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Ko Samui

Ko Samui (เกาะสมุย), often called just Samui (สมุย) is an island of great natural beauty and variety in the Gulf of Thailand. The palm-fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massif, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.

Orientation
Ko Samui is the second biggest island in Thailand after Phuket. It is about south of Bangkok and  from the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand. The most popular and commercialised beaches are Chaweng and Lamai, while the northern beaches and their adjacent villages of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) and Choeng Mon are more peaceful choices, and the west coast beaches are still (comparatively) quiet.

Clockwise from Nathon on the west coast, the main beaches are:
 * — Samui's port and administrative centre.
 * — set on the northwest tip of the island, a secluded beach overlooking the islands of Ang Thong
 * — a quiet and beautiful beach on the northern coast
 * — known for its Fisherman's Village, laid-back but growing fast
 * — at the northeastern tip, home of the Big Buddha
 * — quiet, family-friendly north shore beach
 * — the largest and most-developed beach, with a curious mix of luxury hotels and backpacker guesthouses and a hopping nightlife
 * — Samui's "second" beach south of Chaweng, is shifting to more of a biker, go go bar, and beach lounge sort of environment. Money has been spent.
 * Samui South Coast — the small beaches of Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao and Thong Krut
 * – an upcoming beach area south of Nathon
 * Lem Hin Khom Coast – set on the Soutwest tip of the island

Understand
At 247 km², Samui is the second largest island in Thailand and the largest island in an archipelago of over 80 (mostly uninhabited) islands which form the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking and snorkelling paradise. At long and  wide, Samui is big enough for serious exploration by the adventurous and fit, but can be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car.

Samui is home to some 50,000 full-time inhabitants, 90% of whom are Buddhist. The island was probably first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and south China. The origin of the name Samui is unknown.

Until the late 20th century, Samui was an isolated self-sufficient community, having little connection with the mainland. The island was even without roads until the early 1970s, and the journey from one side of the island to the other involved a whole-day trek through mountainous jungle.

In the early 1970s the first backpackers travelling on the back of a coconut boat arrived on Ko Samui. For years after that the island just had a few bungalows and a trickle of travelers. Things started to change in the early 1990s when tourists started arriving in full boats and since then the place has grown substantially. Samui is now the second most popular island destination in Thailand (after Phuket). Ko Samui may not be the country’s most beautiful island but it is still an oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, swaying coconut trees, and crystal clear water. The water at Bophut Beach, though, is often murky, especially around December.

Development on Ko Samui has taken its toll and, before COVID, the island saw an average of 2.3 million visitors per year and the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai were overcrowded in the high season. However, the pandemic and the resulting border closures hit the local economy hard, with many hotels, restaurants and other businesses closing. If you can navigate the considerable bureaucracy to get to Thailand, the time to visit is now — it's unlikely the island will ever be this quiet again.

Climate
Samui's weather patterns are a little different from the rest of Thailand. In Apr-Sep, when most of the country has its monsoon, Samui stays fairly dry, but from Oct-Dec, it's wet in Samui and drier elsewhere. The best time to visit is January and February, when it's dry and slightly cooler.

Tides
Ko Samui, like other places on the Gulf of Thailand, has an unusual 12-hour tide pattern. During summer the tide is low at daytime and high at night time, while in winter it is always high at daytime. Beaches are much wider at low tide, and the difference can be huge in places with shallow water. In some places the beach may be very narrow during high tide.

Direct flights

Visa-on-arrival and visa-free entry are available at Samui Airport for some nationalities. See Thailand for more information. If flying out of the airport, one nice feature is a courtesy corner which provides food and drinks for all passengers in a cosy sitting area. Awaiting boarding becomes rather more comfortable with food, drinks, and Wi-Fi provided free.

Ground transportation from the airport is readily available, but prices tend to be inflated. There's a minibus service at a fixed price per person, with booking at counter in arrival hall. The 20-minute minibus ride to Chaweng costs around 200 baht/person, but may take longer if it shuttles to multiple hotels. A faster taxi directly to your destination may cost 500 baht. Be sure to negotiate the rate to your destination before you get into the taxi as many drivers refuse to use their meters. Many larger hotels and resorts have free airport transfers included in their service, but you need to book in advance. NaviGo and Grab (see By ridehailing) are also available, with fixed prices.

If you're a couple or a family, you may be approached in the airport by some young women holding signs of some of the higher-end hotels. They will ask you where you're staying, and based on the answer, offer you a free taxi ride if you promise to attend a presentation for their hotel's timeshare during your stay.

Flight and ferry
Instead of flying directly to Samui, it's cheaper but less convenient to fly to a nearby airport on the mainland and connect to a ferry. There are three options:

 * Fly to Surat Thani, which has frequent flights to both Bangkok airports and limited service direct to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia. Seatran Ferry offers a bus & ferry service from the airport to Nathon Pier on Ko Samui for 400 baht. Travel time is three hours. Buses leave the airport six times per day.

 * Fly to Nakhon Si Thammarat from Bangkok-Don Mueang  with Nok Air, then take a bus and catamaran with the Lomprayah Company.

 * Fly to Chumphon from Bangkok-Don Mueang  with Nok Air, then take a high-speed Lomprayah catamaran.  This is a particularly good option if you'd like to do some island hopping, since the ferries stop at Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan along the way. Nok Air offer a combined flight and ferry ticket on their website.

By boat
From Surat Thani train station and Surat Thani Airport (URT), there are combined bus/ferry services to Ko Samui costing 200-300 baht. Some entail a 60 minute bus ride to Don Sak pier followed by a 90-minute ferry crossing, others a 30-minute bus ride with a longer ferry crossing. Tickets are sold by numerous agents who meet each train and airplane. Should cost certainly less than 300 baht even if bought this way (return combo boat + bus ticket on a more comfortable Seatran Ferry bought on the Nathon Pier on Samui officially costs 230 baht).

From Don Sak Pier, there are 2 ferry companies (each line has a departure every 60 min) and a smaller passenger boat. Songserm Travel and Seatran arrive at Nathon pier only. Raja Ferry goes serves both Nathon and Lipa Noi pier (9km south of Nathon). Raja ferries are cheaper, smaller and less comfortable. If you choose for the Raja or Seatran ferry ("high speed") but book it as part of a package deal that includes pickup instead of directly with the company, insist that the name of the ferry company and departure times are written on your receipt and pay attention to where you're taken. Otherwise, the agent that picks you up might just as well drop you at a Songserm transfer "terminal" at a remote location outside town where you have little other options than to accept the slower Songserm ferry instead.

Raja Ferries also transport cars, so can be used should you decide to come with your own transport. Without a car, however, there are fewer options for transportation there, and songthaew/taxi drivers may be more reluctant to bargain. Songthaew transfer from the pier at Lipa Noi on Samui to either Chaweng or Lamai will cost 100 baht per person. Taxis will be more expensive, with initial asking prices of up to 1,000 baht.

Numerous ferry services are direct from mainland Surat Thani including Lomprayah catamarans and an express boat (3 departures daily, taking around 3 hours and costing 150 baht) and slow night boats (taking 6–7 hours). Lomprayah offers a combined bus/high speed catamaran ferry service from Bangkok to Ko Samui which takes about 11 hours (5.5 of them by boat) and costs 1450 baht (or 1650 baht for a “VIP” bus, as of May 2022). The bus pauses in Hua Hin and then stops at Chumphon, where it connects with the ferry, which calls at Ko Nang Yuan, Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan on its way to Ko Samui. While the route may be more scenic (as it includes the long boat trip via 2 islands), and the ferry is comparable to Seatran, the entire route to Samui will take more time, and will cost more too.

Lomprayah, however, is a good (if not exactly cheap) option to get to Samui from Ko Tao or Ko Pha Ngan, as well as a reasonable one to get to those islands from Bangkok. Prices and departure times are available on their website. There are also regular speedboats and ferries of other operators.

Regardless of what port you are departing from the mainland or arriving on Samui, you will be offered a minibus transfer service to any place on the island for 150 baht. This seems to be a good option to avoid hassles especially when arriving late and in light of inflated taxi prices (May 2019).

The Lomprayah passengers can often be enough of a deterrent to make a repeat traveler choose the less expensive ferry, regardless of cost. Seatran is as likely to have hawkers and pushers aboard, but in fewer numbers.

Motorcycle taxis are always available for a comparable or slightly lower price to shared minibus down the arrivals pier. This can be a quick escape from shared transportation when exiting the ferry.

Get around
As on many islands in Thailand, small motorbikes are available for rental. Compared to other nearby islands, Samui's road system is very developed and there are plenty of taxis cruising about, although it's a challenge to get them to use their meters.

By taxi
By day, Ko Samui's public transport is provided by songthaew, pick-up trucks with two rows of seats. They drive fixed routes at fixed prices per person until 18:00, ranging from 20-80 baht depending on distance. After 18:00, songthaews serve as normal taxis and prices must be negotiated first. Even if you pay for a trip, however, the songthaew may stop and pick-up more passengers on the way. Metered taxi service is operated by private taxi companies. The drivers, however, are very reluctant to use their meters, and, especially on popular beaches or entry points to the island, tend to ask foreigners much more than normal fare. Some, say, on Nathon pier, will even show you official-looking papers with "fixed" prices like 600-800 baht for a 25–30 km trip to Chaweng or Lamai Beach. This is not true, and once they know you're aware of that, it's usually possible to bargain (for this distance, you should bargain to at least 400 baht, or even better 300 baht (outdated bargain prices, in 2013 more likely prices around 500 to 600 baht from Nathon to Chaweng or Lamai), which is still higher than the Bangkok metered taxi price). On the popular beaches it may be impossible at all to get a reasonable fare sometimes. If so, just walk around to an area which is quieter and further away from luxurious hotels.

By ridehailing
NaviGo Samui is a mobile taxi application similar to Uber and GrabTaxi. The fares are strictly metered and an estimate of the total fare can be seen before confirming the order. All taxis have cameras inside and the drivers speak good English. The service is a good, safe alternative to the regular Taxis to avoid unreasonable fares. At least on a public holiday, don't expect there to be any NaviGo drivers to pick you up from the airport.

Grab is also available, but tends to have fewer drivers than NaviGo.

By bus
Pickup trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (songthaews) also serve as group taxis.

To get from the Nathon Pier to Bophut/Chaweng take a brown one which runs at regular intervals and will cost 50 baht to or from Bophut (Just ask the driver if the taxi is going that way and get on board. Pay when you get off.

If you want to go to a particular place, then you hire a taxi or songthaew, and negotiate the price with them first.

By motorbike
Motorbikes can be rented virtually anywhere on Ko Samui for between 120-700 baht per day depending on the size and season (small 125 cc bikes should cost no more than 200 baht even during New Year). It is recommended to hire only from a reputable company as there have been reports of scams. Some places have been known to steal bikes that they have rented out. Also, rental motorbikes are not insured. If they tell you they have insurance, it's not true. If something happens, you can't claim for it. Read the rental agreement extra carefully, as too many (it's not typical for other parts of Thailand e.g. Chiang Mai) will state that you may not replace any broken/damaged parts yourself. This is a scam, as instead they will replace it for you for a price several times higher (sometimes also stated in the agreement) than it actually costs. They will check any old scratches and/or serial numbers, if noted in the agreement, and demand that price even if you have already replaced that part yourself! For the same reason, inspect the motorbike carefully and be sure any existing scratches/damages are written in the agreement before you have taken the motorbike. Take photographs of the bike.

Motorbike shops will likely want you to leave your passport as collateral. This is a common practice in Thailand, and, by itself, shouldn't raise much concern, however most government travel advisory services advise against leaving your passport anywhere as a deposit for obvious reasons. Combined with the scams and bad practices mentioned above, however, it may lead to a situation where your passport is held as a hostage until you pay what they want. For this reason, it's unwise to return your motorbike immediately before your departure. Leave at least several hours, or perhaps a day, to settle any problems if they arise. If the shop's demands are clearly illegitimate (the agreement you have signed has silly conditions and prices, the price they ask for damages is unreasonable, or the damage was clearly done before you rented the motorbike) - call Tourist Police. They will help your cause, although shop owners will try to convince you otherwise.

If hiring a motorbike doesn't appeal to you, then there are motorbike-taxis willing to take you around for a (negotiable in advance, as foreigners are commonly asked an exorbitant price) fee, as well as other modes of transportation.

By bicycle
Bicycles can be hired very cheaply on Ko Samui. One shouldn't cost any more than 50-100 baht per day.

By car
There are many car hire options on Ko Samui, including the local arms of international companies such as Budget and Avis. Prices are fairly expensive (1,200-1,500 baht per day for a small car), but the convenience of a small, air-conditioned car may be worth it. You can pick up and drop off at the airport or some other locations. Driving is easy on the island as long as you are not in a hurry and having a car gives you easy access to almost all areas of the island. An international driving license is nominally required, although they will accept any valid driver’s license. But you may have issues in case of accident without the international license.

See

The major reason people come to Samui is, quite simply, to enjoy the beaches. Even though the two main beaches of Chaweng and Lamai have generally suffered due to mass development, they are still relatively impressive. Development has been thwarted slightly because of the island’s building height restriction, but this has caused sprawl.

Other than lying on the beach with a cold beer in hand and ogling at the babes and hunks sauntering past, there isn't all that much to see on the island. A certain pair of rocks on Lamai amuses some visitors, Bang Rak has a large but nondescript Buddha statue, and there are some waterfalls (notably Na Muang) of minor interest.

Beaches and places

 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg
 * Night market in Mae Nam Ko samui island Thailand.jpg

Diversions

 * Buffalo Fighting Festival: One of the best-known festivals on Ko Samui is the Buffalo Fighting Festival which is held on special occasions such as New Year's Day and Songkran. Unlike Spanish bullfighting, the fighting on Ko Samui is fairly harmless. The fighting season varies according to some ancient customs and ceremonies. The buffalo are beautifully decorated with ribbons and gold-painted leaves. Before the contest, which lasts just two rounds, monks spray the buffalos with holy water. The winning owner typically takes home millions of baht in prize money.
 * Ten Stars Samui Art Party: A recurring cultural event bringing together art lovers, local Thai and international artists, and their new, original artworks. The annual event, hosted at various high-end resorts and other high-end venues on the island, focus on building the art community on Ko Samui, with presentations by featured artists.
 * Samui Triathlon: The International Triathlon Union organizes this event every year. This event draws more than five hundred participants from around the world.
 * Buffalo Fighting Festival: One of the best-known festivals on Ko Samui is the Buffalo Fighting Festival which is held on special occasions such as New Year's Day and Songkran. Unlike Spanish bullfighting, the fighting on Ko Samui is fairly harmless. The fighting season varies according to some ancient customs and ceremonies. The buffalo are beautifully decorated with ribbons and gold-painted leaves. Before the contest, which lasts just two rounds, monks spray the buffalos with holy water. The winning owner typically takes home millions of baht in prize money.
 * Ten Stars Samui Art Party: A recurring cultural event bringing together art lovers, local Thai and international artists, and their new, original artworks. The annual event, hosted at various high-end resorts and other high-end venues on the island, focus on building the art community on Ko Samui, with presentations by featured artists.
 * Samui Triathlon: The International Triathlon Union organizes this event every year. This event draws more than five hundred participants from around the world.

Temples

Do
The usual panoply of water sports are available.

Snorkeling and diving
Snorkeling or diving directly off Ko Samui itself is generally mediocre, since the shallow bays and sandy beaches tend to lead to silt in the water and poor visibility. However, the islands around Samui, notably Ko Tao (~1 hr away) and Ang Thong National Marine Park, offer some of the best diving in the world, surrounded by crystal clear water (distances of up to 10–30 m) and stunning coral. The best time year of the year to dive in the Ko Samui is between Jun-Aug, it is still perfectly possible to dive virtually all year round.

If you're a serious diver, you're probably better basing yourself in Ko Tao itself or going on a liveaboard tour, but if you just want a casual day trip, there are many dive shops on the island offering them in Chaweng. The dive boats tend to leave from the pier at Bophut and Bang Rak.

 * Ko Kra & Ko Losin: These two small islands to the southeast of Samui don't get too many divers due to their remoteness. Blacktip sharks, manta rays and hard to find loggerhead turtles can be seen.

 * Samran Pinnacles: Since the currents in this area are often quite strong, this site is recommended for experienced divers only. Due to the currents, the site is a haven for larger pelagics such as barracuda and jacks.

Eat

 * Individual listings can be found in Ko Samui's district articles

Samui is well known for its coconuts, which are available everywhere and quite tasty. Being an island, seafood is generally a good choice although in high season demand often exceeds local supply. The larger beaches have a number of international restaurants as well (often run by Thai-farang couples) with Bophut having a particularly good reputation. Southern Thai food in general is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian, and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (khanom jeen) and chicken biryani. Popular local foods are salted eggs and rambutan.

Dual pricing is common: some restaurants have two menus, one for tourists and the other for Thai people, at about a quarter of the tourist prices. Main courses in a standard, low-key Thai restaurant should be under 100 baht (except some seafood dishes), so if prices seem unreasonably steep, head elsewhere. Always check prices and menu first so you don't have to argue when the bill is served.

Drink

 * Individual listings can be found in Ko Samui's district articles

There are innumerable options for a drink, ranging from the loud and brash tourist pubs and girlie bars of Chaweng to the candle-lit romantic bars of Bophut. The local beers of Singha, Tiger, Chang and Leo are around 90 baht, with imported beers up to twice that. Wine is especially expensive and usually costs over 2,000 baht per bottle.

Beer bars
Chaweng Beach is famous for its beer bars staffed by pretty hostesses. Buy them a 'girlie drink' and you'll be in entertaining company. Beer bars can be found all over Chaweng. The bars offer pool, Connect4 and other popular bar games. Since the nightlife on Chaweng can devolve into serious debauchery at times, the local law enforcers are strict in regards to closing times. The official closing time in "entertainment zones" is 01:00, that on practice is usually somewhere between 01:00 and 02:00.

Karaoke
At karaoke bars customers can either choose a private room or sing in the main lounge for everyone to hear. There are Thai songs and international songs. There may be pretty hostesses available to sit for a pleasant chat. These bars are especially popular with Asian tourists.

Nightclubs
Chaweng Beach is packed out with nightclubs playing mostly commercial pop and electronic music and serving exotic cocktails.

Rum distillery
There is a distillery that brews 5 flavours of rum on one of the side roads on the South Coast of the island, which offers tours during the sugar cane season and free samples any time. The flavours are natural (sugar cane), lemon, orange, pineapple and coconut. Natural and coconut are quite tasty, lemon has a very strong pleasant citrus flavour, and you won't miss anything if you don't try the other two. They also have a delicious mixer to serve with consisting of lime juice, cinnamon and other spices. Worth heading to if you're in the area or just for the novelty of sampling authentic Thai rum. Very friendly staff.

Sleep

 * Individual listings can be found in Ko Samui's district articles

With only an estimated 25,000 rooms, accommodation may be a problem in high season. If you're into nightlife, Chaweng is definitely the place to be, but also Lamai offers some late entertainment. If you're into a quieter beach experience, try the northern beaches like Mae Nam, Bophut, or Choeng Mon. Also the South Coast and west coast are good compromises. Nathon is in the centre part of the island, and offers reasonably priced accommodation with hotel rooms from around 400 baht.

There are plenty of luxury private villas on Ko Samui. The villas usually have dedicated staff on hand to offer customised services such as breakfast, dinner and in-villa spas. You can also arrange for them to pick you up at the airport.

Stay safe
Tap water is not potable. Liquids from sealed bottles nearly always are, and should be used wherever possible. Restaurants buy ice made from purified water, so don’t worry about ice. Tap water in most hotels should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth unless explicitly labelled as safe.

Motorbikes are somewhat risky, but Jeeps, trucks, and other cars for rent are readily available at very reasonable rates, and are considerably safer. If you must use a motorbike always wear a helmet and never drive drunk. Make sure you have a travel insurance, as most vehicles comes with the compulsory insurance only, that covers nearly nothing and the driver may be personal responsible for damage. Rental cars from major companies however, may have a full insurance. Roads are hazardous with many large potholes.

After a good time drinking in the party areas of Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai taxis and motorbike-taxis are readily available to take you home. However, be careful: Generally, taxi and motorbike-taxi drivers tend to rip you off.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are available to rent, but are not be registered for road use and are not allowed in most areas.

Be careful at beaches at night as crimes sometimes occur there.

If travelling to Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, or Ko Tao by bus, do not store any valuables in your checked luggage. Sometimes there are thefts from people's belongings stored in the hold. They will pick the lock and steal valuables and then reseal the luggage, and when you realise it they will be long gone. Do not let valuables out of your sight when transferring from the train to the islands.

Connect
Thailand also has more than its fair share of Internet cafes. The hourly charge is about 30 baht. For those in rural areas, hooking up to the Internet can be done via broadband satellite. GSM networks of all major Thai mobile operators cover the island quite well. While roaming is an option, purchasing local SIM card will save you a lot on international calls. Even more, GPRS/EDGE/3G service is a cheap and convenient way to access Internet from virtually anywhere. See the main article for details.

Most resorts, and also many restaurants, cafés, and shopping centres offer free Wi-Fi.

Medical facilities
For those who are just a little sick there are countless clinics and pharmacies in all major tourist areas. Emergency calls for ambulance service can be direct to a hospital or to Samui Rescue Foundation (077 42 1444) or Samui Tourist Police (077 42 1281) or 1155. The public hospital is in Nathon (077 42 1230). There are four private hospitals in the Chaweng area.

Go next

 * Ang Thong National Marine Park — scuba and snorkelling within striking distance
 * Khao Lak – Resort region and diving centre, gateway to the Similan and Surin Islands
 * Ko Pha Ngan — home of the infamous Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, but there are also near-untouched landscapes—and detox centers
 * Ko Tao — among the best places in Thailand to learn to dive.
 * Krabi Province for more beaches and islands.
 * Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai — a short hop away on Bangkok Airways
 * Surat Thani — the mainland's closest big city

title: Ko Samui


text:
Koshigaya

Koshigaya (越谷) is a city in Saitama (埼玉).

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Koshigaya (越谷) is accessible on the Tobu Skytree line from Ueno or the Musashino line from Tokyo/Funabashi.

Get around
Koshigaya city has 7 stations within the city boundaries, they are Gamo (蒲生), Shin-Koshigaya (新越谷), Koshigaya (越谷), Kita-Koshigaya (北越谷) and Sengendai (せんげん台) on the Isesaki Line and 2 stations on the Musashino Line, Koshigaya Laketown (越谷レイクタウン) and Minami Koshigaya (南越谷).

See
In April, the river near Kita Koshigaya station is lined with blossoming sakura (cherry blossom) trees. A walk of about 1 km will bring you to a park that has been filled with the beautiful flowering trees.

Eat
McDonald's and Yoshinoya are right near the train station, as well as several other restaurants and vendor booths.

Go next
Tokyo is within easy reach of Koshigaya, about 30 minutes to Ueno (上野) and 50 minutes to Ginza (銀座).
 * Soka
 * Yoshikawa
 * Matsubushi
 * Kasukabe
 * Kawaguchi
 * Saitama
 * Noda (Saitama) - town in Saitama. Don't confuse with Noda city in Chiba.
 * Sugito
 * Matsudo

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

title: Koshigaya


text:
Ko Siboya

Ko Siboya (เกาะศรีบอยา) is a small island 20 km south of Krabi Town in Krabi Province, Southern Thailand.

Understand
Ko Siboya (see-boy-ya) is off the regular tourist trail. Other than the island's three resorts, you will find only a few local stalls selling household supplies, snacks, and petrol as you explore the local culture. Ko Siboya is home to about a 1,000 or so residents whose work is mainly in the rubber plantations or fishing. Dirt roads and footpaths connect the 4 or 5 small communities on this 3 x 10 km island. The lack of easy access to the island has limited transportation to either motorcycles or walking. A new community clinic is able to handle minor medical problems, but the medical staff is there only during daytime hours.

Ko Siboya escaped the destruction of the crushing tsunami of December 2004, as it is leeward of Ko Jum, but it did have to deal with the high water surge which devastated the island's fishing fleet.

Get in
From Krabi Town there are three possibilities:

 * The easiest is to go to the Siboya Bungalows Office in Krabi Town. They will make sure that a songthaew will take you to Laem Hin (100 baht). From there, you can take the on-demand longtail public ferry to Laem Soma on Ko Siboya (20 baht). A truck should be there to meet you.
 * On you own, take a songthaew to Nua Klong (on the southern highway towards Trang), where you can transfer to another songthaew to the coastal village of Laem Kruad. From there, hire a longtail or wait for the somewhat scheduled ferry over to the east shore of Ko Siboya. Then hitch a ride with a local, walk the 3 km or call Siboya Bungalows for a pick-up.
 * Charter a private longtail boat (about 1,500 baht)

Get around
Since there is only a pedestrian/motorcycle ferry to the island, you will find only a very few working pick-up trucks. Most transport is by motorbike or on foot.

You can also rent a scooter in Krabi, then drive to either ferry pier, take the ferry across, and drive to your resort. This is a great way to save on money, as the scooter tariff rate is very low and they don't consume much gas.

See
Rural life goes on, little affected by tourism. About a third of the island is planted with rubber trees. Dirt roads connect the 5 small enclaves of population and 2 primary schools.

Do
It's great to sit at one of the 2 or 3 coffee shops (someones front porch) at about 07:30 and watch the island come to life. Workers finishing in the rubber plantations, children getting dropped off for school or just people catching up on gossip. We also advise catching the sunset with a cold beer or coconut from one of the local hammocks along the coastline.

Thai-West Resort has kayaks for rent, a great way to explore the coastline or even paddle out to Ko Kah, a small island just offshore. It has snorkeling superior to that found along the shores of Ko Siboya.

Connect

 * Mobile phones will work here.

Internet: check your e-mail before leaving the mainland.

title: Ko Siboya


text:
Ko Sichang

Ko Si Chang (เกาะสีชัง) is a small island, population 4,500, near Si Racha.

Understand
In the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Sichang's proximity to the shipping lanes has made it a convenient anchorage for dozens of barges which transship their cargoes to lighters for the trip up the Chao Phraya to Bangkok. Ko Si Chang makes a nice weekend outing for local tourists.

While the beaches are not as enjoyable as those on islands further east and south, such as Ko Samet, tourists can explore the remains of a former royal palace which was built as a summer retreat for King Chulalongkorn. The royal residence was abandoned in 1893 when the French occupied the island during a conflict with Thailand over who would control Laos.

The island has many places of religious interest and value. Be respectful of the local culture and wear modest clothes when visiting the temples and religious shrines. Always remove your shoes and cover your shoulders when entering a holy area. Refrain from topless or nude sunbathing/swimming.

Get in
By bus You can catch a government bus from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) or Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). Both stations have buses that leave everyday, on the hour. The trip to Si Racha takes about 2 hours. At Mo Chit, go to Window 54 to purchase your ticket. Tickets are 92 baht from Mo Chit, 88 baht one-way from Ekamai and there is no discount for buying a return fare.

By boat Upon arrival in Si Racha, take a tuk-tuk for 50 baht to the pier. Boats to Ko Sichang leave hourly (every two hours in low season) from the pier on Ko Loy. The ferry takes about 40 minutes and is 50 baht per person each way (July 2019).

The information counter at the pier in Ko Sichang provides useful information and a brochure identifying five important locations on the island, written in Thai and English. This counter may not be open in low-season.

When leaving the island, be careful. The ferry may leave from a pier different from the one you came in on (eg. the one north of the marina or the one near the 7-11). It's best to ask a local motorbike taxi driver when you are close to the piers, and he will direct you.

Get around
By tuk-tuk Motorcycle buffs will be intrigued by the strange motorcycle samlors peculiar to Ko Sichang, three-wheeled motorized rickshaws with outrageously powerful car or Harley Davidson engines. These once roamed the streets of Bangkok, but were banished to Si Racha years ago. They can be hired for about 60 baht an hour to take visitors on a tour of the island.

For groups of tourists, a one-day around-the-island transport package can be arranged at the pier. The charge for the three-wheeled motorized tuk-tuk, which can accommodate 5 persons, is around 250 baht, and the pick-up truck, which can accommodate 10 persons, is around 500 baht. Tourists can spend however long they wish at each location, and the pick-up time for the next location can be agreed as you get off at each location or you can call the driver's mobile phone when needing pick-up.

By motorbike By far the most popular way to get around the island is by renting a motorbike, usually priced at around 300 baht/day. As there are few steep hills, the island is easily navigated by novices. Motorbikes can be rented at the pier, or at many guest houses or rental facilities along the main road

By foot For travellers who have more time or want to see the island at a slower pace, the island is easily navigated on foot. All of the island's main attractions can be seen in one day, and you can walk to most places in less than an hour.

For an excellent map of the island

Eat
The cafe on the beach is very good, with reasonable prices.

Stay safe
Be careful at night. As you move away from the more popular areas, the street lighting is poor or non-existent. If you are planning on walking around the island, a torch would be helpful.

Go next
Be careful when leaving the island. Your departure pier may not be the same as your arrival pier.

 * Bangkok
 * Ko Chang
 * Ko Samet
 * Pattaya

title: Ko Sichang


text:
Ko Sire

Ko Sire (เกาะสิเหร่), also Ko Si Re, Ko Si Le, is an island off Phuket. The name is pronounced "Sih Reh" (two syllables).

Get in
Separated from the mainland of Phuket by the Khlong Tha Chin, a shallow mangrove swamp, this twenty-square kilometre island is connected by a causeway to the city.

See

 * Wat Ko Si-Re, on the hill, has a large reclining Buddha and provides fine views of the surroundings.
 * Phuket's largest settlement of sea gypsies (Chao Le), can be found on Ko Si-Re at Laem Tuk-Kae. The muddy seabed means the island is not good for swimming.

Eat
There are some popular seafood restaurants on the eastern shore.

title: Ko Sire


text:
Kosovo

Kosovo (Albanian: Kosova (definite form) or Kosovë (indefinite form), Serbian: Косово и Метохија, Kosovo i Metohija) is a largely mountainous country in the Balkan region of Europe. Its attractions for travelers include its archaeological and religious heritage, natural beauty, hiking and skiing. Kosovo has Ottoman, Christian Orthodox and modernist heritage to share with the world. Being still new to tourists, Kosovars are welcoming to foreign visitors and happy to help. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, which still opposes the act.

Cities

 * — the capital of Kosovo.
 * — its Old Bazaar has a mosque that was built in the 15th century. It is one of the rarest of its kind
 * — visitors come to see the Mirusha Waterfalls
 * — host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surround by stunning nature
 * — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.}}
 * — visitors come to see the Mirusha Waterfalls
 * — host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surround by stunning nature
 * — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.}}
 * — host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surround by stunning nature
 * — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.}}
 * — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.}}
 * — the historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. Charming city bustling with various festivals and architecture of different periods.}}

Other destinations

 * — a largely rural region known for vineyards and wine-making
 * — a largely rural region known for vineyards and wine-making
 * — a largely rural region known for vineyards and wine-making
 * — a largely rural region known for vineyards and wine-making
 * — a largely rural region known for vineyards and wine-making

Understand
Kosovo was last to go its own way following the break up of former Yugoslavia; it declared independence in February 2008 but Serbia has not recognized it.

By 2019, the Republic of Kosovo was recognized by more than half of the UN member states. The vast majority (92%) of the population is ethnic Albanian. Small minorities include Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, and Gorani. Most Albanians, Bosniaks and Turks, are Muslim, but the Republic of Kosovo is a secular state and all religious groups freely observe their key feasts and celebration dates.

Kosovo is also young in terms of average age of population, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 35 (as of 2017).

History

History in Kosovo has been highly politicized and is wrapped up with the histories of its Balkan neighbors.

Control of Kosovo changed hands many times in the medieval period, passing variously from being part of the Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire and the Serbian Empire. From the 15th century Kosovo was part of the Ottoman Empire for almost 500 years, before the empire collapsed at the beginning of the 20th century. Wars and border disputes continued as Kosovo was annexed into the Kingdom of Serbia, which expanded into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes at the end of World War I, and changed its name to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929.

At the end of World War II, and the defeat of the invading Axis powers by socialist partisans, Kosovo became an Autonomous Province in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, led by Josip Broz Tito.

After Tito's death in 1980, and the rise of nationalism throughout Yugoslavia, Kosovo was stripped of its autonomous status at the end of the '80s by the regime of autocratic leader Slobodan Milosevic. With Yugoslavia breaking apart, Kosovo's Albanians were stripped of many of their rights during a decade of repression during the 1990s, which ended in the war of 1998-99, as Kosovar Albanians stood up against the Serbian regime to fight for their liberation. A NATO bombing campaign against Serbian military and industrial targets brought the war to an end in June 1999, and led to a period in which Kosovo was administered by the United Nations.

On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, and was quickly recognized by the Western-aligned world powers, including the United States and most member states of the European Union. However Serbia continues to refute Kosovo's independent status. It is also not a member of the United Nations as its independence is not recognized by Russia and China, both of whom have used their veto power on the Security Council to block any UN recognition of Kosovo. Domestically, while ethnic Albanians support Kosovo's independence, most ethnic Serbs do not and still consider Kosovo to be a part of Serbia.

Climate
The climate is continental, with very warm summers and cold and snowy winters.

Religion
Kosovo is a multi-ethnic, secular state whose population practises a diverse selection of religions. The majority Albanian population is mainly Muslim, though with a significant Catholic minority. That said, most ethnic Albanian Muslims do not practice the religion, and view it more as a cultural identity. Kosovo's Bosniak, Gorani and Turkish communities are also predominantly Muslim, while Kosovar Serbs tend to practice Serbian Orthodox Christianity.

Visitor information

 * Visit Kosovo

Get in
Citizens of countries such as Albania, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey do not need a visa, but if you are planning to stay in Kosovo for more than 90 days you should register at the Police Department for the Registration of Foreigners. This is next to the central police station in Pristina. Citizens of other countries that have significantly contributed to the rebuilding of Kosovo probably also do not need visas either, although Kosovo is starting to implement a stricter visa regime. The 90-day rule for the registration of foreigners applies to everybody.

You can enter Kosovo through the northern border with Serbia through Mitrovica or near Pristina. There are bus connections from Belgrade and Nis to Pristina and Prizren and from all the major towns in Serbia to the northern parts. The most used transport route is through North Macedonia and Pristina Airport. Skopje is only one and a half hour from the capital city of Kosovo, Pristina. Travelling from Pristina to any other city of Kosovo does not take longer than an hour and a half. For instance, from Pristina to Prizren by car takes 45 minutes, or to Prizren, Gjakova or Peja by bus takes an hour and a half.

By plane

 * Other nearby airports are in Skopje, Nis and Tirana.
 * Other nearby airports are in Skopje, Nis and Tirana.

By bus
Since most buses will go into Pristina, see according article for more details:

 * From Montenegro, you can enter through Rozaje to Peja/Pec (ca. 2 hr).

 * From North Macedonia (Skopje), you can take a bus to Pristina (less than 1½ hr).

 * There is a border crossing in the Presevo Valley in Serbia.

 * There are a couple of companies offering buses from Istanbul, Turkey via Skopje.

 * From Albania, you can enter through Prizren on the highway. One way trips from Tirana to Pristina and Prizren cost €15 (as of 2022/23) and take 3-4 hr, with two stops.

By train

There are also trains crossing the Kosovo border. Two daily services connects Kraljevo in Serbia with all towns in northern Kosovo. Connections from Beograd are possible but includes a long stay between train at Kraljevo, thus bringing the journey to more than 12 hours for 399 km. Serbian Railways run a twice daily service from Kraljevo, Serbia to Zvecan (just after Mitrovica). Check their homepage for details.

By car
International Motor Insurance Cards are not accepted. At the border you will need to pay for separate insurance, which will cover you throughout Kosovo for up to two weeks. Costs depend on the vehicle but two weeks' cover is usually under €20. Ensure also that you have your vehicle registration and a power of attorney from the car's owner if it is not yours.

From Serbia during the summer holidays in Germany and Switzerland expect long queues at the border crossing in Merdare (up to 3 hours). You also can enter to the country at Dheu i Bardhe near Bujanoc and at Jarinje near Nis.

From Montenegro, the only legal border crossing is at Rozhaja.

From North Macedonia you can enter near Hani i Elezit in Bllaca or at Bellanice (Stanqiq).

From Albania you can cross at Morine or at Qafa e Prushit near Gjakova.

By bus
The best way to travel intercity in Kosovo is by bus. The buses are relatively cheap and comfortable (for example from Pristina to Peja is €4), with discounts available for students. Payment is usually made on the bus to a representative of the bus company coming around once the journey has started - you may or may not receive a physical ticket, depending on the company. However, tickets for crossing the border can be bought in the bus station in Pristina and with travel agents in Prizren. The latter sometimes gives you the opportunity for a slight discount, in case you know the actual fare (see Gjirafa).

Between some cities you may also have the option of minivans, running from nearby the main bus station. These leave when full and are usually a similar price to the regular buses.

For major regional (but also country crossing) bus connections see Gjirafa for times and prices. It won't cover minibuses though, which also run but mostly between or to and from smaller towns.

By train
The only connections seem to be two daily trains from Pristina to Peja which are a comfortable way to make this journey (€3).

The timetable is available (not working as of 2 April 2023) at the Kosovo Railways website.

By car
Major construction of highways in the 2010s has cut car travel times between major cities significantly, and more highways are being built and improved.

Driving in Kosovo, particularly in cities, can be a little stressful to begin with, and it can be best to go in with the attitude of "expect the unexpected." Pedestrians crossing in front of you unexpectedly, cyclists coming towards you on the wrong side of the road, and potholes appearing out of nowhere are all familiar sights, as are just-in-time overtaking maneuvers and swerving lane-changes, while roundabouts bring with them their own unique customs. You are likely to quickly get used to it, though, and as long as you stay alert - and look out for sudden changes in road surfaces - you should be fine!

Parking can be a challenge, particularly in Prishtina and major cities, but there are plenty of informal car parks (at €1-2 for the day), where your vehicle should be safe. Lots of locals choose to park up at the side of the road, on pavements, or wherever there are a few square meters, although the police have begun to remove illegally parked vehicles in some areas.

Road signs and place names usually appear in both Albanian and Serbian, although it is not uncommon for the minority language to be scratched out – a useful indication of the majority population of the area you're in.

By taxi
It is best to use registered taxis as they have fixed prices and are metered. Registered taxis are clearly marked with a company name and phone number printed on the vehicle. Unregistered taxis are usually cars with a yellow taxi sign affixed to the roof, they are safe, but the price is entirely at the driver's discretion. For more information on taxi companies see the pages for individual cities.

By ride sharing
Udhë is trying to establish something like BlaBlaCar for Kosovo. The offers are sparse, but using it might grow its popularity. At least between Pristina and Prizren, there are several offers.

By thumb
Hitchhiking is not as easy as it is in Albania—locals rarely do it and since COVID sentiments have been impacted negatively. But considering most Kosovars are a young bunch of folk with many speaking English or even German, their curiosity should do the trick.

As always, consider the regular advices for Hitchhiking and watch out for any Scams.

Talk
Most people in Kosovo speak Albanian, while in Serb-majority areas, such as the north, Serbian is spoken - both are official languages and appear on road signs, etc.

Young people, particularly in the major cities such as Pristina and Prizren, are likely to understand English, whereas the older generation are more likely to understand German.

Turkish can be useful, and the Turkish minority which is concentrated mainly in Prizren speaks both Turkish and Albanian.

See

 * Mirusha Waterfalls, between Prishtina and Gjakova, on the way to Klinë., is a sequence of cascading waterfalls surrounded by towering rock formations, featuring a spacious natural swimming pool.
 * The Waterfall of the Drini River north of Peja is fantastic during the summer. The road to the river is an amazing: a narrow road with wires on one side and the river on the other.
 * The Pec Patriarchy, 2 km to the northwest of the Peja city center, was the seat of the Patriarchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church for about 200 years of its history and for many Serbs is considered to be of extreme national importance. It is a beautiful monastery with many spectacular paintings.
 * Rugova Gorge, to the northwest of Peja, has extremely steep walls reaching possibly up to 300 meters.
 * The Grand Bazaar in Gjakova], is a very beautiful old "shopping center" from 17th century.

Medieval monuments
A UNESCO World Heritage listing consisting of four religious edifices:

 * Gračanica Monastery near Prishtina – One of the most beautiful examples of Serbian medieval (14th c.) ecclesiastical architecture. This monastery was built by the Serbian king Milutin in the Serbo-Byzantine style, reportedly its shape being inspired by a cloud. It is noted for its frescoes, and being the only medieval Serbian monastery found in an urban setting complete with an old school and archives.
 * Decani Monastery in western Kosovo – One of the most important monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. It is famous for its elegant and peculiar architecture. As an orthodox monastery from the 13th century, it successfully mixes western and eastern church building elements to form a particular hybrid style only known on the territory of old Serbia. This monastery is particularly noted for some of the world's finest medieval frescoes adorning its walls.
 * Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć in Peja, northwestern Kosovo.
 * Our Lady of Ljeviš – in Prizren, southern Kosovo.

Do
Though Kosovo is not yet well known for its tourism, this is changing rapidly and definitely has something to offer for every type of traveller. Surrounded by high mountains and still coming into its statehood, Kosovo is easily accessible in many aspects and one of the cheapest European destinations to travel. With cross-border hiking trails like the Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans bringing an influx of new visitors to Kosovo that can be traversed in a day, but can take years to fully absorb, now is the perfect time to discover the potential of this once-unknown region. Exploring Kosovo's rural areas you will find a land rich in stunning scenery, cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality. Visitors can enjoy hiking over the jagged Sharri, Pashtrik and the Accursed Mountains, ski pristine and less-trodden slopes in Brezovica, appreciate the well-preserved Ottoman architecture of Prizren, sample raki or homemade wine around Rahovec, visit a traditional stone Kulla in Junik or Drenoc, dive into the coffee-drinking culture in one of Prishtina’s many wonderful cafés, or explore both Islam and Orthodox Christianity at beautiful monasteries and mosques (sometimes found side by side) around Kosovo. As a place full of lively cafés and wide-ranging restaurants, a thriving outdoor adventure scene, the warmest locals you can imagine and some of the cheapest prices across a vast region, Kosovo definitely deserves the attention not only of the intrepid, but of anyone looking to avoid the regular tourist traps.

In general, Kosovo offers various activity-based tourism:
 * Hiking
 * Winter sports
 * Paraglading

Money
€

ATM generally charge €5 for any money withdrawal. The exception is Credins Bank, which however is only available in Prishtina, Prizren and Ferizaj.

Credit cards are not widely accepted.

Money exchange is available in most cities and larger towns.

In Serbian-majority municipalities
The Serbian dinar is used in the Serbian-majority municipalities in Kosovo. Exchange offices are found almost everywhere. Note that in these locations while euros are accepted generally, all prices are listed in dinars.

In Albanian-majority municipalities
The Albanian lek is used in the Albanian-majority municipalities in Kosovo. Exchange offices are found almost everywhere. Note that in these locations while euros are accepted generally, all prices are listed in leks.

Souvenirs
There are many options: From fine handcrafted Filigree silver to traditional Albanian wool hats (a plis) and musical instruments (the stringed ciftelia). Local food and drink specialties to take home could include honey, raki, a high strength alcohol distilled from fruit, ajvar, a pepper based spread or feferona, spicy local peppers.

Tipping
In Kosovo generally tipping is not expected from locals, but as it is done by foreigners, it is welcome. In more upmarket venues it might be more likely for tipping to be expected. In taxis you can tip to the nearest euro or half euro.

Eat
Best restaurants to eat at are those that are located in the villages near by big cities; they tend to have the best meat dishes and the best sea food. Trout, seabass and salmon fish are very common and popular and are kept fresh in their pools and are nearly always fried when you order. Prices are pretty average and, for some countries' nationals, cheap.

Lots of great burek (baked pastry stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach). Try the drinkable yogurt (Ayran) — it's superb. Lots of kebabs and other Ottoman Turkish style food.

As far as you are in an Albanian territory, you could try Albanian food as well. Fli, a very good pastry, can be found in different traditional restaurants.

At the bakery, you can buy a fantastic loaf of bread for under €1.

The grocery stores have a plentiful supply of Western food.

Drink
Alcoholic:

Beer brewed in Peja and named after the city of its origin can be found across Kosovo. Peja Premium is a slightly stronger beer from the same brewery but less widely available. Other local beers include Grembeer and Prishtina.

Kosovo was known for wine production with vineyards in its southwest in the Rahovec-Suhareka region, with Stonecastle one of the larger wine producers. Even though the Albanians are predominantly of Muslim heritage, attitudes to drinking are quite liberal.

Raki is another alcoholic beverage popular in Kosovo. It is made from local fruits (most commonly from grape, plum, pear and quince).

Non-alcoholic:

Yogurt/ayran is a common local drink and is often consumed with pastries. Boza is a malt drink from fermented maize (corn) and wheat and often drank with cakes and pastries.

Local company Frutomania produce 100% natural juices, alongside traditional fruit drinks like limonata (from lemons) and boronica (from blueberries).

Sleep
Accommodation in Kosovo can be expensive in hotels, but in Pristina, Prizren, Peja and Gjakova in particular, cheap accommodation (hostels or apartments) are very easy to find.

Accommodation options:
 * Apartments
 * Hostels
 * Small hotels (motels)
 * Two- and three-star hotels (more common)
 * Three five-star hotels in Pristina.

Guesthouses are also dotted around throughout Kosovo, offering inexpensive alternatives.

Stay safe

People in general are friendly and hospitable to tourists and you generally do not need to worry about crime. Since the end of the war, more than 200,000 international workers from over the world have worked in Kosovo and local people are used to foreigners.

Don't let the politics stop you from visiting; tensions have risen now and then since the turn of century, but nearly all have been in the divided city of Mitrovica in the north of Kosovo. There is an international 5,000-person NATO peacekeeping force (a reinforcement was sent in June 2023).

Like in much of the Balkans, land mines were heavily used during the Yugoslav wars. Mines were a major problem in Kosovo in the first four years after the war; now they are generally left in remote areas and there are clear signs advising not to enter a certain space. Most of the mined areas are places where conflict took place (rural Central Kosovo and the Kosovo–Albania border region). Before hiking and camping, ask in order to make sure it's not an area that may still have mines. Most hiking and camping takes place in areas where the war did not occur, like the Sharr mountains, where there is a ski and camping resort.

As with the region as a whole, homophobia is fairly widespread and public displays of affection are almost non-existent.

Stay healthy
It is possible for foreigners to obtain treatment at the public hospital in Pristina (staff from your accommodation may come in handy as translators). However, the state of the hospital is far from ideal: the toilets have no soap, infusions are hanging from improvised stands. Kosovo has no public health insurance system and you will be required to pay your bill in cash. A visit to the doctor and a few pills from the pharmacy will cost you around €20. If you know what you need you may visit the pharmacy directly as no prescription is needed.

Tap water in most cities is safe and drinkable.

Connect
You can buy a local SIM card for €3, with the two major carriers being Vala and Ipko. You must provide an ID (passport) and register.

Many mobile providers in the Balkans provide free roaming across Balkan countries. So, in case you are planning to cross the border, ask on how to use the local SIM card in other Balkan countries. For instance, a One.al SIM card from Albania works flawlessly in North Macedonia and Kosovo with a regular Albanian package.

Most bars, cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi connection that customers can use.

Go next
Kosovo has easy access to destinations in neighboring countries such as Skopje in North Macedonia, Northeastern Albania and North Montenegrin Mountains.

There are direct bus links to major cities in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Albania, Turkey, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia.

title: Kosovo


text:
Kosrae

Kosrae is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Understand
Kosrae is unlike most Micronesian islands that have other nearby islands that can be easily traveled to by boat in one to two hours. Kosrae is hundreds of miles from the nearest island, so a day trip to an outer island is out of the question.

Talk
Kosraean is the native language, but most people speak at sufficient English to understand visitors. It is a requirement of all government staff to be able to speak and write English, and the staff at hotels, restaurants and rental car companies speak English.

By plane

If you are traveling to Kosrae from Europe, the common flight paths are via Manila (Philippines), Seoul (Korea), or Tokyo (Narita Inl, Japan), and then connecting through Guam.

From Australia the most common way is to take a Continental flight from Cairns to Guam, which then has a short connection time onto Kosrae.

From the U.S. mainland, the common flight path is via Honolulu, but you can also take a direct flight to Tokyo from many U.S. cities, and then travel via Guam.

Get around
Taxis are available on Kosrae. They are very cheap ($2 to $5/person), but you get what you pay for, and they are rather unreliable. They're OK if you don't mind long waits, or walking if they don't arrive. Rental cars are relatively modern and normally in good condition. Most are US standard auto, left hand drive, and cost around US$50 per day, or right hand drive automatics can be arranged for around $40/day. Most hotels can pre-arrange them. Most of the roads are flat and run around the edge of the island near the ocean. Bicycles are not readily available to hire.

Do
A photographer’s paradise, Kosrae Island is stunningly beautiful, with a mountainous interior, lush rain forest, and pristine hard coral reefs. The traditional cottages, within 50 feet of the ocean, incorporate modern amenities. Explore Kosrae: cultural tours, excursions to ancient ruins, outrigger canoe or kayak trips through the oldest mangroves in the Pacific, rainforest hiking and climbing as well as snorkeling and Scuba diving with local guides.

Take a 2-hour outrigger canoe trip through the Utwe/Walung Biosphere Marine Reserve. This tour can be booked through most hotels and is a must-do when visiting Kosrae. The guide has an 8-hp engine on the canoe that has been made by hand from a local breadfruit tree, so you don't even need to paddle, just sit back and take in the amazing scenery. At $25 per person (max 4 guests), it's great value for money.

Drink
There are three licensed restaurants on Kosrae where anyone 21 or older can buy a drink. Due to strong church influences, consumption of alcohol on Sundays is prohibited. Do not drink water straight from taps or streams. Bottled water is widely available.

Stay safe
Kosrae is generally safe, and crime is uncommon.

At 5 degrees above the equator it rarely experiences winds above 20 knots. It does receive a lot of rain when a tropical depression forms north of the island that will head east north-east and turn into a typhoon about a week later somewhere near Guam, Japan or The Philippines.

There are no snakes, crocodiles or any other nasty animals on the island.

Kosrae is like a pin coming up from the rather deep ocean floor, and because of this, it is believed that tsunamis pass right on by it without being noticed, as there is nowhere for the energy to build up.

title: Kosrae


text:
Kostroma

Kostroma (Кострома) is the capital city of Kostroma Oblast, and a stop on Russia's Golden Ring circuit. It is a historic city, founded in the 12th century, and served as a sort of northern retreat for the powerful in Muscovy when threatened by southern and western invaders. Kostroma's wealth of art and architecture is owed to the legacy of such retreats. Visitors should not miss the Hypatian Monastery and the historic city center around Susaninskaya ploshchad. Kostroma outside the historic center is grey and industrial and off the itinerary for most tourists.

Get in

There are daily overnight trains from Moscow and trains (elektrichki) from Yaroslavl. You can also take the Lastochka (Swallow) express train from Moscow, which takes about 5 hours to get to Kostroma. The is in the eastern part of the city. There are also daily buses from Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir through Suzdal.

There are several flights a week by Kostroma Air Enterprise	from St. Petersburg to Kostroma. is about 8 km northeast of the city.

Get around
Bus #13 shuttles between the main square (Susaninskaya ploshchad) and Hypatiev Monastery. Trolleybus #2 runs between the main square and the train station.

Go next

 * The next big stops on the Golden Ring circuit are Yaroslavl and Ivanovo.
 * If weird is what you want, head over to Sumarokovo to see the Kostroma Moose Farm, where the Soviets domesticated the moose!

title: Kostroma


text:
Kostroma Oblast

Kostroma Oblast is a region in Central Russia, which borders Ivanovo Oblast to the southwest, Yaroslavl Oblast to the west, Vologda Oblast to the north, Kirov Oblast to the east, and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast to the southeast.

Cities

 * — the capital is an old (12th century) Russian city and a treasure trove of Russian art, architecture, and history, especially for its Ipatiev Monastery
 * — a small town near the Lermontov family estate
 * — a pretty town on the Golden Ring circuit, most notable for its 14th century Paisiev Monastery
 * — an old small town with several 17th century churches
 * — moose husbandry may be one of the USSR's more bizarre experiments, but an operational "Kostroma Moose Farm" still exists at this village and can be visited on tours organized through the Kostroma tourism bureau; here farmers milk, breed, and harvest antler velvet from moose

Understand
Kostroma Oblast has an important legacy as the northern retreat for Muscovite nobles in times of Mongol and Tatar invasion of Central Russia. As such, the city of Kostroma gained numerous architectural treasures, making the city a major attraction of Russia's Golden Ring.

Talk

English and other major languages are often spoken by people working at major tourist sites in Kostroma, but outside of these places it may be hard to find anyone who speaks anything other than Russian.

Get in
Kostroma is about a 6.5 hour overnight or early morning train ride from Moscow, a 2.5 hour elektrichka ride from Yaroslavl, and a daily overnight train from Saint Petersburg. There are also daily buses running between Moscow and Kostroma. The bus is significantly slower than the train if coming from Moscow, but marginally faster if coming from Yaroslavl. Lastly, there is an often crowded 2 hour hydrofoil which runs from Yaroslavl to Kostroma daily in the morning.

Go next
Kostroma is nearby Plyos, which can be visited as a day trip by hydrofoil from Pier #1.

title: Kostroma Oblast


text:
Koszalin

Koszalin is a city of over 100,000 inhabitants in Zachodniopomorskie, Poland. Located close to the Baltic Sea, Koszalin offers visitors a mixture of Gothic architecture and nearby sea resorts. It is very near the resort town Mielno, which lies at the coastline.

By plane
There is no airport really near to Koszalin. These two are the closest ones:

By train
The is located on the other side of the river, since there is no bridge yet connecting the two parts. The Polish national railway company [http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en? PKP] provides connections to Koszalin from numerous destinations in Poland. There are several trains each day to Szczecin and Gdańsk. Also a direct connection with Poznań exists. The train ride from Szczecin takes a little bit more than 2 hours. For traveling from Poznań you should allow at least 4,5 hours.

There are direct connections from seaside resort Kołobrzeg too. From the nearby city of Słupsk Koszalin is only 42 minutes away by train.

By bus
The is located close to the train station.

 * PKS

Get around
Koszalin has a good network of city owned buses that bring you everywhere in the city. The price of a normal ticket is around 2,90 zł. A 24 hour ticket costs 8 zł.

To get to Mielno/Uniescie where the beach is you need to either take a bus No.1. leaving in the front of the station or one of the private vans who wait also in the front of the station. In the summer there is a train operating to that coast town.

Go next

 * Mielno and Darłowo — two seaside resorts which are relatively close

title: Koszalin


text:
Kota

Kota is in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan. It is located on the south-eastern side of the state. The Chambal river flows through the town, because of which the place is unlike the arid climate prevalent in the state.

By plane
Kota does have an airport of its own but no services are available yet. The closest operational airport is at Jaipur International Airport, 240 km away.

By road
Kota is well connected to all cities/towns in Rajasthan. It also has a good road network for cities like Delhi (510 km), Jaipur (250 km) and Ahmedabad (950 km). There are three bus stations in Kota: The Rajasthan Roadways Bus Stand on Ramchandrapura Kota, the Inter-State Bus Terminal on DCM road and the Rawatbhata Bus Stand at Ghode Wale Baba Crossing. Major modes of travel to Kota include state transport buses, private buses and jeeps/cars for hire. The on-hire vehicles are a good idea, as they are fast and convenient, though they require fair amount of bargaining.

By train
Kota is a major junction in the Western Railway sector, on the Delhi-Mumbai line. As a result, most of the trains pass through Kota. A train journey from Jaipur is about 4 hours; Delhi, about 7 hours.

Get around
Moving around within the city is limited to auto-rickshaws, privately operated buses and cycle-rickshaws for short journeys. They charge anywhere from 50 Paise/Km. to ₹4/Km., but it's advisable to fix the rates before taking a seat. Kota also has a larger three wheeler called tempo, which is by far the cheapest travel mode within the city. It is a shared vehicle with pre-fixed stops and fares, generally .50 Paise/Km.

See

Buy

 * Kota Textile The very famous Kota textile can be bought as sarees, dress materials (for salwar-kameez). Innovative uses include curtains, scarves and such like.
 * Laakh ki Chudiyan The very famous laakh ki chudiyan (bangles) designed and resized by local shopkeepers. Your favorites can be Chudiyan (Bangles), Kade (Thick Bangles usually wore single-handed) or Sets (Mix of Chudiyan and Kade). The stylish, beautifully carved jewellery items increase beauty of your hands. You can get variety of bangles from local markets starting from a lowest range to as high as thousand's of rupees.
 * Puppets Colorful, handmade puppets make for great souvenirs to take back home.

Eat
If you can handle hot, spicy food typical of the country, you would definitely want to try kachori/samosa (deep-fried flour pastries with lentil/vegetable filling) available in abundance here.A must-try. Also try the Rajasthani speciality: daal-baati-churma. Daal is lentil curry, Baati is roasted balls of flour, churma is the sweet made with wheat flour, ghee and sugar or jaggery. Also served with the dish is gatte-ki-subzi, which is steamed rolls of gram flour cooked in yogurt gravy.

 * Haryali Resort cum Restaurant - Its a resort with a typical rajasthani village feel. Dine the best of cuisines in mud houses and sheds.

Sleep

 * Surya Plaza - Located on Gumanpura Road. Short distance from bus and railway station.

Go next

 * Abhera - About 10 km away from Kota, stands this royal palace with Kotah style paintings on the inside.
 * Baroli Temples - Situated in the Hadoti woods, about 50 km from Kota are these beautiful temples of Lord Shiva. They boast of fascinating carved walls and peaceful surroundings.
 * Bundi - A blue city in eastern Rajasthan. An oasis in the desert state.
 * Mehrangarh Fort -  One of the largest forts in India, located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan,

title: Kota


text:
Kotabaru

Kotabaru is the ocean island South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Understand
Kotabaru is on Pulau Laut (Sea Island), the biggest outlying island off South Kalimantan.

By bus
There are buses from Banjarmasin.

See

 * Temuluang stalactite cave

title: Kotabaru


text:
Kota Bharu

Kota Bharu (also Kota Bahru or Kota Baru) is the state capital of Kelantan, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Many travellers simply pass through on their way to the Perhentian Islands, but those who spend a few days in KB have the chance to go to some of the museums mentioned below, eat some delicious food, look at a unique style of traditional architecture and get a little bit of the feel of a city that has an interesting cultural identity all its own - albeit one built on relatively strict religious adherence.

Understand
Kota Bharu is the vibrant capital of the state of Kelantan, whose unique culture and dialect are proudly promoted and sustained in all aspects that do not conflict with orthodox Islam. Visitors can experience local culture in the form of the Thai- and Indian-influenced cuisine, dress (the state is probably the most famous for batik in Malaysia), handicrafts, some traditional architecture, museums showing the state's cultural heritage, and the sound of the Kelantanese dialect. Speakers of standard Malay may not be able to understand the local dialect, although if you speak standard Malay, locals will understand you and reply in standard Malay. You can hear Bahasa Kelantan not only in the markets and on the streets but also on local radio stations, and most shop signs are written in both standard romanized Malay and the Arabic-based Jawi script (even the shops with English names still spell out the English words in Jawi letters!).

Kota Bharu is a very socially conservative city in a state ruled by the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS). For instance, cinemas have been banned in the state of Kelantan since the 1990s, on moral grounds. Visitors will hear the azan (call for prayer) from many mosques 5 times a day, and the khutbah (sermon) may also be broadcast from some mosques with loudspeakers. Visitors should be prepared for breaks to be taken in many places including the Pasar Malam (Night Market) during Islamic prayer times.

By plane

Firefly, offers seven direct flights between Kota Bharu and Kuala Lumpur via Subang Airport and daily flight to Penang. It's also the first airline to connect Kota Bharu to the southern city of Johor Bahru. Prior to this, most people would make the trip by car or a 10-hour bus journey.

Firefly flies from Kota Bharu directly into Singapore.

Getting to/away: The airport is 20 minutes from the city centre by taxi (fare was RM40 in January 2012). You can also catch a City-Liner bus No. 9 from the local bus station in the city centre (RM1.80, hourly, from 07:00 to 19:00, duration around 20 minutes).

By train
The nearest railway station to Kota Bharu is at Wakaf Bharu, some 6.5 kilometers away from the city center. You can catch public bus No 19, 27 or 43 (Fare RM 1.50, operates from 07:00 to 19:00) from Kota Bharu Central Bus Terminal to get there or just ask your hotel/guesthouse to arrange a taxi for you (RM35 in Feb 2011). The official taxis at the station have a rate sheet.

Trains run on the Jungle Railway to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. One attraction is the Jungle Train with its shuttle train service that does stop at almost every station between Tumpat and Gemas, allowing you to enjoy close-up contact with local people as the train travels through the heart of Peninsular Malaysia. The name "Jungle Train" is really an obsolete name, nowadays: there is little if any jungle along the route. This is because the jungle has been replaced by palm trees - thousands of them, used to make the palm oil that ends up on the ingredients lists on junk food around the world. There are four day trains (Three shuttle trains and one express train) and two overnight trains (both express trains) making stops at Wakaf Bharu Station on their way southbound. For northbound direction, all the services terminate at Tumpat station, just a station beyond Wakaf Bharu. However, it is advisable to check the "KTM" (Malaysian Railways) timetable for any changes on this schedule.

Day train
From Wakaf Bharu station: Two shuttle trains No 81 and 85 depart from Wakaf Bharu Station at 04:00 and 14:17 respectively take you on board down south to their terminus at Kuala Lipis while another Shuttle train No 83 departs at 08.04 only terminate at Gua Musang. The Express train No 15 (Sinaran Timur) however, will take you further south to Johor Bahru and Singapore via Gua Musang, Kuala Lipis, Jerantut and Gemas. This train departs from Wakaf Bharu Station at 07.16 and reaches Woodlands CIQ Station in Singapore at 21:20. If you want to go to Taman Negara, you may board this train and get off at Jerantut.

To Wakaf Bharu station: The same train services with different train number may also get you into Kota Bharu through Wakaf Bharu station. Shuttle train No 82 and 86 that departs from Kuala Lipis, arrives at Wakaf Bharu station at 12.33 and 20:43 respectively. Another Shuttle train No 84 that departs from Gua Musang, arrives at Wakaf Bharu Station at 17:14. The Express train No 14 (Sinaran Timur) departs from Woodlands CIQ station in Singapore at 05.30, also arrives at Wakaf Bharu station at 18:52.

Overnight train
From Wakaf Bharu station: One Express train No 29 (Senandung Wau) will take you to the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This train departs from Wakaf Bharu Station at 19:02 and reaches Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station at 07:55 the next day. Another Express train No 27 (Senandung Timuran) will take you down south to Johor Bahru and Singapore. This train departs from Wakaf Bharu Station at 20:47 and reaches Woodlands CIQ Station at 10:15 the next day.

To Wakaf Bharu station: The same train services with different train number may also get you into Kota Bharu through Wakaf Bharu station. The Express train No 28 (Senandung Wau) that departs from Kuala Lumpur Sentral station at 20:30, arrives at Wakaf Bharu station at 09.21 the next day. Another Express train No 26 (Senandung Timuran) that departs from Woodlands CIQ station in Singapore at 19:00, arrives at Wakaf Bharu station at 08.44 on the next day.

Other trains

 * Malayan Tiger: This service of "KTM" (Malaysian Railways) uses special coaches donated by the Japanese Government. In July 2012, this train operated thrice weekly between Tumpat and Johor Bahru. This train departs from Wakaf Bharu Station at 17:18 every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and reaches Johor Bahru Sentral station at 07:20 the next day. On the opposite direction, this train departs from Johor Bahru Sentral station at 22:39 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and arrives at Wakaf Bharu station at 13:11 the next day.
 * To Thailand: There are no train services directly into Thailand. You will have to catch bus No 29 from Kota Bharu Central Bus Terminal to Rantau Panjang and cross the border into Sungai Kolok and proceed from there. The morning train up to Bangkok departs Sungai Golok at 11:20.

By bus
The state-run SKMK and Transnasional is the largest bus company, and operate all the city and regional buses, and most of the long-distance buses. It operates from the central bus station (city and regional buses) and the Langgar bus station (long-distance buses). All the other long-distance bus companies operate from Jalan Hamzah external bus station. On arrival in Kota Bharu some of the buses will drop you at the central bus station, but they don't depart from there. Transnasional is the easiest to deal with, as it has ticket offices at all the bus stations. Long-distance departures are from Langgar bus station but, just to make thing confusing, a few evening buses also go from central bus station. Ask which station your bus departs from when you buy your ticket, and book as far ahead as possible, especially for the Butterworth and Penang buses.

There are several buses to Butterworth (RM30, five or six hours) and buses to Penang (RM34.70, six hours and 15 minutes) with one long stop (60-75 minutes) at Gerik. Buses to Penang leave in the morning at 09:00 and in the evening. There are also regular buses to Kuala Terengganu (RM16, three hours) and Kuantan (RM33, six hours). Apart from that, there are also buses to Kuala Lumpur (RM40, nine hours), Johor Bahru (RM65, 12 hours), Singapore (13-14 hours), Melaka (RM55, 10-11 hours), Seremban (RM48, 10 hours) and Ipoh (RM35, seven hours). Other destinations are Alor Setar, Jerantut, Jitra, Gerik, Temerloh, Dungun, Kemaman, Kangar and Kerteh. The other bus companies cover many of the same routes and are worth trying.

From the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok, there is a red city liner bus 29 (departs from the central bus station) for RM5, which operates the 36 km stretch. Just wait along the Malaysian side of the border along the covered walkway and flag it.

See
Kota Bharu itself offers many museums near Independence Square (Padang Merdeka). Several of the museums and the nearby Istana Balai Besar (the downtown Royal Palace) were built in a unique kind of elegant architecture that is well worth seeing. Arguably the most amazing building is the central market (Pasar Besar). It is an octagonal building in the centre of town and houses a very colourful and active market every day. Nearby is a plain square which turns into the local food market in the evenings (Pasar Malam = Night Market).

Some visitors (particularly those interested in the history and cultural heritage of Kelantan) may also find the Muzium Negeri Kelantan (Kelantan State Museum) on Jalan Hospital 15000 of interest.

The following museums in Kota Bharu are all open from 08:30-16:45 every day except Fridays, when they are closed:

There are great temples to visit in nearby towns: near Tumpat there is Wat Pothivihan (huge reclining Buddha), Wat Mai Suwan Khiri (dragon boat & standing Buddha), Wat Chonprachumthat at Kg. Dalam, Wat Machimarran Varran (sitting Buddha), and Wat Serova Buddhist Temples (Goddess of Mercy - Kuan Yin). At Bachok, there is a 30 m high standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan and a Kuan Yin temple facing the South China Sea nearby.

 * Cultural Show at Culture Centre 3 times a week on Saturday 15:00-16:45 & 20:00-23:30, Monday 15:00-16:45, Wednesday 15:00-16:45 & 20:00-00:00.
 * River cruise along Sungai Galas down to Dabong (2 hours).
 * Explore the caves at Gua Ikan, Dabong.
 * Stong Waterfall, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia at about 990 metres.
 * Mount Stong State Park. One of the main attractions at the state park is Gunung Stong, Mt. Stong (1,422 metres), a dome-shaped granite complex more than 500 million years old.
 * Nenggiri Rafting Adventure - The selected leg of the journey covers approximately about 50 km, departing from Kuala Betis / Gua Cha and ending up at Kampung Star.

Do

 * Go to the day and night markets. Have Nasi Kerabu for lunch at the day market and Ayam Percik at the night market.
 * Walk around the downtown area.
 * Bicycle around Pengkalan Chepa area (airport), see old WW2 British pillboxes near beach at Pantai Sabak. For history buffs only but no beach anymore due to erosion.
 * Go to the beach, either PCB Beach or Irama Beach (Beach of Melody). PCB Beach has batik shops, one of which is Citra Batik about 500 m from the beach. Also eat fried seafood at PCB Beach or Irama Beach with coconut water.
 * Beautiful beaches at Bachok - Pantai Perkasa, Pantai Sungai Dua, Pantai Kandis.

Buy

 * Hand-printed batik clothes. Kota Bharu Trade Centre (KBTC), which offers a variety of choices, is located just beside Pasar Siti Khadijah. Other places to buy hand-printed batik include Citra Batik at PCB Beach or at the KB Mall in town which has higher prices but is more convenient.
 * Silverware - at the touristy museum in Kota Bharu town.
 * Crystals and gemstones - you can find them at the local wet market or morning market or specialist shops. Emerald (locals call them zamrud), ruby, sapphire, topaz, tiger's eye, etc. can be found. But beware as there are many fakes sold.
 * Kites - Miniature wau bulan are a local handicraft, but they are expensive and don't fly, so don't get them except for souvenirs. It is better to buy the plastic types for children because those kites can fly.

Eat
Kota Bharu is full of delicious Kelantanese food, a unique cuisine influenced by Thai and Indian styles, among others. Lots of goodies are to be found in the pasars and in coffee shops throughout the city. Chinese food is also available at various restaurants and food courts.

Among the local specialities are:

 * Ayam Percik, chicken which is roasted over a wood fire and combined with coconut/peanut sauce and delicious local herbs and greens. Yati Ayam Percik (847, Jalan Long Yunus) has got to be the best around (take a bicycle from your guesthouse to arrive there, it's about 2 km from the centre);
 * Nasi Ulam (locally called Nasi Kerabu), rice with fragrant, fresh-picked leaves and shoots, traditionally dipped into budu (fish sauce), sambal belacan (shrimp paste with hot pepper, et al.) or/and tempoyak (fermented durian sauce); You can find it in the morning at the Central Market first floor foodcourt.
 * Nasi Dagang Kelantan. The slightly glutinous-textured rice is cooked in coconut, and similar to Nasi Dagang Terengganu, except the Kelantanese rice grains have a tint of maroon. Served with either a fish or chicken gravy, it is a local favourite breakfast food.
 * Murtabak, savory or sweet crêpes. Murtabak Raja (Royal Murtabak) is the famous one on Jalan Bayam. They sell takeaway Murtabak and sweets, the staff is really nice and friendly.
 * If you visit around Hari Raya time, don't miss the chance to try Tapai, which is sweet fermented cassava or rice, wrapped in tapioca leaves. If you like tea, wash everything down with Teh O (tea with sugar) or Teh Susu (tea with sweetened condensed milk).
 * Keropok Lekor Losong (the local version is Keropok Gote), originally from Losong village and considered by Kelantanese to be the benchmark of all fish paste sausages. Comes fried or boiled. Kelantan Keropok Gote is not like Terengganu Kerepok Lekor Losong; it is thicker at about 4 cm.
 * Durian puffs (locally called Lepok Durian or Gelembung Buaya, they are in 3 colours: red, yellow and green), at Kubang Pasu wet market in the mornings - for durian lovers with strong stomachs only. These delicious pastries are sold at the wet market surrounded by fish. Buy from the lady at the corner, not in the middle of wet market.
 * Morning Satay, same lady, but not so delicious. Just for the experience. It also can be found in various restaurants in town. There are a few famous satay sellers like Satay Baung, Satay Suria, etc.

For Chinese food, go to:

 * Jalan Kebun Sultan - restaurants opposite Public Bank, and food court
 * Jalan Post Office Lama - restaurants.

For Thai food, try restaurants in Taman Cemerlang and in nearby Wakaf Bharu town.

Drink

 * Coconut water from the fruit, then scrape and eat the flesh
 * Beer - Chinese restaurants serve beer to non-Muslims.

There are a few watering holes in KB - one has a disco feel about it (called Restoran), a few have a few "Thai drinks promoters".

Budget

 * My Place Guest House, 4340-Q2, Jalan Sri Cemerlang, nice and clean rooms with air-con. Friendly, English-speaking staff. Wi-Fi available. An Internet Cafe across the street. Free DVDs. Single & Double RM25, dorm RM 15
 * Zeck's Traveller's Inn, Jalan Sri Cemerlang, . quiet, clean, tiled floors, parking, outdoor seating, reasonably close to town,10 minutes walk to Thai Consulate, tour info. dorm beds & Single & double RM12-15-25-45-70.
 * Royal Guest House, lot 440&443 & lot 448-452, Jalan Hilir Kota at Jalan Istana . Formerly Safar Inn. Rates from RM110.
 * Royal Guest House, lot 440&443 & lot 448-452, Jalan Hilir Kota at Jalan Istana . Formerly Safar Inn. Rates from RM110.
 * Royal Guest House, lot 440&443 & lot 448-452, Jalan Hilir Kota at Jalan Istana . Formerly Safar Inn. Rates from RM110.

Respect
Be respectful of the cultural and religious sensibilities of Kota Bharu's primarily Muslim inhabitants. There is no need for non-Muslim women to wear a tudung (scarf over the hair), but both men and women should consider wearing clothing which covers their torso completely.

Perhentian Islands (via Kuala Besut)
From the airport, train station (in Wakaf Bharu), and city you can take a taxi (45-60 min; RM60-80) to Kuala Besut for regular boat connections to the Perhentian Islands. There is also a direct bus service to Kuala Besut Jetty - take bus 639 from the central station (RM6), the trip takes 1½-2 hours and services by Cityliner Kelantan Bhd. leaves at 06:15, 07:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:39, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:30, 18:30. The bus has no AC and is quite dirty and with doors open to get some fresh air gets very dusty. The same company also offers slightly discounted fast boat tickets at their Kota Bharu bus station ticket counter.

Thailand

 * Sungai Kolok
 * Tak Bai (via Ban Taba)

title: Kota Bharu


text:
Kota Division

Kota Division is in Rajasthan in India.

Cities

 * — the Bheemgad temples (Kakoni), believed to have been built in 8th century, are surrounded by the Mukundra mountain ranges and on the bank of Parwan river
 * —
 * — famous for the Taragarh fort which towers over the city, and its more than 50 sunken step-wells used to draw clean water before the modern water mains were installed
 * — Gagron Fort is one of six hill forts in Rajasthan that have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * — Chambal Garden, along the banks of the river Chambal, houses a pond with rare gharial and crocodiles, and has enclosures for birds, rabbits and such

title: Kota Division


text:
Kotagiri

Kotagiri is a beautiful hill station in the Nilgiris Hills, about 33 km southeast of Ooty.

Understand
Kotagiri is very peaceful and cheap, but it has all the good qualities of Ooty, which is suffering from over-attention.

Get in
Kotagiri can be reached from Coimbatore, 66 km and from Ooty, 28 km. Direct buses to Kotagiri are a little crowded when you board them from Coimbatore. It is advisable to go to Coonoor first and then take a bus back to Kotagiri.

Get around
Taxis and autorikshas are freely available. Only taxis are available after 8PM.

See

Kotagiri abounds in big European-style bungalows built by the British and most of them retain their Englishness, are still very habitable and have been converted into upmarket homestays. New constructions too are aplenty but at the cost of aesthetics.

There are numerous tea factories producing the famous Nilgiri tea. The famous Nilgiri thailam (Eucalyptus oil) is distilled in small shacks in a rudimentary manner.

Kotagiri also has some gold deposits, which were mined to levels possible during the days of the British Raj. Research is going on to determine if it would be possible to extract more gold from the mines.

There is also considerable bauxite in the area.

Drink
Hot fresh tea is special in the cool climate. You get different favours of tea like chocolate, ilaichi, ginger, lemon etc.

Stay safe
Estate dogs can be very ferocious when you walk in the tea gardens. They are even more dangerous if you carry a stick with you. Keep to the main roads and don't walk early in the morning.

Go next

 * Coimbatore
 * Chamarajanagar
 * Male Mahadeshwara Betta
 * Kannur (Cannanore)
 * Kozhikode (Calicut)
 * Mysore
 * Ooty

title: Kotagiri