PARADIZENTA

Senggigi is the most developed area for tourists on Lombok. You can find a variety of restaurants, bars, discotheques, travel agents, photo processors, money changers, souvenir shop and a range of accommodations starting from budget guest house to 5 star hotels. Restaurants and small cafes line the colorful main beach road. Swimming off the beach is safe.

The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, port for the Gili Islands. Along the way, a fantastic scenery of the north west coast of Lombok awaits. Most travelers start or end their stay at Senggigi because of the easy access to Mataram Airport and accommodations options are available to all budgets. If you are frugal or intrepid and take the slow ferry from Bali, it's best to arrange transport in advance from the ferry dock to Senggigi, since the dock on the Lombok side is in a remote spot several kilometers south of Mataram.


There are plenty of activities you can do to complete your holiday. Sightseeing or touring organized by reputable local tour operators is the best option to discover what Lombok has to offer. Renting a car or motor cycle is also good alternative to get around, either self-driving, or with a driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. Car rental in Lombok is more expensive than Bali. Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or diner. If you are pleased with service, tip the driver or local guide at the end. If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all costs.



INFORMATION

Senggigi Post Office located on the main street of Senggigi, opposite from Pamour Art & Antique shop. Health Centre or Puskesmas located near Hotel Puri Saron. Drugstore or Apotik available next to the gate of Intan Lombok Hotel. Dentist available at Meninting Puskesmas 10 minutes drive from Senggigi towards direction to the airport.

Bank BNI available during office hours 5 days a week located near the Post Office. ATM's (Automatic Teller Machine) are easy to find. ATM BCA, ATM BNI, ATM Mandiri are available, you can swift your credit card and withdraw local currency IDR (Rupiah).



Police office located in Senggigi Art Market, near The Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort. Telephone Service (Wartel) available near Melati Dua Hotel. Internet Cafes are: Millenium Internet (opposite Papaya Restaurant) and Star Internet Service located in Senggigi Plaza with dedicated broadband speed at reasonable rates. Cellular phone in Indonesia is GSM and CDMA. If you have brought your cellular handphone, you can purchase prepaid calling cards to make outgoing calls at lower cost than calling on your home SIM. Shops which sell these cards are prolific. Major service providers are: Telkomsel, Satelindo and XL Ritel. Look for signs and banners with those markings.

Money changers are available almost in every corner of Senggigi. Double count your money before leaving the money changers to get the accurate amount. Hotel reception also change foreign money with lower rates.



Mini markets are located next to Bank BNI and near the Papaya Cafe.

Local Indonesian Foods sells nasi campur and warung Padang can be found right opposite from Taman Restaurant. At night, you can find the famous Nasi Goreng at Warung Cak Poer.



Tipping

Most larger hotels and restaurants automatically add Government Tax and Service charge up to 21% to the bill. Tipping is expected in main tourist area, but you're not compelled to tip at restaurants. If you like your driver or local tour guide, a tip of 10-15% is appreciated.

Carry small changes with you as taxi drivers often have none.

Airport or hotel porters expect Rp. 2000 - 10,000 per bag depending on the size and weights.



Disabled

Wheelchair ramps and van lifts are non existent. Many major hotels have limited handicapped facilities and accommodation. Advise your tour operators or hotel for special assistance.

Palamau National Park is the second major national park in the state of Jharkhand, India. Its situated in the western part of the Chotanagpur plateau. This wildlife sanctuary is declared as the Protected Forest or Reserved Forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This Tiger Reserve is solely dedicated to the protection of tigers. The core area of the park spreads 250 square km, and was declared as a National Park in September, 1989, also well known as Betla National Park.


World's first tiger-census was done here in the year 1932, based on pugmark count. This sanctuary is spread over 1,026 sq km of untamed wilderness, and is famous for its magnificent wildlife and scenic, undulating terrain. Palamau was one of the initial nine Tiger Reserves launched in 1973. Palamau is a historic place, which was ruled by the Ghero kings. The park has two of 16th-century forts, made by the Adivasi Kings of the Chero dynasty.



Location



Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary is situated within the Indo-Malayan realm, and is located in the district of Palamau. The region extends from the latitudes 23 degree 25 inch and 23 degree 55 inch, North and Longitudes 83 degree 50 inch and 84 degree 36 inch, eastern in the state of Jharkhand, with a total area of 1026.00Sq.Kms.



Ecological System & Wildlife (Flora & Fauna)



Palamau Tiger Reserve is a mix of lakes, rivers, valleys and beautiful low lying waterfalls. The winding North Koel River and its river branch, the Auranga, slash through the rocky lands of the northern part of Palamau. The Kanhar and Amanat rivers run through the Betla region of the tiger reserve area, which lies in the midst of lush tracts of Sal and other dry deciduous trees. The soil in many parts of the sanctuary is strongly impregnated with iron.



An estimated 44 tigers inhabit this reserve with wild animals such as Barking Deer, Cheetal, Elephant, Fourhorned Antelope Indian Ratel, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Pangolin, Sambar, Tiger, Wild Dog and Indian Wolf. The place also has several plant reserves such as Acacia catechu, Adina cardifolia, Bombax ceiba, Bothriochloa Montana, Butea monosperma, Dendrocalamus strictus, Diospyros melanoxylon, Imperata arudinacea, Indigofera pulchela, Lannea coromandlica, Mitragyna parviflora and Shorea robusta etc. The healthy eco-system of the Palamau wildlife sanctuary supports this wildlife.



Climate



The climate of Palamau varies can be divided in to three main seasons. The cold seasons from November to March, the hot season from March to May and the monsoon season from June to September. Temperature varies from 47 degree to 38 degree C during the summer month while in the monsoon months it is only 6 degree C to 8 degree C.



Adventures & Activities in the Park



One can explore the Purana Kila and Naya Kila of the 16th century built by the Chero dynasty. The best adventurous activity here is animal sightings, as the animals are mostly dependant on man-made water holes, so it becomes easy to trace the wildlife. One can hire a guide and a jeep from the forest department for such an activity. Watch towers and ground hides have been created to see the wildlife. Motoring and hiking are the major activities carried in the park.



Nearby Attractions



Kechki just 18 km from Daltonganj has lush green hills and grasslands. Hazaribagh National Park has the same eco-system and inhabitants as Palamau. Ranchi is 140 km away and is a favorite shopping destination. Netarhat, the 'Queen of Chotanagpur' is at an elevation of 3,700 feet above sea level with special attractions of natural beauty of the Plateau and lots of Eucalyptus trees and big trees. Magnolia point is famous for sunset & sun rise can be also visible. Mirchaia waterfalls near Guru, Suga Bandh Falls close to Baresand are the best nearby attractions and a must to visit locations while being on the trip to Palamau national park.



Palamau Tiger Reserve - Approach and Access



By Air: Ranchi (180 km) is the nearest airport to this Tiger Reserve.



By Rail: Daltonganj (25 km) is the nearest railway station.



By Road: Connected with many important cities such as Daltonganj, Ranchi, and Dhanbad etc. Daltonganj is the nearest town that is located at a distance of 25 km.



Best Time to Visit: Between the months of October to March.



Accommodations & Other Facilities



Accommodations at Palamau National Park and around the park are available in many types and forms for the tourists. There are tourist lodge and forest rest houses in the Betla portion of the sanctuary and rest houses at Kerh, Kechki and Mundu are available. Facilities like STD/ISD, Postal, Telegraph and Internet in some areas are also available.



Travel Tips



The tourists should carry light cotton clothes during the summers and heavy woolens during the winters. Do not throw any non biodegradable material like polythene bags, lit matches, cigarette buds around. The flora should not be plucked. Avoid taking firearms and chemicals inside the park. Do not blow horns or play loud music inside the park.
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Delhi is a major international gateway. It's also a centre for domestic travel, with extensive bus, rail and air connections. Delhi's airport can be prone to thick fog in December and January (often disrupting airline schedules), making it wise not to book back-to-back flights during this period.

By Air
The domestic terminals (Terminal 1) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport are around 15km southwest of Connaught Place, and the international terminal (Terminal 2) is a further 8km away. There's (free) shuttle bus between the two terminals: catch it from within the Arrivals area of the International Airport and allow lots of time for the transfer.


Domestic (Arrivals & Departures)
Check-in at the airport for domestic flights is one hour before departure. Note that if you've just arrived and have an onward connection to another city in India, sometimes Air India flights depart from the international terminal, not the domestic terminal.

International (Arrivals & Departures)
The international airport's arrivals hall has 24-hour money-exchange facilities, an ICICI ATM, prepaid taxi counters, a tourist information counter and a train reservation counter.

At the check-in counter, ensure you collect tags to attach to hand luggage (mandatory to clear security later).

By BUS
Bikaner House, near India Gate, operates good state-run buses. There are services to Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur. Delhi's main bus station is the Inter State Bus Terminal, a north of the (Old) Delhi train station. It has a 24-hour left-luggage facility. This station is a chaotic so arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your departure time. State-government bus companies (and their counters) at the ISBT include (timetables are online):

Delhi Transport Corporation
Haryana Roadways
Himachal Roadways
Punjab Roadways
Rajasthan Roadways
Uttar Pradesh Roadways

By TRAIN
For foreigners, it's easiest to make ticket bookings at the helpful International Tourist Bureau. Do not believe anyone who tells you it has shifted, closed or burnt down – this is a scam to divert you elsewhere. There are reportedly railway porters involved in scams, so stay on your toes and don't let anyone stop you from going to the 1st floor of the main building for booking

When making reservations at the International Tourist Bureau, tickets must be paid for in rupees backed up by money-exchange certificates (or ATM receipts) or in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling; any change is given in rupees. Bring your passport. There's a train booking counter at the airport (opposite).

There are two main stations in Delhi – (Old) Delhi train station in Old Delhi, and New Delhi train station, make sure you know which station serves your destination (New Delhi train station is closer to Connaught Place). If you're departing from the Delhi train station, allow adequate time to meander through Old Delhi's snail-paced traffic.

There's also the Nizamuddin train station, south of Sunder Nagar, where various trains (usually for south-bound destinations) start or finish. Railway porters should charge around Rs20 to Rs30 per bag. Consult Trains at a Glance available at most newsstands, or ask tourist office staff.
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When planning a holiday to South Africa there are many things to take into consideration including whos coming with you, what time of year it will be and, most important of all, just what you will be able to squeeze into your time. It pays to do a little planning ahead for your next big adventure to South Africa: theres so much to see and do theres a danger of being overwhelmed. Apart from the obvious, like a game safari and perhaps a bungee jump, the opportunity to attend one of South Africas many colourful festivals should not be missed. Here are a few of the best throughout the year...


The Cape Town Jazz Festival April

Touted as the fourth largest jazz festival in the world, the Cape Town Jazz Festival is South Africas answer to the famous Montreaux festival in Switzerland. Performing across five different stages over two days, the festival has played host to many big industry names since its inception in 2000. Proud of their cultural and musical diversity, South Africa honours both established and up-and-coming youth musicians, as well as international artists among the 40 or so acts who perform at the Cape Town Festival. Crowds of over 30,000 visitors and locals make their way to enjoy the sunshine and music of the festival and it has become one of Cape Towns premier events.



Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival May



A festival honouring the humble but delicious olive cant be bad and the Olive Festival doesnt disappoint if youre expecting lots of food and wine; but thats not all youll find. Held in the Swartberg region of the Western Cape of South Africa, the festival also offers art exhibitions, competitions, kids craft demonstrations, bike races, live music and even a ghost walk at midnight. Prince Albert Towns streets come alive with a party atmosphere and everyone from children to the elderly get involved in the annual knees-up. If you bear more than a passing likeness to a certain cartoon character, why not enter the Popeye and Olive Oyl lookalike competition and go down in local history.



The Cellar Rats Wine Festival August / September



If wine is your thing, then youve certainly come to the right place on a holiday to South Africa. Some of the best wines in the world are produced here and a slow tour around the picturesque Wineland region of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and Cape Town is a wine aficionados dream come true. But if you dont have long enough to explore the entire area, why not pencil in a visit to Magaliesberg, about half an hours drive from Johannesburg, in August or September and you will be able to sample the best of South Africas wines under the guise of the Cellar Rats Festival. Set on the banks of the tranquil Magalies River, the festival showcases the wines from over 80 producers with a total of nearly 500 varieties. Its wonderful setting with an abundance of birdlife makes this one of South Africas most enjoyable outdoor festivals.
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