text:
San Gerardo de Dota

San Gerardo de Dota is a village in the province of San José, Costa Rica.

Understand
San Gerardo de Dota was founded by the Chacon family, who established a dairy farm in the 1950s. The principal activity is now tourism, based on the cloud forest of the Reserva Florestal dos Santos.

Climate
Two more sweaters than in San José (city); the rain can stop for a couple of hours at any time of day.

Get in
"Indirect" buses between the cities of San José and San Isidro de El General will stop at Km 80 of the Interamericana. The village is strung out along a steep, rough road (4WD advised), between 4 and 8 km south of the highway. Locals will provide transport at ₡5000-7000.

See

 * Observacion de Quetzales, about 6 km from the Interamericana, will give instructions on where to find a wild avocado tree (US$2 per person in November 2009).

Buy

 * Dantica Lodge, about 3 km from the Interamericana, sells Central American and Andean handicrafts of good quality at high prices.

Go next

 * Tapantí National Park
 * Providencia

title: San Gerardo de Dota


text:
San Germán

San Germán is a city of 32,000 people (2020) in the Porta del Sol region of Puerto Rico. It's best known for its Spanish colonial architecture.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
From Ponce Mercedita Airport it is a 47-minute drive on PR-2 West.

From Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla it is a 55-minute drive on PR-2 East.

From San Juan, follow Autopista 52 (Expreso Luis A. Ferre) towards Ponce. At the PR-52 terminus, follow PR-2 for about 25 miles towards Mayaguez. Exit at the PR-122 / Casto Perez Ave. exit on PR-2.

Get around
There are limited transit options, but the central district is easily navigable on foot. Driving is difficult with lots of traffic in mid-day.

See
San Germán's main sight is its colonial architecture, all narrow, twisty alleyways and Spanish buildings in pastel colors, some crumbling, some newly repaired. The old city is centered around the leafy plazas of Parque de Santo Domingo and Plaza Francisco Mariano Quiñones.

Eat
San Germán is the gastronomic center of the area. Throughout the years, several restaurants have served both locals and visitors. Two restaurants, institutions in the town, are Mike's Steak House, with its famous churrasco, and Palermo Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant.

Sleep
Hotel Oasis is a quaint bed & breakfast at #72 Luna St in the heart of town.

Go next
If you've made it this far, don't miss the beaches of the southern coast.
 * Cabo Rojo
 * Guánica
 * La Parguera

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

title: San Germán


text:
San Gil

San Gil is a city with a population of 50,000 in the Santander region in Eastern Andino. It is known as "Colombia's adventure sport capital".

Get in

 * * From Bogotá : COP$40,000, 6-7 hours (June 2019)
 * * From Cartagena : COP$70,000, 14 hours
 * * From Cúcuta : COP$40,000, 9-10 hours
 * * From Medellín : COP$60,000, 11 hours
 * * From Santa Marta : COP$70,000-80,000, 12 hours (Copetran, Brasilia) (feb 2016)
 * * From Tunja : COP$20,000, 4 hours, 200 km
 * * From Tunja : COP$20,000, 4 hours, 200 km

 * Buses to Bucaramanga leave from the corner of Carrera 11 with Calle 10 on the river front (COP$23,000 - every 30 minutes, 2½ hours, 90 km, as of March 2023). You could also catch them the buses from the main terminal. If possible, try to sit on the right side for the best views of Rio Umpala. Consider stopping at the Chicamocha Canyon National Park on the way.

Do
Tour companies generally offer similar activities and are clustered around the entrance of park El Gallineral. If you plan to go rafting or kayaking on rapids of class 3 and over, check that the guides are certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF).

Rafting
San Gil is the pioneering place for rafting in Colombia :
 * Rio Fonce, This is the river going through San Gil, it offers an 11-km trip lasting 1hr 15min on class 2-3 rapids depending on the season. It suits all kind of public. COP$25,000.
 * Rio Chicamocha, An 1hr 30min rafting trip with rapids from level 2 to 4. More adrenaline and amazing scenery going through the canyon. Possible to organize expeditions up to 3 days long.

Swimming
There are lots of places around San Gil to go for a swim:
 * Pozo Azul : Close to San Gil and accessible by taxi, it is popular with locals. 300 meters down river is la Milagrosa where you can jump from rocks. More details and a GPS track can be found here.
 * Pescaderito : Close to the town of Curiti, it has swimming holes and water slides. Camping possible.

Other activities are caving, parapente, paintballing, kayaking, hydrospeed and rapelling.

Trekking
There are numerous trekking opportunities in the countryside surrounding San Gil. The following itinerary goes through 3 colonial towns before going down in the Chicamocha canyon and up on the other side. Doing the whole trek in 2 days is possible if you leave San Gil really early on the first morning but it will probably be more enjoyable do it in 3 days and take your time checking out the towns in details. You can also do only parts as there are buses going back to San Gil in every town except Jordan. You don't need to carry food and camping equipment as there are restaurants and hotels in every town. Carry a lot of water and be careful of the midday heat.

 * Cabrera - Barichara - Get a local bus from San Gil to Cabrera (COP$4,000), it will drop you on the main plaza of the town. Here check out the church. At the upper left corner of the plaza, take the steepest street up (Calle 7) and turn left at the top. Follow the path along the stations of the cross (14 of them). From the top keep on going straight, the path is fairly flat and you'll soon see Barichara in the distance. When you get close to town, you'll encounter the local swimming pool on your right hand side (COP$1,500) right before a football/soccer field. Across the street you can see upright stones placed in regular intervals under the trees. These are either meant to secure cattle for 'servicing' or possibly used as an abattoir (slaughter) a long time ago; there are different stories when asking locals. Look out for iguanas taking the sun up on the tree branches. Quite likely you will see several flocks of vultures as well hanging around near the stone bridge. A bit further there is a stone bridge that you have to cross. After a final small climb you're in the town of Barichara. Walking time: 2½ hr.
 * Barichara - Guane - From the main square take any Calle going up the hill until you reach Carrera 10. Turn left towards the ridge. A stone marks the start of the trail, it is an old paved path that was restored 180 years ago by a German Geo Van Leguerke. The path crosses the paved road twice, just cross it. Refreshments are (sometimes) sold at the farm at midway. walking time: 2 hr.
 * Guane - Villanueva - To exit Guane, take Calle 6 from the main plaza towards the hill and soon you'll be back on the camino real. At some point there are farms on both sides of the path and right after you get to a crossing with a bigger road, taking that road to the right would bring you back to Barichara, you need to go straight (on the good road) and keep going uphill (the track is not exactly but a bit to the right). Keep on going up through the fields and tobacco farms. Soon after passing a finca named La Ceiba on the left hand-side, you get to a fork with a cross in the middle and a basketball court on the left, take a right there. Less than 5 minutes after, you encounter a needle head turn, take a left towards the house with a white flag. This is a mirador with great views of the canyon and all the ascent you've accomplished. Keep on going up. At some stage there will be two farms on the right and what looks like a road going uphill, do not turn and keep going straight, the road goes down a bit towards bare land for 5 minutes and after that is the final part of the climb. Once you reach the hilltop, you can see the next valley with Villanueva on the left but hidden by a hill. On your right is the road used by cars to reach town but it does a lot of turn. The shorter option is to take a left and look for the path going directly to town. You have to follow the barbwire, it will start dropping towards the valley and what looks more like a ditch will turn in a footpath. After a while you'll exit a field through a door and reach jeep track, take left towards the red and white antenna. From there it's straight to town. Hotel San Miguel has clean rooms for COP$35,000 (Jan 2024). Walking time: 3 hrs.

 * Villanueva - Jordan - The way from Villanueva down to Jordan takes approximately 5 hours. It is best to leave after noon so that you go down the canyon (900 m) in the late afternoon. Leave Villanueva in north-east direction and ask some locals to point you to the road towards the canyon and Jordan (details and GPS can be found here). You start off on some dirt roads then end up on a path that leads down the canyon. You will encounter many crossings. Best thing is to ask locals when they pass by. After you went down 900 m to the canyon you will hit a dirt road. Turn right and it's a 20-min walk to Jordan. In Jordan, La Posada del Caminante has dorms and private rooms. Privates are COP$70,000 (Jan 2024). Food can be had at the little kiosk just opposite. The river is good to cool down after a long hike. Walking time: 4-5 hr.
 * Jordan - Los Santos - The last part consists of a 900-m difference climb to get out of the canyon. Cross the bridge over the Chicamocha river. The stone path starts just after, you can't miss it. The path goes up continuously but is never too steep and getting to Los Santos should take around 2 hours. Avoid doing this in the midday heat. There´s a house selling refreshments halfway up. Los Santos is a decent size town compared to Jordan. Buses leave from the main square. To get back to San Gil, you first need to take a Piedecuesta bound bus that will drop you at on the San Gil - Bucaramanga road at a place called Los Curros (COP$5,000). Flota Cachira goes there but Transporte Mesa de Los Santos takes a different route to Piedecuesta, check with your driver to be sure. From there flag down a bus to San Gil (COP$12,000). Other option is to go to the nacional park Chicamocha and cross the canyon with the Teleferico. From there you can flag down a bus going back to San Gil. walking time: 1½-2 hr. Note that as of January 2024, the Teleferico is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Bungee jumping
There are two places to bungee jump, located over a river a few kilometers from town, 500 m apart. You can get there by bus for COP$1,000, taxi for about COP$5,000, or moto for about COP$3,000.

 * The other one is 70-75 m high, from a crane, and it costs COP$70,000 (March 2016)
 * The other one is 70-75 m high, from a crane, and it costs COP$70,000 (March 2016)

Buy
Artesanías

Eat
Some of Santander's Famous Regional Foods:

 * Hormigas Culonas (literally "big ass ants" roasted with salt, tastes kind of like popcorn)
 * Arepa Santandereana (a thick corn arepa mixed with salt and pork)
 * Carne Oreada (traditional thin steak)
 * Carne Seca (a dry pulled steak)
 * Cabro (goat)
 * Mute
 * Changua (milk soup with egg)
 * Fritanga (fried food snacks)
 * Chorizos del Valle de San José (specialty spicy sausage)
 * Arroz de Peñaflor (specialty rice)

Restaurants

 * Bendito Sabor for exceptional Menu del Dia, El Especial Mani for bakery treats, Coma Rico for fast food next to the plaza, and Kikirisan del Ponce for rotisserie chicken. See them all in a visit here.

Sleep
Prices in most San Gil hotels double on long weekends and places are heavily booked. Book in advance for Easter, Christmas and all long weekends.

Go next

 * The little colonial village of Barichara makes a good day trip. There are buses going every hour and leave from the corner of Carrera 11 and Calle 15. From Barichara it is a lovely 2-hour walk along an historic Spanish road to Guane. Buses return to Barichara several times a day. It is recommended to walk Barichara to Guane and not the other direction, since that would be entirely uphill.

title: San Gil


text:
San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a pretty medieval walled city in Tuscany, Italy, famous for its historic centre with beautiful towers (inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List) and great art. It is small enough to be effectively visited as a day trip from nearby cities like Siena and Florence, but it has a different, more peaceful atmosphere at night that many travelers find it worthwhile to experience.

Understand
San Gimignano is a very small city, more like a town in the countryside, but it punches way above its weight in beauty and draw for visitors. Known as the "Town of Fine Towers", San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of 14 of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form an unforgettable skyline. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Just visiting to walk through, experience the intact centro storico and admire the view of the lovely Tuscan countryside from its high perch is worthwhile, but what makes this place special is the very high quality of its attractions. In a town too small to have a duomo, its Collegiata and the Church of Sant'Agostino both have great frescoes, and the small museum in its little Palazzo Pubblico also contains great art. For these reasons, San Gimignano attracts many tourists every day. At night, when the day trippers have gone back to Siena and Florence, some of the few visitors who decided to stay hang out on the steps of the Collegiata and relax, appreciating the quiet and the clear air.

It was used as a filming location by Franco Zeffirelli as a stand-in for the town of Assisi in his 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and for Tea with Mussolini, a 1999 drama. San Gimignano is also featured in the video game Assassin's Creed II.

By bus
Buses leave from Florence's bus station (next to the train station) hourly, and take 1.25 - 2 hr including a change in Poggibonsi, costing €6. From Siena take bus #130, which takes 1 hr and costs €5.20, operated by Tiemme SpA. Volterra has 4 buses to San Gimignano every day, that take 2 hours and change in Colle di Val d'Elsa. Sunday buses are fewer and more crowded.

Buses leaving San Gimignano depart from Porta San Giovanni, with tickets sold at the bar just inside the gate or at the Tourist Info.

By car
You may also arrive by car. You can't drive inside the town walls, but there are several pay parking lots just outside the town walls, with free places further away. The handiest lot, Parcheggio Montemaggio, outside Porta San Giovanni, fills quickly, but they let 1 car in for every one that leaves, so you can wait (€2/hour). There is free parking on the side of the road going down from the turnabout.

By train
The historical town of San Gimignano on the hill has no train station, but you can easily reach San Gimignano by taking a train to Poggibonsi (labelled "Poggibonsi-S.G.") and then a bus from the Poggibonsi train station to San Gimignano. These buses cost €3.60 (2007) each way, leave every 30-40 minutes, and you can inquire for information, schedules, and tickets at the tourist information office which is located ahead toward the right as you walk out of the train station. As of November 2018, there is construction: buses leave from the main road and do not stop at the station.

If you are going from Florence (Firenze) to Poggibonsi, direct trains are not so frequent but you will find many connections to Poggibonsi via Empoli.

On foot
San Gimignano is very small (you can walk from the gate to the other side of town in 20 minutes), and you must disembark from your car or bus outside the city walls, in any case.

By shuttle bus
An electric shuttle bus goes all day from Porta San Giovanni to Piazza della Cisterna to Porta San Matteo. The fare is €1, 2 per hour, and you can buy a ticket at Tourist Info or the Tabacchi shop.

See
The Piazza del Duomo, the town church's square, is surrounded by thousand-year-old towers. The town's 14 towers are all that remain of the original 72, which were owned by the rich to stay safe when the town was sacked. After Florence took control of San Gimignano, most of them were torn down. The Piazza della Cisterna is a beautiful piazza with an old stone well (no longer used) in the middle. This is where a Thursday market gathers.

Do

 * Thursday is market day in Piazza del Duomo
 * Tourist Information is also in the Piazza del Duomo, which is open March to October 09:00-13:00 & 15:00-19:00, November to February 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00. They offer free maps, a room-booking service, bus tickets, a free bag check, & €5, 2-hour audioguides for exteriors only. This is also where a walking tour starts from at 15:00 daily except Sunday, in English & Italian, March-October, for €15
 * If you want to escape the crowds of tourists, there is a footpath that runs around the outside of town that is peaceful and affords some nice views of the countryside. It doesn't seem to go all the way around town, but it's long enough to work up a good thirst. Look for the signs with an icon of a hiker.

Buy
You will notice shops where free wine tastings are offered. If you consider the wines a good value, buy some bottles. You may find the wine expensive.

Eat
The main piazzas are crowded, but there are small alleys which have much cheaper restaurants.

 * Co-op Supermarket is great for picnic food, open Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 20:00, closed Sunday, at parking lot below Porto San Giovanni
 * Co-op Supermarket is great for picnic food, open Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 20:00, closed Sunday, at parking lot below Porto San Giovanni
 * Co-op Supermarket is great for picnic food, open Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 20:00, closed Sunday, at parking lot below Porto San Giovanni
 * Co-op Supermarket is great for picnic food, open Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 20:00, closed Sunday, at parking lot below Porto San Giovanni

Sleep

 * In-town Rossi Apartments Owned by same family as Ponte a Nappo, in town center. Double w/bathroom €55, fancier double w/bathroom overlooking town square €85. Same contact info as Ponte a Nappo farm
 * Locanda il Pino Clean, quiet, & small with only 5 rooms, is run by a family over their restaurant inside Porta San Matteo. Double w/bathroom €55, no breakfast, parking right by gate on via Cellolese, far from bus stop, but fine if you have a car. Telephone: 0577-940-415
 * Palazzo al Torrione Inside Porta San Giovanni, is quiet & handy, with 10 rooms but no full-time reception. Double w/bathroom €70-110, breakfast €5-€10, family suites, cheap parking, at Via Berignano. Telephone: 0577-940-480 or Mobile: 338-938-1656
 * Ponte a Nappo Run by Carla Rossi, who doesn't speak English, but her son does, has comfortable rooms in a farm outside town. Double w/bathroom €70, apartments for 2-6 people €90-180, breakfast €8. Air-conditioning, parking, 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from Porto San Giovanni, on Via Vecchia. Telephone: 0577-955-041 or Mobile: 349-882-1565
 * In-town Rossi Apartments Owned by same family as Ponte a Nappo, in town center. Double w/bathroom €55, fancier double w/bathroom overlooking town square €85. Same contact info as Ponte a Nappo farm
 * Locanda il Pino Clean, quiet, & small with only 5 rooms, is run by a family over their restaurant inside Porta San Matteo. Double w/bathroom €55, no breakfast, parking right by gate on via Cellolese, far from bus stop, but fine if you have a car. Telephone: 0577-940-415
 * Palazzo al Torrione Inside Porta San Giovanni, is quiet & handy, with 10 rooms but no full-time reception. Double w/bathroom €70-110, breakfast €5-€10, family suites, cheap parking, at Via Berignano. Telephone: 0577-940-480 or Mobile: 338-938-1656
 * Ponte a Nappo Run by Carla Rossi, who doesn't speak English, but her son does, has comfortable rooms in a farm outside town. Double w/bathroom €70, apartments for 2-6 people €90-180, breakfast €8. Air-conditioning, parking, 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from Porto San Giovanni, on Via Vecchia. Telephone: 0577-955-041 or Mobile: 349-882-1565

Go next

 * Florence, the city of the Brunelleschi Dome of the Duomo, the Ghiberti Doors of the Baptistery, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Bargello, the Ponte Vecchio and so many other things to see and do
 * Siena, a larger walled hill city than San Gimignano though much smaller than Florence, is the city of the Palio and the Piazza del Campo, with its own spectacular Duomo and Baptistery and unique style of art
 * Volterra, another of the ancient Etruscan cities, with Etruscan, ancient Roman and Medieval sights
 * Monteriggioni, the small walled hill town that was Siena's diehard Medieval ally in the wars with Florence

title: San Gimignano


text:
San Giovanni Rotondo

San Giovanni Rotondo is a town in the province of Foggia in the Italian region of Apulia (Puglia).

Understand
San Giovanni Rotondo is the home town of Saint Pio (Padre Pio of Pietrelcina). Although the stigmatist friar was born in Pietrelcina in the region of Campania, he made San Giovanni Rotondo his home.

By train
San Giovanni Rotondo cannot be reached by train. The closest train stations are in Foggia (40 km away) and San Severo (26 km away).

By bus
The “Ferrovie del Gargano” bus connects San Giovanni Rotondo with Northern Italy; from Southern Italy it is recommended to take the “Interbus” lines.

By car
San Giovanni Rotondo is located along the road leading from San Severo to Monte Sant'Angelo.

Get around
It is a short walk between the basilica and the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church. It is also possible to walk to the Way of the Cross.

See

One of the most visited sights in San Giovanni Rotondo is the Sanctuary of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, which includes the Capuchins convent and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This building with lovely stained glass and marble archways is the final resting place of Padre Pio: visitors can view his relics in the lower area of the church.

Close to the monastery is the Padre Pio Wax Museum that contains historical information about the region as well as mosaics that depict the life of Padre Pio.

Several other places of the life of Padre Pio can be visited as well, such as the new church dedicated to Padre Pio, the Way of the Cross, Mary Pyle’s house where his parents lived or the saint’s car.

Do
For Catholics visiting San Giovanni Rotondo as a pilgrimage, there are several masses daily at the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. Also pray along the Monumental Way of the Cross located on the side of the hill.

Buy
The streets around the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina are lined with shops that sell church-related items (rosaries, statues of Padre Pio, etc). The Sanctuary itself has a shop as well (also available online here). With several masses each day at the Basilica and at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, there shouldn't be a problem finding a priest to bless the rosaries after you purchase them.

You can also made a subscription of The Voice of Padre Pio magazine and support the Friars Minor Capuchin work in spreading the message and spirituality of Saint Pio. After that you may receive the magazine directly in your home. It consists of 11 numbers per year with articles by some of the top Catholic Italian journalists.

Sleep
In San Giovanni Rotondo visitors can choose from 120 accommodation facilities.

Go next

 * Monte Sant'Angelo – where is located the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel.
 * Vatican – the Vatican City is the world center of Catholicism.
 * Fátima – place of worldwide famous Marian apparitions.

title: San Giovanni Rotondo


text:
Sangkhla Buri

Sangkhla Buri (สังขละบุรี) is in northwest Kanchanaburi Province, close to Myanmar. It is close to the northernmost point of the huge Khao Laem Reservoir.

Understand
Sangkhla Buri is an idyllic place off the tourist trail, although it is popular with Thais who come for relaxing weekends away or to party in the floating houses.

Away from the main town, across a wonderful rickety wooden bridge, is Wangka (also known as Monside). The village was founded by Luang Phor Uttama in 1949 after he fled Burma with 60 other Mon families. Uttama stayed there until his death in 2006. Alcohol is not permitted to be drunk in public in Wangka and doing so would be hugely disrespectful. Many of the villagers speak Mon as their first language, so don't be surprised if they cannot understand Thai. An easy word to remember is "dangoon" for "thank you".

Get in
Buses go direct from Mo Chit station in Bangkok to Sangkhla Buri. The first leaves at around 05:00 and passes via Kanchanaburi. The journey takes 7-8 hours.

Kanchanburi Bus Station also has many buses. The trip takes around 5-6 hours. Tour agencies in the Mae Nam Kwai tourist area of Kanchanaburi may also be able to help you get to Sanghkhlaburi by minibus.

Red buses pass through Nam Tok (along the main road near the train station every 30 min. The fare to Sangkhla Buri is 100 baht.

To Kanchanaburi:
 * 1st class air-con bus: 08:45, 10:45, 14:30 - 4.5 hr, 180 baht
 * Non-air-con bus: 06:45, 08:15, 09:45/10:15, 13:15 - 5 hr, 110 baht
 * Minibus (departs from ticket shop at far end of road running from the bus station past the 7-Eleven and the market): 06:00, 06:40, 07:20, 08:00, 08:40, 09:30, 10:20, 11:10, 11:40, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 - 3 hr, 146 baht; not every scheduled minibus actually runs; if full, a charge may apply for luggage
 * Car: 3 hours, keep your tank full as fuel is more expensive near the border.

The last bus/minibus for Bangkok leaves the bus station at 13:30, the last for Kanchanaburi at 16:00.

Get around
Green pickups depart hourly from the bus station to Three Pagodas Pass and charge 50 baht for the 30-40 min trip. If in a group, hire a songthaew so as to visit Sawanbandan Cave and other attractions as well.

The most common way to get around town is motorcycle taxi. It costs 15 baht from the centre of town to the wooden bridge (Saphan Mon). Walking is a rewarding option: an easy half-day hike can take you across the bridge and out to the wats on the Mon village side of the lake.

You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle at P Guesthouse

See

 * Saphan Mon (สะพานมอญ) - The 400 m wooden bridge (other sources claim it's 800 meters long) has been there since the mid 80s. It's the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and was destroyed in July 2013 but fully repaired. There is a small cafe on one end which is a great spot for a drink and a view. Donation boxes at either end help with maintenance for the bridge; donate and you will also receive a great photo in return. Local kids like to jump off the bridge into the lake.
 * Wat Saam Prasob (The Sunken Temple) - When the water level of the lake is low (usually after winter) you can hire a boat to take you (or hire a canoe from P Guesthouse to paddle yourself out) to see the Sunken Temple. The sunken wat is the last remaining vestige of the old town flooded for the creation of Khao Laem Reservoir. The top 1-2 m of the temple is in view in Sep.)
 * Wat Wang Wiwekaram and Chedi Buddhakhaya - Walk over the bridge to the Mon village, and bear left parallel to the lake. After 2 km the concrete road forks. Left goes to the huge golden chedi, with a small Burmese goods market below it, and right goes to the main Wat Wang Wiwekaram. The wat was built by the late Phara Uttama, who was one of the most important monks in Thailand, and is still highly revered in the Mon community. There is a large, ornate viharn at the main wat, and in another building there are murals depicting stages of the Buddha's last, and previous, lives. You may wish to hire a taxi as it's quite a long walk and it is easy to get lost in Wangka village (although people are happy to point you in the right direction).

Do

 * Visit Three Pagodas Pass and the border market (and, if the border's open, cross over to Payathonzu, on the Myanmar side of the border). The road out to Three Pagodas Pass passes a side road to a waterfall. To reach the waterfall, you must walk through the jungle and cross rivers, sometimes by swimming (at least in the rainy season). There is another side road to Wang Bandan Cave.
 * Stroll around town, go for a swim in the lake, relax, enjoy the sunrises and sunsets.
 * Join an organised hike into the surrounding jungle.
 * Visit Baan Unrak Children's Home for their Wednesday night dinner and yoga show (contact Baan Unrak Bakery for time and directions). Make a generous donation. Volunteer opportunities may be available.

Buy

Eat

 * Jimmy's House - Run by "Big Jimmy", opposite the temple on the Thai side of the bridge 50 m further on than Burmese Inn.  Good selection of delicious Western, Burmese, & Thai food. Also sells & trades books. A great source of local information.
 * Town market - if you wake up early enough, catch the early morning stalls selling Thai and Burmese breakfast snacks. At midday the market winds down but there are plenty of stalls selling cheap and tasty Thai food at the top of the hill, opposite the bus station, providing cheap food most days, but reportedly not open at weekends.
 * Toy's Restaurant-affordable Thai food with a friendly owner "Aoom" (prices start from 25 baht.)

Drink
You can do as the Thais do and order a bottle of whisky, a bucket of ice and some soda from one of the local restaurants. Beer from the local supermarkets is 42 baht for a large Chang. A selection of wines from Kanchanaburi is available from 260 baht for a bottle, a white and two varieties of red are available.

You can also head to P. Guesthouse to enjoy a farang atmosphere. P Guesthouse is very popular with Bangkok urbanites taking a short break from the city. An exquisite view across the reservoir. Especially recommended for a sunset drink.

 * Western Bar (Garden Home) - Approx 700 m from the bus station, down the hill on the right hand side. They have many cocktails and Thai beer. They also offer soft beverages and food. The place is kept very clean and also has a landscaped outside sitting area. This place is new but is already popular with farangs.

Sleep
There are a few guesthouses around 2 km from the city centre (around 10 baht by motorbike taxi). Be careful with the tap water, since it is possibly taken from the reservoir.

 * Villa Scenns: great hill & water views, all rooms are private, well equipped, clean, comfortable, air-con & ensuite; Airb&b super-host status, very kind owner, in resort zone; just 2-3 minutes to most places including the Mon bridge e-mail: scenn@scenns.com Tel: +66 (0) 806 023 184; webpage http//:www.scenns.com

Heading south from the Post Office past the High School, temple, and Baan Unrak Bakery:

Stay safe
If you see any dogs in need of medical attention Baan Unrak Thai Animal Sanctuary is based nearby.

Go next

 * Kanchanaburi
 * Three Pagodas Pass

title: Sangkhla Buri


text:
Sangla

Sangla is a scenic hill village in the Baspa Valley, also known as the Sangla Valley, in Eastern Himachal Pradesh, India, close to the Tibetan border. It's a decent base for exploring the surrounding area, though the village itself isn't overly pleasant.

Understand
The Sangla Valley is on the banks of river Baspa in the Kinnaur district of Himchal Pradesh. It is surrounded by richly forested slopes and offers delightful views of the high mountains. The Baspa hydel (hydroelectric) project, not far from Sangla village, was completed in 2009, and the importance of the place was expected to increase. The best months to visit the beautiful Sangla Valley are April and May, and September and October. These months are good for camping.

The Sangla Valley boasts the gigantic Kinner Kailash peak (6,050 m), which can be seen from Sangla village. The peak is the said to be winter home of Lord Shiva.

Sangla village is on a slope with houses rising one above the other with the Kinner Kailash peak towering over it. Sangla is also famous for Kamru Fort. This fort was the place where rajas of Kinnaur were crowned. Now this fort is dedicated to Kamakshi Temple. The Goddess idol was brought from Guwahati (Assam).

Villages

 * — here one can see the Devta Temple is a fine example of local architectural style

 * — last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route – walk up to Nagasthi, the last Indian outpost on the border

 * — site of the Narayan Nagini Temple - eclectic mix of Buddhist, Hindu and local folk beliefs

 * — the second last village before the Tibet border, settled by nomadic herders

Get in
The road leading to the Sangla Valley, dubbed "The Cliff Road" is rather challenging.

See
Walks and places to visit in and around Sangla:
 * Baspa River: This river flowing along the valley is great for trout fishing.
 * Batseri village: Just across the camp, this village is an excellent example of the great hill architecture. The local devta temple here is a must see.
 * Rakcham: Beautiful 4 hr walk along the Baspa River to Rakcham village.
 * Sangla Meadows: Full day walk to the green pastures.

Buy

 * Apples: These are probably one of the best apples anywhere in the world. The harvest usually happens in October.
 * Chulli (wild apricot) oil: this oil is really good. Whether for massage or used as cooking medium, its properties have kept the Kinnauris hale and hearty, so says the older generation.
 * Kinnauri cap: This, mostly green and grey cap, is the most typical thing from this area. You see this cap on someone and you will instantly recognise the Kinnaur connection. This too is besides being very lovely to see is also very warm. The green portion which is tilted up can be brought down to cover the ears if it gets cold.
 * Kinnauri shawls: This beautiful hand woven shawl with colourful border can be expensive but a lifetime souvenir besides cozying you up even in harsh winter.

Drink
Take enough drinking water for Sangla.

Go next

 * Kalpa
 * Chhitkul

title: Sangla


text:
Sangli

Sangli is a city in South Maharashtra.

Understand
Sangli is about 390 km from Mumbai, on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. As a district headquarters, the city is a home for big businesses. Sangli can be described as a calm city with a very few traces of domestic violence. The people are friendly and honest compared to other metro cities. The Jain population is quite visible, along with other communities.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Pune, which is 225km from Sangli. Alternatively, Panjim Airport can also be used; it is at a similar distance, but the journey from there takes longer, due to ghat sections on the road.

By road
Sangli is well connected by road from all the major Indian cities.

From Pune: It is a 4.5-hour/225 km drive from Pune to Sangli. The drive along National Highway 48 (previously NH4) is very comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. From Kolhapur: It is a 1-hour/50 km drive to Sangli.

Sangli also has good connectivity to Solapur, Belgaum, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other major commercial hubs.

By rail
Sangli has a railway station; additionally, Miraj Junction is about 10 km from the city centre. Mutiple trains serve Sangli on the Mumbai - Pune - Miraj - Bangalore route.

Get around
One can travel in Sangli by three wheeler rickshaws or by a taxi. City bus service is also available along some major routes.

See
Patwardhan Rajawada or Palace at Sangli Fort. There is a museum too. Shree Vishnu Temple at Vishnughat on the banks of river Krishna. Rameshwaram Mandir, Krishnai Mandir all on the banks of river Krishna. There is an old bridge near these temples.

Do
Boating on river Krishna. Visit Vasant Dada Patil Smarak. Sit on the banks of river and watch the sunset.

Buy
Turmeric, Jaggery and food grains from APMC yard on Sangli-Miraj road.

Eat
Hotel Rohini vegetarian restaurant near Pushparaj Chowk, Sangli.

Drink
Tea laced with milk.

Sleep
There are many hotels at Sangli to stay. Hotel Anuradha, Hotel Indira sagar, Hotel Krishna International.

Connect
Get connected by B.S.N.L (Cellone) mobile network.

Go next

 * Kolhapur
 * Bijapur
 * Belgaum
 * Gokarna
 * Pandarpur
 * Amboli

title: Sangli


text:
Sangre de Cristo Mountains

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are a significant mountain range in New Mexico, United States that contains most of the state's highest peaks. The range extends from near Santa Fe in the south past Taos to the Colorado state line, and beyond into South Central Colorado, where it is known as the Sangre de Cristo Range. This guide covers features of the Sangre de Cristos in New Mexico that are of interest but are too dispersed to be covered in the guides for individual towns in the region. Two national forests, the Santa Fe National Forest and the Carson National Forest, mostly cover the southern and northern halves of the Sangre de Cristos, respectively.

Santa Fe, Taos, and Española in North Central New Mexico, as well as Las Vegas in Northeast New Mexico, while not in the mountain range itself, are key starting points into the mountains, and most services in the area can be found in these communities.

Understand
The Sangre de Cristos are generally considered the southernmost range of the Rocky Mountains, although some authorities consider the Rockies to include some of the lesser ranges of New Mexico (Sandias, Capitans, etc.). They rise nearly 8000 feet (2400 meters) above the Great Plains to the east and the Española Valley to the west, with a nearly uninterrupted ridge line that runs from the Colorado state line to near Santa Fe. This topographical barrier had important impacts on the settling of the Southwest by "Anglos" arriving from the eastern United States, as it forced pioneers southward and thus into contact -- and sometimes conflict -- with both American Indian communities along the Rio Grande and Spanish colonial settlements at Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other places. The mixing, and sometimes clash, of the three cultures continues to exert an influence on the region long after the settlers passed.

The highest summit in the Sangres in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,161', a comparatively undistinguished bump on a ridge line above Taos. (Summits in the extension of the range into Colorado exceed 14,000' in elevation.) Several other summits rise above the 13,000' level. Timberline in these mountains is unusually high, approaching 12,000' in some places, and there are no permanent snowfields; recreational opportunities in the Sangres are consequently highly diverse and seasonal, so that many fine hiking and backpacking areas in the summer turn into downhill ski resorts in the winter. When planning a trip to the Sangres and deciding in what season to visit, keep the changing seasons in mind.

Towns on the eastern slopes of the Sangres tend to have cultural ties to the Great Plains, while the ones on the west side are more closely tied to the Hispanic and Native American settlements along the Rio Grande. The latter being important tourist destinations in their own right, the west-side towns usually have somewhat more well-developed resources for tourism than the ones on the east. However, a unifying feature of the high mountain towns is that, apart from the ones intentionally developed for tourism, they tend to be relatively poor, whether on the east or the west. This results from the difficulty in extracting a living from the mountains: their height and resulting short growing season preclude most agriculture, and most of the range is of little interest for mining. Tourist accommodations outside the major tourist centers (Taos, Santa Fe, ski resorts) or towns on major roads (Las Vegas) can therefore be somewhat spartan, at least by United States standards, although you don't have to worry about potable water, utilities, etc. (The rugged terrain does produce spotty coverage for cellular phones.)

Flora and fauna
The forest is predominantly coniferous, with piñon/juniper "scrub" at the lowest elevations that gives way to ponderosa pines mid-range and spruce/fir forest higher up. Aspens are intermixed with the conifers above about 8000' (2400 meters) and provide additional color, particularly in fall. Timberline is unusually high at 11,500'/3500 meters or even higher. Many of the higher peaks are veritable gardens of alpine wildflowers once the snow has melted.

Black bear and deer are common throughout the mountains. The Sangres also contain bighorn sheep, some of which have become so used to human presence as to constitute a camp pest. Mountain lions live in the forest but are rarely encountered. Birds are plentiful and diverse, including eagles, wild turkeys, and several species of hummingbirds. Most of the terrain is too high for snakes to be abundant, although rattlesnakes are occasionally seen as high as elevations of 9500' (2900 m). Watercourses tend to be small and seasonal, so there are few large fish, although some lakes and streams are able to sustain a population of trout.

Climate
The large elevation variations in the forest preclude universal, concise statements about climate. Snow and freezing temperatures (at least at night) are possible year-round on the high summits; shirtsleeve weather is common in the winter at the lower elevations. About the only common denominator is that springtime is windy and relatively dry.

Broadly, the higher elevations (say above 8000 feet, or 2400 meters) have conditions typical of continental mountain ranges, generally somewhat warmer and drier than the similar ranges of Colorado. Snowfall during winter is wildly variable, but normally covers the high peaks above timberline and persists through spring, commonly closing many campgrounds until May or so. Many hiking trails in the high country still have snow on them in June. Spring is warm and dry, with a gradual onset of thunderstorms starting in June and building to a "monsoon" condition in August. The high peaks are notoriously prone to lightning strikes; if you're hiking, make sure you're off the summits by 1PM during the summer. Fall is clear, crisp and delightful, with the first significant snow usually in October and the first snow that "sticks" frequently occurring around Thanksgiving.

The lower elevations are semi-arid, and winter snowfall is even more variable than at higher elevations. Some winters have seen individual storms that deposit over 40 inches (1 meter) of snow, while in other years, winter passes without this much snow falling in the entire season. Low temperatures can drop below zero (Fahrenheit). Spring is warm and dry, sometimes downright hot -- high temperatures can reach 90 °F (38 °C) or higher -- and dry conditions persist deeper into the summer than in the higher elevations. The monsoonal thunderstorms begin to drift off the mountains in July to cool (and soak) the lower elevations, until the warm, dry fall conditions begin soon after Labor Day.

Talk
English really is the usual language in this area, despite rumors to the contrary. However, it's not necessarily an inhabitant's first language. Many residents speak Spanish not just at home but in public, in a dialect that has significant ties to seventeenth-century Spain as well as a number of distinctive regional quirks. The Spanish-speaking visitor may find it interesting to listen and learn, but no knowledge of Spanish is required to get around.

Get in
For access information covering the west side of the range, see the guides on Taos and Santa Fe. Road access to towns and locations on the eastern slopes is via highways leading from Interstate 25 south of Raton. US highway 64 provides the most direct access to the small towns of Eagle Nest, Red River and Angel Fire on the northeast side of the mountains; Sapello, Mora, and nearby areas are reached from Las Vegas on NM State Road 518; and Pecos, Cowles and many southeast-side trailheads are reached via NM 63 between Las Vegas and Santa Fe. The east-side roads can be difficult or impassable during winter storms.

Get around
Most numbered state and US highways in and near the mountains are on good paved road, although a few on the east side are gravel. Few passes cross the range that support highways. Palo Flechado Pass and Bobcat Pass are near Taos, Glorieta Pass skirts the southern end of the range near Santa Fe, and an unnamed pass connects Mora and Peñasco near the middle of the range. All of these can be closed for periods during the winter following snowstorms. Snow tires and either chains (have them available but don't use them routinely) or 4 wheel drive are a good idea when driving in the mountains between Thanksgiving and mid-March, and on occasion can be needed earlier or later. 4 wheel drive is definitely desirable year-round on some of the minor forest roads, particularly on the west side.

There are a number of roadless areas in the mountains that are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, etc, particularly the Pecos Wilderness north of Cowles. The many trails in the forest are generally accessible to hikers, horses, and mountain bikes. Motorized travel is forbidden in the Pecos Wilderness, but there are a number of abandoned logging roads outside the wildernesses that are suitable for ORVs and dirt bikes. (Please operate responsibly; damage in this terrain and climate takes a long time to heal.) Trails and, to a lesser extent, logging roads in the high country tend to be soggy until June or even July due to snowmelt.

In addition to the wilderness areas that are parts of the national forests, Taos Pueblo occupies considerable territory between the town of Taos and the ridge line. In contrast to most roadless areas in the range, the Taos Pueblo lands are closed to visitors without a permit from the tribe (which can be difficult to get). There are other private in-holdings at the northern end of the range that may also be closed; check locally.

Most areas that are suitable for hiking in the summer are also suitable for cross-country skiing in the winter, but be careful: although most of the mountains have relatively gentle slopes, the ridges are steep enough to pose serious avalanche hazard. In much of the area, snowshoes are more satisfactory for winter travel than skis or snowmobiles, because of the steepness and narrowness of the trails. Sparse snow makes all of these means of travel marginal at elevations below 8000' or so.

See
The Sangres are more of a "Do" place than a "See" place. However, there are attractive views of the forest and mountains from a number of viewpoints in the Española Valley and along the "High Road to Taos," a network of back roads connecting Taos and Santa Fe. More details on this route can be found on the North Central New Mexico page.

Autumn color in the forest mainly takes the form of a band of gold at elevations above about 8000 feet (2500 meters), where the leaves in the aspen groves turn en masse. A drive to the Santa Fe Ski Basin or the Taos Ski Valley at this time is scenically rewarding. Peak period varies from year to year and locale to locale, but is commonly during the last week in September.

Hiking and backpacking
The Pecos Wilderness offers excellent hiking once the snow has melted. Key trailheads into the Pecos are at the Santa Fe Ski Basin on the west side and near Cowles on the southeast. Both can be crowded during mid-summer. Trailheads near the town of Truchas on the northwest side are somewhat less crowded, but there have been problems with vandalism of vehicles parked there. Trails lead not only to good campsites but also to most of the high peaks, which are generally hands-in-the-pockets walk-ups under good conditions. (Lake Peak, just outside the wilderness, requires a little scrambling near the summit, with some exposure.) If peak-bagging, make sure you're off the summits by 1PM during summer months, as the Pecos is notoriously lightning-prone.

Most of the mountain lakes in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as the Beatty's Cabin area of the Pecos, are off limits to camping owing to environmental stresses. Campsites along the streams, however, are abundant and generally satisfactory for the backpacker or horsepacker, as long as you camp at least 1/4 mile from the closed lakes (and 200 feet from the stream itself). Puerto Nambé, a broad pass between Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Peak where the Winsor Trail reaches the ridgeline, can resemble a tent city on summer weekends.

Fishing
Most lakes and streams in the mountains are too small and cold to support many fish, but fishing along the Pecos River, which has its headwaters in the range, can be OK. Try various locations between Pecos and Cowles, but be careful of private property restrictions. Many of the smaller lakes and streams support small populations of trout that can make it worthwhile for a backpacker to carry in a collapsible rod, although you're not odds-on to catch much. Some of the lakes have been stocked with trout.

Winter sports
Skiing and snowboarding are popular activities in the winter months, with several developed ski resorts in the region. Ski conditions can vary considerably year-to-year, but the ski areas in the vicinity of Taos are at generally high enough elevations to ensure decent ski conditions. Slopes usually open on Thanksgiving weekend and close in late March/early April, although early season snow can be sparse and spring conditions slushy. From north to south, the ski resorts are as follows:
 * Red River is perched on the side of a narrow canyon above the town of the same name, and has fairly extensive offerings.
 * Angel Fire has a large resort and is arguably the most "commercialized" of the resorts, with extensive offerings and facilities catering to families, including terrain parks and a sledding and tubing hill.
 * Angel Fire has a large resort and is arguably the most "commercialized" of the resorts, with extensive offerings and facilities catering to families, including terrain parks and a sledding and tubing hill.

Away from the developed resorts, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is also a possibility in the mountains after a decent snowfall. Good trails can be found throughout the mountains, with Red River having some excellent groomed trails. Some cross-country trails can be found near the downhill slopes of Taos Ski Valley, but be wary of avalanche dangers in this area.

Buy
Like the rest of northern New Mexico, the Sangres are a good place to look for folk art. The arts and crafts of this region generally have a character more Hispanic in nature than the American Indian work done at the pueblos in the valley. (Exception for Picuris Pueblo, which produces micaceous pottery similar to that from the better-known potters at Taos Pueblo.) Three of the characteristic forms, most of which can be found in regional shops, are:
 * Chimayo blankets, textiles superficially similar to Navajo rugs but woven by descendants of Spanish settlers and much less complex; $50 will buy a good example. Weavers of the Cordova family are considered particularly proficient, and their work can be a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
 * Metalwork, particularly tinwork
 * Wood carvings. Notable among the latter are the uniquely New Mexican figurines known as santos -- representations of saints of the Catholic church, which dominates religious practice in the small towns of the area.  A good santo can cost $500 or more.  There are several other styles of woodwork, with "Ortega" and "Lopez" carvings having a good reputation.

A few of the small towns also have galleries with "Anglo" art of various types, while Taos and Santa Fe are world-famous for their shopping opportunities in this genre.

Eat
Most of the communities around the mountains have restaurants, notably Santa Fe with many prime dining opportunities. However, you can also find excellent options, particularly for New Mexican cuisine, in the communities of Española, Chimayó, and Taos on the western side of the range.

If you're planning on doing your own cooking, two things to be aware of: First, open campfires are frequently restricted during spring and sometimes summer in the national forests due to forest-fire hazard. Second, it's wise to provision up in Santa Fe, Taos, Las Vegas or Española, as inventories in the small-town stores can be limited.

Lodging
The towns of Santa Fe, Taos, and Española all have hotels and motels; see the guides for those places for more. Few of the smaller towns in the area have much in the way of lodging; Angel Fire and Red River have some options catering to those spending time at the local ski resorts.

Camping
There are numerous campgrounds in the Sangre administered by one of the two national forests. Several are free and available on a first-come-first-served basis (no reservations). Most of the busier campgrounds do have a fee; see the forest website for details. A few have the capability to accommodate large groups at sites that can be reserved.

Historically, there have been intermittent problems with theft from and vandalism of vehicles left at a few campgrounds, particularly around Truchas. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that this problem may have diminished in the last few years. Inquire locally and take sensible precautions.

Backcountry
The Pecos Wilderness is a superb backpacking destination. No permits are required. Seasonal restrictions on campfires are common; pack a stove. Most campsites are close to streams, so there is no need to pack in excessive quantities of water, but stream water should be purified as Giardia parasites are present in both wildernesses.

Hang food, etc., although bear problems are rare. An unusual problem for backpackers in the high country of the Sangre de Cristos is the presence of bighorn sheep. Their diet is salt-poor, they are not shy, and they have been known to pass through campsites simply licking anything handy that has salt on it. Of course, they don't put the utensils back where they found them after licking, so a campsite can be thrown into complete chaos when the sheep come through. Wash and secure dishes after meals, not just the foodstuffs.

Most of the campgrounds have fees for overnight stays; there may also be small ($2/night) fees for parking cars overnight at some of the more popular trailheads for backpackers, particularly around Cowles. Most other recreational use of the forest is free. Access to the Pecos Wilderness was controlled at one time by a permit system, but the permits have been discontinued and access is now free and unlimited. Seasonal closures due to fire hazard may occur in any and all of the national forest area, particularly in June and early July, and open campfires may be restricted during the spring. Inquire locally; the forest website generally does a good job of staying current on fire-related restrictions.

Stay safe
The main hazards in the Sangre de Cristos are altitude and weather. Altitude sickness is common among visitors from sea level who have not taken the time for some acclimatization in the valley. Two or three days spent in Santa Fe or Taos (or even the lower Albuquerque) before heading into the mountains will reduce your chances of troublesome or even serious illness. The primary weather-related issues are hypothermia and lightning. Freezing rain (or snow) can fall on the summits at any time of year; backpackers in the high country should have down or synthetic sleeping bags good for temperatures of 20 F (-7 C) in the summer. Do not take cotton sleeping bags on backpacking or horsepacking trips in the high forest; a disproportionate number of search-and-rescue operations result from visitors underestimating the weather and using cotton sleeping bags that become useless when wet. Good rainwear is a must, particularly in July and August; thunderstorms at these times make the high summits decidedly unhealthy places to be after about 1PM, and can form considerably earlier in the day.

Some care should be taken when visiting the small towns around the mountains. Several of the villages on the west side (e.g. Chimayo, Cundiyo, Truchas) lie along a major "pipeline" for narcotics coming into the United States from Mexico, and the villagers do not take kindly to outsiders poking around in places where they don't belong. There have also been ethnic tensions between the predominantly Hispanic residents of these towns and Anglo visitors. These often are manifested in trouble in bars, for which reason there is no "Drink" entry in this article; small-town bars are simply best avoided in this region. Vandalism of cars at campgrounds and trailheads has also been a problem. It's wise not to drive an ostentatious vehicle to these locations if you'll be leaving it unattended overnight; vandalism seems to increase in direct proportion to the value of the vehicle being vandalized.

One final note: northern New Mexico has an unfortunate and well-deserved reputation for problems with drunk drivers, and it's a definite problem in this area. Drive suspiciously, and if you must park along a roadside at night, get as far off the road as possible, as fatal encounters between intoxicated drivers and pedestrians are all too common.

Go next

 * If the mountains fascinate you, the Sangre de Cristos continue northward into Colorado and become considerably higher and more rugged. Much of the range immediately north of the state line is on private property and not open to the public.  From Alamosa north to the range's end near Salida, however, the Colorado Sangres are one of the state's most spectacular natural features, with nine of the state's "Fourteeners" -- peaks with summits above 14,000 feet -- and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
 * The valley of the Rio Grande, also called the Española Valley in New Mexico, is on the west side of the range, and offers additional attractions: whitewater in the Rio Grande Gorge for the outdoors enthusiast, a scenic drive for the more sedentary, more folk art at the pueblos as well as Hispanic centers, and surprisingly enough, some interesting wineries.
 * Across the Española Valley lies the Jemez Mountains, which are much lower than the Sangres but offer plenty of scenic and recreational opportunities, the lab city of Los Alamos, the spectacular cliff dwellings of Bandelier National Monument, and a vast grassland within the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

title: Sangre de Cristo Mountains


text:
Sanguem

Sanguem is in South Goa. It had a population of about 6400 in 2011.

Get in
Sanguem is 70 km southeast of Goa city - about 1hr 50min by car.

title: Sanguem


text:
San Gwann

San Ġwann (St. John) is a city in Malta.

See
The cart ruts or furrows in the area known as tal-Mensija were first recorded in 1934 by E.B. Vella, who described an extensive system of cart ruts totalling approximately 152 meters in length and with a consistent gauge of approximately 1.4 meters. These remaining cart ruts at Mensija San Gwann are characterised by two pairs, one forking out of the other.

title: San Gwann


text:
Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is a city in Florida, entirely encompassing a barrier island west of Fort Myers. Sanibel is known as a quiet, natural travel destination, well-suited for families.

Understand
Sanibel is not at all a stereotypical "Spring Break" type of destination. Its primary attractions are its birds, seashells, and sunsets, and many families travel here for a quiet getaway.

Sanibel was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The causeway collapsed and is being repaired. During the repair process, the bridge will sometimes be closed, especially overnight, and will always be slow (maximum 20 mph). Until the work on the causeway is complete, tentatively expected at the end of 2023, pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the bridge, and it may be unsafe for bicycles. Some restaurants and rental places have re-opened, and others have not.

Landscape
Sanibel is flat, long (12 miles), and narrow (3 miles at its widest). On the west, its beaches face the Gulf of Mexico. To the east, Sanibel borders Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay. The majority of the waterfront on the Sound is part of J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, including the calm waters of Tarpon Bay.

People looking for well-groomed white-sand beaches on Sanibel may be disappointed. The beaches are less maintained and more natural than in many locations. Seashell collectors will be pleasantly surprised by the density of seashells.

Seasonal variations
The peak travel season in Sanibel is January through April. Southwest Florida has some of the nation's mildest weather during this time, making this particular area appealing to winter-weary travelers. September and October are the island's quietest months, with some businesses shutting down for several weeks of the year.

Summers in southwest Florida can be oppressively hot and humid, but during the other months of the year Sanibel is a mild and pleasant environment. Even in the summers Sanibel's ocean breezes can eliminate some of the stifling heat.

Get in
Most travelers arrive by automobile, crossing the Sanibel Causeway (a one-way toll of $6). There are no airports on the island and no ferry service from the mainland.

Sanibel Island is less than 25 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport. Follow Daniels Parkway west to Summerlin Road, then Summerlin Road south and west to McGregor Boulevard, which leads to the Sanibel Causeway.

By car
Posted speed limits are enforced by local police, who will remind you why you have come to Florida's islands. Most roads will have limits of or less, through both residential areas and protected wildlife zones. Beware of the infamous double stop signs of Sanibel. They are posted like that because they are often missed. Be particularly careful to mind the speed limit at night. There are not many roads on the Island and at night there is virtually always someone watching them. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists.

On the eastern half of the island, the main road through the city is Periwinkle Way. A variety of side streets connect this road with the beaches, shops, restaurants, and lodging on the island.

On the western half of the island, the main road is Sanibel-Captiva Road, or "San-Cap". Fewer roads connect to this one, which is bordered by protected lands on both sides for much of its length. At the end of San-Cap where the two islands meet at Blind Pass, this area is called "Santiva", a portmanteau of Sanibel and Captiva.

Running parallel to both these roads, along the southern shore of the island, is Gulf Drive.

By bicycle
There are 22 miles of cycling paths on Sanibel. With no hills to speak of, cycling can be a rewarding way to see the island. However, shops are more than two miles from most lodging locations. It is recommended to rent a vehicle, since riding past sunset is impossible as there are no street lights on Sanibel. Numerous local businesses rent bicycles, and some hotels and inns have bikes for their guests to use without charge. When setting off on a bicycle, remember to bring along water and sunscreen, and to obey all traffic laws.

See
You will see that the gorgeous natural beaches are sometimes ankle-deep in beautiful shells, sponges, driftwood, sand dollars, and so on. Shells can sometimes cover a lot of the sand. Beach oats and other "wild looking" plants grow between the homes and the water's edge. Washed up you will find seaweed and other interesting marine life. Those plants are not "weeds," and this is not a "dirty" beach. These are all signs of a wild unspoiled beach, and Sanibel and Captiva Islands are making every attempt to keep these beautiful islands in their natural state.

The island is lush with bougainvillea and other brilliantly colored flowers and shrubs nearly all year long. This is definitely a sub-tropical climate. Tiny lizards scurry about (even in and out of restaurants) and you might see lots of cute, tiny tree frogs stuck to your condo door when you come home at night!

Have insect repellant with DEET on hand; you will probably need it for a couple of hours around dawn and dusk because of the sand flies (also called midges or "no-see-ums") that come out then, if there is no wind blowing. You literally cannot see the "no-see-ums" and they are so small that they go right through the fly screens on balconies and lanais. Some folks feel the biting, but their skin does not react badly, whereas a few people will show little red marks after a couple of hours and these sometimes can itch and remain for a week. Some fortunate people not only do not react to the no-see-um bites but don't even feel the biting.

 * Historic lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island.
 * Historic lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island.

Do
Sanibel is mostly known as an ecological destination. Bird watchers and shell collectors make up the majority of the island's visitors each year.

 * Rent full-size and mini bikes and/or motorized scooters to see the island more slowly and take everything in at a more leisurely pace.
 * Rent your own sightseeing boats. There is a large public beach which features the Sanibel Lighthouse at one end of the island and large, quiet covered fishing pier as well. You'll be entertained by and enjoy the company of lots of pelicans patiently waiting for someone to toss some fish scraps their way on the pier. A very peaceful, delightful place.
 * Fish (license required) from shore, or hire a charter. You can catch delicious whiting right in the surf on the beach in front of your condo, cook them just minutes or hours later and savor the best, freshest fish you have eaten in a long time.
 * Collect shells at any of the public beaches (any shell that has a live inhabitant and any other kinds of live sea life, such as live sand dollars etc, may not be taken)
 * Rent a kayak and explore the calm waters of Tarpon Bay
 * Play golf or tennis

Buy
Shells, sharp fashions, beautiful jewelry, decorative "beachy items" and all kinds of quality merchandise. A full size grocery store ("Jerry's") holds court in one of the malls. Lavish decor outside includes macaws, parrots, Mynahs, cockatoos. This shopping "complex" consists of a  combination large grocery and quality yet affordable souvenir store, as well as a specialty liquor store and a few other shops and boutiques.

The oldest and largest grocery store and hardware outlet is in Bailey's Plaza. The Baileys are one of the original island families and the store is still managed by family members. You also can pre-order groceries for pick up or delivery to your rental unit through Bailey's General Store. There are other stores in the plaza worth investigating. Bailey's also features a great Coffee Bar and a Movie Kiosk, where you can rent a movie for the night. Also located in Bailey's Plaza is The Grog Shop Liquor Store, they offer a huge selection of fine wines, beer, liqueurs, and cigars. The only walk in humidor on Sanibel is located in The Grog Shop.

Eat
There are no fast-food chain restaurants on Sanibel, other than a single Dairy Queen which has been there so long that it received an exemption to the strict laws passed to preserve the island's special charm.

Drink
See The Grog Shop Sanibel Island Liquor Store in Buy section.

Sleep
There are a large number of different places to stay on Sanibel including a lot of small hotels and inns. There is one "chain" of hotels on the island. There are also a lot of small-to-medium townhome or condo complexes, each one prettier than the next. Many have outdoor, (or indoor/outdoor covered) pools, patios and grills, and some of the largest have tennis courts, clubhouses, putting greens, etc. If you want a constant ocean view, be clear about it when making reservations. Lots of townhome and condo complexes are across from the beach. Still just a hop, skip and jump from the water, but unless you spend a lot of time on the beach itself all day, you'll miss the view! Most private rental homes are across the street from the beach or on the inner parts of the island.

Dogs and cats are allowed in some (but not many) of the condo/townhome complexes. Dogs may be on the beach if on leash. All condos and townhomes are family-friendly.

A few of the many available options are:

Go next

 * Captiva Island - to the west. A smaller island with a variety of restaurants.
 * Fort Myers

title: Sanibel Island


text:
San Ignacio

There is more than one place called San Ignacio:

Belize

 * San Ignacio (Belize) - A town in Belize.

Mexico

 * San Ignacio (Baja California) - A town in Baja California.
 * San Ignacio (Sinaloa) - A seaside town in Sinaloa.

Paraguay

 * San Ignacio Guazú - A town in the South of Paraguay

title: San Ignacio


text:
San Ignacio (Baja California)

San Ignacio is a town of 670 people (2010) in Baja California. It has a beautiful old mission, and is the gateway to San Ignacio Lagoon, the winter time sanctuary of the Pacific gray whale.

Understand
The village grew at the site of the Cochimí settlement of Kadakaamán and the Jesuit Mission San Ignacio founded in 1728 by Juan Bautista Luyando.

At San Ignacio, Baja California's arid Central Desert terrain gives way to a large grove of lush green date palms. A large spring-fed pond and small river on the outskirts of town feeds into the central plaza and village next to the 18th-century Jesuit mission.

Get in
San Ignacio is 77 km west of Santa Rosalía toward Guerrero Negro on the Mexican Federal Highway 1.

It is 866 km (567 miles) from the San Diego, California/Tijuana border crossing. Highway 1 is a well-maintained, four-lane, toll highway from Tijuana to Ensenada. South of Ensenada, Highway 1 becomes a narrow (but relatively well-maintained) two-lane highway. Pemex gas stations are now located in every major town through which Highway 1 travels on the way to San Ignacio. Driving only during daylight hours is recommended, due to livestock that frequently cross the road at night, and decreased visibility of the narrow and winding roads through the mountain sides.

The nearest airports are to the north at Guerrero Negro Airport in Guerrero Negro, or to the south at Loreto International Airport  in Loreto.

Do
Perfect place to stay before heading out to see the whales.

Go next

 * El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve

title: San Ignacio (Baja California)


text:
San Ignacio (Belize)

San Ignacio is a small town in the Cayo region of Belize, with around 25,000 citizens. San Ignacio, or Cayo as it is called, is located on the Macal river, and makes a good and affordable base for exploration of the stunning regions around it, with plenty of day trips to be taken and several decent tour guides willing to take you. It is located on the CA13 highway 15 kilometres from the border to Guatemala.

Understand
San Ignacio is renowned for its close proximity to Belize's famous Maya ruins, and is a hub for outdoor activities such as caving, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and Belize being a small country the Caribbean beaches aren't far away. It is one of the last towns in Belize before entering Guatemala, where many visitors go to visit the Tikal Maya ruins. The population is mostly of Mayan and mestizo origin, but there's also a small Lebanese and bigger Chinese community in town, visible through their local businesses. Opposite the Macal River across the Hawksworth Bridge is Santa Elena, formerly a separate town that has grown together even administratively. Together they're known as "the Twin Towns" and with around 26,000 inhabitants form the second most populous urban area in Belize.

The area has been inhabited since around 1200 BCE, and until the 9th century CE a town named Cahal Pech was located about one kilometre south of present-day San Ignacio. It was abandoned, and a new town named Tipú was established by the Mayas 9 km further south along the river. The Spanish showed up in the 16th century, together with some unsuccessful attempts to convert the natives to Christianity. They established a town by the name of El Cayo where present-day San Ignacio is, named so because it was a European "island" in the middle of the Mayan kingdom. The Spanish were driven out by the natives in 1638 and El Cayo was abandoned, though they would return in 1707, backed by military force, and in turn forced the Mayans west into Guatemala. The name of the town was first noted as San Ignacio on a map from 1787. But they did not undertake much else in the region, instead British lumberjacks settled in the area which would eventually become British. In 1930 the highway from Belize City was finished, making it possible to get there from the coast in just a day. The "La Ruta Maya" canoe race still reminds of the days before the highway where the only way in was the Macal River.

These days few trees are cut down, and agriculture is the main activity in town. Being on the road between Belize City and Guatemala and surrounded by sights means that also tourists have found their way to San Ignacio. Tourist infrastructure has sprung up and there are eateries and lodging in all price classes.

By car
San Ignacio is easily reachable by car. The Western Highway is the best road in the country and is fully paved and free of pot-holes. There are several gas stations along the route so you have no worries there. Once you reach the sister-city of San Ignacio - Santa Elena - be aware that there are two bridges and each is a one way bridge. You have to make a right turn, if you are heading west, and run downhill to cross the bridge into San Ignacio. Locals apparently know tourists will miss this turn and are quite aware to signal you that you have made a mistake if you try to go the wrong way.

You leave San Ignacio across the Hawksworth Bridge which is the only suspension bridge in Belize. This is also a one-way bridge to leave town, unless the low lying bridge is closed.

By bus
2nd class buses (no air conditioning or "trunk" for suitcases) run frequently from Belize City; the trip is usually less than 2½ hours, in spite of numerous stops. As of 2019, a bus from Belize City to San Ignacio costs BZ$9 (Belizean dollars). Buses run to Dangriga on the coast in about 3 hours. In the other direction, buses run to the Guatemalan border quite close by, with connections to Flores and Tikal. Bus services are either "regular", which means they stop anywhere along the road to pick up and let off passengers, or "express", with only scheduled stops in major towns. The website Belmopanonline keeps an up-to-date schedule of bus lines in Belize.

By shuttle
Shuttles can pick you up at the airport, or most any other spot, and transfer you much quicker and with much more ease since they are door to door. See Belize City for a list which includes addresses and phone numbers of the shuttle companies as many of them are based in San Ignacio.

 * Belize Ground Shuttle offers daily shared shuttle service to and from San Ignacio and the International Airport, Belize City, Placencia, Hopkins, and Dangriga. They have a fleet of brand new vans for safety and comfort. Great for groups.

 * Ron's Belize Shuttle specializes in private shuttle service offering door to door service between any destination in Belize.

 * BZ Belize Shuttle  has an outstanding recorder of transporting you to and from your destination on-time. Your Belize Shuttle Driver is Denfield Gomez, known locally as Denny, maintain an impeccable driving recorder when it comes to shuttling you to or from your destination.

 * Teddy Bear Shuttle and taxi service is safe and reliable, you can find him just behind the Belize Bank in the centre of San Ignacio Town.

 * William's Belize Shuttle has shuttle services from Philip Goldson International Airport, Belize City, Placencia and Hopkins Village.

By plane
San Iglacio has a small landing strip named. Tropic Air offers flights to San Ignacio from several other locations in Belize, including Belize City, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. Flights are operated by small planes flying at a quite low altitude (around 1000 m) giving passengers nice views of the landscape during flight.

By foot
The roads in town are quite walkable, and traffic is light. Most everything is within a 5-minute walk from downtown. There is really no reason to drive. The town is foot-scaled so walking is your best bet for getting about and really experiencing the town.

By taxi
If you do need a ride, taxis are available near the bus drop-off and along Savannah Street. Shared taxis ("collectivos") to the nearby village of Bullet Tree Falls are available on Wyatt Street off Burns Avenue.

By car
One can also rent a car locally with or without a driver. There are a few car rental agencies in town.

 * Premium Rentals in Santa Elena offers small SUV's and large passenger vans.
 * Matus Car Rental and Western Auto Rental are also options.

By bus
There are public buses with service to nearby resorts for only BZ$1 per person. This offers a great way to get into town, but if you expect to stay late remember you may have to take a taxi back, and they can get increasingly more expensive later into the night.

See
Sights outside town are commonly visited by tour.

In town

Outside town

Do
Activities generally mean exploring the nature around town and in the region - independently or as part of a tour. There are shorter nature trails, longer trekking trails and getting to and around the archaeological sites also usually entail trekking. These sites and caves are partially in the same state as when they were rediscovered with comparatively little tourist infrastructure (and tourists) so getting there is a bit of an adventure. Many resorts rent bicycles both for riding on roads and in the terrain, and one business offers horse tours. There are also canoes and kayaks for rent to see the nature from the river. Animal watching is possible at the resorts outside towns or in the nature reserves and gardens.

Tour companies
Many tour companies in San Ignacio, Pacz Tours and KaWiil Tours being the best for safety and quality per outside evaluators, run tours to a wide variety of interesting caves, ruins, rivers, and jungle trails.

It's a good idea to read reviews for other tour companies before booking because some of them have treated guests poorly.

Most of these are day trips, leaving early in the morning and returning the same afternoon. Not all tours are available on any given day. Most tour companies require a certain minimum number of registrations before they'll make the run. Checking in the night before for which tours are available the next day is often the best option.

Buy
There are some shops along Burns Avenue, and each Saturday is market day.

Eat
San Ignacio is one of the more tourist-friendly towns in Belize, with a variety of restaurants keeping longer hours than in many other towns. There are a wide variety of restaurants, and many have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Budget

In addition to the restaurants you can also find streetside vendors serving up burritos, tacos, stews and the like.

Mid-range

Splurge

 * Running W Steakhouse at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel (see sleep)

Drink
There are a few options in town, and occasionally also parties at the riverside. Apparently the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the San Ignacio's drinking scene hard with many place having closed down.

Sleep

San Ignacio is the biggest town close to Guatemala, from where many tourists enter and exit Belize. Therefore the city has quite a few accommodations relative to its size and attractions.

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe
At nighttime, especially for longer distances, you should move around in groups or take a taxi.

Connect

 * The post office is on Hudson street near Waight's Avenue.

 * The operator Digicell has 4G coverage in San Ignacio and much of the surroundings. There are also a couple of Internet cafés in town.

Go next

 * Belmopan - the capital of Belize is a good jumping-off point for other destinations. from San Ignacio to Belmopan is 42 km, and takes one hour in a bus.

 * Hopkins is 140 km from San Ignacio to Hopkins. A bus via Belmopan takes three hours.

Guatemala

 * Tikal - across the border is the world heritage site of Tikal, together with Chichen Itza one of the most famous Maya sites with ruins dating back to 6th century BC.

title: San Ignacio (Belize)


text:
San Ignacio Guazú

San Ignacio Guazú is a village in Paraguay. Its main attraction are the buildings once built for the Jesuit Mission but still in use today.

Get in
Take any "commun" bus from Asunción to Encarnación (or vice versa) and tell the driver to get out for the city centre or main plaza.
 * From Asunción ca. 4h
 * From Encarnación ca. 3h, 6 US$

title: San Ignacio Guazú


text:
San Isidro de El General

San Isidro de El General (sometimes referred to as Pérez Zeledón) is the capital and biggest city in the canton of Pérez Zeledon in South Pacific Costa Rica.

Understand
There is active commerce, lots of stores, schools, mechanics, hospitals, postal offices, etc. San Isidro de El General has a small but significant American retiree population.

International Park La Amistad is near this city.

Get in
San Isidro d El General is located 2 hours from Chirripo National Park and 45 minutes from Dominical Beach. Buses are available from San José and also from Quepos via Dominical. The "Musoc" bus line is dependable, comfortable, and very affordable, having both its terminals (in San José and San Isidro) in central and convenient locations.

Get around
San Isidro d El General is small enough and far more secure than San Jose to explore on foot without much complication. Taxis line up on the streets around the central park and throughout the city.

There is also a very reliable and efficient local bus transportation system that not only connects the various key locations of the city to each other, but the city itself to other localities of the Pérez Zeledón canton. The main bus terminal is in front of Coopeagri store in the central market complex. A short walking distance from the central park.

See
The market complex in downtown is worth exploring. The city is small and pleasant to walk around and shop around for toiletries and other such things that one may need, although prices are considerably higher for many things (clothes, etc.) than in San José.

Buy
There is a commercial center downtown, one mall in the southern end of town, and a new one about to open in December in the center of town. Not a big place for shopping, but visit the local market to see the culture, eat, and buy some fruits. Maxi-Bodega has many American food products. You can find several shoe stores with a selection of American brands. Some bargains can be found.

Eat
The central market is the place to eat like the locals do. There are lots of "soda" restaurants around and many of them are quite good and reasonably priced. Dishes with chicken and rice are usually done well. Many places serve fresh fruit juices that are delicious.

But if you want something more international, here are a few places:

 * Chirripo Hotel, across the street from the main church in Centro. Hang out for many visitors and locals.
 * Reginas Argentinian Parrillada... on the way to Dominical in El Hoyón.
 * Pizza Primavera, by PALI supermarket in the city center on the street behind CoopeAgri.
 * Delicias Cafe, great people watching and meeting your friends, a good coffee place with great food
 * Mexico Lindo on the south part of the park, great Mexican food
 * Kukis fast food, next to Mexico Lindo
 * Bazookas  a mix of Costa Rican and American food, on the way to San Jose next to the Solis Gas Station
 * Coffee Stop Authentic Costa Rican food and coffee, free Wi-Fi Internet, clean bathrooms just north of San Isidro

Drink
There are several popular bars in San Isidro de El General. Although the city is quite small, some of the best bars are a little off the beaten track. It is recommended to hire a taxi for bar-hopping. Below is a list and description of the best bars.

 * La Cascada upstairs restaurant, local music, popular for locals and ex-pats alike.
 * Bar de Brasilia karaoke and loud music, popular among the working class.
 * Reyes several billiards tables and an open bar area.
 * El Camaron very popular among younger Costa Ricans.
 * Babalu a hip bar with a small cover charge at door.
 * Basha-Pz popular dancing area and large bar. Plays American and local music. Very pleasant atmosphere.

Sleep
There are some small hotels where you can rent a room. The city is small, just look around.

title: San Isidro de El General


text:
Sanjiang

Sanjiang (三江; Sānjiāng) is a county in North Guangxi in China

Understand
Sanjiang means three rivers, named after the three rivers in the county, Rong River, Xun River and Miao River. Located in the north Guangxi, it is a juncture of Guangxi, Hunan and Guizhou Provinces. It has a common boundary with Longsheng, Guilin. It was built in the Song Dynasty (about 1105 AC) and became Dong Autonomous County of Guangxi in 1955. The autonomous region, covering an area of 2,454 square kilometers, mainly consisting of the Dong ethnic tribe, which makes up more than 54% of the county's total population.

It is the capital of a Dong Autonomous Prefecture with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The main reason to come to this dusty concrete town is to visit the amazing and peaceful Chengyang, which is about half an hour from here by bus.

Get in
There is good bus service to/from Guilin. There are also buses west into Guizhou. The usual traveller's route is to Congjiang then Kaili. Buses from Longsheng are 1.5 hours, and from Guilin 4.5 hours.

There is a railway station called Sanjiang County which is about 10km away from the centre of town and best reached by taxi or minibus. There are few trains but there is a sleeper to Zhangjiajie

See
Sanjiang is a wonderland, a mysterious region traditionally inhabited by the Dong people. The visitors who come here are intoxicated by its unique culture, buildings and picturesque landscapes. The most popular attractions are

Buy
Traditional Dong musical instruments, particularly the lusheng (reed mouth organ) are sold by shops near the Dong People's Eco-Museum.

Eat
Great tangyuan.

title: Sanjiang


text:
Sanjo

Sanjo (三条市) is a city in Niigata prefecture.

Tourist information site
The city government has an official Japanese-only guide site, Sanjo Navi, with integrated Google Translate.

Go next

 * Mitsuke
 * Kamo
 * Tsubame
 * Yahiko
 * Niigata
 * Gosen
 * Aga
 * Nagaoka
 * Tadami

title: Sanjo


text:
San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County is in the San Joaquin Valley region of California.

Get in
Interstate 5 and California State Route 99 run roughly parallel through the county, providing the main north-south routes for travelers heading north to Sacramento or south through the Central Valley. Interstate 580 branches west from Interstate 5 for those coming from the Bay Area.

Stockton is served by the Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK), with service from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix Sky-Harbor, and San Diego (seasonally) with Alleigiant Air and United Express.

Go next

 * - Bordering San Joaquin County to the north, Sacramento County stretches from the wetlands at the edge of the San Francisco Bay to the rolling hills of Gold Country. The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching.  The capital city, Sacramento, sits at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums.
 * - San Joaquin County's neighbor to the northeast, Amador County was home to several mines during the Gold Rush, including the Kennedy Mine in Jackson which was the deepest gold mine of its time. Today the county is known for its Zinfandel, with the Shenandoah Valley home to over 40 wineries.  Visitors may also enjoy Black Chasm Cavern in Volcano, historic buildings, and outdoor activities such as skiing, camping and fishing.
 * - East of San Joaquin County lies sparsely populated Calaveras County, which inspired author Mark Twain's first successful story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"; today visitors can visit Twain's cabin and enjoy the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee in the tiny town of Angels Camp. The county is also home to several natural caves, a handful of wineries, Gold Rush history, and giant sequoia trees in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
 * - While still primarily an agricultural county known for its almond trees, parts of San Joaquin County's southern neighbor have become a bedroom community for people trying to escape the high housing costs of the Bay Area. Travelers will find plenty of amenities, although most only see Stanislaus County while passing through on their way elsewhere.
 * - San Joaquin County's southwestern neighbor is home to Silicon Valley, headquarters to hundreds of tech companies including giants like Apple, Intel and Hewlett Packard. Visitors will appreciate the massive array of restaurants, museums, and cultural opportunities offered by the huge city of San Jose, while at the other end of the spectrum the tiny town of Gilroy is famous for garlic, with its annual festival attracting over 100,000 garlic lovers.
 * - Alameda County is located to the southwest of San Joaquin County. The densely populated northern part of the county is home to the many parks and museums of Oakland, the counter-cultural hub that is Berkeley, and a historic aircraft carrier in Alameda.  The county's southern region provides a chance to experience dozens of immigrant communities, particularly in Fremont, while the eastern part of the county is rural, with the windmills and rolling hills surrounding Livermore offering opportunities for outdoor activities.
 * - San Joaquin County's northwestern neighbor is a primarily residential county that offers a vast array of food, shopping, and lodging options for Bay Area visitors. The landscape is dominated by Mount Diablo, a peak that provides excellent hiking opportunities and, on clear days, summit views that stretch for well over 100 miles (160 km) in all directions. Other attractions include the John Muir Historic Site in Martinez, the estate of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill in Danville, and a World War II shipyard, now a national historic site, in Richmond.

title: San Joaquin County


text:
San Joaquin Valley

The San Joaquin Valley of California stretches from the Tehachapi Mountains north of Los Angeles up to Sacramento. Largely agricultural, the area is some of the most fertile and important farmland in the world.

Cities
The cities of the most importance are Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, and Modesto. A more complete list of major cities within the San Joaquin Valley would include:

 * Third largest city in the central valley. Cattle ranching and petroleum are the major industries in this city, which is very hot in the summer.
 * - The largest city in the Central Valley and home to many major farm corporations and food corporations.
 * - Home to the University of California, Merced. Built in 2005, it is the newest and "greenest" UC. The midsize city also boasts an up and coming downtown. There is a small winery scene in the area including Gallo farms and Vista Cellars.
 * - Midsize city with decent food in its downtown.
 * - Home to the University of the Pacific and one of America's most diverse cities.
 * - Considered a bedroom community for Bay Area commuters and a crossroads for people traveling between Central Valley, Bay Area, and Los Angeles.

Other destinations

 * The Sierra foothills on the eastern side of the valley have good scenery.

Understand

Between the Diablo Range and the Sierra Nevada is the Central Valley. There are two major rivers in the Central Valley, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, and the Central Valley is a good agricultural area. For the tourist, it does not have great sightseeing opportunities or many locations of great historical value; however, the Central Valley's location fairly close to both the Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada Mountains is worth noting.

The main activity in the region is farming, and generally not much else happens, and the valley isn't an important tourist destination. But driving the through the region, especially on country roads, can be a wonderful and enjoyable experience.

While most of the land is treeless, there are a few preserves that are scattered through the Central Valley where woodlands can be found.

Talk
English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Tagalog are spoken in the San Joaquin Valley. It's helpful to know a little of each, as many people speak only one or the other. Punjabi and Tagalog are widely spoken by Indian and Filipino immigrants in major cities; the large number of Mexicans who work on the various farms — and related industries — mean that Spanish is widely spoken throughout the valley.

However, you're still in the United States, so in most places you're likely to visit as an ordinary traveler, knowing just English should get you along fine.

By plane
You can get in to San Joaqiun by flying into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). Fresno has flights from Mexico and the West Coast. Other options include Bakersfield’s Meadows Field Airport (BFL) and Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK).

By car
Interstate 5 and State Route (SR) 99 are the main routes through the region; they go from north to south. SR-99 connects the major cities of the San Joaquin Valley from Stockton in the north to its junction with I-5 at Wheelers Ridge (Exit 221 of I-5) south of Bakersfield. I-5 bypasses the San Joaquin cities and run parallel to SR-99 at 40 to 48 miles (64-78 km) apart. The San Joaquin cities can still be reached by I-5 at various points along the way. It would just be another east to reach any city along a two-lane highway. They are not scenic drives, but instead routes into, and through, the region.

By bus
Intercity bus lines and shuttles typically pass through the San Joaquin Valley on their way between Tijuana/Tijuana Airport, Los Angeles/Huntington Beach and Sacramento along SR-99. In between they typically stop in Bakersfield, Tulare/Visalia, Delano, Goshen Jct, Fresno, Merced, Turlock, Modesto and Stockton. Not all companies will make all of the above stops while others may make stops in addition to the above or skip through the area. Some go towards the SF Bay area from the San Joaquin Valley without going through Sacramento. In the cities, each company typically has its own bus station or stops. Check their websites for schedules, routing and stop/station locations:

There may be additional Hispanic bus companies connecting the San Joaquin Valley from southern California and the Mexican border in the south to as far north as Wenatchee or Yakima WA.

By train

 * Amtrak San Joaquins passes through the San Joaquin several times daily between Stockton and Bakersfield with stops in Modesto, Turlock, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Hanford, Corcoran, Allensworth and Wasco. Going the opposite direction from Stockton some trains go north towards Sacramento via Lodi while others go west towards Oakland via Antioch-Pittsburg, Martinez, Richmond & Emeryville (nearest station to San Francisco). Nearest stops with Amtrak Thruway bus connections to Yosemite NP are in Merced and Fresno.
 * Amtrak Thruway There are multiple Amtrak Thruway bus connections to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, Victorville, Yosemite NP and other parts of the state from different stops along the San Joaquins route. A Thruway bus trip can only be used as part of a train journey. It cannot be booked separately for bus only.

Get around
This is a car-based area. Some public transit is available in the form of buses, but they are highly inefficient. Taxi and ride share services are available by reservation and can get expensive.

Distances are large. Even crossing the San Joaquin Valley is a long drive; driving along either of the freeways north or south through the valley is a long, boring drive, with few interesting sights along these highways themselves.

Stay safe
The Central Valley can get very foggy in winter, making driving extremely dangerous with visibility of 100 feet (30 m) and less. On the faster highways, such as Interstate 5 and State Route 99, the fog can turn small accidents into smash-ups of dozens of cars.

Gang activity is quite common in the larger cities. Avoid being out alone after dark, and avoid wearing solid red or solid blue, as these are gang colors and may make you a target.

Stay healthy
San Joaquin cities such as Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia, Merced, and Modesto have poor air quality. In fact, all of these cities rank among the top 15 smoggiest cities in the U.S. Summer temperatures can soar above 110°F (45°C), even in the hills. Drink plenty of water; heat strokes and dehydration are very common during the summer.

Also, the Sierra Nevada and Coastal Ranges are nearby, and wildfires are fairly common in these ranges. The smoke — and even the fires themselves — can spread into the valley, especially from the Sierra Nevada, greatly worsening the air quality to smog conditions. While these fires typically occur in the mountains either east or west of the valley during late summer, they can happen at any time of year.

Go next

 * Sacramento Valley and the Gold Country are to the north.
 * Sierra Nevada, to the east, is one of the highest mountain ranges in the U.S. Popular destinations in the mountain range include Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
 * The Central Coast is to the west.
 * Surprise, surprise — Southern California to the south. This is the location of Los Angeles and San Diego.

title: San Joaquin Valley


text:
San Jon

San Jon is a tiny village of 300 people in Northeast New Mexico. Established in 1902 as a railroad town, it prospered during the heyday of Route 66 but became a semi-ghost town when 66 was bypassed by Interstate 40 in 1981.

The service stations and cafés which served US 66 are mostly gone, although one motel remains.

Get in
San Jon is at the crossroads of historic Route 66 (which passes through as Main Street) and New Mexico State Hwy 469 (Interstate 40 exit 356).

Buy
There are some services near the I-40 offramp, but options are limited.

Logan
Logan, New Mexico (population 1000) is a village at the eastern end of the Ute Reservoir on US Route 54, about 20 miles north of San Jon via NM 469. There is a hotel, motel and restaurant in this village, which serves as a point of entry to a state park and fishing grounds.

title: San Jon