Omfattandestad (pronounced Om-fat-AND-e-stad), also known locally as Omfat is a major commercial, financial, and cultural centre of both the Koana Islands and the world. Being the capital of Reykjaholar and Koana Islands most major radio, television, and telecommunications companies are based here, as well as many news, magazine, book, and other media publishers. Omfattandestad has many famous landmarks, tourist attractions, museums, and universities and has the largest central business district in the Koana Islands.
Omfattandestad is a megacity built up around a bay; you won’t find a downtown area here because this city has grown with virtually no planning over the course of time. All major highways start and finish in the city along with all major Hih Speed Lynk rail services and is also home to the Omfattandestad International Airport, the busiest airport in the Oceania region.
Omfattandestad has a population of approximately 4 million people, however, the metropolitan area which includes Blanka Island, Jonestan, Kervo and Applebush has a population of over 5.4 million people.
The city is comfortable for travellers to visit any time of year and enjoys over 250 sunny days each year.
- Summer (December to February) is the best time to enjoy Omfattandestad’s outdoor lifestyle. Temperatures usually reach around 26°C (about 79°F) but it can be very hot, with temperatures climbing to over 40°C (104°F) for a few days each summer. Summer days can be humid, and sometimes have searing dry winds, but they frequently end with a cold front sweeping up from the southeast, bringing a clearly noticeable drop in temperature, rain and thunder. Within hours, the storm can pass and the evening continues cooler. Occasionally low pressure systems drift down from the tropics, giving periods of more unstable weather. You won’t need to pack much more than T-shirts to visit Omfattandestad in summer, but remember your hat and sunglasses.
- Autumn (March to May) is still warm with mild nights. It is a good time for visiting attractions, going to the zoo, catching ferries around the harbour without the summer crowds. You may need a warm top for the evenings, especially for May.
- Winter (June to August) is cool, not cold. Average July maximum temperatures are 17°C, and daytime temperatures rarely drop below 14°C, but night-time temperatures can fall to below 10°C. Most rain falls as a result of a few off-shore low pressure systems, which usually result in two or three rainy weeks during winter. It does not snow in Omfattandestad, and unless you intend spending long periods outside, you can usually get by with just a warm top. Omfattandestad is a year-round city so if you don’t like the heat, winter may be your time to visit.
- Spring (September to November). Spring days are great for exploring Omfattandestad’s attractions, cycling, and the outdoors.
Get Around
The Omfattandestad Tunnelbana, also known as the Omfat Metro or even the Oh-Mo to locals, is one of the most complex networks in the world. Extending east to the Airport and west to Jonestan and Blanka Island you will find most of your travelling around Omfattandestad will be done via the Tunnelbana.
Despite a reputation for being dirty, the Oh-Mo, which operates 24 hours per day, is the fastest and best way to travel around the city. Fares are KK40 per trip, regardless of distance travelled. The much-feared metro crimes of the 1970s and 1980s are for the most part a thing of the past, and it is almost always completely safe. Just remember to use common sense when travelling late at night alone. Try to use heavily-travelled stations, remain visible to other people, and don’t display items of value publicly. Nowadays, you are statistically more likely to get struck by lightning than be a victim of crime on the metro.
Every metro line is identified by a letter and will also include any major stations that the line stops at. Be sure to double check which line goes where, especially on the A- Line, which has six different services during peak hours. The Omfattandestad Tunnelbana does not have a timetable of sorts and can be very unreliable, especially at night. Pay close attention to train stopping patterns on the display located at stations as some services are express whilst some stations close early, particularly in Jonestan
It’s also worth noting, that during the football and especially baseball seasons, routes servicing major stadiums usually run express services, or have a reduced service to other parts of the route. Bare this in mind when planning any trips, and always read the information available at stations.
It can be helpful to know that different train types run on the network, the oldest ones being J-Trains, followed by H, I and G-Trains and the differences are huge. J-Trains do not have air-conditioning and the announcements are made by the driver which are at times inaudible. The newer G-Trains have air-conditioning, emergency help points and considerably better lighting and seating as well as automated announcements.
Even in Omfattandestad, with its dense metro-rail network, buses can often be the best way of making a cross-town journey during peak hours when the subway is bursting with people. Buses cost the same as the subway per trip (KK40) but are limited by peak hour traffic. Most bus stops have timetables posted, as well as a route map for the routes servicing that bus stop.
You must flag down buses with an outstretched hand if you want them to stop for you and you must press the STOPPA button on board to disembark. They will not automatically stop unless they are signalled to do so.
Sleep
Omfattandestad has hundreds of accommodation options in central Omfattandestad to consider, from backpackers hotels to five star hotels with Lingo Bay views. There are also options out of the city centre too.
If you are travelling on business, there may be business style accommodation near to where you are working, and there is usually no need to stay in the city. There are options around the commercial areas at the airport in eastern Omfattandestad, around Blanka Island in the west, and at Humboldt.
If you are travelling with a car, then finding a place to park, and getting into and out of the city can be a hassle if you don’t have valet parking at the hotel you’re staying at.
Stay Safe
Be on the lookout for the usual big city petty crime problems, though pickpocketing and theft is much less common then in cities in Europe or Asia. Lock your car, and keep valuables safe or hidden. People begging may ask for money or cigarettes, but they are generally harmless. They will often make up the usual stories about needing a train fare etc. Simply say “Sorry, no” and they will usually leave you alone.
After 8pm until around 6am, smaller outer suburban stations on the Tunnelbana can be very quiet, and many are totally unstaffed during this time. The trains can also be empty when they get towards the end of the line at this time. Don’t expect a taxi to be waiting at every station–only the major ones will have a well patronised taxi rank.
Travel in the lead carriage closest to the driver’s compartment for safety as drunk people are common on trains late at night, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Locals are passionate about their baseball clubs and assaults are unfortunately common between sets of fans. If you are travelling alone with a team jersey or merchandise on, avoid talking or provoking rival fans.
Things to Do
Like most of the great world cities, Omfattandestad has an abundance of great attractions – so many, that it would be impossible to list them all here. What follows is but a sampling of the most high-profile attractions in Omfattandestad; more detailed info can be found at tourist information shops located throughout the city.
- Salau Island is widely regarded as the birthplace of Blanka Island and is often known as “old town” by the locals after it was heritage listed in 1967. There are many walking and Segway tours of the Island that covers the history of the places.
- The City Library near Auklanda was the first public library opened in the Koana Islands.
- Newtown is where all the “hip” twenty-somethings like to hang out and is a great place to spend a day shopping in the boutique stores and sipping lattes. Many boat cruises leave from here too.
- Rylett is best known for it’s fish market overlooked by skyscrapers.
- Aquul City contains one of the largest shopping centres in the Koana Islands and the southern hemisphere
- Gothica Stadion is home to the Omfattandestad BoIS baseball club, the wealthiest team in Koanian Baseball history. Tour’s of the stadium operate on non-game days only. Alternatively, check out BK Salau, who are recognised as the second biggest team in the city.
- MegoRena is where all major concerts and events take place and has a large shopping centre built underground.
- Skeda Zoo is the largest zoo in the Southern Union and is situated right near Tang Lake and Odskolt Park that allows for relaxing strolls around the waterfront. Perfect for an ice cream on a hot summers day.
- Stonham has the citibank Tower that is over 110 stories tall and gives superb views of the city and it’s surroundings. Inlet & View is the closest subway station.