off at the airport if pre-booked.

Fees for national parks are standard: a day pass in 2022 is $15 for a vehicle with up to 12 occupants, pay cash or by card. Passes are also available for 5 or 14 days, one month and one year. There's no charge if you enter by bicycle or on foot, but the distances under a hot sun are formidable.

See

 * Ningaloo Reef lies a short way offshore from  Exmouth and Coral Bay.
 * OTC Dish in Carnarvon tracked the Gemini and Apollo space missions and is now a museum.
 * Mount Augustus rises abruptly to 1106 m / 3629 ft from the surrounding plain. It's an "inselberg" - a chunk of hard-wearing rock from which the surrounds have eroded away. The hike to the top is five hours round trip, and best not attempted at the height of summer. The area is sacred to the Wadjari people, who call it Burringurrah for a legendary boy who was speared and turned into a rock, and their rock carvings can be viewed from the trails.
 * Gassy Dash is an off-road motor rally held in March / April along the dried up bed of the Gascoyne River. The races are based at Gascoyne Junction, but for spectators Carnarvon has more amenities.

Do

 * Diving: the best is on Ningaloo Reef, a short boat ride from Coral Bay or from Exmouth, which also has the Navy Pier dive.
 * Snorkelling in many spots but in Shark Bay and Monkey Mia it's the main recreation, as their waters are too shallow for diving, and too warm and saline for corals.
 * Surfing is mostly to the south, around Quobba, Red Bluff and Gnarlaroo, where the reef lies far offshore and the ocean breakers roar in unchecked.

Eat

 * The towns have a selection of restaurants and cafes - sea-food is the main offering.
 * You need to be completely self-sufficient in food and drink in the remote areas such as Gnarlaroo.

Drink

 * Always have enough water inside you and within reach, but don't overhydrate.
 * Most cafes and restaurants serve alcohol.
 * Exmouth has a couple of microbreweries. Gin is produced on Dirk Hartog Island and may be on sale on the mainland. This climate is too hot and dry for vineyards.

Stay safe

 * Traffic: watch your speed, beware driver fatigue on the endless highways, try to avoid driving at night, overtaking is best kept for designated overtaking lanes, remember Australia has a near-zero alcohol limit for drivers, and avoid dirt roads in bad weather.
 * Remember sun protection and water sports safety. Don't head out into the bush without seeking local advice: there is no mobile signal if you break down.

Go next

 * Pilbara is the arid region northeast as the coast turns the corner. Port Hedland and Karratha are grubby industrial ports, shipping out iron ore. Top sight is Karinji National Park inland.
 * Mid West is the more pastoral region south, with Geraldton its agreeable main town.

title: Gascoyne