Mr Simizi Goes Travelling

[Orioni]

For 2019 I'm planning a small tourism RP. Its focus is to explore the cultures and sights of nations in Argis and Alharu. This will be semi-open depending on which nations grants a tourism visa to my character. The title is a pun on Mr Smith goes to Washington but other than the name this has little to do with politics.

Story

Mr Hidad Simizi has reached the pension age of 66 years. Unfortunately, his wife of Isla Raisi died in 2014. The couple had been married since 1971. His three children have all left the house. For the last 5 years he has been putting some money aside and now he wants to see the world. He is making plans to visit Argis and Alharu, collectively referred to here as "Alhargis". (If this works out well and Mr Simizi survives the trip, perhaps he might visit more places in the future.)

Character Profile

• Hidad Simizi is a 66-year-old former tradesperson's assistant who enjoys watching television, baking and he is obsessed with photography. His other hobbies include jigsaw puzzles, knitting, football, cycling, donating blood.
• Backstory. Hidad has three children from his late wife Isla: daughter Halliye (born 1975), daughter Gloriya (born 1980) and son Jabril (born). He grew up in an impoverished working-class neighbourhood. After his mother died when he was young, he was raised by his father. He finished school and then left academia. Hidad's best friend is another tradesperson's assistant called Elmer Oweni who nicknamed him "Lazy Hidad". The two men have a very fiery friendship. He also hangs around with his neighbour Patsy Neali. They enjoy watching television together.
• Character. He is giving and friendly, but can also be very thick and a bit lazy. He is an Orinese man who defines himself as straight.
• Appearance. Physically, Hidad is slightly overweight but otherwise in good shape. He is short with brown skin, black hair and black eyes. He has a small moustache. He is allergic to milk.

Countries to visit

Once it's clear which countries are open to tourism, I'll have him apply for a Visa in each of these nations. If you're open to a visit, please start by filling out this form with additional details.

VISA APPLICATION FORM
* Requirement: (yes/no)
* Max. duration: (days)
* Health requirements: (which)

TOURISM GUIDE
* Top cities: (city names)
* Sights worth seeing: (historical buildings, special places, parks)
* Cultural events taking place: (what, where, when, how many days)
* Getting around: (airlines, public transportation, taxi)
* Local cuisine: (what to eat and drink, what to avoid)
* Sleeping: (hotels)

Itinerary

Right now I'm thinking of having him visit Alharu and Argis from west to east. It really depends on which nations are welcoming enough to grant him a tourist Visa.

@Andalla Can I start out by having my character travel via Arkhavn?

Confirmed visits:

• Andalla (layover)
• Fulgistan

[Andalla]

@Orioni Awesome! Arkhavn is a pretty common layover for travelers flying between Europa and Alharu.

... But that's just the simple way to put it. If, perhaps, you'd like something more in-depth regarding the flight, read on...

Spoiler

 

Argis and Alharu are not far from Orioni. A good long-haul aircraft (say Prymont's Slankstrale) could easily fly direct between these places, not to mention these planes would be quite common too. However, at these distances, the flights are very expensive. Therefore, they tend to appeal only to business travelers or wealthy people - those who generally want quick connections and do not mind the price.

As an alternative, travelers (especially those on a tight budget) tend to consider layovers. Not only do layovers significantly reduce the cost of travel, they also provide time to rejuvenate after a long flight. Some popular layovers are also known for their shopping and amenities in general.

This is where Arkhavn's situation gets pretty confusing. Naturally, Andalla is located perfectly between... nothing. While flights between Europa and the New World are definitely not impossible, that means adding another 4-6 hours to the travel time without including the layover.

With that in mind, much of Andalla's international airline industry focuses on making stopovers as appealing as possible. The airport's undergone heavy expansions adding more shopping space and all sorts of things, all while aviation-related matters (skilled labor, equipment, maintenance) are cheap since there's lots of supply.

 

To put it bluntly, Arkhavn is not exactly the best stopover even against a direct flight altogether. But, ticket's cheap and Arkhavn's awesome. So, your call 😉

[Fulgistan]

VISA APPLICATION FORM

• Requirement: yes
• Max. duration: 120 days
• Health requirements: n/a

TOURISM GUIDE

• Top cities: Bogd Gioro, Wulumuqi, Xintou
• Sights worth seeing: Chrysanthemum Palace, Central Fulgistan; Little Madria, Wulumuqi; Old Faratown, Bogd Gioro; Lu Mo Nature Preserve, Southeast Fulgistan
• Cultural events taking place: International Workers' Day, May 1; National Day, May 16; Revolutionary Guard Day, August 1; Elephant Festival, Xintou, April 24-29; Ramadan (changes yearly) baseball games (national sport, spring and summer)
• Getting around: Serviced by most major airlines; High-speed rail available from Bogd Gioro to Wulumuqi and vice versa; Bogd Gioro has a very efficient metro system, with light rail and bus service in the Bogd Gioro suburbs and in Wulumuqi; tuk-tuks are available in most cities, as well as conventional taxi services; naturally, equine transportation is popular in rural areas, and can be had cheaply
• Local cuisine: Beef rendang, horse hotpot, banana-leaf water buffalo BBQ, Banana Buddy beer, the Samarkhand Dance (our unofficial national cocktail) and feremented mare milk in the nomad communes (not a good pick for Mr. Simizi, watch out for that)
• Sleeping: Golly, this form is not a great format for this. Wulumuqi for the best beach resorts this side of the Adlantic, as well as the only urban commune where gambling is permitted; Bogd Gioro has some lovely hotels for party members and tourists alike; safari lodges in the savanna are well-appointed and spacious; throughout Fulgistan, youth hostels (erected in the spirit of internationalism and openness) are safe, clean, and decent, as well as highly economical

Edited December 19, 2018 by Fulgistan
Baseball! (see edit history)

[Orioni]

6 hours ago, Andalla said:

To put it bluntly, Arkhavn is not exactly the best stopover even against a direct flight altogether. But, ticket's cheap and Arkhavn's awesome. So, your call 😉

@Andalla - He's cheap and might be convinced to take 2 flights it saves some money for later. Or perhaps one of his children lives there.

50 minutes ago, Fulgistan said:

Golly, this form is not a great format for this.

@Fulgistan - Sorry about that. I think it's fixed now. Thank you kindly for the elaboration. I'll put you on the itinerary.

[Sayf]

VISA APPLICATION FORM
* Requirement: Yes
* Max. duration: 120
* Health requirements: N/A

TOURISM GUIDE
* Top cities: Baghdad, Basra, Dubai, Mosul
* Sights worth seeing: Sayfi parliament building, Baghdad Old City, Mosul Market, Ruins from old Sayfi Empire, Lifeless Lake
* Cultural events taking place: Eid (3 times a year), Ramadan (one month out of the year)
* Getting around: Serviced by most major airlines, Rail lines connecting major cities and cultural sites, Highways connecting almost every city and town
* Local cuisine: Kebab, Kunafeh, Dolma, falafel, baklava, Sayfi tea, fattoush, shawarma, masgouf, etc.
* Sleeping: Hotels in most major cities and town

[Sunset Sea Islands]

VISA APPLICATION FORM
* Requirement: no for Orionites
* Max. duration: (days)
* Health requirements: (which)

TOURISM GUIDE
* Top cities: Sunset City, Utopia Resort City
* Sights worth seeing: Yuyake 101, beaches of Sunset City, rainforests, tourist resorts, water parks
* Cultural events taking place: Day of Radiance, November 25th, Lễ hội Bon in mid-August
* Getting around: cheap and reliable subways, ferries, small regional planes, expensive air taxi rides
* Local cuisine: Nem cuon (salad rolls), Bun cha (grilled pork and noodles), Bún bò Huế (spicy noodle soup), Pho Bo (clear soup with leek and meat)
* Sleeping: wide range of hotels, from basic to luxurious, tourist-oriented, affordable

NOTES
*smoking and drinking frowned upon, high taxes on drugs
*wide-spread CCTV surveillance, restricted in tourist areas

 

[Glimmer]

VISA APPLICATION FORM

• Requirement: Technically, upon entry, no.
• Max. duration: 60 days, renewable up to 180 days.
• Health requirements: Upon entry it is preferred - not required - that medical records are provided, although, if forthcoming and staying for a long term stay in Oyus, it is not unheard of for the government to cover the cost of missing vaccinations at no cost due to the potential revenue that could be brought by your stay in the country.

TOURISM GUIDE

• Top cities: Yulaa, Vaovaohitra, Morlavitra
• Sights worth seeing: Merseca Square, Yulaa, Oyus - a square with the Mer Palace and a colossus built in the honor of city's namesake; beaches in Costa Scura, Yulaa, and Morlavitra; Alamangina, Oyus - eco-tourism on the interior of the island in Alamangina, a town in the middle of the jungle; Yulaa's Animal Reserve, Morlavitra, Oyus - a conservation area for more endangered species or animals unable to function independently in the wild; Vaovaohitra, Oyus - The media capital of Oyus, including television/movie studios where tours can be taken, and it is not uncommon for one to bump into a star.
• Cultural events taking place: The Spring Festival, which is a whole month best experienced in Yulaa (2 weeks worth of vacation domestically); The Summer Carnival, a week full of colour in late June, early July, best experienced in Morlavitra; Banner Week, the celebration of the country's unification and the current government's founding after Yulaa's dissolution of the failed Oyus Republic - best experienced in either Yulaa or Vaovaohitra, which was the capital at the time of the dissolution of the republic; Championship Week, a week in December where the domestic sports leagues of Oyus all have their finals on the same week, sports being something there is much pride in within Oyus- best experienced celebration is in a city with more than one team in a final, typically Yulaa or Vaovaohitra; the Oyusard New Year Celebration, which starts on December 30th and ends on January 2nd, one of few holidays with some religious elements attached.
• Getting around: Urban Areas: Bike Rentals, Bus network, Subways and/or Monorails, Ride hailing services, & Taxis. Cross-country: By airplane, limited to major cities; by rail; by ferry, between the islands; and bus.
• Local cuisine: While in recent years the government has pushed for the water to be exponentially cleaner, even compared to some of the cleaner countries in the world, the government always recommends that you consider bottled water during your stay. It is best to avoid restaurants that do not have a health inspection grade posted at their entrance, as with street vendors. Dishes with taro are said to be a must to try while in Oyus, Oyus Salad is also an interesting dish, which contains fruit that are more exclusive to the country such as guanabana and granadilla. Fish is also a main staple of the Oyus diet, and a local fish market is the best place to get fresh catches and Oyus-inspired dishes.
• Sleeping: Lodging is best left to the urban centers of Oyus, where they are plentiful and competitive. Morlavitra is best known for beach resorts, Yulaa and Vaovaohitra for a more traditional Western-style hotel. Alamangina has unique lodging, though air conditioning is not necessarily guaranteed.

Edited March 26, 2020 by Oyus
Revising references of major cities (see edit history)

[Mauridiviah]

VISA APPLICATION FORM

* Requirement: No

* Max. duration: 124 - 186 days

* Health requirements: None

TOURISM GUIDE

* Top cities: Madria, Sitia, Caridad de los Moros, Sant Juan, Maurotopia

* Sights worth seeing: Palacio de Miraflores in Madria, Bahía del Fuego north of Sant Juan, Monumento Pan-Iberico de la Guerra de Talassa in Sant Juan, the city of Sitia (a city who's entire economy is based on market socialism), Museo de la Historia Nacional in Maurotopia, Palacio de la Democracia (Legislative Palace) in Maurotopia, Parque Nacional Morrocoy and its beaches near Concerpción, the city of Caridad de los Moros for its unique desert architecture and history, Parque Nacional El Ávila near Caridad de los Moros for mountain entertainment and terrain, Parque Nacional Cueva del Guácharo near La Posada for jungle trekking and bats, Parque Nacional la Gran Sabana near Puerto Ayacucho.

* Cultural events taking place: New Year's Day, January 1st; Día de Reyes, January 6th; River Festival, January 16th; Teacher's Day January 20th; Valentine's Day, February 14th; Carnival, February 28th - March 5th; International Women's Day, March 8th; Día de la Juventud, March 12th; Día de la República, April 22nd; International Workers' Day, May 1st; Mother's Day, May 12th; Día de la Maura, June 26th; Children's Day, July 21st; Victory Day, August 25th; National Day of Mourning, September 11th; Día de la Raza, October 12th; Halloween, October 31st; Feria de la Fulginita, November 17th - November 19th; University Students' Day, November 22nd; Día de la Democracia, December 15th; Christmas Eve, December 24th; Christmas Day, December 25th; Nochevieja, December 31st; Along with some Christian holidays like Easter and Holy Week that change on a yearly basis, as well as some others. These are just the major ones.

* Getting around: Major airlines do fly to our airports, public transportation and tours are common in big cities, with taxis being common as well. Roads are decently paved.

* Local cuisine: Pabellón Criollo, Casabe, Arepas, Cachapas, Caraotas Negras, and Hallacas are all nice foods. Our only unique drink is Chicha de Arroz (non-alchoholic and alchoholic kinds) which is ubiquitous in street cars. Buying from these carts is at one's risk, however, as they're not all well-regulated, and that goes for food carts in the country in general, but it's good enough for the locals. As for dessert, we have appropriated Limonaian culture with stuff like "authentic" Tiramisu.

* Sleeping: High class hotels can be found in the cities, along the coast, and near national parks. As the tourism industry is the main force behind the economy, most hotels are pretty nice.

P.S. due to poverty, everything is cheaper in the country than in more developed nations.

P.S. P.S. drug laws are extremely lax here and gambling is permitted everywhere

Edited December 28, 2018 by Mauridiviah
Drugs (see edit history)

[Limonaia]

VISA APPLICATION FORM

• Requirement: Yes
• Max. duration: 90 days
• Health requirements: N/A

TOURISM GUIDE

• Top cities: Limone, Citulo, Tirli, Arnella
• Sights worth seeing: Celino mountain range, lake Pozzillio, Old Limone, Ducal Palace, Careini Castle, Anacone coast. The Island of Anaca.
• Cultural events taking place: National Day October 2nd.
• Getting around: Serviced by most major airlines, and features high speed rail connections between Limone, Celano and Sermerio, with normal railways servicing the majority of other sites in the country, trams and metros exist in the larger cities (Limone, Celano, Sermerio), and road quality is generally good in the eastern parts of the country (Smaller and less maintained roads are common in Celino and parts of Colline as difficult terrain make road construction hard here.) Ferries also connect major coastal cities and Anaca
• Local cuisine: Largely varied with ingredients from all over the world being included in Limonaian cuisine, so you can mostly get whatever you want, although Limonaian traditional food is highly recommended, as well as the wine.
• Limonaia features a range of sleeping options at most price points, with small family run hotels in small villages, to hotel resorts with all inclusive deals and whatnot, Sermerio is however a bit notorious for being a very noisy city, which could be a slight annoyance at night

Map by Seylos showing the regions and smaller cities of Limonaia (Anaca on the side is scaled up)

 

Edited January 20, 2019 by Limonaia (see edit history)

[Orioni]

Alrighty. 30 days is enough for this first planning. It looks like Mr Simizi can follow a clear route. Here's the travel itinerary he's going to follow.

• Andalla
• Tikva
• Limonaia
• Sayf
• Fulgistan
• Oyus
• Mauridiviah
• Sunset Sea Islands

@Andalla Do these flying distances make sense? I'm especially interested in (1) the first flight from Orioni via Andalla to Tikva, and (2) the last flight back from Mauridiviah via SSI. See this route.

[Andalla]

21 minutes ago, Orioni said:

Alrighty. 30 days is enough for this first planning. It looks like Mr Simizi can follow a clear route. Here's the travel itinerary he's going to follow.

• Sunset Sea Islands
• Andalla
• Tikva
• Limonaia
• Sayf
• Fulgistan
• Oyus
• Mauridiviah

@Andalla Do these flying distances make sense? I'm especially interested in the flight back from Mauridiviah to Orioni. Should there be another layover in SSI or your islands?

I'll break this down leg by leg, but it looks like quite a solid plan.

• Orioni - SSI: Perfect. This would be an extremely important trans-Oriental route so there wouldn't be any shortage of flights to choose from.
• SSI - Andalla: Another high-demand route, perhaps one of the most travelled air routes in Thalassa.
• Andalla - Tikva: Not unlikely, though we haven't really talked. Perhaps we could mutually operate services to each other.
• Tikva - Limonaia: Tikva's El Al or Air Limone would most likely be the only major airlines serving this route.
• Limonaia - Sayf: Quite a weird combination, but considering Sayf has all the oil, I'm sure they'd be pretty agressive when it comes to making new routes.
• Sayf - Fulgistan: I'd imagine this would be a somewhat busy route?
• Fulgistan - Oyus: Oyus positions himself as a tourist center, so this route is fine.
• Oyus - Mauridiviah: Same as the above, more or less. Mauridiviah's proximity to Thalassa would make Oyus a less likely destination, perhaps only for the upper class.
• Mauridiviah - Orioni: Definitely the longest flight on this list, but I think any Aamotech Slankstråle could fly this. It wouldn't be such a high-demand route but I'm sure Oriental Airlines would be operating this.

All in all, solid plan. I might just need to ask @Tikva to confirm with the flights.

Do take into consideration regional transport hubs, which connect far more destinations than usual. I'm looking at cities like Arkhavn, Canastota, Altaria and Ferrefaaierhafen. But that's up to you, since low-cost airlines tend to instead operate cheap direct routes with small aircraft instead of passing through a big expensive hub. That, or they pass through a smaller hub instead.

By the way — got a big school project due soon, plus some other extracurricular projects. But I'm on the last leg of my travel guide, so don't worry! 😅

Edited January 20, 2019 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Tagmatium Rules]

1 hour ago, Andalla said:

I'll break this down leg by leg, but it looks like quite a solid plan.

• Orioni - SSI: Perfect. This would be an extremely important trans-Oriental route so there wouldn't be any shortage of flights to choose from.
• SSI - Andalla: Another high-demand route, perhaps one of the most travelled air routes in Thalassa.
• Andalla - Tikva: Not unlikely, though we haven't really talked. Perhaps we could mutually operate services to each other.
• Tikva - Limonaia: Tikva's El Al or Air Limone would most likely be the only major airlines serving this route.
• Limonaia - Sayf: Quite a weird combination, but considering Sayf has all the oil, I'm sure they'd be pretty agressive when it comes to making new routes.
• Sayf - Fulgistan: I'd imagine this would be a somewhat busy route?
• Fulgistan - Oyus: Oyus positions himself as a tourist center, so this route is fine.
• Oyus - Mauridiviah: Same as the above, more or less. Mauridiviah's proximity to Thalassa would make Oyus a less likely destination, perhaps only for the upper class.
• Mauridiviah - Orioni: Definitely the longest flight on this list, but I think any Aamotech Slankstråle could fly this. It wouldn't be such a high-demand route but I'm sure Oriental Airlines would be operating this.

All in all, solid plan. I might just need to ask @Tikva to confirm with the flights.

Do take into consideration regional transport hubs, which connect far more destinations than usual. I'm looking at cities like Arkhavn, Canastota, Altaria and Ferrefaaierhafen. But that's up to you, since low-cost airlines tend to instead operate cheap direct routes with small aircraft instead of passing through a big expensive hub. That, or they pass through a smaller hub instead.

By the way — got a big school project due soon, plus some other extracurricular projects. But I'm on the last leg of my travel guide, so don't worry! 😅

You never cease to amaze.

[Ahrana]

VISA APPLICATION FORM
* Requirement: yes
* Max. duration: 90 Days
* Health requirements: just in good general health

TOURISM GUIDE
* Top cities: Moskovo, Peterburi, Vulgus Supra, Strasburg, Thorvis
* Sights worth seeing: People's Palace, Old Imperial Palace, Monarchs Palace, Palace of Justice, Palace of the Presidium, Legislative Palace, People's Square, Peterburi Palace and many more.
* Cultural events taking place: May Day (1st of May), Revolution Day (5th of August), Founding Fathers Birthday (1st of February), New Year's Celebration 31st December-12 January), Christmas (24th-30th December)
* Getting around: Multiple Airlines two International Hubs, Taxis in the big cities
* Local cuisine: Try it all
* Sleeping: Standard Rate just don't use a Derthland Accent or begin with I'm a foreigner. Most rooms are cheep and very nice.

[Seylos]

VISA APPLICATION FORM

Requirement: No visa required

Max. duration: 30 days for vacation/holiday only. 

Health requirements: Up do date immunization.

TOURISM GUIDE

Top cities: Selboune, Norfolk, Aberystwyth, Dunblane

Sights worth seeing: Seylosian Royal Palace Grounds, Alban High Top Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cliffs of Swansea Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Cultural events taking place: Great Annual Selbourne Pub Crawl,

Getting around: Light Rail (In cities), National Rail System, Local Bus Systems, Selbourne International Airport, Norfolk International Airport

Local cuisine: Alban Haggis, Anglian Beers, Anglian Pub Food, Cymru Crempog

Sleeping: Selbourne National, Celtis Hotels, Cottage accommodations of Kirkwall

[Limonaia]

Limonaian Airlines probably fly to Harel (If Alayon isn't the main airport) and Baghdad

[Orioni]

Thank you all for your enthusiasm.  I really appreciate it.

Closing applications. With Ahrana and Seylos as final additions, that should be it for this voyage. There are plenty of places includes right now. Adding any more would make Mr Simizi's travel expenses too unrealistic. Which doesn't mean he couldn't accidentally find himself in another nation.

Writing. I'm writing the story in chapters. I use Google docs to outline the general events. When a chapter is finished I'll post the RP. If you want to interject some comments of your own, replying with something like "space held" will do the trick.

This topic will continue to be used for OOC discussion.

[Andalla]

Aw snap, I'm late.

Oh well. @Orioni's been notified prior already, so we've already agreed that Arkhavn will come in towards the end of the story except in the start where Mr. Simizi flies in via Arkhavn.

Nevertheless, it's here — only a day or two short of two months in the making — the travel guide to Arkhavn.

So, without further ado...

---

VISA APPLICATION FORM (Orioni Passport Holders)

* Requirement: Visa-free entry (valid return/onward ticket)
* Max. duration: 90 days*
* Validity: 180 days with unlimited visits**
* Health requirements: N/A

* Extendable by 90 days per extension but not exceeding 2 years
** Extendable by 180 days per extension but not exceeding 4 years

TOURISM GUIDE

 TOP DISTRICTS (Of Arkhavn)

All Andallan cities and municiaplities (byer/kommuner) are subdivided into districts (bydeler), which are further divided into urban areas or neighborhoods (områder). The number, size and location of each neighborhood or district depends on the geography and demographics of the area.

Maltelev

Maltelev is the financial center of Andalla, home to Arkhavn's central business district. Known for its upscale shopping districts and nightlife, Maltelev is also the country's retail and srhub. Running through the heart of Maltelev is the Antonsen Avenue, along which the main trading floor of the Andallan Stock Exchange is located. Antonsen Avenue is also home to among the largest local and multinational corporations in Andalla as well as the Gloriatta mall complex, one of the world's largest malls and the largest in Andalla.

Small upscale bars and restaurants can be found throughout the district, usually on the ground floors of high-rise buildings. Restaurants and services are generally progressively cheaper the farther away you get from the CBD.

Binøndø

Adjacent to the district of Tøndø where the Port of Arkhavn is located, Binøndø was once the financial center of the country. Since the 1700s, Binøndø brimmed with many businesses mostly related to imports and exports. In the post-war era, with high demand for workers, many Giokton immigrants flocked to the area. Today, Binøndø is the center of the Giokton-Andallan community and is known for its rich Giokton culture and endless dining choices.

While most financial activity moved to Maltelev from the 60's and onwards, Binøndø continues to be an important financial center. Owing to economic development and low real estate prices, businesses in Binøndø still handle much of Andalla's imports and exports. Some of the largest wholesalers in the country are also located here, distributing imported products to retailers nationwide. One can find a better deal for consumer products in Binøndø than almost anywhere else in Andalla.

Though still notorious for its lower standard of living compared to other parts of Arkhavn, parts of Binøndø have already caught up with more highly-developed areas such as Maltelev. Formerly labeled as the ghetto of Arkhavn, the local economy boomed once more in the 80's and 90's, pushing the district to increase its economic power and once again take its rightful standing within the city. Today, Binøndø is a cultural and economic center hosting inhabitants from all walks of life, joining together in a harmonious confluence of old and new.

Bonskøbing

Located directly southeast and adjacent to Maltelev, Bonskøbing is another urban jungle featuring lavish real estate developments and towering skyscrapers. Originally the headquarters of the Royal Andallan Army (Now Andallan Commonwealth Army), the land was sold to real estate developers after prices in the neighboring Maltelev skyrocketed. In under 20 years, the area was transformed from sprawling fields to a vibrant commercial center. Bonskøbing boasts among the most luxurious hotels, residences, restaurants and malls in the country. Like Maltelev, Bonskøbing is an important retail hub also famed for its shopping and nightlife.

While home to many luxurious brands, shopping in Bonskøbing is affordable at the very least. Cheaper, more informal restaurants and hotels complement the district's upscale offerings. Bonskøbing also has many public spaces, which make even a walk around the area a good experience.

Arkhavn Bay Freeport Zone (Bay City)

The Arkhavn Bay Freeport Zone, more commonly known as the Bay City, is the entertainment hub of Andalla. Located on 1,400 hectares of reclaimed land in the Arkhavn Bay, the area was built up in the 1980s by a consortium of private and government-owned agencies. Facing competition against Bonskøbing, land development in Bay City proceeded slowly - as a result large expanses of reclaimed land still remain undeveloped. However, Bay City is also known for its many casinos, though it also has amusement parks, theaters, and upscale hotels. Bay City is home to the Mall of Thalassa, one of the largest malls in Andalla and formerly the largest upon completion in 2002.

Eremitås

Eremitås is the cultural and religious center of Andalla, as well as a major residential center. Located along the coast of the Arkhavn Bay, Eremitås is known for the famed Rohås Boulevard which runs along the Baywalk. Numerous high-rise buildings occupy the areas directly adjacent to the coast, while more historical and cultural places are located further inland. Eremitås has a high concentration of hotels ranging from budget traveler inns to five-star hotels, the most popular of which is the Arkhavn Grand Hotel. First opened in 1912, the Arkhavn Grand Hotel is the most prestigious and historically-significant hotel in Andalla.

Sudvik

While not a district of Arkhavn, Sudvik is a popular weekend getaway. Located along the coast of the Sudvik Bay, from which its name is derived, the beaches of Sudvik are lined with a variety of accommodations ranging from budget hostels to high-end resorts. Though not the largest vacation destination in Andalla, Sudvik is the closest major beach resort to Arkhavn. Travel times usually range from 40 to 60 minutes by the North Arkhavn Expressway (NAREX) depending on traffic, and roughly 30 minutes by commuter rail.

 SIGHTS WORTH SEEING

Arkhavn is not known for having many significant historical sights, though several important historical buildings are very well-preserved. Malls are a common tourist attraction in Arkhavn, as they are far larger than usual compared to other countries. Shopping is generally a common social activity in Andalla, and is extremely popular especially in urban areas. Arkhavn is home to a number of shopping districts ranging from cheap marketplaces to high-end luxury brands.

The Arkhavn Bay is particularly known for its sunrise, as the bay faces directly east. The Baywalk is a seaside promenade spanning most of the bay's coastline in the Eremitås district, running alongside Rohås Boulevard. The Baywalk is home to many open-air cafés, and is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Directly north of the Baywalk area on a patch of reclaimed land lies the Arkhavn Bay Freeport Zone or Bay City, which is home to some of the country's largest local and foreign casinos. The Mall of Thalassa, Andalla's second-largest mall, is also located here.

Lying at the mouth of the Arkhavn Bay is the small islet of Reysborg, one of Arkhavn's most treasured historical landmarks. Originally a stronghold for pirates who would prey on Arkhavn-bound merchants, Reysborg was defeated in the late 1600s and converted into a military stronghold. Since then, it has become an important fortification, having protected the Arkhavn Bay for over three centuries. Today, with its many well-preserved artillery pieces, it is only a tourist attraction. Last used during the Thalassan War, its guns were already considered obsolete in the 1930s. Reysborg remains a must-visit for any tourist coming to Arkhavn, whether interested in history or not.

Further north still along the coast of the Arkhavn Bay lies the town of Sudvik, the closest major beach resort to Arkhavn. Frequented on weekends, Sudvik is only a short journey away and features many hotels and resorts.

An somewhat popular hobby in Andalla is photography, especially aviation photography. Most large airports in Andalla are built to be "spotter-friendly", with small view decks built across several vantage points. As Skandinavisk is considered as the "national pride" of Andalla, aviation as a hobby is generally popular. Throughout the week, many photographers and hobbyists belonging to the Arkhavn Planespotters' Association (APSA) flock to the viewing decks of the Ivan Petersen International Airport. Arkhavn is well-known for having a large, friendly community of photographers both professional and amateur alike, many of whom are also engaged in planespotting.

Great Eats

A trip to Arkhavn is never complete until one has sampled the wide selection of Andallan, Giokton and other cuisines served in restaurants throughout the city. From the small, wooden, ramshackle food carts of Binøndø to the most exclusive five-star gourmet restaurants of Bonskøbing, Arkhavn is known for its vibrant food culture. The following is a list of must-tries in Arkhavn cuisine:

• Maxine's Chicken is arguably the most well-known restaurant chain in Andalla, credited for popularizing fried chicken in Andalla. Though the practice of deep-frying battered chicken was first documented to have originated in Whales, @Great Burlington, the concept of friend chicken was brought to Andalla in 1902 from @Adaptus, by sailor Bernard Jørgensen. After having sailed Andalla-Europa trade routes for nearly 30 years, Jørgensen sought to return to his family in Arkhavn. Along with his 2 sons Bjørn and Morten Jørgensen, he set up a small restaurant which he named "Maxine's Chicken House" after his wife. Cooking a recipe slightly modified from the one he picked up in Adaptus, his restaurant was an instant success. In 1911, the family purchased an empty lot across their home, where they constructed a dedicated restaurant building for the rapidly-growing business. The original site still stands today, albeit with numerous expansions over the years, as the flagship branch of Maxine's Chicken. As the name suggests, Maxine's is mostly known for its fried chicken but also offers a wide selection of Andallan cuisine at very affordable prices. The Maxine's network spans over 700 branches across Andalla and Giokto, with over a hundred more across the world.
• The Aristo is one of the most popular restaurants in Andalla, credited for inventing the Andallan chicken barbeque and popularizing kønris (see "Local Cuisine"). The restaurant was founded in 1928 by Inge Skora, a mother of 12, who decided to make a profit out of her cooking for the whole family. Originally known around the community for its kullhøner (see "Local Cuisine") sandwich made from dried kullhøner strips, the restaurant rose to fame after the Thalassan War when a shortage of materials prompted Skora to cook her fried chicken dish in a barbeque style to reduce the use of utensils. Today, The Aristo has expanded its network to 89 branches in Andalla and 23 branches abroad, though the original and largest branch still stands along Rohås Boulevard directly facing the Arkhavn Bay. The restaurant offers hearty Andallan meals at very affordable prices, cooked with the same love and passion as Inge Skora had for her own family.
• Eng Sui Tin (永美珍) is a Giokton delicatessen known for pastries and baked goods, especially hopia and nyttårskager (see "Local Cuisine"). Founded in 1912, the deli encountered many challenges from competition in the 1980's and nearly reached bankruptcy. In 1989, Eng Sui Tin turned around with the introduction of the åbe (purple yam) flavored hopia, which became a nationwide sensation almost overnight.
• Jolibi (pronounced "Yoli-bi") is the largest Andallan fast-food chain with over 1,200 branches worldwide. Jolibi offers a selection of local and foreign dishes at very affordable prices, making its presence very established even in poorer, rural areas of Andalla. Jolibi has gained international fame for its fried chicken known as Jolichicken, burgers ("Joliburgers"), and panisiter. Formerly known as Jolibie, the fast food chain features a cartoony anthropomorphic bee as its mascot ("bie" means "bee" in Andallan). Jolibi is also very well-known for its children's amenities, such as kiddie meals and parties.
• Chaoking (超王) is the second-largest fast food chain in Andalla and the largest in Giokto. Established in Saipuo in 1981, Chaoking combines Giokton cuisine with fast food service and has achieved widespread success in both Andalla and Giokto. Among the many dishes served include popular rice meals and noodle soups, as well as tjemsimmer (tiam sim or dim sum). According to founder Robert Kueh, Chaoking really derives its name from the word "chow" but can also be connected to the @Fulgistani pronunciation of 超 (to exceed; to surpass), in order to relate the name to Giokton culture.

 CULTURAL EVENTS

Andallan culture emphasizes more on lifestyle, traditions, and the day-to-day interactions between people. Holidays and celebrations are limited to mostly religious or historically-significant dates. Cultural holidays were mostly adapted into Andallan culture during the age when Andallan merchants visited ports all over the world. However, it should be noted that Andallans are well-known to "over-celebrate" certain special events, many of which are also highly commercialized in the country.

December marks the most important time of the year, not only culturally but also economically. Andallans celebrate four major holiday seasons:

Christmas

 

Photo taken by yours truly...

Commonly known in Andalla as Jul ("Yul"), Christmas is the most important holiday in the country. A devout Christian nation, Andalla is often said to have the world's longest Christmas season beginning roughly in early October and lasting all the way until late January. In the months leading to Christmas, decorations are set up in homes, malls and almost everywhere else. It is a common tradition for a town or city district to organize a ceremony wherein a large Christmas tree is set up in a major public center (known as "byenstrae" or "town tree"), taking place usually on the last Saturday of November.

December is marked by numerous feasts ("Julebord") observed on different dates and by different groups of people. Andallan Christmas cuisine differs slightly from regular cuisine, with special dishes and desserts being served such as roast chicken, svinemager, gedstuvning, risgrøder, tugriskager and limenskager (see "Local Cuisine").

Usually the first of these feasts to take place is the Julefrokost or Christmas lunch, a large meal with plenty of food and alcohol. Julefrokoster are usually organized by businesses, labor unions, schools, and groups of friends. The size of the group can vary from a small table to an entire function hall or restaurant rented out for the purpose. Traditionally, a Julefrokost takes place on a Saturday afternoon, hence the name Christmas lunch. However, in modern times it is more often celebrated on a Friday evening. A typical Andallan will usually attend three to five Julefrokoster.

It is also customary to celebrate a familiejulefrokost, which is similar to a julefrokost but attended by members of a clan. The average size of a familiejulefrokost can vary from a handful of directly-related families to an entire network of clans descended from a common ancestor. A familiejulefrokost is typically the last Christmas feast to take place before Christmas Eve, which is usually celebrated only with the direct family.

Another common Christmas lunch is the byensfrokost, which was traditionally celebrated by all the inhabitants of a town in the early days when population was scarce. Though byensfrokoster are still commonly celebrated in rural areas, larger cities celebrate a byensfrokost by district (bydel). Usually, a large table of food and plastic plates is laid out in the district hall (rådhus), and anyone is welcome to enter and have a meal.

On the night of December 23, the lillejuleaften ("Little Christmas Eve") is celebrated, consisting of beer and some desserts served after dinner. Almost always, it is only celebrated with everyone in the house regardless of whether even the entire direct family is present. Relatives away from home will usually arrive by December 24 to celebrate the julenat, or Christmas night. This is a final dinner, again celebrated with the direct family but everyone is present. Julenat typically consists of a grand dinner complete with desserts, usually leftover desserts from the previous night.

In churches, it is common to organize a juleladning (Christmas play), which takes place on the last Sunday before Christmas. Usually, it replaces or is conducted alongside the morning church service.

Regardless of the day of the week, a Juletjeneste (Christmas service) is held either on the afternoon of December 24 or the morning of December 25, or both. A Juletjeneste begins with the singing of Christmas carols, followed by the congregation traditionally reading the passage of Luke 2. A short message is then given by the pastor or preacher. After the service, Christmas snacks are then distributed similar to the layout of a modern byensfrokost.

Traditionally, presents are exchanged throughout the month of December, even after Christmas. Andallans usually do not wait for Christmas morning to open gifts; however, it is still considered rude to open a gift in front of the person giving unless he or she is a close friend or relative.

The official non-working Christmas holiday lasts from 23 to 26 December. However, when 23 December is close to a weekend (e.g. Tuesday), many employers allow employees to take their holiday early with little consequences.

New Year

Any resident of Arkhavn will tell you the worst fog they've ever seen was at daybreak on January 1st.

New Year or Nyttår is the second most important celebration in Andalla. The official non-working holiday for the New Year lasts from 31 December to 2 January, though 30 December is also a non-working holiday (Riesel Day). The three working days between 26 and 30 December are collectively referred to as "Tredagen" or three days, when employees (usually office workers) would wrap up the year and tabulate the final information and statistics.

It is common to take a short vacation within the country usually between 29 and 31 December. During this time, many Andallans opt to visit a colder place in the mountains to experience the lowest temperatures in the country. Others book an overnight stay at an expensive hotel that would otherwise be very costly if the stay was longer.

On 31 December, a feast very similar to the Julenat is held once again. This is known simply as the "Nyttårsaftenmad" or New Year's dinner. This is also usually attended only by members of the direct family, and is held in the house. A typical Nyttårsaftenmad consists of international cuisine and alcoholic drinks. Dishes from all over the world are served, usually Argic or Europan; often a taste of Andallan cuisine is also added.

Fireworks and firecrackers are common in Andalla during the New Year season, a trait inherited from the Gioktons. The production, distribution and sale of such explosives are discouraged but lightly-regulated, though the government enforces a list of banned dangerous firecrackers. However, this list is also lightly enforced and many illegal explosives are still set off during the New Year.

Arkhavn has been noted as one of the world's "loudest cities" during the New Year. Noise levels are said to reach as high as 130 dB in the streets for extended periods of time, which is considered very dangerous. It is advisable to stay indoors for those with sensitive hearing.

Especially in urbanized areas, it is not uncommon to celebrate the New Year in a mall. Television or entertainment companies will usually rent out a large open space, then host a countdown featuring various performances usually by Andallan pop singers. Large fireworks displays are also set up, often among the largest annual fireworks displays in the world.

Karaoke is another popular New Year tradition. Usually, a large tent is set up in the street for neighbors to gather around in. It is common to get drunk during a karaoke party. Food is also often served, resembling a byersfrokost. Parties and firecrackers can continue until past 3 AM in poorer areas of Arkhavn.

In the morning, a thick haze covers the city. This is caused by all the smoke released from the previous night. One final feast is held, the "Nyttårsfrokost" or New Year's lunch. Similar to a familiejulefrokost, members of a clan attend the meal; international cuisine is served. A nyttårsfrokost usually lasts from lunch until sundown, and is an important bonding time for the clan. Usually the family with the largest house is selected to host the meal, while other relatives arrive early to assist in preparations. It is also common to sleep over and celebrate the New Year in that house instead.

Giokton Lunar New Year

The Giokton Lunar New Year, known in Giokton as 新春節 or sin-tsun-cheh, is an old tradition brought to Andalla in the 1700s. Also known as the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year marked the beginning of a year on the traditional Giokton lunar calendar which was based on astronomical phenomena. Today, the Lunar New Year is celebrated to retain the tradition instead of actually representing a new year, as Giokto already switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1949 after becoming a protectorate of Andalla.

Traditionally, the Lunar New Year takes place on the second new moon after the winter solstice, therefore the exact date fluctuates yearly but is almost always in early February. Each Lunar New Year is accompanied by four distinct cycles:

• The Earthly Branches (地支 or tōe-chi) are a cycle of 12 zodiac animals that rotate yearly. The Earthly Branches are the main method used to distinguish a certain year; the zodiac animal of a person's birth year is said to determine his personality and future.
• The Heavenly Stems (天干 or thian-kàn) are a system of 10 ordinals which were originally used to name the 10 days of the Giokton calendar week. The Heavenly Stems are also used in combination with the Earthly Branches to produce a compound cycle (干支 or kàn-chi) that repeats itself every 60 years.
• Each of the Heavenly Stems are associated with one of the five elements (五行 or ngó-hîng) in Giokton astrology, namely wood, earth, metal, fire and water. The cycle rotates every two years, which means that two heavenly stems are associated with one element. This system is also often used to distinguish certain years; for example 1996 was the year of the Fire Rat, where its zodiac animal was the rat and its element was fire.
• The yin and yang association rotates each year.

The Lunar New Year is enshrouded in age-old traditions dating back to the ancient Huang people of Alharu, many of which are still observed in Giokto. In Andalla, the Lunar New Year is celebrated as a time of joy and good spirits; a short jump back to the festivity of the Christmas season amid the regular stress of work.

Traditionally, Lunar New Year festivities last for 15 days with specific activities done on each day. In Andalla, the official non-working holiday lasts for the first three days of the festivities, while the defined activities are usually not observed except in conservative Giokton communities.

The Lunar New Year season will start as early as two weeks before, when businesses (especially Giokton-owned businesses) will begin to decorate with lanterns and red posters or scrolls containing idioms or short poems relating to good luck. Temporary New Year markets selling New Year food, charms, and decorations would be set up at this time, usually in predominantly Giokton communities. Local bakeries and delicatessens will also begin to sell nyttårskager (see "Local Cuisine").

Brought from Giokto in the early 1800s, nyttårskager is a sweet, thin glutinous rice cake that is usually fried. During the week right before the Lunar New Year, families and businesses will often give out boxes of nyttårskager as gifts. Elder relatives will also give out small red packets containing money known as angpao (âng-pau, literally "red package") usually to young children in the family.

During the Lunar New Year season, lion and dragon dance performances are held in many public centers, notably malls. Large Giokton businesses will usually hold such a performance at the end of the last working day before the New Year, preceded by a short thanksgiving ceremony (usually a religious prayer).

Especially in the Giokton community, extended families will get together on the eve of the New Year to hold a large reunion dinner; this is considered the most important meal of the year. Firecrackers and fireworks are lit from evening until past midnight, at nearly the same intensity as the usual New Year. It has also become a common tradition only in Andalla to play Giokton music, especially those translated from the @Fulgistani language by the renowned Fulgistani singer Patricia Pang.

After the reunion dinner, most families will stay at their relative's house until the next day; therefore usually the family with the largest house in the clan is chosen to host the dinner. The first day of the New Year is regarded as a time to honor the family elders and ancestors. Malls will hold many performances and bazaars on this day.

On the second day, people will usually get together with family friends and other distant relatives. The second day is considered a time for generosity towards the needy, with many people giving angpao to beggars along the streets.

The Lunar New Year is usually celebrated up to the third day in both Giokto and Andalla. Visiting other people's houses is generally frowned upon and is considered bad luck, though meeting in public places is still acceptable. On the third day, Giokton communities will set up small gambling tables in a public center while others flock to casinos; in ancient times it was on the third day when people would pray to the God of Wealth for prosperity in the year.

Work resumes as usual on the fourth day, while many Giokton businesses will hold a corporate lunch on this day to thank their employees for the work done the previous year.

Minningstid

Minningstid is one of the most important annual observances in Andalla, lasting a week from 25 October to 2 November. Minningstid is celebrated in honor of the dead, culminating with All Saints' Day (Allehelgensdag) and All Souls' Day (Allesjelersdag). All Saints' Day is also informally know as Dødenatt, descending from the original term Daudnátt ("night of death").

Observing a day in remembrance of the dead has been a longstanding Andallan tradition, predating the arrival of Christianity in the early 17th century. Originally known as Daudnátt, All Saints' Day in Andalla traces its roots back to the arrival of the first Sjådska inhabitants in the archipelago. According to the Saga of Erik the White (Eiríks Saga Hvíta) which records the events of the Great Sjådska Exodus (Afgangr), it began as a a ritual sacrifice to the Sjådska gods in honor of those who died during the Great Storm (Stórrbylgjan) while crossing the North Thalassan Ocean. From then on, Daudnátt was observed every year near the end of the Sjådska month of Stekktíð, often falling on the third week of June. Andalla Day, which commemorates the first landing of the Sjådska in Møllerup, was traditionally calculated using the old Sjådska calendar even after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar until it was permanently fixed at 12 June.

Most cemetery visits take place on All Saints' Day, while All Souls' Day is observed as a continuation of the former. However, it is not uncommon to see many people already visiting cemeteries throughout the week before, as the notorious November 1 traffic jams (informally known as "Allehelgensprop") are widely considered to be among the worst in the country annually. On this day, Andallans flock to cemeteries to pay their respects to dead relatives and loved ones, to clean gravestones and to offer prayers, flowers, candles and even food. It is not uncommon to have large groups of families gathering around the burial site of a common ancestor; other clans would even opt to purchase a single large lot in the cemetery where all relatives would be buried. Especially in large cities, major cemeteries are filled with people from morning to evening.

As November 1 is among the few days in the year where the whole clan would gather together, most families will also hold a reunion known as minsamkomst. The reunion is usually held within the cemetery, at the burial spot of a common ancestor; other more affluent families would hold minsamkomst at their houses or in large restaurants. In the morning, a large tent is set up at the site to accommodate the attendees to the reunion. A typical minsamkomst consists of lunch and dinner with snacks in between, lasting the whole afternoon at the location. Though styles differ from family to family, minsamkomst is usually held as a potluck where each family is assigned to bring different parts of the meal. Other families might also opt to bring entertainment such as board games and even karaoke.

It also become a popular tradition in Andalla to spend the night at the cemetery as part of minsamkomst. After a quick dinner, families attending the reunion would set up mats or sleeping bags under their tents. Others might also exchange turns keeping watch over belongings, especially in crowded cemeteries. From sundown to sunrise, families light candles around the tent to serve as a source of light and to ward off evil spirits. Especially in more urban areas, however, conventional wax candles have mostly been replaced by special long-lasting candles or electric lamps.

Most families opt to wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise at the cemetery. A quick breakfast may also be held, after which the families would then return to their respective homes.

 GETTING AROUND

Air

Andalla's air transport network is highly-developed, with several airlines servicing most major cities. Naturally, being an archipelago, small airports hold a place in our hearts too — numerous small scheduled and charter airlines as well as some major carriers also provide service to smaller towns and less-populated cities where tourism may still be strong.

Ivan Petersen International Airport or ARK is located in Arkhavn and is Andalla's primary airport. IPIA is ranked as one of the world's best-connected airports. It's popular especially with travelers as several Andallan airlines offer cheap connections between Europa and Alharu or Aurelia. Other major airports include Holtrup-Standsted Airport, New Brumundvik International Airport, and Thorbjørn Povlsen-Møllerup International Airport.

Andallan airlines are known for low ticket prices, due to low equipment and labor costs. Andalla is home to 5 major international airlines:

• Andallan Airways, also known as AL, is the Andallan flag carrier and the largest airline in Thalassa. AL flies to all 6 inhabited continents, as well as to most Andallan cities. Though not entirely world-class, AL makes up for its shortcomings through service. AL is world-renowned for its friendly and hospitable crew. Especially on long-haul flights, cheap tickets and warm service is what really draws attention to Andalla's leading airline.
• LuftAndska is a regional boutique airline and the second largest full-service airline in Andalla. Formerly almost on par with rival Andallan Airways, the airline faced fierce competition throughout the 1980's and was forced to downsize most of its operations. Today, LuftAndska connects most major Andallan cities as well as popular destinations across Thalassa. The airline uses quality service and low prices as its selling point, offering greater seat pitch and better services than Andallan Airways at a matching or slightly higher price. This has led to the domination of LuftAndska in several domestic routes; however, international flights still remain far less affordable than Andallan Airways.
• Sudholm Thalassan Air, colloquially known as Sud-Thal, is the largest budget airline in Andalla, flying around Andalla and Thalassa. Known for friendly service and value for money, Sudholm Thalassan operates using the low-cost model but also focuses on excellent service. Sud-Thal also operates a handful of long-haul flights to Argis and Europa, competing against Royal Air Andalla.
• Royal Air Andalla is a low-cost long-haul airline and a subsidiary of Royal Air, the largest Giokton budget airline. Originally an extension of Royal Air operating flights to and from Andalla, the airline opted to convert it into a full subsidiary company based in Arkhavn. Royal Air is notably the only major airline to benefit greatly from the 1993 Andalla-Giokto Single Aviation Market Agreement (AGSAMA), which allowed Giokton airlines to operate from Andalla and vice versa. Today, Royal Air Andalla remains the oldest and only Andallan airline in its category, offering flights across the world at surprisingly low prices.
• AirAnda is a budget airline focused on the ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) model. AirAnda provides point-to-point services within Andalla and onwards to Thalassa. AirAnda has taken a different approach to air travel, offering services to more rural areas and targeting customers who may not be able to afford proper air travel. As such, it is often the only major airline operating to the smaller airports of Andalla, as well as around Thalassa. Since its creation in 2002, AirAnda has been expanding aggressively and now operates a @Sunset Sea Islandsian subsidiary, AirAnda Yuyake.

Road

IPIA is connected to Arkhavn primarily via a toll expressway known as IPLEX (Ivan Petersens Lufthavn Expressway). A common toll-free alternative is through Riesel Avenue, which runs from downtown Arkhavn to an area south of IPIA. Riesel Avenue is notorious for traffic jams during the day; however at night there is virtually little time difference between Riesel Avenue and IPLEX.

Road infrastructure in Andalla is generally poorly-developed, due to the geographical constraints of an archipelago. However, in flatter areas such as plains the road network has been greatly expanded to cover more areas. Most of Andalla is connected by four-lane dual carriageways, while major towns may have six to eight-lane roads running between then. Arkhavn serves as the hub for the C-1 road network (Circumferential Road 1), a series of roads and highways that link most major coastal settlements on the island of Sudholm. Large expressways are uncommon as Andalla's largest cities are mostly located on different islands.

Road infrastructure within Arkhavn itself is generally well-developed, with major avenues linking transport hubs and population centers. Though traffic is not a pressing problem in Arkhavn, the city is known for having occasional traffic jams especially during rush hours (see here).

Public Transport

The bus is the main mode of public transport within cities. In most large cities, a handful of bus companies operate services between important areas. Other buses (known as provincial buses) connect far away cities and towns, many of which might not be served by commuter rail. Point-to-point bus services are uncommon; provincial buses will usually make a quick stop in every town along the way.

Most cities will have taxis, though in smaller cities it is more advisable to wait at a designated taxi terminal due to their scarcity. However, one must exercise caution when hailing an Arkhavn taxi - not all drivers are polite and accommodating. Some may outright reject the destination requested and refuse service altogether. Though the practice is illegal by law, it is largely unenforced in most cases. Beyond that, however, taxi drivers are rarely dangerous at all.

Rail

Also due to geographical constraints, Andalla's railway network is far less developed than its road network. Where railways are applicable, however, infrastructure is well-developed. The largest railway company in Andalla is AB or Andska Baner, which provides express and commuter services across the archipelago. Rail transport is the most common way to get around cities and towns that would otherwise be too short or too costly for a flight. Commuter services run between major cities and satellite towns, while express trains serve important city pairs.

AB runs two HSR lines: the Sudholm HSR connecting cities along the east coast of Sudholm, and the Brumundvik HSR connecting cities along the Himøy Gulf. While not considered high-speed rail by definition, the lines operate at higher speeds than the usual express lines.

Within cities, only Arkhavn and Holtrup have dedicated metro systems; however, other large cities will have a metro of some sort operating as an extension of its commuter rail services. Most metro stations are at-grade, while few are underground or elevated.

AB has maintained a longstanding alliance with the Samura Corporation of @Kipan; as such, most of its rolling stock is built by Samura.

 LOCAL CUISINE

Due to the scarcity of common Sjådska ingredients, early settlers were forced to create new recipes based on existing knowledge. After making contact with the ancient Giokton peoples, many Giokton recipes were adapted into Andallan cuisine. Further developments occurred as Andallan merchant vessels frequented Europa and returned with new recipes. Andallan cuisine is now a mix between the three, making it unique among the world's many other cuisines.

You know, I just find it so amusing how I actually ate nearly every dish on this list since the time I started working on it. Philippines, really.

• edstager: Pork or chicken, marinated in vinegar and soy sauce. A recipe that has existed since the very first settlers in Andalla. A staple meal often considered as the national dish.
• kullhøner: Chicken marinated with a mixture of ingredients, primarily litlime, then grilled over hot coals. Holds a near-equal cultural status with edstager.
• svinemager: Crispy deep-fried pork belly, often served at special occasions.
• lømpjer: Minced meat or vegetables wrapped in spring rolls and fried. A popular dish and almost always served at special occasions.
• panisiter: Andallan-style noodles originating from Giokto. Panisiter can vary from place to place, giving rise to dozens of variants all over Andalla and Giokto.
• luteboller: A traditional dumpling recipe originating from the Giokton siomai. After generations of evolution, the Andallan adaptation of siomai has become a distinct variant of the popular dish.
• gedstuvning: Goat meat stewed with vegetables and often tomato sauce. Commonly served at special occassions.
• brasereter: Pork, beef or chicken braised in tomato sauce. Very similar to gedstuvning.
• farsbrød: Andallan-style meatloaf
• saltbrød: Soft, fluffy, sweet bread rolls, traditionally made with low-quality imported wheat (Andalla does not produce wheat). Found almost everywhere and eaten by everyone from all walks of life.
• kønris: Rice flavored with turmeric ("køner"), giving it a slightly meaty and aromatic aftertaste. The rice appears yellow and is usually served alongside barbecue.
• hvilris: Rice fried with lots of garlic and served as a popular breakfast dish. Hvilris is most often paired with dried fish or other breakfast dishes. Using fresh rice for the dish is generally frowned upon, as the concept of hvilris was said to have originated from the desire to save food.
•     risgrøder: Glutinous rice porridge cooked with meat, fish and other ingredients to add flavor.
• sødrisgrøder: Risgrøder mixed with tabelatter (pure ground cocoa formed into small tablets). A popular breakfast.
• blodstuvning: Pork offal stew simmered in pig blood, garlic, chili and vinegar.
• tahåer: Soft tofu mixed with a sweet sauce made of brown sugar that is caramelized and diluted; often topped with sagå or tapioca pearls. A popular desert, found everywhere from street vendors to gourmet restaurants.
• bananruller: Banana wrapped in spring rolls and fried. A popular street food.
• riskager: An umbrella term for cakes made with glutinous rice flour ("limrismel").
  • hvidekager: Another umbrella term for rice cakes that are steamed. The hvidekager family stemmed from a single traditional recipe of the same name, which was made simply by steaming a mixture of yeast and soaked rice dough. Over time, more complex recipes developed along the concept of steaming these rice cakes, and hvidekager came to refer to the entire family of variants found all across the country. However, the term still generally refers to the original recipe itself, which continues to be a popular Andallan snack.
  • almriskager: The more proper term for traditional hvidekager, though it is rarely used except in formal communication. "Alm" is a shortening of "almen" which means "common".
  • tugriskager: A popular variant of hvidekager which is made with black rice, which when cooked gives tugriskager its distinctive purple color. Tugriskager is unique since it is steamed in large bamboo tubes ("tug") instead of steamers. Tugriskager is a very popular snack especially during the Christmas season, and is often served at Christmas feasts (Julefester) along with bakriskager.
  • bakriskager: Similar to hvidekager, bakriskager is an umbrella term for rice cakes that are baked. Bakriskager also originated from a single traditional recipe wherein glutinous rice ("limris") is soaked and fermented overnight, then ground into a thick paste and baked. The term bakriskager also often refers to only the traditional recipe itself.
  • limenskager: The proper term for traditional bakriskager. Limenskager is an extremely popular Christmas snack in Andalla and almost always accompanies tugriskager during Christmas feasts. Often served with hvidester.
  • nyttårskager: A thin, sticky cake made of glutinous rice paste and brown sugar. Nyttårskager is descended from the Giokton tikoy, which is traditionally and still very often eaten during the Lunar New Year. In both Andalla and Giokto, it has become popular to first dip the sticky batter in beaten eggs before lightly pan-frying it, giving it a crispy crust yet retaining the sticky and chewy structure inside.
• melkflan: Crème caramel made with condensed milk and more egg yolks than usual. Originates from Europan influences in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• bland-blander: A mixture of shaved ice, evaporated milk, and various other ingredients. A very popular dessert that is spreading to other parts of the world.
• tang med sagåer: A sweet drink consisting of seaweed-based gelatin cubes ("tangstivner") and tapioca pearls (traditionally sago or "sagåer"), suspended in fruit juice.
• tabelatter: The Andallan variant of hot chocolate. The term tabelatter actually refers to the small pellets of pure ground cocoa, which are then dissolved in boiling water and sweetened with sugar to form the popular drink. Tabelatter is often served in restaurants, especially as a breakfast drink.

Spoiler

Etymology

• edstager: edik (Sjådska, "vinegar") + (unknown origin) + -er
• kullhøner: kull ("coal") + høne ("chicken") + -er
• svinemager: svine ("pig") + mage ("belly") + -er
• lømpjer: "lumpia", borrowed from Giokton "潤餅" (lūn-piáⁿ)
• panisiter: "noodles", borrowed from Giokton "便的食" (piān-ê-si̍t)
• luteboller: lut ("lye") + -e- + -boller ("meatball"). "Lut" derives from the dumpling's wrapper, which is made with lye water dough.
• gedstuvning: ged ("goat") + stuvning ("stew")
• brasereter: brase ("braise") + -et (definite singular) + -er
• farsbrød: fars ("forcemeat") + brød ("bread")
• saltbrød: salt ("salt") + brød ("bread")
• kønris: køner ("turmeric"), borrowed from Selayari "kunyit" + ris ("rice")
• hvilris: hvidløg ("garlic") + ris
• risgrøder: ris + grød ("porridge") + -er
• sødrisgrøder: sød ("sweet") + risgrøder
• tabelatter: unknown origin, possibly modification of tabletter ("tablets"); ultimately from Latin tabella ("tablet")
• blodstuvning: blod ("blood") + stuvning ("stew")
• tahåer: "douhua", borrowed from Giokton "豆花" (tāu-hoe)
• sagåer: "sago", borrowed from Selayari "sagu"
• bananruller: banan ("banana") + ruller ("rolls") 
• riskager: ris ("rice") + kager ("cakes")
• limrismel: lim ("glue") + ris ("rice") + mel ("flour")
• hvidekager: hvid ("white") + kager ("cakes")
• almriskager: almen ("common") + riskager
• tugriskager: tug ("bamboo"), borrowed from Giokton "竹" (tiok) + riskager
• bakriskager: bake ("bake") + riskager
• limenskager: lim ("glue"), from limris ("glutinous rice") + kager
• hvidester: hvid ("white") + oster ("cheese")
• nyttårskager: nyttår ("New Year") + -s- + kager
• melkflan: melk ("milk") + flan
• bland-blander: bland ("blend")
• tang med sagåer: tang ("seaweed") + med ("with") + sagåer
• tangstivner: tang + stivne ("stiffen") + -er

 SLEEPING

Several hotels are available in the vicinity of IPIA, the most popular of which is the Ivan Petersen Airport Hotel itself. Choices range from two to three stars and are very affordable. A single small five-star hotel is located nearby as well.

In recent years, Arkhavn has seen a number of foreign five-star hotels set up shop. Most hotels in Arkhavn are affordable to foreigners and range from three to four stars, usually found on major roads or financial centers. Look close enough and you'll also see that Arkhavn also has a fair amount of budget hotels, which are usually located on a small road just next to a financial or residential center.

Thanks to commuter rail, it is also feasible to book a much cheaper hotel in an outlying town while at the same time being within a short trip to the city.

Edited December 11, 2019 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Orioni]

@Andalla I think you just set the gold standard for travel guides! 😍

[Tagmatium Rules]

On 2/16/2019 at 7:15 PM, Orioni said:

@Andalla I think you just set the gold standard for travel guides! 😍

Again, I'm astounded by @Andalla!

[Andalla]

On 2/17/2019 at 3:15 AM, Orioni said:

@Andalla I think you just set the gold standard for travel guides! 😍

 

15 hours ago, Tagmatium Rules said:

Again, I'm astounded by @Andalla!

Aww, thanks. I did intend to make it quite long as I'll be using that one for lots of future references as well. Plus it's always fun to finally set up some aspects of my nation and culture. 

On 2/17/2019 at 3:50 AM, Rihan said:

Sets the bar rather high. Seeing @Andalla doing his guide has tempted me to actually do mine. But it may be more in line to be written another juncture. It encourages to me consider introducing some form of international exhibition/showcase effort...World's Fair...

Honestly? Go for it. Perhaps do it as a standalone post. Seeing as you're able to write huge amounts of stuff in a short time, a travel guide with this detail wouldn't be too hard.