text:
Moshi

Moshi is a municipality in Northeast Tanzania, the mountain region of Tanzania.

Understand
Moshi is home to three main cultural groups: the Chagga, the Maasai and Pare. However, most Maasai are employed as watchmen or are selling traditional medicines, and their homeland is further north. The Pare are from the Pare Mountains from about 50 km on the way to Dar es Salaam.

Talk
Usually you will be able to find people with a decent command of English, but people appreciate it if you are able to use a bit of the native language, Swahili.

Get in
To get into Tanzania you must have a visa. This can be done in your home country by finding an embassy or consulate, or when you arrive in the airport or at a border crossing.

Don't over-economise on bus travel, since the cheaper companies often don't have very high safety standards, and you don't want to risk having a drunk driver. This is a very serious warning!

By plane

 * Kilimanjaro International Airport is approx 30 min from Moshi and taxis and buses are available from each. An approximate cost would be TSh 60,000, though this all depends on your bargaining skills! Flights come from various non-domestic destinations, and this is how most tourists arrive. Direct flights from Amsterdam daily and direct from Doha (Qatar)
 * Flying to Dar es Salaam is also an option. A little bit farther from Moshi than Kili Airport, but it will almost certainly be cheaper. You'll need to catch a bus from Dar to Moshi--probably about 7 hours.
 * Flying into Nairobi, Kenya is significantly less expensive than Kilimanjaro, however you will need a Kenyan transit visa (available on arrival) and it is an 8-hour bus ride to Moshi (about US$20 for a single trip).

By bus
Buses arrive in Moshi from all of the main cities in Tanzania, and this is the cheapest way to travel. Dar Express and Kilimanjaro bus lines run from Dar es Salaam to Moshi (and beyond/vice versa) at a cost of TSh 20,000 one way and takes around 8 hours. Hood and Abood go to Morogoro for TSh 13,000. Buses also go to Arusha, Mwanza, Tanga, Mbeya, Dodoma and Nairobi. All prices are worth bargaining for — locals will get massively lower prices! The bus station is extremely chaotic, however this can be used to your advantage as it means many drivers are vying for your fare.

By train
Twice-weekly passenger trains started running from Dar es Salaam in late 2019. While faster and more comfortable then buses, delays and cancellations have plagued the Tanzanian rail network for years. Make sure to check at the a railway station if the train is running.

There are is a passenger trains from Moshi to/from Arusha 86 kms by rail. two hours 4 times a week. .

Get around
No need to do anything other than walk within the city, though it is strongly advised not to walk around at night, for your own safety.

There are plenty of taxis. As always, negotiate a price before getting in (most fares shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars). It's a good idea to get the mobile phone number of one for emergencies. Always agree a price before you get in the car.

Local transport around Kilimanjaro can be easy if you take local buses called "Daladalas". They are 16-seater minibuses which usually transport about 30 people and/or children and livestock at any given time. Daladalas can be used to go within Moshi or to the surrounding villages, for instance Machame and Marangu, and are very cheap (less than a dollar). Listen to the conductor shouting the destination as they drive past, and feel free to shout your destination to him. They sometimes have stickers in the front window stating where they go to. Local transport should cost TSh 500-3000. It's not recommended to travel by daladala or by taxi up muddy tracks if it's been raining very hard. It's also essential to check that the vehicle is in a reasonable state of repair and that the driver is sober.

Motorcyle taxis (Boda bodas) are numerous but are the most dangerous way to travel. Drivers are legally required to provide a helmet, just make sure that the strap is working. Some drivers are quite reckless and there have been reports of drivers taking passengers to remote areas to rob/rape.

To hire your own Land Cruiser and driver is around TSh 100,000 a day.

To hire your own motorcycle is around TSh 35,000 per day, or less if rented for a week or more.

See

 * The market can be fun to visit, even if you're not interested in buying anything.
 * There are many religious institutions, most notably the mosque near the center of town.
 * Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery opposite the Magistrate's Court.
 * Visit the former German administration office between Kilimanjaro Co-operative Bank and BP petrol station on Mawenzi Road/Nyerere Road. You can still see the metal pillar which was used for hanging convicted people.

There are several smaller communities outside of the main town of Moshi that are worth taking a look around.

 * Following Kibo Road north out of Moshi you will come to the YMCA and will be in Shantytown, which is an area of relative wealth. Several restaurants are located out here as well as a few hostels and hotels.
 * Following Station Road out of Moshi to the east you will be in Majengo, a significantly worse off area than main Moshi.
 * Following Boma Road out of town to the west you will be in Soweto, which has many more expensive homes and is also home base for a large European volunteer organization. There is the FalconCrest Hotel and Pub, as well as the Scorpion Pub for a night out. There is a good market near the Scorpion Pub.

Climbing and safaris
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the obvious reason for being in Moshi. Safari is also essential, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Arusha National Park are within a fairly easy distance. Tours can be arranged through several companies, and it is advisable to use common sense when finding a company. Your best bet is to ask other tourists who they used. Or, ask your accommodation for a referral to a safari company. Do not deal with a random person on the street; look for a real office! You can also book ahead of time but you will be spending a lot more. Otherwise, you can almost certainly bargain prices down, within reason.

When you pay for safari most of it goes to cover park fees, lodging, food and gas. The guide gets little money, especially when working for a large organization; most of their income is from tips. Also, if you are traveling with a cook it is a good rule of thumb to tip them as well or to incorporate their wages into the overall tip. For example, on a 3-day safari an estimated tip would be US$50 for each, though if you're traveling with more people this amount is to be divided amongst everyone and if traveling for an extended period of time it would be recommended to tip more. A well paid guide is a happy guide, who will try their hardest and give you the best experience.

Other activities

 * Cultural trips to Maasai villages are very worthwhile and informative, but be aware most of the villages are not authentic.
 * Hiring a Local Guide is a fantastic and inexpensive way to see the Moshi that you wouldn't see otherwise. Guides can be hired at virtually any hotel.
 * Day trips to Marangu Waterfalls are often fun, you can stand underneath the waterfall, even jump off one and go swimming. Day trips to Lake Nyumba ya Mungu can also be interesting, lots of local fishing culture, aloe vera plantations and sugar cane plantations. There is also a snake park and camel riding centre in nearby town Arusha. These can be arranged individually by taking a bus or organizing with a safari company. Also make sure that all employees at the safari-company you decide to go with get a good salary, it is better to pay more and be assured quick service with a possible car break down or other unforeseen situations.
 * Walking tours across the rice paddys make for a nice day and you can also visit the local forest to see some monkeys! These are usually arranged through a safari company but are significantly less expensive as you are only paying for a single guide.
 * Even if you aren't getting a bus, the bus station is worth visiting for its chaos. It is highly recommended to take a daladala just to be able to say you have, and no doubt you will have an adventure.
 * If wanting to just have a relaxing day in Moshi it is recommended to head to the Impala Hotel where you can relax by the lovely pool (in your bikini and whatnot without fear!) and also enjoy a meal pool side. The cost to hang out by the pool and to go swimming is TSh 3,000. Meals cost around TSh 5,000.
 * Another good place to go swimming is the YMCA located a bit north of town, and has a large, deep pool.
 * The Social Reality Tour is a 3 hours' walk with a social worker through deprived areas of Moshi, visiting people who are affected by HIV/AIDS. These individuals are happy that visitors are interested in them and the social worker can provide background information about the situation of HIV/AIDS in the region. You pay US$10 which will go 100% to support the HIV patients that you visit. The tour is an important income for the NGO KIWAKKUKI, allowing them to continue their home-based care program..

Volunteer activities
Moshi is also home to several volunteer organizations though they tend to be very overpriced and badly managed. However, there are many opportunities to volunteer in orphanages, schools and women's centers without being connected to these organizations.

Global Volunteer Programs Kilimanjaro(GVP)http://www.gvp-tanzania.org/Tel: +255 (0) 2727 54652 Mobile: +255 (0) 7543 91121, Email:f_masawe@hotmail.com. Global Volunteer Programs Kilimanjaro is a grassroots organization based in the town of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. It is committed to improving the lives of Tanzanians through a comprehensive program of volunteering projects tackling social, economic and environmental problems with an emphasis on education, healthcare, rural development and capacity building. As life-long residents of the community, the founders of the organization are well aware of the needs of the local population and, through GVP’s programs, focus on those needs with a dedication to excellence.

 * Moyo Mmoja is a women's center open only to fellow women to volunteer.
 * Give a Heart To Africa (www.giveahearttoafrica.org) is a small NGO in Moshi operating a vocational school for adult women. They offer the women free education in English, business and computers and help some of them start their own business.  This NGO is run solely by volunteers, and is a very hands on experience.  Volunteers are welcome any time of year; no prior experience is necessary.
 * Hostel Foot Prince is run by the organisation Foot2afrika. They only charge for food, and accommodation while project volunteering is free.
 * World Unite!; info@world-unite.de have been active in Moshi since 2005, placing volunteers and interns into a variety of NGOs, hospitals and government institutions. They offer support services such as arrangement of accommodation in shared houses or host families, residence permits, preparation & ground support at very affordable rates. World Unite are also running their own development projects where volunteers can participate, in cooperation with local and foreign NGOs, development organizations and private partners. Result of such a project in Moshi is the Kiwakkuki Social Reality Tour (http://www.social-reality-tour.com), a no-profit tour for visitors to Moshi, supporting families affected by HIV through revenue generated by tourism. Short-term volunteering is possible, but generally World Unite! focus on volunteer placements with a duration of 2-12 months, and on individuals rather than groups. Being one of the bigger and better-run volunteering organizations in Tanzania, they also offer volunteering options in Zanzibar, Dar-es-Salaam, Ngorongoro and Lake Victoria, besides cultural travel options.
 * World Unite!; info@world-unite.de have been active in Moshi since 2005, placing volunteers and interns into a variety of NGOs, hospitals and government institutions. They offer support services such as arrangement of accommodation in shared houses or host families, residence permits, preparation & ground support at very affordable rates. World Unite are also running their own development projects where volunteers can participate, in cooperation with local and foreign NGOs, development organizations and private partners. Result of such a project in Moshi is the Kiwakkuki Social Reality Tour (http://www.social-reality-tour.com), a no-profit tour for visitors to Moshi, supporting families affected by HIV through revenue generated by tourism. Short-term volunteering is possible, but generally World Unite! focus on volunteer placements with a duration of 2-12 months, and on individuals rather than groups. Being one of the bigger and better-run volunteering organizations in Tanzania, they also offer volunteering options in Zanzibar, Dar-es-Salaam, Ngorongoro and Lake Victoria, besides cultural travel options.
 * World Unite!; info@world-unite.de have been active in Moshi since 2005, placing volunteers and interns into a variety of NGOs, hospitals and government institutions. They offer support services such as arrangement of accommodation in shared houses or host families, residence permits, preparation & ground support at very affordable rates. World Unite are also running their own development projects where volunteers can participate, in cooperation with local and foreign NGOs, development organizations and private partners. Result of such a project in Moshi is the Kiwakkuki Social Reality Tour (http://www.social-reality-tour.com), a no-profit tour for visitors to Moshi, supporting families affected by HIV through revenue generated by tourism. Short-term volunteering is possible, but generally World Unite! focus on volunteer placements with a duration of 2-12 months, and on individuals rather than groups. Being one of the bigger and better-run volunteering organizations in Tanzania, they also offer volunteering options in Zanzibar, Dar-es-Salaam, Ngorongoro and Lake Victoria, besides cultural travel options.

Buy
Major banks ATMs in Moshi accept international credit and debit cards accredited with Master card, the plus logo, and Visa card. Stanbic Bank and Equity Bank have MasterCard/Visa ATMs. Make sure your card issuer is aware you are travelling in Tanzania as your card may be blocked for security measures. They all deal in local currency, the Tanzanian shilling. To convert currencies there are several foreign exchange offices near the banks.

As of August 2009, don't expect to be able to take US dollar traveller's cheques and change them to US cash in Moshi. All the banks in town and most forex offices refuse to do it. If you're desperate, the only place that would do it is Executive Change Bureau, on Boma Rd., but they charge 10% commission. If you're going to Moshi, better bring US cash, or verify in writing that the places you are planning to deal with will accept US traveller's cheques (and what the fee is, if any) if you plan to carry them.

For souvenirs, Downtown Moshi is probably cheaper than the big 'out-of-town' places for tourists, which hideously overprice things. Even better, with a 15-minute walk from town on the Dar Road, you will find a community of artists who create the wood carvings and paintings that sell in town. They will sell direct to you at a far better price than can be found in shops. There are lots of fabric shops up and down the main street, as well as tourist shops selling carvings and paintings. If you do get hassled by street sellers, do not be afraid! Their only interest is to take you to a shop where you might buy something and they receive commission for taking you there (they are not the artists themselves!). Generally speaking there isn't a lot buy, but a lot to look at. If you've just been up Kili, the 'Just done it' t-shirts are probably worth a look! Or if you've spent a lot of time drinking, you might want to pick up a Safari or Kilimanjaro Lager t-shirt! Tanzanite is sold in several shops.

 * The market is fantastic, and should be thoroughly explored. It consists of many narrow alleyways selling fruit, vegetables, meat, dried fish, general household stuffs, tapes, clothes, and of course the cheapest souvenirs (A drum costing TSh 30,000 in the main streets would cost TSh 5,000 here).
 * There are several bookstores but most deal primarily with school and religious texts. There are many stationary shops with everything you could need.

Banks and ATMS

 * Kenya Commercial Bank. Boma Road has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM.
 * Kenya Commercial Bank. Boma Road has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM.
 * Kenya Commercial Bank. Boma Road has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM.
 * Kenya Commercial Bank. Boma Road has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM.

Eat
Most restaurants offer a variety of food and range in price from TSh 2000 to TSh 8000 for a meal.

There are also many other nameless restaurants that serve as decent lunch spots, you should look for a busy restaurant, that's always a good sign. If wanting to try the local food ask for ugali (translates as stiff porridge, a bit bland but harmless) or "wali na maharage" (beans and rice).

Heading along the road of the banks and Immigration office there is Abba Ali's Hot Bread Shop that sells excellent bread, honey, doughnuts and other desserts, especially nice cakes. Opposite the bakery is Aleem's Grocer, a decent grocery store.

A great place to buy groceries is at the local market, which can be found easily from the double roads or the alleyway by the Tanzanian Coffee Shop on Chagga St.

Restaurants outside Moshi:

Drink
As Moshi is situated on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro it is largely populated by members of the Chagga tribe. Chaggas are known for their keen business sense, their warm hospitality and their love of a good drink, so getting a beer in Moshi is rarely much of a problem! In the daytime and early evening you can head to the Police mess, The East Africa Bar, the KNCU restaurant (up on the top floor of the KNCU building) or the Siesta inn (a 15-minute walk from the main street). All these places serve food so you can keep your stomach lined as you sip a few of the fine local beers (don't bother with European imports - they're no better than the local stuff, but considerably more expensive). Some of the local beers are Kilimanjaro, Safari and Tusker. The most common local liquor is Konyagi.

Sleep
Be sure to avoid touts. If you are travelling as a couple, a good idea is for one person to sit in a lobby or restaurant with the bags, while the other scopes out rooms. You are likely to get a cheaper price without them, and not be targeted by sneaky touts that will raise the price US$5-10 for you for their commission. Often they follow you and stay outside signaling reception.

Respect
Moshi is a popular tourist destination so most will not be offended by your clothing choices. However, women will gain much more respect by wearing clothes covering their legs at least to the knees, as local ladies rarely show their legs.

Connect

 * There is a post office near the Clock Tower on Market St. for mailing letters and packages, you can also rent a P.O. box. There is also a DHL office opposite the Dar Express office on Station Rd.
 * Kili Hub is a co-working space providing fast internet, back up power and a place to work and Skype for the whole day for only a couple of dollars.
 * There are several internet cafes in town, two are located Hill Street near the Coffee Shop, Fahari and Duma  (beside The Coffee Shop). Duma acts as a safari tour operator as well as an internet cafe. Located near the Clock Tower is one called EasyCom. Rates for usage vary, but usually around TSh 1500 per hour. Another cafe, called Dot Cafe, is near the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd. (TANESCO) on Rengua Street. The first internet cafe in Moshi, Twiga is on Old Moshi Road, up the road from KNCU Hotel. It offers fast internet connection. They also rent out novels, movies and have trekking/camping equipment for hire.
 * If your phone operates on GSM 900/1800 and uses a SIM card then you can buy a Tanzanian SIM card (Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo or Zantel) (cost is Tsh 1000). You can also buy a phone locally for around US$50. You have to prepay for minutes by buying credit. Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo and Zantel offer relatively fast internet (buy mb bundles by sending sms), which can be used on your phone as well as laptop (using phone as a modem).
 * All internet cafes in Moshi use the same backhaul internet connection, so if the connection is down in one cafe, it's usually down in them all.
 * Some internet cafes offer Skype, although others allege that internet telephone services are illegal in Tanzania (presumably because the state owns the telephone system and does not want to loose out on international phone charges).

Cope

 * There are several hospitals and dispensaries, most notably KCMC. However to even see a doctor you have to pay around TSh 50,000. There are other clinics in Moshi but again there is usually a charge just for admittance. If you travel just outside Moshi to the village of Soweto there is St. Joseph's Hospital (10 minutes by taxi), run by nuns, and you only pay for tests and medication.
 * There are many different religious centers, a large mosque is present in town, there is a prominent Catholic Diocese, a few SDA churches such as Majengo SDA Church  , a Sikh Temple, plus many others. There are many churches which have both English and Swahili services.
 * There are dental services in town, just look around. There are also optometrists with very decent prices for glasses!
 * The Immigration office is located up Boma Rd from the Clock Tower, just a bit further than the banks. You can renew visas here.
 * There are several banks with 24-hour ATM machines. They are usually protected round the clock by an armed guard.
 * There are several Forex Bureaux De Change in Moshi that charge reasonable rates. Most hotels will also exchange travellers cheques, although at a less favourable rate.  It's not impossible to pay for general goods and services in US dollars, although locals prefer shillings.

Go next
You can get to Zanzibar in one day, if you take the early bus (6:30AM) to Dar es Salaam, operated by Dar Express, and from there take the ferry at 4PM to Stone Town. The Dar Express office is located near the clock roundabout on Station Rd, opposite the Kahawa house.

There are several day trips possible. Mkomazi, Arusha, Tarangire and Manyara National Parks are possible as day trips. Banana/Coffee plantation tours on the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro along with a visit to one of the waterfalls that are nearby. Union Cafe (listed in the restaurant section), owned by Kilimanjaro Coffee Growers Cooperative organizes the most popular coffee plantation tour (Kahawa Shamba Tour). Lake Chala and hotsprings are also popular excursions.

title: Moshi


text:
Mosonmagyaróvár

Mosonmagyaróvár (Latin: Ad Flexum; German: Wieselburg Ungarisch-Altenburg, Croatian: Stari Grad) is a city in Hungary about 15 km from the borders to Austria and Slovakia. The city is a compound of two former towns Moson on the Danube and Magyaróvár which was on the major land trade route. This article also covers the surrounding district of the same name.

Understand
The main Mosonmagyaróvárian industry is dental tourism. Thousands of people come to Mosonmagyaróvár every week to seek quality dental services at a low price. An entire industry of hotels, resorts, guides, etc., is built up around this. There are around 150 clinics with 350 practising dentists in this town of 30,000.

History
During the Roman Age the city was an outpost known as Ad Flexum (Latin). After the Conquest it was used as a reeve-site, later it became shire-town. The motte of Moson was ruined by the soldiers of the Bohemian King Ottokar in 1271, after the Mongol Invasion the fort of Ovar was fortified. In 1354 the town was honoured with the right of goods arrestation and town rights by King Lajos the Great. When the Turks marched against Vienna it was repeatedly desolated, then in 1809 the army of Napoleon occupied the town. From 1529 it belonged to the Habsburg family and between 1763 and 1945 it was a private domain of the House of Habsburgs.

The main supply road from the Hungarian Flatlands to Vienna ran through Mosonmagyaróvár. Over the span of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, the town of Magyaróvár became an industrial and trade centre, while Moson remained a significant village inhabited by merchants and husbandmen. The two towns united in 1939 and together with the village of Lucsony that joined Magyaróvár in 1905.

Get in
Mosonmagyaróvár is close to both the Austrian capital Vienna and the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

From Hungary
Trains run at least hourly to Győr taking as little as 15 minutes, with one every two hours continuing onwards to Budapest and many other connections from Györ.

From Austria
Between 06:00 and 22:00, a regional (70 min, from Wien Südbahnhof) and a high-speed train (60 min, from Wien Miedling) connect to Vienna every two hours. From Vienna the price of a EURegio 4-day (or less) return ticket is €12.

From Slovakia
Between 06:00 and 22:00, regional trains (70 min, from Bratislava-Petrzalka)run hourly between Bratislava and Mosonmagyaróvár requiring a change of trains in Pandorf in Austria, with a wait time between trains of 15 minutes and a total journey of just over an hour.

By bus
Daily connect across Hungary to 10 or more cities.

Public transportation
Nine city bus routes are operated by Kisalföld Volán, including connecting routes between the railway station and both parts of the city. There are also regional routes and a transit center by the Tesco market.

In the town
The town has a thermal water source. The recognized medicinal water is classified among the top five thermal waters in Europe.
 * Town hall
 * Thermal bath
 * Town hall
 * Thermal bath
 * Town hall
 * Thermal bath

In the district

 * Hédervárikastély2.jpg

Do
Get your teeth fixed!

Get pampered! Lots of places to get a good massage, some manicure and pedicure. And the hairdressers offer their service at very cheap prices.

Buy
Clothing, pastry and cigarettes are the main products bought in Mosonmagyarovar. And there is a rather new bookstore (isbn1) in the town, which offers books in English and German at discount prices.

Eat
Mosonmagyarovar has many good restaurants.

Good cuisine with a great selection is offered by the Harsfa Etterem, which is across the street of the Thermal Spa.

The Restaurant Nimrod offers a wide selection as well and a good cuisine. It is in the Nimrod Hotel.

Drink
You can get some good local Hungarian beers all around the town. What you won't find here is such a thing like a nice cocktail bar.

Sleep
There are a lot of hotels in Mosonmagyarovar.

The only 4-star resort is the Hotel Lajta Park which costs about €70 per night. It has nice rooms, a small restaurant and a small bar.

Maybe the most famous hotel is the Thermal Hotel, directly beneath the Thermal Spa. It is a 3-star hotel and costs about €55 per night. In the Thermal Hotel you find a dentist and all kind of treatments.

The Hotel Nimrod is a budget priced hotel, but the rooms are very clean and the staff is very helpful and nice. Rooms are about €26 per night and person. It is near the local McDonald's, 5 walking minutes away from some super markets.

A good hotel choice is the Hotel Engler. It is in the southern part of the town and offers quite rooms.

In Hédervár, you can find the Palace Hotel, three guesthouses and two pensions.

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

title: Mosonmagyaróvár


text:
Moss

Moss is a town and municipality in Østfold county, Norway.

Get in
Moss is served by Moss Airport, Rygge, which is located in the neighboring municipality of Rygge.

The railway Østfold Line runs through the city, stopping at Moss Station, which is the southern terminus of one service of the Oslo Commuter Rail and an intermediate stop for regional trains.

Moss connects across the Oslofjord to Horten via the Moss–Horten Ferry (Bastøferga). The 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) crossing of Oslofjord is performed with three double-ended ferries making the crossing in 30 minutes, with departures twice an hour. It is the most trafficked car ferry line in Norway.

Get around
Østfold Kollektivtrafikk (ØstfoldPublic Transport) operates the bus network in the whole region of Moss (Rygge, Råde and Våler in addition to Moss).

Taxi:

Do

 * Moss has numerous beaches and with some luck it's possible to find a beach to enjoy all by yourself.
 * The surrounding area is also great for hikes, canoeing, boat cruises and outdoor activities as the city is adjacent to Vansjø (freshwater lake) and Jeløya.
 * Shop til You Drop in the shops alongside the beautiful pedestrian street that runs straight through the heart of the city.

title: Moss


text:
Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is a small harbour town situated on the Garden Route in the Western Cape. A favourite coastal and holiday destination, it has over the years developed into a town of unhurried hospitality, complementing the natural beauty and rich cultural history of the District of Eden. It was here that the first Europeans set foot on southern African shores – commemorated at the Da Gama Museum Complex in the town-centre. Washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Mossel Bay offers sandy beaches stretching into the horizon, whale watching in season (June – mid November), water sport and extreme adventures. The Bay of Attraction, as Mossel Bay is often referred to, is also a paradise for any shopper hunting for local art and craft or maritime objects, and a hub for good entertainment and exquisite dining on the Garden Route.

By road
Mossel Bay is situated along the Garden Route, connected with the N2 and therefore easily reached from Cape Town in the west, George in the east, and Oudtshoorn in the north. the Minibus taxi rank is at the corner of R102 and Mossel street. There are Minibus taxis going to Cape Town.

By train
There is a daily train to George via Hartenbos, Great Brak River and Little Brak River.

This service will only operate as long as the regular Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train between George and Knysna is suspended (due to severe flooding and landslides in 2006).

By plane
Scheduled flights serving the Garden Route region use the George Airport, which is 40 km east of Mossel Bay's CBD and is owned and managed by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA). George Airport offers scheduled flights to and from Cape Town International Airport, Durban's King Shaka International Airport, and Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Mossel Bay Airfield is certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority for use by non-scheduled flights and private planes. Air traffic is controlled by George Airport.

Facilities: control tower, taxiways, runway lights, fueling facilities, and complimentary tie-down facilities. The airfield is the home of the Mossel Bay Aero Club, which has a clubhouse lounge with bar and kitchen, restaurant facilities & braai (BBQ) areas for members' and guests' use. Fixed wing and Helicopter Flight training as well as tandem skydiving are offered.

By boat
The Port of Mossel Bay is the smallest commercial harbour on the South African coast. It caters mostly for the oil industry (off-shore gas was discovered in late 1980s), and for a small fishing fleet.

Get around
You can easily walk around the city centre, but taking a car to some of the outside destinations or restaurants is favourable.

Do

 * Take a boat ride to the seal island near the harbour.
 * Visit the market at Hartenbos beach.
 * Buy some wine and go sit at the cliffs in the southern part of the town, enjoying the view of the ocean. You can sometimes see whales from the headland.
 * Walk along one of the world's most beautiful beaches, packed solid in holiday season, empty in the 22 degree winter.
 * Sail at Mossel Bay Yacht Club.

Buy
Get one (or more) of the nice handmade crafts in the Craft Shop next to the Tourism Info. You won't get souvenirs from Kenya, China or other countries - here you can buy pure Mossel Bay only.

Eat
The beaches offer a variety of very good restaurants (mainly fresh fish).

Go next

 * Continue along the Garden Route

title: Mossel Bay


text:
Mossendjo

Mossendjo is a town in the Niari Valley of the Republic of the Congo. It lies within the Chaillu Massif. Its principle activities are hunting and agriculture. The main products cultivated are manioc, coffee, cocoa, peanuts, banana, tobacco and rice. The Congo-Ocean Railway (COR; French: Chemin de fer Congo-Océan, CFCO), built in the 1920s, passes through Mossendjo.

Understand
Unemployment rates are high in the region, due to the lack of industrial job opportunities.

Get in
Mossendjo is a 5-hour drive north (175 km) from Dolisie on dirt roads. However, there is an old airstrip that can be used if you are chartering a plane.

Get around
The main road in the town is paved. However, all surrounding are dirt roads.

Do
The market in Mossendjo has a wide selection of fruit and vegetables. Make sure to go early because after noon, the shops start to close up.

title: Mossendjo


text:
Moss Landing

Moss Landing is a tiny town on the Monterey Bay in California's Central Coast. Moss Landing is an often-overlooked destination that lies almost exactly halfway between Monterey and Santa Cruz, and while it does not have the amenities of some of the nearby towns, it offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and whale watching.

Understand
There is also a large slough, called Elkhorn Slough, to the north of Moss Landing.

By car
The majority of visitors arrive on the Pacific Coast Highway (California highway 1), which is the main road through the town. Dolan Road goes to the northern part of town, where the power plant is.

By boat
There is a harbor at Moss Landing, and it could be reached by boat from nearby towns.

Get around
Moss Landing is so small that you can easily navigate it by walking, although a car is helpful to reach nearby attractions like the slough and boat trips, which are mostly to the north of the town.

Do

Moss Landing is the departure point for several whale watching companies. Odds of spotting a whale are approximately 95%. Humpback whales are in the bay from March through December, gray whales migrate from December to mid-May, and blue whales are most often seen between July and August. Dolphins and orcas (killer whales) are present year round. Travelers should dress warmly as temperatures are typically 10°F cooler on the water, and those who are prone seasickness should take medication prior to setting off as the bay can often be rough (note that conditions are typically calmer in the morning).

Moss Landing is also a departure point for tours of The Elkhorn Slough. With otters, sea lions, harbor seals, and over 340 species of bird throughout the year on the migration path of the Pacific Flyway. The Elkhorn Slough offers amazing views of the wildlife.

Buy
There are few small shops and markets in town, but no grocery stores or shopping malls.

Go next

 * Santa Cruz - large coastal town to the north of Moss Landing
 * Monterey - coastal town to the south of Moss Landing
 * Watsonville - town in the fruit-growing region inland from Moss Landing
 * Marina - town ten miles south of Moss Landing with some interesting nature viewing, parkland, and other attractions

title: Moss Landing


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Mossoró

Mossoró is the second largest city of the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, economically centred on petrol extraction, agriculture, and salt panning, and lately also shrimp farming and renewable energy. It is on the western edge of the state, midway between Natal and Fortaleza. The nearest beach is Tibau, some 40 km to the north.

By plane
Azul Conecta organises flights to Fortaleza and Natal, and Azul Brazilian Airlines to Recife. Travellers to these locations can also use the car to reach these destinations.

By bus

 * Buses almost every hour to Natal (4 hours), by Guanabara and Nordeste.
 * Buses every two hours to Fortaleza (4 hours, R$ 40), by Guanabara and Nordeste.
 * 5 buses a day to Aracati (1.5 hours), by Nordeste. From here you can easily connect to Canoa Quebrada.
 * One night bus to João Pessoa, by Nordeste.

By taxi
Shared taxis to Tibau at R$10 per person.

Get around
Local buses are not a good option, since their routes, bus stops and schedules are not clear.

Taxis and moto-taxis (you go with the driver of a motorcycle) are very easy to find. Moto-taxis are a cheap alternative to taxi cabs, but they might be dangerous and the helmets are usually dirty.

See

 * Resistance memorial (Memorial da resistência) with pictures of famous outlaw Lampião and his gang.
 * Petrol museum
 * Downtown churches, all within walking distance of one other.

Buy
The city centre is full of stores selling everything from clothes to electronics and shoes.

Eat

 * Praça de convivência, an open mall near the centre, with lots of bars, restaurants, snack bars and fast food joints, with live music on weekends and lots of options for local food and drinks. Quite safe area.
 * Tratoria - Japanese, Italian, and other types of food in a nice place with reasonable prices. Live music on weekends.
 * Sebosão (big greasy), a not so clean place with sandwiches and drinks.
 * Kobal - regional food in a kind of street market

Drink

 * Cândidos
 * Tratoria
 * Acapulcos

And lots of local pubs open all night long.

Sleep
Quite a few hotels along the highway near the bus station.

 * Sabinos, near UFERSA.

title: Mossoró


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Moss Vale

Moss Vale is a town in the Southern Highlands.

Understand
Moss Vale has a service and residential town feel, more so than the tourist town feel of its neighbours at Bowral, Berrima and Bundanoon.

By car
Moss Vale is well signposted from the Hume Highway from Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne. It is accessible by the Illawarra Highway from Wollongong and Robertson.

Moss Vale is around a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney.

By train
is the main terminus of the line to the Southern Highlands. It is also a major stop on the NSW Trainlink booked services from Sydney to Melbourne or Canberra.

There are different price structures for booked long distance services and unbooked services, and different rules applying to children and bicycles.

 * The station is worth a visit even if you aren't catching the train. A grand country station.
 * The station is worth a visit even if you aren't catching the train. A grand country station.

By bus
Moss Vale is serviced by a NSW Trainlink service from Wollongong twice daily.

Get around
If you have a car, you can use it to get everywhere in and around Moss Vale.

If you don't. The town shopping centre is easily walkable. But there isn't much there, and it isn't really a tourist attraction in its own right.

You can bicycle around town and easily get out to the river, Bong Bong, and even to Bowral (around 10km).

There is a limited bus service operated by Berrima Bus Lines. There is limited service on Saturdays, and no service on Sundays.

The railway offers 2 hourly connections to the surrounding towns, of Bowral, Mittagong and less frequently onward to Bundanoon

Taxis are available at the station, or by reserving by phone.

Drink
There are a couple of pubs in the centre of town. Well patronised by a mostly local crowd on Friday and Saturday nights.

Connect
There is good mobile reception on all networks in Moss Vale.

title: Moss Vale


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Mossyrock

Mossyrock is a city in Southwest Washington.

Get in
I-5 to Route 12 East 22 miles

See
DeGoede's Bulb Farm. Tulip fields in bloom in Late April. Beautiful show garden year round. Retail store.

Do
Camping and fishing on 2 Lakes, Riffe and Mayfield

Mossyrock Blueberry Festival, first Saturday in August---free live music, car show, quilt show and more.

Buy
Flower bulbs, Fresh Blueberries in Late July & August

title: Mossyrock


text:
Mostar

Mostar  is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of the city has been rebuilt and visitors might be surprised to see that this formerly war-torn city is a lively and beautiful destination once again, particularly the area within and around the old town. However, many visible signs of Mostar's troubled history in the 1990s remain.

Understand
It used to be one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, and today it suffers geographical division of ethnic groups. The city was the most heavily bombed of any Bosnian city during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the war, air strikes destroyed many important buildings and structures, including the cultural and spiritual icon: the Old Bridge (Stari Most), which is a.

Mostar has been most famous for this beautiful historic Ottoman-style bridge, which spanned the Neretva river in what is considered the historic centre of the city. Through combined efforts with the international community, rebuilding of the Old Bridge was completed in 2004, almost 11 years after its destruction, using some of its original stones recovered from the Neretva river.

From Sarajevo
There are many buses (first at 06:00, last at 19:55 - approx. 1 per hour) from Sarajevo to Mostar. There are also many buses from Mostar to Sarajevo (first at 06:00, last at 18:15 - approx. 1 per hour). Journey takes 2½ hours and costs 17-20 KM (depends on bus company). Timetable is available here, but not all buses are listed.

Other destinations
Bus timetables are online, but not all connections are listed. Frequent buses run between Mostar and Ploče, Dubrovnik (2 per day, 3-4 hours, 30 KM), Split (4 hours, 16 EUR), Zagreb, Podgorica, Jajce (3½-4 hours, 19 KM), Banja Luka, Belgrade (2 per day) and most cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The stop in Mostar for the bus from Podgorica, which continues to Banja Luka, is several kilometres from the city centre on an expressway. A taxi from there costs 10 KM.

From Sarajevo
There are two trains daily from Sarajevo to Čapljina via Mostar, leaving Sarajevo in the morning and in the afternoon. In the other direction, there's an early morning train from Čapljina around 06:00 and around 16:00. Schedules can be found the website of ZFBH. The scenery on the train between Sarajevo and Mostar is stunning, passing through rugged terrain with a series of tunnels, U-turns and viaducts. It is much more picturesque, as well as cheaper, to travel between these cities by train rather than by bus.

One way ticket costs 11 KM (October 2017) and has to be purchased at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departures.

From Croatia
There is no longer connection between Ploče and Mostar. There is also no direct connection between Zagreb and Mostar, so you need to change in Sarajevo.

There was a regular bus connection from Dubrovnik for around 15 EUR (October 2017).

By car
Mostar is easily reachable from Western Europe via Croatia. From, Zagreb take the A1 (green signs for Karlovac, Split and Dubrovnik). There is a border crossing Nova Sela - Bijača, and the motorway continues in Herzegovina until the end at Međugorje. Then just follow the signs to Mostar on the remaining 30 or so kilometres of two-lane road. There are plans build a motorway all the way to Mostar, but this might take several more years.

From Sarajevo it's a two-hour scenic drive through the Neretva river valley. This route is also planned to be upgraded to a motorway.

By bicycle
The Ćiro Trail is a 157-km cycling route from Dubrovnik. It's a rail trail following the tracks of a decommissioned Austro-Hungarian narrow gauge railway, and crosses several 19th-century tunnels and bridges.

See

Do

 * Drink Bosnian coffee. Don't let anyone tell you that Bosnian coffee is the same as Turkish coffee. Instead, let the good people of Cafe de Alma (Rade Bitange not far from the bridge) educate you about this distinct way of preparing coffee. They are the only roasters in town and they are passionate about preserving this tradition. The café will serve your coffee in a traditional coffee set, plus a Turkish delight to sweeten your drink, all for 2 KM. Before you drink your coffee, the staff will explain to you how it is prepared and how best to enjoy it.
 * Park Fortica With multiple ziplines and a via ferrata. Also offers adventurous activities in the surrounding area.
 * Drink Bosnian coffee. Don't let anyone tell you that Bosnian coffee is the same as Turkish coffee. Instead, let the good people of Cafe de Alma (Rade Bitange not far from the bridge) educate you about this distinct way of preparing coffee. They are the only roasters in town and they are passionate about preserving this tradition. The café will serve your coffee in a traditional coffee set, plus a Turkish delight to sweeten your drink, all for 2 KM. Before you drink your coffee, the staff will explain to you how it is prepared and how best to enjoy it.
 * Park Fortica With multiple ziplines and a via ferrata. Also offers adventurous activities in the surrounding area.
 * Park Fortica With multiple ziplines and a via ferrata. Also offers adventurous activities in the surrounding area.

Buy
The Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (KM or BAM) is pegged to the euro at a rate of €1 = 1.95583 KM. Shops and restaurants will accept euros at a 1:2 rate with the Bosnian convertible mark. Numerous banks have their affiliates and ATMs across the city. Most restaurants in the Old Town will accept cards and there is an ATM next to tourist company across Restaurant Kulluk and Europa.

Head over to Old Bazaar Kujundžiluk for handicrafts, carpets and jewelry.

Drink
Plenty of bars and cafés in the Old Town.

Connect
From 2016, fast and free Wi-Fi provided by TGM is available in the vicinity of the Stari Most (Old Bridge).

Stay safe
As of 2022, the Mostar Bridge and all with tourists tightly packed places still attract the odd pickpocketers to rip off the unsuspected old lady, but probably not anyone reading this travel guide.

Day trips
Many of these areas are hard to reach with public transport; however, transfers with bigger taxi companies are cheap (somewhat controlled) and several agencies offer guided tours.

 * - a well-preserved walled town (municipality of Čapljina) dating back to 1383 that is 35 km south of Mostar. It is reachable by public transport by taking yellow bus #41 towards Čapljina for around 30 minutes. Excellent view of the Neretva River. During the Middle Ages, Počitelj was the administrative centre and centre of governance of county Dubrava župa. The town has a few small restaurants, coffee shops and street vendors selling local grown fruits and souvenirs most of the year.
 * - a village 12 km southeast of Mostar. It is reachable by public bus 10/11/12 in 20-25 minutes (2.1 KM, stops in Španski trg in front of the Gimnazija). The bus may leave from the road opposite the main station, not the bus station itself, but can be caught at several stops in the city. At Blagaj, a karst river flows out of a mountain. It's very beautiful, with deep blue water. A historic tekke is built into the cliff (entrance 10 KM). Women must wear headscarves to enter the tekke. Trout are farmed in the river, and several excellent restaurants serve trout with seating on the riverbank. There is an impressive ancient fort with amazing views on top of the mountain. The area around the fort is dotted with countless pomegranate trees—so being there in fall, you will have a delicious time. To reach the fort, follow the road past the village's old town and then ask where the trail starts, or just follow the road (keep right) to where the road swerves left (you'll see several ancient gravestones) and you'll find the path on your right. The trail is about 2 km. You can pitch your tent in the fort or in one of the numerous campsites in Blagaj directly adjacent to the Buna river. Velagićevina (the Velagić family House) was built in 17th century and is a beautiful example of the Ottoman residential architecture, a one-storey structure with typically extended porches. In the vicinity there are also old flour mills that were powered by the strong Buna River.
 * , 25 km from Mostar, is exceptionally popular among catholic pilgrims due to an alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to youths in the town. Buses depart from the bus station every few hours.
 * - an old Ottoman town with the medieval cemetery of Radimlja (Nekropola Radimlja), the Illyrian site of Daorson and the palaeolithic cave painting at the Badanj Cave (Pećina Badanj).
 * Waterfall gorge, 25 km north of Mostar, is popular for outdoor sports such as biking, hiking, canyoning and climbing. The Drežanka River is a tributary of the Neretva, and the two rivers join in an artificial hydropower lake. Take a bus in the direction of Drežnica; there are buses which go to the end of the gorge, Gornja Drežnica. Or take the train in the direction of Sarajevo and get off at train stop Drežnica, approx. 30 min. There are several camp sites and basic accommodation, although you will need your own sporting equipment.

Further destinations

 * Ploče, Croatia - is the nearest seaside town to Mostar, and is easily accessible with numerous daily buses and weekend trains in summer. Beaches are nicest for swimming north of the city, especially further on Baćina lakes and on east at delta of Neretva river.
 * Čapljina - is closest town between Mostar and Metkovića first town across border to Croatia, known for old town Počitelj and Mogorjelo with Roman archeological site (villa rustica).
 * Međugorje - as international pilgrimage for Roman-catholics from all over the world
 * Jablanica - town between Mostar and Konjic, home to Dugopolje necropolis and bridge monument from WW2.
 * Sarajevo - as main and biggest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina

title: Mostar


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Mosul

Mosul (Arabic: الموصل al-Mawṣil, Maṣlawī Arabic: al-Mōṣul, Assyrian: ܢܝܢܘܐ Ninaweh, Kurdish: Mosul/Ninawa, Turkish: Musul) is a city in Iraq's Northwestern region, and is the country's second largest city by population. Its religious makeup is one of the most diverse in the country.

Understand
Mosul is Iraqs second largest city and the major economic hub in northern Iraq. Located along the fertile lands of river Tigris the city's history dates back to the at least 6,000 BC. On the eastern banks lies the ancient city of Nineveh, which was the world's largest city around 700 BC. Mosul has since thrived under different rulers, empowered by its strategic position and fertile lands.

In recent history Mosul is mainly known for being the last stand of the Islamic State (ISIS). The fierce battle which took place during 2017 left large parts of the old city in ruins. While much of the city's heritage is destroyed, Maslawis are slowly rebuilding the city.

By bus
From Baghdad: shared taxis are available from Allawi North garage in Baghdad. Cost is 25,000 IQD for a seat (likely 5,000 IQD extra for the front seat); the driver will usually cram in 4 passengers before leaving. The journey takes 4-5 hours.

From Erbil: shared taxis are available at 10,000 IQD per seat. Journey takes 2-3 hours.

By train
As of 2023 there's no rail service to Mosul, rehabilitation is however ongoing and the government has promised to bring back passenger trains from Baghdad.

By air
As of 2023, the airport is closed and not expected to reopen within the next few years. The nearest international airport is in Erbil, 75 km east of Mosul.

Get around
Travelling by car is the safest option for getting around in the city. Several bridges over the river Tigris have now been repaired, making the east-west journey much easier.

There's no public transport system within the city, apart from mini buses and shared taxis. Extensive knowledge of Arabic is needed to use these.

See
Mosul was rich in old historical places and ancient buildings: mosques, castles, churches, monasteries, synagogues, and schools, many of which have architectural features and decorative work of significance. The town centre was dominated by a maze of streets and attractive 19th-century houses. There were old houses here of beauty. Markets were particularly interesting for the mixture of people who jostle there, such as Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Turcoman, Armenians, Yazidi, Mandeans, Roma and Shabaks. Mosul also had a sizable Jewish population.

Mosques and shrines
Mosul is a treasure trove for those interested in historic Islamic religious architecture with dozens of mosques dating back hundreds of years. However many are in a state of disrepair or damaged by the war. Also some mosques might be off limit to visit for non-Muslims.

Churches and monasteries

Mosul had the largest proportion of Assyrian Christians of all the Iraqi cities, and contains several interesting old churches, some of which originally date back to the early centuries of Christianity. Its ancient Assyrian churches are often hidden and their entrances in thick walls are not easy to find. Many churches were partly or completely destroyed by ISIS during their rule and as of 2020 many are in ruins. Also, dotted around Mosul are ancient monasteries, some in ruins while others are still active.

Other sites

Nineveh

Just across the river and ever closer to expanding Mosul were the great ruins of Nineveh, an ancient Assyrian city and the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Once the largest city in the world and covering an area of some 750 ha, it was besieged, destroyed and left unpopulated after the 612 BC battle of Nineveh. There have been repeated archaeological projects and some half-finished attempts at reconstructions, but unfortunately the site suffers from rapid decay due to lack of protection from the elements, vandalism and looting. Large parts of the site, including its walls, was sacked by ISIS in 2016.

The ruins of Nineveh were surrounded by the remains of a massive stone and mudbrick wall dating from about 700 BC.

Eat
A number of restaurants, mainly on the eastern side of the city, have reopened.

Drink
Alcohol is not widely available but in the aftermath of the liberation from Daesh a handful of bars have reopened.

Sleep
As of early 2020, major hotels chains have yet to reopen in Mosul, but there is a limited number of smaller hotels. The landmark Nineveh International Hotel was completely ruined in 2017.

Nimrud
Former 3,000-year-old Assyrian Empire city first excavated in the 1840s as an archaeological site on the eastern bank of the Tigris, 30 km (20 miles) south of Mosul. Overrun by ISIL (Daesh) in 2014, historic sites destroyed in 2015. The Iraqi Army reclaimed Nimrud in 2016. The site contained the palace of Ashurnasirpal, the king of Assyria. Many of the artefacts are in the British Museum, London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York City or Iraq’s national museum in Baghdad.

title: Mosul


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Motala

Motala is a town in Sweden. It is in the northern part of the Götaland region in the Östergötland county. An old industrial town, it is a nice tourist town in the summer, with activities and opportunities for the whole family. For the boat person, Motala is a nice excursion destination during the trip on the Göta Canal or around Lake Vättern. For those who are interested in Swedish industrial history, the city is a must visit. It had about 30,000 inhabitants in 2010.

Understand
Motala sits on the eastern shores of Lake Vättern by the river Motala Stream (Motala ström) and Göta kanal.

Archaeological excavations show that there was a Stone Age settlement by Motala ström several thousand years ago. During the 13th century, the Motala Church was built on the north side of the river, probably on a heathen ceremonial and religious site. Although a long-time settlement, Motala didn't obtain its town rights until the late 19th century. The Motala Works (Motala Verkstad) was founded in the early 19th century and was Sweden's first mechanical industry. During a period of 22 years, Göta Canal was dug from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. Motala is situated in the geographical middle of the canal and soon became the site of the canal company's head office.

During the 1920s, Motala became important in the progress of the Swedish radio network. The largest broadcasting station was in Motala. All transmissions started with the announcement "Stockholm-Motala", which soon became a well-known saying among Swedes.

In Motala the Göta Canal starts, connecting lake Vättern with the East Coast. Along the Canal lies Bergs slussar, where there are many old locks that are worth a visit.

By plane

 * Skavsta Airport - Used by Ryanair. Lies some 140 km north-east of Motala. A shuttle bus (90 min) overland link between Linköping and Skavsta airport.
 * Linköping Airport - 40 km east from Motala. Flights almost only to Stockholm, Amsterdam, Riga and Copenhagen. There are no shuttles between the airport and Linköping central station and you need to take a taxi from the airport.
 * Norrköping Airport - Flights almost only to Helsinki, Visby, Munich and Copenhagen. It is 90 km east of Motala.

By train
The Motala train station is linked with Mjölby in the South and Hallsberg in the North. From Hallsberg, you reach Stockholm and Gothenburg. From Mjölby, you reach Malmö/Copenhagen.

By bus
Buses leave from the Bussterminalen (Bus terminal) close to the Main Square.
 * The local bus company is called Östgötatrafiken . They also run the buses and trains in the rest of Östergötland and is the cheapest way to get to Motala.
 * The local bus company is called Östgötatrafiken . They also run the buses and trains in the rest of Östergötland and is the cheapest way to get to Motala.

It's not possible to pay cash for a ticket on the bus. You can get ticket in Quickomats and some stores. It's also possible to buy an SMS-ticket, information how to do that can be found here. The ticket is valid for a limited time so you can use the same ticket for more than 1 trip.

You can also buy a bus card. It is a magnetic strip card and you can load money in it. The advantage is that each trip fare is cheaper than the normal fare. You'll find more info about tickets and fares here

By car

 * 245 km south of Stockholm.
 * 90 km south of Norrköping.
 * 450 km north of Malmö/Copenhagen.
 * 15 km north of Vadstena.

Taxi
Taxis are on the expensive side. The meter is used to control the cost but always make sure that this is set when commencing a journey.

Smartphone apps:
 * Uber

Bike
Motala is a popular town for bicycling. In the harbour you can rent a bike.

See

 * Motala Works. The oldest industrial works in Sweden. Several 19th and 20th century industrial buildings are still standing. In the area are museums, exhibitions, café, restaurant and hostel.
 * The Motala Church. Built in the 13th century, and rebuilt several times through the centuries.
 * Charlottenborg Palace, a chateau by river Motala ström. See Motala Museum below.
 * Charlottenborg Palace, a chateau by river Motala ström. See Motala Museum below.

Museums

 * Swedish Broadcasting Museum (Sveriges Rundradiomuseum) in the old transmitter building from 1927. Tells the history of the Swedish radio broadcasting since the 1920s.
 * Motala Industrial Museum at the Motala Works. Shows the wide range of the products from the town's industrial works.
 * Motala Industrial Museum at the Motala Works. Shows the wide range of the products from the town's industrial works.

Do

 * Take a bath at the famous and popular Varamobaden sand beach in lake Vättern
 * See the boats in the locks at Borenshult.
 * Climb the radio towers at the broadcasting station.
 * Attend a speedway event at Dunteberget race track.
 * Shopping in the city centre.
 * Vätternrundan is an annual 300-km bicycle race around lake Vättern, part of the Swedish Classic Circuit.

Systembolaget
Systembolaget is the state-owned monopoly liquor store. This is where you go if you want to buy a bottle of wine or spirits or beer stronger than approx. 3% alcohol which you can find in supermarkets. There is one Systembolaget in Motala, close to the Main Square.

Go next

 * Birgittas udde, (Saint Bridget's Point). Ruins of the medieval manor house where Saint Bridget of Sweden lived during the 14th century.
 * Borensberg, a village with a lock on Göta Canal.
 * Farfarstugan coffee house, next to Övralid, with a nice view over lake Vättern.
 * Godegård, a small village with a manor house and a porcelain museum.
 * Linköping, largest town in the area, good shopping and a cathedral.
 * Medevi, a small village and a health spa since 1678. Many old buildings with museums, hotel, restaurant and a hostel. You can still drink the healthy water during the summers.
 * Medieval churches in Ask, Ekebyborna, Fivelstad, Kristberg and Nykyrka.
 * Nubbekullen, small old time farm and museum. Birthplace of academic painter August Malmström (1829-1901).
 * Övralid, the well-preserved home of the author and Nobel Prize lauriet Verner von Heidenstam (1859-1940).
 * Ulvåsa manor house, south of lake Boren. Gardens are open for visitors.
 * Vadstena, a town with a castle and an abbey.

title: Motala


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Motovun

Motovun is a popular hilltop town in Istria, a peninsula of Croatia. Motovun is about 25 km northeast of Poreč. Motovun has become the most touristy of all Istrian hilltop towns, and is sometimes called the king of the hilltop villages.

Understand
The town was fortified in the 14th century on the decision of the Venetians by two thick walls that surrounded the town.

By car
The town of Motovun is not very well accessible by car and chances are high it may be impossible to find a parking space. There are, however, large parking plots located on the bottom of the village, from where you can easily walk up the village.

By bus
There are about 5 buses daily to Motovun from Porec. The drive takes 35 minutes but remember to plan your return carefully and check the schedule in advance.

See

 * The spectacular views from the town over the surrounding countryside.
 * The spectacular views from the town over the surrounding countryside.
 * The spectacular views from the town over the surrounding countryside.

Buy
There are various little artisan shops scattered within the town.

Eat
The region is known for truffles which are served at the restaurants in the town.

title: Motovun


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Motueka

Motueka is a town in the Nelson Bays region of New Zealand's South Island that lies close to the Motueka River. Nearby beaches (such as Kaiteriteri Beach and Marahau) are very popular with holidaymakers, and the area around Motueka has one of the country's highest annual sunshine-hour indices. Because of the gorgeous scenery and continual building of swanky clifftop homes by rich incomers, the coastline between Motueka and Marahau has been dubbed the Riviera of the South Island after the famous French Riviera.

Understand
The surrounding district has a large, but diminishing, number of orchards, as well as growing a variety of specialised crops such as hops and boysenberries (it used to be the main centre of tobacco growing in New Zealand and some patches survive between police raids, growing for their "own consumption"). A number of small boutique wineries have gained an international reputation.

Motueka, as the nearest town to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, has become the base of many tourism ventures in those parks, as well as in other recreational areas. Extensive limestone cave systems (including Harwoods Hole in the Takaka Hill area north of Motueka) attract cavers and rock climbers. Sea kayaking and tramping now attract many thousands of visitors each year.

Many artists and craftspeople live in the area around Motueka, especially potters and reggae musicians. The Riverside Community, in nearby Lower Moutere is a pacifist international community founded in the 1940s and now New Zealand's oldest co-operative commune.

By bus
Abel Tasman Coachlines provide services between Nelson, Richmond, Mapua, Tasman, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, and Marahau. See their website for the timetable.

By car
Motueka is a 40-minute drive from Nelson, 30-minute drive from Richmond, and 55-minute drive from Takaka.

Buy
On or just off the main street (SH60) are two large supermarkets; cafes, fast food chains, and restaurants; as well as gift shops, clothing shops and various other shops.

Eat
Has a supermarket and a McDonalds fast food outlet with free Wi-Fi.

Go next

 * Abel Tasman National Park
 * Kaiteriteri Beach
 * Marahau
 * Nelson

title: Motueka


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Moucha Island

Moucha Island is a coral island in the Gulf of Tadjoura, just off the shores of Djibouti. Its total length is no more than 3 km, and it is surrounded by Maskali Island, a group of tiny islands and a coral reef. Together, these are sometimes called the Moucha Islands and are known for their diving opportunities, as well as for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.

Get in
It's about a 30 to 45 minute boat ride to the islands from the Port of Djibouti. Many visitors head to the island with a small private or chartered boat, but there is also a ferry connection from the Port. The fare shouldn't be more than a couple francs.

Get around
As the islands are small and mostly undeveloped, the way to get around is by foot.

Eat
As the islands are a rather popular day trip for Djibouti middle class, a few outdoor places to eat and drink are usually available.

Sleep
There aren't really any sleeping facilities available, but it is not unusual for visitors to bring some camping stuff and stay on the islands overnight.

title: Moucha Island


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Mougins

Mougins is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes département in southeastern France.

Understand
Located on the heights of Cannes in the district of Grasse, and surrounded by forests and woodlands, Mougins is around a 15-minute drive from Cannes and a 30-minute drive from Nice (traffic permitting). At the heart of Mougins is the picturesque Vieux Village (old village), which due to its hilltop location has stunning views over Cannes, Grasse, the Valmasque forest, the Esterel Massif and the Préalpes. Mougins has an international reputation for its gourmet cuisine and for its links with the art world. It has been frequented and inhabited by many famous people, including Fernand Léger, Jean Cocteau, Yves Saint Laurent, Winston Churchill, Édith Piaf, Catherine Deneuve and Pablo Picasso, who spent the last 12 years of his life there. Due to its proximity to Cannes, Mougins is often the destination of choice for celebrities during the Cannes Film Festival.

By car
From the A8 Junction 40 (Cannes), take the N85 pénétrante signed for Grasse and Mougins. Take the first exit, turn left on the D3 (signed Mougins Centre), bear left at the roundabout after about 1 km and then turn left across the bridge over the pénétrante. The road is narrow but theoretically two way so be careful of oncoming traffic. You can park at the top of the hill: there are 200 free parking spaces in three car parks.

By train
You can take the train to nearby Mouans-Sartoux and then get a taxi, or alternatively take a Ligne 650, which stops in Mougins.

By taxi
There is a taxi rank at Cannes station, and a taxi to the Vieux Village costs around €35.

By bus
The Ligne 600 bus service operates half-hourly between Cannes and Grasse, and passes through Mougins. The rather less frequent Ligne 630 runs between Cannes and Valbonne and also stops in Mougins. The stop for both buses in Cannes is at the main terminal next to the train station. (Don’t be put off by the lack of signage – they really do stop there). Neither bus goes right up to the Vieux Village, and it takes around 10 minutes to walk up the hill. Make sure you ask the driver where to alight. The Ligne 650, which runs between Mouans-Sartoux and Sophia Antipolis, does go up to the village, although it is an infrequent service, especially in off-peak hours. Go to http://www.cg06.fr for the timetables. There is a flat fare of €1 per journey.

Get around

 * Stroll around the tiny winding streets in the Vieux Village in traffic-free bliss.
 * Taxis: for details of local taxis go to http://www.mougins.fr/tourisme/.
 * Cycling is very popular in the area, although the hills are not for the faint-hearted!

See

 * Mougins Museum of Classical Art (Musée D’Art Classique A Mougins): as you enter the Vieux Village you will find, on the left, the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, which opened in June 2011. The museum, of which the essential concept is the dynamic between the classical past and the present, houses a world class, permanent collection of both ancient and modern art. Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities – which include marble and bronze sculpture, vases, coins, jewellery, and glass – are interspersed with classically inspired modern and contemporary works by artists and sculptors including Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, Henry Moore, Raoul Dufy, Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, Damien Hirst, the British sculptors Marc Quinn and Anthony Gormley, and of course, Pablo Picasso, who spent the last 12 years of his life here. There is also a collection of  Renaissance and Neo-classical paintings, including two by Sir Peter Paul Rubens. In displaying the ancient and modern side by side, this state-of-the-art museum enables visitors to explore the deep and sometimes unexpected connection between modern art and the classical past.  The museum also houses the world’s largest private collection of ancient armour, displayed against a backdrop of militiary-themed artworks.  Entrance is €12, with reduced rates for children, families, senior citizens aged at least 60 years, disabled visitors, students, scholars and groups.  Annual membership packages are also available. The museum is open Apd-Oct daily from 09:30 to 20:30. From November to March it is open Tu-Su from 09:30 to 19;00, and closed on Mondays.

 * Espace Culturel & Musée Gottlob: the espace culturel, located in Place du Commandant Lamy, puts on exhibitions, concerts and a full range of arts events throughout the year (except November).  It is also the location of the permanent exhibition of the work of the artist Maurice Gottlob.  Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and at weekends from 11:00.  Free entrance.
 * Musée De la Photographie André Villers: this small museum is also located in the Vieux Village, next to Porte Sarrazine (the Saracen Gate), one of the last remains of the village’s medieval past.  It contains a permanent exhibition of portraits of Pablo Picasso as shot by major contemporary photographers, and also holds temporary exhibitions throughout the year.  Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 from July to September, and for the rest  of the year from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 11.00 18.00 at weekends.  Free entrance.
 * Le Musée d'Histoire Locale: the Vieux Village also has a small local history museum, which is open daily from June to September, and for the rest of the year at weekends and on public holidays, from 11:00 to 18:00.  Free entrance.
 * Le Lavoir: the village’s old washhouse is now a lovely exhibition space which promotes the work of local artists and sculptors.  Open every day from March to October from 11:00 to 18:00.  Free entrance.
 * The Fontmerle Pond (L’Étang de Fontmerle) is a spectacular five-hectare pond on the edge of the Valmasque Park. The Fontmerle has the largest colony of lotus flowers in Europe.  The lotus (not to be confused with the water lily) blooms from July to September, with the blossoms reaching 25 cm in diameter, and the leaves up to 1 m.  The pond also has over sixty species of water birds and migrating birds.  Notre-Dame-de-Vie, the 12th-century chapel, and Picasso's villa (which you can view from the outside, but is not open to the public), are very close to the pond, and all are best accessed by car or bicycle.

Do
Les Etoiles de Mougins: Festival International de la Gastronomie et des Arts de Vivre:  in September the Vieux Village hosts an annual international gastronomic festival, which takes place over three days and includes a prestigious young chef competition.
 * L'Esterel Massif:  visit the breathtaking, red-tinted volcanic coastal mountain range near Cannes, where you can hike or follow the mountain bike trails in the surrounding oak forests, which are protected as a nature reserve.
 * The Valmasque Park and the other forests and woodlands surrounding Mougins are great for hiking and mountain biking, and there are a number of local horse-riding schools.
 * Golf: if this is your sport, Mougins has two 18-hole courses:  the Golf Country Club de Cannes Mougins and the Royal Mougins Golf Club.
 * Cookery classes: L’Amandier and Le Mas Candille restaurants run cookery classes with the Chef.

Buy

 * Local art: explore the many art galleries which are both in the main square and tucked away in the picturesque back streets of the Vieux Village.

 * Christmas Market: the village is worth visiting in December for the Christmas market, where local artisans exhibit and sell their wares over three days, and for the beautiful nativity scene which is put on every year at Le Lavoir.

Eat
With its international reputation for gourmet cuisine, both the Vieux Village and the wider area of Mougins have many excellent restaurants.

 * La Place de Mougins: previously known as Le Feu Follet, and a favourite of Picasso’s, La Place de Mougins, situated in the heart of the Vieux Village at 41 Place du Commandant Lamy, opened in 2010 and offers French haut cuisine in elegant surroundings.  Denis Fetisson, its manager and head chef, won the Jacquart Trophy for the Rising Star in Gastronomy in 2006, and was head chef at Michelin two starred restaurant Le Cheval Blanc, in Courchevel.   À la carte and menus ranging from €25 for a two-course lunch to €65 for the eight course gourmand menu, and there is a monthly dégustation menu, featuring seasonal produce, at €45.  Closed on Sunday evenings and all day Monday..
 * La Place also has a boulangerie, open from 08:30 to 17:00 to Sunday, which sells bread, croissants, tarts and cakes, all baked on the premises.
 * L’Amandier de Mougins: L’Amandier, which is on the left as you enter the Vieux Village, just past the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, is a long established restaurant which has been completely refurbished. It has two terraces for outdoor dining and views to die for, especially at sunset. Fetisson also manages L’Amandier, which specialises in Cuisine Nicoise, following in the tradition of Roger Vergé, who opened the restaurant – his second in Mougins – in 1969.  À la carte and menus ranging from €18 for a two-course weekday lunch to €34 for the evening menu.  Closed on Wednesdays. . http://www.amandier.fr.
 * Le Moulin de Mougins: this world-famous hotel and restaurant, an exquisitely converted 16th-century oil mill on the Avenue Notre Dame de Vie, was where master chef Roger Vergé created his Cuisine De Soleil over forty years ago.  In accordance with Michelin rules, the restaurant lost its two stars when renouned chef Allain Llorca moved on in 2009.  However, Sebastien Chambru, who replaced him, has been awarded his first star.  À la carte and menus ranging from €39 for the business lunch to €180 for the menu carte blanche au chef.  Closed on Mondays..
 * Restaurant Candille: the restaurant at tranquil five star hotel Le Mas Candille, just a short walk down the hill from the village, has one Michelin star.  The chef célèbre is Serge Gouloumes, whose signature dishes incorporate exotic flavours within his Italian and Provençal based cooking. À la carte and menus from €80.  Closed on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes..
 * Le Bistrot de Mougins, at 93 Place du Commandant Lamy, is another charming, long established restaurant in the Vieux Village, serving traditional French cuisine. With its vaulted ceiling it is especially cosy in the winter. À la carte, menu tradition at €35 and menu gourmand at €49.  Closed on Wednesdays and Saturday lunchtime..
 * Le Fontenoy: run by the delightful Thierry and Fatima, Le Fontenoy is the place to go for something light.  Have a coffee or a glass of wine, and a light meal such as quiche, croque monsieur or salad.  The café is also in Place du Commandant Lamy and overlooks the lovely fountain.

Sleep
For a comprehensive list of places to stay, from five-star hotels to campsites, go to the Mougins Office de Tourisme’s website.

Go next
Nearby destinations worth a visit are too numerous to mention. Try Valbonne and Antibes for a spot of shopping. Many of the mountain villages, such as Gourdon, Cipières and Tourrettes-Sur-Loup are spectacularly beautiful, with Saint-Paul-de-Vence being the most well-known of the villages perchés in the region.

title: Mougins


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Moultonboro

Moultonboro (also spelled Moultonborough) is in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Get in
There is an airport. Single gravel runway. Not good for IFR.

Get around
A car in the summer is the best way to get around but mind the speed limit as Moultonborough Police are known for issuing tickets especially to out of state tags (like NY and MA). In the winter, a 4x4 is recommended for roads as the plowing and dirt roads can make travel difficult. The town plows private roads, so you can get most everywhere. In the winter one can also use a snowmobile and get everywhere in the region. There are plenty of snowmobile trails that travel everywhere and one can drive right across the lake. You can find statewide snowmobile trail maps at convenience stores throughout the region. Traffic in the summer can get nasty, especially on Saturday from 10-2 while the tourists change over occurs.

See
There is a beach and beautiful views of Lake Winnipesaukee from the Long Island Beach 11 miles South on Moultonborough Neck Road.

Do

 * States Landing will get you on the water.
 * You can hike Red Hill or the Ossipees.
 * Buy a sight seeing flight at the local airport on route 25.
 * Rent a boat and sightsee Lake Winnipesaukee
 * Take Professional Wakeboard/Waterski lessons from Ryder's Realm Clinic. Contact Jamie Proko 545-4740

Buy
You can find tons of little nick-knacks inside the Moutonborough Country Store at the corner of NH-25 and NH-109 in downtown

Sleep
Being a vacation destination there are tons of lodging options. There is also tons of camping and motor home options in the area on the lake.

Go next

 * Travel North to the White Mountains region. You can take NH-175, I-93 or if you are feeling adventurous and it is summer take Sandwich Notch Road (unpaved..and very untended)
 * Travel clockwise around the lake to Wolfeboro for shopping and restaurants
 * Travel counter-clockwise to Meredith and Laconia/Weirs Beach
 * Take a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee on the M/S Mount Washington cruise ship
 * See a drive-in movie at the Weirs Beach Drive In movie theatre
 * Travel Northeast (NH-25 East to NH-16 North) to North Conway for outlet shops and the White Mountain Region
 * Travel Northwest (NH-25 West to US-3 Daniel Webster HWY North) to Squam Lake.

title: Moultonboro


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Moundou

Moundou is a city in the Soudanian region of Chad.

Understand
Moundou is the country's second largest city with about 142,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the southern Logone Occidental prefecture. The city is situated along the Logone River and is mainly populated by - and is the cultural centre of the - N'Gambaye people.

See

Drink
Moundou is home to Gala Brewery, the largest beer producer in Chad, and their products are widely available.

Sleep
Lodging is rudimentary, at best.

title: Moundou


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Moundsville

Moundsville, West Virginia, is a city in Ohio Valley. It is the county seat of Marshall County.

Understand
It was originally chartered in 1832. It is the location of Grave Creek Mound and three other Adena Indian Mounds. Moundsville is located in a very historic part of West Virginia and has a beautiful downtown and parks.

By car
Located on WV Route 2, very close to the Ohio River.

Go next

 * St. Clairsville

title: Moundsville


text:
Mount Abu

Mount Abu (Hindi: माउंट आबू Māuṇṭ Ābū) is the only hill station in Rajasthan, situated very close to the Rajasthan-Gujarat border, in the Aravali hills. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The Brahma Kumaris headquarters are located there.

Climate
The end of the monsoon season is the best time to go to Mount Abu. After the rainy season the complete beauty of this place can be experienced due to the lush green surroundings. Take some warm clothes if visiting in this season as it gets a bit cold in the night.

By train
Mount Abu is a part of the Sirohi district of Rajasthan. The nearest railhead is Abu Road, about 25 km away, in the lowlands. Abu Road is on the railway line from Ahmedabad to Marwar Junction (onwards to Jaipur and Delhi or Jodhpur).

At Abu Road railway station, auto rickshaws and taxis are available as well as state transport and private buses to take you to Mount Abu. Most of these don't operate in the evenings due to local problems and this creates difficulty in finding transportation. Try to avoid travelling in the evenings.

By bus
There are daily bus services available to Mount Abu from cities like Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

By motorbike

 *  Rent a bike in Mount Abu at around ₹200-300 per day (fuel charges extra). This offers a cheap and flexible mode of moving around the town. Exploring Mount Abu on a motor bike is probably the best option if you are an adventure lover. Every destination in Mount Abu is easily accessible by motorbike.

Car hire
You can rent a car for c. ₹1,000 per day which should get you to most of the tourist sights.

Do
Enjoy the beauty of nature and temples.

Eat
There are lush restaurants like Mulbery in the Hotel Hilltone, the restaurant at Hotel Hillock and in the market area.

"Honest Restaurant" is near Nakki Lake. There are also many ice cream shops near Nakki Lake.

There are some roadside stalls serving tasty food but generally are not hygienic.

Drink
There are huge options for restaurants in which you take your bottles and relax with your drink. You can also order your meal there. It is nice place where you can drink and eat. There are three or four more restaurants which offer such a service. There are two liquor shops in the main market near the Eiffel Tower.

Go next

 * Ambaji
 * Khedbrahma

title: Mount Abu


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Mount Agung

Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) is an active volcano in East Bali, Indonesia.

Understand
Towering above sea level, Gunung Agung, meaning "Greatest Mountain", is the highest mountain on the island of Bali and the fifth highest volcano in Indonesia.

Mount Agung has huge spiritual significance to the people of the island, and is home to the 'Mother Temple' of Besakih. It forms part of a chain of volcanoes that make up the backbone of Bali.

Balinese legend has it that Agung was created when the Hindu God Pasupati split Mount Meru (the spiritual axis of the universe) and formed Mount Agung with a fragment.

History
Mount Agung has been erupting in 2017–2019. Its 1963 eruption was one of the largest 20th century eruptions anywhere in the world (see information box in this article). Historical eruptions of the volcano are poorly recorded, but there was certainly one in the 1820s.

Landscape
At lower elevations the mountain is covered in lush forest, but this soon gives way to a desolate landscape of barren volcanic rock and ash scree. From the peak of Mount Agung the views are extraordinary in all directions, but perhaps most dramatic to the east where the sun rises above Mount Rinjani on Lombok.

Flora and fauna
Wild pigs and macaques abound on the forested slopes of Mount Agung. Birdlife is impressive including frequent sightings of hawks and eagles, but is not as obvious and easy to observe as in the West Bali National Park.

Climate
Mount Agung dominates the surrounding area influencing the climate. The clouds come from the west and Agung takes their water so that the west is lush and green and the east dry and barren.

The best time to climb Mount Agung is in the dry season of April to October. January and February should certainly be avoided if possible due to heavy rain, possible flooding and even landslides in the area.

At lower elevations it remains tropical but becomes distinctly cold and often very windy on the high bare rock slopes.

Get in
Mount Agung is most commonly approached from the south via Klungkung and Candidasa, from the west via Besakih, or from the east via Tirta Gangga and Karangasem. The east coast road north from Amed through Tulamben and onto Singaraja provides some awe-inspiring views of the mountain across flat rubble plans.

Fees and permits
Mount Agung is viewed as sacred and for that reason is off limits to climbers during important ceremonies. Your guide will know and will also be able to obtain any necessary permissions from temple administrators for which some nominal donation may be required.

Guide fees may vary between about Rp 400,000 and Rp 1,000,000 depending on how you arrange the guide, the route taken and the level of English expected. Generally it is possible to put all arrangements in place once you reach Bali, but for peace of mind you might want to make contact with guides before you leave home. Some guides speak far better English than others.

Get around
There are three climbing routes up the mountain, all are difficult and unless you are physically fit and have some serious trekking experience, do not even attempt any of these climbs.

Climbing routes
From Besakih (west). This is a demanding climb starting close to Besakih temple. The ascent will take about 6 to 7 hours and ends at the very highest point of the mountain. The final hour or so is exceptionally demanding often requiring ascent on all fours. A sensible start time is about 23:00, so that you arrive at the top before dawn and wait for the sunrise. Allow as long to get down as it took you to get up.

From Pura Pasar Agung (south). A three to four hour climb in which time you ascend about 2,000 m. Not so stiff as the Besakih route. The route ends about 100 m below the summit, but the views are still excellent in all directions, as well as down into the actual crater. A sensible start time would be about 02:30, again with aim of reaching the peak just before dawn.

A new way turn left at the middle of the climbing to reach the summit in 4 hours. Only experienced people can follow this road.

From Duku Bujangga Sakti (north). A seldom used route but one which is most appropriate for less experienced trekkers and the slightly less physically fit. The ascent starts at 300 m and involves an overnight camp at 1,700 m, before the final ascent in the pre-dawn hours the following day. This route also allows you to walk around the rim of the crater to the absolute summit of the mountain.

Guides
The service of a local guide is absolutely essential. Guides can be arranged in advance via your hotel (especially if you are staying in Candidasa or Amed), at the Pura Pasar Agung temple close to the time of your planned climb, or via the following contacts.

See
Pura Pasar Agung is one of Bali's nine directional temples and it sits at the start point of one of the ascent routes up Mount Agung. It is close to the village of Selat on the main road from Rendang to Karangasem.

The Sidemen/Selat area is stunningly beautiful. It incorporates several valleys in the foothills of Mount Agung on the route between Karangasem and Rendang. The drive through this area is most scenic and one of the very best in Bali. Stunning rice terraces, lush forested hill-sides and the mountain itself, all combine to make this a magical area to visit. If you stop in the village of Selat it is easy to find local guides for undemanding hikes in the area.

Besakih Temple
Besakih is known as the Mother Temple of Bali. Besides being the most important temple for the whole of the island, another attraction of Besakih, actually a complex of temples, is its dramatic location on the southern slopes of Mount Agung.

Get in
The usual way to get to Besakih is from Klungkung. Besakih is about 20 km north of the town centre. The road is not too bad, if a little winding at times. There is also a back road to Besakih south from Kintamani, and the hour-long drive is beautiful as you pass through forests, villages and fields. The road meets the main Besakih-Klungkung road just before the entrance to Besakih. If you are coming from the eastern end of the island, such as from Amed, Tirta Gangga or Candidasa, you can also get to Besakih by taking a smaller inland road from Karangasem. The road goes through small villages such as Selat and the Bukit Putung lookout, and meets the Besakih-Klungkung road at Rendang, where you turn north (right) to head up to Besakih. The official car park fee at Besakih is Rp 5,000 per vehicle.

Bemos run to Besakih from Klungkung. They are most frequent in the morning. You may have to change bemos at Rendang halfway between Klungkung and Besakih.

Orientation
Like most major temples in Bali, the area surrounding Besakih is starting to take the shape of a small town, with many souvenir and eating shops. It can get overrun by quite aggressive touts and souvenir peddlers. As you leave the parking area, you will be stopped at a post and asked to make a donation and assigned a guide. This is on top of your official Rp 60,000 entry fee. The donation book will show many people donating huge amounts but please bear in mind that it is easy to scribble names and numbers with lots of zeros. The people collecting the donation can be quite pushy and will not think twice about asking for more money. You could try refusing to pay or suggest Rp 20,000 as your "first offer". While you may dislike guides, one may be quite useful as he will give a good explanation of Balinese Hinduism and the various temples of Besakih. He can also show you how to pray (it does not matter what religion you follow) if you so wish. Your "donation" covers the cost of a guide.

The temple complex consists of at least 18 separate temples and numerous other shrines. Each temple has a specific purpose, whether it is for the worship of a particular god, for the use of the people of a particular region of Bali, or for the use of a particular caste. The only way to move around the temples of Besakih is on foot. The complex gradually rises up the slopes of Gunung Agung and there are countless flights of steps. Be prepared with a pair of comfortable shoes.

The most important and most impressive temple in the complex is Pura Penetaran Agung, which is built on six different stepped levels. The entrance, approached up a flight of steps, is an impressive split gateway (candi bentar) behind which is the kori agung, or gateway to the middle courtyard (jaba tengah). This is the area where during ceremonies hundreds of worshippers gather in pristine white dress, and create a quite wonderful spiritual sight. Non-Hindu visitors will never be allowed beyond this point into the inner courtyard (jeroan), and access will be restricted even here during special ceremonies. Indeed, many temple areas at Besakih may be off-limits when religious events are being held. There is though always something of interest to see.

Other temples at Besakih include the remaining two equivalents of the three normal local village temples (see Bali Temples). Here though, these perform those functions for the whole of Bali. The other two are called Pura Basukian and Pura Dalem.

A visit to Besakih is a must-do for any traveler to Bali. It is though not always the easiest experience due to the very pushy souvenir vendors and guide touts. Those visitors who are not used to this type of attention should prepare themselves for a unique and sometimes very irritating trip.

Do
The area around the village of Selat provides a lot of options and local guides.

Buy
There is a huge complex of souvenir stalls around the entrance to Besakih.

Eat
Bring in ample good food with you for your trek. Sunrise on Mount Agung accompanied by a breakfast of fresh fruit and pastries is to be recommended. Once you start the trek there is nowhere to purchase food.

Drink
Once you start the trek there is nowhere to buy water so bring in enough with you. A flask of hot coffee or tea is also a good idea.

Lodging
Many of the visitors who decide to climb Mount Agung stay in either Candidasa, Amed or the Tirta Gangga area.

Camping
There are no rules which prevent camping on Mount Agung and the northern ascent route requires it. If you do decide on a camping expedition it is still sensible to employ a guide and you must still check that there are no religious prohibitions of you being on the mountain at that time. Mount Agung can be very wet.

Stay safe
No matter your experience, do not attempt to climb Mount Agung without a guide. The routes are difficult to follow and you are likely to get lost. Avoid climbing in the wet season and especially in January and February. You are still in the tropics but Mount Agung is a high peak and the top is often cold and windy so bring appropriate clothing.

Some mild altitude sickness is possible. Understand this condition and be aware of the symptoms. It is important to drink more water than you think you need and to avoid the dehydrating effects of substances such as alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your planned ascent. At these elevations though, symptoms should only be minor.

Go next
Mount Agung is well connected by road to major tourist centres in Bali. The most obvious places to head to next are Candidasa, Amed and points west to Singaraja and Lovina.

title: Mount Agung


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Mountainair

Mountainair is a small town in Central New Mexico. It is most well known for being the home of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Mountainair is located on the eastern side of the Manzano Mountains, separated from the rest of Central New Mexico.

Get in
Mountainair is located on US-60 about 40 miles east of I-25. The intersection with I-25 lies between Belen and Socorro, about 50 miles south of Albuquerque. US-60 continues east into Southeast New Mexico, passing through Fort Sumner and Clovis.

From the north, a more scenic (and longer) trip from Albuquerque is to take I-40 to Tijeras, then take NM-337 south to NM-55 south, which brings you into Mountainair through several small settlements. This route passes by the eastern side of the Manzano Mountains.

Do
The nearby Manzano Mountains offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and picnicking. The Manzano Mountains State Park, located north of Mountainair outside of the town of Manzano, offers camp sites and hiking trails.

title: Mountainair


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Mountain Creek

There is more than one place called Mountain Creek:

United States of America

 * Mountain Creek (Alabama) - A town in Alabama.
 * Mountain Creek (Mississippi) - A town in Mississippi.
 * Mountain Creek (South Carolina) - A town in South Carolina.

title: Mountain Creek


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Mountain Home (Arkansas)

Mountain Home is a city of 13,000 people (2019) in the southern Ozark Mountains of Arkansas near the northern state border with Missouri. It is the center of the Twin Lakes area, with Norfork Lake 15 minutes to the east and Bull Shoals Lake 20 minutes to the northwest.

Get in
The closest large airports to Mountain Home are Springfield, MO and Little Rock; however, they are 2 and 3 hours away respectively. Around an hour away from Mountain Home is the

title: Mountain Home (Arkansas)


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Mountain Home (Idaho)

Mountain Home is a city in Southwestern Idaho.

Get in
I-84 East from Boise, Idaho and Oregon I-84 west from Twin falls, Idaho Highway 20 coming down from the north near Sun Valley Highway 51 Coming from Elko, Nevada Highway 67 coming from Mountain Home AFB and Grandview, Idaho

Boise Airport is approx. a 45 minute from Mountain Home.

Salt Lake Express offers intercity bus service.

title: Mountain Home (Idaho)


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Mountain Pine Ridge

Mountain Pine Ridge is a roughly 400-km2 forest reserve in Cayo, Belize.

Understand
The reserve is predominantly pine forest (58.5%), primarily Honduras pine, Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, but with a significant broadleaf forest component (36.8%). There are small areas of grassland (3.4%) and wetland (0.6%). Roads, rivers and other features make up the remainder of the area (10.9%).

The majority of the reserve is situated on a granite massif, with some areas of limestone in the west of the reserve (remnants of a limestone plateau laid during the Jurassic). Sinkholes and caves are common in the limestone areas. The underlying soils are predominantly sandy. The elevation of the reserve averages between 400 and 700 m (1,312 to 2,296 ft) with the highest point being Baldy Beacon at 1,017 m (3,336 ft), and dropping to 120 m (394 ft) at the lowest point on the Macal River.

The Macal River forms the boundaries of the reserve to the west and south and is fed by tributaries including Rio Frio, Rio On, Privassion Creek and Pinol Creek. To the north-east some small streams feed into Barton Creek.

Fauna
Baird's tapir, the national animal of Belize, may be seen in the reserve. The reserve is home to various large mammals, including cougars, jaguars, ocelots, white-nosed coatis, and Baird's tapirs. There is a small population of Morelet's crocodiles.

Native species of bird include the rufous-capped warbler, common crossbill, pine siskin, eastern bluebird, stygian owl, king vulture, ocellated turkey, acorn woodpecker, Lesson's motmot, plumbeous vireo, keel-billed toucan and red-lored parrot. Winter visitors include the hepatic tanager and chipping sparrow. Orange-breasted falcons are more common in the area than elsewhere in Belize. Other fauna present in the reserve are the frog species Rana juliani (which is restricted to the Maya Mountains) and Eleutherodactylus sandersoni, and the fish species Poecilia teresae.

Climate
The climate is subtropical with a rainy season from July to February. During the dry season (February to May) temperatures may reach 39 °C (102 °F) with a humidity level of 70%.

Get in
You can enter by private car, otherwise shell out BZ$80 for a taxi from San Ignacio (45 minutes) or pay up to double that to have your lodge pick you up if you're staying in the reserve. Blancaneaux has a private airstrip with a less than perfect but probably reliable reputation.

Get around
The parks roads are unpaved, and not served by any real bus service. Unless you have a car, you'll be limited to hiking or paying for expensive full and half day trips from a lodge.

See

 * Big Rock Falls. This gorgeous waterfall makes for a great hike if you're staying within reasonable distance, and offers a couple of great natural swimming pools at its base. Make sure to head home well before sunset, as the hike out can be steep and you definitely don't want to be stuck out here in the dark.

Connect
There are no real services anywhere within the park, but if you're staying at a lodge, most will have a phone and internet available for guests.

Go next

 * Caracol – beautiful Mayan ruins nearby

title: Mountain Pine Ridge