text:
Lăng Cô

Lang Co is on the Central Coast region of Vietnam, in Thua Thien-Hue Province in the district of Phu Loc.

Understand
Lang Co's industries are primarily fishing and tourism.

Get in
The quickest and easiest way to get to Lang Co is via a taxi from the Da Nang International Airport. Most taxis are metered and will cost approximately 450,000 dong inclusive of tolls and airport exit fees.

The taxi driver will always go through the tunnel, if left to his own devices, but for a more interesting ride which should only cost a further 150,000 dong, ask the driver to take the Hai Van Pass. The Hai Van Pass route will take about 50 minutes from the airport to Lang Co, while the tunnel route will take approximately 35 minutes.

There are no buses from the Da Nang international airport. To take a bus would require taking a taxi from the airport to the bus terminal for approximately 50,000 dong and then taking the bus from the terminal to Lang Co at a cost of 15,000 dong. These buses generally wait until they are full and the temperature inside can get very hot.

Get around
The best way to get around Lang Co is by a motorbike or a bicycle, especially going around the tranquil lagoon.

See
There are no specific attractions within Lang Co.

Aside from the 15 km of white beach on the South China Sea, a visit to the local market in the middle the village would be interesting. Most of the women selling in the market only speak Vietnamese.

Do

Buy
There are only about 2 ATMs in Lang Co. Sometimes these are out of service or have no money to dispense. Collect money from an ATM in Da Nang.

There is a post office (VNPT) in Lang Co, which has international money transfer facilities.

Sleep
There are many hotels being built along Highway 1A. These hotels on the highway are budget hotels with rooms around 200,000-400,000 dong per night. Most do not have back-up power and the Vietnam power supplier regularly cuts power off to the region starting from anywhere from 05:00-19:00. The resorts on the beach generally have back-up generators.

Connect
There are several Internet shops scattered along Hwy 1A, but more are concentrated down the small road down to the market (entrance to the road, is the first right from the toll booth coming from Danang). The shops will generally be filled with local children playing online games. The cost is about 5,000 dong/hour.

Go next

 * Hoi An - about 1-hour taxi from Lang Co and a car can be hired for approximately 700,000 dong.
 * Hue - about 1½-hour drive from Lang Co. Local buses/vans go to Hue throughout the day. You just need to stand on the side of the road and wave at one that has a sign in the front that says Hue, Hanoi. These buses are the cheapest mode of transport but can get very stuffy and packed to the rim. Tourist buses are a better option and tickets can be purchased at Thanh Tam Resort, where the bus stops.
 * Bach Ma National Park

title: Lăng Cô


text:
Langdon

Langdon is a city in the Red River Valley of North Dakota.

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

title: Langdon


text:
Langebaan

Langebaan is a town of 8,300 people (2011) on the west coast of South Africa. It is on the eastern shore of Saldanha Bay. The southern part of Saldanha Bay is known as Langebaan Lagoon. To protect its culture as a fishing, holiday and retirement village, the town allows no industries.

Get in
Langebaan is about 90 minutes drive from Cape Town. From Cape Town, drive north up the R27 (West Coast Road) through Milnerton and Table View.

Do
Langebaan is a great place to kitesurf. There are several kitesurfing schools in Langebaan.

The white sand beaches surrounding the clear waters of the Langebaan Lagoon are one of the main attractions of Langebaan. The mild climate and protected waters of the lagoon make Langebaan popular for sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing and fishing, and the town offers numerous holiday facilities for water sport enthusiasts.

Club Mykonos Resort hosts a number of annual events, festivals and exhibitions. Able to accommodate large numbers, the well-known artists are regular performers at this venue. Popular competitions and fund raising events are hosted at the resort.

Large-scale sporting events such as triathlons, the downwind dash, cycling, car gymkhanas and more are held here. A monthly craft market as well as art exhibitions through the year, showcase the talents of local artists. Community events includes the church bazaar and the annual Langebaan Mussel Festival, which takes place on the first weekend of October.

Sleep
Defined by its rugged shorelines, coastal vegetation, heritage fishing villages and unpretentious lifestyle, the West Coast still holds an element of the wild unknown. With a tangibly strong culture of fisher-folk who have been the guardians of the land that supports them, their quaint small wooden fishing boats and simple lives on the sea, are qualities that draw visitors from around the globe. Loved by many, the dramatic coastline, changeable seas, white sandy beaches and cerulean blue skies creep under your skin and seep into your soul. Perhaps the most beautiful of all the quaint villages is Langebaan, with its natural wonders, blue lagoon and azure skies.

Go next
Saldanha Bay, Paternoster, Port Owen and St Helena Bay are all close by. Cape Town is just over an hour's drive away.

title: Langebaan


text:
Langeland

Langeland is an island in the South Funen Archipelago in southern Denmark, 50 kilometres from north to south, and home to about 12,000 people (2018). The island produces grain and is known as a recreational and wellness tourism area.

Get in
Langeland is connected with bridges to Siø, Tåsinge, and Funen

By bus
It takes around 30 minutes by bus from Svendborg to Rudkøbing with Fynbus lines 911-914 (912 stops at the ferry terminal). They leave around every 30 minutes during peak hours, and every hour in the evening.

By ferry

The port in Rudkøbing is open to both leisure sailors and commercial traffic, and there are regular ferries to Strynø and Marstal on Ærø. Look for Havnepladsen, 5900 Rudkøbing on your GPS if it doesn't include the harbour. Many buses stops at the ferry terminal as well.

Get around
Fynbus includes regional bus schedules and a route planner.

See

Go next

 * Lolland
 * Tåsinge
 * Ærø

title: Langeland


text:
Langesund

Langesund is a small coastal town in Telemark.

By bus
Bus from Kristiansand and Oslo stop on the highway E18 which is a ten minute drive from Langesund.

There is a direct bus from Skien, Porsgrunn and Stathelle.

By car
Follow signs from the E18 towards Langesund.

By ferry
The ferry company Fjord Line has 1-2 daily routes to and from Hirtshals in Denmark, and continuing to Bergen in West Norway.

By train
From Porsgrunn you can take train to or from Oslo or Notodden.

title: Langesund


text:
Langford

The City of Langford is a city of over 35,000 people (2016), and is the business hub of "Westshore", a group of municipalities to the west of Victoria. Visitors would primarily enjoy the lakes and trails which are less busy than similar offerings closer to Victoria downtown core.

Understand
Langford's history of European settlement dates to 1851, when Captain Edward Langford established one of the four Hudson's Bay Company farms in the Victoria area. In the early 1860s, the region of Langford experienced a short-lived gold rush in what is now Goldstream Provincial Park. The area was a favourite recreation destination for thousands of Victorians in the late 1800s: day-trippers travelled via railway to the popular country resort Goldstream House Hotel; hunters built their lodges on the shores of the lakes near the mountains; and a summer colony of the well-to-do city folk relaxed and socialized at Langford Lake.

The region has become the fastest growing little city on Vancouver Island, with big retail stores and new residential developments, and the expanding suburban town of Langford became a city in 2003.

By car
Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) passes through Langford on its way between Victoria and the other cities further north on Vancouver Island. Highway 14 connects with Highway 1 in Langford.

On weekdays, traffic congestion is considerable getting in/out during rush hour. This is an issue in all of Victoria's West shore communities.

Goldstream Ave from Colwood is the other main way into Langford.

By bicycle
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail passes through Langford and is a favourite of cyclists.

By bus
Langford is well-connected to Victoria by BC Transit (see Get around below), where more connections are possible.

Walking
Getting around on foot is fine for the downtown core but a bicycle or vehicle are better options for the outskirts including shopping at the big box stores.

Cycling
The city has created marked bike trails along key roads allowing easy travel throughout the city. The Galloping Goose Trail, bike and pedestrian trails along the old railway tracks and along Goldstream Ave connect well the different sections of the city.

City Center Park has bicycle rentals.

By public transit

 * The two main public transport hubs are Langford Exchange at Westshore Town Centre (formerly CanWest Mall), south of Langford's "downtown"; and Western Exchange at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood.
 * Notable bus routes:
 * 50 - Frequent route between downtown Victoria and Langford. Travel time between Victoria and Langford is 45 to 50 minutes.
 * 61 - During morning and afternoon rush hours from Monday to Friday travels between downtown Victoria and Sooke. Outside of those hours, the route travels between Langford and Sooke (connects with route 50 in Langford during this time).
 * 61 - During morning and afternoon rush hours from Monday to Friday travels between downtown Victoria and Sooke. Outside of those hours, the route travels between Langford and Sooke (connects with route 50 in Langford during this time).

 * Bus routes:
 * 44 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford.  Cost per trip is $10. Operates several trips on Saturdays.   As of September 3, 2023, these trips will be renumbered as route 66.
 * 66 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford.   Cost per trip is $10. Trips from Monday to Friday leave Duncan in the morning before 6:30 am (before 9:30 am as of September 3, 2023), and leave Victoria in the afternoon.
 * 99 - Route between downtown Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. Operates Monday to Friday, consisting of early morning trips to Victoria and afternoon trips to Shawnigan Lake.

See

 * A secondary hub is forming around City Centre Park with nearby lakes and sports fields. The main shopping mall, WestShore, and cinemas are nearby also.
 * Hatley Park National Historic Site, British Columbia (2012) - 03.JPG
 * Watch high-caliber rugby matches at City Centre Park.
 * Watch high-caliber rugby matches at City Centre Park.
 * Watch high-caliber rugby matches at City Centre Park.

Nearby
In Colwood you will find:

Local lakes and trails

 * Ed Nixon Trail  adjacent Langford Lake, The Galloping Trail adjacent Glen Lake and (high view point, good hike with ocean views) are best for jogging or nature walks.
 * Ed Nixon Trail  adjacent Langford Lake, The Galloping Trail adjacent Glen Lake and (high view point, good hike with ocean views) are best for jogging or nature walks.
 * Ed Nixon Trail  adjacent Langford Lake, The Galloping Trail adjacent Glen Lake and (high view point, good hike with ocean views) are best for jogging or nature walks.

There is also for fishing and swimming.

Cycling
The Galloping Goose Trail, the Langford section is mostly packed dirt and gravel, is great to commute toward downtown Victoria. Going west the trail is great with kids as it goes through active farms (horses, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks), there are also birds and deer wildlife in abundance. The trail is wide. The fall colours and the section near Hatley Memorial Gardens (cemetery) is especially nice; that section is great to grab blackberries in the Summer and the branches from mature trees on each side of the trail form a tunnel.

Good road options are going to Happy Valley Road, to Metchosin Road, (shortcut at Latoria Rd), further through to the Coburg Peninsula, then to Sooke Rd and back on Goldstream road (15-25 km).

There are four or more little independent bikes shops around town happy to help cyclists. The one by the Galloping Goose Trail at Sooke Rd comes in handy to trail travelers.

Golf

 * There is are two spectacular golf courses at Bear Mountain designed by Jack Nicklaus, the and the.

Photography

 * The trails, lakes and parks offer plenty to the hobbyists and enthusiasts alike. Events at City Centre Park and Westshore Motorsports Park offer live sporting options.  The old rail vestiges have interesting views and they lead all the way to the trestle in Goldstream Provincial Park.

Memorial Park events

 * In the summer there are regular concerts, markets and events. Check the city web site for info.
 * Remembrance Day ceremonies (11 hour, 11 month (11:00, Nov 11)) are attended by thousands in the park.
 * The fountain and Vimy Rigde partial replica statue give a solemn feeling to the park. The other end is playful with the bandstand and kid playground.

Bowling

 * City Centre Park has the only bowling alleys in greater Victoria. Book early it’s often full.

Go-carts

 * Go-cart racing is available at Westshore Motorsports Park.

Other ideas with young kids

 * There is a water parks and playground at Centennial Park on Carlow St that is good for young children (free).
 * There is a big water park (free for residents) at City Center Park.
 * Memorial Park has a good kid playground.
 * Glen Lake Park has a good playground and a sandy beach. It is quieter than most lakes shore areas.
 * Mini Golf and Playzone at City Centre Park.

Goldstream Provincial Park

is a provincial park with old growth forests, salmon streams, eagles, picnic areas, nature house and spectacular hiking trails.

Drive north along Highway 1 until you see the park entrance on your right to access the more popular locations within the park. Parking is free along the highway. Or you can help pay for the park and use the park pay parking nearby.

Between October and December the Goldstream River within the park has people flock to the creekside to witness the annual salmon run.

A popular and slightly challenging hike is Mount Finlayson, Greater Victoria's tallest mountain. The views on top are spectacular. Depending on your level of fitness going up is 50-90 minutes. There are precipices and for those scared of heights or with young children you may want to pass.

There are also two waterfalls located within the park: Goldstream River takes a small plunge over  in the southwest corner of the park; and Greater Victoria's very own Niagara Falls are a very tall and thin chute on Niagara creek.

Although not apart of Goldstream Provincial Park, the Niagara rail trestle is another popular attraction, accessed by Goldstream Park trails. Crossing the highway is best done using a tunnel underneath.

The nature house is great for kids. It has an eagle cam, various bones and animals on display. A gift shop well stocked with books on the local nature, coffee and lights snacks are also available.

Nearby
In Metchosin you will find:
 * The expansive (great for skimboarding!),, a drive up Lombard Drive, and a visit to My Chosen Cafe (on the corner of Metchosin Road and Happy Valley Road).  Metchosin is connected to Sooke Road in Westshore by Happy Valley Road (in Langford) and Metchosin Road (in Colwood).  It is also connected to Sooke by Rocky Point Road.

In View Royal you will find:

 * Swimming at in the small town of View Royal between Langford and Saanich (though it is part of Westshore).  Kayaking, beaches and trails are all available here.  This popular lake is accessible by Six Mile Road and by Greater Victoria public transit (catch #50 to Langford from downtown, get off at Six Mile Road, then hitch a ride to the park... everyone on Six Mile Road seems to be heading to the lake and it is probably one of the easiest places in Greater Victoria to hitchhike).

Buy
Langford is the host of the big box chains in Victoria. There is little in terms of unique whimsical boutiques where to find souvenirs.

Sleep

 * Camping sites are available at Goldstream Provincial Park.
 * Camping sites are available at Goldstream Provincial Park.

Connect
Free Wi-Fi is available in key parts of the city (Goldstream Village, City Centre).

Hospital

 * The nearest hospitals are in Victoria, the closest of which is Victoria General Hospital.

Go next
You can head southwest along Highway 14 to reach Sooke or head north along Highway 1 to reach Shawnigan Lake or Duncan.

title: Langford


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Langhe

Langhe is a hilly region in the Cuneo province of Piedmont in Italy. It is home to a number of world famous wine producing regions, including Barolo and Barbaresco.

Understand
The region is particularly interesting from the perspective of wine tourism because they make wine like this nowhere else in the world. The difficult but noble nebbiolo grape is used in Langhe to make two of the best wines in the world, Barbaresco and Barolo, "the king of wines and the wine of kings". There have been attempts to export the grape, but so far the resulting wine has failed to reach the quality of the nebbiolo wines of Langhe.

Other interesting red wines include barbera and the simpler dolcetto. White wines are not as famous, but among others arneis and chardonnay are produced. There are also unusual local varieties such as freisa, used to make a lightly sparkling red wine, and grignolino. The moscato grape is used to make above all a low-alcohol dessert wine.

See
There are few important sights. But as the region is hilly, it offers some great views. Good places to admire them are La Morra and the castle in Grinzane Cavour (housing the regional wine cellar and a restaurant).

Do
If you are really interested in wine, visit a producer for a tour and a tasting. Like elsewhere, visiting wineries in the Langhe is like visiting a working farm. It is a good idea to call ahead before you show up, but it may be possible to taste wine without an appointment at some wineries.

title: Langhe


text:
Langhorne

Langhorne is a borough in Bucks County in the state of Pennsylvania about 6 miles west of the Delaware River.

Get in
Langhorne is about 40 minutes north of Philadelphia. It is accessible via Interstate 95 (exit 44 for U.S. Route 1 Business/Pennsylvania Route 413 labeled Langhorne and Penndel), Interstate 276/Pennsylvania Turnpike (exit 351 for U.S. Route 1 at Bensalem), and U.S. Route 1 (exits for Pennsylvania Route 213 and Pennsylvania Route 413), and by SEPTA Regional Rail West Trenton Line to Langhorne.

By car
From Philadelphia and points south, take Interstate 95 north to exit 44. From Trenton, take U.S. Route 1 south to reach Langhorne. From New York City and New Jersey, take the New Jersey Turnpike south to exit 6 and follow the Pearl Harbor Extension to the Delaware River Bridge. Cross into Pennsylvania and follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276) west to exit 351 (Bensalem) and follow U.S. Route 1 north to reach Langhorne. From points west, follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 276) east to exit 351 (Bensalem) and follow U.S. Route 1 north to reach Langhorne.

By train

 * SEPTA Regional Rail. The West Trenton Line serves the Langhorne station, at Bellevue Avenue and Comly Avenue. Service is provided to Langhorne from Center City Philadelphia, West Trenton, and points inbetween.

By air

 * Philadelphia International Airport - Fly in from any other major airport. It is a 45-minute drive from Philadelphia to Langhorne.

Get around
You will probably need to drive here, but once you're in it's much more effective (and enjoyable) to walk around. The attractions and center of Langhorne Borough is convenient, well lit, and easily traversed on foot. If you are traveling to the amusements or restaurants around the city of Langhorne, you would be better of traveling by car. There are plenty of places to park. If you can't find parking there because it is usually pretty crowded or locals park since there are residence living in the vicinity, there are plenty of parking lots on side streets or in shopping plazas around the area.

SEPTA buses can be used to get around Langhorne and surrounding areas.

Ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft can be used to get around Langhorne.

The following rental car services are available in Langhorne:
 * Enterprise Rent-A-Car 715 East Lincoln Highway +1 215-750-1200
 * Hertz Local Edition - Piazza Honda 1908 East Lincoln Highway +1 215-741-1104

See
There are plenty of places to see when visiting Langhorne:

Buy

 * Food & Farmers' Markets — Nearby at Doylestown, Morrisville, New Hope and Springtown. For more information on dates and hours of operation visit this link].
 * Pennsylvania Festivals and State Fairs. Great occasions to celebrate in the Langhorne area, where you can meet locals, travelers and enjoy some home-grown fun in this city.
 * Pennsylvania Festivals and State Fairs. Great occasions to celebrate in the Langhorne area, where you can meet locals, travelers and enjoy some home-grown fun in this city.

Connect
To get in touch with more information on activities, attractions, events, lodging, dining, visit the Bucks County Visitor Center located at 3207 Street Road or their website, Facebook and or call them at 215-639-0300.

Go next
Many cities surround Langhorne. If you however choose to travel near by you may choose from the following closest destinations within reasonable distances.

 * Doylestown - In this pretty town you will find through out the main street diverse dining, superb shopping and exquisite site seeing including museums and art galleries.
 * New Hope - This town is known for its spunky and charming art.
 * Newtown - Home to many, this upscale area has fine dining as well as affordable local bars where you can grab quick bites. Also known well for the movie Signs, starring Mel Gibson, is the pizza shop Mom's Bake at Home Pizza.
 * Peddler's Village - a small village of family fun including restaurants, attractions and shopping. The big hit of this hot spot is the carousel that children love to ride!

title: Langhorne


text:
Langkawi

Langkawi (Jawi: لانكاوي), officially known as "Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah" (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide) in the Andaman Sea, 30 km off the mainland coast of Kedah. It is a popular destination due to its natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage, craggy mountain peaks and duty-free status, where alcohol is affordable.

Politics and demographics
The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, adjacent to the border with Thailand. The total population of the islands is 99,000; however only two islands are inhabited: Pulau Langkawi, the largest island, with a population of 65,000 and Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district, with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town.

Etymology
The name "Langkawi" has two possible origins. First, it is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, itself a version of the Malay negari alang-kah suka ("the land of all one's wishes"), centered in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of "Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. Second, it could be a combination of the Malay words 'helang', meaning "eagle" and 'kawi', meaning "reddish-brown" or "strong", in old Malay.

History
Langkawi was long under the influence of the Kedah Sultanate, founded in 1136 AD upon the introduction of Islam. Kedah, including Langkawi, was conquered in 1821 by the State of Siam (now Thailand). During the invasion by the Siamese, the leaders were killed, many islanders were taken as slaves, and most of the population fled. In the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, the Siamese ceded control of the island to the British, who held the state until Malaysian independence in 1957, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi.

Langkawi remained a sleepy backwater island until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism to improve the lives of the islanders.

Climate
Sheltered by the mountainous backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi is not affected by the northeastern winter monsoon and enjoys sunny skies in winter when the eastern provinces are flooded.

Preservation
The 10,000 hectares of Langkawi and its 99 islands were declared a geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2007.

By boat

 * Langkawi Ferry Services operates fast air-con boats from Kuala Perlis (RM18, 75 min), Kuala Kedah (RM23, 105 min), Penang (RM60, 165 min) (the ferry is freezing cold, so bring warm clothes), and Satun (RM45 or 450 Thai baht, 75 min), (Satun ferry to Langkawi: one boat departs Satun daily at 11:30AM.) Langkawi to Satun: one boat departs Langkawi daily at 8:30AM. The ferry was suspended during COVID-19 and reinstated with only one daily ferry as of November 2023.

 * Langkawi Ferry Line operates between Langkawi and Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah.

 * Super Fast Ferry operates between Langkawi and Penang. Still suspended in 2023 due to Covid-19.

 * Tropical Charters operates ferries between Kuah Jetty in Langkawi and Ko Lipe. The price is RM118 one way (RM100 if you book online), including the longtail boat transfer and Thai customs fees. Check-in is at the inner entrance of the Jetty Point Food Court, opposite 7/11, 1 hour before departure. The trip takes 90 minutes. Arrival in Ko Lipe is at the Bundhaya Resort.

 * Telaga Terminal operates speedboats between Langkawi and Ko Lipe (RM128 1-way, RM248 return, 75 min). These boats dock at a pontoon in Pattaya Bay from where there are longtail transfers to immigration on Pattaya Beach.

 * Tigerline Ferry operates between Langkawi and Ko Lipe.

 * Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club Company operates between Langkawi and Ko Lipe.

 * Bundhaya Speed Boat operates between Langkawi and Ko Lipe. Choose the Ferry (not Speedboat) tab on their website.

Get around
There is effectively no public transport on the island, so your choices are to use taxis or to rent a car, motorbike/scooter, or bicycle.

By taxi
Taxis and the Grab mobile app operate on a fixed price system. A taxi from the airport to Pantai Cenang costs RM20 or less with Grab. You can buy a coupon at the taxi desk at the airport. From the ferry terminal to Pantai Cenang, the price is RM24. For those arriving at the Kuah Jetty and going into Kuah Town, the price is RM8.

By car or motorbike/scooter
Renting a car or motorbike/scooter is highly recommended due to the lack of public transport. This can be done at the airport, the port complex, or from shops on Pantai Cenang. Refrain from renting from touts, as many are operating illegally without permits and usually without insurance. Accidents happen to tourists on motorbikes/scooters regularly, so be careful although the traffic is not as chaotic as in Penang and other areas. The roads are in good condition. Most rental agencies will not provide full insurance coverage and you have to cover the damage up to RM3000 if there is any accident.

Renting an air-conditioned mid-sized sedan costs RM70-RM150 per day depending on model, condition and length of stay and a 150cc motorbike/scooter costs RM40-45 per day. Cheaper but usually very used and older are the semi-automatic 115cc bikes for RM25 a day. A tired Proton within Pantai Cenang costs RM60-90/day.

Check your fuel level regularly because petrol pump stations (gas stations) are far from one another. Most rental agencies do not care how much fuel is in the tank when the vehicle is returned, although some may do so and mark it on the receipt. Fuel costs are cheap and are fixed by the government and you should return the bikes with the same filling level as you picked it up.

The first time at a gas/petrol station will confuse you. You will need to guess how much fuel you need and pay first. Most saloon cars, if empty, are RM50 to fill up and motorbikes are approximately RM5. Sometimes you fill up your car/bike and you haven't used what you have paid for; not to worry, as you can claim this back at the counter.

Remember to drive safely and slowly on the island and on the left side of the road. There are tourists, children and animals like chickens, cows and even buffaloes crossing. Take care not to run over the beautiful snakes or monitors. Cattle and snakes like to lie on the road at night; the blacktop radiates heat.

Driving laws:
 * 1) Your driver's licence needs to be with you at all times. An international driver's licence is not necessary but licences must have text in English.
 * 2) Seat belts are mandatory in all vehicles. Fines are given ranging from RM50 if not wearing one.
 * 3) Helmets are mandatory. Fines are the same as above but more importantly, the hospital does not have facilities to treat head injuries, so you will have to get a medivac out to Penang, which takes 45 minutes or more — if the helicopter is available.

Roadblocks are commonplace in Langkawi; they are mainly interested in locals with no licence. Make sure you have the above items and your seat belt fastened, and you will have no problems.

By bicycle
Some hotels offer bicycle rentals. Expect to pay between RM10-30 per day.

See

Do
Organized activities in Langkawi include cruises via yacht or sailboat, mangrove tours, island hopping tours, jet ski tours, birdwatching tours, nature walks, kayak tours, scuba diving & snorkelling, helicopter tours, and jungle trekking tours.

Buy
ATMs and money exchange booths are available at the Langkawi Airport, at Langkawi Parade Shopping Complex, next to Underwater World at Pantai Cenang and at Cenang Mall.

Langkawi is a duty-free island, and alcohol is significantly cheaper here than in the rest of Malaysia.

Hotel tariffs and retail goods are exempt from government duty. Visitors with more than 48 hr stay in Langkawi are exempt on items like wines and liquor (1 liter), tobacco (200 cigarettes), apparel, cosmetics, souvenirs and gifts, food and food preparations and portable electronic items (one item).

Shop around before buying: the airport is probably the most expensive place to buy anything. Shop in Kuah town for batik, tobacco products and chocolate confectioneries.

Eat
There are food stalls and restaurants all over Langkawi. Try one of the many seafood restaurants. Langkawi people like their food hot and spicy, and even if they tone things down at your request, you may still find your food challenging to eat.

Seafood or fish may be priced by weight or by a set price for the dish - clarify before ordering.

Budget
For a taste of simple Malay-style breakfast, just walk up to a small stall opposite the Underwater World in the mornings and feast on the famous freshly-prepared banana leaf-wrapped nasi lemak (steamed rice in coconut milk). The price is most affordable at less than RM 2 for a pack. Go local and enjoy this with a glass of hot teh tarik or really good local coffee. This very unassuming stall is just simple and great (clean too!). The nasi lemak comes with curried beef, squid in chili, fried salted fish or chicken.

Mid-range

Drink
Because of Langkawi's tax-free status, alcohol is much cheaper than in the rest of Malaysia. Religious Muslims do not consume alcoholic drinks, and while they do tolerate non Muslims who do, try not to behave in a rowdy imbibed manner near them, their houses, mosques, and please respect local culture and communal sensitivities. For those living on a budget, you can obtain alcohol at cheap prices from the local duty-free shops: the larger the outlets, the lower the prices. Expect to pay RM35 for 1 L Absolut Vodka, RM37 for 1 L of Johnny Walker Red Label, RM45 for 1 L Kahlua, RM60 for 1 L Bailey's, and RM70 for 1 L Chivas Regal 12 years. Small cans of beer: RM2.30 for Tiger Beer 330 ml and RM1.80 for some cheap Dutch beer. Small quantities? 500 ml of some random gin per RM15.

Some of those prices can be as cheap as a half of the price of the same product on the Duty Free Shop of the International Airport at Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

Despite low alcohol prices, Langkawi is predominantly popular with couples and families. Single travelers and backpackers may therefore be disappointed with the lack of nightlife. Most bars remain empty, particularly in the low season, and the 1-2 nightclubs may only seem worthwhile in the peak season, and even then only on Friday or Saturday nights. Overall, Langkawi provides a family-friendly alternative to Thai locations such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

Budget
Both luxury and eccentric hostels are common on Langkawi. If you are looking for budget accommodation, your best bet would be to walk along the beach and adjacent road at Pantai Cenang. It is hard to find budget accommodation in other beaches in Langkawi, except Pantai Cenang and Kuah town. Prices there normally range from RM50 to RM150 per room per night, on or next to the beach.

Telephone
Mobile phone coverage is very good in all built up areas of Langkawi. Many affordable pre-paid phone and data plans are available. Recharge cards are readily available except for the very cheap TuneTalk which is harder to find and SIM cards almost non existent. It is best to buy this back in LLCT where no commission is charged on the SIM. Full reception and reasonable data speeds can be achieved on the beach and inside the resorts on Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah.

Post
The main post office in located in Kuah Town. Mini post offices can be found in Padang Mat Sirat. There is no post office in Pantai Cenang, but you can buy stamps and send postcards in T Shoppe on the main road. Courier service, Poslaju shop can be found at Taman Berlian, Kuah.

Internet
Broadband is available and some Internet cafés can be found along Pantai Tengah, Pantai Cenang and Kuah. In addition, many of the upscale hotels, resorts, and restaurants provide free WiFi.

Stay healthy
The biggest health risk on Langkawi is from jellyfish stings, especially during January - June season. Uninformed visitors are stung every day and the lifeguards on Pantai Cenang and the hospital treat more or less severe cases of jellyfish stings most days. There are several species of jellyfish in Langkawi's waters, while most will give you a nasty sting or a burn, there are some that will cause partial paralysis or even kill, in case of the lethal box jellyfish. If you have been stung badly, don't exert yourself physically as this will pump the toxins around the bloodstream and aggravate the symptoms. Vinegar is the only scientifically proven treatment for tropical jellyfish stings, apply it for 30 seconds to block toxin which has not yet been absorbed into the blood. To stay safe, swim only in stinger suit.

Langkawi can have a lot of mosquitoes depending on the time of year and location (i.e. Mangrove areas), so don't forget to use mosquito repellent. "Off" spray and various citronella or DEET based products are available in most supermarkets.

Average temperatures are hot or hotter; it's the tropics. Be sure to stay hydrated. You will need to drink about 3 litres a day and don't wait till you are thirsty to drink. Room temperature water preferably. De-hydration accounts for a large percentage of dodgy tummy holiday illnesses.

See also Tropical diseases.

Stay safe
Speedboats can often bounce off the waves at very high speeds and passengers can get quite strong jolts into the non-sprung seats, so persons with back or neck problems should not travel on the speedboats, but on the ferry. There have been reports of serious back injuries happening on the speedboats. They are also known as 'vomit comets' due to the number of people succumbing to sea sickness. Bring lots of water and be prepared for a bumpy ride! Also be very careful while swimming. At times, tides and currents can be very aggressive and not easy to spot.

Be careful driving around Langkawi at night. Although main roads are well-lit, some of the more minor roads are not very well lit and may pass through Kampungs (traditional Malay villages) or rural areas where the locals seem to take a very casual approach to road safety. Drive slow and watch out for erratically piloted motorbikes, pedestrians and livestock. Inside Kuah Town, watch out for errors in the road arrows - they may lead you into wrong lanes or into barricades. at night, watch out for water buffalo sleeping in the road.

Crime is generally not a problem on Langkawi, especially compared to the larger cities in Malaysia. In theory, you don't even have to lock your car, because it cannot get off the island without customs knowing about it!

Beware of smart wild monkeys. Those at Tengkorak beach attack humans who have food. If attacked, pick up stones (or just pretend to do so) and throw them at the monkeys, this will scare them away. Also, do not carry plastic bags as the monkeys associate these with food. Don't let them get too close to you or they will steal your glasses.

Please read up on rip tides before you go; learn to recognise and to avoid them.

Respect
Langkawi is a Geopark but still needs to improve its environmental friendliness. Don't participate in certain activities such as eagle feeding and monkey feeding as this harms the animals by encouraging them to become reliant on tourists and you may give them the wrong food.

Go next

 * Ko Lipe — Great diving and snorkeling at the only inhabited island in Tarutao National Marine Park, a short speedboat ride (1½ hr) away on the Thai side of the border.
 * Ko Tarutao — Another island in Tarutao National Marine Park, however does not suffer from the rapid development issues faced by Ko Lipe.
 * Penang

title: Langkawi


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Langley

There is more than one place called Langley:

British Columbia, Canada

 * Langley (British Columbia) - A town in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia.
 * Fort Langley - A small town in the Fraser Valley region, just north of Langley (British Columbia), featuring a historical monument.

Virginia, United States of America

 * Langley is the name of an unincorporated community which has been absorbed into McLean (Virginia), notable as the location of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Washington (state), United States of America

 * Langley (Washington) - A town in the North Sound region.

title: Langley


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Langley (British Columbia)

The Township of Langley and the City of Langley are nestled together in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. It includes the historical village and National Historic site of Fort Langley on the south bank of the Fraser River. We cover both Langleys in this article.

Understand
The Township of Langley runs from the bank of the Fraser River to the US border in the south. To the west is Surrey, to the east is Abbotsford. To the north of the river are Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Langley is considered the "Birthplace of British Columbia" because Fort Langley (founded 1827 about 3 km from the present fort) was the first capital and first significant non-native settlement in the mainland BC colony.

The two jurisdictions are seamless and few locals even understand the political boundaries between the city and the township.

The town was used as the filming location for the Puget Sound town of Port Townsend in Washington, United States for the Netflix show Dead Boys Detectives.

Get in
See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.

By plane
The nearest airport to Langley is a 30-minute drive to the Abbotsford International Airport, while the Vancouver International Airport is a 45-minute drive in Richmond. The Bellingham International Airport is a 45-minute drive (plus border time) across the U.S border.

By car

 * Highway 1A (Fraser Highway) and the Langley Bypass (which becomes Highway 10) are convenient driving east-west routes into Langley city. Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) runs east-west through the township to the north of the city.
 * Highway 13 travels north-south between Highway 1 at the north and the United States border to the south.
 * The Golden Ears Bridge crosses the Fraser River at Walnut Grove (a Langley Township suburb) and takes you into Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

Get around
Many parts of Langley consist of property on acreage: you will require a car to get around anywhere but central Langley city, which can be walked or biked.

BC Transit

 * Operates bus route 21 between the Aldergrove area of Langley and Abbotsford. Operates multiple times daily.
 * Operates bus route 66 between Burnaby and Chilliwack with stops in Langley and Abbotsford. Operates multiple times daily.

TransLink
Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets. Passengers using Compass Cards and Compass Tickets pay discounted fares. Passengers can transfer for up to 90 minutes, except if taking West Coast Express, in which case they can transfer for up to 120 minutes. On bus and HandyDART, passengers can also pay in cash, but in that case will not receive change and are not eligible for transfers.

Zone based fares apply between Monday and Friday for trips starting before 6:30 pm, if travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of those hours or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single zone rate applies. If traveling by West Coast Express, a higher cost zone based fare system applies regardless of time of travel.

Children 12 and under can ride for free. People aged 13 to 18, and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares.

By bus
TransLink has only thin coverage of Langley, but it exists. Frequent bus service operates between Surrey Centre (a transfer point for Skytrain from downtown Vancouver) and Langley Centre, a bus hub in the town. There is also bus service from Langley Centre to the Aldergrove part of Langley, Maple Ridge, White Rock. A limited stop high bus service operates from north Langley to Production Way Skytrain Station in Burnaby.

Useful buses in Langley (these are not all of the buses in Langley, but they should provide useful service).

Access to Vancouver International Airport is possible by taking the SkyTrain's Expo Line to Waterfront Station and transferring to the Canada Line. Please note that there is a airport access fee if you take train from (not to) YVR.

By ride hailing
There are three ride hailing services in the city:

Do

 * Wine tasting, as there are several vineyards and wineries in Langley. See "Drink" section for local wineries.

Buy
Langley offers a wide variety of stores offering equestrian supplies. Being "the horse capital of BC", there exist many places to buy whips, saddles, feed, and other horse (and general livestock) provisions.

Other shopping areas in Langley are:

Drink
Though nowhere near as known or as plentiful as in the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland has wineries, many of which are in Langley:

Go next

 * Vancouver is 45 minutes drive to the northwest, and offers rich attractions
 * the regions around Vancouver, such as Vancouver eastern suburbs, Vancouver southern suburbs and the North Shore, have a lot to offer.

title: Langley (British Columbia)


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Langmusi

Langmusi (郎木寺; Lángmùsì - Tibetan: Taktsang Lhamo) is a village on the border of Sichuan and Gansu provinces.

Understand
A sleepy village in a remote breathtaking location inhabited by a colorful mix of Han Chinese, Hui and Amdo Tibetans. It is said that the provincial borderline runs through the middle of town with Sertri Gompa in Gansu and Kirti Gompa located in Sichuan. The power struggles between the two Gompa may have been the reason for the border location. Each temple has a distinct style making both well worth the visit alone. The surrounding mountains give off a very much alpine flair reminiscent of rural Austria or Bavaria and perfect for hiking and horsetreking.

Get in
There is only one bus every day from Xiahe direct to Langmusi leaving at around 7AM from the Xiahe Bus Station.

If you miss this bus, or if you can't get tickets, you can take any early morning bus to Hezuo (1 hour from Xiahe) and then take one of the Hezuo (合作) buses to Langmusi. There are a couple of buses from Hezuo to Langmusi each day. There definitely is one leaving at 10:20.

When you get to Hezuo, you will need to take a taxi across town to the South Bus Station (Nan Zhan – 南站) where the buses leave for Langmusi.

If you were thinking of hiring a car to take you directly from Xiahe to Langmusi, be ready to pay a lot of money. It will cost you at least ¥350 to hire a car for the trip. The bus is only ¥30-40 per person. If you do end up taking a taxi, be sure to ask to take the "scenic route." The road is a little bumpier than the new highway, and a takes a little longer, but you pass beautiful grasslands, mountains, and Tibetan villages along the way.

There are also direct buses to Zoige (Ruo'ergai) in northern Sichuan.

You can also catch a bus in Jiuzhaigou to Langmusi. There are buses leaving every morning between 07:00 and 08:00. The bus will let you off on the main road outside of Langmusi, not actually driving into town, leaving you with a more than 1 km walk, or there will be cars around to get you into town (for a few yuan).

To get out of town up towards Xiahe, there is only one afternoon direct bus a day. You can get morning buses to Hezuo, then a cab to the West Bus Station, then catch a bus to Xiahe. There are many buses to Xiahe each day.

Get around
Your own two feet, a bicycle or maybe a pony.

Do

It's worth hiring an English speaking guide to explain the monasteries, sky burial ground and the gorge to you. Ask around in Leisha's restaurant.

The end of the village closest to the main road is more Westernised, and closer to the monastery it becomes less so. The Sichuan side of town has just put in a brand new road so one hopes the Gansu side will follow suit. Passing through the monastery takes you up into the surrounding mountains, and there are various possible routes available to reach the summits and highs tablelands (4200 m), though take care not to stray too far from a used trail or else you may have to retrace your steps to rejoin a viable route. Wild dogs live in the area and you may spot some while walking, grab a rock if need be. A school can be found near to the monastery, with private housing and a small playground.

If walking in the other direction from the village - towards the main road - one encounters Red Stone Mountain, an interesting sandstone formation or mesa whose top is accessible. It takes about an hour to get to the top, and the trail vanishes at a point, so just keep climbing up. Prayer flags are present here, and on the aforementioned higher peaks providing a great view of the Gansu monastery side.

Buy
"Local artificial stuff", or craft items, are available from a number of shops, though as with many places in China, many are not particularly 'authentic' and you can find the same products over a very wide region. One or two shops towards the monastery end of town sell knives and you can watch the craftsman producing them.

AmdoCraft Cafe, link amdocraft on the main road to the Sichuan Monastery, has a good selection of locally made Tibetan Handicrafts, mainly made from yak- and sheep wool. You can also get here a good cup of coffee, Tibetan yoghurt and milk tea. Local Monks have visited and thoroughly enjoyed the cafe, saying that it "feels like home." It is closed in the winter months.

Go next
You can go south to Zoige and Songpan, or north to Hezuo (leaves at 14:00, takes 4 hours) and Xiahe (leaves at 14:00, takes 5 hours).

title: Langmusi


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Langport

Langport is a town of 3,600 people (2021) in the heart of Somerset in England. To the south of the town is Wet Moor, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest which is part of the extensive grazing marsh grasslands and ditch systems of the Somerset Levels and Moors.

Get in
Langport can easily be accessed from main roads leading in from Bridgwater, Taunton or Yeovil directions.

Get around
Langport is a fairly small place so walking is your best option. Bicycles can also be rented from the tourist information centre just over the Parrot bridge.

See
The Hanging Chapel on Hurds Hill, St. Mary's Church, the River Parrett that runs though the town and the Somerset levels that surround it. The Dutch style architecture of many of the town houses, a relic of 17th and 18th century immigration from the Netherlands. Two other buildings worth seeing are the and the , both restored by the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust.

Do
The River Parrett flows through the town and is an excellent place to take a walk on a summers day. There are large amounts of farmland and fields to walk around also. There is also an abandoned railway line converted into a footpath, the Parrett Cycleway, running for around a mile to the south of the town. It leads to nearby the aforementioned Muchelney Abbey, and a brief walk along the riverside from the southern end of the cycleway leads you to the railway line’s old river bridge.

Eat
Langport isn't really known for its excellent options to eat out. The only real option is the Chinese! However there's a great deal of places in nearby towns that take little time to reach.

Drink
Langport has a surprisingly (for its size) large amount of pubs. Whether or not you wish to drink in some of them is another matter however! Most popular are The Langport Arms, Kelways and:

If you wish to try some of the more local ales

title: Langport


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Lang Suan

Lang Suan (Thai: หลังสวน) is a small town on the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand. It is close to Chumphon.

Get in
If you want to get to Lang Suan, trains from Bangkok stop at Lang Suan and it is a nine hour ride from Bangkok to Lang Suan and another nine hours back. You could also take a non-air-con bus from the Southern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) on Pinklao–Nakhon Chaisi Rd that leave daily at 07:20, 10:50, and 23:50.

Do
Lang Suan is a haven for those who want to get in touch with nature. There are several tourist destinations in the area where people can relax and get away from the hubbub of the busy city life. If you are into parks, you may want to visit Somdej Phra Srinkarin Chumphon. Spelunking is an option for those who want to visit Khao Ngoen and Khao Kriab caves. Or, if you want to experience the sea, Lam-son Beach and Khor Khao Beach are places you can go. There are fishing communities in the district which can be found on Phithak Island and in Lang Suan.

Sleep
Lang Suan offers only a few places to stay at. There is Jane Hotel at 127/5 Khao Ngoen Rd with only 29 rooms. Along Lang Suan Rd, there is Khan Ngoen, Lang Suan Hotel, and Thai Charoen. Also Chumphon's 99 Bay Resort at 9 Moo 4, Pak Nam.

title: Lang Suan


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Langtang National Park

Langtang National Park is a national park in the Himalayas in northern Nepal.

Understand
The park was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan and fourth national park in Nepal. It covers, with a buffer zone, and is linked with the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The highest peak is Langtang Lirung at. It has rich biodiversity with vegetation ranging from tropical forests below altitude to alpine scrub and perennial ice.

Buffer zone management is a joint venture between the park office and the local communities, with local communities receiving part of the park revenue, to ensure sustainability.

The climate is relatively dry, with snow locally in January–February. The monsoon period is June to August. The autumn is regarded the best period to visit. In August there is a festival at the Gosainkunda lake, with thousands of Hindu pilgrims. In September there is a spectacular display of flowers. Yak and Chauri herds, which ascended to avoid the summer heat, return to lower pastures. In peak winter, trails are blocked and the lodges are closed. In spring the rhododendrons flourish.

Settlements

 * is a town in Langtang. It is also the border crossing into Tibet, China. The town of Dram is located on the Chinese side of the border.
 * is a town in Langtang. It is 4 km south of Kodari and the Tibet Border crossing. There are hot springs located here which is what the town is named after (Tato is hot, pani is water).

Get in
The park is just from the Kathmandu Valley. It spans parts of the Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts in the southern mountainous terrain of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.

By bus
Direct bus from Kathmandu or by changing at Barabise to Kodari, this will take about 9 hours to travel the 111 km distance.

Fees
The entrance fee to the park is Rs. 3,000 for a single entry (2018). If you are going on a trek you need a TIMS card.

Get around
There are three main trekking routes (see Trekking in Nepal), which cover much of the park (and the southern Helambu region), with possibility to explore trailside wilderness.

Taxis
Taxis congregate around the Nepal Customs and Immigration office in Kodari and will take you to Kathmandu in 4 hours.

See

 * vegetation, wilderness, hilltop views
 * cultural sites, such as in Langtang village, Melamchighyang, Tarkeghayang and Shemathang
 * The hot springs located near the north end of Tatopani village.
 * Towards the south of the village of Tatopani there is a shrine with prayer wheel located up the hillside.

Do
The park offers hiking of different difficulty, duration ranging from 3 days to 3 weeks.

Sleep
There are locally operated hotels, lodges, and campgrounds along the trekking routes.

There are many budget places along the road in Tatopani.

Stay safe
Do not hike alone.

Mind altitude sickness especially when ascending above about 3000 m (10,000 feet), and risk of dehydration.

Some trails are rocky and slippery after rain or frost. Do not stop while crossing stone fields, but watch out for falling rocks.

In remote areas one has to be self sustaining. There are no medical facilities in most of the park, carry an extensive first aid pack. Telephone facilities are available at Singh Gompa and at major settlements in Helambu.

Hiring local guides is strongly recommended on some routes.

Go next
From Kodari crossing into China requires you to cross the Friendship Bridge where you will a custom building on the Chinese side of the bridge. After immigration, you will find 5 km of mountain road before you reach Chinese border town of Dram. A cab ride from the border to Zhangmu usually cost ¥10 per person, with 4 or more share the cab. You can also walk and the other is to hitch-hike. You will also find baggage porters, charging an average of Rs. 40 per porter, who will carry your baggage across the no-man's land. Be aware that is it uphill the whole way!

title: Langtang National Park


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Lang Tengah

Lang Tengah (Malay: Lang Tengah) or Pulau Lang Tengah is an island in Terengganu in Malaysia, featuring sandy white beaches and clear blue waters with plenty of fish and coral. The island is in the middle of the best kept marine park on the East Coast of Malaysia with some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in West Malaysia.

Lang Tengah - "the Eagle in the Middle" - gets its name from its location between the Perhentian Islands and Redang Island

Get in
Lang Tengah Island about a half hour’s boat ride from Merang Jetty. Boats are sent from the resorts to pick up tourists at the Merang Jetty. Pickup is usually in the morning until noon. It is easy to fly to Terengganu airport and get a taxi to Merang Jetty. Coaches also travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu, from where you can get to Merang Jetty by personal car or taxi. Although officially, Merang Jetty is given an address in Kuala Terengganu, rather than in Merang itself, it is in fact in Merang, and the journey to the jetty lasts about 50-60 minutes by car from the centre of KT and about 40 minutes from KT Airport.

Get around
Lang Tengah has no roads; travel around the island is by foot, boat, kayak or just by snorkeling. The waters surrounding the island are shallow. Large boats are not allowed to dock at the beaches, there is a large boat jetty on Pasir Ayer. Tourists on other beaches must transfer from larger ferries to smaller speedboats to reach the beach.

See

 * The fantastic coral reef all around the island,
 * the amazing insect, reptile and bird life in the forest
 * turtles nesting on the beaches
 * baby sharks in the shallows

Do
Snorkeling and diving. The waters surrounding the island are abundant with coral and small fish. Care should be taken to not disturb the marine life as it is very fragile. The marine park has rules to minimise visitor damage to the environment

Start with a snorkel course, practice in the shallows and then look at marine life. Experience weightlessness and beauty underwater with a Discover Scuba Course (DSC). Learn more with an Open Water course or more advanced Diving courses. For qualified divers trips are organised by the various dive centres; night diving is also available. Divers can rent scuba equipment from the dive centres, which also refill tanks as part of the rental package.

Snorkeling & diving boat trips to Redang Marine Park (45 minutes away) are also offered.

Turtle watching Marine turtles come to the island to nest from May to October, guided tours to watch the turtles nesting can be arranged by Tropical Research and Conservation Centre next to the Sari Pacifica Resort.

Conservation activities You can participate in many conservation activities offered by TRACC and Asian Shark Conservation.

Forest walks The island has a large area of primary rainforest which is well worth exploring.

Relax on the beach and read a good book.

Eat
Tourists can only eat at the resorts - there are no other restaurants.

Sleep
There are several resorts:

Respect
Swimsuits are acceptable, but most resorts prefer for you to cover up for mealtimes. No public nudity is allowed.

title: Lang Tengah


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Learning languages abroad

Many people find that they learn a language much faster if they immerse themselves by traveling to a place where the language is spoken. And no wonder! The vocabulary word you learned in class is reinforced when you see it on a billboard, overhear it on the street, and then use it yourself when talking to a taxi driver. This constant repetition and practice can be very effective in improving your level in the language.

Learning a language abroad deepens your understanding of both the language and the country where it is spoken. This will enrich your trip and your studies, and allow you to talk to people and experience the destination in a deeper way than a typical tourist.

That said, being in the country is no silver bullet. If you're serious about learning the language, you'll still need to study hard and seek out opportunities to practice.

Understand

Travelling to a foreign country both for leisure purposes and to study the local language can be an excellent way to deepen one's experience in a foreign culture and to combine leisure with learning. Although perhaps more common for people between the ages of 18 and 24, language tourism is undertaken by people of all ages and backgrounds. They tend to enroll in non-intensive foreign language courses that allow considerable free time in which to practice the language outside of class and travel extensively. Typical stays range from 2 to 5 weeks, and trips are often repeated in subsequent years.

There are also several other routes to learning a language abroad.

Holiday courses
For most big and several smaller languages there are courses intended for foreigners spending a summer holiday attending a language course, in a country where the language is spoken. These may be more or less intensive, and may be targeted at specific groups, such as youth. Often leisure activities are included. Sometimes participants stay in a host family, sometimes at a common boarding site, sometimes they have to find their own lodging.

Au pair
An au pair stays at a family, doing part time light household duties and often taking care of children, for room, board and pocket money. Regulations vary, and depending on country and host family conditions vary from a cheap way to learn the language and culture of a foreign country and getting local friends, to an excuse for underpaying a maid. In some countries language courses are a compulsory part of the deal. Some language proficiency is usually required from the start.

Sometimes au pair hosts are immigrants or have immigrant roots, and want a person speaking their language to their children, sometimes they want their children to learn the foreign language, sometimes they don't care about language education, but want to get along with their own, which gives the toughest time if that is not your language, but may be the most effective for learning it.

Exchange studies
University students, and sometimes also secondary students, may be able to study as exchange students at a foreign institution with ties to theirs. The study programme may be in English or another lingua franca, or in the local language. Regardless, you probably have a chance to indulge in the local language. Often the institution itself offers language courses, or the programme itself can be about learning the language. The length of the stay is usually a few months, a semester or a school year.

Similar courses can sometimes be taken without an exchange agreement, and there may be schools specialising in gap year studies, or such programmes can be offered by universities or schools with another main focus. These usually have tuition fees also in countries where most education is free.

Degree studies
Some opt for taking their university degree abroad, giving a firm knowledge of the language. This is often part of their academic career, often the master's exam, after having taking a domestic bachelor's, or part of their doctoral studies.

Working abroad
Teaching English is an obvious choice – there are English teaching jobs in just about every country. Moreover, the local teachers you work with may be interested and knowledgeable enough to answer your grammar questions (at least to the extent of explaining how the local language differs from English). Your students will also appreciate being able to see you struggle through the same language learning process that they are.

There are many other jobs available to foreigners – temporary work in seasonal businesses (agriculture, tourism), expert jobs in fields with lack of local specialists, jobs in projects abroad of domestic businesses and organizations, ... Some are easy to find, some are not, and there are plenty of caveats.

If English is the working language among your peers or you otherwise communicate professionally in English, you may have to make a real effort to get to speak the local language. If you already know the basics and really want to turbo-charge your learning, a less English-oriented job might be more effective.

Prepare
The better you know the language you intend to learn abroad before you go, the smoother the experience will be when you set foot at your destination, and the more you will learn. Accent, colloquialisms, local humour, listening comprehension, those are all things easier to grasp when you are surrounded by the language, but grammar is not easier to get abroad. If you have a solid foundation, you can concentrate on those aspects of the language that you cannot learn at home.

Do your research before choosing where to go. If the language you're learning has a variety of dialects or different written standards, you will have an easier time in a destination where the local variety of the language is closer to the variety you're trying to learn. Thus, for instance, students learning Chinese with traditional characters might go to Taiwan, while those learning simplified characters will likely be best off in mainland China. The Spanish spoken in Chile is a notoriously divergent dialect, and language learners may learn faster in Mexico or Peru. In many cases your choice of city is also important; you'll get a more immersive Catalan learning environment in Girona than in the more bilingual city of Barcelona.

You might have preferences on the culture you want the learn together with the language, but also consider how much culture shock and practical difficulties you can handle. If some country where the language is spoken is closer to yours economically and culture-wise, your stay, at least the first part of it, may be easier. If you prefer the more foreign culture, there is a trade-off. You might want to give yourself some time to acclimatise before starting your studies proper, and give yourself some slack on how much to accomplish in your studies. Also choice of neighbourhood to live in, budget and type of accommodation, can have an impact.

Get in
You will need to qualify for your respective country’s visa programs – see the section Get in of the country article. There may be a valid travel purpose related to your means of language acquisition, or some activity you are planning beside your main travel objective, such as tourism. Note that what you are allowed to do depends on what kind of visa you get – taking courses on a tourist visa may be forbidden. If you are registered for a formal course, you might be eligible for a student visa.

Many countries that allow you in visa-free as tourist require a visa for studies and work, and those visas may require more bureaucracy than a standard tourist visa. Check requirements well in advance to know how early and in what order preparations have to be done; half a year may be too little to get the paperwork done in time.

Sleep
Consider rooming with local housemates, or a homestay with a local family, for a constant source of practice and a window into local culture.

Learn
Foreigners tend to find each other. At universities with many exchange students they may live in the same quarters and have common leisure activities. At workplaces with many foreigners using English for their professional communication and locals speaking a language not known by most of these, it is common for the foreigners not to learn the local language.

Make an effort to find local friends, attend language courses as intended, and go out to places where the locals go. At a university, if you are on an exchange student programme with few locals, you may want to also take some courses with mostly locals, to make friends with local students.

A language exchange is a great way to meet someone to practice with. There will surely be people in the area who want to practice their English, you just need to find them so you can meet up. A common arrangement is to spend a certain amount of time (say, half an hour) speaking one language, then switch to the other one, so that both people get to practice. Look for language exchanges online, ask around, or if you're studying at a university or some other kind of school, they might be able to find a language exchange partner for you.

A word of caution: you might hear it said that living in a country "forces" you to use the language, that you need it for your everyday life and are guaranteed to learn it as a result. This isn't really true, as evidenced by the legions of expats, particularly those from English-speaking countries, who get by without speaking more than a few simple pleasantries in the language where they live. It's possible to manage at a restaurant or a supermarket without speaking a word, and in most major cities one can find English-speaking friends to socialize with. Living in the country doesn't force you to use the language (though it can give you strong encouragement)—the main learning benefit of studying a language abroad is that you get continuous, authentic, and varied opportunities to practice. It's still up to you to take advantage of those opportunities.

Avoiding English
If you're in a place where lots of people speak English (for instance, a popular vacation destination like Barcelona or an international city like Hong Kong), you may find that your attempts to speak the language with a local are "rewarded" by the local switching to English! Of course they are just trying to be helpful by making it easier for you to communicate, but if this happens again and again, it can make it harder to practice. This problem is particularly notorious for language learners in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands, where English proficiency is particularly high.

To some extent you can avoid this problem by choosing an off-the-beaten-path destination where not as much English will be spoken. So if you're learning Cantonese, try going to Guangzhou instead of Hong Kong. On the other hand, a less internationalized city means the cultural adjustment will be more difficult and the potential for culture shock may be greater—and that can slow down your learning even more. Think about your prior knowledge of the language and your familiarity with the culture before deciding. Even if you are in a popular destination, it can help to spend time in less-visited neighborhoods, where English proficiency may be lower.

If someone switches to English and you respond that you're trying to practice, they might happily switch back to the local language. They might even be patient enough to repeat themselves once or twice and wait while you stumble over words. And they may well be pleased that you're trying to learn their language, especially if it's a less popular language to study.

But some people want to practice their English just as much as you want to practice their language, and they may be persistent! In that case it can become a bit of a contest for who's more stubborn in using the language they want to practice. Don't take it too seriously—a positive interaction is more important than a bit of language practice, and you can always practice with the next person you talk to.

title: Learning languages abroad


text:
Langue de Barbarie National Park

Langue de Barbarie National Park is south of the city of Saint-Louis, in Northern Senegal.

Understand
Langue de Barbarie National Park has a rich and varied ecosystem. It is a unique combination of environments (mangroves, sand dunes, the Senegal River, the Langue de Barbarie, tidal wetlands, the beach, and the ocean). Here many different species thrive, crabs, lizards, and over 160 species birds can be found throughout the park. It is a wonderful place for nature lovers, sightseers, photographers, and bird watchers to visit. The park is 18 km (11 miles) south of Saint-Louis in the region of Gandiol.

History
The Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie (Langue de Barbarie National Park) was established on January 9, 1976. The park was created for the protection of important sea turtle nesting sites and is also an important migratory bird sanctuary. The park is best known for its bird reproduction island and is an important stop on the European bird migration route. The site hosts over 160 different species of migratory and sedentary birds as well as numerous reptile species, crabs, monkeys and other wildlife.

The flavor of the park changes throughout the seasons offering a different experience depending on when you visit. Starting in February, bird populations are busy nesting and raising their young. This is by far the best time to visit the park. A trip to the bird reproduction island is an amazing experience. The gulls and terns gather and nest on the bird island hailing the start of the nesting season. Clouds of thousands of birds are seen swarming all over the island displaying mating behaviors, building nests, laying eggs, and raising their young.

Throughout the months the birds gradually change, each few weeks a different species of birds nests on the island. Slender billed gulls, lesser black-backed gulls, Caspian terns, royal terns, and others each take their turn nesting on the island ending in late may. These birds are not the only frequent visitors to the park, large flocks of pelicans and cormorants can be seen in the area and many small shorebirds pass through on their migration during the spring and fall months.

Summer, wet season, is probably the quietest time at the bird island, but in and around the village resident bird populations are in full breeding plumage and beautiful. Weavers are busy weaving their majestic little nests and raising their young, the beautiful long-tailed sunbirds are all decked out in metallic green and red, and common if you know where to look. This is the best time to take a walk near the village in the early morning hours, if you contact the park guides the day before, they may be willing to guide you on a walking tour. Take water, your binoculars, and a bird book and plan to come back a bit early as it gets very hot and the birds hide out during the day.

At the end of the summer to early fall an amazing thing happens, hundreds of pairs of cattle egrets and reef herons begin to nest in the trees just across from the bird reproduction island. This noisy heronry is quite an amazing site, just don’t get too close. One of the ways baby herons and egrets protect themselves is to vomit on an apparent predator. It is quite an unpleasant experience!

Finally, watch for birds while entering the region. There are a number of wetlands on your drive to the Langue de Barbarie including the Reserve de Guembeul. During the fall, winter and spring it is quite common to see large flocks of pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, and other wetland birds throughout the area. If you are really into birds, try to visit at the end of the month during the bird counts. The Langue de Barbarie hosts monthly bird counts on the 24th and 28th of each month.

The 24th is a walking bird count starting at the park headquarters around 7:30AM until roughly 9:30AM The 28th is an amazing boat bird count starting at the dock next to the Zebrabar around 7:30AM and ending around 11AM  The count goes all the way to the end of the Langue de Barbarie, the former mouth of the Senegal River. The park guides will not have a lot of time to explain things during the count, but will do so afterwards. It is a technical bird count and they need to concentrate, you may even be asked to give an estimate of the bird numbers.

Although one of the main reasons for founding the park was to protect sea turtles you will probably not see any during your visit to the park. The turtles only exit the water to lay eggs then leave for the sea again. The park has a sea turtle monitoring program. During the months of reproduction (July - October) the park conducts walks along the beach in the morning looking for sea turtle tracks. Sea turtles are an endangered species, but sometimes you see the carapaces for sale in St. Louis. Please do not purchase these shells. It will act as an incentive for people to continue the illegal harvest of these beautiful and endangered animals.

Landscape
The Langue de Barbarie or the “Tongue of the Barbar” (the Barbars are an ethnic group from Morocco who lived on the Langue for over 100 years) is a narrow peninsula which extends southward from St. Louis and used to end several kilometers south of Mouit.

The ecosystem of the river has changed dramatically over the last few decades. During the night of October 3, 2003 a canal was made 5 km south of St. Louis through the Langue de Barbarie. The canal was cut to help reduce flooding in the city of St. Louis. It started out just 10 m wide but rapidly grew to about 1 km in size. It was made without conducting an environmental impact study and the ecological and economic repercussions have been drastic. The ecological balance of the region has completely changed and further compromises the quality of life for the people of Gandiol.

After just six months the natural mouth of the river closed, moving the mouth of the river north to the canal. This is causing major problems. Because of the geology and hydrology of the region, the mouth of the Senegal River is always moving south. Just off the shore of this part of Senegal, the ocean current is pushing sand southward. For a long time the mouth of the river was fairly stable and in 1920 the mouth of the river was just south of Mouit. Fort Balacoss was constructed to keep watch over the mouth of the river and a cannon was placed at the village of Guénye Gué to protect the mouth of the river from ships entering to go to St. Louis.

The mouth of the river was maintained near this location because the current from the river was strong enough to keep up with the pressure of the ocean current. However, a dam was constructed near Rosso (to stop salt water from seeping into land further up river) changing the output of the river and allowing the mouth of the river to push southward very quickly. You can see from old maps at the park just how quickly this occurred. Now history is about to repeat itself because the new mouth of the river is beginning to push southwards, unless something is done to stop it, it will be a matter of decades before the mouth of the river arrives at Mouit. This is a concern of the population as it would further disrupt the fragile fishing and farming practices in the region and destroy the ecology of the Langue. The loss of precious trees and turtle nesting beach would be devastating for the park and other wildlife living there. On the other hand, it may reverse some of the other problems the people living in the region now face. The canal dramatically increased the level of salt in the river and soil of Gandiol pushing fields further and further from town. If you take just a short walk into the bush surrounding the village you can see that field after field have been abandon.

The canal has increased erosion of vital infrastructures such as roads and to the birds’ reproductive island (the park’s principle tourist attraction). This is due to the fact that the river was not as susceptible to the tides before the canal was dug.

Since the opening of the canal the species animals which use the river has changed. There has been a scarcity of fish in the river and the freshwater fish have moved on, being replaced by saltwater species.

A combination of these factors in addition to the lack of infrastructure and income generating opportunities in the village has created an upward slope in urban migration in which, the educated and working-aged men, and to a lesser extent women, have migrated towards city centers like Dakar and St. Louis. Countless young men and their wives have left Senegal for the Gambia in search of better fishing opportunities. Increasing numbers of young men risk their lives to take pirogues to Spain or illegally migrate to other European countries where they hope to find work and a good income. This creates a serious development problem, widening gaps in both education and innovation throughout the region, increasing the workload pressure for women and leaving very little initiative for the youth coming of working age to remain in the village.

More often than not, it is the women that are left behind in these villages to care for families, raise children, and search for alternative sources of income to support their futures.

Flora and fauna
The park is rich with wildlife including birds, fish, lizards, pata (red) monkeys, and various other species of animals.

Climate
November marks the end of the hot season. December - May tend to be the most pleasant months to visit. The rains have ended and the weather is pleasantly cool. At times even cold. If you are visiting during these months it is good to pack a variety of clothes ranging from warm weather (22-32°C, 70s and 80s°F) clothing to jeans and sweatshirts for the cool evenings (10-25°C, 50s to 70s°F). June - September is the hot (32°-40°C, 90s to over 100°F) and rainy season. The rains come weekly to daily depending on the month but expect scorching days (hot and humid) with little breeze. If you are going to spring for a hotel with an air conditioner this would be the season to do so. October and November are still hot but the rains are stopping and the migratory birds are coming back.

Get in
Traveling to Mouit and the Langue de Barbarie National Park can be handled in many different ways. Since each person has a different budget here are a few ways that you can travel.

By car
Rent a car: Prices vary according to the company and the car.

Hire a guide and car: Airport to any destination in Senegal. Prices start at roughly CFA 20,000 per day and increase depending on quality of the vehicle.

Some hotels or campements offer pick-up and drop off from the airport. Speak with them for their prices.

Transportation fees to and from the Gare (Garage) in Dakar and Saint-Louis: You will have to take a taxi take you from your hotel or airport to Gare Pompier (taxis range from CFA1,000-3,000 depending on your location in Dakar) and another taxi from the Gare in St. Louis to the Gandiol (CFA 3,000-4,000).

By bus
Sept-place (station wagon that transports up to 7 people) from Gare Pompier in Dakar to St. Louis (tourists on a budget): price of the sept-place: CFA 4,500/passenger, CFA 250-1,000 max. for baggage depending on the size of the bag and how many pieces of luggage. Other charges do not apply – some people try to take advantage of a tourists by telling them they need to pay a commission but this is simply not true. If you would like to tip porters who transport your bags, CFA 100-500 is normal. To rent out an entire sept-place it should cost about CFA 33,000-35,000 to St. Louis.

Mini cars (vans) from Gare Pompier in Dakar to St. Louis (tourists on a tight budget): mini cars cost CFA3,500 from Dakar to St. Louis and you would have to pay a small amount for baggage (CFA 100-500 maximum for most suitcases or bags). Carry valuable items with you personally – not in baggage which will be carried elsewhere. Sometimes things of value inside can go missing. Also prepare yourself for a long day. These cars have a top cruising speed of about 50 km/h and make frequent stops.

Ndiaga Ndiaye (pronounced jegg-in-jaay) (big white Mercedes buses) from Gare Pompier in Dakar to St. Louis (Tourists on a tight, tight budget): Ndiaga Ndiaye cost CFA 2,500 from Dakar to St. Louis and you will have to pay a small amount for baggage (CFA 100-500 maximum for most suitcases or bags). Carry valuable items with you personally – not in baggage which will be carried elsewhere. Sometimes things of value inside can go missing. Also prepare yourself for a long day. These buses have a top cruising speed of about 50 km/h and make frequent stops. They can also take several hours to depart considering that they fill all the seats before departure. Always look inside and count the seats which are open before paying for your pass. Operators often lie about how many seats are left in order to get more clients and you could end up waiting for hours at the gare, which is not always pleasant.

By taxi
Personal taxi – Airport to St.Louis or Mouit: You should be able to get a personal taxi from the airport to St. Louis or Mouit for around CFA 60,000 depending on the condition of the taxi and negotiation skills. (4 people maximum.)

Private taxi from St. Louis to Mouit/Langue de Barbarie National Park: Once in St. Louis you can rent a taxi to go to Mouit for CFA 3,000-5,000 depending on the time of day. Night is always more expensive because there are fewer clients waiting to go to St. Louis. If you would like to visit the parks for the whole day you can rent a taxi for the entire day. Taxi prices range from CFA 7,000-10,000.

Bush taxi (taxi brousse) from St. Louis to Mouit/Langue de Barbarie National Park (tourists on a budget): bush taxis are shared taxis where each person pays a fixed amount and you wait for the taxi to fill before it departs. The bush taxis to Mouit run during daylight hours. Once in St. Louis getting to the Mouit/Langue de Barbarie National Park there are two places to catch a bush taxi. The Gare Gandiol is located in Sor at the northeast side of the round point just east of the long bridge. These taxis will drop you off near the market in Mouit and you will have to walk to the park entrance. The pass is 1,000 CFA if you are the only person going to Mouit or CFA 700 each if more than one person going to Mouit.

The second place is Gare Mbaumbaye at the Total gas station just south of the round point in Sor. These taxis are not always as nice as the Gare Gandiol taxis but the price is always CFA 700 per person.

Fees and permits
Park entrance fee: CFA 2,000 per person

Within Mouit
Mouit is a small village so you can walk anywhere that you would like. The park guides at the park also rent bikes for CFA 1,500 for 1 hour or CFA 3,000 for the day.

Travel within the region of Gandiol
You can get from one village to another by taking a bush taxi, mini car, a horse-drawn cart, or a pirogue (boat). You can also be adventurous and hike to other villages.

Do
There are several different tour ideas for visitors to the region.

 * Half-day tour: In the morning you can easily rent a taxi from St. Louis to bring you to the Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie. If you arrive around 10AM to 11AM you can place your order at the Héron Cendré restaurant before heading out on your boat tour of the park.  By the time you get back you can have lunch at the restaurant and stay for a cup or two of tea before heading back to St. Louis.
 * Day tour: In the morning you can rent a taxi from St. Louis to bring you to the Park National de la Langue de Barbarie. Place your lunch order and head out on the boat tour.  Have lunch and a cup of tea before heading off to the Reserve de Guembeul for the afternoon, getting back to St. Louis by early evening.
 * Two or more day tours: Visit each park – the Langue de Barbarie and the Reserve de Guembeul. You can camp at either one of the two parks for a rustic experience or stay at one of the many campements in the area.
 * Rent a bike for the day and visit some of the historic and cultural sites in the area.  If relaxation is your goal, visit one of the surrounding villages to have a henna artist create lovely semi-permanent designs on your hands and/or feet.  Or have the artist come to you!  The “tattooing” process takes about 3 to 5 hours and the beautiful designs last from two to three weeks.  If you have your fingernails tattooed it will last until they grow out.  If you don’t want the henna on your fingernails just ask the women to put tape over them.
 * Take a hike: While there are no designated hiking trails the countryside is riddled with small paths. It may take a little while to find an entrance point, but if you simply follow a road that looks like it goes no where, there is usually a trail at end.  There is one of these roads near the grand mosque in Mouit and others near fort Balacoss. After you do find a trail there are several forks but as long as you always know what way is west you really can’t get lost.  There are some really cool birds and animals to see once you get just a little ways out into the bush.  Although, snakes and scorpions are very rare in these areas just know they have the potential to be there and to avoid them if you see one.

Buy

 * Souvenir Boutique: Support the local women’s groups by purchasing items from the souvenir boutique.

Eat

Here are a few of the dishes which you can order.
 * Ceeb-u Jen (pronounced cheeb oh jin) or Rice and Fish: Ceeb-u jen is a local favorite. This dish was created by a very famous woman who lived in St. Louis around the turn of the century.  It became a fast favorite of Senegalese people throughout the country and is probably the most commonly prepared meal in this part of Senegal.  You can get either ceeb-u xonq (red rice and fish) or ceeb-u weer (white rice and fish).  The main difference in these two are that the red contains tomato paste and the white does not.  The basic preparation is to make the sauce which contains oil, water, onions, garlic, white bisap (hibiscus flowers), tamarind, tomatoes, and buillion.  The fish and vegetables are boiled until they are well cooked.  They are then removed along with some of the sauce and the rice is cooked in the rest of the sauce.  Traditionally the rice is spread over a large plate or in a large bowl.  The veggies and fish are piled in the middle and everyone eats surrounding the bowl.  It is a very tasty dish and should be tried at least once during your trip.
 * Maffé Gerté: While this peanut butter-based dish is tasty it is not for those who suffer from acid reflux. It is a very rich and heavy meal and is usually served with meat or at times fish.  The maffe sauce is served over a large plate of white rice.
 * Yassa: This wonderful dish is one of tourists’ favorites. It uses relatively little oil and has a light and tangy flavor.  There are two types yassa, yassa poisson (fish with onion sauce) or yassa poulet (chicken with onion sauce).  Onions are chopped up small and are sautéed with oil, vinegar and some other ingredients.  The sauce is served over white rice with the chicken or fried fish nestled on top.
 * Thiou Yapp: This is basically rice with meat, it is sort of a mix between ceeb-u jen sauce and yassa sauce and is served with meat (usually lamb, but sometimes goat or beef) depending on what is available at the market that day.
 * Domoda: This is an unusual looking sauce served over white rice. It is light brown in color and usually served with meat and potatoes over a bed of white rice.  While it may not look all that appetizing it is surprisingly tasty.
 * Moroccan Kous Kous: This is an excellent plate served with kous kous pasta with a yassa type onion sauce and with chicken. It is very good and highly suggested.
 * Soupakanga: Spelled phonetically here, soupakanga is an okra-based dish often times served with fish or seafood. The sauce is red in color and has an unusual texture.  If you enjoy okra you will love this plate.
 * Omelet Sandwich: Onions, fries and eggs are served inside the sandwich. Expect a short wait as they items will need to be purchased from town.

Restaurant prices
 * Dishes with fish – CFA 1,500 to 2,000
 * Dishes with meat – CFA 2,000 to 2,500
 * Dishes with chicken - CFA 2,500 to 3,000

Western meals and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) are served at all of the other hotels (campements) in the region. Prices vary depending on the hotel.

Drink
Beverages Alcohol is not served at the Héron Cendré.
 * Soda (small) – CFA 500
 * Soda (large) – CFA 1,000
 * Water – CFA 1,000
 * Deserts – CFA 500

Western meals and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) are served at all of the other hotels (campements) in the region. Prices vary depending on the hotel.

Sleep

 * Those traveling on a tight budget can ask for the Chief of the Village (Chef du Village) in Mouit. He has a room he keeps for guests who are looking for a place to stay.  He loves to have visitors but make sure you arrive before 22:00. He does not speak French or English so you may have to find someone who can help interpret.  While he may not ask for anything in return it would be a nice gesture to offer CFA 2,000-5,000 per night or bring the family a nice gift (fruit for example).
 * Those traveling on a tight budget can ask for the Chief of the Village (Chef du Village) in Mouit. He has a room he keeps for guests who are looking for a place to stay.  He loves to have visitors but make sure you arrive before 22:00. He does not speak French or English so you may have to find someone who can help interpret.  While he may not ask for anything in return it would be a nice gesture to offer CFA 2,000-5,000 per night or bring the family a nice gift (fruit for example).
 * Those traveling on a tight budget can ask for the Chief of the Village (Chef du Village) in Mouit. He has a room he keeps for guests who are looking for a place to stay.  He loves to have visitors but make sure you arrive before 22:00. He does not speak French or English so you may have to find someone who can help interpret.  While he may not ask for anything in return it would be a nice gesture to offer CFA 2,000-5,000 per night or bring the family a nice gift (fruit for example).
 * Those traveling on a tight budget can ask for the Chief of the Village (Chef du Village) in Mouit. He has a room he keeps for guests who are looking for a place to stay.  He loves to have visitors but make sure you arrive before 22:00. He does not speak French or English so you may have to find someone who can help interpret.  While he may not ask for anything in return it would be a nice gesture to offer CFA 2,000-5,000 per night or bring the family a nice gift (fruit for example).
 * Those traveling on a tight budget can ask for the Chief of the Village (Chef du Village) in Mouit. He has a room he keeps for guests who are looking for a place to stay.  He loves to have visitors but make sure you arrive before 22:00. He does not speak French or English so you may have to find someone who can help interpret.  While he may not ask for anything in return it would be a nice gesture to offer CFA 2,000-5,000 per night or bring the family a nice gift (fruit for example).

Stay safe
Mouit and the surrounding area are quite safe. Simply use common sense and keep valuables locked up. Overall the Senegalese are an incredibly friendly and hospitable people and you will meet many people who are genuinely interested in just talking to you and making sure you are having an enjoyable time in Senegal. In case of emergency, there is a police station and a hospital located in St. Louis.

Go next
Going back to Saint-Louis by bush taxi

Wait by the main road and flag down taxis. It should be CFA 500 each. This is very difficult some times of the day and you may be in for a bit of a wait. At night it can be next to impossible.

Every hotel in the region also has taxis that they can call to pick you up. Prices are more expensive then taking the bush taxis but you have the ease of choosing the time of your departure and not having to haul your luggage to the road. Prices range from CFA 3,000-5,000 (2009).

Several times throughout the day Ndiaga Ndiayes depart from the market area in Mouit for St. Louis. Price should be around CFA 300 and they are not on a set schedule although there is usually one around 09:00 and another around 10:30.

Every day except Sundays there is an early morning Ndiaga Ndiaye which departs for Thies or Dakar at 06:00 It often runs a little late. You can catch the bus near the only hardware store in Mouit. It should be CFA 2,000 each plus no more than CFA 500 for luggage (2009).

title: Langue de Barbarie National Park