I am planning on making my first visit to Aruba at the end of August or early September, and I am interested in getting some advice and opinions. I’d like to NOT get an all-inclusive vacation package.  A few people hotel/motel right on the beach is not that important to me, especially if it will save me a significant amount.  I am thinking about searching for cheap accomodation, perhaps in San Nicholas, and renting a car for the duration of my visit to drive to the beaches, casinos, etc.  Is this practical and economical?  Is parking near the beaches, casinos, etc. easy to find? Thank you.

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>I am planning on making my first visit to Aruba at the end of August or >early September, and I am interested in getting some advice and >opinions. >I’d like to NOT get an all-inclusive vacation package.  A few people >hotel/motel right on the beach is not that important to me, especially >if it will save me a significant amount.  I am thinking about searching >for cheap accomodation, perhaps in San Nicholas,

There are ample cheap accommodations on Aruba. See pages like: Aruba guest houses: http://www.arubatourism.com/wheretostay/apt.html http://www.visitaruba.com/wheretostay/apartments/ Good list, but no prices: http://www.enjoyaruba.com/apartments/ Good, has prices: http://www.geographia.com/aruba/accommodation.htm If you can spend a little more money, I recommend Quality Apartments. > and renting a car for >the duration of my visit to drive to the beaches, casinos, etc.  Is >this practical and economical?  Is parking near the beaches, casinos, >etc. easy to find?

You can rent a bicycle. Cheaper than a car. And easy to park right at the beach. You can read about how I got around by bicycle in this trip journal: http://donwiss.com/carib2005.txt Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

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The main thing is not to leave a bar drunk with locals you dont know. Everyone is looking for nataleeee so they will not have the resources to look for you

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am planning on making my first visit to Aruba at the end of August or >early September, and I am interested in getting some advice and >opinions. >I’d like to NOT get an all-inclusive vacation package.  A few people >hotel/motel right on the beach is not that important to me, especially >if it will save me a significant amount.  I am thinking about searching >for cheap accomodation, perhaps in San Nicholas, > There are ample cheap accommodations on Aruba. See pages like: > Aruba guest houses: http://www.arubatourism.com/wheretostay/apt.html > http://www.visitaruba.com/wheretostay/apartments/ > Good list, but no prices: > http://www.enjoyaruba.com/apartments/ > Good, has prices: > http://www.geographia.com/aruba/accommodation.htm > If you can spend a little more money, I recommend Quality Apartments. > and renting a car for >the duration of my visit to drive to the beaches, casinos, etc.  Is >this practical and economical?  Is parking near the beaches, casinos, >etc. easy to find? > You can rent a bicycle. Cheaper than a car. And easy to park right at the > beach. You can read about how I got around by bicycle in this trip journal: > http://donwiss.com/carib2005.txt > Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

One more item – if you want to travel between the commercial areas and the beach in front of the Amsterdam Manor Hotel, the bus is another inexpensive way to get around.  I rode it from downtown Oranjestad to the lighthouse at the north end one day and took it to San Nicholas another.  I wouldn’t reccomend San Nicholas as a lodging spot though, the refinery takes up all of the waterfront and I don’t recall any hotels.  There were several economical hotels in Ajax which is sort of in the center of the island and nore accessible to the beaches and commercial areas.  I took the packaged bus tour which wound all over the island so I may have missed something, but San Nicholas didn’t look very nice to stay – nothing run-down or dangerous, just industrial.

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and we see that they have done a great job finding her

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the ehole us army is searching for bin laden….havent found him…..so shoudl we assume the sidetracking in Iraq is costing us in finding him, or are they just not doing a great job of looking? Chuck

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> The main thing is not to leave a bar drunk with locals you dont know. > Everyone is looking for nataleeee so they will not have the resources > to look for you

Everyone meaning all the American friends of Natalee.  The Arubans and particularly the Aruban authorities are doing nothing to search for her. They are more interested in protecting their tourist reputation and their Van der Sloot friends than finding her. r

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Hello             Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local companies? Mick

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>Hello >            Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in >Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local >companies? >Mick

Check out http://www.ozstays.com.au/. I’m also about to try various real estate agent sites (Firdt national, LJ Hooker) for holiday accommodation – I’ll get back to you. Cheers, Alan —

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>Hello >            Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in >Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local >companies? >Mick > Check out http://www.ozstays.com.au/. I’m also about to try various real > estate agent sites (Firdt national, LJ Hooker) for holiday accommodation > – I’ll get back to you.

I stayed at the York Apartment Hotel in Sydney a few years back. It wasnt cheap but it was excellent and the view we had across Sydney harbour was to die for. Keith

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> Hello >             Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in > Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local > companies? > Mick

Try www.accomodationplus.com.au/sydney-hotels.php Includes apartment style in listings.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Hello >>            Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in >>Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local >>companies? >>Mick > Check out http://www.ozstays.com.au/. I’m also about to try various real > estate agent sites (Firdt national, LJ Hooker) for holiday accommodation > – I’ll get back to you. >I stayed at the York Apartment Hotel in Sydney a few years >back. It wasnt cheap but it was excellent and the view we >had across Sydney harbour was to die for. >Keith

Hi Keith Checked their site – you’re right, not in my budget but may be OK for the OP, or the guy from Denmark: http://www.sydneyhotelsaccommodation.com/MoreSydneyHotels/TheYorkHote… Cheers, Alan —

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  Mick,   I don’t know what you’re looking for, when, or for how long, but I travel a lot with work in Aust, and use wotif.com.au.   Unlike expedia, they only list vacancies for the next two weeks or so. Probably more use for a stay of a few nights than   for longer periods.   Cheers, Dom   > Hello   >             Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in   > Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local   > companies?   >   > Mick   >   >

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> Hello >             Can anyone recommend any good web sites for apartments in > Sydney?  I’ve traied the usual – expedia etc.  Anyone know any local > companies? > Mick

http://www.apartmentservice.com.au/ pricey, but good. Darren G

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Hello all Many thanks for your replies – I’ll check the info out. Mick

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>>I love the fact that you can fly anywhere from London Heathrow, >Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to >from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam!

Adopting Roland’s hair splitting, you can in fact fly to anywhere in the world from Heathrow, some destinations require a connection and are not non-stop. Applies to any other airport as well of course. –   Lansbury www.uk-air.net FAQs for the alt.travel.uk.air newsgroup

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remarked: >Isn’t DFW severed by AA from LHR?? >Sorry, my mistake. They do seem to have one direct flight, but very >booked up (ie doesn’t show up very often on booking sites).

Later… I’ve been tricked by their booking site which claims flight 67 is direct. In fact it has a long stopover (and plane change) at ORD! So DFW is severed (sic) from LHR. — Roland Perry

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>>    No.  Under Bermuda II, no airline can fly between DFW and LHR. >Yo’ur right.. its LGW.  Whats Bermuda II anyway??

  That’s the treaty (from 1977?) that currently governs UK-US route   rights.  It’s very complicated.  First of all, there is the restriction   that no more than two US and two UK airlines may fly between the UK and   US (I don’t know if fifth-freedom carriers like Air India and Air New   Zealand are explicitly mentioned in the treaty).  Then there is a list   of destinations that may be served by US airlines from London, and a   (different) list of destinations that may be served by UK airlines.   Then there is a shorter list of destinations that may be served from LHR   (BOS, NYC, PHL, BWI, WAS, MIA, DTW, ORD, LAX, SFO, SEA and a couple of   others – maybe ANC and MSP, with some weird restrictions, like MSP can   only be served by a US airline).  The lists mutated over the years:   I think LAS and PIT were later additions.  In any case, there are no   airports in Texas that can be served from LHR under Bermuda II.

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>Isn’t DFW severed by AA from LHR??

Sorry, my mistake. They do seem to have one direct flight, but very booked up (ie doesn’t show up very often on booking sites). Otherwise they recommend going via Chicago. — Roland Perry

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>Isn’t DFW severed by AA from LHR??

   No.  Under Bermuda II, no airline can fly between DFW and LHR.

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> >Isn’t DFW severed by AA from LHR?? >    No.  Under Bermuda II, no airline can fly between DFW and LHR.

Yo’ur right.. its LGW.  Whats Bermuda II anyway??

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>I love the fact that you can fly anywhere from London Heathrow,

Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam! >but >that doesn’t change the fact that it is a poorly laid-out airport. >Having recently changed planes in Amsterdam Schiphol, I think I now >know which is my favourite European hub.  

Glad you had a good tranfer at AMS, if it ever crops up try Copenhagen, just as pleasant, on a slightly smaller scale. >(Paris-Charles de Gaulle, >for all of its modern architecture, is not necessarily much better >than Heathrow…boarding busses to change planes is soooooooo >unnecessary.)

The last time I used Heathrow as a transfer point, there was a bus to the 747 on departure, a bus from the 747 on arrival, and of course a bus between terminals! –==++AJC++==–

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>>I love the fact that you can fly anywhere from London Heathrow, >Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to >from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam!

Or Gatwick, even. — Roland Perry

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> Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to > from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam!

Places Served by AMS or FRA and not LON. I can think of one off the top of my head, MNL by both KLM and Lufthansa. Any others?

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> Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to > from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam! > Places Served by AMS or FRA and not LON. I can think of one off the top of > my head, MNL by both KLM and Lufthansa. > Any others?

Lima, Peru.

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>Places Served by AMS or FRA and not LON.

and not LHR >I can think of one off the top of my head, MNL by both KLM and >Lufthansa. Any others?

What about DFW, HOU and ATL? There may be more of that ilk. — Roland Perry

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> >Places Served by AMS or FRA and not LON. > and not LHR >I can think of one off the top of my head, MNL by both KLM and >Lufthansa. Any others? > What about DFW, HOU and ATL? There may be more of that ilk.

Isn’t DFW severed by AA from LHR?? I remember flying to Calgary once via DFW.

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> > > Actually there are a surprising number of places that you can’t fly to > > from Heathrow but you can from Frankfurt or Amsterdam! > Places Served by AMS or FRA and not LON. I can think of one off the top of > my head, MNL by both KLM and Lufthansa. > Any others? > Lima, Peru.

That’s the one I thought of immediately, partly because I’m planning a trip for next year. It’s not _so_ suprising though. Iberian are the only other European airline to fly the route. (Are there any others I’m missing?) I did ask the Peruvian (*)Ambassador to the UK if this was an issue that the Peruvian government would be interested in addressing in some way, and he said yes, but it seemed like a ‘political’ answer.   Anyway, from MAN, you can do it in two non-stop flights, best option seems to be changing at MIA, but the total journey time is quicker with KLM, even though the flight from AMS to LIM stops somewhere. (Iberian is a lot more expensive on all the sites I’ve tried thus far, and the connections from MAN to MAD are a bit iffy.) David (*) He gave a talk at the local Spanish cultural centre- he’s not an acquaintance! — David Horne- www.davidhorne.net usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >>Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night >after > >>his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic > >>chaos". > > So business as usual at BAA’s airports > > –==++AJC++==– > Why pick on BAA?  Edinburgh, my local BAA airportm may be busy but > I’ve never seen it "shambolic".  There have always been check-in staff > when they’ve been needed, in my experience.  Isn’t this more likely to > be a London, or a Heathrow, or a British Airways problem, than a > problem with BAA airports? > — > — Chris.

re positioned top posting… >It’s never been shambolic. Maybe "shambolic, bABy…"

It was most dire last night   News at 10 lead  BA Cancels Flights more distruption today.    ITN News 24  Passengers in distress as problems at BA go on and on.   then  both had the same quotation Management stated that this was due to  ”’Maintainance Problems” (not very reassuring to passengers isnt that statment), and lack of ground staff. It looks like Management at BA once again are crumbling, if they cannot work out what flights they are to operate in late August when they have coped at the highest peak at the last week of July, and how many staff are needed for those flights and full loads, then something is sadly wrong somewhere.

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> As for EDI, it was my local > airport for 5 years, I used it a lot, and it was delightful. Easy to > use, light, airy, view of the planes from the cafe/bar, observation > deck upstairs. When I returned after an absence of a few years I was > appalled at what BAA have done to the place. The public areas are > entirely closed in, the observation deck has gone, from the disgusting > eating area you get a view of the car park, car rental has been moved > just far enough away so that you need to take a shuttle bus (even LGW > doesn’t require that).

…nicely summed up, all issues that I’d noticed too at EDI. However, I wouldn’t say what was on offer at the eating area was ever particularly inviting before. I was expecting deep fried Mars bars there… To their credit, I would say that the airside areas are far more spacious and inviting than before. Cheers, Howard

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> As for EDI, it was my local > airport for 5 years, I used it a lot, and it was delightful. Easy to > use, light, airy, view of the planes from the cafe/bar, observation > deck upstairs. When I returned after an absence of a few years I was > appalled at what BAA have done to the place. The public areas are > entirely closed in, the observation deck has gone, from the disgusting > eating area you get a view of the car park, car rental has been moved > just far enough away so that you need to take a shuttle bus (even LGW > doesn’t require that). >…nicely summed up, all issues that I’d noticed too at EDI. However, I >wouldn’t say what was on offer at the eating area was ever particularly >inviting before. I was expecting deep fried Mars bars there…

I’m sure they were there somewhere:-) I guess it was just the ambiance of the placed that made the whole experience seem more pleasant, the new version just seems to resemble some nightmare ‘foodcourt’ in a downmarket Arndale centre! >To their credit, I would say that the airside areas are far more spacious >and inviting than before.

I suppose that’s true, but it all seemed so passenger-friendly before, especially at the BD, and the BA Shuttle gates. In each case it was through the door, check-in desk right in front of you, escalator right there straight up to security and in to lounge, from there straight down the airbridge on to the plane. >Cheers, Howard

–==++AJC++==–

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I love the fact that you can fly anywhere from London Heathrow, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a poorly laid-out airport. Having recently changed planes in Amsterdam Schiphol, I think I now know which is my favourite European hub.  (Paris-Charles de Gaulle, for all of its modern architecture, is not necessarily much better than Heathrow…boarding busses to change planes is soooooooo unnecessary.)

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>Flights cancelled by BA shortage >BA passengers face a second day of delays after staff shortages and >technical problems forced the airline to cancel 25 flights at Heathrow. >Twenty-two short-haul flights were cancelled on Monday when BA failed to >open check-in desks due to a lack of staff. Ten were called off on Tuesday.

Hmm, the Early morning (well 9ish) BAXXX out of Schiphol to LHR was cancelled too, did it really get that bad that early? My 11:45 from AMS to LHR was delayed by about 30 minutes due to late arrival (made worse of course because BA don’t seem to have learnt how to get a plane boarded quickly, when will other airlines realise the low-costs do do somethings which aren’t just money saving!) No information, or even an apology for being late, in fact they seemed to make out they were on time… Jim.

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It’s never been shambolic. Maybe "shambolic, bABy…"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night after >>his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic >>chaos". > So business as usual at BAA’s airports > –==++AJC++==– > Why pick on BAA?  Edinburgh, my local BAA airportm may be busy but > I’ve never seen it "shambolic".  There have always been check-in staff > when they’ve been needed, in my experience.  Isn’t this more likely to > be a London, or a Heathrow, or a British Airways problem, than a > problem with BAA airports? > — > — Chris.

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> Why pick on BAA?  Edinburgh, my local BAA airportm may be busy but > I’ve never seen it "shambolic".  There have always been check-in staff > when they’ve been needed, in my experience.  Isn’t this more likely to > be a London, or a Heathrow, or a British Airways problem, than a > problem with BAA airports?

I fly through EDI about 25 times each year. Check in and security can be a nightmare, believe me, but I agree that it’s still a walk in the park compared to LHR. My worst experience at EDI was when I got caught up in the European MTV awards last February on the morning after. It was most definitely "shambolic"! Imagine all those divas having to line up to check in for their flights at 6am – it was like they couldn’t leave the place fast enough. The usual scenario at the EDI security points pervades – plenty of x-ray screening points, but only enough staff to man 2/3rds of them. Oh, and the usual string of pax who don’t seem to be able to put their cellphones in their carry on, or wait until they get to the x-ray point before considering emptying their pockets. Kind Regards, Howard

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night after >>his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic >>chaos". > So business as usual at BAA’s airports > –==++AJC++==– >Why pick on BAA?  Edinburgh, my local BAA airportm may be busy but >I’ve never seen it "shambolic".  There have always been check-in staff >when they’ve been needed, in my experience.  Isn’t this more likely to >be a London, or a Heathrow, or a British Airways problem, than a >problem with BAA airports?

This particular problem may have been down to BA, but Heathrow could be described as shambolic chaos whichever airline you fly. Gatwick is little better, some would say worse. As for EDI, it was my local airport for 5 years, I used it a lot, and it was delightful. Easy to use, light, airy, view of the planes from the cafe/bar, observation deck upstairs. When I returned after an absence of a few years I was appalled at what BAA have done to the place. The public areas are entirely closed in, the observation deck has gone, from the disgusting eating area you get a view of the car park, car rental has been moved just far enough away so that you need to take a shuttle bus (even LGW doesn’t require that). –==++AJC++==–

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> When I returned after an absence of a few years I was > appalled at what BAA have done to [EDI]. The public areas are > entirely closed in, the observation deck has gone, from the disgusting > eating area you get a view of the car park, car rental has been moved > just far enough away so that you need to take a shuttle bus (even LGW > doesn’t require that).

Fair enough.  I never buy food or drink at airports, or rent cars for that matter, and whenever I’m there I’m aiming to get on planes rather than watch them, so all this would have passed me by —         — Chris.

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>>Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night after >his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic >chaos". > So business as usual at BAA’s airports > –==++AJC++==–

Why pick on BAA?  Edinburgh, my local BAA airportm may be busy but I’ve never seen it "shambolic".  There have always been check-in staff when they’ve been needed, in my experience.  Isn’t this more likely to be a London, or a Heathrow, or a British Airways problem, than a problem with BAA airports? —         — Chris.

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>Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night after >his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic >chaos".

So business as usual at BAA’s airports –==++AJC++==–

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Flights cancelled by BA shortage BA passengers face a second day of delays after staff shortages and technical problems forced the airline to cancel 25 flights at Heathrow. Twenty-two short-haul flights were cancelled on Monday when BA failed to open check-in desks due to a lack of staff. Ten were called off on Tuesday. BA, which has just averted one strike, said it is currently recruiting 60 more check-in staff. Customers reported chaotic scenes and some slept at the airport overnight.      I would say it was a shambolic chaos with no-one giving any information out – they just say delayed and cancelled       Andrew Williams Three US-bound flights were the first to be cancelled after technical faults. The disruption worsened BA’s current staff shortages, leading to the cancellation of flights from Heathrow to a number of European airports, as well as arrivals from those destinations. Andrew Williams, who stayed in overnight accommodation on Monday night after his flight was cancelled, described the scene at Heathrow as "shambolic chaos". He told Radio Five Live: "Some people were shunted off to try and book extra tickets to find the ticket office all shut up with no luggage and nowhere to go. "They’ve been asked to phone a ticket hotline and that doesn’t open until 6am." The customer service desk was "six or seven deep" and police had to be called because some passengers were "losing their cool," he added. Overnight accommodation British Airways said it was making arrangements to put the short-haul passengers on alternative flights. Some were accommodated on later flights, some were provided with overnight hotel accommodation and seats on flights on Tuesday, while others simply had to rebook.      This is a time when BA should be making a mint       Simon Calder       Travel editor       The Independent Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent newspaper, said the situation would "have to get worse before it can get better." The company’s management would try to resolve it by offering "very large inducements" to staff to work overtime, he told BBC Breakfast. "This is a time when BA should be making a mint. "Instead, it’s having to pay a fortune to put people up in hotels and it’s losing customers because the flights which were cancelled yesterday, most of them were due to come back in this morning." ‘Busiest period’ A BA spokeswoman apologised to customers affected by Monday’s disruption. "Due to a number of operational reasons we have cancelled 25 flights and some services have been delayed", she said. "August is the busiest period of the year for British Airways and services at Heathrow are stretched. "We have also had some technical problems with our aircraft and these combined has resulted in the cancellations," she added. However, it was having more trouble arranging alternatives for the long-haul passengers whose flights were cancelled. Ten flights scheduled for Tuesday were also cancelled. Strike averted The three trans-Atlantic flights cancelled were to Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Passengers flying into the airport on Monday night also had long waits on the tarmac, before being allowed to disembark. At the weekend, the airline struck a pay deal with the union representing check-in staff and baggage handlers, narrowly averting an August Bank Holiday strike. The deal was struck in the early hours of Saturday after days of negotiation. The airline agreed an 8.5% pay increase over three years as well as

I will have three days for Kakadu National Park.  I have already booked the rental car and hotels.  So I’m trying to find day tours leaving from within Kakadu to the must-see spots.  Most of the private tours seem to be multi-day and include hotels, transportation from Darwin, etc., which I don’t need.  Any suggestions? Second question:  Are these tours readily available if I wait until I get there to make these decisions?  Or do they fill up?

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> I will have three days for Kakadu National Park.  I have already > booked the rental car and hotels.  So I’m trying to find day tours > leaving from within Kakadu to the must-see spots.  Most of the private > tours seem to be multi-day and include hotels, transportation from > Darwin, etc., which I don’t need.  Any suggestions? > Second question:  Are these tours readily available if I wait until I > get there to make these decisions?  Or do they fill up?

If you have already got the car & accommodation why do you need a tour?  use your car & drive to points of interest, go for a walk & drive on at your own pace.  I’d make the first stop the NPWS headquarters, near Jabairu, which I assume is where you are staying?  You can pay to take a cruise on the East Alligator river, or visit numerous billabongs & aboriginal sites which are free.  The Park office will tell you when/where the free ranger talks are. (Usually at sunset at Ubirr Rock but earlier at Noulangie from memory). Vicki

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I will have three days for Kakadu National Park.  I have already > booked the rental car and hotels.  So I’m trying to find day tours > leaving from within Kakadu to the must-see spots.  Most of the private > tours seem to be multi-day and include hotels, transportation from > Darwin, etc., which I don’t need.  Any suggestions? > Second question:  Are these tours readily available if I wait until I > get there to make these decisions?  Or do they fill up? >If you have already got the car & accommodation why do you need a tour?  use >your car & drive to points of interest, go for a walk & drive on at your own >pace.  I’d make the first stop the NPWS headquarters, near Jabairu, which I >assume is where you are staying?  You can pay to take a cruise on the East >Alligator river, or visit numerous billabongs & aboriginal sites which are >free.  The Park office will tell you when/where the free ranger talks are. >(Usually at sunset at Ubirr Rock but earlier at Noulangie from memory).

You’ll need a tour if you want to go someplace requiring 4WD, like Jim Jim Falls, but 3 days can easily be filled up with great stuff you can drive to yourself — which includes most of the "must see" spots. I think you do have to book for a few things (the Yellow Water cruise and possibly some guided walks), but not before arriving at the hotel. Same if you want to take a helicopter flight or joy ride in a small plane. If your budget can cover it, I highly recommend the plane trip! Seeing the area from the air gives you a perspective that you can’t get from the ground, and enhances the ground experience. Jean http://www.avalook.com.au/

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Why Kakadu??? What is wrong with Litchfield Park??? Easier to get to, more to see and quarter the expense. AntHony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I will have three days for Kakadu National Park.  I have already > booked the rental car and hotels.  So I’m trying to find day tours > leaving from within Kakadu to the must-see spots.  Most of the private > tours seem to be multi-day and include hotels, transportation from > Darwin, etc., which I don’t need.  Any suggestions? > Second question:  Are these tours readily available if I wait until I > get there to make these decisions?  Or do they fill up? > If you have already got the car & accommodation why do you need a tour? use > your car & drive to points of interest, go for a walk & drive on at your own > pace.  I’d make the first stop the NPWS headquarters, near Jabairu, which I > assume is where you are staying?  You can pay to take a cruise on the East > Alligator river, or visit numerous billabongs & aboriginal sites which are > free.  The Park office will tell you when/where the free ranger talks are. > (Usually at sunset at Ubirr Rock but earlier at Noulangie from memory). > Vicki

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> Why Kakadu??? What is wrong with Litchfield Park??? > Easier to get to, more to see and quarter the expense.

And two completely different places. — Tony Bailey Mercury Travel Books

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> Why Kakadu??? What is wrong with Litchfield Park??? > Easier to get to, more to see and quarter the expense. > And two completely different places.

Correct. One is controlled by a group that has numerous times shown that it really doesn’t want tourists in the place, and prices the entry accordingly. The other is still in public control, encourages tourists with appropriate upgrades, and is priced accordingly. PhilD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Tony Bailey > Mercury Travel Books

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>> Why Kakadu??? What is wrong with Litchfield Park??? > Easier to get to, more to see and quarter the expense. >And two completely different places.

Rubbish !! Both Bush and Waterfalls…. AT least in Litchfield you can actually get to them and not have to pay some exorbitant price to have a look at what  essentially  belongs to us all rather thatn a select group of people.

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> Rubbish !! > Both Bush and Waterfalls…. AT least in Litchfield you can actually > get to them and not have to pay some exorbitant price to have a look > at what  essentially  belongs to us all rather thatn a select group of > people.

But the major point of Kakadu is the rock paintings. — Tony Bailey Mercury Travel Books

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I was wondering if anybody here stayed at this hotel? If so, could you please let me know you thoughts on the accommodation / facilities. Many thanks Jamie

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>I was wondering if anybody here stayed at this hotel? >If so, could you please let me know you thoughts on the accommodation / >facilities.

I spent a two nights there while on business, about 3 years ago. I had booked a single room without ensuite facilities and was upgraded to a room with an ensuite (probably because I had booked a corporate rate). The Victoria is a nice basic, budget hotel. Many rooms have a shared bathroom but as I didn’t see them, I can’t tell  you much about them. The ensuite in the room I had was small, but clean and nice. Parts of the hotel can be old,  but they keep it clean. It’s in a nice location and as it’s on a smaller back street, it’s ina comparatively quiet location. I would recommend it. Geodyne

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Basic rooms… a bit small Good location and fair prices The night collection of rubbish causes a loud noise in middle of night and I was up fairly high. Noisy dustman. Freda — Please reply to the list as my email address is a fake

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was wondering if anybody here stayed at this hotel? > If so, could you please let me know you thoughts on the accommodation / > facilities. > Many thanks > Jamie

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My experience is cheap and nasty accommodation.  I didn’t like it at all. Would rather go to backpacker accommodation where the facilities are actually better.  Stayed in their Standard Room with Ensuite – very old and dilapidated.  They also have rooms where you share the bathroom down the hall.  Sorry but my feeling about the place was sleazy. — Monica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Basic rooms… a bit small > Good location and fair prices > The night collection of rubbish causes a loud noise in middle of night and I > was up fairly high. > Noisy dustman. > Freda > — > Please reply to the list as my email address is a fake > I was wondering if anybody here stayed at this hotel? > If so, could you please let me know you thoughts on the accommodation / > facilities. > Many thanks > Jamie

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If anyone has been to this hotel, could you please let me know what the food, entertainment, and accommodation were like. Thanks.

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> If anyone has been to this hotel,

Yes. > could you please let me know what the > food, entertainment, and accommodation were like.

food: ok, but not that good. entertainment: in the hotel not much, in S’go I got a bit bored by these people with always the same story: I am poor, that is Fidel’s fault not mine, you are rich…. etcetera…please one dollar.  Yeah sure! accommodation: good

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Thanks for the info. It confirms some other opinions I’ve heard. It turned out my wife found a deal for Brisas Santa Lucia, south of Camaguey. We left for 1 week on Jan 1. I’ll be giving a trip report in a few days. Thanks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If anyone has been to this hotel, > Yes. > could you please let me know what the > food, entertainment, and accommodation were like. > food: ok, but not that good. > entertainment: in the hotel not much, in S’go I got a bit bored by these > people with always the same story: I am poor, that is Fidel’s fault not > mine, you are rich…. etcetera…please one dollar.  Yeah sure! > accommodation: good

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Hello Angolan Embassy ask for the confirmed hotel reservation to issue the visa… Does anybody know inexpensive hotel in Luanda who can send me such confirmation?  Fax no.?  e-mail address? Thanks… Wojtek

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Originally posted by Wojtek Dabrowski > Hello > Angolan Embassy ask for the confirmed hotel reservation > to issue the visa… > Does anybody know inexpensive hotel in Luanda who can > send me such confirmation?  Fax no.?  e-mail address? > Thanks… > Wojtek

That is rubbish. Do they think you want to camp in the bush? Even so, what is wrong with that. I suspect they want you to bribe them. — John 3:16 Posted via http://britishexpats.com

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Originally posted by Wojtek Dabrowski > Hello > Angolan Embassy ask for the confirmed hotel reservation > to issue the visa… > Does anybody know inexpensive hotel in Luanda who can > send me such confirmation?  Fax no.?  e-mail address? > Thanks… > Wojtek >That is rubbish. Do they think you want to camp in the bush? Even so, >what is wrong with that. I suspect they want you to bribe them.

Actually, rubbish it may be BUT there are several countries in the world that ask for this before they will issue a Visa.  If the embassy you are applying to says  it is required then so be it otherwise you won’t get your visa. I don’t think you should go the "bribe" route on with an embassy in your home country. I cannot recommend any cheap accommodation – but these people may be able to help you. http://www.aasafaris.com/foz_cunene_accommodations.htm Alternatively, you can maybe make a reservation over the internet and once you get confirmation – cancel it… many people do this – some places confirm a reservation prior to you paying a deposit.

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hi, I’m looking to stay in sydney 30th dec-5th of jan and have decided more or less to stay at one of the beaches rather than in the city centre (which is already booked up anyway!). Not having been before I was hoping to survey opinion as to the best location. Would like reasonably laid back atmosphere (so in the right country) and easy access to centre. Would go for scenery over surf probably, although decent waves are good. Is bondi too overdeveloped? How about coogee vs manly? I guess everywhere will be busy this time of year, are there any that become too full for comfort? if you know about specific places we are looking with mid priced hotels (flexible on price but would expect to pay about 100-200 ausd per night for a double room), although thanks for any advice, I’ve found this newsgroup most useful

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> hi, > I’m looking to stay in sydney 30th dec-5th of jan and have decided more or > less to stay at one of the beaches rather than in the city centre (which is > already booked up anyway!). Not having been before I was hoping to survey > opinion as to the best location. Would like reasonably laid back atmosphere > (so in the right country) and easy access to centre. Would go for scenery > over surf probably, although decent waves are good. Is bondi too > overdeveloped? How about coogee vs manly?

Bondi is great. Yes, its very developed, but: 1. Spectacular great scenery (take the walk around the headland to Tamarama – most beautiful coastal walk in the world that I have ever been on). 2. Good surf (though most Sydney beaches have this). 3. Loads to do, places to eat, hotels, restaurants etc. 4. Closest beach to city centre (few kms). I don’t know exactly what you mean by laid back. Bondi is quite a scene, with lots happening by day and night, but if you just want to lie on the beach and chill you can do that as well. I would avoid Manly. Its quite seedy and has noticably deteriotated over the last ten years. Lots of violence at night (drunken yobbos). Easy to get to and from the city by ferry, but convenient for nowhere else. The drive is a pain. Coogee I don’t know so well. > I guess everywhere will be busy this time of year, are there any that become > too full for comfort? > if you know about specific places we are looking with mid priced hotels > (flexible on price but would expect to pay about 100-200 ausd per night for > a double room), although > thanks for any advice, I’ve found this newsgroup most useful

100 – 200 ausd per night should buy you a very nice hotel room in any of these places.

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thanks for the advice peter. By laid back i meant, from what you say, not like manly! (i.e. drunken yobbos)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi, > I’m looking to stay in sydney 30th dec-5th of jan and have decided more or > less to stay at one of the beaches rather than in the city centre (which > is > already booked up anyway!). Not having been before I was hoping to survey > opinion as to the best location. Would like reasonably laid back > atmosphere > (so in the right country) and easy access to centre. Would go for scenery > over surf probably, although decent waves are good. Is bondi too > overdeveloped? How about coogee vs manly? > Bondi is great. Yes, its very developed, but: > 1. Spectacular great scenery (take the walk around the headland to > Tamarama – most beautiful coastal walk in the world that I have ever been > on). > 2. Good surf (though most Sydney beaches have this). > 3. Loads to do, places to eat, hotels, restaurants etc. > 4. Closest beach to city centre (few kms). > I don’t know exactly what you mean by laid back. Bondi is quite a scene, > with lots happening by day and night, but if you just want to lie on the > beach and chill you can do that as well. > I would avoid Manly. Its quite seedy and has noticably deteriotated over the > last ten years. Lots of violence at night (drunken yobbos). Easy to get to > and from the city by ferry, but convenient for nowhere else. The drive is a > pain. > Coogee I don’t know so well. > I guess everywhere will be busy this time of year, are there any that > become > too full for comfort? > if you know about specific places we are looking with mid priced hotels > (flexible on price but would expect to pay about 100-200 ausd per night > for > a double room), although > thanks for any advice, I’ve found this newsgroup most useful > 100 – 200 ausd per night should buy you a very nice hotel room in any of > these places.

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> thanks for the advice peter. By laid back i meant, from what you say, not > like manly! (i.e. drunken yobbos)

At Christmas, most decent accommodation at Manly or Bondi would be heavily booked. Sydney’s beaches are all suburban locations with plenty of locals as well as visitors. If you want peaceful locations, you would need to get away from the Sydney area, but I am not sure if that is really what you desire. Geoff Lillico

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>hi, >I’m looking to stay in sydney 30th dec-5th of jan and have decided more or >less to stay at one of the beaches rather than in the city centre (which is >already booked up anyway!).

You might want to try one of the beaches a little further out, yet still convenient. As you said Coogee is great, but you might find the prices to high for that period. Have a look at Cronulla, great beach, less hectic, and the train goes direct to the city every 1/2 hour.  You could also take the ferry from there across to Bundina for a day trip in the Royal National Park. Tom

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I almost think it would be harder to get hotels away from the Sydney area for Dec 30th – Jan 6th. Everybody in Sydney is on holiday during this period, but comparaitively few Sydney residents would be renting hotel rooms actually in Sydney. OTOH, the coast north and south of Sydney will be packed out with Sydney people getting out of the city for a few days (myself included). I definitely agree with your observation that Sydney suburban beaches in general (and Manly and Bondi in particular) are not going to be peaceful during the first week of January, particularly if it is hot.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> thanks for the advice peter. By laid back i meant, from what you say, not > like manly! (i.e. drunken yobbos) > At Christmas, most decent accommodation at Manly or Bondi would be heavily > booked. Sydney’s beaches are all suburban locations with plenty of locals as > well as visitors. If you want peaceful locations, you would need to get away > from the Sydney area, but I am not sure if that is really what you desire. > Geoff Lillico

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We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? Thanks, Ethan

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Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. Neither in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

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We stayed at the downtown Holiday Inn in July and were disappointed. We thought it was a dump basically. The housekeeping staff was argumentative, one of my sons squished one of those huge centipedes on a hallway wall, the room wasn’t very clean, we had the room reseved for 4, but had to request 4 towels and pillows.   Next time we will consider one of the other hotels, not necessarily downtown either.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. Neither > in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, > Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

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The Hawthorne is about 9 and L.  Downtown is basically 4 thru 6 C thru I.  Our streets run numbers east/west, letters north/south. The Residence Inn is in midtown.  Really not around anything and no restaurants in walking distance. Downtown there is a Hilton, a Holiday Inn, a Clarion Suite, the Anchorage Hotel, the Westmark, the Marriott, the Captain Cook.  Here’s the link to the Anchorage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau accommodation web page http://www.anchorage.net/444.cfm .  Hopefully this will help some. Anymore questions about Anchorage, please feel free to ask. Susan in Anchorage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan > to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you > please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at > Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with > those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? > Thanks, > Ethan

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If you have a car, we found that being downtown didn’t much matter.  Our time was probably equally split between downtown Anchorage and the surrounding area, so we stayed near the airport (Courtyard Marriott, very nice).  There were many properties near the airport to choose from, tons of places to eat nearby, and the rates were right. ~ Peri – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The Hawthorne is about 9 and L.  Downtown is basically 4 thru 6 C thru I.  Our > streets run numbers east/west, letters north/south. > The Residence Inn is in midtown.  Really not around anything and no restaurants in > walking distance. > Downtown there is a Hilton, a Holiday Inn, a Clarion Suite, the Anchorage Hotel, > the Westmark, the Marriott, the Captain Cook.  Here’s the link to the Anchorage > Convention & Visitor’s Bureau accommodation web page > http://www.anchorage.net/444.cfm .  Hopefully this will help some. > Anymore questions about Anchorage, please feel free to ask. > Susan in Anchorage >We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan >to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you >please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at >Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with >those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? >Thanks, >Ethan

Response:

The Marriott Courtyard by the airport was great.  Even had A/C unlike some of the luxury hotels downtown.  NEVER stay at any Anchorage hotel in the summer that doesn’t have A/C.  Anchorage can have a heat index higher than Houston at times.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We stayed at the downtown Holiday Inn in July and were disappointed. We > thought it was a dump basically. The housekeeping staff was argumentative, > one of my sons squished one of those huge centipedes on a hallway wall, the > room wasn’t very clean, we had the room reseved for 4, but had to request 4 > towels and pillows.   Next time we will consider one of the other hotels, > not necessarily downtown either. > Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. > Neither > in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, > Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

Response:

We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? Thanks, Ethan

Response:

Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. Neither in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

Response:

We stayed at the downtown Holiday Inn in July and were disappointed. We thought it was a dump basically. The housekeeping staff was argumentative, one of my sons squished one of those huge centipedes on a hallway wall, the room wasn’t very clean, we had the room reseved for 4, but had to request 4 towels and pillows.   Next time we will consider one of the other hotels, not necessarily downtown either.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. Neither > in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, > Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

Response:

The Hawthorne is about 9 and L.  Downtown is basically 4 thru 6 C thru I.  Our streets run numbers east/west, letters north/south. The Residence Inn is in midtown.  Really not around anything and no restaurants in walking distance. Downtown there is a Hilton, a Holiday Inn, a Clarion Suite, the Anchorage Hotel, the Westmark, the Marriott, the Captain Cook.  Here’s the link to the Anchorage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau accommodation web page http://www.anchorage.net/444.cfm .  Hopefully this will help some. Anymore questions about Anchorage, please feel free to ask. Susan in Anchorage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan > to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you > please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at > Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with > those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? > Thanks, > Ethan

Response:

If you have a car, we found that being downtown didn’t much matter.  Our time was probably equally split between downtown Anchorage and the surrounding area, so we stayed near the airport (Courtyard Marriott, very nice).  There were many properties near the airport to choose from, tons of places to eat nearby, and the rates were right. ~ Peri – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The Hawthorne is about 9 and L.  Downtown is basically 4 thru 6 C thru I.  Our > streets run numbers east/west, letters north/south. > The Residence Inn is in midtown.  Really not around anything and no restaurants in > walking distance. > Downtown there is a Hilton, a Holiday Inn, a Clarion Suite, the Anchorage Hotel, > the Westmark, the Marriott, the Captain Cook.  Here’s the link to the Anchorage > Convention & Visitor’s Bureau accommodation web page > http://www.anchorage.net/444.cfm .  Hopefully this will help some. > Anymore questions about Anchorage, please feel free to ask. > Susan in Anchorage >We will cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Island Princess on 9/13 but we plan >to be in Anchorage a few days before the departure of the cruise. Can you >please recommend any good hotels to stay at? I have seen some good rates at >Hawthorn Suites and Marriott Residence Inn does anyone have any experience with >those? If you had to chose between the two which would you prefer? >Thanks, >Ethan

Response:

The Marriott Courtyard by the airport was great.  Even had A/C unlike some of the luxury hotels downtown.  NEVER stay at any Anchorage hotel in the summer that doesn’t have A/C.  Anchorage can have a heat index higher than Houston at times.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We stayed at the downtown Holiday Inn in July and were disappointed. We > thought it was a dump basically. The housekeeping staff was argumentative, > one of my sons squished one of those huge centipedes on a hallway wall, the > room wasn’t very clean, we had the room reseved for 4, but had to request 4 > towels and pillows.   Next time we will consider one of the other hotels, > not necessarily downtown either. > Regarding hotels in Anchorage,Hawthorne and Residence Inn are nice. > Neither > in a touristy area though. Check out downtown hotels, such as Marriott, > Hilton, or Holiday Inn. Also consider Westmark.

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Does anyone know anything about Kitale Kenya? I am having a hard time looking up accomadations as far a Hotel to stay in when we go. If you can help, I would be grateful. Thanks, jen

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>Does anyone know anything about Kitale Kenya? I am having a hard time >looking up accomadations as far a Hotel to stay in when we go. If you >can help, I would be grateful. >Thanks, >jen

Jen, I`ve also found nothing on the web for Kitale! The best source for everything about Kenya I find  is the Rough Guide to Kenya. There is a list of accommodation  in  the guide  and I can tell you the recommended ones if you like. You won`t find any four star ones. There are no email addresses! The best is said to be The Lantern( good food too) PO Box4566, Kitale Tele. And Fax number, 054 30360 Also, Alkara hotel, Kenyatta street, PO Box 1984. Tele.054 20395 Fax 054 30298. The Lantern is also Kenyatta street. If you can get a copy of the Rough Guide it`s worth it. Pat — Pat Anderson

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In Kitale- Call the numbers below and ought to offer you some direction about locations in Kitale.  I think it would be interesting enough to try climb Mt Elgon. History and location Mt. Elgon is a huge dormant volcano on the Kenya-Uganda border. Its highest peak in Kenya is Koitoboss at 4,155 m. Elgon is a Maasai word, "ol doinyo ilgoon" for "mountain shaped like human breast." The park covers 169 km2 of diverse habitats with topography ranging from 7,700 ft (2,160 m) to 13,852 ft (4,155 m). Many rivers, such as the Nzoia, Suam and Turkwell feeding Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana originate from the park. The park’s history is embedded in the lifestyles and culture of the native community. The vast unique caves have been venues for traditional ceremonies and cattle salt lick areas for the local Sabot community. The mountain peak has been used as a sacred worship place and considered a home for gods (who are still consulted by members of the native community entering the park). Fauna and Flora The park has a rich, unspoiled, botanical diversity of tropical moist forests, bamboo, and moorlands containing stands of some of the most rare and threatened species like the great Podos, Elgon Teak, and Cedars. The many streams, waterfalls, rivers, cliffs, and diverse habitats are ideal havens for a variety of mammals and over 240 species of birds. Big game includes an estimated 400 Forest elephants, also referred to as "cave elephants," and buffaloes. Other common and endemic species are oribi, giant forest hog, bushbuck, impala, and bush duickers. Predators such as leopard, civet, genet and wild cats, and hyenas are not often seen, but may be heard. Visitors can have spectacular sightings of rare and endangered indigenous primates including blue Debrazza, and black and white Colobus monkeys. Bird lovers will enjoy the rarer species like montane francolins and guinea fowl, black and white casqued hornbills, red-headed parrots and turacos. Special Attractions Together with the fauna and flora, the park is endowed with variety and breathtaking scenery of cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The most popular areas are the four (4) explorable, vast caves where frequent night visitors such as elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls, enters 200 m into the side of Mt. Elgon. The breathtaking natural beauty of the park can be best appreciated from the Endebess Bluff where one gets a panoramic view of the areas’ escarprnents, gorges, mesas, and rivers. The highest peak of Mt. Elgon on the Kenya side, Koitoboss, measures 13,852 ft (4,155 m), and is easily reached by hikers in about two hours from the road’s end. Activities Vehicle circuits leading to animal viewing areas, the caves and Koitoboss peak. Self-guided walking trails (Ask for the Kitum Cave guide book at the gate) Hiking to Endebess Bluff and Koitoboss Peak Primate and bird watching Cave explorations Camping Photography Facilities/Accommodation Picnic sites at Elephant Platform and Endebess Bluff 3 campsites: 2 public campsites and one "salt lick" special campsite, strategically located to view salt licking by animals like elephants, while enjoying the natural quiet atmosphere by the river side. Fresh water and toilet facilities are available at the campsites. Kapkuro Bandas, sited in a forest glade near the park headquarters that offer privacy in a wild environment. They are designed to accommodate 8 guests in a self-contained setting. Barbecue facilities are located nearby. Entrance gate at Chorlim where you can obtain information about the park and guide services. Airstrip that can serve light planes Mt. Elgon Lodge, which accommodates 35 people, situated 0.5 km. outside the park gate. How to Get There Arrive in Kitale from Nairobi (385 km) or from Eldoret International Airport (70 km) on the tarmac road. The park is situated 15 km from Kitale off the Endebess road. Roads within the park are motorable and signposted, however a 4WD vehicle is advisable between April and November. Associated places of interest include Kakamega Forest, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Nasolot/South Turkana Reserves, lake Bogoria, and Ruma National Park. Wildlife code