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Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands (Malay: Pulau Perhentian) are a small group of islands approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) off the north-eastern coast of West Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. The islands are protected as part of the Pulau Redang National Marine Park.

Understand
The Perhentian Islands (pronounced Perhen-tee-ahn) comprise of two main islands, Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) and Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian). The name Perhentian means stopping point in Malay as the islands became a staging point used by traders travelling from Malaysia to Bangkok. Historically a backpacker destination off the mass tourism trail, the islands have been slowly creeping upmarket and the planned opening of a giant Marriott resort on Kecil in 2023 seems set to shake things up.

Kecil attracts more travellers due to cheaper accommodation options, while Besar is a little more expensive and caters more to families and those who want to avoid the backpacker party scene. The Perhentian Islands also comprise of the small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara, Seringgi and Rawa, which lie off Kecil. All the islands are protected under marine park status, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. However, in practice, litter is one of the major problems that face the islands.

The islands are almost entirely devoted to tourism. Kampung Pasir Hantu, more commonly known as Fisherman Village (Kampung Nelayan), at the southeast corner of Kecil, is the only local settlement in the islands with facilities like a school, mosque, police station etc.

When to go
Due to the eastern monsoon, the best time to visit the Perhentian Islands is effectively limited to the beginning of March or April until late October. This is similar to many other islands on the east coast of Malaysia. Outside this period the seas can be very rough and choppy with currents that make swimming dangerous and overcast skies with frequent rain. For this reason most accommodation (but not all) are closed. Travel agents may claim accommodations are open and even then many restaurants and all shops will be closed during the off-season. If a restaurant is open during the off-season, expect limited and over-priced food choices.

Place names
Many locations on the island are referred to with both their Malay and English names. To make life a little more confusing, the words "beach" (pantai) and "bay" (teluk) are often used near-interchangeably as well, and a few English place names are not literal translations.

Get in

The only practical way to get to the Perhentian Islands is by ferry from Kuala Besut, so the main question is how to get there. Reasonably priced direct transfers to Redang are possible if a day-trip or dive boat has free seats - enquire with travel and dive shops.

By plane
The nearest airports are at Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, which both have near-hourly connections to Kuala Lumpur and occasional services (once daily or less) to other major Malaysian cities like Johor Bahru. Pre-COVID, both also had flights to Singapore, but these have been halted for time being. Kota Bharu is about one hour away by taxi, while Kuala Terengganu is closer to 1.5 hours.

By train
Tanah Merah, three stops before the end of the line at Tumpat, is the closest station to Kuala Besut on the famous KTMB Jungle Line from Kuala Lumpur via Gua Musang.

By boat
Speed boats from Kuala Besut, usually small fibreglass boats with two or three outboards, operate roughly hourly between 8 AM and 5 PM and charge a fixed RM 35/20 per adult/child one-way. The two main operators are:

It doesn't really matter who you book with, since all agencies book you onto the same boats anyway. The journey to the islands takes 30-45 minutes. Especially in high season it's wise to book your tickets in advance, if you happen to miss the planned departure they're usually happy to put you on the next one. If you arrive after 5 PM, you'll need to charter a boat at RM300-500. Travel after dark is possible but not advisable.

Some boats are enclosed, some have a fabric roof, some are completely open. If the sea is choppy expect a bone-jarring, bumpy ride and in the case of the latter two types expect to get very wet. If you are early, sitting at the back of the boat (near the engines) is less bumpy, but wet and noisier. There is no safe space for electronics, you might want to wrap in plastic anything that will not survive being wet (e.g. in bags inside your backpack) beforehand. If you don't want back problems do not sit in the front part of the boat — large swells combined with the driver going as fast as possible will throw you up in the air and smash you down hard as the boat hits the next wave (but it's dry there).

All ferries take their passengers directly to their destination, wherever it may be on the islands. Passengers going to (Kecil) Coral Bay and (Kecil) Long Beach will be dropped at the beach's respective jetty, without getting your feet wet. There is no more extra RM2 charge to get a small boat from the ferry to the beach at (Kecil) Long Beach.

All travellers to the islands must pay a marine park conservation charge of RM30/15 per adult/child. The marine park conversation charge 'ticket' claims to be valid for a few days, but in practice it is never asked for and is valid for the length of stay. This ticket is paid at the office in the jetty at Kuala Besut.

On foot
Walking is the main way to travel around Kecil or Besar to travel between beaches on each island. There are many walking tracks that connect the beaches as an alternative to water taxis. Apart from the main tracks, everywhere else on the islands is dense jungle.

On Kecil, Long Beach to Coral Bay is about ten minutes and a very easy walk. To go from Long Beach to D'Lagoon, follow the jungle path that starts behind Bubu resort on the northern part of Long Beach, when you reach the turbines follow the path down behind the turbines (do not go down the stairs!) a further 30 minutes until you reach D'Lagoon. It takes about 1 hour. Another route from D'Lagoon is to Adam and Eve beach on the west side of the island (25 minutes), be careful when swimming here as there are sometimes thieves waiting in the forest, though they are only interested in cameras and money. Or another one to Turtle Beach also on the west side (10 minutes). There is also a track from the south end of Long Beach from Rock Garden Chalet to South East Masjid Besar. The walk paths lack maintenance, hence proper trail footwear is recommended. Also, use insect repellent: the paths pass through forests with many mosquitoes.

On Besar, an easy 30-minute walk starts behind the Arwana resort on the southern bay of Besar and comes out in the Perhentian island resort on the north west bay. The other is a more adventurous 45-minute trek between the camp site (Teluk KK) on the west bay and the west corner of the south bay. If it's damp, mosquitoes can be a menace.

By boat or water taxi
Aside from walking, the only means of transport is by boat or water taxis. Prices are negotiable but figure on RM 12 for most hops from one beach to another, and a little more when crossing from one island to another. Travelling by boat is a much faster alternative to walking around the Islands and is of course the only means of travel between Kecil and Besar.

See
There are no monuments, museums, viewpoints or other above-ground sights whatsoever on the islands; however, the beaches are a sight in themselves. White sandy beaches with clear water and flanked by rolling jungle covered hills make the views from the beach spectacular. The best location to experience sunset is at Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil, but construction of a new jetty has spoiled most of the view. On Besar, the best and cleanest beaches are on the west side of the island. The south beach on Besar is less inviting and had lots of broken coral, treacherous to bare feet and lots of litter and discarded rubbish (as of May 2012).

There are several trails that you can take around Kecil island that offer spectacular viewpoints such as the Lighthouse Towers, which you can also climb up and jump off of into the sea.

With luck you might be able spot some of the islands' wildlife, including huge harmless monitor lizards (almost guaranteed - they are not afraid of humans) and monkeys, not to mention nesting turtles at certain times of year. Arguably the Perhentians' best sights of all are underwater, where you're likely to see reef sharks and sea turtles amongst the corals and tropical fish. Kecil island also has a huge population of cats, most of which are kittens that a lot of the locals and expats take care of.

Do
Activities on the Perhentians are basically limited to scuba diving, snorkeling, sea-kayaking, sunbathing and turtle conservation volunteering. Those with excess energy may attempt the jungle trails crisscrossing the islands.

Scuba diving

The Perhentians offer some great diving and excellent snorkeling. In addition to coral and fish, the Perhentians are home to sea turtles and many species of shark — none of them dangerous unless provoked though. Visibility is usually in the 10-20 meter range (although it will temporarily go down after storms, as well as during the end-of-year monsoon seasons) and no wet suit is required, although you may wish to use a dive skin for protection from coral and the occasional jellyfish. Popular dive sites include the Pinnacle (aka Tokong Laut, "Temple of the Sea"), a pinnacle jutting out from the sea bed, and the Sugar Wreck, an easily accessible 3500-ton sugar hauler. The (more expensive) single-day trip to Redang Island, where the water visibility is considerably better, offers diving a notch above the local options - but be prepared for a rough ride in a small speedboat.

Competition for divers is fierce and consequently diving is quite cheap, averaging out to RM60-80 per dive depending on how many dives you do and whether you bring your own gear. All dive shops also arrange introductory dives (no training required) and PADI training. If you want to try Diving for the first time, ask your Dive Center where did they do introductory dives and escape the 'jetti' trap.

Take care when choosing your dive center. Look closely at the state of the scuba equipment. It's not only about price but also about safety.

Dive centres on Kecil
On Kecil's Long Beach (from north to south):

On Kecil's Coral Bay (from north to south):

Dive centers on Besar

 *  Flora Bay Divers, (email: letsgodiving@florabaydivers.com),, . The only PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre on Perhentian Besar. Offers courses from Open Water Diver up to Master Instructor on top of diving & snorkelling trips.
 *  Flora Bay Divers, (email: letsgodiving@florabaydivers.com),, . The only PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre on Perhentian Besar. Offers courses from Open Water Diver up to Master Instructor on top of diving & snorkelling trips.
 *  Flora Bay Divers, (email: letsgodiving@florabaydivers.com),, . The only PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre on Perhentian Besar. Offers courses from Open Water Diver up to Master Instructor on top of diving & snorkelling trips.

Snorkelling
Most resorts and a few restaurants rent out snorkeling gear (typically RM10 a day for mask, snorkel and fins) and arrange snorkeling tours around the islands. Popular snorkeling spots on Besar include Teluk Pauh (to the left of the beach in front of the PI Resort), Shark Point and Tanjung Basi. The best place to see sharks (black tip) is in front of an extremely small "beach", only accessible by boat, between Shark Point and the Teluk Dalam large beach, or the rocks off the Coral View and PI Resort. They are usually seen cruising the bottom of the reef but be careful in low tide, otherwise you could end up swimming right alongside them (mostly babies though). For turtles, best place is the middle of the beach in front of Perhentian Island Resort, where the sandy bottom is covered with algae.

On Pulau Besar, if you are planning to do snorkeling just in front of your chalet, then stay on the northern and east side of the island where the water is clearer than the south side.

The best spot for family snorkelling would be the south-west of the island. The water is shallow and it is not faced by any chalet so the corals are more abundant and colourful. Between Pulau Besar and Redang, the corals are much better in Pulau Besar.

Turtle conservation volunteering
The Perhentian Islands are home to a significant green turtle nesting population. The island was once home to hundreds of nesting Green and Hawksbill turtles but now the islands only receives 300 nestings per year partly due to frequent oil spills from oil production platforms and oil tankers owned by Petronas not too far away. The Department of Fisheries runs a turtle hatchery on the islands to help readdress the declining turtle populations. Help Our Penyu are complementing the work done by the Department of Fisheries by protecting two beaches on Perhentian Besar and educating visiting tourists around the islands. Ecoteer also run their weekly Turtles Need Trees after-school marine club which is educating the local school children about turtle and marine conservation. If you want to help the turtle conservation efforts whilst visiting the Perhentian islands you can join Ecoteer's or Bubbles Dive Resort volunteer program which accepts new volunteers every Monday.

Jungle trekking
The islands are crisscrossed by small paths connecting one beach to another, but be prepared to sweat and swat off bugs if you tackle any of these. There is a good chance to see big monitor lizards and large spiders between Long Beach and Coral Bay (Kecil), and if you are walking off the main trails, you are likely to spot some wild monkeys if you are lucky.

There is a wide trail (30 min) between Watercolours Paradise and Arwana on Besar, you can see large termite trails, monitor lizards, big fruit bats and sometimes monkeys.

There is a paved walking trail from Coral Bay to Mira Beach (30 minutes) and on to Impiani beach (20 min) and to the main fishing village on Kecil (20 min). This is a great trail to see monitor lizards.

Eat
Many of the smaller resorts only offer meals as part of an all-inclusive package. These are usually buffet-style with a variety of Western and Malaysian dishes. Larger beaches, such as Pasir Panjang, offer a larger variety of eating options. Since everything (except seafood) has to be imported, expect to pay at least 2 to 3 times more than on the mainland. Restaurants on Long Beach (Kecil) are slow to deliver food (30 min to 1½ hr) and there are no hawker stalls and only one buffet (breakfast at Bubu's), so ask the waiter first how long the food will take before deciding to eat there.

Besar

 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.
 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.
 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.
 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.
 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.
 * On the way to Teluk Keke is a restaurant that is part of Abdul's Chalet. Cheaper than Mama's and Watercolours, Abdul's has a good deal for their nightly BBQ seafood, RM15-25 for your choice of BBQ and plenty of side dishes (you can get as much as you want). Their garlic bread is simple and amazing. Bring a flashlight or a digital camera with a large backscreen because it will be dark by the time you walk back.

Drink
Pasir Panjang on Kecil (Long Beach) is the only place in the islands with any semblance of a nightlife, although Besar has a bar. Alcohol is expensive at RM8 and more for a can of beer, and Muslim-owned restaurants can't sell any. There is some under-the-counter booze, and bringing your own is also permitted in most otherwise dry restaurants.

Kecil
Oh La La's, Monkey Bar and Blacktips on Long Beach are the only places where you can get alcohol and hang out, but each have their own chilled out beach vibe. Oh La La's and Monkey bar have sunken or mat seating whereas Blacktips is a tiny shack with beach seating, but that always kicks off as a party late in the night (so if you want to dance, go there.)

On Coral Bay, you can buy Chang Beer and Orangutan after 19:00 from a vendor with a cooler that is usually set up near Mama Restaurant. Just ask around when you are there. It is no problem to drink the cans with dinner in the few restaurants on Coral Bay.

Beer is expensive for South East Asian standards, but is still only RM8-10 a can. Tiger, Carlsberg, Singha and Chang are the only brands readily available. For RM25 you can get a bottle of Orangutan (325 ml) which is also known as monkey juice, and is the choice drink for backpackers and locals. It's a sweet vanilla rum but only about 25%. Vodka is also available at RM25-30 a bottle (325 ml). Buying alcohol in either Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu or in Thailand will save you money. Don't bother stocking up in Kuala Besut, as prices are no cheaper than in the Perhentians.

Kecil
There is little luxury accommodation on Kecil, with the top of the line being air-conditioned chalets (RM100-200) and the bottom being a bunk in a longhouse (RM10 and up). Discounts are usually negotiable in the off season (although most resorts are closed), for weekdays, for longer stays, if you show up late and they have room... but the better places can get snapped up fast, especially on weekends and holidays, so book in advance. Luxury accommodation is on the west bay of Besar, but expect to pay for it. (Air conditioned chalets and all the trimmings in some) easily arranged on line or in Kuala Besut, but booking in advance is recommended. Mosquitoes can be a problem after rain, so bring your own mosquito net if staying in low-end (non-aircon) accommodation.

The most popular backpacker destination is Pasir Panjang (Long Beach) on the eastern coast of Kecil, where a bed in a longhouse can go for as little as RM20. More private "chalets" with fan, electricity and bathroom start at RM50. From north to south:

Elsewhere on the island:

Besar
Due to its popularity Kecil can get a little noisy at times, so to get away from it all, head for Besar. Starting from the northern Teluk Pauh:

A 5-minute walk away is Besar's nameless main beach, featuring the following:

Crossing over to the next beach is a more challenging 15-minute hike up and down through the jungle, but it will bring you to the southwest beach and:

 * Abdul's Chalet, It is nice place to those looking for nice, clean and not too expensive accommodation. All of the sea view chalet serve aircond chalet with bathroom attached and hot shower and garden chalet with aircond and attached bathroom. The staff are very helpful and friendly to be around. Electricity mostly 24 hours but some disruption during nightfall.
 * Abdul's Chalet, It is nice place to those looking for nice, clean and not too expensive accommodation. All of the sea view chalet serve aircond chalet with bathroom attached and hot shower and garden chalet with aircond and attached bathroom. The staff are very helpful and friendly to be around. Electricity mostly 24 hours but some disruption during nightfall.
 * Abdul's Chalet, It is nice place to those looking for nice, clean and not too expensive accommodation. All of the sea view chalet serve aircond chalet with bathroom attached and hot shower and garden chalet with aircond and attached bathroom. The staff are very helpful and friendly to be around. Electricity mostly 24 hours but some disruption during nightfall.

The largest and the quietest beach on the islands, the southern beach has 6 resorts/chalets.

Connect
Mobile phone coverage is available on both islands on all three operators (Digi, Celcom and Maxis). Coverage may be patchy on the more secluded beaches, particularly the southern beach of Besar.

Most resorts and cafes now offer free wifi, either over a mobile phone with a wifi extender (slow) or satellite broadband (fast).

Cope
For all their beauty, the Perhentians remain a bit of an up-and-coming attraction and there are some missing bits in the infrastructure to be aware of:

 * Credit cards are accepted at few locations. Some will charge an additional 3-6% so ask before buying. Cash advances can be had on Kecil at Bubu Long Beach Resort and Senja Bay Resort on Coral Bay. Both charge a hefty 10% fee.

Money can be changed on Long Beach, but rates are approx. 10% worse than on the mainland. Watercolours on Perhentian Besar will change money with only a small commission. It seems no one will change travellers cheques, so do it before you leave the mainland.

 * Electricity generators provide most of the electricity on the islands, though Kecil has installed some solar panels and wind turbines. Power outages are not uncommon. If you need electricity in your room, inquire about the schedule before booking. It seems most places that have outages on Besar are only limited to 3-hour blackouts during the late afternoon (16:00-19:00, a good time to snorkel or jungle trek).

Stay healthy
There is a small medical reception in the fishing village. It has a friendly staff of a doctor and a couple of nurses, and offers basic medical help at low cost. To get there, ask a boat taxi driver for help.

On land

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance after it rains. Bring repellent and consider burning a mosquito coil, called "ubat nyamuk" and available locally, especially if your bed does not have a mosquito net.

Lizards are abundant on the Perhentians. They come in three sizes: tiny house geckos (cicak), much larger Tokay geckos (tokek, 20-30 cm), and enormous monitor lizards (biawak, often over a meter). Geckos are excellent climbers and like to sneak into houses to hunt bugs. The Tokay has loud mating call ("GEK-OH", hence the name) and a nasty bite, but will not use it unless provoked. Monitor lizards can often be spotted crashing through the underbrush or swimming, but despite their scary crocodilian appearance, they're quite harmless.

Tap water is generally not safe to drink, although most resorts and dive centres seem to use simple filters to make it potable. Bottled water is only available at around RM3 per 1.5 litre bottle. You can refill your bottle at some hotels for free, or at Senja Cafe (RM1.50/big bottle, southern end of Coral Bay). There is a water sterilizing machine in Amelias Cafe next to Mamas place near to the jetty. For RM1.50 it will dispense 1½ litres of treated water.

On the beach and in the sea
The sun can be extremely hot and burning in the afternoons till early evenings. Slap on sunscreen and, if snorkeling, wear a T-shirt. Note, ocean conservationists do not encourage sunscreen to be in contact with the sea water as it ruins the corals, so avoid sunscreen and wear a T-shirt. The midday sun is the most dangerous and can really ruin a holiday if you're not careful. Caps, hats or any other sun protective gear would be a good idea. Be careful also about lips.

The waters around Perhentian have lots of blacktip reef sharks, which are harmless. Some small fishes can bite you if you offer them your finger, but it's just annoying; the same goes for occasional jellyfish. Broken coral can cause nasty grazes to feet and knees, especially if snorkeling in too shallow water. If you are wearing a life jacket, wear a T-shirt with sleeves to avoid chaffing.

Thimble jellyfish larvae, popularly if inaccurately known as sea lice, are sometimes found in the waters around Perhentian, and are small enough to go through a wetsuit. If you run into some, you'll feel a mild stinging sensation, and a few hours later your skin will get a red, blotchy, itchy rash that may last for several days. Dousing the area with vinegar will help deactivate the stingers.

Respect
Garbage/refuse barges in the coves and bays are generally being collected by the marine park. However, when they are not, the cargo falls off the barge, washing up on the shores of the beautiful beaches. Litter remains a big problem despite local regulations. No one seems to want to pick the stuff up. Maybe they need a black bag volunteering day.

When you arrive at the jetty in Kuala Besut, you are made to pay a marine park fee, which is used to pay for services such as this. Despite this conservation effort, there are concerns that the coral reef will be gone within the decade due to the intensive tourism industry. The destruction of the reef, especially close to shore, is becoming more profound each year.

Many snorkeling trip operators have very little awareness of environmental issues. They may discard plastic bags which contained food for attracting fish directly into the sea. This adds up to thousands of plastic bags needlessly thrown into the ocean. Do what you can to discourage this neglectful habit.

If you are a diver then you can dive with operators who care about the marine environment. One or two dive centres run regular reef and beach clean operations and even offer the Reef Check survey methodology, which you can learn whilst helping to monitor and conserve the marine environment. See Watercolours and Coral Sky Dive Centres.

Use the water refill services listed in the Stay Healthy section to reduce the amount of plastic waste you create and the islands have to deal with.

Go next

 * Back to the Malaysian mainland at Kuala Besut
 * More sun, sand and surf at Redang, but you'll need to charter a water taxi or hitch a ride on a diving boat

Perhentian

title: Perhentian Islands


text:
Perisher

Perisher (formerly Perisher Blue) is New South Wales' and the Southern Hemisphere's largest ski resort. It's near the centre of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains.

Understand
Perisher is a ski resort that covers the areas of, and , and the additional ski fields at.

There were originally four separate ski resorts at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega. It is now a single resort, sharing lift passes and the areas are all linked through a variety of lifts and the ski-tube railway. Perisher has a total of 47 lifts.

It always pays to check snow conditions before you travel. It doesn't take long for the snow cover to become patchy, if there are a few warm days with rain - which can happen at any time of year.

Get in
See the article on the Snowy Mountains for advice on how to access the general area. This article has specific advice on local access.

By car
There is vehicle access to Perisher Valley, Smiggins Holes and Guthega. Roads are sealed and well maintained, and usually remain open in all but the most adverse weather conditions. Snow chains are required to be carried in winter, even if the road is clear and the weather is fine. If they are required to be fitted, there will be signs at the appropriate fitting bay.

There can be extensive delays on the roads between Perisher and Jindabyne at peak times, and the traffic can come to a complete standstill in poor weather. Check the weather reports and road conditions on the web, or with the radio if you are coming from Jindabyne, and consider the Ski Tube as an alternative if the traffic reports are bad.

Follow the signs and the Kosciuszko Road to Perisher from Jindabyne. Guthega turn is signposted to the right, and Smiggins is on the Perisher Road a few kilometres before Perisher Valley.

Access to Blue Cow is only by skitube.

Cars cannot be parked overnight at Perisher Valley or Smiggins and if you are staying overnight you need to park at Bullocks Flat and catch the skitube.

By skitube
The Skitube Alpine Railway runs from Bullocks Flat 21 km southwest of Jindabyne up through the national park and stops at both Perisher Valley and Blue Cow. To get to the skitube, follow the signs to Thredbo, and the entrance is on the right before the park entry. The ski-tube is $46 on top of the price of a lift-pass to get from Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley. All lift-passes include the skitube between Perisher Valley and Blue Cow. If you aren't skiing, the ski-tube costs $84 return. Plenty of parking is available at Bullocks Flat. The tube itself can get crowded at peak times, especially when the road to Perisher is requiring chains to be fitted. When the road is open and clear, there is more room on the tube. Naturally it has places to rest your skis or boards, the issue is finding a place to sit – standing should generally not pose an issue. Luggage is not permitted on peak services in the direction of the peak travel.

If you are going to Blue Cow, you will need to transfer at Perisher Valley at Platform 3 as the skitube does not directly travel between Bullocks Flat and Blue Cow.

Bullocks Flat is below the snow line, so you don't need to carry chains or to pay the vehicle admission to the national park to catch the skitube to either Perisher Valley or to Blue Cow.

The national park admission is $29 per car per 24 hours, so the skitube will save you money if you are travelling solo.

The skitube only runs during the winter season. During summer the only access is by car, and there is no access to Blue Cow.

There is a free shuttle bus from Perisher Valley Skitube station to Smiggins Holes.

By bus
Murrays run a bus during the winter season from Canberra to the Ski Tube terminal at Bullocks Flat, on the way to Thredbo.

In the winter
During the winter, you are likely to want to get between the ski areas of Perisher Valley, Smiggins Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega.

There are two skitube stops within the resort itself: Perisher Valley (close to lifts up Mount Perisher and Back Perisher Mountain) and Blue Cow. You can use the skitube to transfer between the two, included in the price of a lift pass. There is a shuttle bus that runs between Perisher Valley and the Smiggins Holes.

You can get between all the areas within the resort on ski or snowboard, and by the lifts if you can ski at level 3, consult the maps and the home runs are well signposted. From Blue Cow to Perisher Valley, follow the Perisher Home Run from the top of the Pleasant Valley Quad at Blue Cow. From there the easiest way is on the Happy Valley run, to the bottom of the Home Rope Tow. Don't take the Liechardt T-bar (which loads next to the Home Rope Tow) unless you want to go the black way. From Perisher Valley to Blue Cow, take the Quad back to the top of Back Mount Perisher, and then it is a bit of traverse to Blue Cow. Guthega is a traverse from Blue Cow, from behind the top of the Blue Cow terminal. To get to Smiggins while avoiding traverses, best to go via Perisher Valley, head off down the left of Front Valley to the bottom of the Piper T-bar - an easy and quick trip.

In the summer
The only options are to drive. Blue Cow is inaccessible in the summer, and there will be no one in the carparks at any of the other resorts to bother you. There is a link road between Guthega and Smiggins only open in the summer.

See
Skiing is Perisher's main attraction, however during the summer the area is open, and is great for hiking.

Explore the Porcupine Walk, and walk through the massive granite boulders which open up on panoramic views of the Main Range and Valley.

Take the 4-km Charlotte Pass trail and other mountain biking paths during summer.

Skiing and snowboarding
The entire resort is open to both skiers and snowboarders. A single-day lift pass costs a whopping $216 for adults as of 2023, with minor discounts available if you book multiple days or opt for a morning/afternoon-only pass. Factor in gear rental and a family of four will fork out over $1000 per day.

Lifts start to open around 8:30AM, and start to close at 4:30PM. You can ski the front valley the whole duration. The front valley at Perisher Valley tends to be the busiest area. It is open first, closed last, has the most snowmaking equipment and a greater concentration and capacity of lifts.

Smiggins Holes is a great place to begin skiing, especially for kids. It has short J-bar and a short chair lift green runs. A Perisher front valley you really are stuck on the conveyor belt magic carpet until you can manage the heights of the front valley eight chair. One you can ride a chairlift without a problem, Blue Cow is the next place to head to. The long pleasant valley run is the best green run in the area, and probably the least crowded green run in the area. The width gives lots of interest and variety even if repeating the same run. Once you can manage this without a problem, then you really can ski between Perisher, Smiggins, and Blue Cow, and get all the skiing you can handle for the day.

Lessons
Perisher offers skiing and snowboarding lessons. There are five grades of lessons ranging from complete beginner to parallel turns (skiers) and intermediate terrain (snowboarders) together with a special advanced class covering advanced runs (skiers) and half pipes (snowboarders).

Classes run three times a day from Perisher, Smiggins Holes and Blue Cow bases. Adults and children have separate classes with about 15 students per class for 2½ hours. Private or small group lessons that run from 1 to 2 hours are available on a pre-booked or walk-in basis.

Children
Perisher has a few ways to keep the children busy and having fun, whether it is a full day or half day ski lessons or placing them within in child care facilities. Generally children under six can do indoor care and snow play. Over six, there are options for normal lesson times, or for more organised programs, including full day lessons, lunch and play. Teens just get the lessons.

Tube Town
If the children are looking for something different and to place further stress on your empty pockets then Tube Town is to the far side of Perisher Valley as you enter the parking area it is hard to miss as the toboggans are just to the side of it. Tube Town has snow-making and lighting.

Snow play
If you just want to play in the snow, access to the village is free if you drive.

While you won't be allowed on the chairlifts without some sort of equipment on, if you have a skitube pass, consider taking the skitube up to Blue Cow. Blue Cow's elevation is roughly around 1900-2000 metres so snow levels are fairly consistent, and often inches deep. While the immediate areas surrounding the skitube are for skiers, go out a few hundred metres in a direction away from the chairlifts and you'll have the entire area to yourself. Contrary to the snow you'll find down at the village, the snow here is clean and soft.

Eat
Like many ski resorts, finding a comfortable place to eat inside at lunchtime can be a challenge, as the eateries get busy. If the weather is good, usually by 2:30PM the standard lunch places are quiet.

At Blue Cow or Guthega bars and restaurants close all close soon after the lifts stop running, with many places closing even earlier.

At Perisher, the pub and some restaurants are open later.

Aldo's, in the Perisher Valley Ski-tube terminal, is an excellent Italian & pizza restaurant. It closes during dinner but it is none-the-less an excellent place to go and have a great lunch. The place leaves many raving about the food.

JAX The local pub down in Perisher Valley has a very unorthodox approach to your meal, basically you pick the cut of meat or chicken you want and then you head over to the grill where you can cook it up to perfection your way, you then get a all you can eat one serving of salads ranging from pasta, potato and normal salads.

Lil' Orbits Donuts A doughnut store on the platform for the Ski-tube at the Perisher Valley stop. The best warm snack after a days boarding or skiing. Made fresh when you order. The doughnuts are considerably smaller than your average doughnut though, consider 6 of them as a light snack for one person.

Sleep
There is limited accommodation at Perisher Valley and at Smiggins Holes, and it's extraordinarily expensive: rates start at around $1500/night in peak season. A steep price tag does not guarantee superior accommodation, and the price of bunk rooms here can be the same as deluxe rooms in Jindabyne.

Most people skiing at Perisher stay at Jindabyne, which has a wide range of accommodation, or Crackenback, which has limited, mostly high-end accommodation but is close to the Skitube terminus.

 * The Stables Resort
 * The Stables Resort
 * The Stables Resort
 * The Stables Resort
 * The Stables Resort

When staying within Perisher on the snow you can't drive your car up to the chalets due to the roads being too hard to maintain and the fact they don't want a million cars going up to the lodges a day, so you have to rely on two things one you're strong and can walk your gear up or you can rely on Han's oversnow or any of the other over snow vehicles who will drop you right at the door with your gear for about $10 per a person. Check with where you are staying because some may do free lifts after a certain time, and some are further from the ski tube than others.

Cars are not allowed to stay at Perisher Valley overnight so for those staying someone will have to drive the car to the Ski Tube terminal in Bullocks Flat and catch the Ski Tube back to Perisher. It may sound like a hassle but it is far better this way then driving everyday from Jindabyne or catching the Ski Tube everyday.

Buy
There are resort shops at Blue Cow and Perisher Valley, selling ski-gear, socks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. There is a small supermarket at Perisher Valley selling supplies. There are ATMs at Perisher Valley and Blue Cow. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Cope
Ski hire is available at the Bullocks Flat terminal, and Perisher Valley. They rent clothing and equipment. The ski hire is all run by the resort, with the same prices. It is considerably more expensive then hiring away from the resort, but the on-snow hire allows you to make changes or have fixes done during the day. There is no ski rental at Blue Cow, you need to hire your stuff before getting on the tube.

Stay safe
First aid stations are all over the mountain.

There are many broken bones from skiing, but on average one person a year dies on the ski fields in Australia, nearly always from head injuries. Helmets are available for purchase from the resort shops, or for hire from the rental places. Wearing a helmet is no longer uncool on the slopes at Perisher, and should be considered essential before going on any tree-lined runs.

Volunteer ski patrol are on the mountain from the first run to the last. In case of emergency, you can contact any member or staff. The ski patrol can also be summoned through the '000' emergency number, or on +61 2 6459 4408.

Connect
There are Internet terminals at Perisher Valley and at the Bullocks Flat terminal. Cost is $2 per 10 minutes. There is a post office at Perisher Valley, open weekday business hours.

All mobile providers have coverage across the mountains. Mobile phones work well.

Go next
For some different ski runs the alternative to Perisher is usually Thredbo. Jindabyne offers some opportunities for activities for rest days, and has a wider variety of nightlife over Perisher.

If you have got as far as Perisher Valley during summer, best to continue on to Charlotte Pass, and the walk to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's tallest mountain.

See the rest of the Snowy Mountains.

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

title: Perisher


text:
Perissa

Perissa (Greek: Περίσσα) is a sea-side village on the eastern shore of Thira, the largest island in the Santorini archipelago. It has a long black sand beach, which stretches to the neighbouring municipalities Perivolos (Περίβολος) and Agios Georgios (Aγιος Γεώργιος) with a near-continuous line of bars, hotels, and restaurants parallel with the beach. The promenade runs along the entire length of the beach, occupying the entire south-eastern coastline of Thira. Perissa, together with nearby Kamari, is the focus of beach tourism in Santorini.

Get in
Taxi or bus from the Boat Stop or from Thira, Oia; mini-bus offered by the (funny) touts viz. hostel representatives when you stumble down from the ferry.

You can not easily walk over to Kamari, as there's quite a hill in between - water taxi, an endless bus ride or wiking it is! The taxi from the Port takes about 15 minutes and should cost no more than €15.

It has been reported that there is a water taxi to take travellers round the headland to the neighbouring town of Kamari, but as of Apr 2022 this service is no longer running.

Get around
Once in the town of Perissa, it is easy to rent a scooter, or take a taxi, although it is sometimes difficult to find a taxi because the town is small. Walking in Perissa is also difficult, as there are no sidewalks. Even on the coastal street, you have to walk at the side of a lane of traffic. Take care, especially during the evening, when there are lots of motorcycles and scooters.

ATVs and scooters are the most popular options of travel on the island. Tourists can be seen driving ATVs on the main roads, which are safe to drive. Local drivers are courteous and will pass tourists on ATVs without causing too much of a commotion. Even though the main roads are paved, they are not well lit, so it is safest to stop driving ATVs before sundown.

Local buses are available and are used by locals and tourists alike. Public buses are large, air-conditioned green tour buses. Public buses use Fira as a hub and spoke out to the smaller towns from there.

Drink

 * Bob's Bar (aka The News Bar) Outdoor bar, on the main street. Run by a Lebanese family. If you like pina colada, you must give Bob a go!

Go next

 * Kamari
 * Vlychada
 * Emporio

title: Perissa


text:
Periyakulam

Periyakulam, also known as Mango City for its fresh fruit, is a city in the Theni District of Tamil Nadu.

Get in
People coming by train have a convenient train head at Kodai road. At 5AM a private bus from Kodai road starts to Periyakulam. Kodai road is at about 45 km from Periyakulam. If you miss that bus, don't worry. You can take a bus to Batlagundu and from there reach Periyakulam easily.

Another way is to get down at Madurai or Dindigul Railway station.

From Madurai, a passenger train starts at 7.45 AM, which comes to Theni which is 16 km from Periyakulam and it is well connected by road.

Periyakulam is well connected with major cities of Tamil Nadu by bus service. These cities include Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Coimbatore.

The nearest airports are Madurai which is away and Trichy which is   away.

Get around
Getting TO/AROUND: Periyakulam bus stand timings ('as on 2003 October-private buses not included)

Bus times to Trichy(Tiruchirapally) 1.30, 5.15, 5.30, 6.10, 6.45, 7.35, 8.15, 8.47, 9.25, 9.40, 10.00, 10.35, 11.40, 12.10, 12.28, 13.15, 14.05, 14.50, 15.50, 16.28, 17.15, 19.05, 19.55, 21.23, 22.40,

To Coimbatore 3.50, 5.25, 7.00 ,8.00 ,8.50, 11.20, 1.20, 2.15, 4.35, 5.32, 8.40, 9.50

To Salem 9.40,14.00,17.40

To Erode 9.05, 11.10, 15.30, 20.30

Pondicherry 19.50

Kodaikanal 4.00, 5.30, 6.10, 6.35, 7.30

Tiruchendur 8.25, 15.10

Thirupur 9.00, 9.20, 10.30, 11.05, 12.40, 13.25, 15.10, 16.40, 17.15, 18.05, 22.30.

Palani 4.35, 4.55, 5.45, 6,05, 6.33, 7.10, 7.50, 8.10, 9.20, 10.15, 10.42, 11.07, 11.30, 11.55, 12.20, 12.40, 13.05, 13.33, 14.30, 15.03, 15.55, 16.55, 17.10, 18.05, 19.15, 19.50, 20.21, 21.13, 22.30

Bangalore 20.45

Chennai 19.30-163A (Air Bus)

Kumbakarai 6.00, 7.00, 9.30, 1.00, 3.30, 4.30

Manjalar 8.10, 16.10

Sothuparai Every one hour frequency.

nagarkovil 12.20 Kanniyakumari 11 50

In addition to this there is a bus to Madurai and Dindugal every 15 minutes, and for every 5 minutes there is a bus to Theni.

Vaigai dam can be reached by taking the Andipatty bus at the periyakulam bus stand which has a bus frequency of 20 minutes.

Inside the town mini buses ply every 10 minutes to the nook and corner of the town.

Autos and Horse carts are also available

See

 * Sothuparai dam - located at 12 km from Periyakulam. This dam is built across the Varaha river. It is a beautiful picnic spot. The vide expanse of stored water is an impressive sight.
 * 'Kumbakkarai Falls' - Situated on the foothills of the Kodaikkanal hills, the falls is located at 8 km from Periyakulam. An amazing feet of Nature, the Kumbakkarai Falls is yet another jewel in the crown of Tamilnadu's tourist attractions.
 * Vaigai dam (15 km)
 * Manjalar (18km)
 * Moongil anai kamatchiamman temple (14km)
 * Balasubramanya Temple - One of the important temples in Periyakulam is Arulmigu Balasubramanya Temple. This was constructed by Rajendra Chola nearly 2000 years ago. Periyakulam is connected with all major towns in Tamil Nadu by road. Nearest Airport is Madurai (80 km). Budget accommodation is available.

Buy
Mangoes,Custard apple,Guava,produce from mountains.

Eat
Aryabhavan Ragupathy vilas Kundathur Hotel Woodlands

Drink
TASMAC wine shops, Coffee shops

Sleep
vaigai lodge single room ₹200 two bed 300 two bed a/c ₹550

title: Periyakulam


text:
Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park (also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady) is in Northern Travancore, in the state of Kerala, in India.

Understand
Periyar is a protected area, and a nature reserve in the South Indian State of Kerala, set high in the mountains of the Western Ghats at the border to Tamil Nadu. It lies in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. The protected area covers an area of 777 km², out of which a 350 km² part of the core zone was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sometimes dubbed the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

History
Before the core area was made into a National Park it was a wildlife sanctuary.

Flora and fauna
Periyar is home to one of India's largest tiger populations. There are also gaur (Indian bison) and wild boar. Please note you will be need to be very lucky to see a tiger.

Climate
Since it is at a high altitude the climate is cooler than at the shore.

Get in
The only way to the tourism zone is through the gate at Thekkady, a few kilometers from Kumily. Kumily on the Tamil Nadu border is well connected to Kodaikanal, Madurai, Theni in Tamil Nadu and Kottayam in Kerala.

By bus
Private vehicles are not permitted in the park. Visitors must catch a bus from the ticket booth in Kumily (price included in entry fee). Buses depart every 10 minutes or so and drop you off at the boat ramp.

Fees and permits
Entrance to the park is ₹475 for foreigners which includes the bus to the boat ramp.

See

 * Periyar Tiger National Park: Periyar tiger Reserve, Thekkady, is an example of nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich biodiversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction. Spread over an area of 777 km², Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India.
 * Nature walk: The guided day trek
 * The Periyar Tiger Trail: Adventure trekking and camping
 * Border hiking: Protection-oriented range hiking
 * Bamboo rafting: Dawn to dusk range hiking
 * Jungle patrol: Shepherding the jungle
 * Tribal heritage: A peep into the past
 * Jungle inn: Jungle in the night
 * The Bamboo Grove: Eco-lodge & centre for experiential learning
 * Green Mansions: Far from the madding crowds

Eat
Periyar is near a pepper-growing region. Try an omelette (or anything you can find) with crushed fresh peppercorns - nothing to beat it!

Sleep
The best way to experience Periyar is to stay in the treehouse. The ranger will escort you there around 10AM and come to collect you at the same time next day. It is just a wooden box, so bring your own bedding, candles, food etc. The treehouse is situated at the end of a tongue of grassy land with forest on either side. As the sun sets the animals all come out to graze (not the tigers though), and in the morning they are there again as the mist lifts. In between you can kick back, admire the view, listen to the orchestra of insects and birds, and amuse yourself with the graffiti collection.

Lodging
At the Bamboo Grove (it's an accommodation provided by the Kerala Forest Division).

Backcountry
Leeches are likely to attach themselves to your leg if you go on a bushwalk with one of the guides. Special canvas 'shoe covers' are available. Do not wander in the woods alone.

Hotels

 * Highlights of Kerala  yoga and cooking classes.
 * Lake Palace Hotel. Six rooms and used to be a hunting lodge for the Maharaja

title: Periyar National Park


text:
Perlis

Perlis is the northern-most and smallest state of Malaysia. Although there are several attractions in the state, Perlis is more often used as a transit point to Langkawi and Thailand.

Cities

 * - the minute state capital
 * - the Royal town, 10km from Kangar
 * - the small town situated in between Padang Besar, Kuala Perlis, Arau and Kangar. A suitable place to stay and to find lodging as there are many guest houses at cheap price owned by the locals.
 * - main border crossing into Thailand
 * - for ferries to Langkawi

Other destinations

 * - huge Sunday market on both sides of the Thai-Malaysian border, also the entrance to the Perlis State Park

Understand
Perlis was originally part of Kedah, although it occasionally came under rule by Siam or Aceh. After the Siamese conquered Kedah in 1821, the British felt their interests in Perak to be threatened. This resulted in the 1826 Burney and Low Treaties formalising relations between the two Malay states and Siam, their nominal overlord. In the Burney Treaty, the exiled Kedah sultan Ahmad Tajuddin was not restored to his throne. Sultan Ahmad and his armed supporters then fought unsuccessfully for his restoration over twelve years (1830–1842).

In 1842, the Sultan finally agreed to accept Siamese terms, and was restored to his throne of Kedah. However, Siam separated Perlis into a separate principality directly vassal to Bangkok. Sayyid Hussain Jamalulail, the paternal grandson of a Hadhrami Arab Sayyid immigrant and maternal grandson of the Sultan of Kedah, became the first Raja of Perlis.[5] His descendants still rule Perlis, but as rajas, instead of as sultans.

As with Kedah, the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 forced Siam to relinquish its southern Malay vassal states to Great Britain. The British installed a Resident in the Perlis Royal capital of Arau. Perlis was returned to Siam in World War II as a reward for Siam's alliance with Japan, but this brief annexation ended with the Japanese surrender. After World War II, Perlis returned to British rule until it became part of the Malayan Union, then Federation of Malaya in 1957 and lastly Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

Since 2000, the Raja or hereditary monarch has been Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. He was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 2001 to 2006. Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra was the Regent of Perlis during the five-year period when Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Chief Executive or Menteri Besar is Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu of Barisan Nasional.

The Coat of Arms of Perlis consists of a sturdy green wreath of padi, indicating the wealth of the kingdom and the chief economic activity of the people. The shield in the center represents the pride of the people. Inside the shield is a ring of golden rice surrounding the name "Perlis" written in the Jawi script.

By train
The main Kuala Lumpur - Bangkok train line crosses between Malaysia and Thailand at Padang Besar in Perlis. Trains from Butterworth (near Penang) also join this line and run through Perlis.

Both the Malaysian (KTMB) and the Thai (State Railways of Thailand) rail companies serve Perlis' two stations, which are at Arau and Padang Besar. Both countries' border controls are dealt with at Padang Besar, which is just on the Malaysian side of the border.

By bus
Kangar's Bukit Lagi bus terminal is the main stop for interstate long-distance express buses to/from Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and other major cities. Kuala Perlis and Padang Besar also have long distance bus connections.

Regular buses run between Kangar and Alor Star.

By road

 * To/from Thailand: There are two land border crossings - Padang Besar and Wang Kelian, 35km and 40km north of Kangar respectively.
 * To/from other parts of Malaysia: The main road into Perlis is Route 7 which links Alor Star, Kedah with Kangar and Padang Besar at the Thai-Malaysia border. Motorists using the North-South Expressway should exit at the Changloon interchange (north of Changloon town) and proceed along the Changloon-Kuala Perlis Expressway to Perlis.

By boat
Perlis is the main jumping-off point for Langkawi. The Kuala Perlis ferry terminal can be easily reached from Kangar and the North-South Expressway via the Changloon-Kuala Perlis Expressway.

There are also boats running between Kuala Perlis and Tammalang pier near Satun town in southern Thailand.

Get around
Local buses connect Kangar's Kayangan Square to the surrounding towns. They do not operate at night. Taxis are few and far between: bus terminals good places to look.

See

 * Snake Park (Taman Ular & Reptilia), (at Batu Pahat, Perlis; approximately 10 kilometers away from Kangar). Initially it is a research facility established by Institute of Medical. There are collection of 30 species of snakes both local and foreign as well as reptiles such as crocodiles, and lizards. If you are lucky, there are also some snakes shows. A tame python may be released for visitors to see. You can also get various info about snakes. Sa-Th 9AM-5PM, F 9AM-12:15PM 2:45PM-6PM, including public holidays.
 * Al-Hussain Floating Mosque, Kuala Perlis — a new mosque which is built with the foundation erected from the sea floor. Beautiful and unique, the Al-Hussain mosque is the ones constructed in Malacca Straits.
 * Gua Kelam - limestone cave with an old tin mine located near Padang Besar.
 * Taman Anggur — grape vineyard in 10 km north of Kangar.

Do
Bukit Keteri rock climbing and Gua Kelam rock climbing. Also try picnicking at Gua Kelam, Sungai Jernih, Tasoh Lake, Timah Tasoh lake, Bukit Ayer. A long way of the road which has paddy field and water canal, you can see the locals who spend their past time angling 'puyu' fish, a small fish which inhabitants the river, water canal, timah tasoh resevoire and paddy field. This fish being a delicious dish when fermented with rice juice and salt. It is called 'ikan pekasam' You can spent your night at the seashore road from Kuala Perlis to Kuala Sanglang, enjoying the wind blow and observing the stars. For the Muslim travellers, there are many religious classes at the local mosques almost every night at 8-9 pm.

Buy
Kangar is the region's main shopping hub.

Eat
Harumanis - A kind of mango that is specially grown only in Perlis. It has a strong smell and is very sweet in taste. Thus, it is called "Harum" which means "fragrance" in Malay and "Manis" which means "sweet".

Ikan Bakar- Seafood is a very popular food in Perlis especially in Kuala Perlis. Ikan Bakar means "grilled fish" are dishes of seafood grilled with special hot sauce. The seafood is very fresh since it is supplied directly from local fishermen.

Restoran Tok Mek: Situated just before the Timah Tasoh Lake, on the Kangar – Padang Besar trunk road. Serves great lunch food with Siamese – Kelantanese influence, plus large selection of local ulam. Awfully cheap too.

Pokok Sawa: This is actually a kampung lunch joint situated along Jalan Mata Ayer, a few kilometers east of Kangar. Simple but very tasty kampung cooking. Ask the locals for directions: everyone knows the place.

Restoran Nasi Kandar Pokok Petai, Mata Ayer - a unique restaurant with the furniture which are made of the timber from the big trees cut to give way for the construction of double tract railway, from Singapore to Padang Besar, to Beijing in the future. Eaters can enjoy 'Roti canai' and 'Nasi Kandar' (curry rice) for heavy breakfast.

Seafood joint at Jalan Sekolah Derma; opposite Derma School. This is a converted house. Great seafood menu for dinner.

For those really adventurous among you, go to Padang Besar Bazaar, where several little stalls serve sup perut ayam i.e. Chicken Gut Soup (arrgh!). This is not a recommendation, since I have never tried the stuff, so you’re on your own here!

You can’t visit Perlis without trying the Kuala Perlis laksa, arguably the best this side of Vladivostok! Head for Kuala Perlis (where else?) at night, and take your pick from the row of stalls by the main road. In the day, try this old Chinese man in Ban Cheong Restoran, smack in the middle of Kangar.

There are four KFC chain store in Perlis, two in Kangar, one is located at Jalan Bukit Lagi and another one is located opposite Kayangan Square at Jalan Penjara, which is opened 24 hour, one in Kuala Perlis and the other in Arau.

 * KFC, No. 17, Jalan Bukit Lagi, 1000, Kangar.
 * KFC, No. 16 & 18! Jalan Penjara, 1000, Kangar.
 * KFC, No. 9, Persiaran Putra Timur 1, 1000, Kuala Perlis.
 * KFC, No. 19, Jalan 2, Jalan Arau-Kodiang, Kompleks Tok Arau, 02600, Arau.

There are also two Secret Recipe in Perlis, one in Kangar and another one in Kuala Perlis.

Drink
Nightlife is non-existent. Beers can be purchased at all 7-Eleven convenient stores. Shops close well before 10pm but the Kayangan Square stays open until 10pm. However, you can always join the locals at coffee shop or mamak stall (mostly located at Persiaran Jublee Emas) to have a local drink.

Emergency numbers

 * All the abovmentioned numbers:
 * All the abovmentioned numbers:
 * All the abovmentioned numbers:

Stay safe
Perlis is relatively a safe place for travellers, however like in any other place, Perlis has its share of crime, so common precautions must be taken against snatch-thieves, scams and dodgy taxis.

Malaysia

 * Alor Star - capital of Kedah state
 * Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island)
 * Penang - an old port town on a nearby island

Thailand
Perlis is on the Thai border and sees much cross-border traffic.

 * Hat Yai - South Thailand's transport hub
 * Phuket - Famous holiday island
 * Bangkok - The Thai capital is served by direct trains that stop in Perlis

title: Perlis


text:
Perm

Perm (Russian: Пермь p`yehr`m`) is a city in Perm Krai, Russia.

Understand
Many pass through Perm on the Trans-Siberian Railway; however, few stay here, unless they are looking for a break from train travel. Highlights of the city include a walk along the Kama River, art museums and shows, and a visit to the nearby Gulag museum.

Perm is a large industrial city on the Kama river banks, at the western foothills of the Ural Mountain range. With a population of approximately 1 million people, Perm is the most populous city and the administrative capital of Perm Krai. Its name is derived from the same place as the "Permian" period, meaning "Far-away Land". Like Yekaterinburg, the city was founded in 1723 by Vasily Tatishchev, who was sent by Peter The Great to exploit the vast amounts of ores found in the region. From 1940 to 1957, the city was called Molotov (Мо́лотов), after Vyacheslav Molotov, the minister of foreign affairs under Stalin. The city is bifurcated by the Kama River. Perm was known as the "Gateway to the Gulag" and the horrors of the Gulags are on display at a nearby museum.

During Soviet times, Perm was a manufacturing center for artillery and weapons, some of which are on display at an outdoor museum. It was a "closed city" and was inaccessible by foreigners and most non-residents. It was "hidden" and did not appear on Soviet-made maps. Gorbachev opened the city in 1990 and Perm modernized rapidly.

By plane

Bus #42 operates every 9 minutes between the airport and the bus station (Автовокзал) in the southwestern part of the city. Bus #35 also operates to/from the airport.

By train

When searching timetables and fares on RZD, enter "Perm 2" as this is the main station for Perm. There are several daily trains to Moscow (20 hours, ₽1,400-5,600).

By bus
The central bus station of Perm is on Shosse Kosmonavtov opposite the central market. There are daily buses to/from Ekaterinburg, Kazan, Izhevsk, Chelyabinsk, and many cities in Perm Krai.

By car
Although Perm lies on the "Siberian Trakt", the main motorway from Moscow to Siberia, the local roads are of poor quality, similar to most of Russia.

By boat
Perm is accessible through its Kama river port. Passenger transportation is limited to recreational cruises to Chaikovsky, Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Volgograd. Cruise companies tend to sell return tickets only.

Get around
Perm stretches 25 km along the Kama River; travelling the entire distance by bus or tram requires several transfers. Therefore, it can be hard to get around.

Tram and bus tickets each cost ₽20 and can only be purchased from the driver or conductor. Transfers require the purchase of a new ticket.

Public transport operates 05:30-00:30.

See

 * Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor (en)
 * Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor (en)
 * Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor (en)
 * Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor (en)
 * Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor (en)

Buy
With the city quickly developing, new shopping malls appear everywhere. Definitely worth seeing is the always crowded Central Bazaar, with uncountable kiosks and market stands, as well as huge market halls. The bazaar is located opposite the central bus station, at the very beginning of Kosmonavtov avenue. Perm also has a Chinese market, with mostly clothing being sold.

Eat
There is plenty of Russian, Georgian, Azeri, and Uzbek food in Perm.

Drink
There are many cafes in the city, all of them serving food specialities. One of the most popular bars are the Coffee City chain (Кофе Сити).

Stay safe
Reckless drivers are probably the biggest safety threat. Pickpocketing is common in the crowded public transport and in the Central and Chinese Bazars. Occasional drunkards may be somewhat annoying but rarely pose any menace. It is wise to stay out of city parks, Balatovo Park, during the night.

Cope
Be prepared for cold weather from November to March. Despite cold temperatures outside, nearly all indoor spaces and public transportation are well heated.

Go next

 * Kungur is the next stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway going eastward, 50 km from Perm, and is famous for its Ice Caves.

title: Perm


text:
Përmet

Permet is a small city in Southeastern Albania along the river Vjosa from which the valley takes its name. The riverside provides a very beautiful valley extending from Çarshove to Tepelenë District.

The greenest and the cleanest town in Albania, also known as the "city of roses." The small town of Permet is famous for its folk music and renowned clarinetist Laver Bariu, literature personalities, and the good cooking, especially sweets, the so called 'gliko', or preserves. You will be served good wine and raki in Permet and around.

Understand
The small town of Permet is on the southern east side of Albania close to the two Greek borders (Kakavia and Merzani). It is 70 km away from the historical town of Gjirokastra and 230 km away from the capital city of Albania, Tirana. The river Vjosa runs along the whole district for about 58 km and is the second largest river of Albania for its hydric reserves. The most important mountains around Permet are: Nëmërçkë 2,485 m, Dhëmbel 2,080 m, and Trebeshina 1,922 m. A small town, surrounded by mountains, rivers and countryside, there are many choices of accommodation, activities, many taverns and snack bars, a rich history and many areas that you should not miss seeing!

By bus

 * Gjirokastër – There are many buses and mini buses that leave from the main roundabout in northern side of the town. The fare costs 350 lek, and the duration of the journey is usually about an hour (70 km). You will travel through the beautiful Drinos Valley and then pass by the magnificent Kelcyre Gorge.
 * Tirana – There are daily buses to Permet. Buses to the capital are at 05:00, 07:00 and 09:00. Buses from Tirana leave at 12:30, 14:00 and 17:00. Both ways daily schedules. The journey takes about five hours (220 km) and the fare is around 850 lek.

 * Greece – If you are travelling from Greece, you can get on the bus that leaves from Athens (Address: Deliyianni 19, Metaxourgeio, or . The bus usually takes 7–8 hr and is quite a comfortable journey! The bus fare costs €25 and the bus drops you off at the main square in Permet.

Get around
Hitchhiking to the hot springs is possible.

See

 * Partisan monuments featuring socialist realism art work
 * The House of the Three Frashëri Brothers – The home of the brothers Avdyl, Sami and Naim Frasheri, prominent National Renaissance activists, is part of the national heritage, and holds the status of the Category Culture Monument 1 in the village of Frashër of Përmet.
 * The House of the Three Frashëri Brothers – The home of the brothers Avdyl, Sami and Naim Frasheri, prominent National Renaissance activists, is part of the national heritage, and holds the status of the Category Culture Monument 1 in the village of Frashër of Përmet.
 * The House of the Three Frashëri Brothers – The home of the brothers Avdyl, Sami and Naim Frasheri, prominent National Renaissance activists, is part of the national heritage, and holds the status of the Category Culture Monument 1 in the village of Frashër of Përmet.
 * The House of the Three Frashëri Brothers – The home of the brothers Avdyl, Sami and Naim Frasheri, prominent National Renaissance activists, is part of the national heritage, and holds the status of the Category Culture Monument 1 in the village of Frashër of Përmet.
 * The House of the Three Frashëri Brothers – The home of the brothers Avdyl, Sami and Naim Frasheri, prominent National Renaissance activists, is part of the national heritage, and holds the status of the Category Culture Monument 1 in the village of Frashër of Përmet.

Do

 * Multicultural Permet Festival showcasing the best of local folklore
 * Fir of Hotova National Park – Have a hike here and visit the nearby picturesque villages.
 * Fir of Hotova National Park – Have a hike here and visit the nearby picturesque villages.

Banjat e Benjës
Around 13 km away from the center of Përmet, a famous Spa and an old Ottoman bridge. You may take a taxi, hitchhike, or even hike if you want. At the very beginning of the street you will see the Katiu’s Bridge, that was built within the medieval period, it remains in good condition until today.

Go next

 * Tepelenë – A castle and a region famous for its bravery and polyphonic characteristic songs.
 * Gjirokastër – Popular for its mulberry Raki. Also, nearby the Blue Hole, a tourist attraction similar to others of the same name.
 * Leskovik – If you are interested in more hot springs, check out the spring up the mountains near Postenan village, or the Burimet e Leskovikut springs right at the Greek border in the beautiful river valley of Sarandoporo river.

title: Përmet


text:
Permian Basin

Permian Basin is in the Big Bend Country of Texas.

Cities

 * , home of the Million Barrel Oil Museum.
 * , home of the Million Barrel Oil Museum.

Other destinations

 * , Park Road 41, (30 miles west of Odessa on I-20, exit mile marker 86), tel. 432 943 2092. Almost 4000 acres of dunes up to 70 feet high, with hiking, horse and camel riding, picnic spots and sand surfing. Camping available.
 * , Park Road 41, (30 miles west of Odessa on I-20, exit mile marker 86), tel. 432 943 2092. Almost 4000 acres of dunes up to 70 feet high, with hiking, horse and camel riding, picnic spots and sand surfing. Camping available.

Understand
The Permian Basin refers to a subterranean basin, dating to the Permian Period of the late Paleozoic Era around 300 million years ago. Nowadays, it is buried deep beneath this part of the Edwards Plateau, yet it is this primordial basin which lends its name to the region, because it is responsible for the economic windfall which has made the area flourish; every year, the area pumps over 200 million barrels of oil from the buried basin strata. Indeed, driving through the countryside, it is impossible not to notice the hundreds of pumpjacks dotting the grassy landscape. Once collected, the oil is processed in the refineries of the Midland-Odessa area, which serves as headquarters for the Permian Basin oil and gas industry. The Permian Basin region is rated as the biggest inland petrochemical complex in the States.

In the 21st century fracking has revived the economies of Odessa and Midland, but dramatic overcrowding and a rise in housing prices has become an unwanted side effect. There were no places available for rent as of 2012. Many people from around the country have found high paying, yet arduous and often dangerous, jobs in the area. Local law enforcement officials have migrated to these higher paying jobs resulting in an increase in crime and traffic accidents. The once slow paced towns in the area have been transformed into hectic, lawless "gold rush" communities. No where is this more evident than in the smaller surrounding towns like Pecos and Monahans. You'll see a stark contrast of old, neglected and abandoned buildings next to newly constructed apartments, motor lodges, hotels and restaurants. If you want to make some quick, hard money, go now because it won't last forever and when the "high" ends, the "crash" will be devastating. The lifelong locals are very familiar with a cyclic energy based economy.

By air
Midland has regular air service from major Texas cities and a few out-of-state places like Las Vegas

By car

 * I-10.svg only passes through a small sliver of the region in eastern Pecos County around Sheffield and Iraan, as this is the only part of the Permian Basin that comes this far south (the remainder of Pecos County, including Fort Stockton, is considered part of the Trans-Pecos subregion). I-20 begins/ends at I-10 at mile marker 188 of I-10.
 * I-20.svg cuts through the region as the main east-west highway from Dallas-Fort Worth to El Paso, and is the principal means of arriving by car. Some smaller highways provide other options for those driving in from the north or south.
 * US 18.svg connects the region with Hobbs, New Mexico to the north, and joins US-385 at Fort Stockton to the south.
 * US 385.svg comes up from Big Bend National Park in the south and passes through many smaller towns of the western Llano Estacado and High Plains on its long journey to Deadwood, South Dakota.

See

 * Meteor Crater at Odessa - This National Natural Landmark is the third biggest crater in the States.
 * Jack-rabbits flashing through the meadows, or Jack Ben Rabbit, the largest jackrabbit in the world, a 10-foot-tall statue in downtown Odessa that is the unofficial mascot of the region.

Do

 * Sand-surfing at the Monahans Sandhills. Do not bring marijuana! Even though it makes the experience more engaging and mind-blowing, it's still illegal.

Stay safe
Violent crime and theft, while probably not likely to be a threat to you personally on a trip to the Permian Basin, does simmer a bit in this oil boom/bust economy, particularly in Odessa.

Natural hazards include particularly high heat in the summer; typical desert safety precautions should be observed. Wise travellers should plan indoor activities for the heat of the day and drink plenty of water at all times to avoid heat stroke and dehydration. Morning and evening are considerably cooler even in the summer, and are the best times for outdoor activities. Travellers should also be aware that, while infrequent, sand and dust storms occur in this region and can be very dangerous to drive in, much less be exposed to outdoors. Warning signs of impending sandstorm are very high winds and dark "clouds" that appear to be on the horizon, indicating dust blown up by winds at ground level. It is strongly advised to seek shelter during such storms, and if driving is necessary, to drive with extreme caution as winds can unexpectedly blow your vehicle over by several inches.

title: Permian Basin


text:
Perm Krai

Perm Krai (Russian: Пе́рмский край PYEHRM-skee krigh) is a region in the foothills of the Ural Mountains, bordering Udmurtia to the southwest, Kirov Oblast to the west, Komi Republic to the north, Sverdlovsk Oblast to the east, and Bashkortostan to the south.

Cities

 * — the capital is a major industrial city with nearly one million residents
 * — the second largest city in the region is a mid-sized industrial Stalinist monster
 * — this village is purportedly the capital of the medieval Komi state, Great Perm, and was the site of the great Russian poet Osip Mandelshtam's exile
 * — a large town serving as the capital of the Komi-Permyak Okrug
 * — a small 17th century city with some fine 18th century architecture; near the Belogorsky Monastery and excellent spelunking opportunities in the Kungur Ice Cave

Understand
Perm, the capital, is the main attraction in Perm Krai, which sees travelers coming through on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Talk
See Russian phrasebook.

Get in
There are three international flights per week to Perm from Frankfurt (6 hours). Domestic flights arrive daily from Moscow (2 hours) and nearby Yekaterinburg. Flights from Saint Petersburg are less frequent, but also take just 2 hours.

The Trans-Siberian Railway runs through Perm Krai and stops at Perm and Kungur.

See

 * Permyakia — a large, but sparsely populated region in the northwest of Perm Krai, where ethnic Komi-Permyaks constitute a majority

Go next
The next stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway are Glazov, Udmurtia to the west and Pervouralsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast to the east.

title: Perm Krai


text:
Pernambuco

Pernambuco is a state in the Northeast region of Brazil. It is a true microcosm of the region, with a densely populated coastal region (Zona da Mata) containing bustling cities and fantastic beaches, a festive and culturally vibrant Agreste, a semi-arid and sparsely populated Sertão shrouded in folklore and legend, and finally, it is bordered in the south by the Velho Chico (São Francisco river), one of Brazil's economically and historically most important rivers which deeply shaped the culture of the people in the surrounding region.

Cities

 * , the vibrant state capital with interesting museums, popular urban beaches, and both historical and modern neighbourhoods, is also the birthplace of frevo, a dance and musical style considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage.
 * , largest city of the Agreste famous for the forró music and celebrations of the festival for São João (St. John).
 * , small town known for both its historical center and beautiful beaches
 * , with its colonial historical heritage, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably one of Brazil's most beautiful cities
 * Island, famous for its beaches, nautical sports and for the Dutch-built Orange Fortress
 * , another city with an impressive colonial historical center, including Brazil's oldest church (1535)
 * , largest city of the São Francisco Valley and a good base for agro- and enotourism
 * , a seaside resort town near Recife famous for its beach with crystal-clear waters and natural pools, located in the municipality of Ipojuca which contains other great beaches
 * , charming oasis town in the middle of the Sertão region

Other destinations

 * - A stunningly beautiful archipelago which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global example of sustainable tourism, as well one of Brazil's most coveted (but expensive) destinations. Although administratively part of Pernambuco, is quite far from the mainland and reachable only by plane.
 * - Brazil's second largest archeological site, with over 2000 caves including 28 sites with cave paintings up to 6000 years old, and many canyons.

Understand
Pernambuco was one of the first regions of Brazil to be settled by European colonisers, with its economic exploration concentrated in the Zona da Mata initially via pau-brasil (Pernambuco wood) logging and later via sugarcane plantations. The presence of indigenous Brazilians, Portuguese Catholic settlers, and African slaves led the state to form a strong and complex cultural heritage, which can be seen in the state's architecture (that can be admired in cities such as Olinda, Goiana and Igarassu), musical styles such as the frevo (a UNESCO cultural World Heritage) and maracatu, as well as a vast number of religious and non-religious celebrations. The state also was briefly colonised by the Dutch, which also left their legacy, and even after independence, Pernambuco maintained a strong geopolitical relevance despite the state's small size.

From a traveller's perspective, Pernambuco offers much in terms of fusion culture, beautiful beaches and historical heritage that the state of Bahia also offers, but in a more compact and probably easier to navigate form. The overwhelming majority of visitors to the state stay in the Grande Recife and Zona da Mata regions, naturally due to convenience of accessibility and due to the reputation of the state's beaches, but those who venture beyond will be certain to find the Brazilian Northeastern traditions, friendliness and religiousness on its most authentic form, as well as the truly unexpected, such as the coziness and charm of Triunfo, and the excellent wines and Japanese food of Petrolina.

Far from the mainland, in the islands of Fernando de Noronha, due to rigorous (but necessary) environmental protection laws, visitation is limited and generally out of range of budget travellers. Those who can afford it, however, will be certain to find one of Brazil's (and maybe the world's) best-kept treasures.

By road
BR 101 is a main Brazilian Federal road who connects Recife with São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador on the south leg; and Natal, Joao Pessoa on the north leg. The state also has BR232 and BR 408 which connects with another state cities and Campina Grande (BR408).

By plane
Recife has a large international airport with daily non-stop flights to Lisbon, Madrid, Miami, almost all Brazilian state capitals; and also has seasonal charters from Frankfurt, Milan, Paris and Buenos Aires.

Caruaru, Petrolina and Fernando de Noronha  have regional airports.

By sea
You can arrive in cruise ships at the Port of Recife or at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. The cruises come from Europe (usually Lisbon and Malaga) or from the Americas (usually Miami, Buenos Aires and Santos).

By river
You can arrive in Petrolina via the São Francisco River. The navigable part of the river covers the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Pernambuco.

Beaches
Pernambuco has the reputation of having many of Brazil's best beaches. Partly it is because of Fernando de Noronha, which contains unspoiled beaches with turquoise waters surrounded by lush greenery or limestone walls, such as Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos e Praia do Leão.

In the mainland, Porto de Galinhas in the municipality of Ipojuca is also one of the country's most famous beaches, due to its natural pools with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, snorkelling or just admiring. Not far from it, the Carneiros beach in the municipality of Tamandaré is surrounded by forests of coconut trees and also forms natural pools during low tide.

While not one of the state's most beautiful beaches, Boa Viagem in Recife offers a very authentic urban beach experience where local Recifenses far dwarf tourists in number, with affordable places to drink to eat.

Historical heritage
As one of the first regions in Brazil to be settled by Portuguese colonisers, and a former center of the sugarcane plantation economy during the Colonial era, it is not surprising the Pernambuco contains some of Brazil's most valuable historical heritage. The former state capital of Olinda (a UNESCO World Heritage site) together with Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais, is certainly one of the country's most beautiful colonial towns.

There are other pleasant colonial era towns such as Goiana and Igarassu, the latter containing the Igreja dos Santos Cosme e Damião, Brazil's oldest (1535) church. The Old Town of Recife (Recife Antigo), containing several XVII century buildings and the oldest synagogue of the Americas, is another beautiful (although unpolished) historical quarter. The Dutch-built Fort Orange in Itamaracá, built in 1631, is a popular day trip from Recife.

Nature and archeology
The Vale do Catimbau National Park is Pernambuco's premium but quite unspoiled destination in both ecotourism and archeological tourism, being the second largest archeological park of Brazil. It contains 28 sites with pre-historical cave paintings, as well as an amazing landscape of canyons and rock formations, caatinga vegetation, and over 2,000 caves. Access to the park is via the city of Buíque.

Culture
As much of the Brazilian Northeast region, the culture of Pernambuco is characterised by music and dance, and by a rich folklore based on Catholicism with syncretic (African religion) elements. Certainly the most famous music and dance style originated in the state is the frevo, declared a cultural UNESCO World Heritage, which has evolved from music of military marches and the capoeira martial art. Another major tradition from Pernambuco is the maracatu, a performance based on (African) traditions and latter with added religious syncretic elements. Finally, the forró, a Northeastern music and "ballroom dance" style originally associated with the celebration of Christian saints, is also widely popular in the state.

Events

 * In February, while the Brazilian Carnival (Carnaval) is a nationwide event, Pernambuco hosts some of the most unique Carnaval celebrations. The frevo and maracatu music and dances often replace the samba as main rhythm. Some of the state's most famous Canaval celebrations include:
 * In Triunfo, the partygoers dress up as Caretas, wearing colourful costumes and masks with "bad mood" facial impressions
 * Olinda is nationwide famous for its parade of giant dolls (Bonecos de Olinda)
 * Recife is one of the street Carnaval parties with most variety of parades in Brazil, the most famous being the Galo da Madrugada, which gathers more than 2 million people
 * In June, Caruaru hosts one of Brazil's largest São João festivals, with about 1.5 million visitors annually. It is a combination of traditional festa junina dances and typical foods with live music from renowned forró, sertanejo and other artists. The second largest São João from Pernambuco, with similar format, is hosted in Gravatá
 * In July, Caruaru hosts the Fenearte, the largest international handcrafts' fair from Latin America
 * Paixão de Cristo (Christ's Passion) in Nova Jerusalém, during Easter break
 * Missa do Vaqueiro (Cowboy Mass), in Serrita

Diving
Fernando de Noronha is likely the best scuba diving destination in South America, perhaps only rivalled by the semi-inaccessible Isla Malpelo in Colombia. There are in total 26 diving sites, the most famous one being Pedras Secas, with incredible underwater caves and rocky formations.

Stay safe
Pernambuco has the highest murder rate of any Brazilian state, a whopping 50.7 per 100,000. Most of killings are related to drug trafficking, which has little impact on the ordinary tourists. Fernando de Noronha is actually extremely safe, and in other of the state's most popular destinations, including Porto de Galinhas and the historical center of Olinda, you are unlikely to run into major problems.

That said, it is also true that in most of the state, poverty is widespread. Armed robberies, both aimed at pedestrians and drivers, especially in big cities such as Recife, are not uncommon. While not so common in smaller cities, some of them are quite poor, such that someone who obviously looks like a tourist, carrying for instance expensive camera equipment, may attract unwanted attention.

title: Pernambuco