text:
Tomar

Tomar is a city of 41,000 people (2011) in Ribatejo, Portugal. Tomar is one of Portugal's historical jewels and, more significantly, was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction.

Understand

The town of Tomar (too-MAHR, /tu.ˈmaɾ/) was born inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth grand master of the Knights Templar, in the late 12th century.

Tomar was especially important in the 15th century when it was a center of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Templars in Portugal.

By train
From Lisbon: there is hourly direct train from Lisbon (Santa Apolônia/Oriente), about 2 hr, €8.40.

From Porto: several per day, about 3½ hr, €19, need to change in Entrocamento or Lamarosa/Coimbra B.

By bus
There are two bus companies that connect Tomar: Rede Expressos and Rodoviária do Tejo.

By car
Tomar is just over 1 hour from Lisbon. Coming from north or south, the A1 is the most direct route. At km94, take the A23 exit, follow this road until you see the sign for Tomar on the IC3. 5 to 10 minutes later you will see the exit sign for Tomar on the N110. Go there and in a few minutes you will reach your destination.

On foot
It is a small city.

By bus
There is also citybus, 2 lines, €1/ticket valid for 1 hr.

See
Tomar is a small city but holds an important ancient past and some of the most important monuments in Portugal.

Landmarks
The streets and squares of the picturesque centre of Tomar are organised following a chessboard pattern, a rare feature for a mediaeval city, instituted by Prince Henry the Navigator, which later inspired the pattern used for the rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake in 1755. Scattered throughout the town there are many interesting houses with Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic façades. By the river Nabão, near the bridge, there is a park and garden that offer nice views of the city and surroundings.
 * Church of Saint John the Baptist and Republic Square, this church was built in the end of the 15th century, marked as National Monument in 1910 and is in Republica Square where is Gualdim Pais statue.
 * Aqueduct of Pegões, (Quinta dos Pegões), it was built to deliver water to Convento de Cristo and has 6 km of extension. The construction started in 1593 and finished in 1614. The highest point of this aqueduct is 30 m above ground level. Take the small "train tour bus" in city center that takes you to the highest point. The easiest way to go to aqueduct is to follow the local road to Leiria.
 * Museum of Matches (Museu dos Fósforos), Av. Gen. Bernardo Faia, near railway station. Surprisingly nice exhibition of matchboxes from all over the world. Open daily 14:00-17:00, free entrance.
 * Aqueduct of Pegões, (Quinta dos Pegões), it was built to deliver water to Convento de Cristo and has 6 km of extension. The construction started in 1593 and finished in 1614. The highest point of this aqueduct is 30 m above ground level. Take the small "train tour bus" in city center that takes you to the highest point. The easiest way to go to aqueduct is to follow the local road to Leiria.
 * Museum of Matches (Museu dos Fósforos), Av. Gen. Bernardo Faia, near railway station. Surprisingly nice exhibition of matchboxes from all over the world. Open daily 14:00-17:00, free entrance.
 * Museum of Matches (Museu dos Fósforos), Av. Gen. Bernardo Faia, near railway station. Surprisingly nice exhibition of matchboxes from all over the world. Open daily 14:00-17:00, free entrance.

Eat
Local food specialities include Fatias de Tomar, and Beija-me depressa ("kiss me quickly") made by the Estrelas Confeitery.

Go next

 * Fátima (Sanctuary of Our Lady) – Place of the worldwide famous Marian apparitions.
 * Batalha (Monastery)
 * Alcobaça (Monastery)
 * Nazaré (Beach of the Guinness Book Records big waves surfed)

title: Tomar


text:
Tombstone

Tombstone is a former mining town in Southeast Arizona. Along with Deadwood, South Dakota, Tombstone was America's most storied town in the wild frontier days.

Understand
"The Town Too Tough To Die" was founded in 1877 as a mining camp. There were seven years of gold, silver, and total lawlessness to follow, climaxing in the famous shoot-out between Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang at The O.K. Corral. Today, Tombstone's main industry is tourism. It has several streets of vintage churches, saloons, and hotels from the 1880s.

By plane
Tucson International Airport is the closest airport to Tombstone.

By car
From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east to the city of Benson, about 1 hour away. Take Exit 303 through Benson to reach Arizona State Highway 80. Tombstone is about 40 minutes south of Benson by way of AZ-80.

By train
Benson is the nearest city with an Amtrak station. It is served by two routes: the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.

Get around
Tombstone has only one road of importance: Fremont Street, which is part of AZ-80. With the exceptions of Boot Hill Cemetery and the Ed Schieffelin Monument, the historic attractions are all easily accessible on foot.

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

title: Tombstone


text:
Tomohon

Tomohon is a city in Northern Sulawesi. It is the fourth-largest city in the province of North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara), after Manado, Bitung, and Kotamobagu. Tomohon is south of Manado.

Districts

 * North — Tinoor, Kinilow, Kakaskasen, Wailan, and Kayawu. The first area to be discovered in Tomohon from Manado.  There is mat production, fruit and flowers vendors in several parts such as in Tinoor for fruits and Kakaskasen for flowers.
 * Central — Talete, Kamasi, Kolongan, and Matani. Heart of Tomohon, centre of public activities, hospitals, and mayor office and city hall.
 * West — Woloan and Tara-Tara. Traditional house (knockdown type) production, Woloan Ancient Park where Waruga, the ancient tombs are collected in one area, in the same area are nine springs.
 * East — Paslaten, Rurukan, Kumelembuai. Vegetable farms on the slope of Mount Mahawu and Mount Masarang, and the famous Tomohon traditional market.
 * South — Walian, Sarongsong, Pinaras, Lahendong. Hot-spring areas, the outstanding Lake Linow is located in Lahendong.

Understand
Tomohon is an important city in Northern Sulawesi. It is also a tourist hub due to its location amongst natural beauty. It lies between two volcanoes: Mount Mahawu and Mount Lokon. Due to the topography of the land it occupies, Tomohon city is shaped like a starfish, with long tentacles of human habitation and associated infrastructure visible from higher ground. Because of its position on the highland, Tomohon has a very mild climate, for which it is famous. The friendliness of its people is also well known in the region.

Religion
Most people in Tomohon are Christian. Christianity plays an important role in all aspects of life. The Tomohon Christian congregations are diligent church-goers; most are Calvinist Protestants. The locals were converted to Christianity during the long period of Dutch colonial rule. In addition to the Calvinists, there is also a Catholic congregation, which is the second biggest religious denomination in Tomohon. There are also other congregations from other denominations, such as Pentecostal, Adventist, and several minor denominations. Each congregation builds its own churches, which explains why there is a church every few hundred metres.

Christian
During holiday times, the people will decorate their houses, the lanes, the streets, and so on with special themes. For example, during Christmas and New Year, festive ornaments can be easily found anywhere in Tomohon city. They normally say "the months which end in '-ber' are Christmas". All the celebrations end on kuncikan, which means 'closing day'.

Chinese
The Chinese in Tomohon celebrate the Chinese New Year, and the biggest festival is on the 15th day after Chinese New Year, called Cap Go Meh. There is a procession of calling the spirits of the Chinese Gods or Goddesses to possess mortal human bodies, and their idols are carried on sedan chairs from the temple around the city centre to bestow their blessings on believers. In this procession, the possessed mortal performs magical acts, such as piercing his own cheek with some solid and sharp stick from one side to the other, without any bleeding; a sword carrier hits his own back with a very sharp sword without injuring himself; and another cuts his own tongue without injuring himself. This procession usually attracts the attention of the whole city.

Islamic
There is a special community in Southern Tomohon, where Muslims live in a village called Kampung Jawa, meaning 'Javanese Village'. Idul Fitri and Ramadhan are celebrated there.

Culture
Tomohon is one of Minahasa tribe's regions. However, the Minahasa tribe is divided into several sub-tribes. Tomohon belongs to a sub-tribe called Tombulu. Pakasaan Tombulu spreads from Tombuluan in the east of Pineleng and Tombariri in the west, and from Tomohon in the south to Manado in the north. Pakasaan Tombulu speaks Tombulu language, Manado Malay, and Bahasa Indonesia. It is believed that Tomohon is the centre of Pakasaan Tombulu. Pakasaan Tombulu in Tomohon, especially those who live in the region of Kakaskasen have special customs that are still maintained up until today.

By plane
The nearest airport to Tomohon is Sam Ratulungi International in Manado, about 33 km, and can be reached in 1 hour via the Ring road, or 1½ hour via Manado. There are many airlines destination in this airport, from Jakarta, Makassar, Bali, Gorontalo, Tahuna, Ternate, Sorong, Singapore, Balikpapan, and several other minor cities. The airlines with route to Sam Ratulangi airport are Garuda Indonesia (the Indonesian flag carrier), Lion Air, Sriwijawa Air, Wings Air, along with several chartered airlines.

By ship
Tomohon is also reachable (indirectly) by ship, and the nearest harbour is Manado harbour for the provincial area, and Bitung harbour for national and international service. There are several ship route by PELNI berthing at Bitung harbour.

By bus
Tomohon is reachable also by public transport buses, or rental and taxi cars from cities in Sulawesi or Celebes Island, such as Makassar, Pare-Pare, Toraja, Poso, Tentena, Palu, Toli-Toli, Ampana, Gorontalo, Bitung, Kotamobagu, Manado, and other minor towns and cities. Bus terminals to Tomohon is from Tondano, Kawangkoan, and Manado, and destined to Terminal Beriman, Tomohon.

By car
Get a rental car direct from the airport on arrival. Cost around Rp 500,000 per day included driver, or self drive approximately Rp 300,000 per day, can be used for around Minahasa. For central information, tel: +62 852 4022 0620 or +62 431 892 979.

By mikrolet
There are several ways to get around the Tomohon area. The first one is by mikrolet. The mikrolet are the light blue Mitsubishi Colt (or similar), and can be found everywhere with various destinations. They operate on set routes with established fares, but also can be chartered when it is empty. The passenger seats in a mikrolet face forward, with maximum nine passengers. Some mikrolets are fully furnished with a small flatscreen TV, CD player, or music player, comfortable seats, and so on. All regular routes begin and end in the main terminal called Terminal Beriman (bus terminal).

By cart
Bendi is a local name for horse-drawn cart, and can be a second option to go around Tomohon. Just like mikrolet, bendi also operates on set limited routes. Only from Tomohon city centre to areas such as Matani, Walian, Kamasi, and Kolongan. This bendi is the old transportation along with cow cart called Roda Sapi. While bendi served for public transportation in the city, roda sapi served the route to the farm or rice fields. The fare for a trip by bendi is Rp 5,000 per person (as of October 2018), and can be chartered up to 4 hours to go around Tomohon area.

By ojek
Ojek is an Indonesian term for public motorbike taxi. The fares vary depending on the distance of a particular destination, but it usually starts from Rp 3,000 up to Rp 20,000. This Ojek can also be chartered daily. The chartered fare is around Rp 50,000 per day without fuel. By ojek, you can reach the places unreachable by mikrolet or bendi, even by rental cars.

By taxi
Daily in front of Bethesda Hospital, in the city centre, you can find many taxi cars queuing. They are called 'black taxi' or 'rental car'. The cars can be hired daily, weekly, monthly, and even annually. The fare rate varies between Rp 250,000 up to Rp 500,000 per day. The service can be include driver and fuel, or also without them.

See
As a cool highland, Tomohon has some very pleasant hiking and walking.

Eat
Tomohon is very famous for Minahasan cuisine. Minahasan food or Manadonese food is usually very spicy. Among Indonesian cuisine, Minahasan cuisine is one of the spiciest cuisines. Traveler must pay attention to what they are asking in the restaurant. If you are not accustomed to spicy food, you will have to communicate with the waiter or waitress.

Check out the Tomohon Culinary Centre (Pusat Kuliner Tomohon) at Jalan Nusantara, about 12 minutes walk away from the Tomohon Market.

Appetiser

 * Sup Ubi / Bete - is a very tasty home-cooking for appetiser. It is made by xanthosoma root with edible hibiscus leaves and or water spinach leaves.
 * Braunebonen - literally 'red bean' soup. Cooked either with cow bones or pig legs, with herbs such as clove, nutmeg, white pepper.  The Minahasan likes to eat this together with rice.
 * Sup Kacang Ijo - literally 'green bean' soup. The preparation is very similar with braunebonen.
 * Kua Asam / Kua trang - sour soup or clear soup. The local people has a riddle about this food.  "Salt from the sea and sour from the mountains meets together in a pan, what is that?" - and the answer is sour soup, because it's made by several herbs such as spring onion, lemon leaves, lemon basil, tomatoes, a little bit chilli, red ginger, and fish with little bit salt and lime.  Very tasty.
 * Sup kentang - 'potato soup' cooked in pasta such as macaroni or rice vermicelli.

Main course

 * Tinorangsak, pork cooked with herbs such as spring onion, lemon leaves, lemon grass, chilli, and other kinds of herbs; it is cooked in bamboo. Several prepare it using frying pan.
 * RW /err weh/, dog meat cooked with chilli, lemon grass, lemon leaves, spring onion, and other kinds of herbs. 'RW' is the common abbreviation for Rintek Wu'uk in the Minahasan dialect, which translates to 'fine hair', a euphemism for dog meat.
 * Paniki, bat cooked in coconut milk with spicy herbs.
 * Paku Popaya Bulu, vegetables of edible fern and papaya leaves (sometimes with flowers too), cooked in bamboo with spices and herbs. Some people like to add salty pork fat.
 * Ayam Bulu, chicken cooked in bamboo.
 * Ayam Bumbu RW, chicken cooked with spices for RW.
 * Bebek Bumbu RW, duck cooked with spices for RW.
 * Ragey, a chunky pork satay marinated with spices.
 * Bebek Bulu, duck cooked in bamboo.
 * Ayam Garo, literally means scratching chicken, because the preparation is a fast mixing of the herbs and spices on the frying pan similar to scratching it. This food is categorised as spicy food because of the amount of chilli.
 * Babi Garo, literally means scratching pork, the process is similar to Ayam Garo.
 * Babi Tore, literally means crisp pork.
 * Kapala Babi, literally means pig head; it is pig head boiled in spiced soup.
 * Acar, made of young bamboo, carrots, cucumber, peanut, herbs, and other spices such as turmeric and onion.
 * Ikan Woku Blanga, any fish cooked in main Minahasan spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It is called blanga because it's prepared by using frying pan.
 * Ikan Woku Daong, any fish cooked in main Minahasan spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It is called daong because it's prepared by using palm leaves called woka.
 * Ikan Woku Kring, any fish cooked in main Minahasan spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It's called kring because it's prepared with less water, and when it's cooked, we can barely see any soup in it.
 * Mie Loba, noodle soup with shredded pork.
 * Rica Rodo, made of corn, aubergine (egg plant), long bean with spicy herbs, chilli, and smoked fish.
 * Sate Kolombi, freshwater snail satay.
 * Sayor Pusu' made of fluorescent or banana heart, cooked with entrails of animals, normally chicken or pork, such as intestine, heart, and liver.

Dessert

 * Buah segar - literally 'fresh fruit', it is prepared from various kind of fruits, but mainly papaya, apple, avocado, pudding or gel, young coconut, rambutan, longan, and soursop in syrupy and milky water.
 * Es braunebon - 'red bean ice', prepared from red bean cooked in traditional made of palm sugar and then later mixed with blended ice and sweetened condensed milk.
 * Es Kacang Susu - 'milk and peanut ice', prepared from peanut and served like 'red bean ice'.
 * Gohu - prepared from chopping papaya with spicy syrup containing red ginger, chilli, vinegar (palm vinegar is better), sugar (brown sugar is better), onion. The locals like to add more chilli.
 * Klapertaart - literally 'coconut tart', prepared from young coconut mixed with milk, eggs, maize flavour, sugar, and raisin, and frozen in the fridge.

Minahasan biscuits

 * Kukis Kalapa, literally means 'coconut cookie', made of unripe coconut, rice flavour, and brown sugar.
 * Binyolos, made of sweet potato and brown sugar.
 * Onde-Onde, made of rice flavour and brown sugar, after cooked it is rolled on grated coconut. It is good to have it while it's still warm. but be careful not to eat it while it's still fresh from the boiling pan.  It can be very tricky that the outside could be cool while the inside is injuriously hot.  The other variant is Onde-Onde Pulo, the difference between this two are the type of the rice.  Onde-onde Pulo is made by sticky rice flavour.
 * Cucur, made of rice flavour and brown sugar, some people put anise or aniseed. Curut, Apang, Apang Coe, Apang Polote, Nasi Jaha, Dodol, Bobengka, Ongol-Ongol, Geto', Gabin Fla, Biapong, etc.

Drink
Cap Tikus and Saguer are two kinds of famous drink in Tomohon. Cap Tikus is distilled beverage from sap, while Saguer is the sap harvested from palm tree. Saguer has several tastes that are sweet, sour, bitter, sweet and sour, sweet and bitter, bitter and sour, depending on how it is made.

There is also a certain kind of drink called Sukur, made of red ginger cooked with traditionally-made brown sugar in a clay pot.

Sleep

Go next
There are daily flights from Manado to several cities in Indonesia, and Tomohon is only 33 km from the Sam Ratulangi International Airport.

 * Manado
 * Terminal Malalayang to go to Gorontalo, Palu, Poso, Makassar. Manado harbour to Bunaken, Siladen, Sangihe, Talaud.
 * Sam Ratulangi International Airport to Jakarta, Bali, Makassar, Singapore, Balikpapan, Raja Ampat, Ternate

 * Bitung via Tondano or Manado and to Bitung harbour and Lembeh Island
 * Bitung Harbo for travel by ship to Eastern Indonesia such as Maluku and Papua, also to Central Sulawesi and South East Sulawesi
 * Tangkoko National Park

 * Pulisan

You also can reach other destinations in the main areas of North Sulawesi.
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving
 * Tumbak for snorkelling and diving

title: Tomohon


text:
Tomsk

Tomsk (Russian: Томск tohmsk) is the capital city of Tomsk Oblast.

Understand
Located on the River Tom, the city was founded in 1604 by the order of Tsar Boris Godunov as a military outpost against nomadic peoples. Gold was discovered in 1830, which boosted the fortunes of the city, but after the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which bypassed Tomsk and passed the area further to the south, economic development also moved away from the city. Instead, Tomsk became a university town. Tomsk benefited after World War II as factories were moved east, away from the conflict. It was closed to outsiders during the Cold War.

Today, Tomsk has a population of around 525,000, of which 15% are students, coming from all over Siberia, Central Asia and even the European part of Russia. As a result, Tomsk probably has a bigger proportion of foreign language speakers than any other Siberian city.

By plane
Bus #118 (₽16) operates between the airport and the city centre.

By bus
Buses are the most convenient way to reach Tomsk from Novosibirsk (4½ hours, ₽800, 12 per day). Tickets can be purchased online.

By train
There is a rail branch from the Trans-Siberian Railway junction at Taiga, 2½ hours from.

By foot
Most of the city centre is within walking distance.

By public transport
Buses and trams typically cost ₽25.

By taxi
There are many taxi companies, most of which charge around ₽150-200 to go anywhere in the city. Taxi dispatchers and drivers do not speak English, so you would have to learn a couple of key phrases. If you are going to the airport or bus station, book the taxi in advance in case of high wait times. Don't hail taxis from the streets if possible, since they can rip off foreigners.

Districts

 * Governor's District. The central location in Tomsk, near the Oblast Administration office, on the bank of the river Tom. It was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city and reflects its history with several attractions, including the city's main cathedral and controversial and funny monument to Anton Chekhov.
 * Verhnyaya Yelan' is a carefully renovated and well-kept little district with wooden architecture, where old traditional merchant mansions are situated. Stunningly beautiful at night.

Monuments

 * Wolf Monument inspired by the cartoon Once Upon a Time Lived a Dog (on Shevchenko Street) - if you press the button on the wolf's belly, it will say one of 8 sayings from the cartoon.
 * Tomsk Slippers Monument (on the steps of Tomsk-2 Hotel across from Tomsk-I Train Station)
 * The Pregnant Woman Monument - a monument of a baby coming out of a pregnant woman.
 * Lagerny Sad (Camp Garden) is World War II monument on the bank of the river Tom which is beautiful and provides an amazing view of the river and the surroundings.
 * Lagerny Sad (Camp Garden) is World War II monument on the bank of the river Tom which is beautiful and provides an amazing view of the river and the surroundings.

Viewpoints

 * Voskersenskaya Hill has a great viewing point; this is where, in the 19th century, fire fighters watched for signs of fire.

Concerts

 * The church choir in the Epiphany Cathedral
 * Tomsk State University capella performs at what was the University chapel

Parks

 * Tomsk City Garden (Томский Городской сад) - has a Ferris wheel that offers a great view
 * Buff-Garden features an artificial cascade

Spectator sports

 * FC Tom Tomsk is the local team in the Russian Premier League

Buy
A lot of beautiful souvenirs made from birch bark, these range from hair brushes to bottles and baskets and maps of Russia. These are characteristic of Western Siberia and you will not get them anywhere else. Also try local souvenir shops at the airport and the main railway station for some other traditional local gifts.

Eat
The cuisine is similar to what you can try in Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and any other city in the region. Local foods like pelmeni or bliny (pancakes) can be found in practically any restaurant. Try the Siberian Pancakes (Sibirskie Bliny) with a lot of different fillings.

Drink
Nefiltroff is the local non-filtered beer — cheap, tasty and cheerful! Local vodka is also pretty cheap and considerably well-done.

Supermarkets cannot sell spirits after 10PM, although beer is still available at night at specialized bar-shops (they open bottles on sale). Bars and restaurants have no time limits for selling alcohol.

Nightclubs
Most nightclubs charge high entrance fees.

Stay safe
Try not to drink on the streets, or at least not to show it to local policemen. They are usually quite tolerant and in most cases will just tell you to stop drinking, still there may be accidents.

There is zero tolerance toward drugs, even the softest ones — so take extreme care.

Go next

 * The Altai Republic is a long drive south but has extremely beautiful scenery that will take at least a few days to explore.
 * Krasnoyarsk is a large city to the east.
 * Novokuznetsk is a polluted city south of Tomsk that offers more insights into Russian life.
 * Novosibirsk is 4½ hours away by bus and is a bigger city with more nightlife options.
 * Moscow is easily accessible via a direct flight.
 * Seversk closed city just to the north

title: Tomsk


text:
Tomsk Oblast

Tomsk Oblast (Russian: То́мская о́бласть TOHM-skuh-yuh OH-bluhst') is a region in Western Siberia, which borders Omsk Oblast and Tyumen Oblast to the west, Khantia-Mansia to the north, Krasnoyarsk (region) to the east, Kemerovo Oblast to the southeast, and Novosibirsk Oblast to the south.

Cities

 * — the capital is a 400 year old quintessential Siberian city of historical importance and famed for its "gingerbread" traditional wooden houses and neoclassical University buildings
 * — a large town on the rail line to Tomsk from Taiga
 * — this swampy village is the oldest settlement in the region (1596) and was home to numerous exiles, from Decembrists to anarchists to everyday Soviet citizens, including some very famous communists (Stalin, Rykov, Sverdlov, Ruybyshev).
 * — the second largest city in Tomsk Oblast; a major plutonium producing city that is closed to non-residents and was a secret city under the USSR
 * — a small oil-man city on the Ob River to the northwest of Tomsk

Understand

The Tomsk region was long an important center of Western Siberia, but lost importance after the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which passed the region by to the south. But due to the discovery of oil in the late 20th century, Tomsk Oblast received a vital injection of economic importance and has reclaimed some of its status as an important region of Western Siberia.

Tourists will find that Tomsk Oblast lives up to their Siberian expectations. It is sparsely inhabited, vast, flat, wooded, and yes, it gets quite cold during the winter! Its principal attraction is the city of Tomsk, which is a worthwhile detour off the Trans-Siberian Railway for its historical importance, architecture, and Siberian culture.

Talk
Knowledge of Russian is useful.

Get in
Tomsk's Bogashevo Airport is served by numerous domestic flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, and others.

It is also possible to arrive via the Taiga-Tomsk-Asino-Bely Yar branch line off the Trans-Siberian Railway from Kemerovo Oblast.

Eat
You should visit famous uzbek restaurant Osh (Ош) at Timakova street which is very popular especially for foreign students) or eat bliny (pancakes) which you can buy in many kiosk in the city.

title: Tomsk Oblast


text:
Toms River

Toms River is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is a few miles west of the beaches of the Jersey Shore Region, midway between New York and Philadelphia and a short distance from Atlantic City. Toms River is easy to get to by car as the Garden State Parkway bisects the town, and it is served by express bus service to and from New York City.

Understand
The body of water the town is named after is actually a tidal inlet from the Barnegat Bay.

History
The first settlers of the area included many that were exiled from nearby colonies on basis on religion. Toms River was founded in 1767, then known as Dover Township.

The involvement of Toms River in the Revolutionary War has often been overlooked. The town had America's sole garrison, making it one of the key targets for the British Loyalists, who attacked the settlement at least thrice. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but the second and especially the third attacks breached the town's defenses. Captain Joshua Huddy, one of the defenders, was captured by a group of Loyalists while defending the Toms River Blockhouse and hanged without trial. The town was subsequently razed by arson, with the exception of two houses.

Despite this, the founders sought to rise back up from the rubble. New industries, such as the iron and then the charcoal industries, had come and gone. The first Mormon Branch in the state was established here in 1838. The 1850s saw an abrupt rise of cranberry farming in the vicinity. It was also when Dover Township, encompassing much more that it occupies today, became the county seat of the newly formed Ocean County. A new railroad through Toms River fueled further growth, although the population didn't rise above 10,000 for the first half of the 20th century.

The completion of the Garden State Parkway, which passes directly through the town, caused Toms River to sprawl beyond the downtown core, with droves of new residents raising the population to over 50,000 before 1980. In 1998, the Toms River Little League team was declared the victor of the World Series, which was celebrated by a parade on Route 37, now named to honor the victory.

The name of Dover Township was changed to Toms River Township in 2006 following a referendum.

In 2021, it was home to 97,000 people. Toms River's notoriety has grown among Orthodox Jews in the United States because of its growing religious population, spilling over from nearby Lakewood.

This article also covers Beachwood, Island Heights, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach and South Toms River, but not the portion of Toms River Township on Pelican Island or the Barnegat Peninsula.

By plane
Toms River is 90 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and an hour from Atlantic City International Airport. Those wanting to travel to the nearby regions including Atlantic City can use the SJTA TransIT Link shuttle to travel between Atlantic City International Airport and the Pleasantville Bus Terminal. At the bus terminal you can catch another NJ Transit bus to Ocean County. Car rental services are available at both airports.

By train
Amtrak does not have a station in Toms River, but at stations in Point Pleasant approximately 20 miles away and in Trenton, New Brunswick, and Princeton Junction, around 40 miles away. New Jersey Transit trains also serve Point Pleasant, which is about 16 miles away by car and is connected by Ocean Ride to Lakewood Terminal, which in turn is served by NJ Transit buses to Toms River.

By bus
New Jersey Transit buses arrive approximately four times an hour, twice en route from New York to Atlantic City and twice en route from Atlantic City to New York. The local New Jersey Transit bus service runs up and down the main north-south route (Route 9) between Lakewood and Atlantic City. Those from Philadelphia and points west can ride the bus to Atlantic City, which is directly connected to Toms River by bus.

The main bus station is on Highland Parkway South, within walking distance of downtown. Other stops include the Ocean County Mall and Ocean County College, served by NJ Transit Bus 67 from Newark. Buses 137 and 559 also stop at the station and come from New York and Atlantic City, respectively.

Ocean Ride provides transport from the mall to downtown every day except Sundays after Labor Day weekend before May 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

By car
Toms River is located off the Garden State Parkway exit 82(A) which leads visitors to the main commercial corridor, NJ-37. Downtown is easily accessible from exit 81. NJ-70 passes through Toms River from the west.

By boat
There are marinas and docks for small craft to park, though most of them require a fee to rent.

By car
A car is the best method for getting around Toms River and the surrounding area. There are free parking lots along West Water Street and metered streetside parking by the Ocean County Library and other downtown streets.

By taxi
There are a number of taxi services around and within Toms River as well as services like Uber and Lyft. Fares vary.

By bike and on foot
Downtown is more walkable than other sections of the town. The bus terminal is about 15 minutes by foot from the heart of downtown Toms River. There are places to rent bikes to get around for the day.

See
The Hidden History trail passes by local historical sites as well as museums and halls-of-fame dedicated to them. There are QR codes to learn about each site. Also, look out for statues on Washington Street and murals near Main Street.

On the river
There are several companies that provide kayak and sailboat rentals for exploring by boat.

Beaches
Toms River has some beaches on the mainland, though not as popular as those on the Barnegat Peninsula.

A beach badge is required to access the main beaches of Toms River Township. They can be purchased for a single day, an entire week, or a full season. Beach badges can only be purchased in-person using cash or check, and are only valid for a specific municipality. They are sold at discounted prices starting in April before the season at the Recreation Administration Office on 1810 Warren Pointe Road, or at full price during the season there or on the beach. Prices shown are for daily badges purchased during the season.

Buy
There are many local shops downtown. There are several large grocery stores that serve the area as well as a number of smaller specialty stores.

Eat and drink
Toms River is home to many family-owned Italian restaurants.

Stay safe
You'll be glad to hear that crime isn't as prevalent in Toms River compared to cities such as Atlantic City, Camden and Trenton.

Go next

 * Seaside Heights can be reached by crossing the Mathis Bridge carrying Route 37.
 * Lakewood, north of Toms River, has a rapidly growing population with Jewish influence.
 * Southern Ocean County has some petting zoos, along with the Albert Music Hall and Tuckerton Seaport.
 * Long Beach Island, further south along the shore, is known for the Barnegat Lighthouse.
 * Atlantic City, the state's gambling hub, is accessible by taking the GSP South to the Atlantic City Expressway.

title: Toms River


text:
Tonasket

Tonasket is a city in the North Cascades region of Washington State.

Do

 * Okanogan Family Barter Faire, 76 W Cayuse Mountain Rd, a survivalist or holistic type of fair with camping and metaphysical activities as well. Usually takes place around the 3rd week of May. Tickets ~$5. +1 509-486-2173

Go next

 * Sitzmark - ski resort, 20 miles northeast of Tonasket

title: Tonasket


text:
Tonbridge

Tonbridge is a town of 41,000 people (2019) on the River Medway in West Kent, in South-East England.

History
Situated on the banks of the river Medway, Tonbridge has been a market town since the Earl of Gloucester was granted the right to hold a weekly market in 1259. A castle was built there in the 11th century by Richard Fitzgilbert, a nobleman in William the Conqueror's invading army, and rebuilt in the 13th century.

The town and its surrounding areas became famous for the production of finely inlaid wooden cabinets, boxes and other objects, which were called "Tunbridgeware".

Tonbridge was spelt "Tunbridge" until 1870, but the spelling of the name was changed in an effort to avoid confusion with nearby Tunbridge Wells, a larger, but considerably newer, town about five miles to the south.

Get in
Tonbridge is 4 miles (6 km) north of Royal Tunbridge Wells, 12 miles (19 km) south west of Maidstone and 29 miles (47 km) south east of London.

By car
The main roads into Tonbridge are the A21, which runs from the M25 down to Hastings, the A26, which goes south to Brighton and north to Maidstone and the A227 which also goes north to Gravesend.

By train
is very near the centre of town and has trains from London Charing Cross, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Redhill, Ashford and East Kent. Additionally there are services to London Cannon St via London Bridge. London is served by four services per hour and the journey takes 30-45 minutes. Tickets cost about £10.

By bus
There are local buses to Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks (route 402) and Maidstone (routes 6 and 7), and other towns.

Get around
The centre of Tonbridge is fairly small, and can easily be travelled on foot. As with most other towns in England, the town is well served by buses and taxis.

By bus
Arriva is the bus company that operates in Tonbridge. Timetables and fares are available on their website. Buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus.

By taxi
The main taxi rank is at the train station, although you can order a taxi by telephone to pick you up from anywhere.

For booked journeys try:

 * Kent Chauffeurs
 * Streamline: +44 1732 505050

Do

 * Hire a boat and potter about on the Medway
 * Take a walk or go fishing at the lakes in Hayesden Country Park

Buy
Tonbridge High Street offers the standard blend of chain and grocery stores. Unusually good charity shops.

Drink

 * The Humphrey Bean (on the high street) or the wharf are good places to drink.

Sleep

 * The town is also served by two Premier Travel Inns, both of which are about one mile from the town centre. One is attached to the Vauxhall Inn (at the A21/A26 junction to the south) and the other to the Hilden Manor (B245 towards Hildenborough to the north-west).
 * The town is also served by two Premier Travel Inns, both of which are about one mile from the town centre. One is attached to the Vauxhall Inn (at the A21/A26 junction to the south) and the other to the Hilden Manor (B245 towards Hildenborough to the north-west).
 * The town is also served by two Premier Travel Inns, both of which are about one mile from the town centre. One is attached to the Vauxhall Inn (at the A21/A26 junction to the south) and the other to the Hilden Manor (B245 towards Hildenborough to the north-west).

Go next

 * South to Tunbridge Wells on A26
 * South to Hastings on A21
 * East to Maidstone on A26

title: Tonbridge


text:
Tonga

Tonga, the "Friendly Islands", is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. The tourist industry is relatively undeveloped. Cruise ships often stop in Vavaʻu, which has a reputation for its whale watching, game fishing, surfing, and beaches.

Regions
The country is divided into five island groups, or regions.

Cities

 * Nukuʻalofa ㅡ Tonga's capital.
 * Neiafu ㅡ Barely a city even by Pacific island standards, Neiafu is the administrative centre of the Vavaʻu group.

Understand
The archipelago was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Tonga is the only indigenous monarchy in the Pacific that survived the age of colonialism. Tonga is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world (although in the past years, it can be considered quasi-constitutional) and is based upon an essentially feudal system where the king disburses land and positions without recourse to an elected body. Although Tongan royalty is largely loved and revered by Tongans, younger people often have an appetite for stronger accountability and a more modern constitution (although there are still many die-hard young monarchists). An election was held in November 2010. This was planned to lead to a major reduction in the powers of the King and the land-owning nobility in favour of a more democratic form of governance; however, of the 26 seats in Parliament only 17 are elected with the rest being allocated to the nobles. After some horse trading, a noble emerged as the Prime Minister.

Tonga has an economy with none of the corporate chain stores and with local small businesses providing all necessary goods and services.

There were pro-democracy riots in Nuku'alofa in November 2006 which left 8 people dead and large portions of the town centre burnt out. Rebuilding after the riots in Nuku'alofa has been more or less completed and there are abundant tourism facilities.

Tourists were not a target during the riots and you will find Tonga a friendly and appealing place to visit although don't expect the same level of infrastructure as in more developed countries.

History
Tonga was thought to have been colonized by the Lapita around 1500-1000 BC. Polynesian societies developed in 500 BC and from 1200 CE, the Tu‘i Tonga Empire gained its hegemonic control over the central Pacific. Captain James Cook visited Tonga in the 1770s and called it the Friendly Islands. In 1845, Tonga was unified into a kingdom and later a constitutional monarchy in 1875. Under the Treaty of Friendship, Tonga maintained its autonomy under a British protectorate until independence was declared on 4 June 1970.

Tourist information

 * Tonga Tourism Authority website

Visas
Visa exemption is in place for citizens of any Schengen country (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), who do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less within a 180-day period. Visa is also not required for citizens from China, Israel and United Arab Emirates. Citizens of the following countries can get a free, one-month visitor's visa on arrival if they can prove they have a return ticket to leave Tonga at the end of their stay and sufficient funds to cover their stay: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Ireland, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.

Visitor's visas can be extended at the immigration department in the capital.

By plane

 * Fua'amotu Airport is on Tongatapu around half an hour from Nuku'alofa. The largest airport in Tonga and the only one on Tongatapu. There are several flights a week from Auckland, Sydney, Suva and Nadi.
 * Lifuka Island Airport.

By private boat
Lots of people arrive by private yacht since Tonga, particularly Vava'u, is a common stop on the around-the-world circuit.

Get around
To get between island groups, you basically have to fly (or sail).

Motorbikes, scooters and cycles can be rented on Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai. On Tongatapu you can hire a car. There are also taxis. To get around the main island, Tongatapu, Teta Tours and Toni's guest house offer day tours of all the main tourist sights. The speed limit is usually 40 km/h and this is stuck to by the local drivers. You're meant to also buy a local Tongan driving licence on top of your existing licence before you drive (25 pa'anga). The roads are good in and around Nuku'alofa but deteriorate the further from the town and the further south you travel. Most cars in Tonga are in a terrible state, maintained on a budget and held together by a combination of 'Western Union' stickers and prayer. The low speed limit helps to keep accidents down. There are buses to various points on Tongatapu from Nuku'alofa although there are no timetables.

Talk
The official languages of Tonga are Tongan and English.

Tongan is the most widely spoken language in Tonga. English is also widely understood because many of the high schools teach exclusively in English. Even natives who speak exclusively Tongan will know at least a bit of English, because of the latter's cultural and linguistic influence. As is common on some other Pacific island nations, many Tongans, when asked a question they are unsure of or don't understand, will reply with a "Yes". In this case, ask a follow up question and if the reply is still "Yes", ask someone else.

See

 * Tongatapu. Tongatapu is Tonga's largest island with over two-thirds of the country's small population. It is a coral island surrounded by coral reefs. The capital, Nuku'alofa, on the north coast, has a relaxed air, despite the troubles of a few years ago. There are some interesting places to visit, such as ancient tombs and coastal blowholes, and some nice beaches with good snorkelling. Tongatapu also provides a good opportunity to view a unique culture. There are several small islands to the north of Tongatapu that have been developed into resorts. Nuku'alofa has good quality accommodation and guest houses within range of the backpacker.
 * 'Eua. 'Eua Island is located only 17.5 km east southeast from Tongatapu. It is the highest island in Tonga and is not related geologically to the other islands, being much older. It has beaches on the western side but dramatic cliffs on the east coast, with Tonga's largest tropical rain forest, which is a great place to go trekking. There are a few small guest houses.
 * Vava'u. Vava’u is a group of more than 50 islands, about 150 miles north of Tongatapu. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of Neiafu is a common destination for yachties sailing the South Pacific, attracting about 500 yachts every season. The waters of the islands are known for their clarity. The area attracts many humpback whales between June and November and there are organised tours to see them. Other things to do include diving, renting a yacht, kayaking; game fishing and kite surfing. There are some good walks on the main island. There are many places to stay both in the capital Neiafu and on the outlying islands.

 * Ha'apai. Ha'apai is a group of about 60 islands, south of the Vava'u group and north of Tongatapu. Only 20 islands are constantly inhabited. This is where the Mutiny on the Bounty occurred in 1789. The total population is approximately 5,500. There are plenty of sandy beaches plus good diving and snorkelling and the opportunity to see some whales. Ha'apai offers the whole range of accommodation, from budget to upmarket resort.
 * The Niuas. The Niuas are reachable by weekly flights from Vava’u. Niuatoputapu is 240 km north of Vava’u and has a population of around 1400. It has beautiful white beaches, particularly on the north-west side of the island. Niuafo’ou is the northernmost island of Tonga. It is known as Tin Can island from the fact that in earlier times mail was delivered and picked up by strong swimmers who would retrieve packages sealed up in a biscuit tin and thrown overboard from passing ships. Niuafo’ou is the tip of an underwater volcano. The last eruption was in 1946, after which the whole island was evacuated for ten years. Accommodation on both islands is limited.
 * Beaches. With over 419 km22 of coastline, the beaches of Tonga are a tropical paradise and the variety of sandy beaches around a forest landscape with palm trees.

Do
Apart from a few historical sites on Tongatapu most things to do in Tonga reflect its island nature. Diving, snorkelling, fishing, boat trips, kayaking and kite surfing are all possible. There are some lovely beaches if you just want to laze around. Tonga has some good restaurants and this is the place to come if you like lobster.

Take time to learn a little about Tonga's fairly feudal culture and its many traditions. Go to church. Even if you are not religious the singing can be very moving. Watch tapa cloth being made from mulberry bark and try a drink of kava, the traditional drink, which is mildly psychoactive.

As in other Pacific Island nations, Rugby football is very popular in Tonga.

Money
The national currency is the pa'anga, or Tongan dollar, denoted by the symbol "T$" or sometimes "PT" (ISO currency code: TOP). Denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 seniti and 1 pa'anga coins and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pa'anga banknotes.

Costs and shopping
Although Tonga is a developing country, prices for many things are comparable to or slightly greater than New Zealand or Australia. Most of what you eat, apart from fish, lobsters, roots and tubers, fruits and vegetables will have been imported. A good meal out will cost T$30–50, a beer in a restaurant or bar costs about T$5–6, hiring a car is about T$50–60 a day and cigarettes are T$7–8 for a pack of 25.
 * Tapa. Tapa cloth is made from the bulk of the paper mulberry tree. Although tapa is found throughout Polynesia, Tonga is the only country where it is still a part of daily life. The bark is stripped from the tree trunk and the outer bark is then scraped off from the inner bark and discarded. The inner bark is first dried in the sun before being soaked. It is then beaten into strips of 25 cm using wooden mallets. The continuous beats of the tapa mallet are still a common sound in Tongan villages. The narrow strips are then beaten together into a wider sheet and decorated.

Eat
Tongan feasts are a must-do. Tour companies and hotels organize feasts, together with traditional dancing, on several nights of the week on Tongatapu and in Vava'u. You should try Ota (marinated raw fish) and Lu (meat wrapped in taro leaves).

Drink
Tonga is lively well into the evening, generally becoming suddenly very quiet at around 11PM. Expect to see people walking around until late. Beer and liquor are available from many outlets, including Fijian, Australian and New Zealand imports to complement the local brews. If you are keen to check out native drink, try Kava (something like liquid novacaine) at least once.

The local beer is called Ikale and is sold in 330 ml bottles in most restaurants and bars (T$4.50-5). Or you can buy the same bottles from one of the many 'Chinese' roadside shops or a supermarket for T$2 or less. Imported beers are mainly from Australia although there are also some from Europe. Most are sold in 330 ml cans or bottles.

Sleep
There is a wide range of accommodation in Tonga, ranging from luxurious to budget. Most have relatively few rooms, though. The Tonga Visitors Bureau has a full listing. See detailed listings on the pages for Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai.

Work
There are many opportunities for skilled trades from the streets to the shops, in the schools to the churches and yes from the markets to the office. This is a hot spot for skilled navigators spanning throughout 169 villages and 150 islands. Some major exports include vanilla, handcrafts and specialty pumpkins grown for export to Japan. Other agriculture sectors include root crops like taro, tapioca, sweet potatoes, yams, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, watermelons and even peanuts.

If you are on a visitor's visa, you cannot be involved with business or take up employment while in Tonga. You also cannot take courses from an educational institution. It is mostly illegal to try to change a visitor's visa into a visa that allows for employment, so if you intend to have a job while in Tonga, make sure you have an employment visa in advance. Apply for your visa at least one month in advance. If you are already in Tonga and would like to extend it, contact the immigration department one month in advance about the extension.

While employment visas are available, the immigration department will probably be reluctant to grant you one as Tonga has a high unemployment rate, and would prefer that jobs be taken up by Tongan citizens as opposed to outsiders. If you're coming to Tonga for humanitarian or volunteer work, you need an employment visa for that.

Stay safe
Tonga is generally a safe country.

Marine wildlife
Since the whole country is situated on the Pacific Ocean, there are many sharp corals on Tonga's beaches. It's a good idea to wear some footwear while walking around.

Natural hazards
Tonga is vulnerable to a number of natural hazards due to its location.

Earthquakes
The whole archipelago is situated around the "Ring of Fire", an earthquake zone situated in the Pacific Ocean. Earthquake activity typically takes place underwater. Depending on the intensity of an underwater earthquake, a tsunami can very easily be triggered.

Volcanoes
It is estimated that there are up to 36 undersea volcanoes surrounding Tonga. Although the chances of an eruption are rare, they are still a possibility. Depending on the intensity of an underwater volcanic eruption, a tsunami can very easily be triggered. The massive Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption of January 2022, the largest in the 21st century so far, caused major damage to Tonga through a tsunami and ashfall, resulting in a few deaths, a shortage of water, and a loss of communications with the outside world.

Cyclones
The official cyclone season is from November through April. During this time, winds can be strong, the risk of flooding will increase, and you can expect to face heavy rainfall. The various tips found in the cyclones article are of immense help.

Two resources to consult are as follows: World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Tonga Meteorological Service. Newspapers and radio stations can also prove helpful during a cyclone.

Stay healthy
An outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, started in 2014, so take precautions against mosquito bites. An outbreak of Dengue fever was also reported in early 2015. There is no malaria in Tonga though.

Exercise the usual caution when snorkelling, as the coral can be dangerous.

Tap water is generally safe, though its quality might vary by location.

Respect
Tongans in general tend to have a relaxed attitude towards life. They place a lot of emphasis on humility and hospitality. Being a conservative, highly religious country, Tongan culture is heavily influenced by Christian values and principles.

Social etiquette and breaches

 * To get the greatest amount of respect, dress modestly. Some people (usually coming from cruise liners) have been arrested for walking around topless.
 * Tongans observe the Sabbath. This means that on Sunday, most people will rest instead of working. Some facilities (hotels, restaurants, beach resorts) will be open.
 * Religion plays an important role in the lives of many Tongans. Christian shows and programmes are common, and many Tongans follow a breadth of Christian denominations. Many of the services are very enjoyable. Strike up a friendship with some locals and you will have no problems having an enjoyable Sunday experience.
 * Tongans consider it important to respect figures of authority and their seniors. Try to behave sensibly in front of someone older/senior than you, and try not to do something that would make them feel challenged.
 * Although talking behind someone's back is common in many parts of the world, Tongans frown upon gossip and consider it incredibly disrespectful.
 * Tongans value humility and sensibility. Even the Tongan royal family is held to the same behavioural standards. Bragging or boasting about your accomplishments is not taken positively.
 * Don't criticise or speak badly of the Tongan royal family; they are venerated in Tongan society and criticising them as an outsider could very easily offend people.

Connect
Telecommunications in Tonga are handled by two operators; Digicel Tonga and Tonga Communications Corporation. The latter operates a 900 MHz GSM-network.

WiFi hotspots are how people connect to the Internet in Tonga and you should expect slow connection speed, data limits and high prices. Given the country's location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean it's not surprising.

Tonga Post handles international and domestic mail in the country.

title: Tonga


text:
Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park, in the central North Island of New Zealand, contains the three active volcanoes of Mount Ruapehu (the island's highest peak), Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. It is one of the North Island's most popular areas for day tramping, multi-day tramping and snow sports. The island's two main skifields are on Ruapehu. The park was New Zealand's first national park and is a World Heritage site.

History
Established in 1887, Tongariro National Park was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world, after Yellowstone, Royal and Banff. It began with 250 km2, and has been expanded twice (in 1922 and 1975) to today cover nearly 800 km2. It is also a mixed World Heritage area, a status which recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. In 1993 it became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolise the spiritual links between this community and its environment. The park has a diverse range of ecosystems and some spectacular landscapes.

Landscape
Dominating the landscape are the three volcanoes of Ruapehu (2797 m), Ngauruhoe (2291 m) and Tongariro (1967 m). Geologically, Ngauruhoe is a secondary vent of Tongariro but is otherwise universally accepted as a separate mountain. All are active, with Tongariro last erupting in November 2012, Ruapehu in 2007 and Ngauruhoe in 1977. Ruapehu also has a crater lake which can occasionally overflow into nearby rivers and create lahars; on Christmas Eve 1953, 151 people were killed when one such overflow wiped out the Tangiwai rail bridge moments before an overnight Wellington to Auckland express was due. There are also a large number of dormant and extinct volcanoes dotted across the landscape.

Flora and fauna
It is a place of extremes and surprises, a place to explore and remember. From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes. The landscape has served as a backdrop for many New Zealand films, most notably serving as Mordor (with the help of computer graphics) in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Get in
The nearest towns to the park are National Park Village, Ohakune, Raetihi, Turangi, and Waiouru. These can be easily reached by car, as they lie on the four highways encircling the park. State Highway 1 (SH 1) goes through Turangi and Waiouru, over the Desert Road in between to the east of the park. State Highway 4 passes west of the park through National Park village and Raetihi. State Highway 49 forms the southern link, connecting SH 4 several kilometres north of Raetihi with SH 1 at Waiouru via Ohakune. State Highway 47 forms the northern link, from SH 4 at National Park to SH 41 at Turangi, with a short section of SH 41 through Turangi to SH 1. There is also SH 46, which forms a shortcut between SH 47 and SH 1 south of Lake Rotoaira. Whakapapa village is 6 km up SH 48, a spur branching off SH 47.

National Park village and Ohakune can also be reached by train, on the main trunk line between Wellington and Auckland.

The nearest airport is at Taupo, 50 km north of Turangi.

Get around
The Department of Conservation (DOC) no longer likes people to leave their cars at the Mangatepopo end of the Tongariro Crossing due to a high number of thefts, so the shuttles from Ketetahi at the end of the day do not drop people off at the Mangatepopo carpark. They will only drop you on the main road which is 7 km from the carpark. Instead DOC is trying to encourage people to leave their cars at Whakapapa Village and get a shuttle to the start of the track and the shuttles from the end drop you back to Whakapapa village for $15.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19.4-km walk across the volcanic landscape of Mount Tongariro, taking 6 to 8 hours. It has steep climbs, great views and colourful lakes, and some say it is the best one-day walk in the world. The crossing should be booked in advance on the DOC booking page; this was introduced in 2023 with no cap on numbers or booking charge, but daily limits may be introduced in future years.

Mount Tongariro is at high altitude, the weather is very changeable all year round, and there is no shelter on most of the walk. Summer days can start warm, sunny and calm, then turn cold, wet and windy. From autumn through to spring (Apr–Nov) it can be snowy and icy. Check the weather forecast before departing. Take warm clothing, even in summer. At all times of the year, you may need clothing for wet weather and cold biting wind. Much of the track is rocky and uneven, so wear hiking shoes or boots. Don't be one of the people who get hypothermia and have to be rescued by emergency services because you didn't take enough clothing.

The walk is usually done from the Mangatepopo Road end to the Ketetahi Road, as the Ketetahi end is at a lower elevation (760 m vs 1120 m) and therefore requires less uphill walking. The walk is crowded in summer, with up to 2000 people a day. The only water en route is at two huts; one at the start of the track and the other at the end.

A side trip to the summit and crater of Ngauruhoe adds two hours of mostly hard, steep climbing, and provides excellent views on a good day. You can run down the scree slopes on the way back, but the scree is sharp and may cut if you hit it with bare skin.

A short and easy side trip (one hour return from Red Crater) can be made to the much less spectacular summit of Tongariro. Red Crater can be entered from near the Emerald Lakes by walking up the steaming slope south of the lakes. Frodo and Sam walked up this slope during their vacation in Mordor. Blue Lake is sacred to Maori and is tapu, so treat it with respect. A short scramble off-track to the left leads to North Crater. A sidle around the massif to the right from near Ketetahi takes you to the Te Maari craters.

The crossing can be done in winter, but alpine skills, ice axe and crampons are essential. In winter, a high standard of navigational skill may be required as the poles marking the track may be buried in snow and mist may reduce visibility to 10 m or less. Several companies provide guided walks and these are particularly useful in winter if you are not an experienced alpine trekker.

Mount Tongariro is an active volcano and, although eruptions are infrequent, they can occur without warning. The track reopened in May 2013 after being closed by eruptions in 2012.

Tongariro Northern Circuit
The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a 43.1-km hike that takes 3 or 4 days and can be walked in either direction. The clockwise walk usually begins at Whakapapa and heads to Mangatepopo. From there it follows the Alpine Crossing as far as Emerald Lakes. Camping is possible in the north end of South Crater; there is usually water flowing from a spring here, though not in very dry weather. A short side-walk can be made to Blue Lake. The Circuit leaves the Crossing and goes down to Oturere Hut. Lava formations make Oturere Valley fantastic in miserable weather. Oturere Hut has a great waterfall nearby.

From Oturere head across desert, then through beech forest to Waihohonu Hut. Another side trip leads to the stunning Ohinepango cold springs (15 minutes from the hut), then the track heads over the gentle Tama Saddle and back to Whakapapa. A side trip on this section leads to two deep explosion craters which form Tama Lakes.

Sleep
There are several ski lodges on Mount Ruapehu, and the Department of Conservation operates a number of back country huts in the park. The nearby towns also make good bases, with National Park Village and Turangi being the closest to the Tongariro Crossing.

Stay safe
The weather in the Tongariro National Park can change very quickly. Don't take any weather warnings lightly; in 2008, six Auckland high school students and their teacher died in a flash flood after they didn't heed a heavy rain warning. MetService publishes regular weather updates for Tongariro on their website.

Be very careful drinking water in the park. All of the huts have tanks to store rain water but in some, this is contaminated with giardia. Stream water can contain heavy metals from the volcanoes. The positive of this is that the stream beds can have spectacular colours.

Go next

 * National Park Village
 * Ohakune
 * Raetihi
 * Turangi

title: Tongariro National Park


text:
Tongatapu

Tongatapu is Tonga's largest island with over two-thirds of the country's population.

Understand
A coral island surrounded by coral reefs. The capital, Nuku'alofa, on the north coast, has a relaxed air, despite the troubles of a few years ago (see article on Tonga). There are some interesting places to visit and some nice beaches with good snorkelling and Tongatapu provides a good opportunity to view a unique culture. Most of the interesting places are outside Nuku’alofa but most of the places to stay are in the capital. There is a good bus network and car rental is possible.

By plane

 * Air New Zealand flies from Auckland five or six times weekly, excluding Sundays
 * Virgin Australia flies from Sydney and Auckland twice a week.
 * You can also arrive from Fiji (Nadi and Suva) on Fiji Airways, with connections from the USA, Hong Kong, Australia and Samoa.
 * You can also arrive from Fiji (Nadi and Suva) on Fiji Airways, with connections from the USA, Hong Kong, Australia and Samoa.

A crowd of local taxi drivers meets each incoming flight at the airport and they usually charge 50 pa'anga to Nuku'alofa. The Teta Tours mini-bus also meets flights and will deliver you to your hotel or guest house for 10 pa'anga.

If you arrive on Saturday, beware that there will be no shops open on Sunday, bar one or two bakers, and that your hotel may not serve meals until the evening (some provide a packed breakfast on Saturday evening!). So discuss food arrangements for Sunday with your hotel or you may go hungry!

By boat
Cruise ships dock at the just northeast of the Royal Palace, on the north side of Nuku'alofa.

Get around
Nuku'alofa is small enough to walk around and taxis are available. (You can take a bus from around the terminal, but the bus is unreliable, taxi is a better option.) You can go by boat to the small islands around Nuku'alofa from the pier.

Tongatapu can just about be seen in one day by car or motorbike. You can rent cars and motor scooters. A Tongan driver's licence for T$25 is available and can be obtained at the police department with your home licence.There are few road signs on Tongatapu so you'll need a good map if you're touring in a car. The speed limit on most of the island is and this is stuck to by the local drivers. The police have radar guns to check. The roads are good in and around Nuku'alofa but deteriorate the further from the town and the further south you travel.You can hire a car from the Friend's Tourist Centre (near the main post office) for about T$50 and a tour of the island is about 120 km.

Many cars on the island are in a terrible state, maintained on a budget and held together by a combination of Western Union stickers and prayer. The low speed limit helps to keep accidents down. However, there have been a lot of imports of reconditioned Japanese cars and the general quality of vehicles is improving. Available cars for rent are good.

Teta Tours and Toni's guest house offer day tours of all the main tourist sights (T$40-80 depending on how many are on the tour).

Buses to various points on Tongatapu run from the bus concourse on the seafront in Nuku'alofa although there are no timetables posted and local sources say that they are not reliable after about 15:30 on most days. With few bus stops you just stand on the side of the road and flag the driver down (do not wave, they will wave back and keep driving). The most popular buses in Tonga are generally the loudest, so when you want to get off a reasonably loud "stop" will do it (again, just anywhere you want them to stop). If you don't like kids or crowds avoid the buses at the end-of-school time, they get packed out and the only limit on how many people in a bus is how many can fit in. The general cost of getting from Nuku`alofa to the surfing destination of Ha`atafu on the western peninsula is roughly T$2.20.

Talk
Tongan is the official language but English is very widely spoken.

See

 * Nuku’alofa. This is the capital of Tonga and the largest city of Tongatapu.

Do
Take a day trip to Pangaimotu or one of the outer islands. A trip to Pangaimotu Island costs about T$20 return. The small island, the closest one to Nuku`alofa has a half sunken ship wreck to snorkel around. However, beware of jumping off as the bottom is shallow on some sides and the rusted ship is sharp. The ship also attracts sea snakes. The island takes about an hour to meander around and has a restaurant which serves good food and hires snorkeling gear (costly). Good idea to go on Sunday when most other things are closed.

Consider buying some interesting stamps at and mail yourself or loved ones a letter with heart-shaped, watermelon-shaped or even banana-shaped stamps!

Eat
For a small town, Nuku'alofa offers a decent range of restaurants and bars. Expect to pay T$15-40 for a main course in a restaurant and about T$5 for a takeaway at one of the roadside sellers. Seafood is usually good.

The Oholei Beach Dinner and Show is set in Hina cave on the beach on the south-east side of Tongatapu, near the airport. It includes a Tongan dinner and a traditional show (inside a limestone cave). The cost is about T$30 each and can be booked from the Tonga Visitors Center. Transport is extra. Make sure you understand the travel arrangements when you make the booking, e.g. where and when to be picked up.

Most restaurants and eateries are closed on Sunday but there are a couple of Chinese restaurants which are open Sunday.

Budget

 * Pangaimotu Island. The closest of several islands off the north coast of Tongatapu. Single T$60, double $90; Communal Fale: $35/person; Camping: Tent Site: $10; Tent Hire: $5. Rates go down if you stay more than one night.

Stay safe
is located at the south side of Nuku'alofa.

Tongatapu is very safe but the usual travel precautions apply. Don't flash expensive cameras and jewelry and don't leave passports, money, clothes, etc. lying around in hotel rooms. If you're staying with locals (there is a good chance you'll be invited to stay at someone's home on Tongatapu) take your valuables with you during the day and secure them at night

Tongan drivers are sometimes erratic so watch out. Asking for a helmet when you hire a bicycle is advisable. Dogs can be a nuisance especially in some areas outside of the capital and after dark.

Water that crashes over the reefs into the lagoons is sucked back out again through gaps in the reefs. Be careful when snorkelling that you don't get caught in one of these channels of water heading for open sea or you could be seriously damaged by the coral.

Connect
There are several internet cafes in town. The Friend's Cafe is most expensive at about T$8 an hour and some places charge as low as T$2 an hour. Avoid inserting camera cards into the slots due to the risk of computer viruses. Use Skype to call overseas because it's about T$1 per minute if you buy a phone card.

Mobile internet coverage is decent in Tongatapu. You will experience 3G or sometimes 2G connection even in Nuku'alofa, so don't expect the data speed to be fast.

Embassies and High Commissions

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Go next
There are flights and ferries to Vava'u, and Ha'apai. None of these services operates on Sunday.

'Eua Island is 17.5 km east-southeast from Tongatapu. It is the highest island in Tonga and is not related geologically to the other islands, being much older. It has beaches on the western side but dramatic cliffs on the east coast, with Tonga’s largest tropical rain forest, which is a great place to go trekking.

‘Eua is an eight-minute flight from Tongatapu. There is also a ferry that leaves from Nuku’alofa at 12:30 in the afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Cost is T$25. The ferry can get rather crowded, so be early. On average, the ferry will take about two and a half hours, but can take much longer (5-6 hours!) in poor weather. Flights and ferries can be delayed or even cancelled without notice in poor weather conditions.

title: Tongatapu


text:
Tongeren

Tongeren (French: Tongres, German: Tongern) is a city and municipality located in the province of Limburg in the Flemish region of Belgium. Its claim to be the "oldest town in Belgium", and its famous "Sunday antique and flea market" make the city a popular tourist attraction.

Understand
The city is the capital of both an administrative and a judicial district. The municipality has 31,000 inhabitants (2018) in an area of 87.56 km ². 17,000 people live in the old town. Tongeren is in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. French is also widely spoken as Wallonia including the big city of Liège is nearby. People generally speak at least basic English as well.

History
Archaeologists have found objects in the region dating from between 5300 and 4800 BC, and the oldest remains of buildings are from a Roman camp standing there from 30 BC, which was abandoned after a decade or so to be occupied by the Tungri tribe. It's unclear who the Tungri were; local tribes, Germans coming across the Rhine, or an alliance of these (tungri in Celtic means "companions"). The Romans then named the place Atuatuca Tungrorum - the fortress of the Tungri. In 69-70 AD, local tribes revolted against the Roman rule in an event known as the Revolt of the Batavi. The Romans put down the revolt and burned down the fortress.

With Romans controlling the region, the fortress and town was rebuilt. A road to Cassel (near Paris), an aqueduct, a temple and many commerces were constructed to make it the capital of civitas Tungrorum . Later ramparts and walls were built to protect the prospering city from attacks by Franks and Vandals. In the 4th century also Christianity arrived, and Saint Materne of Cologne set up a diocese seat in the town and converted the population. The diocese would soon be moved to Maastricht and finally to Liège which became the main city of the region and the capital of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, part of the Holy Roman Empire. Tongeren still remained the second city of the principality, as officially declared in the 1316 Peace of Feixhe, a kind of Magna Carta. A few decades earlier, between 1241 and 1290 a new city wall with six gates and twelve fortified towers had been built.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the region saw many wars between the states in the region despite the neutrality of Liège. The 17th century was marked by peace until the Franco-Dutch War when the French burned most of the city to the ground in 1677. This definitely meant the end of the grand days, and today Tongeren is definitely nothing like the second city in a country. In 1795 Tongeren became part of France, and its status was reduced to a locality in the department of Meuse-Inférieure. After the defeat of Napoleon, in 1815, the parts of France that make up present-day Belgium became part of the Limburg province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Then, in 1839, the southern part of Limburg including Tongeren became part of the new Belgian kingdom and a local administration was set up here.

During the 20th century, Tongeren was occupied by Germans for several years during both world wars and was bombed with V1 bombs in 1944 after being liberated. After the war the city was developed into commercial centre, and with the merger of surrounding municipalities in the 1970s, the city grew both in population and size.

Get in
You can use the route planner at http://delijn.be for routes and schedules for all public transport in Belgium - both for getting to and around Tongeren

By plane
The nearest airports are in Liège and Maastricht. As of early 2023, the former is mostly a cargo airport with some charter flights, whereas the latter also has a few budget flights operated by Ryanair. Brussels airport has a much wider range of flights and destinations.

By car
East from Maastricht 18 km on N79.

South from Liège 31 km on E313 (exit 32) or N20.

North from Hasselt 29 km on E313 or N20.

West from Sint-Truiden 22 km on N79.

West from Brussels 89 km on E40 (exit 29) and N69

By train
Hourly trains from Liège Guillemins take 40 minutes to reach Tongeren. Trains also run hourly from Brussels, taking one hour 50 minutes.

By bus
There are buses from Hasselt (line 4), Liège (line 74), Maastricht (line 62) and Sint-Truiden (line 23a).

By bus
There are four city bus lines, one of which goes to the village of Herstappe. They run from Monday to Saturday. To travel on Sunday, you can call +32 11 850300 to order a bus. A single ticket costs €2.50, and a 24-hr ticket €7.50.

By car
Getting around by car is generally not a problem as there's little traffic and roads are in a good condition. In the old town, streets are narrow and parking are paid. There are three underground parkings in town.

Allego operates 27 charging stations (2-11 kW and 22 kW) for electric cars in Tongeren municipality.

By bike
In the city, one-way streets can be ridden by bike only when signposted by either of these signs:  or.

By foot
Tongeren is a relatively small and flat city, easy to navigate by foot to the major attractions (they're generally just a few hundred metres away from each other).

Religious buildings

Castles
All castles are private property, but they can be admired from the outside. They've usually been modified over the centuries, meaning they have a different appearance depending on which direction you look at it from.

Other houses

Statues and monuments

Walls and ramparts

Museums

Do

 * Geocaching - there are 157 caches of different sizes in the municipality, four of which are accessible to mobility impaired people.

De Motten municipal park

The following activities are available:
 * , with 18 holes.
 * , can be done with quardicycle, bicycle or kick scooter.
 * , to get around on the pond
 * in the two ponds (from the shore), buy a fishing permit from the Koninklijke Tongerse Lijnvissers desk in the café. It's also valid for fishing at the pond next to the Herenelderen castle, a bit outside town
 * on six outdoor clay courts
 * on two basket courts
 * - cafeteria with a terrace on the pond and another on the playground.
 * on two basket courts
 * - cafeteria with a terrace on the pond and another on the playground.

Events
Visit the antique and flea market on Sunday morning. It is the largest antique market of the Benelux. The market is open from 06:00 until 13:00. Go there as early as possible to increase your chance obtaining unique stuff. See the Buy section below.

Buy
If you visit the town during a weekend, don't forget to visit the Antique and flea market. If not, don't panic as there are plenty antique and brocante shops in Tongeren. You will find some around the Leopoldswal.

Interestingly, the tourist office (see Understand above) sells a large selection of local craft beers.

Tongeren is famous for a brand of luxury men's shoes Ambiorix, manufactured here since 1895. They're sold shoe shops in a few countries (and on the company's website), one of which is in Tongeren:

Local specialties
In addition to what the Belgian cuisine has to offer, Tongeren is known for different cookies:

 * Caëderkoek, also called ’t caëderkükske, is a coconut-flavored cookie
 * Tongerse Moppen a cookie with anise, honey and candy sugar, traditionally eaten at New Years celebration and Mardi Gras.
 * Spéculoos Ambiorix, a speculoos (a type of Belgian cookie) with cinnamon and in the shape of national hero Ambiorix.

Budget

Self catering
If you want to prepare your own food, there are grocery stores and a market every Thursday.

Mid-range

Local specialties

 * Ambiorix - Top-fermented brown beer that's refermented in the bottle. Made since 1985 and has an alcohol content of 7.5%

 * Cress - Top-fermented blonde beer flavored with watercress, refermented in the bottle and an alcohol content of 6.5%.

 * Dagelyckx - Triple brewed organic beer after a recipe by Beguines from 1644, with an alcohol content of 8%. It's only sold in the Beguinage museum and at the tourist office.

 * Ambiorixgin - Gin flavored with mugwort, blue fenugreek, nettle, garlic, wild garlic and lovage, has an alcohol content of 40%.

 * Caesaar'ke- Barley and rye malt genever with an alcohol content of 35%.

 * Advocaat Ruttermolen - A local brand of artisanal organic advocaat.

Places

With a terrace almost 250 m in length, the Grote Markt and Stadhuisplein is the place to head for a drink. About twenty establishments next to each other have outdoor patios, often heated in the winter. Many offer snacks and even complete food menus. Veemarkt at the northeastern corner of the city center also has several drinking establishments with covered outdoor seating.

Mid-range

Post offices

In addition the following newspaper shops sell stamps and have sending and reception service of letters and parcels.

Phones and Internet
There's 3G and 4G coverage all over town, 5G coverage in the north and south. Some cafés, restaurants and hotels offer theur customers free Wi-Fi, and the municipality also has a free Wi-Fi network along the commercial streets.

Cope
The town has bank offices and ATMs, with some of banking services available in the post office also.

There are just Catholic places of worship in Tongeren. The nearest Calvinist churches are in Herstal and Maastricht, whereas Evangelic and Anglican churches can be found in Liège and Maastrict. The nearest Orthodox churches and synagogue are in Liège, and the nearest mosques in Visé, Bilzen and Maastricht.

Stay healthy
For medical issues there's a hospital, a couple of general practices, dentists, veterinaries, opticians and several pharmacies.

Stay safe
As elsewhere in Europe, call 112 for emergencies (where police, ambulance or firefighters are required).

Go next
The Ardennes are close if you're looking for rest and beautiful nature. Liège, 30 km south, is the main regional city and Belgium's third largest metropolis, after Brussels and Antwerp.

title: Tongeren


text:
Tonghua

Tonghua (通化; Tōnghuà) is a city in Jilin Province.

By train
The train station is about 3 kilometers east of the center of town. The long-distance bus station is about 500 meters west of the train station.

 * Baihe - 6-8 hours; ¥21-47
 * Beijing - 17 hours; ¥132-399
 * Dandong - 5 hours
 * Changchun - 7 hours; ¥32-106
 * Shenyang - 6-8 hours; ¥30-187

By bus

 * Changchun takes 4 hours (but recommended not to take it when the roads are icy)
 * Ji'an takes about 2 hours; ticket is ¥27 (as of 2014), and the last bus leaves around 16:30.
 * Siping
 * Jilin City
 * Shenyang
 * Baihe

See
Tonghua is a small city that has been fully modernized in Chinese style with tall buildings and a few simple shopping malls. The riverfront has been attractively re-done. Although the downtown is pleasant, there are few tourist attractions. Most visitors will be using Tonghua as a jumping-off point for the Koguryo sites in Ji'an or for onward travel to Changbaishan.

Do
There is not much for tourists to do in Tonghua, but one could shop or take walks along the riverfront. The town is also ringed by attractive hills, and it may be possible to take walks in the surrounding countryside.

Go next

 * Baihe
 * Ji'an
 * Shenyang
 * Changchun

title: Tonghua


text:
Toniná

Toniná is an ancient Maya city near Ocosingo in Chiapas. In its day it rivaled Palenque in power. Only discovered in the late 20th century, it provides a great opportunity to see an ancient Maya ruin without being overcrowded with tourists.

Understand
The site is medium to large, with groups of temple-pyramids set on terraces rising some 71 metres (233 ft) above a plaza, a large court for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame, and over 100 carved monuments, most dating from the 6th century through the 9th centuries AD, during the Classic period. Toniná is distinguished by its well preserved stucco sculptures and particularly by its in-the-round carved monuments, produced to an extent not seen in Mesoamerica since the end of the much earlier Olmec civilization. Toniná has one of the largest pyramids in Mexico; at 74 metres (243 ft) in height, it is taller than the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan.

Toniná was an aggressive state in the Late Classic, using warfare to develop a powerful kingdom. For much of its history, Toniná was engaged in sporadic warfare with Palenque, its greatest rival and one of the most important polities in the west of the Maya region, although Toniná eventually became the dominant city in the west.

The city is notable for having the last known Long Count date on any Maya monument, marking the end of the Classic Maya period in AD 909.

Get in

Take a from the Ocosingo market (M$15) in 3a Av. Sur Ote, four blocks east (downhill) of the plaza. Colectivos run every 15 minutes or so. Or take a taxi.

Day trips are organized from San Cristóbal de las Casas and Palenque.

By car you drive from Tuxtla Gutiérrez the MEX 190 in the direction of San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is about 70 km away. About 7 km after San Cristóbal de las Casas, turn left onto the MEX 199 in the direction of Ocosingo. This city can be reached after approx. 82 km. In Ocosinco, drive south on Chiapas 218 and turn left after 1.5 km. If you keep to the left for the next 10 km, you will automatically reach the ruins.

By car from Villahermosa you first drive the MEX 186 approx. 120 km in the direction of Palenque (east). Then turn right onto MEX 199 in the direction of Palenque and Ocosinco. Follow this 145 km to Ocosinco. In Ocosinco, drive south on Chiapas 218 and turn left after 1.5 km. If you keep to the left for the next 10 km, you will automatically reach the ruins.

Do

 * Hike the ruins
 * Visit the museum (quite nicely done)

Eat
There are a few restaurants near the ruins.

Sleep
There are several acceptable hotels in Ocosingo on the main plaze. The best seems to be Hotel Central.

Go next

 * Laguna Miramar
 * Yaxchilan
 * Bonampak

title: Toniná


text:
Tonk

Tonk is a town in Rajasthan. The founder of the state and its first ruler was Nawab Muhammad Amir Khan. Tonk is also known as the City of Nawabs.

Get in
Tonk is approximately 100 km by road from Jaipur. Tonk can be reached only by road. The closest railway station is Banasthali Niwai railway station, which is north of the town.

Buy
Tonk's famous shopping market is Takhta. There are many shops for readymade dresses for ladies and kids.

Go next
Regular bus service is available from Tonk to the neighboring cities and towns of Tonk. Several buses of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) are available from Tonk to various places like Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, and Bundi. There are many private buses and taxis available from nearby places to Tonk.
 * Jaipur- The capital of Rajasthan, also known as the pink city.

title: Tonk


text:
Tonle Sap Lake

Tonle Sap Lake is in Cambodia.

Understand
This lake is one of the most unique ecological water wonders in the world. It is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and changes in size and dimension every wet season. With a minimum size of 2,800 km2 and about 1 m depth during the dry season, the lake is fairly small. During the wet season the water of the Mekong River becomes so powerful, that it reverses the flow of the Tonle Sap River and pushes the surplus of rain water back into the Tonle Sap Lake. This transforms the lake into a huge natural water reservoir and the lake's size increases to approximately 15,000 km2 with a depth of 8 m.

The Tonle Sap River connects the lake with the River Mekong at Phnom Penh, in the southeast.

With the continuous change of the water level, the people who live on the lake have to move their houses away when the water level goes down. Whole villages including schools, shops, churches and pig farms are towed to somewhere the water is still deep enough to float.

History
The lake has been inhabited throughout history, with earlier records coming from a Chinese diplomat in the 14th century who disembarked his boat at the lakeside town known today as Kompong Khleang.

In 1997 the lake was designated as a protected area under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere programme.

Flora and fauna
The unique embankment has a rich biodiversity of fish, birds, reptiles and other mammals around the lake. The aquatic habitat provides 75% of the inland fishing catch and supports over 3 million people with food. The lake houses over 300 species of fresh water fish, 20 varieties of snakes, 10 varieties of turtles, a species of crocodile and a species of leopard cat.

There is a bird sanctuary at Prek Toal between Siem Reap and Battambang.

There are huge giant catfish here, with record specimens up to 300 kg. This endangered species is confined the Mekong and surrounding rivers and lakes.

A large crocodile farming industry thrives on and around Tonle Sap. The main species is the Siamese crocodile, critically endangered in the wild. The lake also provides a habitat for 13 species of turtle.

Climate
The best time to visit is the dry season (November - April), when the water level falls and the birds are concentrated in a comparatively small area.

Get in
The passenger ferry from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (6 hr) travels up the Tonle Sap River, stopping at Kampong Chhnang, and travels straight across the lake. It is a good way of viewing the Tonle Sap and all activities on it, if a little fast.

The passenger ferry between Battambang and Siem Reap (5-8 hr) crosses the northwest corner of the Tonle Sap, but spends the majority of the journey on the Sangke River. It is considered by many as the best boat trip in Cambodia.

The Tonle Sap and its many floating villages can be accessed from Siem Reap, Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang, Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Kompong Luong and Battambang. At all these locations on the lake, tourists are able to rent a boat and driver. Price varies, and is per person or per boat.

See
Apart from a great expanse of water, the lake holds more than a hundred floating communities, a handful of stilted towns, large flooded forests, and fascinating tributaries. Large parts of the lake are not easily accessible from land, and thus considered very remote and isolated. The small towns listed below are often frequented by visitors and will be better equipped.

 * Chong Kneas: A large floating village about 15 km south of Siem Reap by paved road. The situation here has been complicated in the 2010s, with the visitor experience now in a bad state. It is still the most frequented village on the lake, but for those visitors who want a peaceful trip free from scams, caution should be taken when booking up.
 * Meachrey
 * Kompong Phluk a stilted settlement on a tributary to the lake, approximately 20 km south east of Siem Reap. Between the village and the lake, a flooded forest can be explored with a hired boat (and navigator). There is a small floating settlement too where the tributary meets the lake. The experience is becoming more and more geared up for visitors, and scam practices of Chong Kneas are beginning to show. To assure a tranquil experience read up before visiting.
 * Kompong Khleang
 * Prek Toal
 * Kompong Luong

title: Tonle Sap Lake


text:
Tono

Tono (遠野) is a small city in Iwate famous for its folk tales.

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

Get in
Tono is on the JR Kamaishi Line (釜石線) from Hanamaki. It takes about an hour and costs ¥820.

Get around
Most independent travellers to Tono travel around by bicycle, and cycling around the local sights and the countryside is one of the key reasons to visit the town.

Buses tend to be very scarce, though they do have both sightseeing and regular buses that go to the major attractions. If you go to some of the more outlying sights, such as Fukusenji Temple, the bus going back to the station might not come for two hours. The only reliable form of transportation is by car.

See
The tourist office at Tono Station sells coupons offering admission to five attractions for the price of approximately three attractions. You can choose the five attractions you wish to visit from among eight choices. If you're looking to do even three of the sights, the coupons are worth buying.

- The largest and newest is Tono Furusato Village (http://www.tonotv.com/members/furusatomura). Admission is ¥510 for adults. Opening hours: 09:00-17:00. - Denshoen is smaller, cozier and closer to town, and features an exhibit dedicated to the legend of Oshirasama, the girl who married a horse. Admission is ¥310. - Tono Folk Village is located near the town center. Admission is ¥310 for adults. - Takamuro Suikoen Park, is located at the top of a steep hill, and is a challenging bike ride from town. Admission is ¥310 for the park. The park is located next to a hotel with an indoor onsen. Non-guests can pay to use the onsen and can either bring or rent a towel.
 * Tono is perhaps most famous for its Folk Villages, and there are four within cycling/driving distance of the town. Folk Villages feature traditionally built houses and local artisans making crafts. Most have workshops for children (and anyone else interested), although many workshops most must be reserved in advance.

 * Tono has two main museums: Tono Municipal Museum, which details the cultural history and traditional crafts/folktales of the region, and the Tono Castle Town Materials Museum, which details Tono's history as a castle town. Both museums are located right near Tono Station. Both feature presentations almost exclusively in Japanese. Entry for adults is ¥310 and hours are 09:00 to 17:00. Both museums close for the New Year's holiday from December 29-January 3. The Municipal Museum is also closed on the last day of every month, January 28-31, November 24-30 and wintertime Mondays.
 * Fukusenji Temple (福泉寺) has a beautiful five-story pagoda, as well as a smaller pagoda and other temples. It isn't worth going out of your way to see, but if you're already in the area it's worth a visit. Entry is ¥300. 20 minutes by bus or about an hour by foot from the station.
 * Located right near Denshoen is a kappa pool, with a shrine dedicated to the mischievous water spirits that saved a nearby temple. No fee.
 * The Five Hundred Disciples looks like an ordinary grove of trees and rocks until you look at the rocks more closely. No fee.

Do
See the sights by bike!

Buy
The symbol of Tono is the water spirit known as the kappa and there are plenty of souvenirs featuring them, ranging from candies and cookies to mugs, t-shirts, dolls and sake.

Eat
Before you go cycling or hiking, stock up on provisions at the giant Topia Supermarket, located a few minutes walk from Tono Station.

Go next

 * Kamaishi
 * Otsuchi
 * Kawai
 * Hanamaki
 * Sumita
 * Oshu
 * Shiwa
 * Kitakami
 * Morioka

title: Tono


text:
Tonopah

Tonopah is a former mining town in Nevada, almost equidistant between Las Vegas and Reno.

By car

 * From Las Vegas – Take US 95 north to Tonopah.
 * From Reno – Take Interstate 80 east to Fernley, then US 50 southeast to Fallon, then US 95 south to Tonopah.

By plane
Tonopah is closer to Las Vegas than Reno by.

 * in California is the closest airport with any commercial flights, but it has only a few flights.

 * in Las Vegas is the closest airport with a significant number of national and international commercial flights

 * in Reno, would be the best place to fly into if you are factoring Reno into your travels

Gambling
There are a few casinos dotted around the town.

title: Tonopah