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East Coast and Midlands

East Coast and Midlands is a region of Ireland, centred on Dublin and roughly corresponding to the ancient kingdom of Leinster. It's never been a unit of government; it's simply a collection of counties for statistical and planning purposes.

Cities and towns

 * is the lively unmissable capital of Ireland.
 * on the Dublin / Wicklow boundary is a resort town with a scenic headland.
 * at the other end of County Dublin has a restored castle.
 * has a well-preserved Norman castle and is near sites such as Hill of Tara.
 * is a historic city and a good base for reaching Brú Na Bóinne.
 * has a cathedral with a fine Round Tower, and is near the Irish National Stud.
 * is a workaday place but it's near the bastion of Rock of Dunamase.
 * is best known for its two whiskey distilleries.
 * on the Shannon has a sturdy castle and a pub dating from 900 AD.

Other destinations

 * is a remarkable Neolithic site, with Newgrange its best known feature.
 * is an extensive monastic complex in a scenic mountain valley.
 * is a medieval monastery on the banks of the Shannon.

Understand
In the souvenir tea-towel version of Irish history, Leinster was the large eastern territory of the four that made up Ireland, the others being Munster, Ulster and Connaught, with a High King presiding over all. In reality in early medieval times there were more like a dozen, forever warring and shifting boundaries, and recognising no overlords. The Normans arrived in the 12th century and began a land-grab, starting in the fertile lowlands of the south and east, and divided Ireland into shires or counties. Resistance from Leinster was a tad stiffer than they cared for, so they effectively bribed that kingdom to keep quiet. They also subdued Meath the kingdom to its north, and this became absorbed by Leinster, creating something like the present East Coast and Midlands Region.

The Normans pushed on west but were thrown back by the Gaels, and weakened by plague and internal strife. They held onto Dublin and an arc of territory — "The Pale" — extending roughly 150 km out, and it was only from the 16th century that the English Tudors were able to resume conquering the rest. The battles fought in Leinster were extensions of those in Great Britain: Cromwell's ruthless campaign against the Royalists, and King James' rearguard action against the Protestant King William. Thereafter, peace for the most part, and the region developed agriculture, industry and transport on modern lines. Georgian Leinster was very much part of Britain, with Dublin constructing its elegant wide streets and leafy squares, and even the formerly "beyond the Pale" County Offaly witnessing the world's first aviation disaster, cutting-edge astronomy, and the world's first automobile fatality. In the 19th century canals then railways snaked across terrain that was little impeded by mountains or bogs, and all these routes focussed on Dublin. They still do.

This meant that even before independence in 1921, the area was heavily built upon and its antiquities rifled or ploughed under. That build-up has continued in the century since, so it's remarkable how much heritage remains. There are prehistoric monuments older than the pyramids, ancient Christian sites, much-battered castles and stately mansions. Dublin is the place to start exploring because, quite apart from having the visitor amenities and transport connections, its excellent museums display the best of the region, indeed the best of the country. But you do need to get out from the city to the many places that can only be experienced on site. The region is promoted by the national tourist agency as "Ireland's Ancient East".

Get in
Dublin Airport is at the north edge of the city. It has a wide choice of flights at competitive fares, and direct buses across the entire region.

Trains run to Dublin Connolly from Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare ferry port, and to Dublin Heuston from Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.

Ferries sail to Dublin port from Liverpool, Holyhead and the Isle of Man. Dún Laoghaire is no longer a ferry port.

Motorways and bus routes radiate out from Dublin, so you can reach this region within 3 hours from almost anywhere in Ireland.

By train
See Irish Rail for timetables, fares and online tickets. Because the railways radiate from Dublin across lowland terrain, they're a good travel mode between the towns along them.

Dublin Connolly has trains from Belfast stopping at Dundalk and Drogheda; from Sligo stopping at Longford, Mullingar and Maynooth; and from Rosslare stopping at Arklow, Wicklow Town,  Bray and Dún Laoghaire. Connolly is also the hub of DART suburban services to the coastal towns of Malahide, Howth, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, Bray and Greystokes - inter-city trains ply the same track but mostly rush through these places.

Dublin Heuston has trains from Galway and Mayo stopping at Athlone, Clara, Tullamore, Portarlington and Kildare. From Limerick and Cork they stop at Portlaoise, and from Waterford they stop at Kildare. Commuter trains also serve Naas.

Connolly and Heuston stations are 5 km apart so journeys involving separate lines are less convenient. For instance between Wicklow Town and Kildare you'd have to travel into Dublin, take the cross-city tram then travel out again.

By bus
Buses from Dublin city and airport run everywhere but seldom stop while crossing the region. Some you might use are:
 * - Dublin - Sligo / Ballina bus calls at Maynooth, Mullingar and Longford.
 * - Dublin - Galway bus calls at Maynooth and Athlone.
 * - Dublin - Limerick / Kerry bus calls at Kildare.

All the other main towns have direct daytime buses from Dublin. There are night buses to Naas, Kildare and Portlaoise, and to Ashbourne, Navan and Kells.

Cross-country inter-city buses are sparse, but radiating from Athlone are buses to Mullingar, to Tullamore, Portlaoise, Carlow and down through the midlands to Waterford, and to Longford and Monaghan.

See individual towns for other short-haul connections, urban buses (Dublin has a huge network) and the Local Link buses that wind through the back lanes.

By car
Car rental is best arranged from Dublin airport, or at a pinch from the city. Book in advance for the best deals and to ensure availability.

The main roads radiate from Dublin, with M50 (toll) ringing the city, and a motorway tunnel (toll) between the port area and the M1 / M50 junction. These roads are fast unless you catch commuter rush hour. The principal routes are:
 * - M1 Dublin - airport - Drogheda (toll) - Dundalk - Belfast
 * - M3 / N3 Dublin - Navan - Kells - Cavan - Enniskillen - Donegal
 * - M4 / M6 Dublin - Athlone - Galway, with N4 for Mullingar and Sligo
 * - M7 Dublin - Portlaoise - Limerick, with M8 for Cork, and M9 for Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford
 * - M11 Dublin - Bray - Wicklow - Wexford

Dublin

 * Dublin city will take you some time to absorb. The best of it is south of the river, from Merrion Square and Trinity College to the Castle.
 * Small harbours and resort towns lie along the coast, such as Howth, Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey.
 * Malahide has a fine castle-cum-mansion.

Kildare

 * Just outside Kildare town are the Japanese Gardens and the Irish National Stud.
 * Castletown is a great Palladian mansion at Celbridge that often hosts events; it has two wacky Follies.

Laois

 * Slieve Bloom Mountains form the border with County Offaly.
 * Abbeyleix has a bog that's notable even by Ireland's demanding standards, with a 3.5-km boardwalk.
 * Rock of Dunamase is a rocky outcrop and castle east of Port Laoise.
 * Emo Court is a 19th-century neo-classical mansion northeast of Port Laoise.
 * Gash Gardens are in Castletown, while Heywood Gardens are in Ballinakill southeast of Abbeyleix.

Louth

 * Drogheda has many traces of its turbulent history; Old Mellifont Abbey lies north.
 * The Cooley Mountains look across a fjord to Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland.

Meath

 * Brú Na Bóinne Archaeological Park is one of Ireland's top sights.
 * The site of the Battle of the Boyne is nearby.
 * Hill of Tara was the ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
 * Celtic High Crosses in Kells - but the famous book is nowadays in Dublin.

Offaly

 * The monastic site of Clonmacnoise has large Round Towers and beautifully decorated high crosses.
 * Charleville Castle in Tullamore is gothic, set in an ancient oak forest.
 * Durrow Abbey is an early monastic complex.

Wicklow

 * Glendalough is a monastic town with ruins and a Round Tower.
 * Powerscourt near Enniskerry has an impressive mansion, gardens and waterfall.
 * Kilmacurragh is a botanical garden and arboretum 5 km west of Wicklow town.
 * The Wicklow Mountains rise to 925 m, with bog, conifer and gorse, and lots of scenic walking trails.

Do

 * Go to the races at Leopardstown south side of Dublin, The Curragh in Kildare (which hosts the five Irish Classic Horse Races), Punchestown near Naas which is a steeplechase course, or Fairyhouse in Meath.
 * Play golf: lots and lots of courses especially on the Dublin outskirts.
 * The Grand Canal and the Royal Canal stretch from the Liffey all the way west to the Shannon. They're navigable and have good towpaths.
 * The Wicklow mountains start just south of Dublin, with Lugnaquilla at 925 m. The Slieve Bloom mountains further west only reach 527 m with Arderin.
 * Long distance trails could take 2-3 days, or be broken up into easy hikes, such as the Wicklow Way, Offaly Way and Westmeath Way.

Eat

 * Dublin has got the lot.
 * Wicklow: Good spots are Roundwood Inn in Roundwood, Strawberry Tree in Aughrim, Happy Pear in Greystones and Ashford Oriental.
 * Kildare: Naas and Kildare town have the most choice.
 * Offaly: There's a good selection in Tullamore and Edenderry.

Drink

 * Dublin around Temple Bar is tourist-trappy, with raucous hen parties upchucking onto the cobbles. Go a little way west or south for pubs of real character.
 * Distilleries: Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin is on the tourist circuit but no longer in production, try Teelings. There are several in other towns, and Tullamore has both the D.E.W. and the Kilbeggan distilleries.
 * Ancient pubs: the Brazen Head in Dublin claims to date from 1198 AD but is only documented from 1668. But Sean's in Athlone goes back to circa 900 AD.

Stay safe
Wrap up well in the Wicklow mountains, but the area is mostly lowland and the hazards are man-made - especially traffic.

Go next

 * All the transport routes radiate out from Dublin, so a few hours on the road will bring you anywhere across Ireland.
 * This region stretches to the border at Dundalk, so next stop north is Northern Ireland. Belfast and the Giant's Causeway are the big draws, but don't overlook the Mourne Mountains or Antrim glens.
 * Southeast Ireland has attractive Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny.
 * West cross the bogs and low-lying fields into Shannon Region and West Ireland, with prehistoric sites, the cities of Limerick and Galway, the Atlantic crashing against the Cliffs of Moher, and a scattering of small islands.

title: East Coast and Midlands


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East Coulee

East Coulee is a small community in the Southern Alberta region of Alberta, Canada, near the community of Cambria. It is part of the Town of Drumheller, which is a hub for dinosaur tourism.

Understand
East Coulee is known for its Atlas Coal Mine. East Coulee lies in the Red Deer River valley at an elevation of 675 m (2,215 ft). It was one of the filming locations of the television series MythQuest.

By car
East Coulee is on Highway 10, approximately 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Drumheller's main townsite and 112 km (70 mi) northeast of Calgary.

Eat
The School Museum has a cafe/lunch room, but otherwise, either go to Drumheller to get a meal or bring your own food beforehand.

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

title: East Coulee


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East End

There is more than one place called East End:

Canada

 * East End of Toronto — a district in Toronto, Ontario
 * East End of Montreal - a district in Montreal, Québec

United Kingdom

 * London/East End — a district in London, England

United States of America

 * Houston/East End — a district in Houston, Texas
 * Pittsburgh/East End-North — a district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 * Pittsburgh/East End-South — a district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 * Richmond/East End — a district in Richmond, Virginia
 * Washington, D.C./East End — a district in Washington, D.C.

title: East End


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Easter Island

Easter Island (Spanish: Isla de Pascua, Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui) is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Early settlers called the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (The Navel of the World). It is a territory of Chile that lies far off in the Pacific Ocean, about 3,600 km away from the mainland and roughly halfway to Tahiti. The island is most famous for its enigmatic giant stone statues or moai depicting oversized heads. Carved centuries ago, they're reflecting the history of the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture.

Understand
Today's Poike Peninsula in the east was created by a volcanic eruption about three million years ago. Two million years later, Rano Kau came into being, and 250,000 years ago Maunga Terevaka between these, forming the current Easter Island. The English name of the island commemorates its European discovery by a Dutch exploration vessel on Easter Sunday in 1722.

After Thor Heyerdahl and a small party of adventurers sailed their raft from South America to the Tuamotu islands, far to the north of Easter Island, a controversy raged over the origin of the islanders. DNA testing has proved conclusively that the Polynesians arrived from the west rather than the east, and that the people of Easter Island are descendants of intrepid voyagers who set out from another island thousands of years ago. Legend says that the people left for Easter Island because their own island was slowly being swallowed by the sea.

In brief, the prehistory of Easter Island is one of supreme accomplishment, flourishing and civilization, followed by environmental devastation and decline. Although it is not agreed when people first arrived on Easter Island (with estimates ranging from 300 to 1200 CE), consensus seems to be that the first people were Austronesians arriving from Polynesia. Rather than being inhabited by mistake or chance, evidence has suggested that Easter Island was colonized deliberately by large boats with many settlers—a remarkable feat given the distance of Easter Island from any other land in the Pacific Ocean (4,231 km to Tahiti).

The first islanders found a land of undoubted paradise—archaeological evidence shows that the island was covered in trees of various sorts, including the largest palm tree species in the world, whose bark and wood furnished the natives with cloth, rope, and canoes. Birds were abundant as well, and provided food for them. A mild climate favored an easy life, and abundant waters yielded fish and oysters.

The islanders prospered due to these advantages, and a reflection of this is the religion which sprouted in their leisure, which had at its centerpiece the giant moai statues, that are the island's most distinctive feature today. These moai, which the island is littered with, are supposed to have been depictions of ancestors, whose presence likely was considered a blessing or watchful safekeeping eye over each small village. The ruins of Rano Raraku crater, the stone quarry where most of the moai were carved and outside which many still sit today, is a testament to how central these figures were to the islanders, and how their life revolved around these creations. It has been suggested that their isolation from all other peoples fueled this outlet of trade and creativity—lacking any other significant way to direct their skills and resources. The bird-man culture (seen in petroglyphs), is an obvious testament to the islanders' fascination with the ability to leave their island for distant lands. However, as the population grew, so did pressures on the island's environment. Deforestation of the island's trees gradually increased, and as this main resource was depleted, the islanders would find it hard to continue making rope, canoes, and all the necessities to hunt and fish, and ultimately, support the culture that produced the giant stone figureheads. Apparently, disagreements began to break out (with some violence) as confidence in the old religion was lost, and this is reflected partly in the ruins of moai which were deliberately toppled by human hands. By the end of the glory of the Easter Island culture, the population had crashed in numbers, and the residents—with little food or other ways to obtain sustenance—resorted sometimes to cannibalism and a bare subsistence. Subsequent slave raids by countries such as Peru and Bolivia devastated the population even more, as did epidemics of western diseases, until barely a hundred native Rapa Nui were left by the late nineteenth century.

The island was annexed by Chile in 1888, though the inhabitants didn't receive full citizenship until 1966. Until those times the island was relatively isolated from mainland Chile and was leased to foreign companies for sheep farming. Regular flights to Santiago started in 1967 with the inauguration of the airport. Nevertheless the natives weren't too keen on becoming part of Chile, one of the reasons being that their traditional laws didn't allow for private property.

When democracy was re-established in Chile in 1986, the mainland authorities slowly started developing the island in the direction the natives wanted. In 2007 the Easter Island was given a special administrative status, together with the Juan Fernández Island.

Today, Rapa Nui National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its residents rely much on the tourism and economic links to Chile and daily flights to Santiago. As with many native peoples, the Rapa Nui seek a link to their past and ways to integrate their culture with the political, economic, and social realities of today.

Culture and traditions
Together with the natural beauty and the mystical archaeological remains, the people and their rich culture and traditions is another reason for visiting the Easter Island.

Dance and music are important cultural expressions, just like elsewhere in Polynesia. Traditional dance performances are frequent around the island, but the 10 day Tapati festival taking place each February is definitely the highlight in the island's cultural life. The festival is about ancestral ceremonies such as bodypainting (takona), recitation of epic tales and legends (riu) and competition downhill descent on banana tree logs (haka pei). It culminates in the election of the queen of the island, which takes place on the full moon of that month. Tourists are more than welcome to partake in the celebrations, though you should book your accommodation well ahead if you want to visit during that time as they sell out quickly.

Climate
The climate is humid subtropical, with the ocean keeping moderating the temperature differences between day and night and around the year. The average temperature around the year is 20.5°C, with the highest daily average of 23.7°C in February and lowest daily average in August at 18°C. Usually the temperature stays below 30°C and above 12°C; with the coldest temperature ever recorded being 3°C, and the hottest +36°C. The water temperature usually stays above 18°C.

Overall the rain is quite evenly distributed over the year, and humidity stays permanently above 80%. Another permanent thing are strong winds, usually coming in from northeast.

Flora
With just 48 plant species, the Easter Island has a poor plant diversity. It's explained by its remote location, the facts the island never had a connection with the mainland, waves come in predominantly from the west where the nearest coasts are even further away, and that migratory birds have carried relatively few plant seeds. As such its the settlers that have brought in new plants, deliberately and by accident. Local legend tell about Polynesian settlers bringing in seeds and plants to grow food for themselves and their livestock.

There are few endemic plant species. Fifteen types of fern grow here, four of which are endemic. Perhaps the signature plant is the hau hau (triumfetta semitriloba), a shrub in the tiliaceae family that according to studies grew here already about 35,000 years ago. Back in the day, fishermen used it to make nets.

The landscape is mostly grassland, with species of poaceae (grass), cyperaceae (sedges) and asteraceae (asters). Eucalyptus trees imported from Australia have been planted in an attempt to create eucalyptus forests. Several species of potatoes are grown for food. Sensitive plants can't really be grown here because of the windy climate, and farmers have taken some creative measures to protect their plants from the winds. One example include banana trees growing in calderas of extinct volcanoes.

Fauna
The fauna too has been mostly influenced by the presence of humans on the island. Studies have shown that 25 land animal and six bird species lived here before human colonization. All of them are now extinct, and out of the original marine life just one species has survived.

Intentionally introduced species include horses, sheep, cows and pigs. Polynesian settlers brought with them Polynesian rats (rattus exulans) for food, Europeans in turn the brown rat which was more successful and made the former extinct.

The one reptile species living here is the ablepharus boutonii, named moco in the local language. It's a light brown skink, usually about 12 cm in length. There's also a sea snail species living just here and on the Sala y Gómez island, cypraea englerti, named after German missionary Sebastian Englert who lived and worked on the island from 1935 until his death in 1969.

Geography

The island is formed as a triangle with the sides 16, 17 and 24 km in length. Formed through volcanic activity, the three corners of the island are inactive volcanoes. In the north is Maunga Terevaka, the highest point of the island rising 511 m above sea level. The eastern corner is Puakatiki, 377 m ASL and the main volcano of the island. Finally, in southwest Rano Kau with a height of 324 m. Other important hills are Rano Aroi and Rano Raraku.

Overall the whole island is made up of hills and slopes and the coasts are steep and rocky.There are many tiny islets along the coast, except the coast in front of Hanga Roa and Anakena, where there are proper beaches. The vegetation comprises grassland and palm trees, the big forests that once covered the island have been gone for centuries.

The capital Hanga Roa is in the southwestern corner of the island and home to almost 90% of the its population. The rest of the inhabitants live in huts scattered around the island but much of it is practically uninhabited. Avenida Policarpo Toro, the main street of Hanga Roa is lined by shops, lodging, restaurants and the island's only pharmacy. Attractions include a museum about Easter Island and the town's Catholic church which is an important meeting place. There are several Internet cafés in town as well as an ATM.

Far west from the mainland, the time zone is two hours behind mainland Chile meaning UTC-6 in the winter and UTC-5 in the summer (daylight saving time) from September to April - the DST change takes place simultaneously with the mainland.

Visitor information

 * Easter Island Tourism Office

Talk
As the island is part of Chile, the government language is Spanish. The indigenous people speak the Rapa Nui language (sometimes called Pascuan or Pascuense), a Polynesian language closely related to Māori and Tahitian.

Due to the isolation for more than a millennium, the language has developed in a different way and there are just a few words that are common with other Polynesian languages. Still, for the natives it's easier to learn for instance Tahitian than Spanish. They are one of the few indigenous peoples that have kept using their traditional language in everyday life and you can hear it spoken both publicly and on private occasions. Interestingly, rapa nui is pronounced pretty much as Spanish, though it has just 10 consonants including one mute consonant ʻ.

While Spanish is an official language (as elsewhere in Chile), many locals only learn Spanish at school and regard it as a foreign language. People working in the tourist industry are often proficient in English and/or French and occasionally German.

Some words in rapa nui

 * Hello: Iorana
 * Thank you: Maururu
 * How are you (sg.)?: Pehe koe
 * How are you (pl.)?: Pehe kōrua
 * Good: Riva
 * Yes / No: E é / Ina

Get in
Easter Island had the same visa requirements as the rest of Chile. This was tightened in 2018 in an attempt to protect the natural environment and island heritage from an influx of voyagers. Maximum stays were limited to 30 days (instead of 90) with requirements that visitors fill out a special form, show return tickets and provide a copy of a hotel reservation or letter of invitation from an islander.

By plane

As of January 2024 there are daily flights from Santiago on LATAM, taking about 5 hours. The security gates at SCL for flights to IPC are downstairs in a different location from the regular security line, and require both the invitation letter from your lodging on Easter Island, and an online form to be filled out (reached via QR code on signs). With no competition for fares on a lengthy flight, fares are expensive. As there are no longer any flights from Tahiti, the Easter Island isn't even "conveniently located" on a South Pacific crossing by plane. They may be reintroduced in the future. If leaving the island for a non-Chilean airport, there used to be a small exit fee.

Coming from Santiago, it is a good choice to reserve seats on the left side of the airplane. Easter Island's runway has a west-east orientation. Even though the plane comes from Chile (to the east), it is likely it will circle the north portion of the island and land from the west, so seating at the left side (both landing and taking off) will give you a great view of the island.

By boat
If you want to take the intrepid route Tallship Soren Larsen sails to Easter Island from New Zealand once a year. The voyage takes 35 days, crossing the point on earth furthest from land.

Trans-Pacific cruises occasionally visit the island, cruise ships anchor at a distance and visitors are shipped to the island on tender boats. Be prepared for rough seas.

A still more exotic way to arrive is with the Chilean Navy that makes two supply trips from Valparaíso to the island every year, generally in May and September. If they have space onboard they can take a few passengers. It's cheaper than flying, but don't expect the seven day sailing to be a luxury one, and you need to sail back on the same ship (leaving you a couple of days on the island) or have flight tickets out. Contact the Commander of the First Naval Zone (Primera Zona Naval) in Valparaiso if you're interested.

Ocean sailors can sail their own craft to the island. The nearest inhabited islands are the Pitcairn Islands, equally isolated but just accessible by boat.

Get around
Easter Island is small, though there are just a few roads, the terrain is hilly and not all paths are marked. Only streets in Hanga Roa and the road to Anakena are paved. There are rental cars, generally jeeps, available from a few rental agencies in Hanga Roa, as well as a few dirtbikes.

The most common point of entry is Mataveri airport next to Hanga Roa. There shouldn't be any problems walking to your hotel from there. Indeed there may even be someone from the hotel to meet you at the airport. The other option is taxi, a trip to anywhere in Hanga Roa shouldn't cost more than 1500 pesos, for other locations on the island you should negotiate the price with the driver.

Getting around by tour can be an efficient way to visit the archaeological sites, tours to all the notable sites usually take two days (meaning a stay three nights or more). See the Do section for details.

By car
With a car, it's possible to explore the island at your own pace, even see the main sites on the island in a day or all in two. Most hosts will also rent out their jeep to you (at a very competitive rate) if you ask. You will not get insurance with your car hire, and any damage will be charged from your credit card. Check the vehicle carefully for already existing damages beforehand, especially when renting from someone else than an official rental agency! It's best to rent a terrain vehicle - which is what most rental cars are (and they usually have manual gearbox).

When driving, watch out for livestock - cows and horses can often be encountered on roads both day and night. There's no street lighting outside Hanga Roa, and just the town's streets and the main road to Poike peninsula are paved.

By taxi
There are no micros or colectivos that you would find in mainland Chile. The only way to be driven (other than by tour) is by taxi, and while taxis are readily available it's rather expensive compared to other ways of getting around.

By bike
Bicycles can be rented on a daily basis. But as mentioned above, aside from the main paved roads in Hanga Roa or the single smooth paved road to Anakena, roads to many main sites are of dirt and sometimes quite uneven and potholed, so the benefit of a car cannot be overstated for some parts of the island. In addition the terrain is demanding, and you can expect strong wind, heat and high humidity, so biking outside Hanga Roa is more of an adventure than a practical way of getting around.

By scooter
For motor scooters and motorbikes, a valid driver's license specifically for these vehicles is required. Otherwise, driver's licenses for cars will allow the use of cars or 4x4 quad bikes.

By foot
Places closer to town (like Rano Kau, Tere Vaka, Ahu Akiwi) are easily accessed by foot. If heading out in the wilderness, tell your host where you're going just in case.

The section below has some suggestions for trekking.

Rental
Some example prices (all in Chilean pesos):
 * Bicycle (24 hours): 10 000, (8 hr): 8000
 * Motor scooter (8 hr): 23 000
 * Small Jeep/car (8 hr): 20 000
 * Larger cars (8 hr): 25 000-40 000

One reliable, friendly, and relatively cheap rental location is "Paomotors", found next to Supermarket Eixi. It seems the closer you get to Farmacia Cruz Verde, the higher the prices for various rentals.

See

It's not an exhaustive list. Allow for a week to explore the island thoroughly with the mode of transportation you like - by foot, horse, bike, scooter, car, quad...

To visit almost all of the major sites, you need to buy a national park ticket for $80 USD if you aren't a Chilean citizen. You can buy a paper copy at the airport or an online one at https://www.rapanuinationalpark.com/pages/compra-de-tickets. The same ticket is valid for all sites that require a ticket to enter, so don't lose it. Most rangers at ticket booths will also ask for a passport for identification purposes - paper copies seem to be sufficient. An official guide is required to enter all sites that require a ticket. Other sites can be visited freely.

Virtually all of the ahus are around the coast. There are a lot of them, and depending on the time of the year and of the day you might get a site all for yourself to explore.

Moai and ceremonial sites
The biggest tourist attractions on Easter Island are, of course, the moai. The moai are archaeological features and should be treated with care as they are far more fragile than they seem. Often moai will be placed upon ceremonial platforms and burial sites called ahu. Do not walk on the ahu as it is an extremely disrespectful gesture. Even if you see others walking on the ahu, do not do so yourself.

Most of the sites require a park pass which can be purchased online and a local registered guide (effective February 2023 - contact your property rental contact who should have a list of guides that you can connect with through WhatsApp) to escort visitors, and are found along the coastline of the island. First-time visitors may be struck by how many archaeological sites there are around the island, where you can be virtually alone as the only people visiting. Each village or clan typically had an ahu if not several moai, and thus on a drive around the south coast of the island, every mile contains several sites where you might see ruins.

in the south of the island is a village of a 30 or so boathouses on the edge of a cliff next to the Rano Kau volcano. It faces the Motu Nui and Motu Iti islets, where the birdman ceremony took place. This restored site has a large number of petroglyphs depicting among others the god Make Make. Entrance with the same ticket as to the other sites that costs to enter. From Orongo there are views to the islets of, and.

At the eastern end of the airport runway is the, a platform made of stone blocks that fit perfectly together, all the other ahus on the island are more or less coarse with gaps between the blocks. Entrance with the same ticket as to the other sites that costs to enter.

The closest moais to Hanga Roa are in front of the cover,,  and  which are near the museum.

Along the northern coast there are further ceremonial centers. At you can see the remains of hare paenga, ancient settlements that have an elliptical form. Near it is the which is unique in two ways - the only ahu inland and the only with the moais looking towards the sea. The five standing moais have been very well preserved.

Further east is a large concentration of ahus, including the biggest one with 15 moais surrounded by other archaeological remains and petroglyphs. This ahu measures almost 150 m in length and 4 m in height. Entrance with the same ticket as to the other sites that costs to enter.

Nearby is the crater of Rano Raraku, similar to Rano Kau but the main quarry of the island. Here you can see the very largest moais, though there were never finished and as such stand as an exemple of the rapid collapse of the native society. It described in the Volcanoes section.

and on the south coast are ahus that have not been restored after the civil war, and here you can see toppled and decapitated moais.

In addition to these, there are many more ahu sites along the coast.

Volcanoes
Two exceptional sites are the volcanic craters of and.

is the largest crater on the island, 1600 m across, and contains the largest freshwater lake/marsh on the island. It marks the southwestern corner of the island.On its lip at the point where sea cliffs and crater cliffs meet is the sacred village of Orongo, once the destination of the race that formed the heart of the birdman cult and an incredible viewpoint to see the islets of Moto Nui and Rano Kay and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Every part of the rocks at Orongo are carved with birdman motifs, and the views are spectacular.

The slightly inland quarry at is where most of the moai were carved, out of the hillside of the volcanic rock. This 91 m (300 foot) volcano remnant provided the stones for most of the great figures and is where a visitor can see various stages of the carving, as well as scattered partially-finished figures. The approach takes you past several moai partially buried on the outer slopes - some with only their heads above ground. Rano Raraku also contains the very largest moai, far larger than any that were completed and transported around the island. A climb to the left side of the crater, over the top, and into the bowl, is well worth it. Hiking to the opposite lip of the crater, where the most moai are found, is one of the most dramatic sites on the island. Ahu Tongariki nearby is the largest ahu. Entrance with the same ticket as to the other sites that costs to enter.

Both Rano Kau and Rano Raraku are the remains of volcanic cinder cones and contain fresh rainwater fed lakes. The entry fee is US$80 for the two sites (see the National Park section below). Make sure you keep your ticket. For hikers Rano Kau is a pleasant day trek from Hanga Roa, it is possible to trek from town to the lip of the crater and down to the edge of the lake. If guava are in season one can graze on feral guava as one walks through the guava scrub.

In Hanga Roa
Any trip of the island begins at Hanga Roa. The town contains many of the services on the island but also has a couple of interesting sites.

At the (Fishermen's cove) with its colorful boats you can have a look at an important part of the island's economy and there you can see some moais as there's an ahu next to the cove. Another cove where you can see fishermen working is the.

Rapa Nui National Park
is a national park that covers several areas of the island. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most (if not all) of the sites you will visit on the island are inside the National Park, so you will need a ticket to enter them. Tickets can be bought at the entrance, but the most practical choice is to buy them at the airport. Right after you leave the plane and before you reach the baggage claim area, you will find a booth selling tickets. Price is US$80 per person. Park tickets are usually not included in tour packages. The park is open from 09:00 to 18:00, from December to March to 19:00.

Pay attention to how the ticket works: you can only enter once at Rano Raraku (the quarry) and once at Orongo (the village at the top of Rano Kau crater). If you want to enter those areas again, you need to buy another ticket. All other areas (Anakena beach, Ahu Tongariki, etc.) you can enter as many times as you want, but you will be asked for your ticket. So keep it with you at all times.

At the entrances of the park, you will find rules for tourists. It is forbidden to walk away from the path, to climb on the statues, to pick up rocks, and other actions that may seem obvious for most tourists. These rules are important because they help preserve the statues and the landscape, as weather and erosion are already wearing them away. At Rano Raraku, following the path is also important because some moais are buried, and you may be stepping on (and damaging) one if you leave the path. So if you find animals on the way (like horses or cows), just wait for them to move. There are security personnel at the sites and they do pay close attention to what tourists are doing. If you follow the rules, you will have no problem and you may even talk to them and find they are very polite and interested in where you are from. But if you misbehave, you may be expelled and/or charged a fine.

Recovery areas such as the Poike Peninsula and Terevaka may only be accessed on foot or on horseback to protect the trees that have been planted there. Most of the west coast can't be accessed by vehicle as there are no roads.

Beaches
While mostly thought of as a cultural and natural destination, Easter Island features two white sand beaches where you can tan and swim for instance. , on the north side of the island, is an excellent shorebreak bodysurfing location with a bit of north swell. Even the 2.5-cm (1-in) waves barrel (it's also possible to surf in the harbor at Hanga Roa and many of the locals do so). It can be described as a postcard-perfect place with its white sands and cocos palms overlooked by moai.

The second beach is a hidden gem called. Found along the southern shore of the island near Ahu Vaihu (along the road from Hanga Roa to Ahu Akahanga), this beautiful and desolate beach is much larger than that at Anakena and is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs. A special phenomenon on Ovahe occurring every few years is large waves washing away the sand and smaller waves washing it back ashore little by little. Note of caution: the path leading down to the beach is somewhat treacherous and unstable and best reached by foot - driving off-road (contrary to the misguided and somewhat callous actions of some tourists) on most of the island is illegal anyway. Some sources recommend staying overnight in a cave near Ovahe but you should not do this as water may enter caves. Indeed it's a bad idea moving about in this terrain after dark without a guide.

In addition, north of Hanga Roa there are several small beaches a short walk away from the hotels.. One can surf also at the Hanga Roa port, something that many locals do. There's a small parking lot, cabins to change clothes (carries a usage fee), some small bbq joints with fresh drinks and a communal picnic area.

Diving
Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular near the islets Motu Nui and Motu Iti (well known for "the bird man culture") which are located about 1 km south of the island. There are three shops where it is possible to rent the equipment and from there get on a guided tour to the islets: Atariki Rapa Nui, Orca and Mike Rapu Diving. You can see beautiful corals and sea turtles, especially near fishing boats

Caves

An often overlooked but particularly fascinating and "otherworldly" aspect of Easter Island is its extensive cave systems. While there are a couple of official caves that are quite interesting in their own right, there is also real adventure to be had in exploring all of the numerous unofficial caves on the island, most of which are found near. One of the caves here is the (the cave with two windows).

While the openings to most of these caves are small (some barely large enough to crawl through) and hidden (amid a rather surreal lava strewn field that has been likened to the surface of Mars), many of them open up into large and inhibitingly deep and extensive cave systems. These caves can be dangerous in that quite a few run extremely deep. A person left without a torch/flashlight will be immersed in utter blackness with little hope of finding their way out soon, if ever. The caves are also extremely damp and slippery (the ceilings in some have collapsed over time from water erosion). Go with someone who knows their way around.

The site near contains several caves, some large, some narrow. Some are hard to find, but you can't miss Ana Te Pahu (you follow the road from the entrance and soon you'll find signs). At the entrance, you'll find steps that take you down to an open area. From there, you can take a left to explore narrow (and dark) caves. If you are not feeling that adventurous, the cave to the right is worthy a visit. It has another opening some 50 m ahead, so you don't need a strong flashlight (your cell phone light will do, or even you can wait until your eyes get accustomed to the low light). After this second opening, you can turn around and return to Ana Te Pahu's entrance, or follow another system of narrow and dark caves.

Another famous cave is the on the Poike peninsula in the northeast.

Trekking
The island is also famous for its beautiful nature. You can explore the hills by foot or horse. A common trek is up the, the highest point of the island at 507 m ASL, for a view of the whole island. It takes about 1.5 hr to get up from Ahu Akivi, and another hour to get back down, alternatively you can reach the summit from Vaitea. If you prefer to go with a guide, there are guided treks every day, weather permitting.

The Poike peninsula in the east is characterized by its wild nature and requires a full day or two to explore in full. According to legend, during the collapse of the civilization, a battle were fought between the two social groups of the island, Hanau Momoko and Hanau Eepe. Here you can see a big ditch visible from that time which was intended as a mass grave but not used.

Rano Kau is easily accessible by foot, once you've reached the foot of the volcano, take the path to the eastern side to see fantastic sceneries that you cannot see by vehicle.

The hike from Anakena beach along the northeastern coast to Hanga Roa is a true voyage in solitude - the likelihood to meet livestock is higher than meeting other people. Bring enough water and snacks. At Hanga Oteo you will see a farmhouse set between a high hill and the ocean. You will also see fireplaces about 1 meter in height made of stones that provide shelter from the wind. A word of warning: the rocky surface isn't too comfortable for your ankles.

Tours
There are a few tour companies that do guided tours to Easter Island, a wonderful way to explore the best of the island and its culture without having to worry about breaking any local rules. A well-respected tour guide can show you aspects of the location and culture that you might otherwise never see or understand. Tour are usually half-day (3 hr) or full day (6-7 hr) and tours are given in Spanish and English, occasionally in French, German or Portuguese.

A great option is to make a reservation for a tour on the first day you arrive, and then rent a vehicle for the next days and explore the island by yourself.

In addition the tourist information may help you get in touch with freelance tour guides. That said most of the guides work for tour operators. With freelance guides, confirm the prices and what you will see and do on the tour beforehand.

Some tour operators described in travel guides don't exist any longer. Such businesses are often operated by foreigners that come to the island, function for a year or so, doing more marketing than guide work, and then leave.

Buy
Most, if not all of the commerce on this island occurs in the port town of Hanga Roa. There are a number of small shops geared toward tourists, as well as an open market. If you join an organized tour, expect to see the same souvenir-sellers at each site selling the same items; generally a plethora of moai-inspired trinkets. The island's currency is the Chilean peso, but, unlike on the mainland, transactions can be performed in US dollars. Very rarely euros can be used also, but don't expect any other currencies to be accepted including the CFA franc of Tahiti.

Iconic souvenirs to bring home from the island are tikis (wooden statues), reproductions of rongo rongo (ancient scripts), moais and petroglyphs in rocks. When buying souvenirs it is best to use cash, and prices are often negotiable. While ATMs exist, it's a better idea to get bills and coins beforehand. Currency change is also non-existent. Often the vendors will have a very high minimum charge or will tack on a service fee for using a credit card (about 10-20%). This is only if the vendor accepts credit cards at all; many small vendors will only accept cash.

At least four ATMs are available on the island: one from Banco Estado on Tu'u maheke, Hanga Roa, which only accepts Cirrus, Maestro and MasterCard branded cards but not Visa. The other one inside the bank Santander, a bit further, on Policarpo Toro, which accepts Visa, Cirrus, Maestro and MasterCard. There's also an ATM in the departure hall of the airport, and also at least one at the gas station near the airport. The local bank can do cash advances against a Visa card, but the bank opening times are limited and the lines can be long.

Barter is common on the island, so if you're brave you can bring pieces of clothing and foodstuff (far from everything is available in the island) to swap with locals. Never bring medicines, with or without prescription for this purpose. Probably the easiest from the mainland, as opposed to from outside Chile (no customs hassle).

Eat

Eating out is considerably more expensive than in mainland South America because of the island's isolation - many ingredients cannot be sourced locally and need to be transported over long distances. Even in cheap restaurants appetizers start at US$20.

There are around 25 restaurants catering to tourists on the island. A few can be found close to the dock in Hanga Roa, with a few others scattered in the surrounding areas. As a result of the increased number of tourists, some of the restaurants may be a kind of "tourist trap," so don't hesitate to ask your guide or your host for advice where to go. There are not that much differences in what the restaurants offer, as most of the food on the island needs to be imported.

The big exception is fish and seafood, which is a central part of the island's cuisine. The most common fish is tuna, and there are a wide range of dishes including this fish. Local tuna is known for its white meat and is delicious. There are two species of lobster; the larger is known as normal lobster and the smaller is locally named "rape rape". However, there are restrictions on lobstering because of overfishing concerns and therefore it may not always be on the menu. Octopus is also common.

Chilean empanadas are widely available also. Vegetables and fruits growing on the island include sweet potatoes, avocados, guavas and bananas and many dishes include these. A specialty is the banana cake po'e. There are also a few "supermarkets" where visitors can pick up snacks, limited sundries, booze, etc.

Like the souvenir vendors on the island many restaurants do not accept credit cards or will have a high minimum charge. Also tipping is appreciated but should be done in moderation, usually spare change or less than 10% works.

Budget
Those on a backpacker's budget or seeking simple food can try the following options:
 * next to the main Kai Nene supermarket is an empanada shop, where a variety of cheap and tasty made-to-order on the spot empanadas can be had, prices are in the 1,200-2,500 pesos range, including Atun y queso, camarones, champignons, etc. Closes 20:00?
 * at the end of the main street walking towards the east, are several food stands, which prepare hot dogs with many toppings, chicken sandwiches, to slightly more elaborate meals such as mashed potatoes and steak, in a pleasant outdoor seating area. 1,200-3,000 pesos. Open until 22:00.

You can also go to a local bakery and make your own sandwiches. There are also some grocery stores and supermarkets in town for self-catering.

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink
The nightlife is not too lively. The principal attraction in this respect is the shows of traditional Polynesian dances in Hanga Roa. Restaurants on the main street,  neat the cemetery and Te Ra'ai (see the Eat section) outside town are places to see these shows during much of the year. There are tourist shows mostly on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

The two discos in town, and  are places to meet locals.

Pisco, a hard alcohol made from fermented grapes, is the unofficial drink of the island though it originates on the mainland. Try a pisco sour, which is pisco mixed with lemon juice. There are also versions with papaya, mango or guava. Another common cocktail is the piscola - pisco and coke. Drinking pisco straight is possible, as it has less of a kick than vodka, although Chileans would not advise it.

The island has a brewery named Mahina, making pale ale and stout and the beer is both sold on the island and exported.

Sleep

Relative to the size of the island, there's a large number of lodgings to choose from in all price classes. Nevertheless they tend to be higher than on the mainland as the cost of living is higher because most things need to be transported from the mainland.

There are three properties of international standard on the island. Most of the rest of the accommodations on Easter Island are "guest houses". Representatives of the guest houses will generally come to the airport to greet travellers who may wish to stay with them. Rates are usually quite reasonable. The proprietors of these guest houses will be happy to help you find places to eat, drink, hire cabs, and generally get around.

Some guest houses describe themselves as hotels, and certainly would pass for them elsewhere in the world. These hotels frequently have restaurants offering breakfast, and often dinner.

Finally, many locals rent out a room for guests. This may not have all the comforts of a hotel, but it will for sure be a memorable experience and allow you to get to know the local culture and life.

Budget
In Hanga Roa there are plenty of lodgings, starting at about US$25 per person and night.

Cabanas
Another alternative if you are traveling with family or groups is to stay in cabanas.

Camping
Pitching a tent is illegal anywhere on the island, except on the one camping grounds and on private property with permission of the owner.

Mid-range
Average hotels sometimes use the adjective "superior", mostly meaning the rates are higher. Many of these claim to be "close to the beach". They would then refer to the small beaches in Hanga Roa, rather than the famous Anakena Beach, 20 km north of town (where you will find no hotels as its part of the nature reserve).

Splurge

Stay safe

The island has a pharmacy and a hospital that can treat emergencies and accidents. Serious cases and rare ailments require transportation to the mainland which will take several hours.

This means it's even more important to avoid risks and follow instructions. Not all caves and similar places that are dangerous are signposted as such. When in doubt, contact the CONAF staff or don't go there.

There are stray dogs but they're not aggressive, and you just need to raise your voice and gesticulate to get them to leave.

Respect
The native people have great respect for their traditions and culture and as a visitor you should never make fun of these. They also don't like to be referred to as Chileans - while they do share some cultural traits nowadays, they still identify with their island heritage (and after all, the island is really far away from the mainland). At the archaeological sites, don't walk where it's disallowed and don't touch or move anything. These are holy places to the native people and you will be fined if caught. Overall, the influx of tourists in the 21st century has made many locals uncomfortable so the least you can do is to behave respectfully.

Connect
There are Internet cafés on the island, many lodgings offer Wi-Fi and there Chilean government has set up some free Wi-Fi spots in Hanga Roa, named Zona ChileGob.

Entel is the sole mobile phone operator, and their network only covers Hanga Roa, and even there the network is not as reliable. Of course, a satellite phone is your other option.

The Chilean post operates here, so why not send a postcard (or several) from an exotic place with a moai stamp?

Go next
As of early 2024, the only regularly scheduled passenger planes are the LATAM services to and from Santiago, daily. Seasonal flights to Tahiti are scheduled to resume later in 2024. For more eccentric options, consult the Get in section.

If you've managed to sail to Easter Island on your own, a logical next stop would be the infamous Pitcairn Islands (of "Bounty" mutiny fame), one of the island's "nearest" neighbors and another contender for "most isolated", with no air access and little tourism at all.

title: Easter Island


text:
East Central Alberta

East Central Alberta is a region of Central Alberta, to the east and southeast of Edmonton up to the Saskatchewan border.

Cities

 * — agricultural town that straddles the border with Saskatchewan
 * — tiny agricultural communities located near the Battle River valley, Donalda is home to the world's largest oil lamp
 * — jumping off point to Bodo Archaeological Site, one of the largest and most well-preserved pre-contact archeological areas in Western Canada.
 * — home to Beaverhill Lake, an important bird habitat
 * — an agricultural community with strong ties to the Ukrainian community, and home to the world's biggest Ukrainian Easter egg
 * — a welcome relief from people travelling along the Yellowhead Highway
 * — an agricultural community located near the home of Canada's oldest one-day professional rodeo
 * — home to an 845-m-long steel railway trestle bridge

Other destinations

 * – Alberta's Ukrainian ethnic enclave which includes many small farming villages

Understand
In 1870 the Hudson's Bay Company sold its claim over the region to Canada, and Canada then negotiated treaties with the First Nations, confining them to small reserves in exchange for food and medicine (the bison were nearly extinct by this time due to overhunting). A promised railway connection to the rest of Canada did not reach anywhere near here until 1891, when settlers from the rest of Canada and Europe began to arrive in the region.

The main industry here for the early settlers was the bulk export of cereal grains, especially wheat, by means of rail. The legacy of this are the many heritage sites related to both agriculture and railways that can be seen here.

Talk
Alberta's official language is English with some limited rights for the French-speaking minority. Nearly everyone here will speak English fluently. A variety of other languages are spoken by individual people. However, you should not count on your hotel or other businesses to be able to serve you in any other language. They may do so, but it is at their own discretion.

Offices of the federal government of Canada (post offices, passport offices, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the national parks) are required to be able to serve you both English and French, but this does not mean that every employee is fluent in French, especially in this region. If you need services in French, you will need to have patience with non-fluent speakers or wait for a French-speaking employee to become available.

By plane
The nearest major airport is in Edmonton which has connections to the rest of Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia. A regional airports exists in Lloydminster with connections to Edmonton.

By train

 * The Canadian (between Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia) two to three times per week. The Canadian is slower and more expensive service than buses by sightseers, passing through on their way to the Rocky Mountains, who rarely stop here.

By bus

 * Operates a route between Regina and Edmonton with stops including in Vegreville, Vermilion, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Saskatoon, and Davidson. Travel time to Edmonton from from Lloydminster is 3.25 hours, from North Battleford is 5 hours, from Saskatoon is 6.5 hours, and from Regina is 9.5 hours. Operates multiple days per week.

By car
Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), is the main route through the region, connecting to Vegreville, Vermillion and Lloydminster. Eastbound travelers can reach region from Edmonton and westbound travelers can reach the region from Saskatoon.

Get around
The majority of trips through this region are by private automobile, and many places are only accessible by road.

See
Kalyna Country is a living museum of Austrian, Polish, Romanian, and especially Ukrainian settlement and immigration. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village 50 km east of Edmonton on Highway 16 has over 30 historic buildings.

Check out the numerous small museums in this region. The Lloydminster Cultural & Science Centre is a public art gallery, and science centre focused on the oil industry.

The Vegreville Pysanka, constructed of thousands of aluminium pieces, is a 9-m-tall Ukrainian Easter egg.

Lamont County is home to 40 historic churches of a variety of denominations that can be visited on a self-guided driving tour.

Do
For birdwatchers, 270 bird species have been reported at Beaverhill Lake, near Tofield, with 145 known to breed locally.

The Wainwright Stampede at the end of June has rodeos, chuckwagon races, parade, rides and an agricultural fair.

Drink
There are a few craft breweries and distilleries that have popped up here since the loosening of liquor laws in 2015.

Stay safe
Crime, like in most of Canada, is not a major concern, but hazardous driving caused by extreme weather and collisions with wildlife can be.

title: East Central Alberta


text:
Eastern Anatolia

Eastern Anatolia (Turkish: Doğu Anadolu) is a region in Turkey. It occupies the mountainous east of the country and has the harshest winters.

Cities

 * — town in the north, on the road to Georgia and the Turkish Black Sea coast
 * — old town close to Malatya
 * — historic town with artifacts dating back to the Ottomans and even the Hittites
 * — town on Iranian border, hub for visiting the fascinating Ishak Pasa Palace nearby, as well as climbing Mt Ararat
 * — city in northwest, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and the hub for visiting the wonderful old city of Harput
 * — biggest city of the region, near Palandöken Ski Centre
 * — the most remote city of the country, in the far southeast
 * — city in the northeast, with interesting Russian architecture, base for visiting nearby Ani
 * — locally known as Eğin, this is a beautiful old town on the Karasu River, and is the base town for the adventure sports hotspot of the Karanlık Kanyon ("Dark Canyon")
 * — a large city with lots of parks, base for visiting the statues at the summit of Nemrut Mountain
 * — town on the railroad to Tatvan/Lake Van
 * — on the western coast of Lake Van, eastern terminus of railway from Istanbul, base for visiting the other Nemrut with its beautiful crater lake
 * — city on the eastern coast of Lake Van, with some remnants of the Urartu civilization and some nearby Armenian monasteries
 * — city on the eastern coast of Lake Van, with some remnants of the Urartu civilization and some nearby Armenian monasteries
 * — city on the eastern coast of Lake Van, with some remnants of the Urartu civilization and some nearby Armenian monasteries

Other destinations

 * — medieval Armenian church on an island of Lake Van
 * — the old Armenian capital, formerly known as the city of 1001 churches. UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * — a UNESCO World Heritage site, with statues on its summit
 * — a lake in the Elazig province that is home to resorts, beaches, several accommodation centers, and tourism centers.

Understand
Covering over four times the area of Switzerland but with fewer than 7 million people, Eastern Anatolia is all about lonely and vast landscapes of mountainous terrain, occasionally interspersed with flat-ish plateau.

Historically this area was mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians and was known as Western Armenia, until the Ottoman Empire killed or deported almost all the Armenians during World War I. Mount Ararat, the most sacred site in the world for ethnic Armenians, is here, next to the modern-day Armenian border.

Climate
The climate is continental in the south, hemiboreal in the north. Southern cities (south of Ağrı) experience hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters with a storm season in spring; while northern cities experience mild to warm, showery summers and frigid, snowy winters. The whole region is snow-covered all winter, with many mountain passes remaining inaccessible until mid-spring.

Talk
In the eastern and southeastern parts (near the Iranian border and around Lake Van) of the region, the mother tongue of most locals is Kurdish. However most, especially younger ones, are also bilingual in Turkish, although generally heavily accented.

The local Turkish dialect spoken in the northeast of the region (around Erzurum, and Kars) is far from “standard” Istanbul Turkish, and is very close to Azerbaijani spoken in the neighbouring country, to the point of being virtually identical in the easternmost parts of the region, around Iğdır close to the border with Nakhchivan. However writing is standard Turkish.

Zaza, another Indo-Iranian language closely related to Kurdish, may also be heard in certain locales, especially in the central parts of the region around Tunceli and Bingöl.

As in Southeastern Anatolia, it is important to be cautious with whom you are smattering Kurdish or Zaza. Trying to strike up a conversation in those languages with a Turkish official, especially one from the military, can have dire consequences.

Get in
Erzurum is the main gateway to the region with fairly frequent air, bus, and rail connections with the rest of the country. Other secondary-major cities with airports include Van and Malatya, which also has rail links with the rest of the country. Unless snowbound, highways connect the region to other Turkish regions in the north, south, and west; and to Iran to the east.

Get around
There is no high speed rail yet, but the few trains can be scenic.

See
At the borderlands of various empires during the last millenia, Northeastern Anatolia is rich in medieval and early modern sites. The local hub is Erzurum. The modern city is not especially historic or beautiful, but it is the site of a citadel and two madrasahs (Islamic academies). One of the madrasahs was built in the 13th century by the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and is decorated with turquoise tiles typical of the Seljuks, the other dates back to the 14th century, when the area was ruled by the Ilkhanids, an offshoot of Genghis's Mongolians who later converted to Islam.

North of Erzurum, a major highway follows the Çoruh River towards the Black Sea coast. The local mountains are dotted with the ruins of numerous castles and churches built by the medieval Georgian kingdom. The most impressive site is perhaps the Öşkvank Monastery in the village of Çamlıyamaç, about 100 km (60 mi) from Erzurum.

Northeast of Erzurum is the national park of the Allahuekber Mountains. This was the scene of the 1914–15 Battle of Sarikamish, fought between Ottoman Turkey and the Russian Empire as part of the Caucasus Campaign during World War I. Ill-prepared for the harsh winters of the area, up to 60,000 Turkish soldiers froze to death there; annual commemorations take place in the national park, which is also known for its extensive Scots pine forests and healthy populations of wolves and bears, which are rather few in the country.

The area east of the Allahuekber Mountains was ruled by the Russian Empire for four decades before its collapse. A notable local town is Sarıkamış, where a derelict hunting lodge built by the last czar, Nicholas II (r. 1894–1917), is one of the main attractions. Nearby Kars is much more famous for its Russian heritage—stately Russian mansions line its street grid, as do beautiful mosques that had been built as Russian Orthodox or Armenian Apostolic churches. Further east, on the high steppes over a river gorge are the evocative ruins of Ani, the medieval Armenian capital.

Southwards, at the foothills of the Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest at 5,137 m (16,854 ft), is the town of Doğubeyazıt, near the main border crossing to Iran. İshak Pasha Palace, an amazing 17th-century palace and citadel complex on a hillside high above the town, is the main sight. Also nearby, off the highway to Van, is the scenic Muradiye Waterfalls, which freezes every winter.

The rim of Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, is known for its ancient sites and Armenian heritage. This is the land of the Urartu — a name you may remember from Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has a large exhibition of fine Urartian ironwork. The main city of the area is Van, at the eastern end of the lake. As Tushpa, the city was the capital of the Urartu kingdom, formed by an Iron Age people. Its castle, on a striking rocky outcrop above the lake, is not to be missed, as are numerous Urartian cuneiform inscriptions in the surrounding area. Except for a few centuries-old buildings, Old Van, in the lakeside plains just below the castle, was heavily damaged and abandoned during World War I.

The countryside to the southeast of Van has ancient and medieval citadels, and other isolated historic and natural attractions but far more travellers head west along the southern coast of the lake to Gevaş, for boats to Akdamar Island. The island is topped by one of the jewels of the region, the 10th century Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which has extensive bas reliefs of Biblical scenes.

Tatvan is the hub for travelling around the western half of Lake Van. Just above the town is Mount Nemrut, a dormant volcano with a summit nearing 3,000 m (9,700 ft)—higher than the mountain of the same name near Kahta to the west, better known for the statues of the ancient gods on its summit. The caldera has freshwater lakes inside, one of which is comfortably warm regardless the season thanks to a hot spring flowing into it, all surrounded by a birch forest. The views over Lake Van and the surrounding area from the caldera rim are simply phenomenal.

Northeast of Tatvan, the medieval cemetery at Ahlat is known for its massive, highly elaborate headstones cut from dark volcanic rocks, similar to the Armenian khachkars.

Many towns around the lake, including Gevaş, Ahlat, and Erciş, feature Seljuk kümbets, cylindrical or often octagonal mausolea topped by a cone, seemingly influenced by local Armenian and Georgian architectural styles, with much stonework.

The Upper Euphrates Valley at the western half of the region is full of old towns. Malatya is a reasonable hub for travelling around this part of Eastern Anatolia. While Malatya is a relatively new city by Turkish standards, there is a 19th-century mosque downtown, as well as a contemporary Armenian church. A small hydropower plant, one of the oldest in the country, is also an attraction of the city, as is the park with many water features surrounding it.

Nearby Orduzu is a village of pretty single- or two-floored adobe houses with timber frames. Far more archaeologically important, though, is the nearby Aslantepe Mound, an eastern outpost of the Hittites, a Bronze Age people often associated with Central Anatolia to the west. A number of detailed sculptures with typically Hittite designs were excavated from the site and have been exhibited there.

West from Malatya, Darende is the site of the Somuncu Baba shrine. Imagine a tomb of a local saint and a small adjoining mosque in a very beautifully landscaped garden, all stuck into a narrow ravine and clinging to the cliffs.

Just north of Malatya, Battalgazi is locally known as "Old Malatya", as it was the original site of that city. A major centre during centuries past, it features a Seljuk-built mosque, with beautiful, if a bit worn, turquoise tiles and is unique in Turkey for having an inner courtyard. The other attractions in the town include a caravanserai and Roman-built city walls.

Across the Karakaya Dam Lake, kind of a very low-key local resort, you will arrive in Elazığ. As with Malatya, the city was moved to its current location only in the 19th century (so you won't see anything older), and its original site, Harput is up the hills. Topped by a castle, the streets of Harput are lined by historic houses with stone-built ground floors and wooden upper floors.

Upriver along the Euphrates, you will arrive in Kemaliye, locally Eğin, which sits in a particularly lush valley bottom. It is a beautiful town with many mansions, sharing a similar architectural style with those of Harput. In the outskirts, a series of tight tunnels and passes negotiate a formidable and barren terrain high above a deep gorge. If anywhere could be called "the beaten path" in this part of the world, that would be the trio of Harput, Kemaliye, and nearby Divriği (in Central Anatolia).

Do
Winter sports centres in the region include Palandöken (which hosted the 2011 Winter Universiade) south of Erzurum, and Sarıkamış southwest of Kars.

Lake Hazar has beaches and a ski center.

Eat
Meat is more or less what the whole local cuisine is dependent on in the region, as very few vegetables can be grown in this highland with cool and short summers.

Drink
The harsh climate due to the high altitude, and generally conservative locals mean that vineyards are rare in the region. However, the Euphrates valley is milder, and supports a couple of wineries near Elazığ, which produce red wine from the local Öküzgözü cultivar. These wineries are believed to carry on the tradition of Noah planting a vineyard thereabouts, after the landing of his ark.

Stay safe
Always keep your passport or other official identification handy. You might be stopped by law enforcement and asked to produce it anywhere and anytime, particularly when close to borders.

Although all the airports are below 2,000 m many popular mountains are over 3,000 m, so make sure to take the usual precautions against altitude sickness.

Go next
Those who have had enough of the chilly mountain air can head south to much warmer (and, indeed, semi-desert) Southeastern Anatolia. If you prefer to have a glimpse of sea after wandering inland regions, though, you are much better heading north to Eastern Karadeniz, the nearest stretch of coastline, all backed by lush and misty mountains, although much of that region's beaches were lost to the coastal highway. Travellers heading for the major centres of western Turkey will traverse Central Anatolia to the west, while those intending to do the overland route to India can cross the border into Iran to the east from a number of border crossings near Doğubayazıt, Van, and Hakkari north to south. Just north of Iran is Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave, with a border crossing east of Iğdır. There is also a crossing on the Georgian border to the north, Türkgözü north of Ardahan. Although much less crowded than the Sarp crossing on the Black Sea coast, it is not any faster to cross the border there, as it is much remoter and harder to get to by public transport from the major cities, and also it seems border formalities take longer there. If you have been intrigued by the Armenian ruins all over Eastern Anatolia, Armenia to the east has a lot more, although going there would require a detour via Iran or Georgia (which has much less complicated visa issues) as the border is closed.

title: Eastern Anatolia


text:
Eastern Arizona

Eastern Arizona is part of the state of Arizona, in the United States of America. It is a complex region of remarkable cultural, geological and scenic diversity despite its sparse population.

Cities

 * – along Route 66 with Arizona "Old West" history of in its own right.
 * – a copper mining town back in the day and still today, with many historic buildings.
 * – the region's largest town, with a historic military fort.
 * – an iconic Wild West town most famous for the conflict between Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang at the O.K. Corral.

Other destinations

 * — Filled with beautifully colored mineralized trees.
 * — Filled with beautifully colored mineralized trees.
 * — Filled with beautifully colored mineralized trees.

Get in

 * I-10.svg Interstate 10 (I-10) runs east-west across southern and central Arizona, connecting from El Paso and southern New Mexico, to Tucson, Phoenix and on towards southern California.

 * I-40.svg Interstate 40 (I-40) runs east-west across northern Arizona and connects travelers with the cities of Flagstaff, Williams and Kingman. I-40 comes into Arizona from east after passing through Albuquerque, New Mexico and from the west after passing through Barstow and Needles, California.  I-40 is positioned above the Mogollon Rim in elevation and is affected by heavy snowfall during winter months.

 * US 60.svg U.S. Route 60 (US 60) runs (in a general) east-west across central Arizona, entering the state just south of I-40 from New Mexico. U.S. 60 runs through the White Mountains and the towns of Eagar and Springerville on its way to Globe and eventually to Phoenix.

 * US 70.svg U.S. Route 70 (US 70) runs east-west, with its western terminus in Globe, through Safford and into New Mexico through Lordsburg.

 * US 180.svg U.S. Route 180 (US 180) runs east-west, with its western terminus south of the Grand Canyon in Valle, through Flagstaff and into the Mogollon Rim region, through St. Johns and Alpine, and into New Mexico to Silver City.

 * US 191.svg U.S. Route 191 (US 191) runs north-south from the US-Mexico border near Douglas, north to Safford through the Mogollon Rim region, through Alpine and St. Johns, continuing through the Navajo Nation and into Utah.

There are no major airports in the region; the closest airports with significant commercial service are in Phoenix and Tucson.

Get around
Due to the Rim, travel within the region often is not as straight-as-a-crow; even major highways like US 60 must meander around valleys, canyons and rivers.

A car is essential as there is no public transportation. To access some of the more remote off-road areas, a four-wheel drive is recommended.

Do

 * US 66 (AZ historic).svg Historic Route 66 – Historic Route 66 runs east-west across northern Arizona, edging the northern edge of this region.

 * Arizona Scenic Road Marker.svgUS 191.svg Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 191) – An Arizona Scenic Route and National Scenic Byway, US 191 travels north-south through the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest, running all the way from the Mexico border near Douglas to the Utah state line near Mexican Water. Between Morenci and Hannagan Meadow the road is dangerous with no shoulders and many hairpin turns along steep mountainsides. Also called the "Devil's Highway", as US 191 formerly was US_666_Arizona_1956_North.svg US 666 as the 6th numbered spur from US 66, but also fitting for the deadly stretch between Morenci and Hannagan Meadow with the numerous hairpin turns.

title: Eastern Arizona


text:
Eastern Bhutan

Eastern Bhutan is a region in Bhutan.

Cities

 * - a small hill-station like town
 * Khoma - a small town in Lhuentse famous for its high standard and distinctive woven cloth
 * — the administrative capital of Lhuentse District - besides the dzong, not much to see.
 * - entry point for people entering or exiting Bhutan to/from Assam.
 * - entry point for people entering or exiting Bhutan to/from Assam.
 * - entry point for people entering or exiting Bhutan to/from Assam.

Other destinations

 * - a sacred valley and monastery founded by Yeshi Tsogyal and visited by Guru Rinpoche on his second visit to Bhutan - a two-day walk from Khoma.
 * - a sacred valley and monastery founded by Yeshi Tsogyal and visited by Guru Rinpoche on his second visit to Bhutan - a two-day walk from Khoma.
 * - a sacred valley and monastery founded by Yeshi Tsogyal and visited by Guru Rinpoche on his second visit to Bhutan - a two-day walk from Khoma.
 * - a sacred valley and monastery founded by Yeshi Tsogyal and visited by Guru Rinpoche on his second visit to Bhutan - a two-day walk from Khoma.
 * - a sacred valley and monastery founded by Yeshi Tsogyal and visited by Guru Rinpoche on his second visit to Bhutan - a two-day walk from Khoma.

Understand
The predominant ethnic group in Eastern Bhutan are Sharchops, who are generally followers of the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism and tend to be shorter and stockier than people in other parts of the country. Another characteristic of Eastern Bhutan is that the cities and towns are generally built on mountain slopes, a notable exception being Samdrup Jongkhar which is in a valley on the Indian border.

Lhuentse District is one of Bhutan's remotest and least developed districts, and the landscape in the north is dominated by the Himalayas. The district is famous for its beautiful and intricate woven cloth. There are no shops selling it, but no doubt pieces can be bought by visiting the houses of weavers - the village of Khoma is an especially good place to look.

Talk
Sharchopkha is the predominant language of the region, though there are local variations.

Get in

 * Bus from Thimphu, border crossing with India at Samdrup Jongkhar.

See

 * Aja Nye - AH is a sacred Buddhist symbol and nye means 100. The name is derived from the 100 AH symbols that miraculously appeared on the walls of the cave. Guru Rinpoche practiced meditation here, and it is a major pilgrimage site. Aja-nye is a one day walk from Yadi.
 * Bhangtar, Samdrup Jonghhar - an area inhibited by many Bhutanese of Nepalese origin. The clean river and wide valley offer a good place for a picnic and swimming (though not in the rainy season).
 * Chorten Kora, Tashiyagtese - an impressive stupa similar to the famous Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
 * Mongar Dzong
 * Omba Nye Tashiyangtse District - a sacred site blessed by Guru Rinpoche - a self arisen OM can be seen in the rockface.
 * Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) is a common site in the district, especially around Bhangtar.
 * Takila Statue A 157 foot high bronze statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Takila, Lhuentse District
 * Tashigang dzong, Trashigang - a traditional dzong perched on a hill top
 * Yongla Gompa is a famous monastery perched high above the village of Oron in Samdrup Jongkhar.
 * Yongla Gompa is a famous monastery perched high above the village of Oron in Samdrup Jongkhar.

Do

 * Chorten Kora Tshechu (festival), 5 - 20 April 2023

Buy

 * Cane baskets and other cane products (ringshu) from Pasaphu village in Thrimshing district.
 * Hand made wooden bowls (dappa) are a wonderful and practical souvenir. The halves of the bowl fit tightly together, so they can be used to carry cooked food, which is their function in Bhutan. However, they also make excellent salad or cookie bowls. Dappa are a specialty of the Trashi Yagtse region, and it is possible to purchase them directly from the workshops of dappa makers.
 * Woven items from the National Women's Weaving Center in Khaling

Drink
The local drinks (home-brewed) available are (majority)ara, singchang, bangchang

The Government's breweries in Samdrup Jongkhar (Eastern Bhutan), Gelephu (Southern Bhutan) and Samtse (Southern Bhutan)are whiskey, rum, brandy and gin.

In central Bhutan, peach and apple Brandies are available too.

The beers (made in Bhutan) are Druk 11000 and Red Panda.

Indian drinks such as Hit Beer, Dansberg beer, Figuera red wine and Spry Red wine are also available at subsidised (by Indian Government) prices.

Overall, drinks are available literally everywhere with a majority of shops being "bar-shops".

At the main hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu, Bhutan, 80% of the deaths are attributed to alcohol (not including collateral damages such as drunk driving, murders under the influence etc).

title: Eastern Bhutan


text:
Eastern Cambodia

Eastern Cambodia is a region of Cambodia and includes the following provinces: Kratie to the east of the Mekong, Mondulkiri (Mundulkiri), Rattanakiri (Ratanakiri) and Stoeng Treng (Stung Treng) to the east of the Mekong.

Cities

 * - Capital of Mondulkiri province.
 * - Capital of Mondulkiri province.
 * - Capital of Mondulkiri province.
 * - Capital of Mondulkiri province.

title: Eastern Cambodia


text:
Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape is in South Africa and stretches along the Indian Ocean between Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Understand
The Eastern Cape province includes the former "homelands" of Transkei and Ciskei. With a long coastline on the Indian Ocean it offers great beaches as well as several very interesting National Parks. Its population is mainly Xhosa-speaking and the province is home to several of South Africa's most important persons in the fight against Apartheid (e.g. Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko and Oliver Tambo). It's still a poor province especially in the former homelands but beautiful and not so touristy.

Regions
The Eastern Cape can be divided in the following regions:

Cities

 * — the capital of the Eastern Cape
 * — the largest city in the province, now called Gqeberha, is connected to the rest of the country by flights, freeways and rail.
 * — the second largest city is accessible by plane, car and train and is the starting point for travelling to the former Transkei and Wild Coast.
 * — heart of the Settler Country offering traditional atmosphere.
 * — the main city in the former Transkei Ekhayeni lika khanya ngedle
 * — one of the oldest cities in South Africa, it is littered with listed buildings from the Wilhelminian era

Other destinations

 * — backpackers' haven with two famous hostels and a great atmosphere.
 * — high up in the Amathole mountain range, surrounded by indigenous forests with hiking trails and waterfalls.
 * — the peaceful hamlet of Pearston personifies the Karoo. It is reached from Graaff-Reinet by driving across the Camdeboo, where the scenery is characterized by multilayered Karoo mountains and koppies in the distance across endless expanses of Karoo plains.
 * — farming communities in the valleys of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg

National parks

 * — at least 400 elephants all sizes, great accommodation, book through parks Board, 30 min by car from Port Elizabeth
 * — it includes some of the most rugged and spectacular Karoo mountain landscapes in the foothills of the Sneeuberge (Snow Mountains)
 * — home to the very rare and endangered mountain zebra
 * —(Book through the Parks Board) . Wonderful coastal scenery with great hikes and walks, nice accommodation, between Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp including the famous Otter Trail.

Other nature reserves

 * — spectacular land forms, a diverse array of plants and wide variety of animals
 * — 60 km east from Cradock
 * — Two small reserves separated by the Mbashe River, next to the Indian Ocean near Elliotdale.

By car
The main motorway in the province is the N2. It runs along the coast from Cape Town via the Garden Route, Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, the Transkei and further through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The road condition is mainly excellent except in the Transkei. Do not travel the Transkei portion of the N2 at night as the potholes can be deep and there are often stray animals, i.e., cows and goats, wandering around.

From Cape Town
Follow the N2 via the Overberg and into the Garden Route

From Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Follow the N1 toll road south until Colesberg, then follow the N9 from there towards Graaff-Reinet and George or follow first the N9 and then the N10 towards Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth. Avoid driving the N9 and N10 at night as game often wander onto the road at night and accidents are not uncommon. A full grown kudu or other large antelope can cause some severe damage to you and your vehicle.

By plane
Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth and East London are the main national airports both with several flights daily to other South African destinations, but no international flights.

By train
Spoornet operates regular trains from Johannesburg to Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth and East London. There is also a once-weekly service from Cape Town to East London, a daily service between Grahamstown and Alicedale and a weekend-only service between East London and Mthatha (via Amabele).

By car
Definitely the best option if you are more than two as several regions and some of the National Parks aren't accessible by public transport. Road Conditions are mainly good but get informed before you start. Car rental is available in larger cities and along the popular resorts of the Garden Route.

Be careful of wild animals, especially monkeys, on the road. Be especially careful if driving at night.

By bus
The main companies cross the Eastern Cape on their way from Cape Town to Durban. There are other main routes from Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth and East London to Johannesburg.

The Baz Bus traverses the province on its Cape Town - Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth - Durban run ; Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth is a compulsory overnight stop.

Minibus services are available for local transport between neighbouring towns (and also on several longer distances).

By train
With the limited range of railways this isn't really a viable option for touring the province. However, the route from Grahamstown to Alicedale is very scenic and well worth doing. The newly opened line from East London to Mthatha also traverses some dramatic scenery through the Wild Coast.

See

 * Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth: the provincial capital and major transportation hub
 * East London: Gateway to the Wild Coast
 * Grahamstown: University town with a colonial English atmosphere
 * Graaff-Reinet: a national heritage site and the classical example of an inland town.
 * Wild Coast: spectacular scenery and only a few tourists make this an out-off-the-beaten track destination
 * Morgan's Bay: Seaside village with magnificent cliffs that plunge into the sea.
 * Kei mouth: Southern gateway to the Wild Coast via one of South Africa's two remain pontoon car ferries.
 * Tsitsikamma National Park: not as spectacular as some of the other National Parks it offers superb coastlines, whale watching and excellent hiking.
 * Addo Elephant National Park: famous for the elephants, this park is (after the unification with Zuurberg NP) one of South Africa's largest. Also has lions.
 * Mountain Zebra National Park: small, but only very few people there. See the endangered Mountain Zebras.

Do

 * Visit the bustling cities of Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth and East London
 * From there, head to the Wild Coast
 * Do the National Park loop with Tsitsikamma National Park, this and Addo is a must Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park and go to Graaff-Reinet for classical Karoo Heartland atmosphere (and the Karoo National Park)
 * Rock Climbing
 * Rock Climbing

Eat

 * When in Jeffreys Bay or Paradise Beach, try the beach restaurants near Marina Martinque called Tapas - cheap or the Whale Skipper slightly more expensive. Wherever try the calamari.
 * St Francis - go out to the port and have Cajun Calamari at the Porthole for lunch, sit in the sun, enjoy the food and watch the fishermen at work. What a pleasure

Sleep
The Garden Route is a major tourist destination with a broad range of accommodation in all ranges, as is Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth.

North of East London is the spectacular Wild Coast, which begins near Morgan's Bay and Kei mouth.

Accommodation is a little bit more limited inland, but there will always be options.

title: Eastern Cape


text:
Eastern Cibao

Eastern Cibao is a region of Dominican Republic.

Understand
The Province of Samaná has its own very distinct history and culture. Until the early 20th century, this peninsula was an island separate from Hispaniola. During Haiti's occupation of Santo Domingo in the 19th century, freed slaves were brought here from the United States prior to the Civil War, and they kept their distinct protestant religion, gospel singing and the English language up to this date, when their descendants are known as the "Cocolos". Today, Samaná remains a melting-pot of cultures, as a great quantity of Europeans--particularly French and Italians--have settled in the towns of Las Terrenas and Las Galeras.

Las Terrenas remains a very bohemian town, very popular among Dominicans and foreigners alike. Its beaches are lined with restaurants right by the sea, offering different European and local cuisines made by foreign settlers. Las Terrenas also offers a distinctly nice nightlife, although increasingly plagued by prostitution. Close to the town of Las Terrenas are the two beaches of Playa Bonita and Playa Cosón, separated by Punta Bonita. While Playa Bonita offers more excitement with its higher and stronger waves, Playa Cosón faces beautiful mountains which make for a unique, beautiful scenery. The more adventurous tourists can explore the waterfalls of the "Salto del Limón", surrounded by tropical mountains and rainforests.

Las Galeras follows Las Terrenas as the region's second most popular beach town. Smaller and cozier, it has its own beautiful beach, where fishermen bring seafood directly from the sea, and tourists can eat fried fish, grilled shrimps and lobsters at a very low cost right on the beach. The beaches of Playa Rincón and Playa Frontón are easily accessible by boat from Las Galeras. Playa Rincón has been rated as one of the world's three more beautiful beaches, and is said to have been Columbus's point of entry into Hispaniola. He himself is supposed to have described it as an earthly paradise. This beach is not to be missed, and the restaurants on the beach offer an exquisite Dominican-style fried fish.

The actual town of Santa Barbara de Samana, the province's capital, has had a face-lift. It is one of the country's most beautiful towns, and the small island of Cayo Levantado is easily accessible from it. In the middle of the Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado has beautiful beaches and its own five-star hotel. Boats for whale watching also depart from the town of Samaná, as whales spend their winters in the bay's warm waters. Moreover, Los Haitises National Park is also readily accessible by boat from the town, displaying beautiful rain-forests and unending chains of jaw-dropping archipelagos that are easily explorable by boat.

Outside Samaná, the towns of Nagua and Sanchez offer their own distinct foods. Sanchez is famous for its delicious shrimps, while Nagua is popular for its Dominican-style crab. Although Nagua has not been developed by tourism, its unending sea of coconut trees offer very interesting exploration opportunities for the most adventurous tourists.

Do
Whale-watching: The Samaná Bay offers unique opportunities for whale-watching during the Winter months.

title: Eastern Cibao


text:
Eastern Circuit

The Eastern Circuit (道東 Dōtō) covers the eastern half of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Regions
The Eastern Circuit is composed of the following four subprefectures:
 * Okhotsk – it was renamed from Abashiri Subprefecture in 2010. Has a Japanese-only portal site for tourism.
 * Tokachi – the region is dominated by the Tokachi Plain, a major agricultural area
 * Kushiro – the region is dominated by the Kushiro Plain, a major agricultural area
 * Nemuro – the region is dominated by the Nemuro Plain, a major agricultural area

Cities
agricultural area
 * (釧路市 Kushiro-shi) – the largest city in the Circuit with 200,000 people
 * (網走市 Abashiri-shi) – fishing town famous for drift ice and infamous for its prison
 * (北見市 Kitami-shi) – the onion capital of Japan
 * (紋別市 Monbetsu-shi)
 * (根室市 Nemuro-shi) – at the easternmost tip of Hokkaido
 * (帯広市 Obihiro-shi) – the main city in the Tokachi Plain, a large

Towns

 * (美幌町 Bihoro-chō) – gateway to the Akan National Park
 * (斜里町 Shari-chō) – gateway to Shiretoko National Park and home of onsen village Utoro

National Parks

 * (阿寒摩周国立公園 Akan Mashu Kokuritsu Kōen) – known for the crystalline mountain lakes of Akan, Kussharo and Mashu
 * (大雪山国立公園 Daisetsuzan Kokuritsu Kōen), – Japan's largest national park named after its "Great Snowy Mountains"
 * (釧路湿原国立公園 Kushiro-shitsugen Kokuritsu Kōen)
 * (知床国立公園 Shiretoko Kokuritsu Kōen) – the most inaccessible and least explored of Japan's national parks

Understand
The most sparsely populated region in all Japan, this vast area is nearly 40,000 km² in size. While the easternmost part is largely flat, rural and filled with endless cow pastures, much of the circuit is ringed with mountains.

By plane
Kushiro, Monbetsu and Ōzora, Memanbetsu (near Abashiri) have regional airports.

Get around
Here, if anywhere in Japan, a rental car will come in handy. Train coverage is severely lacking (many lines have been terminated due to a lack of customers) and buses are infrequent, inconvenient and expensive.

Do
Eastern Hokkaido has beautiful coastline, wonderful outdoor hot springs, and remote hiking. Some combination of these should make for a satisfying visit.

Eat
Hokkaido on the whole is good for seafood — if you're on the coast — and dairy, and the east is no exception. In central Hokkaido, near Asahikawa and Furano, there are a plethora of melon stands, though by foreign standards, Japanese melons are exceedingly expensive.

title: Eastern Circuit


text:
Eastern Cuba

Eastern Cuba is a region of Cuba.

Other destinations

 * — access is available only to the northern part; there is no general access to the US Naval Base in the southern part
 * — access is available only to the northern part; there is no general access to the US Naval Base in the southern part

Get in
There are international (Canada, UK) and domestic flights to Holguín's Aeropuerto Internacional Frank País. There are flights from Havana to Santiago de Cuba's Antonio Maceo Airport.

Sunrise Airways flies from Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien to SCU, and from Port-au-Prince to HOG (July 2021).

Trains from Havana stop at Guantánamo city, Holguín, Honduras, Manuel Tames, Martires de la Frontera, San Anselmo and Yayal.

See
Eastern Cuba has several natural UNESCO World Heritage sites:
 * Alejandro de Humboldt National Park in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo
 * The Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba around the mountain range Sierra Maestra
 * Desembarco del Granma National Park in Granma province

title: Eastern Cuba


text:
Eastern Desert (Jordan)

 * For the Eastern Desert of Egypt, see Red Sea Coast

The Eastern Desert is a region of Jordan, mostly visited for the Desert Castles scattered over the territory.

Cities

 * — oasis in the desert, an illustration of how water brings life even at places like a desert
 * — the eastern-most settlement in the country survives on agriculture and cross-border smuggling
 * — nearby are many ancient monasteries, including the monk's hermitage in Bahira
 * — a city 60 km north of Amman, close to the Syrian border

Other destinations

 * — archaeological site and UNESCO world heritage site
 * — A stunning, small part of the desert that is made of white stones. Shark teeth can be found here in a gray stripe in the rock. It has impressive stone formations.

Understand
Badiya, the desert, is the largest part of Jordan's land area, and positioned on a 900-meter-high plateau. The ground is mostly stoney, with black lava in the north eastern part with chalk and flint in the south. The valley of the Wadi Sirhan is a sand desert that begins east of Amman and continues in the direction of Saudi Arabia. Here you will also find the oasis of Qa'a al Azraq about 150km east from Amman. In the surroundings of this oasis is the most interesting part of the desert for tourists.

Very much part of Roman history, the Limes Arabicus bordered their Syrian province. On the Roman side agriculture was possible and on the desert side the nomadic people grazed their animals. The walls were built from stone and clay and secured by soldiers and castles.

With the advent of Islamic-Arabian culture around 650 AD, the ruins of the Roman castles become hunting lodges for the local Umayyad people. One hundred years later the Umayyads relocated to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq today, and the cities and castles of Jordan were largely abandoned to the nomadic Bedouins who remained (they were so named after this region). Rainfall failed the following years and the lush irrigated lands became desert.

Itineraries

 * The Jordanian Desert Castles are 5 castles spanning the Eastern Desert. These castles once acted as getaways for Kaliffs during the Omayyad Period

title: Eastern Desert (Jordan)