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Ko Tarutao

Ko Tarutao is the largest of the 51 islands in the Tarutao National Marine Park archipelago in the Southern Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand, in Satun Province.

The island is entirely a national park. It is usually open to the public from November to May.

Understand
Tarutao is approximately 30 km west of the coastal city of Satun. It is 26.5 km long and 11 km wide. The highest point is over 700 m high.

The island is almost entirely covered by tropical forest and so is host to many plants and animals. Well over 100 species of birds have been spotted, including doves, hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, sandpipers, plovers, swifts, owls, woodpeckers, and hawks. Larger animal residents include macaques, langurs, flying squirrels, mouse deer, bats, monitor lizards, and snakes. The most dangerous resident animal is the rarely-encountered king cobra.

The name Tarutao comes from the Malay words "Pulau Tertua" (the island of old).

From 1937 to 1948, because of its remote location, Ko Tarutao was used as a prison, housing as many as 3,000 prisoners simultaneously. During World War II, after food supplies were cut, the prisoners turned to savage piracy, cold-bloodedly murdering crew of any ships passing by. In 1947, the British army forced the surrender of the pirates within a week.

In 1975, the island was named as the first marine national park in Thailand.

In 2002, the 5th season of the television show Survivor was filmed on the remote south part of the island. It can be reached via chartered long-tail boat in a multi-hour trip.

A report in 2013 claimed that the largely unpatrolled southern end of the island had become the site of a human-trafficking operation.

Get in
There is a one-time national park admission charge upon arrival of ฿200 for foreigners and ฿40 for Thai citizens; save the ticket as it allows for entry to other nearby islands. Foreign students pay only ฿100 on presentation of a student card.

Private operators including Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club operate daily speedboats from Pak Bara to Ko Lipe with a stop at Ko Tarutao near the park headquarters at Ao Phante Malacca in the northwest of the island. In high season several daily services make this stop, mostly to allow a 20-minute stopover for day-tripping tourists destined for Ko Lipe. The speedboats returning to Pak Bara will only stop at Ko Tarutao if informed by park headquarters that at least 4 tourists are waiting to embark (2024). In practice this means that to get back to the mainland from Ko Tarutao you may need to make a stop in Ko Lipe.

The journey from either Pak Bara or Ko Lipe to Ko Tarutao takes 1 hour and costs ฿600. From Pak Bara, there are bus and minibus connections to most of the major cities in Thailand. Ko Lipe can be reached from Langkawi, Malaysia. If taking the bus to Pak Bara from elsewhere in Thailand, make sure that you will arrive in time to catch the boat, otherwise you will have to spend a night in Pak Bara. Boats are only guaranteed to run in the morning. In practice this will probably mean spending a night in Pak Bara, Hat Yai, or Trang.

Get around
The island can be traversed on foot and by bike. There are few trails but the 18 km of road have almost no traffic. Hiking off-road is not allowed. The island's beaches can also be explored by boat and kayak.

See

 * Crocodile Cave (Tam Jorakae), a partially submerged cave among the mangroves, can be reached by rented kayak. Despite the name, there are no crocodiles.
 * Former prison at Ao Talo Udang - although most of the buildings have been demolished, signage and a museum depicts prisoner life on the island.

Beaches and bays

 * Malacca and Molae beaches are on the northwest side of the island near the park HQ.
 * Ta Lo Wow beach is on the northeast side of the island. It is accessible by road from the park HQ (12 km).
 * Son beach is the largest (about 3 km) on the west side of the island and is known as a place where turtles come to lay their eggs. The beach is little visited and even more rarely cleaned, so seaborne rubbish is a problem.
 * Makham bay is on the southwest side of Ko Tarutao. Accessible by boat only.
 * Ta Lo U-Dung bay is on the southeast side of Ko Tarutao and offers a view of the tiny Singha island. Accessible by boat only.

Do

 * Hiking - there are several hiking trails in the jungle, including to the Lu Du Waterfall and to the 80m Tob-Bob cliff.

 * Birdwatching and wildlife viewing - there are few trails and no organised tours but the single-lane road that traverses the island is in a good state and mostly deserted.

 * Kayaks and paddle-boats - available for rent for ฿500/day.

 * Bicycling - bikes are available for rent for ฿250/day.

 * Snorkeling - calm, clear water makes Tarutao Marine Park ideal for snorkelling, with 25% of the world's tropical fish species found in the area. But park staff say that better viewing opportunities are available at Ko Lipe and Ko Adang. A partial exception is the northeast side of Ko Tarutao, which can be reached by chartered longtail boat.

Buy
There are no ATMs on the island. The closest are in Pak Bara or Ko Lipe. Bring plenty of cash!

Eat and drink
The national park service operates two restaurants and a mini-mart that provide a range of good quality meals: fried rice/noodles (฿70), main courses (฿100-150), all day with cold soft drinks, snacks, water (฿30), and beer (฿50).

Sleep
All lodging on the island is owned and managed by the national park service. Guests have the choice of non-aircon bungalow with ensuite (600 baht per night), aircon bungalow (1500 baht), or a space on the beach to pitch a tent (approximately 150 baht). You can rent a tent for approximately 200 baht a night, which comes with mats and mosquito nets. Electricity is available only 6 hours per day, in the evening, and supplied by a lorry-sized diesel generator. This makes the aircon bungalows something of a poor deal, not to mention inappropriate in the circumstances.

Lodging cannot be booked online. To reserve accommodation in advance you will need to call the park on +6674783597 or +6674783485. Alternatively, just show up. Due to the difficulties of reservations and transport, park accommodation is mostly empty even in high season. As of 2024, the park seems to be neglected by Thailand's national park service, although its employees are all doing their jobs loyally and are invariably friendly.

Luggage can be stored in the office to free up space if you are camping.

Mosquitoes and particularly sandflies can be a problem in the wetter part of high season (from November to January).

Connect
No wifi service is available but mobile data works adequately with all the major Thai operators.

Go next

 * Ko Adang
 * Ko Lipe
 * Pak Bara

title: Ko Tarutao


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Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi is a town in Kota Tinggi District, Johor, Malaysia. Kota Tinggi is known as a historical town because the Sultanate of Johor was established there. Many historical tombs are found here including the Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Di Julang Mausoleum, Makam Bendahara Tun Habib Abdul Majid and Makam Tauhid in Kampung Makam.

By plane
The nearest airport with commercial flights is the Senai International Airport in Senai, which is well-connected to the rest of Malaysia, including several daily flights to Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia. An alternative option would be to fly into Singapore, which is better connected internationally than Johor Bahru, though with the added hassle of having to pass through customs and immigration twice.

By bus
There are frequent buses (Maju 227, Causeway Link 6B, Transit Link 41) between downtown Johor Bahru's Jalan Wong Ah Fook (the bus stop is opposite City Square) and Kota Tinggi's bus terminal at Jalan Niaga Utama. The Maju 227 bus originates and terminates at Johore Bahru's Larkin Bus Terminal. Causeway Link no. 66 bus plies between Larkin Bus Terminal and Kota Tinggi. The average frequency of the Maju 227 bus is every 15 minutes and the one-way fare between City Square and Kota Tinggi is RM4.80. The journey takes about 1 hour or more, depending on the bus number and traffic conditions. Generally, buses with "Kota Tinggi" in large letters, and without other smaller stops written on the front, tend to travel faster.

There are non-stop Mara Liner coach services four times a day from Johor Bahru's Larkin Bus Terminal to Kota Tinggi at 10:30AM, 1PM, 5PM and 10PM, en route to Bandar Penawar. The one-way fare is RM 4.00.

By bus
Bus terminal in the town is:

On foot
The town is small enough to walk around.

Do
Take a cruise to see the fireflies amongst the mangroves is a good idea.The fare is RM20 per person and the cruise lasts about 45 minutes.
 * There are many beaches along the coastal part of Kota Tinggi. The most popular beaches are Tanjung Balau, Desaru and Batu Layar ('sail rock'), which are 58 km, 55 km, and 62 km from Kota Tinggi town respectively. Chalets and hotels offering reasonable rates can easily be found along the beach.
 * Teluk Sengat, 25 km east of Kota Tinggi town, is a village visited by tourists for its seafood.
 * Teluk Sengat, 25 km east of Kota Tinggi town, is a village visited by tourists for its seafood.

Eat

 * One alfresco Chinese dining restaurant almost facing the firefly tour jetty, and the other airconditioned restaurant next door. Across the road from the two restaurants is a Hawkers Centres where about 20 individual food stalls selling Chinese and Malay foods at reasonable price until about 22:00.
 * One alfresco Chinese dining restaurant almost facing the firefly tour jetty, and the other airconditioned restaurant next door. Across the road from the two restaurants is a Hawkers Centres where about 20 individual food stalls selling Chinese and Malay foods at reasonable price until about 22:00.
 * One alfresco Chinese dining restaurant almost facing the firefly tour jetty, and the other airconditioned restaurant next door. Across the road from the two restaurants is a Hawkers Centres where about 20 individual food stalls selling Chinese and Malay foods at reasonable price until about 22:00.
 * One alfresco Chinese dining restaurant almost facing the firefly tour jetty, and the other airconditioned restaurant next door. Across the road from the two restaurants is a Hawkers Centres where about 20 individual food stalls selling Chinese and Malay foods at reasonable price until about 22:00.

 * Fast food outlets
 * McDonald's at Jalan Niaga (near Plaza Kota Tinggi)
 * Secret Recipe: at Jalan Niaga (near Plaza Kota Tinggi)
 * Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC): at Jalan Mawai (near the traffic lights)
 * Pizza Hut: at Jalan Niaga (sitting next to KINI Supermarket)
 * Domino's Pizza: near Heritage Mall

Go next

 * Desaru, local beach resort to the south of Kota Tinggi.
 * Sibu Island, a peaceful and lightly-developed island 75 km away. Take a taxi to Tanjung Leman and your resort will provide boat transfers from there.

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

title: Kota Tinggi


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Kothamangalam

Kothamangalam is a beautiful town in the mountains of Kerala, India. Kothamangalam is now one of the most important pilgrim centres of Kerala, with a dozen churches, half a dozen ancient temples and a few sacred mosques. The place is spiritually glorified by the ancient Thrikariyoor Temple, mosques, St. George Cathedral, St. Mary’s Church (Marthamariyam Valiyapally) and Mar Thoma Cheria Pally. The city is also known as Entrence of High Range.

Get in
Kothamangalam is 80 km from Munnar.

Nearest Railway station - Aluva 35 km / Ernakulam - 53 km. From Aluva bus station, located just opposite to railway station, one can get frequentis buses for Kothamangalam. Bus journey can take 40 to 50 minute.

Nearest Airport - Nedumbasserry (Kochi) - 34 km.

See
Salim Ali Wild Life Sanctuary in Thattekkad is 14 km from Kothamangalam is the home for the bird sanctuary where we can find some of the rare species of birds. Exotic birds flock in the sanctuary and make this place a heaven for any ornithologist.

Bhoothathan Kettu is a good picnic spot, 10 km from Kothamangalam. There is a dam here and in the reservoir one can go for boating too. The legend says that the dam was built by a "Bhootham" using the rocks, which is the ample proof for the name. Trekking through the forest to the old Bhoothathan Kettu is very interesting. The forest offers a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a botanist delight.

Ancient temples in or near Kothamangalam are:
 * Valiyakavu in Ambalaparambu
 * Charupurathu Srikrishnaswamishathram in Ambalaparambu
 * Ilamkavu
 * Ayyankavu
 * Choriyankavubhagavathi temple in Kottappady

Do
Ayakad Mahadeva Temple

Edathil sri mahaganapathy temple

Sri narasimha swami temple

Sri maduraminakshiyamman kovil

Sleep

 * Birds lagoon Resort Thattekkad is a resort with a private lake and mountains around near the Thattekkad birds sanctuary. see Birdslagoon for more details
 * Hotel Maria International (***)
 * Mundackal Plantation Homestay  (****) Mundackal Estate, Pindimana PO, via Thrikkariyur, 686 698 Kothamangalam, Kerala
 * The Dreams, Never Miss it. Home Stay in Kothamangalam.   https://www.facebook.com/TheDreamsKMGM

Go next
Being a gateway to HighRange (the western ghats, Sahyadri region, is a high altitude cool belt with defined tourist places), almost every traveller touches this town. Famous Munnar is just about 75 km away.

title: Kothamangalam


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Kotka

Kotka is the southeasternmost major city in Finland, an important port at the mouth of the Kymi river (Kymenjoki). It is part of the Kymenlaakso region. The port town heritage and associated folklore is central for its identity. The Maritime Museum of Finland is located here.

Understand
The municipality has a population of around 52,000 (2020) and much of its area is made up of water. The name comes from the island Kotkansaari ("eagle island"), where the town was built and were most of its centre still lies. The former parish village Karhula, now a kind of a second centre with a number of shopping malls, is a few kilometres to the north, crossed by the E18 motorway.

History
In medieval times, the rich fishing around the river mouth attracted people from elsewhere to settle here: mainly Tavastians, but also Savonians, Karelians and even Swedish, when the Vyborg (Viipuri/Viborg) castle had been built in 1293 and thereby Swedish rule had been established.

The Russian border moved west to the Kymi river in 1743, and after the Svensksund battle 1790 Russia built a fortress on the islands. The fortress sustained a mostly Russian population of some 8,000 – a major town at the time. When all Finland became a Russian grand duchy the fortress lost its importance; most of the fortress was destroyed in 1855, during the Crimean War, by a French-Brittish navy.

In the 1870s a strong sawmill industry developed, thanks to log driving along the Kymi river. One of the sawmills had a Norwegian owner and many Norwegians in the workforce. 1879 Kotka became a chartered town. The streets were laid out according to those of the former fortress town. 1890 Kotka got railway and its role as the main city of the area was cemented.

In 1907, the Second All-Russian Conference of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party was held in the city.

Historically the city had a substantial Swedish-speaking population, which declined during the 20th century, and today approximately 96% of the municipality's inhabitants are native Finnish speakers, only 1% native Swedish speakers (but there is still a Swedish school). The city's long history of industrialization is evident; paper and pulp mills have remained an important part of the regional economy.

By train
Acceptably quick local trains connect Kotka to Kouvola and Lahti where you can change trains to get to Helsinki and elsewhere.

By car
Route E18 connects Kotka to Helsinki, Hamina and Saint Petersburg. Also highway 15 connects Kotka to Kouvola.

By bus
There are frequent coach connections to Helsinki and other cities including Saint Petersburg in Russia. See Matkahuolto and Onnibus for the domestic services. Some bus routes, especially those which come from Lappeenranta and Russia and go towards Helsinki stop only at Karhula which is about 9 km away from Kotka center, local transport is available to travel between Karhula and Kotka center.

Coming via Tallinn or Stockholm, there may be a coach connection with arranged transfer from the port, mostly via Kamppi.

Services from Saint Petersburg are operated by Lux Express and Transgold.

Get around
The centre of the city, the island Kotkansaari, is small enough to get around by feet. However if you need to go to other parts of the city, bus, taxi or a hire car may be more convenient.

By bus
Check bus schedules from kotkanaikataulut.fi. You can use the route planner to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase. Matkahuolto Routes and Tickets app is able to first plan the route and after it sell the right ticket for it.

Asiointitaksi is a service open to everyone that complements public transport. The customer only pays the price of the bus ticket and the taxi route enables weekly transport, for example to the market. The trip is ordered from the driver no later than the previous day and can be picked up from any route where it is safe to stop the car. The car can also make a small deviation from the route and pick up the customer closer to home.

By bike
There is a bike sharing system using bluetooth and the Donkey Republic about €1.50/1 hr, €4/5 hr, €12/24 hr. For longer stays becoming a member is cheaper: €9 or €18/month covers all trips of less than 1 hr respectively 12 hr, also in other towns using Donkey Republic – but you need to register as member in the country of your card (available: most countries in western Europe and USA). Customer service info@kaakau.fi@undefined, daily 09:00–21:00. Several towns in south-east Finland use the same system, which is in use also elsewhere in Finland and abroad.

By taxi
You can call a taxi from number.
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Taksini

See

Do

 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
 * Football: KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) were relegated in 2023, so they now play soccer in Ykkönen the second tier. Their home ground Arto Tolsa Areena (capacity 4800) is 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.

Eat
There is a list of lunch offers for each day.

Budget
Cheap places to eat include:

Stay safe
You can go more or less anywhere in Kotka any time of the day. Although Kotka has its share of violence and drug use, violent crime happens mostly between addicts and criminals themselves. Robbings are very uncommon.

You might want to avoid jumping a line anywhere during the night, particularly at Finnish hot dog stands ("nakkikioski"). Drunken fights are not unheard-of.

Go next

 * Hamina — A historical fortress town, the easternmost sea port in Finland.
 * Kouvola - The other big city in Kymenlaakso, best known as an industrial city and railway node.
 * Russia — If you have a valid visa, the Russian border isn't far away.

title: Kotka


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Kotlas

Kotlas (Russian: Котлас) is a city in Arkhangelsk Oblast incorporated in 1917. It is located where the Rivers Dvina and Vychegda join. As such, it is the site of an important river port and shipyard. Kotlas is also a major rail junction; it connects central Russia with the Komi Republic.

It is a major paper-making center, with the largest paper mill in Russia. It also has a large timber (logging) industry, with many forested areas surrounding it. Besides a timber industry (paper, logs, pulping etc.), Kotlas also manufactures shirts, furniture, bricks and electromechanical items.

Kotlas had a Gulag (labour camp) in the 1930s - 1950s, inhabited by deported kulaks and other politically oppressed persons in Russia. Such people were put to work in the timber and paper industry. The Kotlas chapter of the "Sovest" organization keeps alive the memory of the people who suffered under the labour camps here.

Many persons of Polish descent live here. There is an airbase in Kotlas (Savatiya).

Get in

 * Kotlas Airport - 4 km southeast of Kotlas; small aircraft only - the largest aircraft is an AN4 with 40 seats.
 * Railway
 * Road

See

 * Kotlas Pulp and Paper Mill - (now Ilim Group Koryazhma Subsidiary)
 * Northern Dvina State Basin Authority of Waterways and Navigation
 * Northern Dvina State Basin Authority of Waterways and Navigation

Do

 * Visit Velikiy Ust’ug - founded in the twelfth century, this is an old and beautiful town. Here you will find the official residence of the Russian Father Frost (Santa Claus), on the Sukhona river. Get there by bus.

Go next
Kotlas is a railway center for travelers going to the Komi Republic.

title: Kotlas


text:
Koto Gadang

Koto Gadang is a small city in West Sumatra, near Bukittinggi.

Understand
Koto Gadang is the villages in the district IV Koto, Agam regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Nagari is famous as a producer of silver and gave birth to a lot of leaders of national and even international caliber.

History
Nagari Koto Gadang is one of 11 villages located in District IV Koto, Agam regency. The origin of Nagari Koto Gadang in history began at the end of the 17th century, whereas the group of people who come from Pariangan Padangpanjang up and down the hill and valley, crossed the creek, in search of beautiful land for fields and dipeladangi and made for the settlement. After a long walk, arrived at a hill called Bukit Overheated. That is where they agree on will make the hovel, menaruko fields, and which later developed into a farming hamlet. Eventually, due to child nephew to multiply, and farming land to bersawah no longer sufficient to do so was made of four pieces of koto. Bercerailah clans in the hill. Where the two princes went to Sianok, 12 princes and four parents went to the bottom scrapings, the prince went to Tabeksarojo 6, and 24 princes settled in Bukit Overheated. Because of the prince that ever lived on the koto is the place called Koto Tower. That's villages-villages that form the beginning of the IV Koto. Clans that came with it and then build settlements and bernagari by not releasing their customs. Worked together with them to build houses sieve, so that before the year 1879 a great many are following gadang house with barn. In 1879 and 1880 there was a major fire that destroyed the estates. Livelihoods of the Tower before the Alam Minangkabau Koto under the Dutch Government is bersawah, farming, livestock, wood carpentry, woodworking and gold. Carpentry jobs golden boy is well known throughout the country Minangkabau. Because of the growing population, the results obtained from the rice fields is not sufficient anymore. Begin the Kotogadang go migrate to other countries such as Bengkulu, Medan, Jakarta, and others. After the Dutch government ordered Alam Minangkabau, Koto Gadang mother made Kelarasan IV villages of Koto. The new arrangement was made with the government as a leader Lareh lord who ruled in kelarasan IV Koto and penghoeloe as head of government head of villages.

Get in
Koto Gadang is located about 3 hours north-east by road from the international airport. The only way to get there is by car. But all the roads are good and smooth. As Koto Gadang is a tourist destination, try to avoid traveling on weekends as the traffic can be quite bad especially when climbing uphill.

By chartered minivan
Known by the locals as "Travel" is cheapest way to get there. The approximate price is about Rp300,000/car for one way. The vehicle is a Minivan with a capacity of 7 seats. The minivan will depart and take the passengers to their destination.

By taxi
At BIM (Bandara International Minangkabau)-International Airport of Padang, there's an official desk where you can order a taxi. The trip price is fixed and you can't bargain. This is the better and faster way of getting a taxi. A taxi trip to Koto Gadang is Rp300,000. You pay to the driver when getting at arrival.

Get around
Koto Gadang is a small town. By foot and enjoy the mountain (Mount Singgalang) and rice fields are still a lot we can see, we can breathe clean air and morning dew still we can see in front of the eye. There is also public transportation that cross blue "TAPI" in one direction, past the point of crafting SILVER at AMAI SETIA

title: Koto Gadang


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Kotohira

Kotohira (琴平) is a one-horse town known solely as the site of Kompira-san, a large shrine complex.

Tourist Information Site
The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Get in
Kotohira is on the JR Dosan Line. From Takamatsu, rapid trains depart hourly between 10:00 and 20:00, reaching Kotohira in 49 minutes (¥830). Buses also run from Takamatsu Airport (50 minutes, ¥1500). The private Kotoden Kotohira Line (琴電琴平線) departs from Takamatsu-Chikko station on the hour and half-past (one hour, ¥610).

From Okayama, Kotohira can be reached in one hour by taking the hourly Nanpu limited express (¥3160), or occasional local trains (105 minutes). Another option is the Marine Liner rapid train, which leaves at approx. 44 minutes past the hour, to Sakaide and then a change for the local to Kotohira (80-90 minutes, ¥1300).

Get around
The shrine entrance is an easily walked few hundred meters south from the train stations. True to its name, the shrine is built on a hill and it's a fairly steep climb all the way to the top.

For a taste of medieval luxury, porters can carry you up the hill in a palanquin for even steeper prices (¥6000 and up).

Kompira-san
The sights below are listed in order as you ascend the steps.

Buy
From the moment you step off the train, you'll be bombarded by shrieking yellow advertisements for magical Konpira amulets at ¥800 a pop, available throughout the shrine.

Eat
Kagawa prefecture is famed for its Sanuki udon wheat noodles, and you'll find no shortage of shops hawking them on the road and stairway to the shrine. Kotohira's very own style is less than innovatively composed by pouring soy and bonito flakes on top of your noodles.

Drink
Konpira Beer is the local microbrew.

Sleep
Most people choose to day-trip from Takamatsu or Okayama, but there are plenty of options in town. If you don't have any other arrangements (and you're not on a tight budget), head for the cluster of hotels around the Konpira Onsen.

Go next

 * Zentsuji
 * Marugame
 * Tadotsu
 * Mitoyo
 * Manno
 * Utazu
 * Takamatsu
 * Kanonji
 * Oboke and Koboke

title: Kotohira


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Kotor

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro with a population of 22,600 (2011). It is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting in the deepest part of the Bay of Kotor.

Understand
Kotor is in the secluded Boka Kotorska bay, on Montenegro's northern coast. It has developed around Stari Grad (local language for "old town"), the city's old town and best known landmark, which is listed with UNESCO World heritage sites, and the city walls are even separately listed together with five other Venetian city walls along the Adriatic and in Italy. The bay is the deepest natural fjord in the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery around it (including the steep mountains which come almost to the waterfront) is spectacular.

The Stari Grad is fully walled (the mountain functions as a rear wall). Four gates offer access to the town: The Main Gate, along the Bay, the North Gate, the South Gate, and a smaller New Gate. There are no cars allowed in the Stari Grad, nor are there standard road names in the Stari Grad. Although all buildings are numbered, it is best to use landmarks for directions. Generally, the squares are named for the church in their center, and directions either relate to the closest square or the closest gate. The most obvious landmark is the clock tower, just inside the main gate, in the main square.

Kotor and the entire Kotor Bay have long been a vacation and second-home destination for many Europeans and British. After Serbian, English is the common language, and most waitstaff and hotel staff speak English.

By plane

 * Tivat Airport is 8 km away.
 * Podgorica airport is 90 km away.
 * Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is 73 km away from Kotor, and maintains flights from many European destinations throughout the year, providing an alternative to the Montenegrin airports. A taxi to Kotor costs €80.

By bus
Kotor is fairly well connected with neighboring countries by bus.

From Budva buses run to Herceg Novi, stopping in Kotor, almost every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 23:00 (€2.50). Buses also run between Kotor and the following cities: Podgorica hourly, (Sept. 2022), Bar and Ulcinj (6-8 daily, approximately €5), Dubrovnik and Mostar (3 daily, 3 hours, €24 Sept. 2022), Split (3 times a week, 7 hours), Sarajevo (1x daily), Belgrade (10 hours), Skopje (night bus, 12 hours, twice a week on Friday and Saturday at 19:00). During the week you can go to Skopje via Nis, Serbia (bus from Kotor to Tivat at 15:50, from Tivat to Nis 17:30). The 11:00 bus to Mostar costs €26 plus a euro per bag and takes 9 hours, as it visits almost every major town in Montenegro and southern Respublika Srpska before finally arriving in Mostar.

There are also small public buses (colored in white with blue sign "Blue line") that run through the city connecting nearby villages and towns. You can stop them at any bus stop inside Kotor. They also go to Tivat along the coast line passing Muo, Prcanj, and they also reach the beautiful Perast. Fixed price: €1 (2017).

By car
All roads in Montenegro are two-lanes only, and mostly are curvy mountainous roads, so speeds over 70 km/h (43 mph) are rarely legal or safe.

The Vrmac tunnel significantly shortens the journey from Budva to Kotor. You can take the alternative road over Trojica hill above Kotor, a winding mountain road. From this hill you can enjoy beautiful views of the tiny countryside villages, and of Podgorica (when approaching from Cetinje), and Kotor Bay.

When driving in Montenegro, be aware that the locals drive aggressively and think nothing of overtaking across white lines on steep bends. Be careful. There is also a great deal of road building underway and the safety considerations are a less onerous than those in more-developed countries. Don't panic.

As in many places, taxis may or may not have a meter. Be warned that un-metered taxi fares can range widely, especially for English speakers. Taxi drivers often try to cheat tourists. The real taxi price within Kotor and Muo should be below €3. You should discuss the price before entering the taxi.

By boat
There aren't any scheduled ferries travelling to Kotor but there are services between Bar and Bari, Italy except during winter.

On foot
Kotor is small, so everything is within walking distance. Enter the old town via any of the three gates, then explore the maze of narrow lanes between the stone houses.

By taxi
Neither Uber nor Bolt service the area as of April 2023.

By car
Parking space in the city centre is hard to find, so use your car only when you have to. Be careful where you park, sketchy tow operators target tourists around the old city. Find a free parking space away from the old city and then walk.

There are no sandy beaches in Kotor, and water is not of premium quality for swimming. Consider driving to the beautiful Jaz or Trsteno beaches on the Budva Riviera, some 20 km from Kotor.

See

Buy
Old town has many boutiques. There is an open market just outside the old town; there you can buy fresh vegetables, sunglasses and many other things.

There are abundant banks and ATMs throughout the Stari Grad. Banks are closed on Sunday or holidays. Travellers cheques are generally not accepted, not even by banks. Note that not all restaurants or shops accept credit cards, either.

Eat
At the market, try to sample local smoked ham (njeguški pršut) and cheese (njeguški sir) from the nearby village of Njeguši, which are two of the Montenegrin cuisine's most famous products.

Kotor offers a variety ranging from classy restaurants offering fresh seafood and national cuisine to fast food offering pizzas, barbecue, etc. There is a large produce market outside the city walls. Hamburgers there cost €1. Cafes and restaurants line the bay-side promenade, which stretches north through Dobrota.

Drink
Again, the old town is the hotspot for relaxed drinking espresso in the shade of the medieval walls. There are many cafes in the old town, but still, it's hard to find a place to sit on a sunny day. Tipping is not necessary although you may leave your change by simply rounding up. Befriending the waitstaff can get you quite far.

Espresso costs €1 or more. Soft drinks and juice cost €1-2.

Sample the Montenegrin wines, "Vranac", "Pro Corde", "Krstac", "Cabernet", "Chardonnay" and "Nikšićko" beer. Montenegrin brandy, called "rakija" is a good choice to "warm up" before going out in the evening, especially grape brandy "Montenegrin loza", "Prvijenac" or "Kruna". Litre bottles of wine are available in the supermarkets outside of the Stari Grad for under €5.

Nightlife
A night out in Kotor usually begins in the open bars in the old town. Pubs in the old town are only open until 01:00.

The best club is Maximus, which is located in the old town, and closes at 05:00.

Sleep
Accommodation during low season is cheap and plentiful in Kotor.

During the high season, the old city may be very crowded due to frequent arrivals of cruise ships and visitors on day trips from other cities. For that reason, it may be preferable to stay outside of the old city, either north or south.

Private Rooms
Many of the homes in the Stari Grad have been turned into for-rent apartments. For groups of two or more, these are often the most affordable options. Their quality (and prices) range from luxurious to modest. Most can be reserved online, although wire-transfer down payments are expected. Most are either owned or managed by English-speaking expats foreign visitors.

During summer, expect to pay about €10 per person for accommodation at a private residences in the old town, and €7-15 outside the old town and closer to beaches.

Connect
As of Sept 2021, Kotor has 4G from all Montenegro carriers, and Wifi is widely available. 5G has not rolled out in Montenegro.

Go next

 * Prčanj - a hamlet 4 km away.
 * Budva - a popular tourist destination
 * Bar - a city and biggest port of Montenegro
 * Tivat - home to a marina for the elite's yachts
 * Herceg Novi
 * Cetinje, interior old capital of Montenegro
 * Lovćen National Park
 * Daytrip to bay-side towns, like Perast (18 km away) or Risan.
 * Visit beaches a half hour's drive from Kotor (Jaz, Trsteno, Plavi hori).

title: Kotor


text:
Kottayam

Kottayam is a city in Kerala, south India. It is near to Kochi. The city is India's first 100% literate city, also known as Letter Capital of Kerala, due to headquarters of more than a dozen publishing houses and newspaper companies as well as several famous colleges and university. The city is one of the strongest centers of Kerala's indigenous Church, the Malankara Orthodox Church, a major non-Catholic church.

Understand
Kottayam is a city in south-central Kerala, sandwiched between the Vembanad Lake and the Kerala hill-country. Best known as a hub of trade and commerce, Kottayam is also a centre for education and literature, and as a centre of Kerala's large Christian population.

The lingua franca in Kottayam is Malayalam, the official language of the state of Kerala. Travellers should not face much difficulty in getting by with English, as the language is widely understood, at least at a rudimentary level. Most sign-boards above shops are in English as well. On the other hand, conversing with the locals in Hindi, India's national language, is a far more difficult task and is best avoided.

By plane
Kochi International Airport (Cochin) 93 km away, is the nearest airport. The airport has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Tiruvananthapuram, Agatti, Mangalore, Goa, Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and international airports in the Middle East. The airport is served by Go Air, IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Srilankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Oman Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Etihad Airlines, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways and Air Asia. From the airport, it is possible to reach Kottayam either by road (buses and taxis are available, and recommended for convenience) or by rail via railway stations at either Angamali (the closest to the airport, but very few trains stop here), Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town.

Alternatively Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) airport, 152 km away, can be used as an entry point, followed by road or rail travel to Kottayam. In addition to the destinations listed for Kochi International Airport, flights to Male in the Maldives are available from here. Other options are Kozhikode (Calicut), Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Mumbai airports and further travel to Kottayam by road or rail.

By train
Kottayam offers long-distance trains. The town is linked to most major cities in India by trains, categorized as being either express or non-express. Short-haul trains also pass through Kottayam, connecting it to most cities and towns in Kerala. has three platforms for handling long distance and passenger trains.

By bus
Buses connect Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Coimbatore to Kottayam. The quality of buses varies significantly. Seats on comfortable, safe and air-conditioned buses that ply on long-distance routes cost more.

 * KSRTC Kottayam

By road
Roads connect Kottayam to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha (Alleppey), Chennai, Kannur, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Bangalore, and Coimbatore.

By boat
Frequent ferries (run by the Kerala State Water Transport Corporation) from Alappuzha (Alleppey) run throughout the day. Plying through the backwaters, it takes approximately two hours to reach Kottayam. This is the cheapest mode of travel in the state, though not nearly the fastest.

By bus
Kottayam has a comprehensive local bus system which is inexpensive. Be warned, however, buses can become extremely crowded during rush hour.

By autorickshaw
This is another inexpensive way of getting between places in town, and is recommended if you're weary of travelling by a crowded bus. As is the case with most of the rest of India, drivers may try cheat the unsuspecting traveller. Official rates are ₹12 for the first kilometre and ₹6 for every additional kilometre, though the rate increases at night.

By taxi
Local taxis are also available, though they are considerably more expensive than autorickshaws. There are taxi stands at the District Collectorate, and at the District Hospital.

By car
There are many car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive. Don't attempt to drive in Kerala unless you are comfortable with traffic conditions and have very good reflexes.

Eat
There are many restaurants and cafes in Kottayam. What the town lacks, however, is variety. Local food is extensively available and is generally quite good, as is South Indian vegetarian food. Beyond this, food has been uniformly categorized by restaurants as being either North Indian, Chinese or Continental. Most dishes that go under the last two categories are imaginative concoctions that draw on the worst elements from various styles of cooking. In summary, stick to Kerala food in Kottayam. If you still insist on trying other things out, then head to the luxury resorts in Kumarakon near Kottayam, and pay absurd sums of money for a meal.

A large number of bakeries can be found in Kottayam. You can get freshly made bread and other snacks at these outlets. They are quiet popular and worth a visit.

A word of caution for the religiously inclined. Beef is easily available in Kottayam and is a staple in the people's diet. If you do not want to end up eating beef you will need to be wary of anything that says meat or beef on it. A meat roll would very likely have beef in it, for example. To be on the safe side, make your preference known explicitly.

Drink
Drinking in Kottayam is a fairly entertaining experience. Local pubs tend to be lively, but serve primarily a male clientele. The local beverage called Toddy, made from palm sap, is quite potent and not for the faint-hearted.

The retail sale of alcohol in Kottayam (as with the rest of Kerala) is a government monopoly, and liquor stores are often stocked with only the most popular varieties and labels. Wine is almost impossible to find, and getting popular international brands of anything from whiskey to beer is a bit hit-and-miss. The more upscale hotels do have bars where one can be certain of a reasonable ambiance and a well-stocked bar, while the smaller ones can appear quite dodgy.

Side-dishes/Touchings, the local terms for snacks consumed along with drinks, is also something to try out. These vary from chicken, fish, duck to various wild birds and are considered de rigueur for any true drinking experience.

Sleep
There are a number of hotels of varying quality in Kottayam. Since the town is not spread out, proximity to the down town area is not really a selling point. Most hotels are rated (or approximately equate to) Indian two and three stars. Nightly room rates average of ₹1,000-2,000, with seasonal increases around September (Onam) and December (Christmas, New Year's). An alternative to established hotels is to use the services of an ever-growing list of homestays and vacation apartment.

There is a large concentration of resorts run by large Indian and international hotel chains, as well as smaller boutique operators, at Kumarakom (14 km from Kottayam) on the Vembanad Lake, where rooms, cottages and houseboats aimed at deeper pockets are available. Expect to pay top dollar for resorts run by the likes of the Taj and Radisson. Vacation Apartments are becoming a much more affordable alternative in several parts of Kerala for tourism.

title: Kottayam


text:
Koudougou

Koudougou is the second largest city in the Volta Delta of Burkina Faso.

Understand
You will find Moore spoken everywhere and Lyèlè when you look for it (about 60/40).

Get in
From Ouagadougou:

Rayi’s transport (near grand marché in Ouaga, near grand mosquée in KDG): every two hours 8:00-18:00. 1250 CFA one-way, 2500 round trip. Runs to Bobo daily at 8:00 and 14:00. You can also take KZA, STKF, STPW, EDBAF and numerous other transport services/bush taxis. Transport to/from Dédougou is at cinema, across from Bon Marché

Trains on the line between Ouagadougou and Abidjan call in Banfora.

See

 * Royal Palace of Issouka Earthen architecture
 * Palace of Maurice Yaméogo (René Faublée Architect) Modern architecture
 * Noomdo Center (Kéré Francis Architecte - NGO le Soleil dans la Main) Contemporary architecture
 * Schorge High School (Kéré Francis Architecte) Contemporary Architecture
 * Biiga Veenem high school - the light of knowledge (Fauss Architecte - NGO le Soleil dans la Main) Contemporary architecture
 * Sabou: sacred crocodiles – tourist trap! (1000 CFA one-way from Gare Routière)
 * Biiga Veenem high school - the light of knowledge (Fauss Architecte - NGO le Soleil dans la Main) Contemporary architecture
 * Sabou: sacred crocodiles – tourist trap! (1000 CFA one-way from Gare Routière)

Do

 * NAK: Nuits Attypique de Koudougou takes place every year (November-ish), a mini SIAO/Bobo-cultural week
 * Swimming Pool at Le Club Palmiste.
 * 2, yes 2, cinemas which show movies nightly as well as sporting events and beauty pageants. There is one near Bon Marché and one near the mosque.
 * Thêatre Populaire de Koudougou: across from Lycée Provincial, an open-air, stadium-style theatre.

Marché
At entrance to town (if coming from Ouaga) on right-hand side. Wonderful selection of fruits/vegetables/grains. Also has good selection of pagnes and traditional fabric, used clothes, bead, things for your house (buckets, etc.). Nice atmosphere. Will open new market near the mosque soon and all will move there.

There is also a street near the post known as the fruit market – bananas, mangos, papayas, apples, pineapple, etc according to what is in season.

Boutiques
There are two western-style supermarchés:

 * CORAM: on KDG-DDG axis near the mosque
 * Bon marché: on the route to Sabou, near gare routière, across from cinema, fruit/veggie woman right outside

Can find most everything except skim milk powder.

Tailors
Good tailor behind Lycée Provincial, near sport stadium: good prices, friends.

Eat

 * Ety: Patisserie with salads, pizza, burgers, ice cream, crèpes, etc. On maid road (KDG-DDG).  Great, but watch out for sleazy waiters (tip: look occupied with a book and they don’t try to hit on you).  Not too expensive (1000-2000 CFA for a meal).
 * Le Club Palmiste: fries, salads, rice, spaghetti, etc. a ways out of town on the way to DDG after pavement ends. 500-1000 CFA for a meal.
 * La Consolatrice: on the right near where the pavement ends

Street food and snacks
Lots of benga, toh, rice/sauce, spaghetti, yogurt, dégé, grilled corn, etc. Good food in STKF gare and right outside Rayis gare. Meat brochettes popular near cinema/EDBAF “gare.” Bissap and water all over the place.

Drink

 * Zaka – near the poste/cathedral. Relaxed, outside, French TV5
 * La Bache Blue
 * Le Titanic

Sleep

 * Splendid Koudougou (Luxury Hotel) : 69,000 CFA per night with breakfast included. Great for a retreat
 * Catholic Mission (Petit Seminaire): (pcv rate) dormitory 1250 CFA per night, single room 2500 per night. You can eat meals here also. Out of town a bit on road to Dédougou, make a left at the 2-story gas station after pavement ends
 * Hotel Esperance: 4000 CFA per night, room sleeps 2 people. On road to Dédougou, right after turn-off to Réo.

Post Office
On main road (KDG -> Dédougou); open normal weekday hours (NOT weekends).

Internet
Coconet: near the marché, across the main street, 900 CFA per hour, decent connection speed

L’espace Bureautique: on main road on the way to Dédougou after turn-off to Réo; they also have a fax machine and a good photocopier.

title: Koudougou


text:
Koufonisi

Ano Koufonisi (Greek: Άνω Κουφονήσι), usually referred just as Koufonisi (Greek: Κουφονήσι), is a major attraction in the small Cyclades known for its beautiful beaches and cliffs. There is also another Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi nearby.

Tourist information
Sea caves: on Pano Koufonissi’s North Cape.

Saint George’s church: the protector of the island. On Saint George’s day (normally celebrated on 23rd April, but if it coincides with Lent then it is celebrated on Easter Monday), there is a litany/procession of his icon on the seaside street, while the streets are covered with rose petals. They put on fireworks and all the small boats of the island are sailing alongside. Tripe soup with vinegar and a stew or pasta is offered to everyone and then the feast starts.

Saint Nicholas’ small church: over Karnagio with a view of nine islands!

Mylos (Mill): A traditional windmill that has been renovated into a beautiful bar.

Panagia’s (Virgin Mary’s) church on Kato Koufonissi: situated on Deti’s pier and built on ancient ruins. On August 15th a big festival takes place there. At the end of the Mass, food is offered to everyone and then people are transferred by boats which are competing in the race to get to Pano Koufonissi first, where the feast is held.

Fishermens feast: on June 24th the captains of the caiques cook for everybody on the pier the traditional cacavia (boulliabaisse - a soup made with different types of fish). A feast follows with traditional music and dance.

Talk
Greek is the native language of the people of Koufonisi. However, most people also speak passable English and many speak German or other European languages.

By boat
Koufonisi is accessible via ferry from Naxos, Schinousa, Amorgos, Dinousa, and Athens. More information can be found here.

Cruise ships and private vessels also dock at the Port.

By plane
There is no airport in Koufonisi.

Get around
Everything is in walking distance. On foot is the main way to get around. In fact, you can circumnavigate the whole island on foot in 3-4 hours. There is no bus or taxi service on the island.

By boat
Water shuttles operate up and down the coast as far as Pori, stopping at various jetties. It is a much easier way to get around than walking over the rocky paths, and only costs €2.50 a ride!

By car
It is not worth the hassle to bring your own car to the island. If you really want to, you can take it on a car and passenger ferry. Roads turn out to be little more than dirt paths. There is one petrol station in the island’s north.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Especially mopeds are frequently used by local youths and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Koufonisi town.

When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tyres is ok and if the brakes work properly. If it is the last vehicle in store, be suspicious - it could be the one that needs a repair badly. Though helmets are not required on the streets, it might be a good idea to ask your rent-a-bike for one.

Road service: A narrow road takes you from the port to Finikas’ beach. From the village there is an asphalt road that takes you to Pori, and another one that takes you to the petrol station

Sea service: Kostas Prasinos’ small boat runs a regular daily service from the port to the beaches of: Finikas, Italida and Pori. Other small boats connect Pano (Upper) and Kato (Lower) Koufonisi.

See

 * The main village
 * The sun and the sea while relaxing.
 * Neolithic village site on neighboring Keros. Daily excursions via boat are offered.

Beaches
There are many beautiful beaches, the best being in the island’s south east. The wind mostly comes in from the north so the sea tends to be rougher on the north side of the island.

There is a nice small beach in the main village (Ammos beach) but it is nothing compared to other beaches on the island. Walking counter-clockwise around the coast from the main town will lead you to successively more and more beautiful beaches! These are, in order, Athena Beach, Finikas Beach, Italida Beach, Alejandra Beach, and the Natural Pool in amongst the cliffs. Further along, you'll reach Pori beach, known for its nudity and cliff-jumping, and finally Gala beach on the peninsula.Other beaches worth exploring include:
 * Charakopou
 * Fanos
 * Parianos
 * Pisina
 * Platia Punta

Buy
The excellent Veneti supermarket stocks everything you will need at good prices. It is a large, tall building near the port, with an attention-grabbing sign in Greek letters only (“Beneth”).

There are three ATMs on the island, one of which is outside the supermarket, but there are no banks. Most shops accept payments by card.

Eat
There are plenty of places to eat. The Giorgoula bakery has great bread, pastries and pies as well. The large cafe restaurant facing the port is not recommended.

Drink
It is not recommended to drink tap water. 6x 1.5 litre bottles of water costs €2.50 at the supermarket (June 2023).

Sleep
There are plenty of guest houses and hotels in and near the village. During the high season (June-August), booking in advance is recommended. Free camping is allowed on Kato Koufonisi (the neighbouring island) only.

Stay safe
Koufonisi is a generally very safe destination. The biggest danger is sunburn and heatstroke. You can buy reasonably priced sunscreen at the Veneti supermarket.

Cope
There are good free gender-segregated toilets and showers available at the port. The showers are clean and have hot water, but the toilets are often without toilet paper.

Go next
Daily excursions via boat to Kato Koufonisi are offered. Nearby islands worth a visit include Donoussa, Schinoussa, tiny Iraklia, Amorgos and the enormously popular island of Naxos.

title: Koufonisi


text:
Koulikoro (city)

Koulikoro is a city in the Koulikoro Region of Mali. The countries capital the Federal District of Bamako is entirely within the region.

Get in
Koulikoro is just over 60 km from the capital Bamako along route RR14. There are plenty of buses serving the route, however no schedules are available online.

title: Koulikoro (city)


text:
Koulikoro (region)

Koulikoro is a region in Mali, named after the second-largest city within the region, Koulikoro. It is also site to the country's capital of Bamako.

Cities

 * - capital of Mali
 * and the town of Dioïla
 * and the town of Dioïla
 * and the town of Dioïla
 * and the town of Dioïla
 * and the town of Dioïla

Get in
Bamako-Sénou Airport

title: Koulikoro (region)


text:
Koure

Koure is a town in Southwestern Niger, known for its location near West Africa's last herd of giraffes.

By bus
Busses between Niamey and the eastern parts of the country can stop here, but your best bet is a bush taxi from Niamey (45

Organizing transport from Niamey
Find some friends and split the cost for a car and driver. You might pay as much as 45,000F for the car and driver depending on the season and how far out the giraffes have wandered. He drives out to Kouré (65 km) and you see a billboard on the left and a hut structure, this is the park headquarters. Some people arrange their transport through Abdou, 96-97-44-46 or for a large group you could go out to the minibuses that leave from the Grand Marché and have a go at your own negotiations. Or talk to the city taxi drivers parked in front of Wadatta and aim to get the trip for around 20-25000F. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the road. If this is the case you can avoid renting a car. Instead, go to Wadatta, buy a ticket, and take a bush taxi to Kouré, and then the guide will walk you over to the giraffes.

See

 * Giraffes West Africa's last surviving giraffe herd lives near the city. At the park headquarters, you pay 4000F per person for tourists, 3000F for “foreign residents”, or 1000F for Nigeriens. You also pay 5,000F per carload for the Guide Association fee, and then a tip at the end for the guide himself.  Don’t forget your ID because you do go through a check-point. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the road. If this is the case you can avoid renting a car. Instead, go to Wadatta, buy a ticket, and take a bush taxi to Kouré, and then the guide will walk you over to the giraffes. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the highway and you can save money by not hiring a car. “Closer” can still mean an hour or more walk to get to them.

title: Koure


text:
Kourou

Kourou is a town in French Guiana. Together with the Îles de salut (Salvation's Islands) outside the coast it used to be part of a penal colony for the worst criminals in France, but in 1946 the prisons were closed. Since the 1960s Kourou has been best known for the Guiana Space Centre.

By bus or taxi
The town is on the road between Cayenne and the Surinamese border. You can get in by car (rental car or a rather expensive taxi) or by bus. TIG's bus line 5 takes you from Cayenne to Kourou in little over an hour and the fare is €10. Also bus line 9 from Cayenne to Iracoubo stops further west in Cayenne.

A shared taxi (minivan) from Saint-Laurent is €25.

Get around
By foot. There is no public transportation in Kourou itself, however the town is just about 2 km across.

Do

 * There are great beaches in and around Kourou. In July and August there's a free open air cinema on the beach.
 * Carnival is celebrated in February; this means street parades every Sunday and a more intensive nightlife.

Eat

Markets
There are several food markets in the town:
 * Tuesdays and Fridays on the morning until about 13:00 on Place de la République.
 * Every morning except Sunday you can buy fish in the fish hall in the old part of the town. Also worth a visit if you aren't going to buy.
 * Saturday mornings there's a vegetable market next to the road (Avenue du Général De Gaulle) to the fish hall

Drink

 * The old part of the town has some nice bars including l'Yguana café and Vieux Montmartre
 * Bar des Sports opposite the post house is popular among French Foreign Legion servicemen.
 * Bar le 13 has a large terrace, good ambience seems to be the hangout for many of the people working in central Kourou. Belgian beers on the tap.

Sleep
Good hotels exist, but they can be relatively expensive.

Connect

 * You can also get connected at the mediatheque next to the lake, however fares are high. For Kourou residents Internet access is free for one hour.
 * You can also get connected at the mediatheque next to the lake, however fares are high. For Kourou residents Internet access is free for one hour.
 * You can also get connected at the mediatheque next to the lake, however fares are high. For Kourou residents Internet access is free for one hour.

Îles du salut
The Îles du salut can be visited from Kourou. The islands used to be part of a penal colony. A one way ticket with a catamaran cost around €21. On weekends or holidays it can be crowded. So you should book in advance. There are three islands:
 * Île Royale (Royal Island) is the main island where you arrive with the boat. On this island there's a hotel/restaurant with the opportunity to hang your hammock for €10. There is also a camping side where you can put your tent or your hammock for free. But there are no showers. Just toilets without a sink. But the sea is really close if you need to have a bath. On this island you will find a lot of monkeys, iguanas, sea turtles and some macaws.
 * Île du Diable (Devil's Island) is closed to the public. This is where Captain Alfred Dreyfus was incarcerated for four years in the 1890s.
 * Île Saint-Joseph. (St. Joseph's Island) You can get there with a boat from Île Royale which cost €5.

title: Kourou


text:
Koutu

Koutu is a settlement on the Koutu Peninsula between Rawene and Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour in the North Island of New Zealand.

See

 * If you are lucky, you might see the seal colony which lives in the area.
 * If you are lucky, you might see the seal colony which lives in the area.

Go next

 * Horeke – the oldest Hokianga town and second oldest European settlement in New Zealand
 * Kohukohu – a historic town with interesting buildings and many artists
 * Mangamuka Bridge – kauri forest reserve
 * Opononi – town on the south side of the harbour that became famous through Opo, a dolphin
 * Rawene – a historic and picturesque village on a peninsula jutting into the harbour

title: Koutu


text:
Kouvola

Kouvola is a city of 80,000 people (2021) in Southern Finland, 134 km northeast of the capital, Helsinki.

Understand
The town emerged around the junction of the north-south and east–west rail tracks. It is one of Finland's most important rail hubs, and the main rail link between Finland and St. Petersburg goes through Kouvola. In 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Elimäki, Anjalankoski, Valkeala and Jaala – merged, accounting for the new municipality of Kouvola as the 10th largest city in Finland.

Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, near Jaala, is a monument to the early days of the Finnish forest industry and a world heritage site since 1996.

Although Kouvola is said to be the ugliest city in Finland, there are still many sights worthy of seeing in Kouvola. Even the ugliness can be an experience.

By plane
The airport in Helsinki has good connections.

By train
There are railways to Kouvola from four directions:

 * Helsinki–Lahti–Kouvola
 * Kotka–Kouvola
 * Pieksämäki–Mikkeli–Kouvola
 * Joensuu–Imatra–Lappeenranta–Kouvola, from this direction also trains from St. Petersburg and Moscow arrive

By bus
There are coach connections from Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Joensuu, Lappeenranta, Imatra and Kotka. See Matkahuolto.

By car

 * Highway 6 (Helsinki–Kouvola–Lappeenranta)
 * Highway 12 (Rauma–Huittinen–Tampere–Lahti–Kouvola)
 * Highway 15 (Kotka–Kouvola–Mikkeli)

Get around
In the city centre, the easiest way to get around is to walk. Everything is within quite a small distance, and Kouvola's main street is a pedestrian zone.

By bus
If you want to go to somewhere farther from the centre, you can go by bus or train. See local bus info. There is an interactive route planner for local buses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase.

By bike
There is a bike sharing system using bluetooth and the Donkey Republic about €1.50/1 hr, €4/5 hr, €12/24 hr. For longer stays becoming a member is cheaper: €9 or €18/month covers all trips of less than 1 hr respectively 12 hr, also in other towns using Donkey Republic – but you need to register as member in the country of your card (available: most countries in western Europe and USA). Customer service info@kaakau.fi@undefined, daily 09:00–21:00. Several towns in south-east Finland use the same system, which is in use also elsewhere in Finland and abroad.

By scooter
You can rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre from Finnish Joe Scooter.

By taxi
Taxis are useful, especially for getting back to your hotel after a long night.

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Taksini

By boat
There is a boat taxi from the Hillosensalmi railway station to Repovesi National Park.

See

 * Verla museum.jpg

Drink

There are three nightclubs in Kouvola as well. Of these, the first is the most popular.

Go next

 * Lappeenranta — 87 km east. An old fortress and the entrance point to either the Finnish Lakeland or Russia.
 * Kotka — 57 km south. Where Kymenlaakso region meets the sea. An aquarium, a maritime centre and an imperial fishing lodge.
 * Lahti — 62 km west. Pretty similar to Kouvola but with the Finnish radio museum, the ski jumping towers, several parks and more shopping options.

title: Kouvola


text:
Kovalam

Kovalam is a village in the southern state of Kerala in India, about 17 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

Understand
Kovalam is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclaves in India, a well known part of the tourist circuit since the 1930s. Kovalam shot into the limelight in the early 1970s with the arrival of masses of hippies. That started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India - the Kovalam beach.

Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the queen of Travancore, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai, who decided to build a palace for herself at a rock top near the beach, as her private residence better known as Haylcon Castle. Later, in 1936, the next queen, HH Karthika Thirunal choose this palace for her honeymoon with her newly wed husband, prince GV Raja. It was prince G.V Raja who found immense tourist potentiality of the region and decided promote the region among state guests, by inviting Thomas Cook & Sons- UK to develop the region. The Maharaja of Travancore soon started hosting regular state banquets and accommodation of his European guests in Kovalam Haylcon Palace. This made the beach popular among European families living in nearby Madras and Bombay Presidencies as well as elite Travancore families to spend their holidays. Thus, the move helped to lay foundations of modern tourism industry in South India. Post independent India, the beach was popular among Indians and few tourists. It was 1970s, the hippie culture helped to revive the beach, with vast influx of tourists, spending their wild holidays here. When Kerala government thought of making tourism as a major industry, towards 1990s, Kovalam was the first tourist destination to be highlighted and promoted. Today its an intentionally renowned beach.

Kovalam has 3 major beaches in its 17 km coastline. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach is the most popular of the three. Many hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops are located here. It is frequented by outsiders who stay and enjoy Kovalam.

The Northern most crescent, (with the different names Main Beach/Leela Beach/Samudra Beach) - is crowded on weekends, is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. During the week it's quiet. Hawa Beach in between is among one of the beaches in India where topless sunbathing is tolerated and well appreciated by the locals. The tourism department provides a vigilant life guard service on both Lighthouse and Hawa beach.

The Kovalam beach sand is partially black in colour due to the presence of Ilmenite and Monazite and this colouration is off-putting for some visitors and also causes the dry sand to heat up particularly fiercely, so you might want to consider bringing some footwear if you don't want to walk in the sea.

Many tourists in Kovalam are between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. Those expecting a replica of Goa will be pleasantly surprised by the more relaxed atmosphere, a bit more laid back, the food a touch softer and lighter.

Get in
Kovalam is about 16 km (20 min in a taxi) from Trivandrum. Taxis can charge around ₹400-500 to get to Kovalam. When asked where you want to go, say Hawa Beach, Leela Beach/Main Beach or Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam.

In an auto-rickshaw ₹150-170 (per head) is a fair price. Avoid going above ₹170. If in doubt ask to use the meter, but in reality they really don't work at all. Advice being if they are trying to rip you off go to leave for another rickshaw and they will often back down and offer you a fair price; if not, get in a different rickshaw. Even if India is a cheap country, the prices for gasoline are international standard, so don't expect super cheap private transportation. If you go by public bus from Trivandrum-East Fort to Kovalam Beach you only pay ₹8 for the half hour trip. If you're landing at Kochuveli train station, you can take AC bus from right outside the station to Trivandrum East Fort bus stop. And take connecting bus from there.

Buses to Trivandrum can also be caught from Kovalum Junction as well as Ambassador taxis and Autos to pretty much anywhere.

Be very careful walking around the junction, especially at night, as there are no traffic lights (what's new?) and the street lighting is very minimal. The intersection can be busy.

Get around
Tourist taxis are the most convenient way to travel around attractions, especially while travelling in a group. Most airports and railway stations have tourist taxi services that would take you anywhere you would want to go.

The rate should be around ₹15 per kilometre on auto rickshaw but some drivers may try to overcharge up to ₹100 for 1 km.

A more adventurous option is to get a bike on hire. The highway is a pleasure to drive on, with the cool breeze and coconut palms lined along the way. Once on the highway, drive north for the plains, drive south for the hills. Avoid driving through Thiruvananthapuram city, it's congested. The old highway, also called MC road, is also good to drive on. The MC road can take you deep into the hills. Try out the throaty Enfield 350 cc bikes for a truly vintage experience, check your fuel levels before you leave.

Two wheelers do not have to pay the highway toll, simply ride through the side lane.

See
The beaches are the star attractions here. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. The larger of the beaches is called Lighthouse Beach, known for its 35-m-high lighthouse which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. Most of the foreigner’s stay on Lighthouse Beach, which is more developed. There are some vendors on the beach, but they are not too pushy. It takes less than five minutes to walk from Lighthouse Beach to the second largest beach, Hawah Beach. This beach is named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now.

The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part.

The old lighthouse, located at the southern beach is a local landmark, for being one of the oldest lighthouses of Kerala, guiding ships to the nearby Vizhnjam port. The lighthouse can be visited 15:00-17:00 daily.

Scenery from the Leela resort and the Govt guest house, Kovalam are breathtaking. The beach and rocks are most beautiful when you view from the rooms here.

Do

 * Motor Boat Ride - In 2009 local fishermen/catamaran people added a few motor boats to their fleet, destroying the peace and serenity of the coves. They hope to make some extra money from Indian tourists, but are not aware of the impact on the environment and Western tourism.
 * Surfing - Some fine waves from time to time (0.5-2 m). You can hire surf boards and body boards on the beach from USD6 a day. During peak season they will try and charge more unreasonable amounts but just say no. Body boarding can be enjoyed by anyone. Surfing takes a bit more skill.  It is wise to follow the life-guards' instructions as there are some strong currents that can suddenly whisk the unwary out to sea. The new artificial reef is creating some good surfing conditions, more on ASRltd.com website and.
 * Wooden Boat Ride - At Kovalam's Main Beach/Leela Beach you can go out on the ocean with a traditional Catamaran. These ancient boats are rowed with a bamboo paddle and manoeuvred by experienced local fishermen. There are 11 registered boats available. Rides last from about 15 to 120 minutes and cost ₹300-600 p.p. The best time for going snorkelling from the boat is in the early morning. Most romantic are the "sunset cruises". No advance booking necessary. First come - first served.

Buy
There is a wide range of shops selling good quality souvenirs. Most of the beach front shops are the general Kashmiri stores you see everywhere.

Beware of hawkers though. Once you show interest in a certain product, they will pursue you everywhere until you buy it.

Try some of the shops behind the beach front stores. You'll get a better price plus some hidden gems.

 * Little Tibet Arts (between Malabar and Coconut Grove Restaurant) is a nice little shop with fair prices. The very nice Tibetan owner seems to be the only one of the dozens of shop-owner"s that won't hassle you!

Kovalam Junction is about a 10-15 min walk up the hill from the main beach. You will pass through it on your initial arrival into Kovalam. Your main reason for coming here will be the ATMs, the post office, and Divine Supermarket. There are also a few good cheap eateries located around the area, a decent supermarket, and a few grocery stores where you can save a little money from the beach store prices.

ATMs
Kovalam junction: there are four ATMs here which accept all the major cards. They are open 24 hours a day and protected by security guards.

There is an ATM just inside a hotel driveway a short distance (10-minute walk) from Hawa Beach toward Kovalam Junction. This ATM only accepts Visa cards but is often out of money as it is closest.

The ATM's are:-

 * Federal Bank (next to the Divine Supermarket) – has a daily limit of ₹20,000 and the full amount is allowed in 1 transaction.
 * ICICI ATM next to the restaurant/café almost opposite the supermarket – has a daily limit of ₹20,000 but a limit of ₹10,000 per transaction
 * Canara Bank ATM next to the Post Office – again a daily limit of ₹20,000 but only ₹5,000 per transaction.
 * Catholic Bank ATM at the Hotel Swagarth up Cardiac Hill. Daily limit is ₹20,000 but only ₹10,000 per transaction.

There are money changers on the shore line on Lighthouse Beach and these do not charge any commission. If you change T/Cs or money at your Hotel or an Thomas Cook exchange then you will be charged commission. Bank will also change money but expect to wait.

Eat
There are many restaurants along the beach front at Lighthouse Beach. The days catch is usually laid in front of them in the evening for those who like fish. Most restaurants have a leisurely approach to life and an hour between ordering and receiving your food is not uncommon. But don't get uptight, just relax and enjoy.

You can grab a top fruit salad from the fruit ladies with all the trimmings for less than US$1. But, they'll remember you and if you don't buy from them again they will take it very personally.

Head up the hill from the beach to Kovalam Junction and sample some of the many local restaurants. The speciality of the area is Chicken Fry. Fried chicken in a red masala paste with freshly cut chillies. Some places are spicier than others. For between US$2-3 you will get 2 pieces of chicken fry, vegetable sambal and some paratha (a richer version of roti). Beef fry and fish fry are sometimes available as well. Note: These establishments are very local orientated so do not expect cushy surroundings, its very much eat, pay, leave. Expect great chicken.

Drink

 * Don't miss out on fresh coconut from the coconut walla on the corner. It's organic, it's healthy, it helps the local farmers to support their families, it's cheap - only ₹25.
 * There is a beer and wine store 500 m up the road from the beach. You are supposed not to show any purchases from that store near the beach - keep it i.e. in a cloth bag.
 * Usually the restaurants serves "special tea" (beer) if you ask, but they will ask you to have the bottle under the table.

Sleep
Many hotels have ayurveda and yoga available.

Stay safe
Swimming in the ocean here can be dangerous and many people drown. The lifeguards mark different areas of the sea as dangerous. They are not kidding. If the current catches someone, it pulls them both down and out.

You also have to be careful of the jellyfish. The small orange jellyfish are dangerous, and the purple ones are harmless.

Connect
There is an official !dea mobile operator store up on a hill/junction ~1km walk / ~15 minutes. 9am-6pm, closed Sunday. ₹100 for SIM card (and they can help cut it to mini or micro SIM for ₹50 by going to the shop across from them; if you go, it will likely be ₹100 to cut). Bring a copy of passport + visa + passport photo and the mobile phone number of a person who will verify you (ask your hotel owner). It may take as little as 24 hours or less to activate.

Otherwise, you can pay many "dealers" at the bottom near beach about ₹300 for a SIM card they will go to the shop and do it all for you (some will quote much more like ₹800 for SIM with 1GB plan).

Go next

 * Agasthyarkoodam peak in the Western Ghats
 * Akkulam lake and picnic spot in Thiruvananthapuram
 * Alappuzha
 * Chowara Beach is another spectacular white sandy beach around 4 miles down south of Kovalam, and has a slew of resorts and lodges, and offers a breathtaking view of the sunset from atop the nearby cliff.
 * Kanyakumari
 * Kochi
 * Kumarakom in Vembanad Lake
 * Munnar
 * Palaruvi water falls
 * Ponmudi hill station and Golden Valley River Resort and Eco Point
 * Thekkady
 * Varkala
 * Vellayani Lake is a pristine lake around 6 miles inland of the beach, and is worth a daytime visit to experience the relaxed daily life of the locals, and enjoy some local savories like Kappa and Karimeen
 * Vizhinjam - Head down to the harbor at sunset for some spectacular shots of the area with the seaside Mosque in the background. The atmosphere is quite lively with fisherman heading to and from the sea. Note: Once the sun is down, it is probably best to head back to Kovalam unless you are with a guide. While hostility/violence to foreigners is very rare, you do not want to get caught up in a scuffle between the rivaling Christian and Muslim communities.

title: Kovalam


text:
Kovilpatti

Kovilpatti (Tamil: கோவில்பட்டி) is a city in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu. It's nicknamed as "City of Matches".

Get in
Kovilpatti is on Madurai-Tirunulveli highway.

From Madurai it will be of nearly 100 km and Tirunulveli will be nearly 60 km. Another major place nearer to this is Tutucorin which is off nearly 50 km.

By train
All trains going towards Tirunulveli and Tutucorin stops at Kovilpatti. Also Nagerkovil to Mumbai via kovilpatti available.

By road
Kovilpatti comes in the NH-5 road connecting Madurai and Tirunulveli and new toll road laid reduces the travel time and increases comfort.

By plane
Kovilpatti has no airport but instead have a small private airstrip owned by Lakshmi Mills group.

See

 * Laxmi, AKS, Ramasamy. Satiyabama Theater
 * Malai kovil
 * Meypanin Kudil
 * Povantha Temple
 * Selva house
 * Shanmuga Theater
 * Shenbagavalliamman Temple

Buy
There are lot of readymade and textiles garments shops located in the bazaar

Eat
Kovilpatti is famous for the sweet named "Kadalaimittai" and especially this needs to be bought from a store named "GOLDEN Shop" which is located in main road of the kovilpatti market.

Apart from this Kovilpatti is also famous for its Non veg items Such as Parotta,Chicken Kuruma and hotels named Aarti,Periasami will be a good deal for this

Sleep
Being located in the National Highways Kovilpatti has good number of hotels which gives value for money. Most of the hotels are located near the OLD Busstand and for those coming by train need to travel a distance of nearly 3 km to reach this place.

Ananda Lodge next to the Old Bus stand is a traditional and Trusted one which offers good rooms at a reasonable price

title: Kovilpatti


text:
Ko Yao

Ko Yao (เกาะยาว), sometimes written Koyao, is a group of islands between Phuket and Krabi. There are two main islands, Ko Yao Noi ("small long island") and Ko Yao Yai, ("big long island") with Noi being the more developed of the two.

Understand
Ko Yao Noi remains a beautiful island, where most people believe that the island should be preserved from human despoliation. It is often described as one of the last islands in the region to not be over-developed.

Ko Yao Yai is also a natural beauty, the less developed of the two islands. Ko Yao Yai is significantly larger than Ko Yao Noi.

Sea Gypsies (Moken people) inhabited the area before anybody else, except maybe other nomadic people like forest hunters and collectors (Sakai, Negritos). The 3,500 or so inhabitants of Ko Yao Noi are thought to be recent migrants from the Malay Peninsula (Satun, Trang).

The Mon population, linguistically and culturally belonging to the Khmer ethnolinguistic group, settled in peninsular Thailand ruling over maritime states like Ligor (Nakhon Si Thammarat). They melded with southern migrants from Malaysia and with northerners (Thai), over centuries of commercial exchange and political conflict. Most probably the Mon stock remains prevalent for most of the people living in southern Thailand today, including the people of Ko Yao.

Numerous cave paintings hidden in the many islands of the bay, extending from 2,000 years ago to last century, attest to the influence of distinct communities in the emergence of a mixed origin population, living now in the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Satun.

The most recent migrations (17th-18th centuries) from Satun and Trang to Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi is corroborated by the particular dialect spoken on the island. It bears obvious Malaysian lexical traces, particularly regarding toponyms and vernacular names of the flora.

The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber plantations. A little rice farming and some fruit, palm, and coconut plantations are present. Boat building and farming techniques here have been passed from generation to generation and, while some of the youngsters leave Ko Yao to seek the bright lights of Phuket, most return to their tight-knit community.

Get in
Arrive at Phuket either by:

 * By long-distance bus from Bangkok or one of the cities north of Phuket.
 * By air to Phuket International Airport. Air Asia and Singapore Airlines have regular international flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Domestically, Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia fly from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Ko Samui for generally less than USD30-50 one-way.

Boats depart Phuket's (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len), and Phang Nga for Ko Yao Noi at the following times:

 * Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 12 different departure times between 7:45 to 17:30 of either slow boat (120 bath) or speed boat (200 bath). There is no ticket counter, tickets are sold on the boat. The ferry go first to Koh Yao Yai, then to Koh Yao Noi. The pier which is in he far north of the island Phuket can be reached by taxi for about 2000 bath from Phuket town or public bus (large Songthaew, takes about 60 minutes) for 50 bath.
 * Phuket (Chianwanich Pier (near Ratsada Pier) - Only to Ko Yao Yai): Every day: 08:30, 17:00 (speedboat) | Sundays-Thursdays: 10:30, 14:00 | Fridays: 10:00 | Saturdays: 06:00, 10:30, 14:00
 * Krabi (Tha Len): 11:00 and 13:00
 * Phang Nga: 07:00

Boats depart Ko Yao Noi for Phuket (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len) and Phang Nga at the following times:

 * Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 07:30; 10:00; 13:30 and 15:00
 * Phuket (Chianwanich Pier (near Ratsada Pier) - Only from Ko Yao Yai): Every day: 07:20 (speedboat), 10:30 | Sundays-Thursdays: 08:00, 15:00 | Fridays: 14:00 | Saturdays: 08:00, 14:00
 * Krabi (Tha Len): 07:30
 * Phang Nga: 07:30

All trips cost between 100-140 baht per person (except the speedboat), 120 baht to transport a motorcycle, one-way. Pay on the boat.

Regular longtails ply between Chonglad Pier on Ko Yao Yai and Manok Pier on Ko Yao Noi during daylight hours. 20 baht per person, 30 baht extra to bring a motorcycle, takes 10 to 15 minutes

Ko Yao Noi
Ko Yao Noi covers about 50 square kilometres. There is no accommodation available within walking distance of Manok Pier. There will generally be between ten and twenty tuk-tuks waiting to take you to accommodation for a fare of about 85 baht.

Ko Yao Noi has approximately 18 km of concrete and dirt road around it. The main road is a two-lane concrete road that rings the entire perimeter of the island, excluding the northernmost parts, where there are only dirt roads. There are several interior roads that are a combination of either sand/dirt or concrete.

The most efficient way to get around the island is to hire a motorbike, and cost 200-300 baht per day. No licence is required and helmets are provided. Enquire at your hotel.

Tuk-tuks are available to give you lifts across the island. Simply flag one of these vehicles down as they drive past. Failing that, if you simply wait most locals will be happy to give you a lift. That may mean squishing onto a motorbike that already has three Thai adults and a baby on it.

Bicycles are also an excellent mode of transport and the main perimeter road around the island only has one large hill that must be navigated. The flat terrain makes it perfect for leisurely rides. Bicycles can be hired from Sabai Corner Bungalows or most accommodations.

Ko Yao Yai
As with Ko Yao Noi, the most efficient way to get from the Chonglad Pier to any accommodation is to make use of the tuk-tuks that will be awaiting your arrival. As Ko Yao Yai is larger than Ko Yao Noi, there is no exact fare, but anything over 150 baht is usually too much.

Once at your accommodation, most larger resorts will have motorcycles or bicycles for rent. Due to the terrain on Ko Yao Yai it may be wise to hire an automatic transmission motorbike for travelling longer distances (>10 km) and using bicycles when travelling shorter distances.

You can also walk along the roads and either flag down a taxi or try to get a lift from the locals. Ko Yao Yai, like Ko Yao Noi is a very safe island and vehicles rarely travel above 15 km/h, so hitch-hiking is not exactly a dangerous pursuit here.

See
Ko Yao Noi is mountainous in the centre and has beaches to either side. The east side has beaches suitable for swimming and snorkelling and the west is a picturesque blend of rice flats and mangrove trees. The island is a sanctuary for at least four species of hornbills, very commonly seen around.

The beaches on the east side are (from north to south): Hat Ao Loh Ha, Hat Sai Kaew, a nameless beach south of Hat Sae Kaew, Hat Tha Kao, Hat Klong Jaak and Hat Pasai. Hat Ao Loh Ha is occupied entirely by The Paradise Koh Yao Resort and not open to public. It can be reached by boat or over a about 10 km long rough jungle path. Hat Sae Kaew and the nameless beach just south of it are absolutely deserted and beautiful. They can be reached by a four km jungle path by foot or motorcycle (if you have proper driving skills), but not by car (at least in off-season the path is in dire condition). Hat Tha Kao, Hat Klong Jaak, and Hat Pasai are literally next to the main road and equipped with bungalows, bars, and shops.

Drink
Many of the restaurants also have lively bars.

Connect
Being one of the biggest islands in Phang Nga Bay, Ko Yao Noi is home to a hospital, several schools and a post office. 24 hour electricity supply, Internet access, mobile telephone connection and ATMs available.

title: Ko Yao


text:
Kozani

Kozani (Greek Κοζάνη) is a city with a population of just over 70,000 (2011) in northern Greece, capital of West Macedonia periphery, between Thessaloniki (120 km) and Ioannina (160 km).

History
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the Ottoman conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia into the mountains, during 14th and 15th century.

Culture
The Municipal library of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios Charter. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. Thus it was established the Institute of Book and Reading and Kozani is known as city of Book.

Festivals
The most interesting local celebration during the carnival are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which lit at the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the most known song in the region - the Enteka of Kozani often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
 * Kozani carnival

Events on the end of summer, which consists of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. They are named "Lassaneia" from Georgios Lassanis, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence.
 * Lassaneia festival

Fair in the north side of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place in the first Tuesday of October. It was lasting 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
 * Niaimeros fair

The municipal band is named Pandora. It is founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
 * Local holidays
 * 11 October - celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks.
 * 6 December - Saint Nicolas day, Kozani's patron.

By plane
The city is connected with Athens (4 times/week) from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani.

By regional coach
Interurban coaches ("KTEL" buses) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. There is frequent bus service from Athens Kifissias Station to Kozani 4 times a day (cost is about €30 – 470 km), as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Kozani every hour from 6AM to 10AM (about ). The city is also connected by bus to Veroia, Ioannina, Larissa, Volos and to all other towns and villages in West Macedonia.

By train
Trains (OSE) connect Kozani to Thessaloniki 3 times a day.

By bus
The public transit in the city is provided by minibuses, and between the center and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit buses.

By taxi
Taxi in Kozani, as everywhere in Greece are comparably cheap. You should not pay more than if you hail a cab (blue colour) on the road to take you anywhere in the city. Note that taxi meters have two rates - rate 1 applies from 5am till midnight, and rate 2, the double rate, from midnight to 5am.

See

 * The church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
 * Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios Lassanis Mansion . The second one lies in a central square, named Lassani Square.
 * The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural Center and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city
 * The church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
 * Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios Lassanis Mansion . The second one lies in a central square, named Lassani Square.
 * The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural Center and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city
 * The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural Center and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city

Architecture
The city combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower, the Townhall, the Folklore museum, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium, the National Bank building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel and the mansions of Georgios Lassanis and Grigorios Vourkas.

Cinemas
Films shown in original language with Greek subtitles. Cartoons are often translated to Greek.

Buy
There are many shops downtown.

Eat
The choices for eating are Taverns (Ταβέρνα) where mostly meat dishes are served, Restaurants (Εστιατόριο) where Greek dishes can be found (there are Italian and Chinese restaurants also), Psistaries (Ψησταριά) (Grill houses) where the main dish is grilled meat, Fast Food choices are local Souvlatzidika (Οβελιστήριο or Σουβλατζίδικο) where souvlaki is served, and typical fast food chains such as Goody's and Everest.

People in Greece usually eats late in the evening (21:00 - 24:00), during the day most Taverns, Psistaries and Restaurants are closed. However, Fast Food restaurants are open all day long.

Local cuisine
A typical dish in Kozani is the so-called Giaprakia. The main ingredients are meat and rice in salty vine-leaf, having the shape of a ball. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie with circular form.

Psistaries (Ψησταριά) (Grill houses)
Psistaries serve mostly meat, salads and french fries. The meat usually is ordered by weight, and the price is per kilo also. One portion is 330gr of grilled meat.

Drink
Winter bars, pubs and clubs, usually close down during summer. Most of them have a different facility for the summer.

Sleep
There are many hotels in Kozani. Most are in center. Car parking could be hard to find in the center of Kozani.

Go next

 * The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece with 1372 meters length.

title: Kozani


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Kozara

Kozara National Park (Nacionalni Park Kozara) is a national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that was proclaimed a protected national forest in 1967 by President of Yugoslavia Josip Tito. It is between the rivers Una, Sava, Sana and Vrbas, in the Republika Srpska entity of BiH. These 33.75 km² of dense forest and hilly meadows have earned the nickname 'Green Beauty of Krajina'.

Kozara is a popular hunting ground, with a large 180 km² area of the park open to regulated hunting of deer, pheasants, foxes, boars, hares, and ducks.

A smaller part of the park is designated for nature lovers. Walking, hiking, biking and herb picking are among the many activities in Kozara.

Kozara was also a former battleground during World War II. The Partisans intimate knowledge of Bosnia’s rough terrain gave them an advantage over the newly occupying Nazi Germans.

title: Kozara