text:
Sa Kaeo

Sa Kaeo (สระแก้ว), also spelt Sa Kaew, is a city in Inner Eastern Thailand.

Understand
Sa Kaeo is the capital of Sa Kaeo province, about 50 km west of Poipet (Cambodia-Thailand border) and 245 km east of Bangkok, in Eastern Thailand. It was once an important and prosperous community with a long history dating to the Suvarnabhumi and the Dvaravati Kingdoms, which is evident from various remains of ancient monuments and architecture, scattered throughout the province, and from artefacts attesting to the history and glory of the past.

Apart from the historical ancient remains worthy of study, Sa Kaeo also possesses abundant natural resources such as the Pang Sida National Park, the Ta Phraya National Park, and the natural canyon-like soil sculpture caused by ground subsidence called "Lalu" with unique characteristics.

At the Thai border in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo is a grand gate opening to Cambodia, connecting international transportation and tourism within one route. Moreover, Rong Kluea Market offers both cheap and second-hand products from various neighbouring countries.

Sa Kaeo is the 74th province of Thailand and used to be a satellite town of [Prachinburi] (called Prachim in the past). In 1933, the system of Thesaphiban or administrative circle was abolished and Prachinburi was designated a province. Therefore, Sa Kaeo became a district in Prachinburi. It was separated from the province and became a province in Dec 1993.

History
The history of Sa Kaeo can be traced back for over 4,000 years, starting from the Neolithic – Metal Age with a discovery of artefacts at Ban Khok Makok, Khao Sip Sub-district, Khao Chakan District. In a later period, other antiques were found such as in Aranyaprathet and Ta Phraya Districts, presenting evidence that Sa Kaeo was once an important and prosperous community during the Chenla – Dvaravati Periods with their own civilisation and culture under the kings or rulers who believed in Hinduism, both the Shivaite and Vishnuite sects. It can be observed from the ancient remains and inscriptions in the Pallava script at Prasat Khao Noi, Khao Rang, and Chong Sa Chaeng, etc, especially the Pallava inscription at Prasat Khao Noi, Aranyaprathet District, which has been considered as the oldest piece of evidence discovered in Thailand that states the year of its construction, in approximately the year 637.

Moreover, there were discoveries of evidence reflecting the civilisation during the 10th - 11th centuries within this area such as various Prasats or sanctuaries made of bricks or stone, ceramic kilns, ancient moats which have left traces until today, including 2 inscriptions in Prasat Sdok Kok Thom, estimated to date from the 10th century. This Prasat was constructed to be a religious shrine of the God Shiva as stated in the 1st inscription that in 937, King Jayavarman IV had this inscription placed in this Prasat as an announcement prohibiting servants dedicated to this shrine to serve in other businesses, but only take care and conduct a worshipping ceremony to the Shiva Lingam – a Hindu phallic symbol of creative power – or other sacred images enshrined in this Prasat. On the other hand, the other inscription praised the good deeds of King Udayadityavarman II, who had this ancient sanctuary renovated, as well as, finished an inscription on the civilisation and religion. From the aforementioned inscriptions and remains, the system of administration utilised by the Ancient Khmer Empire over the area can be noticed. Therefore, this province can be considered as intellectual heritage which has been passed on and is valuable for further study.

Sa Kaeo covers an area of approximately 7,195 km² or 4,496,961 rai.

By car
From Bangkok there are several alternative routes:

 * Take Phahon Yothin Rd to Rangsit, keep left and cross the ring bridge to Hwy 305, passing Ongkharak District and Nakhon Nayok Province. Enter Hwy 33, passing Kabin Buri District to Sa Kaeo Province. The total distance is 214 km.
 * Take Hwy 1 and turn right at Hin Kong Intersection. Go along Hwy 33, passing Nakhon Nayok Province, and Kabin Buri District. The total distance is 245 km.
 * Take Hwy 304, passing Min Buri District and Chachoengsao Province to Phanom Sarakham District. At km 35, turn right to Kabin Buri District along Hwy 304. At km95, turn right again into Hwy 33 to Sa Kaeo Province. The total distance is 210 km.
 * Take Hwy 304, passing Min Buri District to Chachoengsao Province. Then, take the route to Phanom Sarakham District, passing the Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre. At km 54, there is a crossroads. Turn right to Sa Kaeo Province by taking Hwy 359 for 65 km. It is a shortcut to Sa Kaeo.

By bus
The Transport Company Ltd provides services of both ordinary and air conditioned buses, leaving the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) many times a day. It takes 4 hours to Sa Kaeo (3.5 hours via the Ongkharak route). For further information contact Tel. +66 2 9362852–66 ext: 311, or the Transport Company Limited (Sa Kaeo Office) on Thetsaban Soi 9/1 Rd, Tel. +66 37 241282, Air Aran Company Limited at Tel. +66 37 421210.

From Sa Kaeo, there is a bus service to other provinces such as Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Saraburi, Buriram, and Korat.

By train
The State Railway of Thailand provides a Bangkok–Sa Kaeo–Aranyaphrathet train service 2 times a day. The first one leaves Bangkok at 05:55 and arrives at Sa Kaeo at 10:32 and to Aranyaprathet at 11:30. The second one departs Bangkok at 13:05 to Sa Kaeo at 17:25, and to Aranyaprathet at 18:20. There are 2 trains to Bangkok. The first one departs Aranyaprathet at 06:35 to Sa Kaeo at 07:26, and to Bangkok at 11:30, while the second one departs Aranyaprathet at 13:35 to Sa Kaeo at 14:37, and to Bangkok at 19:30. The fare is 48 baht. For further information, contact Tel. 0 2223 7010, 0 2220 4334, 1690, or, or Sa Kaeo Railway Station at Tel. 0 3726 1217.

See
Sa Kaew Sa Khwan (สระแก้ว สระขวัญ) are twin ponds. Sa Kaew and Sa Khwan have become a symbol of holiness and auspiciousness, as well as the origin of the province’s name. Moreover, the water in these ponds was once utilised in the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony. City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) Within the shrine stands the city pillar made of Chaiyaphruek or cassia wood whose characteristics are in accordance with ancient tradition. This shrine is evidence of the solidarity of the people and a symbol of the loyalty to King Rama IX, as well as, a centre of spirit and unity of the people of Sa Kaeo. Freshwater Crocodiles at Kaeng Yai Mak (แหล่งจระเข้น้ำจืดแก่งยายมาก) A place where freshwater crocodiles have been discovered since 1981 to have remained in the Huai Nam Yen Forest, where there is an observation tower provided near the National Park's Po Do 1 (Kaeng Yai Mak) Ranger Station.

Tha Krabak Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำท่ากระบาก) A large reservoir under a royal initiative of the king to improve irrigation in the valley. It is an earth fill dam with a height of 17.5 metres and a length of 720 metres. Namtok Tha Krabak (น้ำตกท่ากระบาก) The waterfall comprises 3 tiers. Each tier is 400 – 500 metres apart from one another.

Khao Chakan (เขาฉกรรจ์) A limestone mountain whose ridge is 90 degrees against the north and the south. Its summit is 240 metres above sea level. Khao Chakan is the largest and stands in the middle between Phukhao Ming on the left and Khao Falami on the right. The three mountains are established as the Khao Chakan Arboretum under the supervision of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora. Wat Tham Khao Chakan (วัดถ้ำเขาฉกรรจ์) A temple of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. There are 72 small caves within the compound of Khao Chakan. The popular ones are Tham Muet, Tham Hanuman, Tham Khao Thalu, Tham Mahahing, Tham Namthip, and Tham Kaew Phlai Chumphon. The spot of interest is the replica of the Buddha's footprint at Tham Khao Thalu. Khao Sam Sip Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำเขาสามสิบ) It is under the supervision of the Khao Chakan Development Project (Ban Khao Sam Sip) under a royal initiative.

Khao Chakan Arboretum (สวนรุกขชาติเขาฉกรรจ์) The three mountains are established as Khao Chakan Arboretum under the supervision of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora. The arboretum is a residence of wild monkeys as well as millions of bats flying in long lines in the evening.

Bamboo Ceramic Basketry Village (หมู่บ้านหัตถกรรมจักสานล้อมเซรามิก) The housewives of this village come together and form a group in the form of a cooperative known as Chai Phatthana Women Cooperative.

Namtok Khao Takrup (น้ำตกเขาตะกรุบ) A waterfall. Along both sides, a variety of plants and birds will be found.

Wangnamyen Dairy Cooperative Limited (สหกรณ์โคนมวังน้ำเย็น จำกัด) The second biggest dairy producer in the country, established in 1987. There are more than 1,000 members and more than 30,000 milk cows with a production capacity of 70 tones of raw milk a day. Namtok Khao Sip Ha Chan (น้ำตกเขาสิบห้าชั้น) A waterfall with a large amount of water flowing throughout the year. The surrounding area is abundant with forest and a variety of birds.

Queen Sirikit Chaloem Phra Kiat Public Water Park (สวนน้ำสาธารณะเฉลิมพระเกียรติ สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ) A reservoir covering an area of 250 rai. Tham Nam (ถ้ำน้ำ) A cave with a running stream throughout the year. Inside the cave are stalagmites and stalactites. There is a small waterfall inside the cave.

Chong Klam Bon Wildlife Breeding Station (สถานีเพาะเลี้ยงสัตว์ป่าช่องกล่ำบน) Under the supervision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Flora, established in 1983 as an initiative the queen, to be a breeding station for rare and endangered animals. It is also a wildlife research station. Phra Prong Dam (เขื่อนพระปรง) The largest irrigation dam in Sa Kaeo. Most of the area is forest within Pang Sida National Park, which has become flooded, making its scenery beautiful. King Naresuan the Great's Statue (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช) This statue was erected because in the past, Watthana Nakhon District was once an area where King Naresuan the Great resided during the battles in the east in 1593. Wat Nakhon Tham (วัดนครธรรม) Within the compound of the temple are interesting attractions. Luangpho Khao, an ancient image of Buddha in a cross-legged posture, cast of lime (white soil from Nong Din Chi). Luangpho Khao's hall houses Buddha relics brought from Wat Pamadunla Racha Maha Wihan, in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka: a replica of Buddha's footprint and the image of Phra Siam Devadhiraj. Prasat Ban Noi (ปราสาทบ้านน้อย) It is divided into 3 rooms inside: one each in the north and south, while the other is at the centre. Outside the boundary wall lays a pond in the northeast. Inside the boundary wall in the southeast corner stands a construction made of laterite. It is a bannalai, a library. At the centre inside the boundary wall is a prang whose base was made of laterite with a height of 1 metre. The Replica of Phra Siam Devadhiraj Image (พระสยามเทวาธิราช) The replica was taken to the frontier for protecting soldiers, policemen, and people. Phra Siam Devadhiraj is a sacred image of the people of Aranyaprathet and those in the nearby provinces. Wat Anubanphot or Khao Noi (วัดอนุบรรพต หรือ เขาน้อย). Inside the temple is a beautiful ordination hall, different from others because of its square base with a width of 11.5 metres, and its pointed traditional Thai spired roof decorated in Thai-style. Plant Genetic Preservation Project (โครงการอนุรักษ์พันธุกรรมพืช อันเนื่องมาจากพระราชดำริ สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) Open as an ecotourism attraction for tourists with guides providing an explanation on various species of plants, herbs as well as the 1,500–2,000 flying foxes.

Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu (ปราสาทเขาน้อยสีชมพู) It is believed to have been a Hindu shrine. The prasat is made of bricks without any use of mortar. It comprises 3 brick constructions; namely, the northern prang, the central prang, and the southern wihan. However, only the central one remains in good condition, while only the bases of the northern and the southern ones are left. Prasat Mueang Phai (ปราสาทเมืองไผ่) The interesting object is an ancient chedi made of bricks into a rectangular shape with 4 porticos engraved in beautiful floral, vine and personage designs. Talat Rong Kluea or Talat Chaidaen Ban Khlong Luek (ตลาดโรงเกลือหรือ ตลาดชายแดนบ้านคลองลึก) is an important border market on the Thai side. Most products are from the Cambodian border such as brass products, glazed products, ceramics, crockery, clothes, curtains, electronic appliances from Russia, woven products, dried fish.

Aranyaprathet Victory Gate (ประตูชัยอรัญประเทศ) is on the Thai–Cambodian border at Ban Khlong Luek, Tha Kham Sub-district. The gate consists of two posts standing on the opposite sides of the road.

Prasat Sadok Kok Thom (ปราสาทสด๊กก๊อกธม) is a large ancient monument of Sa Kaeo Province. The remains comprise 3 towers, facing towards the east, a moat surrounding its 4 sides, as well as, 2 boundary walls: the outer one made of laterite, while the inner one, sandstone. There was a discovery of 2 stone inscriptions in ancient Khmer script.

Prasat Khao Lon (ปราสาทเขาโล้น) The prasat stands in the compound of Wat Prasat Khao Lon on the summit of Khao Lon, a small hill at the foot of Khao Sakae Krong. It comprises 4 prang towers, but only the central one remains.

Festivals
Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaew Red Cross Fair (งานสืบสานวัฒนธรรมเบื้องบูรพา และงานกาชาดจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised at Wat Sa Kaeo Kindergarten during mid-February every year. There are processions of Sa Kaeo's culture and products, singing contest, exhibitions of the government agencies, various forms of entertainment, and booths presenting various kinds of products. Cantaloupe Day (วันแคนตาลูป) is held in front of the Aranyaprathet District Office during April every year. It is the period when cantaloupes are harvested. In the fair are cantaloupe floats, cantaloupe and agricultural produce contests, exhibitions of the government authorities, a cantaloupe beauty contest, booths, as well as various forms of entertainment. Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration (งานวันสถาปนาจังหวัดสระแก้ว) is organised approximately in December of every year. In the event, there are cultural and art processions, exhibitions, as well as booths selling products. Dok Kaeo Blooming Day (งานวันดอกแก้วบานเบื้องบูรพา) is held yearly at the Si Aranyothai Kindergarten and in front of the Aranyaprathet Railway Station around December. In this event, there is a procession of the Dok Kaeo Blooming Day, a light, sound and mixed media presentation, a singing contest, and various forms of entertainment.

Buy
Cantaloupes (แคนตาลูป) The distinguishing point of Sa Kaew's cantaloupes is its sweetness and crispness which exceed those of other places.

Silk of Ban Han Sai (ผ้าไหมบ้านหันทราย) is mainly produced at Han Sai Village, Han Sai Sub-district, Aranyaprathet District. It is a hand-woven fabric in traditional patterns with delicacy and uniqueness.

Basketry (เครื่องจักสาน) includes various forms of bamboo fishtraps and containers such as Sai, Krachang, Takhong, and Lop, as well as, sieves, winnowing baskets, and different forms of container baskets. Bamboo ceramics (จักสานล้อมเซรามิก) are the ceramic and wooden products wrapped with bamboo basketry. The products include vases and ash trays.

Wooden products (ผลิตภัณฑ์ไม้) Wang Nam Yen District has been a famous production venue of Makha Mong - Afzelia xylocarpa - wooden products for a long time. It is also one of the main occupations of the locals as a family business. Most products are made of Makha Mong, Phayung – Siamese Rosewood, Chingchan – Rosewood, Pradu – Burma Padauk, and constructed into furniture such as dining tables, chairs, make-up desks, clocks, tissue boxes, and decorating accessories. Antiques and used objects (ของโบราณ ของเก่า) are products made of brass, wood, and ceramic. Most of them are replicas of the arts and patterns of ancient objects found at the frontier such as terra cotta Buddha images, god images in various stone prasats.

Go next

 * Aranyaprathet
 * Bangkok

title: Sa Kaeo


text:
Sakai

There are many places called Sakai in Japan.

 * Sakai (Osaka) — a large suburban city to the south of Osaka
 * Sakai (Fukui)
 * Sakai (Ibaraki)
 * Sakai (Nagano)

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

title: Sakai


text:
Sakai (Fukui)

Sakai City (坂井市 Sakai-shi) is in Fukui Prefecture.

Understand
Sakai City was re-organized in 2006 to incorporate the towns of Harue, Maruoka, and Mikuni.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Go next

 * Fukui
 * Eiheiji
 * Katsuyama
 * Ono
 * Echizen
 * Kaga
 * Komatsu
 * Kanazawa
 * Awara

title: Sakai (Fukui)


text:
Sakai (Osaka)

Sakai (堺) is a city in Osaka prefecture.

Tourist information site
The local Tourism and Convention Bureau has a multilingual guide site.

Get in
Sakai has two main train stations. Nankai Railway's Sakai station (堺駅), is 15 minutes from Nankai Namba Station (南海なんば駅) in Osaka via the Nankai main line and costs ¥250.

JR Sakai-shi station (堺市駅) is 7 minutes from Tennoji Station (天王寺駅) in Osaka via the JR Hanwa line and costs ¥170. This trip is fully covered by the JR Rail Pass.

Get around
Train service in Sakai is largely provided by Nankai rail service with trains running sometimes intermittently

See
Sakai is home to numerous Tumuli. Large burial mounds in various shapes from circular to keyhole mounds with moats around them. The largest--Nintoku-ryo-- is approximately 480 m long, 250-305 m wide and 35 m tall. At Nintoku Ryo there is an accompanying tourist office and volunteer historical interpreters.

Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Mozu Station. Address: Daisen-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Buy
Sakai has always been known for producing some of Japan's best swords and knives. Today there are many stores and even a small museum that houses a coalition of knife makers. If you are a cooking aficionado looking for the best examples of Damascus style blades, or a knife specific to cutting melons, or simply a good sharp knife that you have no idea what it is supposed to be used for. Sakai is a good alternative to the steeper prices in central Osaka.

Eat
Plenty of fastfood, from American Bob's Big Boy to Yoshinoya, yakitori joints, etc.

title: Sakai (Osaka)


text:
Sakaide

Sakaide (坂出) is a city in Kagawa Prefecture. Has the Seto Ohashi bridge connecting Honshu and Shikoku.

Tourist information sites

 * The city government's official site has a nice-looking Japanese-only tourism section.
 * The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Go next

 * Utazu
 * Takamatsu
 * Marugame
 * Tadotsu
 * Zentsuji
 * Ayagawa
 * Kurashiki
 * Hayashima
 * Okayama

title: Sakaide


text:
Sakaiminato

Sakaiminato (境港市 Sakaiminato-shi) on the western border of Tottori Prefecture is an active fishing port and host to a Japanese Self Defense Forces base. The locally-caught crab is especially good, but the big attraction is as the home of Mizuki Shigeru, creator of the popular manga Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro.

Tourist Information Site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site which contains a partly English map.

By train
Sakaiminato can easily be reached by train. All train stations in the city are located along the JR Sakai Line, which connects to Yonago.

Get around
No matter where you go in Sakaiminato you will always be within walking distance of a train station. In spite of the city's small size, there are six stations within city limits; Yonagokuko (Yonago Airport), Nakahama, Takamatsucho, Amariko, Agarimichi, and Sakaiminato Stations.

Taxis are available at Sakaiminato Station.

See
Walk down Mizuki Shigeru street and marvel at the many paintings and sculptures of the bizarre universe of monsters that are part of Kitaro's world.

Buy
Kitaro-related souvenirs of all types are available everywhere. Anything related to the Medama Oyaji or Eyeball Daddy character seems especially popular.

Eat
Local crab is excellent in season, but any fresh seafood here will be a good choice.

Go next

 * Yonago
 * Hokuei
 * Hiezu
 * Daisen
 * Nanbu
 * Hoki
 * Nichinan
 * Yasugi
 * Matsue

title: Sakaiminato


text:
Sakhalin

Sakhalin (Russian: Сахали́н, suh-khah-LEEN), formerly known as Karafuto (樺太, kah-rah-foo-toh) to the Japanese, is a large and very sparsely populated island which was the center of a long power struggle between Russia and Japan for control of its large oil and gas resources. Sakhalin is beautiful, but has an undeveloped tourist sector. However, because of the energy business, good food and hotels catering to foreigners are available.

Cities

 * (Ю́жно-Сахали́нск) – the oblast's administrative capital and largest city
 * (Алекса́ндровск-Сахали́нский) – home to famous writer Anton Chekhov during his stay in Sakhalin
 * (Холмск) – Sakhalin's western port
 * (Корса́ков) – Sakhalin's southern port
 * (Ноглики) – An oil city on the northern end of the railway line
 * (Оха́) – northernmost town of Sakhalin Island and booming oil hub

History
Sakhalin has been inhabited by several indigenous tribes since the stone age, The Ainu people, also present on Hokkaido in Japan and the Kuril Islands, populated the southern half of the island, and while a small group of Sakhalin Ainu is still present on the island, most were repatriated to Japan after the end of World War II. The largest group of the island's original population is the Nivkh tribe of the northern taigas.

Sakhalin has long been the scene of a power struggle between the major Asian powers: Russia, Japan and even the Qing China have put forward claims on the island. In the 17th century, Japan and Russia started colonizing the island from different ends, dividing the island into a northern Russian part and a southern Japanese part. Aside from a 25-year period at the end of the 19th century, the island remained divided until the waning days of World War II, when Soviet troops broke through the defensive line and invaded the Japanese half. After the end of the war, the Japanese and Ainu people were forcefully repatriated to Japan, while a sizable Korean minority – brought by the Japanese for forced labour – remained on the island and were denied repatriation until the last years of Soviet rule, though many still remain on Sakhalin.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sakhalin has experienced an oil boom with Russian and foreign oil companies pouring into the island, bringing investment in the island's infrastructure. This comes with a price though, as pipelines and logging pose a significant threat to the island's spectacular nature. There have been complaints that the oil boom's economic benefits aren't going to the island's population.

Climate
Because of the cold Sea of Okhotsk which surrounds the island, the climate on Sakhalin is generally cool and humid. In the depth of winter the average temperature ranges from a bearable –6°C in the south to a bone chilling –24°C in the north, while temperatures as cold as –54°C have been reported. In the summer temperature rarely exceeds +19°C, often much cooler and floating ice can be observed around the island, even in the height of summer. Generally the north is much colder than the south, in part due to a warm current running along the Tartar strait in the southern end, the winter is a full 2 months longer in the North (October-May). The annual precipitation ranges between 600-1200 mm, and snowfall can be heavy – in the mountains accumulation of 5 meter snow or more is not unusual.

Geography

At more than 70,000 km2, Sakhalin is Russia's largest island. From the 40 km La Pérouse Strait separating Sakhalin from the Japanese island of Hokkaido, the island stretches nearly 1000 km northwards in a long and narrow shape along the mainland's east coast. It's quite mountainous with two low mountain-ranges running parallel to each other separated by a valley tract. To the north the island flattens into a swampy taiga, while the central part of the island is densely forested.

These central forests are home to more than 2000 Sakhalin brown bears, which are often spotted even on the outskirts of the cities. Otters and sables are also common sightings. Up north there are numerous reindeer, many of them are herded by the indigenous Nivkhi tribe. Whales are also a common sighting along the east coast of the island, and Sakhalin is the only known feeding ground of the west pacific colony of the Gray Whales. Other whales spotted around the island include the Right Whale, the Bowhead Whale and the Beluga Whale, and up on the shores it's possible to spot Northern fur seals and sea lions.

Culture
The Nivkh are the only remaining significant indigenous ethnic group, of a population that used to include the Ainu and Orok people: around 5,000 live on Sakhalin, mainly in the northern taigas, with the village of Nekrasovska near Okha being the largest remaining community. They are traditionally a semi-nomadic people, living near the coasts in the summer and wintering inland along streams and rivers to catch salmon; but in no small part because of Soviet centralist policies, and pollution of their natural habitats and food sources, the Nivkhs now live in mixed population villages and have a fairly modern life style. Only a handful of principally anthropological factors have so far averted their total assimilation. Their unique language, which has not been proven to be related to any other language, is also under threat, and less than 20% of the Nivkh can speak it fluently.

It's not all doom and gloom as there was a revival of Nivkh culture in the 2000s, and many Nivkhs are active in the restoration of their cultural traditions and language, which is largely shamanistic and animist, with ties to Mongolian traditional beliefs. According to Nivkh legends, Sakhalin is a giant beast lying on its belly with the trees of the island as its hair. When the beast is upset, it awakens and trembles the earth causing earthquakes.

Read

 * The Island of Sakhalin by Anton Chekhov is a rather shocking social science treatise based on the harsh living conditions the author witnessed on the island during the 1890s.
 * Globetrotting for love and other stories from Sakhalin Island by Ajay Kamalakaran.

Talk
As elsewhere in Russia, Russian is the predominant language, but there are also an estimated 30,000 Koreans, although most do not speak Korean. They are mostly based in the island's capital, which also hosts a sizable minority of Azerbaijanis, especially, it seems, among taxi drivers. Due to the proximity to Japan, you may also find staff in upmarket hotels and restaurants in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with at least some understanding of Japanese.

The indigenous people of Sakhalin are the Ainu, but they have been thoroughly assimilated into the ethnic Russian community, and the Ainu language is now extinct in Sakhalin.

Get in
While Joseph Stalin attempted to construct a tunnel under the Tartar strait with forced labour from the Gulags in eastern Siberia, construction was abandoned after a few kilometres had been completed, and while there is intent to finish the project eventually, no money is forthcoming and for now the only options are to sail or fly.

Entry procedures

 * For general visa requirements, see Russia.

Sakhalin is considered a Special Border Region (distinct from the "Border Security Zone" which is much more heavily restricted). Passport checks occur upon disembarkation of your domestic flight or the Vanino–Kholmsk. If you are not a Russian citizen, you could be led inside either the airport or ferry terminal and subjected to a brief interview. You'll be asked as to the purpose of your visit, intended accommodation, as well as onward travel. No documents other than your passport, visa, and migration card are necessary. But as of November 2015, this procedure is likely no more. Immigration officials in this part of the country are generally not multilingual, if you're not a Russian speaker plan on having this information written out ahead of time and it will speed this process along.

If Sakhalin is your first port of entry into the Russian Federation, the above process will be completed along with the standard Russian immigration procedures.

Unlike Sakhalin, the adjacent islands Tyuleniy and Moneron, and the whole range of Kuril Islands are a part of the so-called Border Security Zone and does require an entry permit. Permits are issued by the local office of border control: While Russian citizens can get a permit on the day of application, the procedure for foreigners is very complicated. Unless you're a fluent Russian speaker, going on an organized tour might be the only realistic way of going (they'll handle all paperwork for you). If you'd like to try on your own, see the Kuril Islands article for details of the procedure.

By boat
There is a single passenger ferry route connecting the mainland with Sakhalin. Unless you possess time, patience, and Russian skills in abundance to explore wildcat alternatives, your choice is limited to this daily ferry service between Vanino on the mainland, and Kholmsk on the island's western coast. Vanino is linked with the rest of the Russian railway network by a daily service to Vladivostok, with stops in Komsomolsk and Khabarovsk en route. In the summer months another option is a Japanese operated ferry service linking Korsakov on the shore of Aniva Bay, at the southern tip of the island, with Wakkanai on the northern tip of Hokkaido.

 * See Russia to Japan via Sakhalin itinerary for additional information on the ferry services

By plane
The booming oil industry has ensured an unusual abundance of options to reach a destination as remote, and sparsely populated, as Sakhalin. The airport in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk has connections to major cities in the Russian Far East, and flights to Japan, South Korea and China several times per week. If you are reluctant to fly with a Russian airline, the only other option is the weekly Asiana flight from Seoul, South Korea.

Yakutia operates regular flights from Khabarovsk to small airports in Okha (4-5 times a week) and Nogliki (3 times a week) in the northern part of Sakhalin. They also have infrequent summer flights to Zonal'noe (Зональное) airport located 70 km east of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky.

Get around
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is the main hub for all means of transportation. Local and regional buses, charter minibuses, and trains all depart from the Station in the city center,

By plane
Aurora, the island's carrier, operates daily flights from and to its main hub in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and around the island. Tickets can be booked online.

By train
Sakhalin has an extensive railway network, much of it built by the Japanese. All tracks still use the old Japanese gauge (1067 mm), although a push to replace these tracks with the standard Russian gauge of 1524 mm is underway. You will probably spot strange three-rail tracks that can accommodate both old Japanese trains and newer Russian cars. Old Japanese carriages are still in use as local trains.

Services are scattered and infrequent, but a daily train (#001/#002) connecting Nogilky and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk remains the main mode of transport between the south and north part of the island. You can check the current railway schedule at the Russian Railways website. Sakhalin railways operate exactly two night trains:

 * #001/#002 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – Nogliki. Sleeper cars with two-bed and four-bed compartments.
 * #601/#602 (also known as #951/#952) Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – Nogliki. Sleeper cars with four-bed compartments, couchette cars, and seat cars. Somewhat slower than #001/#002.

...and two trains that run during the day:
 * #967/#968 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – Tymovsk. One sleeper cars with four-bed compartments and one seat car. This train is very slow and delivers post rather than passengers.
 * #121/#122 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – Tomari. Open coaches.

Local train services are moribund. Although the trains operate 2-3 times a day in the suburbs of Kholmsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, they are of little use for visitors. A direct railway line between Kholmsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is in a sorry state and carries no traffic, although it remains interesting on its own and deserves a closer look. Railway enthusiasts wanting to continue their journey by rail after disembarking the ferry in Kholmsk need to catch a once or twice daily connection to Tomari (#1611) 80 km to the north, then take another once daily train (#121) from there to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, although unless you are a dedicated railway buff, this huge detour is probably not worth the effort.

By bus
While train is the mode of transport for longer trips, short trips are mainly done by bus. On the southern part of the island road conditions are fairly good, and many destinations can be easily reached from the bus terminal in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, offering departures for the ports of Korsakov and Kholmsk every 30-60 minutes throughout most of the day, Nevel'sk six times daily, Makarov once daily, and several other smaller cities at varying intervals. If you speak Russian, call (4242) 72-25-53 for details. Further north, buses bound for Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky and Okha connect to the daily trains in Tymovsk and Nogilki, respectively.

An alternative to the public buses are the many private marshruthkas (minibuses), which also do intercity trips. They cost around double of the buses and have no schedules and tend to be more crammed, although on the plus side they are usually faster, more frequent and more comfortable than the often worn out public buses. A simple "marshrutka City name?" should suffice in getting locals pointing you in the right direction.

By car
Driving a car on Sakhalin is probably a bad idea because roads are few and in bad condition even by Russian standards. Although most interesting places are unreachable by public transport, the car will not bring you further unless you rent a 4x4 van and possess necessary driving skills, including river crossing. Considering these difficulties, most companies, which are so small that they do not even have websites, offer cars with drivers. If you speak Russian, try to search on the web or simply ask at the hotel.

The Vanino-Kholmsk ferry can take cars. Few people use this option, though. As of 2012, the one-way price is about ₽15000 for a standard car.

See

 * Lake Tunaycha (Озеро Тунайча). An easy escape from the concrete of the island capital, the Lake Tunaycha region is only 45 km south east of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. This string of shallow lakes, including the islands largest fresh water lake, runs along Sakhalin's western coast line, and is a favourite with bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, as is the case with most other sights on the island, you'll need to figure out transportation for yourselves: you may be able to can find a Mastruska bound for Svobodnaya or Okhotskoye, but otherwise use one of the many tour agencies.

 * Moneron Island (Остров Монерон), known in Japanese as Kaibato (海馬島). A small unpopulated island southwest of Kholmsk, popular with divers, snorkellers, and bird watchers. It's Russia's first marine park, owing its existence to an array of underwater reliefs and the warm Tsusimskoye current that ensues an abundance of underwater wildlife, even subtropical species, and some fantastic plants. Although poaching is an increasing problem for this natural environment, it's still well worth a visit, and often has 30-40 meters of visibility. Above the water the scenery is quite enchanting with dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, rocky canyons and alpine meadows. The island has numerous bird colonies and is a breeding ground for sea lions. Access requires a chartered boat, which usually leaves from Nevelsk, 50 km south of Kholmsk. Sakhalin Diving in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk can help with arrangements to dive here, and the State Park Agency opened a new tourist facility on the island in 2009.
 * Tyuleniy Island (Остров Тюлений, Seal island). Takes its name from the breeding grounds of the rare Northern Fur Seal, it's one of largest rookeries of fur seal and sea lions left in the world, and also sports many species of birds for the ornithologically inclined. There is a small Russian research station on the island, with blinds for observing the wildlife. The island is located some 19 kilometres south of the Terpeniya peninsula's cape, in pretty rough sees. You'd either have to go with a rare tour or charter a boat for yourself to visit here. Your best bet to make your own arrangements are probably from the station town of Makarov, but that is a wild shot.
 * Tyuleniy Island (Остров Тюлений, Seal island). Takes its name from the breeding grounds of the rare Northern Fur Seal, it's one of largest rookeries of fur seal and sea lions left in the world, and also sports many species of birds for the ornithologically inclined. There is a small Russian research station on the island, with blinds for observing the wildlife. The island is located some 19 kilometres south of the Terpeniya peninsula's cape, in pretty rough sees. You'd either have to go with a rare tour or charter a boat for yourself to visit here. Your best bet to make your own arrangements are probably from the station town of Makarov, but that is a wild shot.

 * Vaida Mountains (Гора Вайда) The Vaida mountain ridge is part of the heavy forested Smirnych nature reserve, roughly half way up the island, at what used to be the division between the Japanese and Russian Sakhalin (it's known in Japanese as Okada-yama (岡田山)), and a scene of heavy fighting. These days it's more peaceful although heavy foresting has taken its toll on the unprotected parts of the area. Its two peaks, though less than a kilometre tall, are the highest in the area. While its uniqueness in geological terms stems from its 24 karst cavities, for the less geeky the real attraction is its spectacular caves (particularly the Vaida Cave) with impressive stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs; various artifacts have been found in the caves. The scenery above ground is rather spectacular with many alpine plants and some pretty lakes dotted here and there for good measure. There is a daily train serving the station in Smirnych, from where you will have to arrange your own wheels to the small village of Izvestkoviy, and start your hike from there. If you plan to venture into the caves, which is probably why you would want to come here, you would want an organised tour providing a guide, and the necessary safety equipment – try Miskha Tours but be prepared for some language difficulties.
 * Zhdanko Ridge (Хребет Жданко) is a spectacular ridge north of the village Tikhaya. It's protected state territory and was created by molten magma rising through cracks but not allowed to surface through the crust, which instead eventually collapsed (under the wind and water), and formed a 13 kilometre elongated ridge, only 1-2 kilometres wide of solidified magma. It's an unusual landscape of volcanic rock formations, hardened lava flows, sudden 30 metre vertical drops and many beautiful waterfalls, up to 50 metres tall. In spring the dark volcanic rocks, contrasted by the light-green grass and trees, provide some amazing vistas. There is a good 2-3 day hike leading over a mountain pass to the north of the area. If you can manage a spot on the post train (#951) it stops in Tikhaya around noon.
 * Zhdanko Ridge (Хребет Жданко) is a spectacular ridge north of the village Tikhaya. It's protected state territory and was created by molten magma rising through cracks but not allowed to surface through the crust, which instead eventually collapsed (under the wind and water), and formed a 13 kilometre elongated ridge, only 1-2 kilometres wide of solidified magma. It's an unusual landscape of volcanic rock formations, hardened lava flows, sudden 30 metre vertical drops and many beautiful waterfalls, up to 50 metres tall. In spring the dark volcanic rocks, contrasted by the light-green grass and trees, provide some amazing vistas. There is a good 2-3 day hike leading over a mountain pass to the north of the area. If you can manage a spot on the post train (#951) it stops in Tikhaya around noon.

Itineraries

 * Russia to Japan via Sakhalin. Sakhalin is connected to Hokkaido, Japan by a twice-weekly ferry during the summer - this itinerary tells you how to get there.

Do

Sakhalin has plenty of stunning natural scenery to offer. However, transportation out in the wilderness of Sakhalin requires patience, and a lot of careful and thoughtful planning. An easier alternative is shelling out the extra cost for enlisting the aid of a local tour operator.

 * Diving - Moneron Island, close to the city of Kholmsk, is a marine park that offers some unique diving; there is a dive shop in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk that can help with arrangements. Most other location and dive sites are restricted by politics: because of the close proximity to and sometimes heated relationship with Japan, the border guard needs to approve diving elsewhere, in practice ruling out this option.
 * Skiing - There is a alpine ski resort just east of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Gorny Vozdukh, which has seen some substantial upgrades lately.
 * Rafting - Bykovsky Rapids on the Krasnoarmeyka River, near the city of Bykov some 50 kilometers north of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk offers good class 4 or 5 rafting. There are no permanent facilities, so you need to go on a tour from the island's capital, where they bring rafts and safety equipment to the starting point with 4x4s. It's also possible to do rafting on the Lyotoga river, the starting point is the small village of Pyatirechye, just 35 kilometres due west from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on the P-495 road. Tours usually end in Petropavlovskoye, a few kilometres before the river flows into the Aniva bay. Rafting season for most of the island is mainly from early May to late June, when the rivers are awash with melting snow from the mountains.

Eat
The cuisine on Sakhalin is largely influenced by the traditional Russian cuisine, and in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk a wide variety of international restaurants is available. For some local flavour, try the seafood. Freshly caught fish from the rivers, especially salmon, are widely available in season, and often cheap. Look for 'Крабы' (Crab), 'Копченый лосось' (Smoked salmon), 'Корюшка жареная' (Fried smelt) and Красная икра (Red caviar) on the menu to sample some of the islands delicious seafood. Up north, you can try the indigenous cuisine of the Nivkh tribe which also features fish, but in interesting varieties such as dried (madjir-ma/юкола) and iced fish (kyn-cho/строганина), and also seal, reindeer, and bear meat with mushrooms and wild berries such as Crowberries (yghygh-alrh/шикша) and Blueberries (Голубика)

Yuzhno-Sakhalin, due to its large population of stranded Sakhalin Koreans, reputedly has very good Korean cuisine.

Drink
The Kolos brewery in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk makes some excellent beers, particularly their Bir Rinzo and Pivzavod Sahalinskij. They offer 10 other brands in their own brewpub on the brewery grounds on Sakhalinskaya Street. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is not the only city with its own beer as almost every major town on the island, despite their modest size, has a local brewery.

Stay safe
As far as people go, Sakhalin is a fairly safe place when outside the capital, which has the highest juvenile crime rate in the entire federation. Much of Sakhalin is true wilderness, far from the nearest doctor and even further from an English speaking one. The arctic tundra in the north can even in the summer experience rapid temperature drops, especially when the sun sets, but even a change of wind direction can send sudden shivers through your spine, or much worse.

Bears roam the forests across the entire island, and always pose a danger. The most important thing in this respect is never to surprise a bear. Sing, call out in regular intervals or wear a bell. Save the odd lunatics, bears rarely seek confrontations with humans and will normally shy away when hearing one. If you do encounter one, make sure it sees you (it will smell you soon enough anyway), hold you hands above your head to make yourself as big as possible, and slowly back away while avoiding any sudden movements: and don't trip or run! Make sure any food is packed away in airtight containers or plastic bags.

If you require medical attention, head for Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, as there are many expat workers from the oil industry here, and the medical facilities that come with them. In an emergency in the northern part of the island, the oil processing plants in Nogliki and Okha are your best bets; they may not be very welcoming, but they are used to dealing with foreign staff and have airlift capabilities. Cash is king, but a medical/travel insurance certificate should also help.

Go next

 * Kuril Islands — to see what few visitors see, catch a plane or the twice monthly ferry to Kunashir island, in the Kurils chain of islands. One of the world's most unique natural habitats, including flora and fauna native to Japan, but long lost in Japan's quest for industrialization.

title: Sakhalin


text:
Sakhalin Oblast

Sakhalin Oblast is in the Russian Far East, and is comprised of the following two regions:

title: Sakhalin Oblast


text:
Sakha phrasebook

Sakha, or Yakut (Саха тыла) is a Turkic language spoken in Sakha Republic.

Basics

 * Hello. :Эҕэрдэ. (e-GHER-de)
 * Hello. (informal) :Дорообо. (doh-ROO-bow)
 * How are you? :Хайдах олороҕут? (khay-DAKH-olo-ROGH-ut)
 * Fine, thank you. :Махтал, үчүгэй. (makh-TAL, uch-UG-ey)
 * What is your name? :Ааккыт ким диэний? (ak-UHT-keem-DI-en-NEE ?)
 * My name is ______ . :Мин аатым ______ . (meen-AAT-uhm _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. :Билсиһиинэн. (beel-SIH-iin-EN) – lit. “with acqiantance”
 * Please. : . ( )
 * Thank you. : Махтал. (makh-TAL )
 * Thank you (Response). : Улахан махтал. (ool-LAKH-an-MAKH-tal)
 * You're welcome. : Нөрүөн нөргүй. (hoe-RUE-oen-NOER-guee )
 * Yes. :Кыратык. (kuh-RAT-uhk )
 * No. : . ( )
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) :Бырастыы гыныҥ. (buh-RAS-tuh-GUHN-nuhn )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . ( )
 * I'm sorry. :Бырастыы гыныҥ. (buh-RAS-tuh-GUHN-nuhn)
 * Goodbye :Көрсүөххэ дылы. (koer-SUOE-khe-DUH-luh )
 * Goodbye (informal) : Пакаа. (Poh-KAH )
 * I can't speak Sakha [well]. : Мин [сахалыы] үчүгэйдик сатаан саҥарбаппын. ( Min [Sa kha lyy] uchu-gey-dik sataan sa-NGAR-bap-pyn)
 * Do you speak English? : Эн английскайдыы саҥараҕын ? (En aŋ-liy-skay-dyy saŋ-ara-ghyn? ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Ким эмит английскадыы саҥарар дуо? (Kim emit aŋ-gliy-skay-DYY saŋarar duo?)
 * Help! : ! ( !)
 * Look out! : ! ( !)
 * Good morning. :Үтүө сарсыарданан. (oo-TUOE-sar-SUH-ar-DAN-an )
 * Good afternoon. :Үтүө күнүнэн. (oo-TUOE-kun-UN-en)
 * Good evening. :Үтүө киэһэнэн. (oo-TUOE-kie-HEN-en )
 * Good night. : Үтүө түннү . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. :Өйдөөбөтүм. (oy-DOE-boe-TOOM )
 * Where is the toilet? : Туалет ханна баарый? (Tu-a-LET khan-NA BAAR-yi ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : . ( .)
 * Don't touch me! : ! ( !)
 * I'll call the police. : . ( .)
 * Police! : ! ( !)
 * Stop! Thief! : ! ! ( ! !)
 * I need your help. : . ( .)
 * It's an emergency. : . ( .)
 * I'm lost. : . ( .)
 * I lost my bag. : . ( .)
 * I lost my wallet. : . ( .)
 * I'm sick. : . ( .)
 * I've been injured. : . ( .)
 * I need a doctor. : . ( .)
 * Can I use your phone? : ? ( ?)

Numbers

 * 1 : биир (biir)
 * 2 : икки (ikki)
 * 3 : үс (ys)
 * 4 : түөрт ( )
 * 5 : биэс (bies)
 * 6 : алта (alta)
 * 7 : сэттэ (sette)
 * 8 : аҕыс ( )
 * 9 : тоҕус ( )
 * 10 : уон (uon)
 * 11 : уон биир ( )
 * 12 : уон икки ( )
 * 13 : уон үс ( )
 * 14 : уон түөрт ( )
 * 15 : уон биэс ( )
 * 16 : уон алта ( )
 * 17 : уон сэттэ ( )
 * 18 : уон аҕыс ( )
 * 19 : уон тоҕус ( )
 * 20 : сүүрбэ ( )
 * 21 : сүүрбэ биир ( )
 * 22 : сүүрбэ икки ( )
 * 23 : сүүрбэ үс ( )
 * 30 : отут ( )
 * 40 : түөрт уон ( )
 * 50 : биэс уон ( )
 * 60 : алта уон ( )
 * 70 : сэттэ уон ( )
 * 80 : аҕыс уон ( )
 * 90 : тоҕус уон ( )
 * 100 : сүүс ( )
 * 200 : икки сүүс ( )
 * 300 : үс сүүс ( )
 * 1,000 : тыыһынча ( )
 * 2,000 : икки тыыһынча ( )
 * 1,000,000 : мөлүйүөн ( )
 * 1,000,000,000 : миллиард ( )
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : триллион ( )
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : ( )
 * half : аҥара ( )
 * less : аҕыйах ( )
 * more : элбэх ( )

Time

 * now : билигин (bilighin)
 * later : кэлин (kelin)
 * before : иннинэ ( )
 * morning : сарсыарда ( )
 * afternoon : эбиэт кэнниттэн ( )
 * evening : киэһээ ( )
 * night : түүн (tuun)

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : ( )
 * two o'clock AM : ( )
 * noon : ( )
 * one o'clock PM : ( )
 * two o'clock PM : ( )
 * midnight : ( )

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : ( )
 * _____ hour(s) : ( )
 * _____ day(s) : ( )
 * _____ week(s) : ( )
 * _____ month(s) : ( )
 * _____ year(s) : ( )

Days

 * today : ( )
 * yesterday : ( )
 * tomorrow : ( )
 * this week : ( )
 * last week : ( )
 * next week : ( )

 * Sunday : ( )
 * Monday : ( )
 * Tuesday : ( )
 * Wednesday : ( )
 * Thursday : ( )
 * Friday : ( )
 * Saturday : ( )

Months

 * January :Тохсунньу (tokh-SOON-oo )
 * February :Олунньу (ol-OON-oo )
 * March :Кулун тутар (kool-OON-too-TAR )
 * April :Муус устар (moos-OOS-tar )
 * May :Ыам ыйа (UH-am-UH-yah )
 * June :Бэс ыйа (bes-UH-yah )
 * July :От ыйа  (ot-UH-yah )
 * August : Атырдьах ыйа (at-UHR-dakh-UH-yah)
 * September : Балаҕан ыйа (bah-LAGH-an-UH-yah)
 * October : Алтынньы (alt-UHN-nuh )
 * November : Сэтинньи (set-EEN-ee )
 * December : Ахсынньы (akh-SUHN-nuh )

Colors

 * black :хара (kha-RAH )
 * white : үрүҥ (ur-UNG )
 * gray : бороҥ ( bo-RONG )
 * red : кыһыл (qyh-KHYHL )
 * blue : халлаан күөх (Hal-LAAN ku-OOKH)
 * yellow : араҕас (ara-GHAS  )
 * green : от күөх (OT ku-OOKH )
 * orange : сырдык саарыл (syr-DYQ SAA-ryl )
 * brown : хоҥор (kho-NGOR)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : ( )
 * One ticket to _____, please. : ( )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : ( )
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : ( )
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : ( )
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : ( )
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : ( )

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : ( )
 * ...the train station? : ( )
 * ...the bus station? : ( )
 * ...the airport? : ( )
 * ...downtown? : ( )
 * ...the youth hostel? : ( )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ( )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ( )
 * Where are there a lot of... : ( )
 * ...hotels? : ( )
 * ...restaurants? : ( )
 * ...bars? : ( )
 * ...sites to see? : ( )
 * Can you show me on the map? : ( )
 * street : ( )
 * Turn left. : ( )
 * Turn right. : ( )
 * left : ( )
 * right : ( )
 * straight ahead : ( )
 * towards the _____ : ( )
 * past the _____ : ( )
 * before the _____ : ( )
 * Watch for the _____. : ( )
 * intersection : ( )
 * north : ( )
 * south : ( )
 * east : ( )
 * west : ( )
 * uphill : ( )
 * downhill : ( )

Taxi

 * Taxi! : ( )
 * Take me to _____, please. : ( )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : ( )
 * Take me there, please. : ( )

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : ( )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : ( )
 * Does the room come with... : ( )
 * ...bedsheets? : ( )
 * ...a bathroom? : ( )
 * ...a telephone? : ( )
 * ...a TV? : ( )
 * May I see the room first? : ( )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : ( )
 * ...bigger? : ( )
 * ...cleaner? : ( )
 * ...cheaper? : ( )
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : ( )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : ( )
 * Do you have a safe? : ( )
 * ...lockers? : ( )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : ( )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : ( )
 * Please clean my room. : ( )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : ( )
 * I want to check out. : ( )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : ( )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : ( )
 * Do you accept euros? : ( )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : ( )
 * Can you change money for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get money changed? : ( )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : ( )
 * What is the exchange rate? : ( )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ( )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : ( )
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : ( )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : ( )
 * Is there a house specialty? : ( )
 * Is there a local specialty? : ( )
 * I'm a vegetarian. : ( )
 * I don't eat pork. : ( )
 * I don't eat beef. : ( )
 * I only eat kosher food. : ( )
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : ( )
 * fixed-price meal : ( )
 * a la carte : ( )
 * breakfast : ( )
 * lunch : ( )
 * tea (meal) : ( )
 * supper : ( )
 * I want _____. : ( )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : ( )
 * chicken : ( )
 * beef : ( )
 * fish : ( )
 * ham : ( )
 * sausage : ( )
 * cheese : ( )
 * eggs : ( )
 * salad : ( )
 * (fresh) vegetables :  ( )
 * (fresh) fruit : ( )
 * bread : ( )
 * toast : ( )
 * noodles : ( )
 * rice : ( )
 * beans : ( )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : ( )
 * coffee : ( )
 * tea (drink) : ( )
 * juice : ( )
 * (bubbly) water : ( )
 * (still) water : ( )
 * beer : ( )
 * red/white wine : ( )
 * May I have some _____? : ( )
 * salt : ( )
 * black pepper : ( )
 * butter : ( )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
 * I'm finished. : ( )
 * It was delicious. : ( )
 * Please clear the plates. : ( )
 * The check, please. : ( )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : ( )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : ( )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : ( )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : ( )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : ( )
 * vodka : ( )
 * rum : ( )
 * water : ( )
 * club soda : ( )
 * tonic water : ( )
 * orange juice : ( )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : ( )
 * One more, please. : ( )
 * Another round, please. : ( )
 * When is closing time? : ( )
 * Cheers! : ( )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : ( )
 * How much is this? : ( )
 * That's too expensive. : ( )
 * Would you take _____? : ( )
 * expensive : ( )
 * cheap : ( )
 * I can't afford it. : ( )
 * I don't want it. : ( )
 * You're cheating me. : ( )
 * I'm not interested. : (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * Can I have a bag? : ( )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : ( )
 * I need... : ( )
 * ...toothpaste. : ( )
 * ...a toothbrush. : ( )
 * ...tampons. : . ( )
 * ...soap. : ( )
 * ...shampoo. : ( )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ( )
 * ...cold medicine. : ( )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... ( )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : ( )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ( )
 * ...a postcard. : ( )
 * ...postage stamps. : ( )
 * ...batteries. : ( )
 * ...writing paper. : ( )
 * ...a pen. : ( )
 * ...English-language books. : ( )
 * ...English-language magazines. : ( )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ( )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ( )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : ( )
 * Can I get insurance? : ( )
 * stop (on a street sign) : ( )
 * one way : ( )
 * yield : ( )
 * no parking : ( )
 * speed limit : ( )
 * gas (petrol) station : ( )
 * petrol : ( )
 * diesel : ( )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : ( )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : ( )
 * Where are you taking me? : ( )
 * Am I under arrest? : ( )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : ( )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : ( )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : ( )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : ( )

title: Sakha phrasebook


text:
Sakleshpur

Sakleshpur is a town in Karnataka.

Get in
It is 230 km from Bangalore, 125 km from Mangalore and about 55 km from Hassan.

By bus
Buses are available from Bengaluru from KSRTC and RedBus sites.

See

 * Shetthully Old Church

Do

 * Hiking - Various short and long treks make this a trekkers' favorite, the most famous being "The Green Route Trek", on railway tracks traversing high bridges and numerous tunnels. There are various companies in Bangalore who conduct these treks. One needs to have prior permission from the Forest Department. Also there are good home stays where you can stay during this trek. The route from Sakaleshpur (starting near Donigal Station) to Yedakumeri Station (20 km): after the highway-bridge over the tracks near Donigal, there are only 2 access points to the highway - one 4-km trek through jeep tracks from the base camp of the workers, just before the first tunnel which is at 55th km-mark (the trek starts near 48th km.) The other access to highway is a 5-km trek down the jungle-slopes behind Yedakumeri Station, crossing a shallow river next to the ghat-highway, with a rocky, slippery riverbed. This trek is part of 147 km of meter gauge rail track from Sakleshpur to Mangalore (Kankanadi).

Buy
Coffee powder, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cashew & pepper.

Eat
Akki rotti & chicken, pork curry is the specialty of the region.

Sleep
Homestays are popular here.

 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145
 * Jagate's Mist Homestay Contact +91 9448055779 e-mail: shivakumar.jagate@gmail.com
 * NatureTrek Homestay Deep forest economical homestay in the middle of nature. Contact +91 9901652145

Go next
Trains and buses are available to Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore & Hassan

title: Sakleshpur


text:
Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร) is a town in the Isaan region of Thailand.

Understand
Sakon Nakhon is 647 km from Bangkok. It has an area of 9,605 km², mostly in the Phu Phan mountains. It has many forest temple meditation retreats.

Sakon Nakhon is a Buddhist town with five Buddhist stupas. Its history dates back three thousand years. Legend says that Nongharn town, now Sakon Nakhon, was built in 11th century when the Khmer ruled this region. When the Khmer lost their power, the town was under the rules of Lanxang or Laotian Kingdom. It was renamed “Muang Chiang Mai Nongharn”. When the town joined Siam, it was renamed again as “Sakon Thavapi”. In 1830, during the reign of King Rama III, it was renamed “Sakon Nakhon”.

Talk
A mix of Thai and Lao is spoken in Sakon Nakhon. Central Thai is perfectly acceptable. There are few expats living in the city and few foreign visitors, but don't expect English to be widely spoken or to see English translations beyond road signs. Locals will do their best to help you with whatever English they know, but it's advisable to dive headfirst into learning the dialect and start mixing with the locals.

By car
From Bangkok, take Hwy 2 to Saraburi and turn right onto Hwy 2, via Nakhon Ratchasima, Ban Phai of Khon Kaen Province to Ban Tha Phra. Get onto Hwy 23 via Maha Sarakham and Kalasin, then use Hwy 213 to Sakon Nakhon. (7-9 hr respecting speed limits)

 * Kalasin 128 km southeast
 * Nakhon Phanom 93 km northeast
 * Nong Khai 210 km northwest
 * Udon Thani 159 km west

By bus
The Transport Co. Thailand and private bus companies operate daily service from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon. Buses leave the Northeast Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) daily.

By train
The State Railway of Thailand operates daily trains from Bangkok to Udon Thani, where tourists can catch a bus to Sakon Nakhon, 159 km away (3-4 hours, 100 baht, air-con. Buses going to Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan may stop in Sakon Nakhon). The night train from Bangkok usually departs at 20:00, and is supposed to reach Udon Thani around 06:00 but 09:00 is more likely. Around 1,000 baht for a soft bed in a 2-bed first-class cabin with air-con.)

By plane

Nok Air flies from Bangkok to

Air Asia flies from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon (200-1,300 baht one-way since 2014; checked luggage is a low-cost extra).

Get around

You can get around by bus, samlor, and motored tricycle that are available in the city. Fare is negotiated.

There is no rental company catering for tourists, but you can arrange in almost any motorcycle shop, or any guesthouse, a daily rental for around 100-200 baht, or monthly for 1,500-2,000 baht.

See

 * Nong Han near Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.jpg
 * Nong Han near Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.jpg

Do

 * Ruam Nam Jai Tha iSakon Fair and Red Cross Fair (งานรวมน้ำใจไทสกลและงานกาชาด) - Held at the beginning of each year by the city hall, the fair comprises floats showing cultures and tradition of different ethnic groups in the province such as Phu Thai, So, Yor, Saek, Ka Lerng, Kula, Vietnamese, and Chinese. The float parade starts from Ming Muang Field at 14:00 and travels via Sukkasem Rd to city hall. The other entertainments include a folk culture contest, a traditional dinner, and stage performances.
 * So Ram Luk Festival (งานเทศกาลโส้รำลึก) - The festival to commemorate the So ethnic group is held annually on the 4th waxing moon of March at Amphoe Kusumal. Traditional rites conducted by a number of So people start in late morning.
 * Boon Mahachart Festival and Boon Bangfai or Rocket Festival, Amphoe Phang Kone (งานบุญมหาชาติและบุญบั้งไฟ อำเภอพังโคน) - The festivals are held annually in the first week of May. Its activities include the local rocket contest, Mahachart Preying, Phang Kone Cuisine Festival, and the local rocket parade.
 * Boat race (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือ) - Held at the same time as the wax castle procession, the ancient boat race takes place at Phang Thong Pond or Tha Nang Arb, Ban Tha Wat.
 * Ruam Nam Jai Tha iSakon Fair and Red Cross Fair (งานรวมน้ำใจไทสกลและงานกาชาด) - Held at the beginning of each year by the city hall, the fair comprises floats showing cultures and tradition of different ethnic groups in the province such as Phu Thai, So, Yor, Saek, Ka Lerng, Kula, Vietnamese, and Chinese. The float parade starts from Ming Muang Field at 14:00 and travels via Sukkasem Rd to city hall. The other entertainments include a folk culture contest, a traditional dinner, and stage performances.
 * So Ram Luk Festival (งานเทศกาลโส้รำลึก) - The festival to commemorate the So ethnic group is held annually on the 4th waxing moon of March at Amphoe Kusumal. Traditional rites conducted by a number of So people start in late morning.
 * Boon Mahachart Festival and Boon Bangfai or Rocket Festival, Amphoe Phang Kone (งานบุญมหาชาติและบุญบั้งไฟ อำเภอพังโคน) - The festivals are held annually in the first week of May. Its activities include the local rocket contest, Mahachart Preying, Phang Kone Cuisine Festival, and the local rocket parade.
 * Boat race (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือ) - Held at the same time as the wax castle procession, the ancient boat race takes place at Phang Thong Pond or Tha Nang Arb, Ban Tha Wat.
 * Boon Mahachart Festival and Boon Bangfai or Rocket Festival, Amphoe Phang Kone (งานบุญมหาชาติและบุญบั้งไฟ อำเภอพังโคน) - The festivals are held annually in the first week of May. Its activities include the local rocket contest, Mahachart Preying, Phang Kone Cuisine Festival, and the local rocket parade.
 * Boat race (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือ) - Held at the same time as the wax castle procession, the ancient boat race takes place at Phang Thong Pond or Tha Nang Arb, Ban Tha Wat.

Local products

 * Ban Charn Arts and Crafts Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปาชีพบ้านจาร) - At Ban Charn, Tambon Mueng, Amphoe Ban Muang, the centre is a production base and training hub for weaving silk and local textiles, as well as blacksmithing and wood carving.
 * Ban Pan Mor (บ้านปั้นหม้อ) - The pottery village Ban Chiang Krua is in Tambon Chiang Krua, Amphoe Muang, 15 km from Sakon Nakhon city via Hwy 22. The farmers here receive additional earnings through the pottery business.
 * Wha Yai and Ban Don Daeng Weaving Village (หมู่บ้านทอผ้าบ้านวาใหญ่ บ้านดอนแดง) - In Amphoe Arkat Amnuay, the villages are well known for woven cotton, silk dyed in Khit-style. All textiles are dyed with natural dyes.

Stay safe
Do not swim in the Nong Han lake due to parasitic liver flukes.

Go next
North to Bueng Kan, east to Nakhon Phanom, southeast to Mukdahan, southwest to Kalasin, or west to Udon Thani.

title: Sakon Nakhon


text:
Sakskøbing

Sakskøbing is a small town on Lolland. Sakskøbing is a town of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. Being a town with no big industries or services it offers a glimpse of very authentic Danish rural life.

Get in

 * Bus 800 goes directly from Odense.
 * Bus 800 goes directly from Odense.

See
Not many attractions per se, but a few places might interesting for foreigners.

Drink
There are trains to the local capital, Nykøbing Falster, so frequently this would be the place to go for drinks and nightlife.

Go next

 * Maribo
 * Nykøbing Falster

title: Sakskøbing


text:
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is in Trashigang district of Bhutan.

Understand
Covering an area of 650 km², the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is thickly forested with mixed conifer and rhododendrons. It is also home to the nomadic Brokpas.

Flora and fauna

 * Conifers
 * Rhododendrons
 * According to local legend, this area is home to the allusive yeti - so keep the camera handy.

title: Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary


text:
Sakunami

Sakunami (作並) is a small hot spring town located in the Aoba District of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Sakunami is about 20 minutes by train on the Senzan Line from Sendai.

Get around
From Sakunami Station there are hotel shuttle buses to two hotels.

Do
Sakunami is a hot spring town, so pretty much the only thing to do is loll about in hot water. Ichinobo (see Sleep) permits day-use guests to drop in.

title: Sakunami


text:
Sakya

Sakya is a village in Xigatse prefecture.

Get in
Sakya is located 25 kilometres from the Friendship highway. There are regular long distance buses from Shigatse and Tingri every day. Minibuses travels frequently between Sakya and nearby Lhatze.

Get around
Sakya is a small and dirty town. It is possible to travel to different locations in the valley by horse or donkeycarriges. The price for a trip between the new Sakya monastery to the local hospital in the town is less than 0.5 USD. There are also modern automobile taxis, the quality of most cars are poor.

See
New monasteries.

Old monasteries

Nunnaries

Do
Visit Sakya monasteries.

title: Sakya


text:
Sal

Sal is an island of Cape Verde.

Understand
The main town for tourists visiting Sal is Santa Maria which is at the southern end of the island, approximately 20 minutes drive from the airport and the capital, Espargos. Santa Maria is a developing destination and has many construction projects, many finished resorts, a lively pedestrian street. There are beautiful beaches, many restaurants, bars and hotels and a relaxed atmosphere. The main focal points are the pier and the town square, the new residential district is at the eastern end of town which also has a small beach and is the focus of a lot of surfing and windsurfing activity. The larger hotels are at the western end, where you will also find the famous dunes and beach of Ponta Preta. This is also where many new resorts are being built. Further north on the west coast is Murdeira, a residential village. Palmeira is the main port and has a few bars and restaurants but no accommodation. One or two hotels can be found in Espargos which also has larger food shops than Santa Maria. Pedra de Lume is a small fishing village which is earmarked for a golf resort and marina and is also close to the old Salinas which is a candidate world heritage site.

By plane
If arriving by air, it's worth requesting a pickup from your hotel or apartment which many offer for free. Airport taxis will charge €1-2 to Espargos or €12-15 to Santa Maria. Alternatively, an Aluguer, (open-back pickup trucks with bench seats or 15-passenger Toyota van) can be hailed on the main street for rides to either destination (€1 to Santa Maria as at Oct 2019).

title: Sal


text:
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield

Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, commonly known as Valleyfield (formerly known as "Pointe-du-Lac" and "Sainte-Cécile-de-Valleyfield"), is an attractive town. It is a city of 42,787 people (2021) located in Beauharnois-Salaberry, in the Western Montérégie region of Quebec.

Wedged between the course of the St. Lawrence River (to the north) and the Beauharnois Canal (to the south), the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is a leading recreational tourism destination and a cultural city.

Understand
The city is on an island on the St. Lawrence River.

It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Valleyfield and the seat of the judicial district of Beauharnois.

History
In Indigenous prehistory, as well as in the history of New France and the English regime, Grande-Île was recognized as strategically well positioned on the St. Lawrence River. In 1795, the Great Island became the property of Alexander Ellice, a merchant in Great Britain. Located near Pointe-du-Lac, one of the old names of Valleyfield given by French explorers, the site of Grande Île became strategically important in 1812 during the war between England and the United States.

During this period of military activities, the British government had the site of Grande-Île fortified. Thus, in 1813, the construction of a redoubt was carried out under the colonel of the militia and lord of Vaudreuil, Michel Eustache Gaspard Alain Chartier de Lotbinière, at Pointe-aux-Anglais. The infrastructure built in the form of a landing stage consisted of a chain passing from edge to edge of the bay in order to close the entrance. In fact, the most notable contribution of Colonel de Lotbinière, was to build a road across the width of the island so as to quickly reach Coteau-du-Lac on the north shore of the river. This road became Boulevard Grande-Île.

Salaberry was named after Colonel Charles de Salaberry who served with the British Army during the War of 1812. "Valleyfield" came from the Valleyfield Mills, a paper mill south of Edinburgh in Scotland.

By car
It is 65 km west of Montreal: take Autoroute 20 out off the city to Route 201 South. Follow that south, and turn right onto Rue Alexandre.

By bus
From the Angrignon terminal in Montreal, take Exo bus 1 (90 min, $9, every 60 min) (Feb 2020).

By plane
Montreal's  (also known to locals as Dorval Airport) is 50 km to the east. The airport is served by all major Canadian and U.S. airlines and is a major hub for Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet.

See

Events
The city's website displays a program of local activities relating to the recreation department, school, local associations, training, etc.: HERE

title: Salaberry-de-Valleyfield


text:
Salalah

Salalah is the capital city of Oman's southern Dhofar region. It is the second largest city in the Sultanate, and has the distinction of being the Sultan Qaboos' birthplace. For most visitors, Salalah is the gateway to Oman’s most southerly governate of Dhofar – a historically independent, and culturally and ecologically unique region.

Understand
As the traditional regional capital, the city’s history stretches back two millennia, when, thanks to its strategic location, it was an important stop on the frankincense and silk trading routes. In the 19th century the region was incorporated into the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, and Salalah served as the country’s capital from 1932 until the accession of Sultan Qaboos in 1970, who relocated the capital to Muscat. Salalah was the Sultan’s birthplace in 1940, and his mother was a member of a prominent regional Jebbali tribe; to this day the Sultan maintains close ties to the city.

Today Salalah is still known for the cultivation and trade of frankincense (albeit now on a smaller scale), and is famous for its summer khareef (monsoon) and annual Salalah Festival, when visitors flock to the region to escape the blazing hot temperatures elsewhere on the Arabian peninsula. As lodging and eating establishments outside the city are scarce, it serves as a useful and interesting base for travellers wanting to explore the wider area at any time of year.

Read

 * Maria Dekeersmaeker, The DNA of Salalah, Dhofar: A Tourist Guide. Written by a Belgian journalist based in Salalah, this unusual book is a treasure trove of facts and history, organized thematically.

Climate
Most visitors come to Salalah during July and August to enjoy the annual khareef, when the nearby wadis are full of water. Occasionally streets flood, and ocean currents are too strong for swimming or diving. The crowds leave in September along with the rains, but the vegetation is still green, and hotel prices have started to come down.

Diving is only possible during the dry season, from October to the end of May, and this is also the optimal time for bird watching. May and especially June are the hottest months of the year, with humidity steadily increasing until the rains bring relief again in late June or early July.

By plane

Beware, the taxi from the airport is 10 or 20 times the normal taxi rate.

By car
Driving to Salalah from Muscat takes roughly 12 hours, and can either be an amazing and memorable experience, or a very uncomfortable one depending on what kind of traveller you are. The first 5 hours are very scenic, as you pass Rusayl, Nizwa and other small towns. However, it's barren desert and oil fields for most of the remainder of the trip, with the only larger settlements along this stretch being Haima and Thumrait just one hour before Salalah.

Travelling at night is usually better than driving in the heat of day (arriving in Salalah at night is a must, as the city lights from the high-altitude entry point are gorgeous). Watch out for renegade dunes on the way. There are several stops along the way for food, drinks, a cigarette break, or nature calls – you should take every opportunity to stop, as there might not be another one for many more kilometres. As of 2019, many petrol stations do not accept credit cards, so you should have cash with you. Lodging on the road is not good; plan your trip so you do not have to sleep on the road.

By bus

Bus transport to/from Muscat is also offered, both with identical fares, by:

By boat
There is at least one operator in Muscat that will charter you to Salalah.

Cruise ships stop regularly at the commercial, west of the city. Shuttle buses transport visitors from the ship to the port entrance, and taxis are also available. Visitors need to bring only their cruise boarding pass and their Tourist Entry Permit.

On foot
It is possible to explore parts of Salalah on foot, as most places of interest are close to each other. During warmer times of year, though, walking may not be the best idea.

By taxi
The usual unmetered Omani taxis operate here. Negotiate the price before getting in. In 2021, a ride within the city was 1 rial. Most of the time, regular taxis were cheaper than the ride-hailing app Otaxi, but the app can be used to estimate a price.

By car
If you hire a car, 2WD cars are adequate for most sights within Salalah itself. Outside of Salalah, however, many places of tourist interest lie off road, and SUVs are recommended particularly during the khareef season because of slippery terrain. Book your car well in advance if you plan to visit during this peak period, as rental agencies often run out of vehicles.

See
The old city is confined to the area called Al Haffa (Hafah), on the seafront.

Talk
Most residents speak some English, but if you know a bit of Arabic and Malayalam then conversation will be much easier.

Buy
Frankincense is the souvenir purchase in Salalah, and only visitors who avoid shopping will not be offered some. Frankincense is available in several different grades differentiated by colour, the lightest considered to be the highest quality and the costliest. Hand-crafted incense burners made of local Dhofari clay are also good purchases. Myrrh is relatively easy to find as well, as are the myriad Omani perfumes on offer throughout the country. You can also buy a khanjar, the traditional Omani dagger.

Eat
If you decide to visit places outside Salalah city (good advice for traveling anywhere in Oman), remember to carry some food packed for emergencies (fruits, fruit juices, sandwiches recommended) as there are few restaurants outside the city. Always carry several bottles of drinking water since you may not find any store on the highways. There is, however, a delightful ocean-side cafe on the way to Mughsayl and the tidal geyser there.

Splurge
The restaurants in the Hilton, Crowne Plaza, and Juweira Boutique hotels offer high-end dining services, with both à la carte and buffet options. For romantic dining, beach pavilions can be reserved at both the Hilton and Juweira Boutique.

Drink
Alcohol for non-Muslim visitors is available at high end hotels like Oasis Club near the port, as well as at the bars in the Crowne Plaza, Hilton, and Juweira Boutique hotels.

For a refreshing drink, stop at any of the many roadside vendors selling fresh coconut. They will lop the top off a green coconut for you for 200-300 baizas.

Sleep
During the annual khareef from July-September the population of Salalah balloons with visitors from elsewhere in Oman and the Persian Gulf, so if you plan to visit during this time it is essential to make reservations well in advance. During other times of year rooms are plentiful and rates are more reasonable.

Connect
Mobile coverage using Oman's providers is close to flawless, but roaming can sometimes be slow. There are several internet cafes around town, but speeds are inconsistent. Prices vary, but are usually cheap. You can also buy a tourist SIM card from any of the two main phone companies.

Stay safe
Salalah is a very safe place. However, the Salalah (Arab) way of driving might need some getting used to for non-Arabs.

Don't go swimming in the sea or permit toddlers/children to wander off at beaches. The sea has very strong ocean currents and the seabed has a steep drop off, making it very unsafe for swimmers, experienced or beginner.

Cope

 * Remember to carry your passport and visa papers with you wherever you go, at least photocopies, as you can expect local police or military patrols to check on you when you least expect them to show up, even if you are within city limits (a routine procedure to check for illegal workers and immigrants).
 * It's advisable for women to bring conservative clothing, especially if travelling outside the city. A general rule is to keep shoulders and knees covered. Western swimwear is acceptable on private hotel beaches, but not on public beaches where one-piece suits, or even t-shirts and swimming shorts, are preferable. Keep a sarong handy.
 * Bring plenty of water and sunblock if travelling outside the city.

East
Taqah coastal city is 35km away on Highway 49, and Mirbat also on the coast is an hour's drive.

West
To the west is Mughsayl with its famous blowholes, and some dramatic coastline (see Itineraries in Dhofar).

title: Salalah


text:
Salamajärvi National Park

Salamajärvi National Park is in a rugged watershed region of Suomenselkä in the Inland Central Ostrobothnia and the Suomenselkä countryside. The Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve borders the park.

History
The park was founded in 1982.

Landscape
The park is in the Suomenselkä water shed area, and features rocky soil, open and wooded mires, lakes, ponds and forests. Height differences are small.

Flora and fauna
The park features the largest mire wilderness in southern Finland. It also features old-growth forest, especially along Koirajoki and in the Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve. Most forest in the park had been in commercial use until the park was established, and restoration work has been carried out. The mires were mostly in natural state, and those few dried are also being restored.

The park emblem features the wild Finnish forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) and three of the trails are named after it: peura is its Finnish name, the male is hirvas and the female vaadin. The forest reindeer was the most important game in northern Europe until nearly extinct in the 19th century, surviving only in Russia. Migrating reindeer formed a Finnish population along the border, from which two males and eight females where brought to Koirajärvi (by Koirasalmi) in 1979–1980. Now the Suomenselkä population is about a thousand heads. In addition to the Finnish populations, mostly here and along the border, there are still populations in Russia, which although quite large may be threatened by poaching.

Paw-prints of wolves and wolverine can be seen if you are lucky. The elk is still the easiest to spot large animal.

The mires have a population of waders, ducks, gulls, whooper swan and grouse.

Visitor information

 * Park website (in English)

Get in
The main visitor centre is the Koirajärvi information hut in the park.

Car is the main option to get to the park unless you like walking (or take a taxi ride). From Möttönen or Kivijärvi the distance is 10 km along a numbered road and another 10 km on gravel. Some visitors have had difficulties finding the way, so be careful with your map or navigator. Koirasalmi, Huttukangas and Erijärvi parking areas are open also in winter.

There are coach and bus connections some distance from the park, but sparsely enough that you should check them before deciding on visit dates.

Note that there are several Perhontie, Kivijärventie etc., as more than one road towards a settlement is named after it, often so that the name changes at the municipal border, to point at the settlement in the other end.

For or  (not all services) there are coaches from Karleby (1 hr 20 min–2 hr) along national road 13 via Kaustinen, mostly continuing via Kyyjärvi and Saarijärvi to Jyväskylä, some all the way to Helsinki. In weekdays there should be a bus connection to Salamajärvi. Also Kinnula and Kivijärvi on national road 58 should be reachable by coach.

 * Take a coach to the village Möttönen in Perho. Continue by taxi from the TB petrol station to the park (, or, 16–20 km). By car, follow Kivijärventie (road 6520) from Möttönen for some 10 km, turn left to Koirasalmentie, there should be signs. If coming from the east, use Perhontie (the same road) from , turn right to the other end of Koirasalmentie after some 10 km. There might be school buses or similar along road 6520.
 * From Möttönen there is some 7 km to the entrance board and parking (likewise along road 6520). Close by is the Joutenhovi Nature Tourism Centre of Perho. From the trailhead it is 10 km to the park proper, by the Peuranpolku trail, 1 km more to Sysilampi.
 * Peuranpolku, part of the international E6 hiking trail, leads through the park. To get to the park from the north you can take a bus from Perho or and get off 3 km after respectively before the  village (in the school year, weekdays only – and check whether you have to walk from the village). The trail, here also called Hirvaan kierros, crosses the road near the bus stop . There is a parking area nearby. Walk 1.5 km by the trail (close to the Salamajärvi lake shore) to get to the park; 7 km to Sysilampi and 13 km from Erijärvi to Koirasalmi.
 * , also on the Salamajärventie/Mökäläntie/Perhontie (road 7520) between Kinnula and Perho, 13 km from Kinnula, is at the border of the park on the Hirvaan kierros trail, 10 km from Koirasalmi.
 * Also along the Kivijärventie/Perhontie (road 6520) is the parking area, from where a 7 km trail goes through the Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve to Koirasalmi.

Fees and permits
There are no fees for visiting the park or for hiking. Also parking is free.

Deviating from trails is allowed in much of the park, and everywhere 16 July–31 February. Following trails most of the time is still recommended, to minimize tear.

In the nature reserve, picking berries etc. may be forbidden. If you intend to do anything that affects the environment there, check its regulations.

There are rental huts, cabins and saunas and some other non-free accommodation options. There is a fee at the caravan area at Koirasalmi, which has electricity.

Equipment, such as rowing boats, canoes, kayaks, backpacks, snow shoes and child carrier backpacks can be rented at Koirasalmi. Checking availability is recommended.

A specific fishing permit is needed for fishing in lake Koirajärvi. You might also want the general fishing permit (which is needed anywhere if you have a reel, unless you are a child or elderly).

Get around

There are 60 km of marked trails in the park. In the central part of the park, and in the Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve by the park, trails have to be followed in the nesting season 1 March–15 July. Duckboards can be flooded in the spring. Some terrain is rocky, meaning sturdy footwear supporting also the ankles is recommended, unless you know that you can cope.

Some of the trails can be used for cross-country skiing in the winter. There are no maintained tracks and markings can be hidden by snow and frost, so some careful use of the map is needed. You can also choose your own routes; skiing on the open mires gives peace to the mind, but keep out of restricted areas in the spring.

Canoeing and rowing is possible, except in the restricted areas.

See

 * Bogs and mires; there is a bird watching tower at Heikinjärvenneva.
 * Old-growth forests, especially along Koirajoki and in the nature reserve.
 * Peaceful forest lakes
 * Remains of old tar pits (by lake Koirajärvi and elsewhere)
 * Old floating dam and remains of old logger’s cabin (Pyydyskoski)

There are two nature trails presenting the nature of the area, both starting by Sysilampi Open Wilderness Hut:
 * Lasten luontopolku (“Kids’ Nature Trail”), 1.5 km
 * Pakosuon kierros (“Pakosuo Mire Loop”), 4.5 km

Do

 * Rent a sauna for €9/night (no person limit!) with its own pond/lake.
 * Fishing. Angling and ice fishing is allowed as elsewhere, except in Koirajärvi (permit needed) and in the restricted areas (1.3–15.7). The peak season for fishing is from mid June until mid August, the most popular sites being the lakes Heikinlampi, Koirajärvet, Ahvenlampi and Kaunislampi.
 * Berry picking: cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) and cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) on the open fens and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) in the forest. Mind the restricted areas.
 * Swimming is allowed except in the restricted areas. There is a sandy shore at Koirasalmi, by the campfire shelter. There are swimming platforms at the cabins of Koiralampi and Sysilampi.
 * Walk along the educational swamp walk (4 km long)
 * Cross-country skiing
 * Hiking trips

Buy
Nature stuff at the national park's offices.

Eat
Sausage fried over a fire (or even better on the stove of a sauna).

There are many designated fire and cooking places, both standalone and at huts and shelters. Campfires are not allowed elsewhere. Open fires are not allowed anywhere when there is a forest fire warning in effect. Camping stoves are generally not regarded as open fire, so allowed at all times, but be careful.

There are also several businesses that might serve meals in the terrain on advance request. There is a café at the Koirasalmi information hut.

Drink

 * There is a well at the open wilderness hut at Lake Sysilampi.
 * There is a tap at the wall of the Koirasalmi nature information hut.

Lodging

 * Rent a sauna and cottage/cabin (mökki): (22 persons), Kaunislampi (6 persons), Koirasalmi (2+4 persons)
 * Rental hut at Sysilampi (2 persons)
 * Open wilderness huts: Sysilampi (4 persons) and (2 persons)
 * Lean-to shelter at the lake and several along the trails to the park, the closest being  and . There are also several "lap huts", mostly used as rest and cooking shelters.

Camping

 * Caravan area at Koirasalmi information hut. Electricity, waste collection station, rental sauna, fireplace, etc. Non-free.
 * Camping is allowed at Koirasalmi,, Sysilampi and Pitkälahti, and in the vicinity of campfire sites and shelters (most of which are in stony terrain). Camping at Koirasalmi is not free, camping elsewhere is.

Backcountry
Camping is allowed outside the park and the nature reserve, according to the right to access. Most of the land around the park and along Peuranpolku and Hirvaan kierros is owned by Metsähallitus, and as long as you are considerate, using the right should be unproblematic. Where the trails go on private land, being considerate is especially important, as the trails depend on cooperation with land owners.

Stay safe
There are areas in the park without mobile phone coverage or with interference. Try a more open or higher place. Emergency calls to 112 can be placed without SIM card, which guarantees the best connection available is used.

Go next

 * Iso-Valvatti bird wetland by Peuran polku and Hirvaan kierros 7 km north from Salamajärvi, in the mire reserve of Linjasalmenneva-Tynnyrineva
 * Hirvaan kierros (59 km), Peura Trail (115 km in all, from Joutenhovi to Petäjämäen ulkoilukeskus in Reisjärvi; in poor condition as of 2019, except in and near the park) and further by the international E6 hiking trail

title: Salamajärvi National Park