text:
Dutch phrasebook

Dutch (Nederlands) is a Germanic language spoken by about 27 million people world-wide. Most people living in the Netherlands and Flanders (the northern part of Belgium) use it as a first language, while in Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands, it is widely used as a second language. Historically, French Flanders and parts of the Lower Rhine Region in Germany also belong to the Dutch language sphere, and during the age of colonization it also spread to Indonesia and other former Dutch colonies.

Dutch is the ancestor of the Afrikaans language spoken in South Africa and Namibia, which is mutually intelligible to Dutch. Lastly, it is closely related with other West Germanic languages, such as German (especially the Low German), English and West Frisian, and more distantly to the Scandinavian North Germanic languages.

Use
English is widely spoken throughout all the areas where Dutch is the primary or secondary language. Government officials, including police officers, but also train conductors, medical personnel and staff working in the tourist industry will always have at least reasonable English language skills. Elderly people and young children typically do not, however, so a bit of Dutch can come in handy. At train stations, departure screens may display notices of service disruptions in Dutch only, making the ability to read Dutch a convenience.

Many Dutch and Flemish people have a reasonable to excellent command of English, and tend to switch to English when they estimate their level of English is more advanced than a visitor's command of Dutch. While the intent is to make communications easier, this habit makes it harder to improve your language skills. In situations where time pressure is not an issue, feel free to explain that you're trying to practice your Dutch, and most people will make an effort to converse with you in simple Dutch. If you attain a basic fluency in Dutch, you will find that many people will converse with you in Dutch despite your foreign accent.

Differences between Flemish and Dutch in Europe
In Flanders, it is much more common to use the polite form to address others than in the Netherlands, where the formal "u" is nowadays mostly reserved to address elderly people. However, since it could be a problem to use the casual form where the polite form is due, and the opposite might simply invoke some giggles, we use the polite form in this phrasebook unless mentioned otherwise.

The pronunciation of the g differs greatly between the south (Flanders and the Southern Netherlands) and the north. In the north, the /g/ is pronounced as a voiceless velar fricative; much like the traditional pronunciation of the English word "loch". In Dutch, this is called the "harde g" or "hard g". South of the Rhine and Waal rivers, the pronunciation shifts to a palatal fricative, or a "soft g" - a less common sound, used in only a few percent of world languages.

Pronunciation
Dutch has some vowel sounds that are not known in many other languages so they may be hard to learn.

Short vowels

 * a 'ah' : /ɑ/ : like 'a' in "calm", (but shorter)
 * e 'ay' : /ɛ/ə/ : like 'e' in "pen" or 'e' in "the" (at word endings)
 * i 'ee' : /ɪ/ : like 'i' in "pin"
 * o 'oh' : /ɔ/ : like 'o' in "fork"
 * oe : /u/ : like 'oo' in "too" (but shorter)
 * u 'ueh' : /ʊ/ : like 'u' in "shut"
 * y 'GHREEK-suh ay' ("Greek Y") / 'IHP-see-lon' ("ypsilon") / 'EE-greg' : /ɪ/i/ : like 'i' in "like" or 'ee' in "deep"

Long vowels

 * a, aa : /aː/ : like 'aa' in "Afrikaans"
 * e, ee : /eː/ : like 'a' in "day" (without pronouncing the 'y'-sound at the end, something in between bed & team)
 * eu : /ɜː/ : similar to 'e' in "mercy"
 * ie : /iː/ : like 'ea' in "sea"
 * o, oo : /oː/ : like 'o' in "ago" (without pronouncing the 'w'-sound at the end)
 * oe : /uː/ : like 'oo' in "too"
 * u, uu : /yː/ : like 'ü' in German "München"

Diphthongs

 * au, ou : /aʊ/ : like 'ow' in "how"
 * eeuw : /eːu/ : like 'a' in "day" and substituting the 'y'-sound at the end with a 'w'-sound
 * ei, ij 'KHOR-tuh ay' ("short ei"), 'LANG-uh ay' ("long ij") : /ɛɪ/ : doesn't exist in English, but somewhat resembles the 'y' in "my"
 * In outdated contexts (before World War II), these were also written as 'ey' or 'y'.

 * ieuw : /iːu/ : like 'ea' in "sea" followed by a 'w'-sound
 * ui : /ɜːu/ : like 'i' in "sir" followed by a 'w'-sound.
 * ië, eë: Not a dipthong but can be mistaken for one. Any ë indicates that this is where the word breaks up. The ë is the first letter of the new syllable. For example:
 * Bel·gi·ë :(bal-GHEE-yuh) - Belgium
 * I·dee·ën :(EE-day-un) - Ideas

Consonants

 * b 'bay' : /b/ : like 'b' in "bed"
 * c 'say' : /k/s/ : like 'c' in "can" (k) or the 'c' in "certain" (s)
 * ch : /x/ : like 'ch' in Scottish "loch"
 * d 'day' : /d/ : like 'd' in "do"
 * f 'eff' : /f/ : like 'f' in "feel"
 * g 'ghey' : /ɣ/ : voiced 'ch'-sound
 * h 'haa' : /h/ : like 'h' in "have"
 * j 'yay' : /j/ : like 'y' in "you"
 * k 'khah' : /k/ : like 'k' in "kilo"
 * l 'el' : /l/ : like 'l' in "low"
 * m 'am' : /m/ : like 'm' in "man"
 * n 'an' : /n/ : like 'n' in "no"; often dropped at the end of words
 * p 'pay' : /p/ : like 'p' in "pet"
 * q 'kuuh' : /k/ : like 'q' in "quick"
 * r 'ehr' : /ʁ/ : similar to 'r' in "row" but from the back of the throat, like the French 'r'.
 * s 'ess' : /s/ : like 's' in "say"
 * sj : /ʃ/ : like 'sh' in "she"
 * t 'tay' : /t/ : like 't' in "top"
 * v 'vay' : /v/ : like 'v' in "vein"
 * w 'wey' : /ʋ/ : no equivalent in English; somewhere between and English "v" and "w"
 * x 'iks' : /ks/ : like 'x' in "axe"
 * y 'GHREEK-suh ay' ("Greek Y") / 'IHP-see-lon' ("ypsilon") : /j/ : like 'y' in "yes"
 * z 'zed' : /z/ : like 'z' in "zoo"

Basics

 * Hello. : Hallo. (HAH-low)
 * How are you? : Hoe maakt u het? (hoo MAHKT uu hut?)
 * How are you? (informal, used in almost every situation): Hoe gaat het? (hoo GAHT hut?)
 * Fine, thank you. : Goed, dank u. (GOOT dahnk uu)
 * Fine, thank you. (informal): Goed, dank je. (GOOT dahnk yuh)
 * What is your name? : Hoe heet u? (hoo HAYT uu?)
 * What is your name? (informal):Hoe heet je? (hoo HAYT yuh?), or Wat is jouw naam? (wat is yow NAHM?)
 * My name is ______ . : Mijn naam is ______ . (meyn NAHM is _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : Aangenaam kennis te maken. (AHN-guh-nahm KEH-nis tuh MAH-kun)
 * Aangenaam. (AHN-guh-nahm)

 * Please. : (formal) Alstublieft. (AHL-stuu-BLEEFT)
 * (informal) Alsjeblieft. (AHL-syuh-BLEEFT)

 * Thank you. : (formal) Dank u. (DAHNK uu)
 * (informal) Dank je. (DAHNK yuh)

Most of the time in Dutch, people will say "alstublieft" when they give you something; before that, you say "dank je": "alstublieft" also means You're welcome.
 * You're welcome. : Graag gedaan. (GRAHG guh-DAHN)
 * No problem. : Geen probleem. (GAYN pro-BLAYM)
 * Yes. : Ja. (YAH)
 * No. : Nee. (NAY)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Mag ik even uw aandacht? (mahg ick AY-vuhn uuw AHN-daght?)
 * Pardon (PAR-don)

 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Sorry. (SOH-ree)
 * I'm sorry. : Het spijt me. (het SPAYT muh)
 * Sorry. (SOH-ree)

 * Goodbye : Tot ziens. (TOT seens)
 * I can't speak Dutch. : Ik spreek geen Nederlands. (ick SPRAYK gayn NAY-dur-lahnts)
 * I can't speak Dutch well. : Ik spreek niet goed Nederlands. (ick SPRAYK neet goot NAY-dur-lahnts)
 * I only speak English. : Ik spreek alleen maar Engels. (ick SPRAYK a-LAYN mahr ANG-uls)
 * Do you speak English? : Spreekt u Engels? (SPRAYKT uu ENG-uls?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Spreekt hier iemand Engels? (SPRAYKT heer EE-mahnt ENG-uls?)
 * Help! : Help! (HEHLP!)
 * Good morning. : Goedemorgen. (GOO-duh-MORE-gun)
 * Good afternoon. : Goedemiddag. (GOO-duh-MIH-dahgh)
 * Good evening. : Goedenavond. (Goo-duh-NAH-vunt)
 * Good night. : Goedenavond. (Goo-duh-NAH-vunt)
 * Good night (to sleep) : Slaap lekker. (SLAHP LECK-uhr)
 * I don't understand. : Ik begrijp het niet. (ick buh-GRAYP hut neet)
 * Where is the toilet? : Waar is het toilet? (wahr is hut twah-LET?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : Laat me met rust. (LAHT muh met RUST)
 * Don't touch me! : Blijf van me af! (BLEYF van muh AHF!)
 * I'll call the police. : Ik roep de politie. (ick ROOP duh poh-LEET-see)
 * Police! : Politie! (poh-LEET-see!)
 * Stop! Thief! : Stop! Dief! (STOP! DEEF!)
 * I need your help. : Ik heb uw hulp nodig. (ick HEP uu HULP noh-duhg)
 * It's an emergency. : Het is een noodgeval. (hut IS uhn NOWT-guh-vahl)
 * I'm lost. : Ik ben verdwaald. (ick BEN vuhr-DWAHLT)
 * I lost my bag. : Ik heb mijn bagage verloren. (ick HEP meyn bah-GHAH-zhuh vuhr-LOH-run)
 * I lost my wallet. : Ik heb mijn portemonnee verloren. (ick HEP meyn por-tuh-mon-NAY vuhr-LOH-run)
 * I'm sick. : Ik ben ziek. (ick ben ZEEK)
 * I'm injured. : Ik ben gewond. (ick ben ghuh-WONT)
 * I need a doctor. : Ik heb een dokter nodig. (ick hep uhn DOCK-tuhr no-duhg)
 * Can I use your phone? : Mag ik uw telefoon gebruiken? (MAHG ick uuw tay-luh-PHOHN ghuh-BROWK-kuhn?)
 * (There's a) fire! : (Er is) brand! ((uhr is) BRAHNT!)

Numbers

 * 1 : een (AIN)
 * 2 : twee (TWAY)
 * 3 : drie (DREE)
 * 4 : vier (VEER)
 * 5 : vijf (VAYF)
 * 6 : zes (ZEHS)
 * 7 : zeven (ZAY-vuhn)
 * 8 : acht (AHGT)
 * 9 : negen (NAY-guhn)
 * 10 : tien (TEEN)
 * 11 : elf (ELF)
 * 12 : twaalf (TWAHLF)
 * 13 : dertien (DEHR-teen)
 * 14 : veertien (VAYR-teen)
 * 15 : vijftien (VAYF-teen)
 * 16 : zestien (ZEHS-teen)
 * 17 : zeventien (ZAY-vuhn-teen)
 * 18 : achttien (AHGT-teen)
 * 19 : negentien (NAY-guhn-teen)
 * 20 : twintig (TWIN-tuhg / TWIN-teeg)
 * 21 : eenentwintig (AIN-uhn-TWIN-tuhg / AIN-uhn-TWIN-teeg)
 * 22 : tweeëntwintig (TWAY-uhn-TWIN-tuhg / TWAY-uhn-TWIN-teeg)
 * 23 : drieentwintig (DREE-uhn-TWIN-tuhg / DREE-uhn-TWIN-teeg)
 * 30 : dertig (DEHR-tuhg / DEHR-teeg)
 * 40 : veertig (VAYR-tuhg / VAYR-teeg)
 * 50 : vijftig (VAYF-tuhg / VAYF-teeg)
 * 60 : zestig (ZEHS-tuhg / ZEHS-teeg)
 * 70 : zeventig (ZAY-vuhn-tuhg / ZAY-vuhn-teeg)
 * 80 : tachtig (TAHG-tuhg / TAHG-teeg)
 * 90 : negentig (NAY-guhn-tuhg / NAY-guhn-teeg)
 * 100 : honderd (HON-duhrt)
 * 200 : tweehonderd (TWAY-hon-duhrt)
 * 300 : driehonderd (DREE-hon-duhrt)
 * 1000 : duizend (DIGH-zuhnt)
 * 2000 : tweeduizend (TWAY-digh-zuhnt)
 * 1,000,000 : een miljoen (uhn mil-YOON)
 * 1,000,000,000 : een miljard (uhn mil-YART)
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : een biljoen (uhn bil-YOON)
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : nummer _____ (NUHM-muhr)
 * half : de helft (duh HELFT)
 * less : minder (MIN-duhr)
 * more : meer (MAYR)

Time

 * before : voor (VOHR)
 * now : nu (NUU)
 * later : later (LAH-tuhr)

 * morning : ochtend (OHG-tuhnt)
 * afternoon : middag (MID-dahg)
 * evening : avond (AH-vuhnt)
 * night : nacht (NAHGT)

Clock time

 * one o'clock (when AM/PM are obvious): een uur (AIN uuhr)
 * two o'clock (when AM/PM are obvious): twee uur (TWAY uuhr)
 * one o'clock AM (up to five): een uur 's nachts (AIN uuhr snahgts)
 * six o'clock AM (up to eleven): zes uur 's ochtends (ZEHS uuhr SOGH-tunds)
 * noon : tussen de middag (TUHS-suhn duh MID-dahg)
 * one o'clock PM (up to five): een uur 's middags (AIN uuhr SMID-dahgs)
 * six o'clock PM (up to eleven): zes uur 's avonds (ZEHS uuhr SAH-fonds)
 * midnight : middernacht (MID-duhr-nahgt)
 * a quarter past two (2 : 15) : kwart over twee (kwahrt OH-fur TWAY)
 * a quarter to four (3 : 45) : kwart voor vier (kwahrt VOHR veer)
 * half past nine (9 : 30) : half tien (HEHLF teen)

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : _____ minuut (min-UUHT) / minuten (min-UUHT-uhn)
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ uur (UUHR) / uren (UUHr-uhn)
 * _____ day(s) : _____ dag (DAHG) / dagen (DAH-ghun)
 * _____ week(s) : _____ week (WAKE) / weken (WAKE-uhn)
 * _____ month(s) : _____ maand (MAHNT) / maanden (MAHN-duhn)
 * _____ year(s) : _____ jaar (YAHR) / jaren (YAH-ruhn)

Days

 * the day before yesterday : eergisteren (EAR-ghis-tuh-ruhn)
 * yesterday : gisteren (GHIS-tuh-ruhn)
 * today : vandaag (vahn-DAHG)
 * tomorrow : morgen (MORE-ghun)
 * the day after tomorrow : overmorgen (O-vuhr-more-ghun)

 * last week : vorige week (VOH-ruh-ghuh WAKE)
 * this week : deze week (DAY-zuh WAKE)
 * next week : volgende week (VOL-ghun-duh WAKE)

 * Monday : maandag (MAHN-dahg)
 * Tuesday : dinsdag (DINSS-dahg)
 * Wednesday : woensdag (WOONS-dahg)
 * Thursday : donderdag (DON-duhr-dahg)
 * Friday : vrijdag (VRAY-dahg)
 * Saturday : zaterdag (ZAH-tuhr-dahg)
 * Sunday : zondag (ZON-dahg)

Months

 * January : januari (jahn-uu-AH-ree)
 * February : februari (fay-bruu-AH-ree)
 * March : maart (MAHRT)
 * April : april (ah-PRIL)
 * May : mei (MAY)
 * June : juni (YUU-nee)
 * July : juli (YUU-lee)
 * August : augustus (ow-GHUS-tus)
 * September : september (sep-TEM-buhr)
 * October : oktober (ock-TOW-buhr)
 * November : november (no-VEM-buhr)
 * December : december (day-SEM-buhr)

Colours

 * black : zwart (ZWAHRT)
 * white : wit (WHIT)
 * gray : grijs (GREYS)
 * red : rood (ROWT)
 * blue : blauw (BLAW)
 * yellow : geel (GHAYL)
 * green : groen (GHROON)
 * orange : oranje (oh-RAHN-yuh)
 * purple : paars (PAHRS), purper (PUHR-puhr)
 * brown : bruin (BRUYN)

Bus and Train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : Hoeveel kost een ticket naar _____? (HOO-vale cost uhn TICK-et nahr _____) or alternatively, Hoe duur is een ticket naar ___? (hoo duhr is uhn TICK-et nahr _____)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : Een ticket naar _____, alstublieft. (uhn TICK-et nahr _____, AHL-stuu-BLEEFT)
 * A one-way ticket, please. : Enkele reis, graag. (ANG-kuh-luh reyss ghrahg)
 * A round trip, please. : {Flanders} Heen-en-terug, graag (HAYN-an-trugh ghrahg)
 * {Netherlands} Een retourtje, graag (uhn ruh-TOUR-tyuh, ghrahg)

 * Where does this train/bus go? : Waar gaat deze trein/bus heen? (WAHR ghaht day-zuh treyn/bus HAYN)
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : Waar is de trein/bus naar _____? (WAHR iss duh treyn/bus nahr _____)
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Stopt deze trein/bus in _____? (STOPT day-zuh treyn/bus in _____)
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Wanneer vertrekt de trein/bus naar _____? (won-NAYR vur-trekt duh treyn/bus nahr _____)
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Wanneer komt deze trein/bus aan in _____? (won-NAYR come-t day-zuh treyn/bus ahn in _____)

Directions

 * How do I get to ... ? : Hoe kom ik bij ... ? (HOO kum ick bey)
 * ...the train station? : ...het (trein)station? (hut (TREHYN-)stah-SYON)
 * ...the bus station? : ...het busstation? (hut BUS-stah-SYON)
 * ...the airport? : ...de luchthaven? (duh LUGHT-hah-vuhn)
 * ...downtown? : ...het centrum? (hut CEN-trum)
 * ...the youth hostel? : ...de jeugdherberg? (duh YEUGHT-hayr-behrgh)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ...het _____ hotel? (hut _____ hoh-TELL)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...het Amerikaans/Canadees/Australisch/Brits consulaat? (hut ah-may-ree-KAHNS/kah-nah-DAYS/OW-STRAH-lees/BRITS con-suu-LAHT)
 * Where are there a lot of ... : Waar zijn er veel ... (WAHR zayn er VAYL)
 * ...hotels? : ...hotels? (hoh-TELLS)
 * ...restaurants? : ...restaurants? (res-tow-RAHNTS)
 * ...bars? : ...bars? (BAHRS)
 * ...sites to see? : ...bezienswaardigheden? (buh-zeens-WAHR-dugh-hay-duhn)
 * Can you show me on the map? : Kunt u mij dat op de kaart tonen? (KUNT uu may daht op duh KAHRT TOW-nuhn)
 * street : straat (STRAHT)
 * Turn left. : Sla links af. (slah LINKS ahf)
 * Turn right. : Sla rechts af. (slah REGHTS ahf)
 * left : links (LINKS)
 * right : rechts (REGHTS)
 * straight ahead : rechtdoor (REGH-dore)
 * towards the _____ : naar _____ (NAHR)
 * richting ______ (righ-ting)

 * past the _____ : na de/het _____ (NAH duh/hut)
 * voorbij (VORE-bye)

 * before the _____ : voor de/het _____ (VORE duh/hut)
 * Watch for the _____. : Kijk uit voor de/het _____. (keyk IGHT vore duh/hut)
 * intersection : kruispunt (KRUYSS-punt)
 * traffic lights : verkeerslichten (var-kehrs-LIGH-tun)
 * roundabout : {Netherlands} rotonde (ROH-ton-duh)
 * {Flanders} rondpunt (ROHND-puhnt)

 * north : noorden (NOHR-duhn)
 * south : zuiden (ZIGH-duhn)
 * east : oosten (OHS-tuhn)
 * west : westen (WES-tuhn)
 * uphill : bergop (bayr-GHOP)
 * downhill : bergaf (bayr-GHAHF)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : Taxi! (TAK-see)
 * Take me to _____, please. : Breng me naar _____, alstublieft. (BRANG muh nahr .... ALS tuu BLEEFT)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : Wat kost het om naar _____ te gaan? (WATT KOST uht om nahr _____ tuh GHAHN)
 * Take me there, please. : Breng me erheen, alstublieft. (BRANG muh er-HAYN, ALS tuu BLEEFT)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : Heeft u kamers vrij? (hayft uu KAH-murs vraiy)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : Hoeveel kost een eenpersoonskamer/tweepersoonskamer? (HOO-vale kost uhn ANE-pur-sones-kah-mur/TWAY-pur-sones-kah-mur)
 * Does the room come with bedsheets : Zijn er lakens in de kamer? (zaiyn uhr LAH-kuns in duh KAH-mur)
 * Does the room come with... : Is er een ... in de kamer? (is uhr uhn ... in duh KAH-mur)
 * ...a bathroom? : ...een badkamer (...uhn BAHT-kah-mur)
 * ...a telephone? : ...een telefoon (...uhn tay-lay-FONE)
 * ...a TV? : ...een TV (...uhn tay-VAY)
 * May I see the room first? : Mag ik de kamer eerst zien? (Magh ick ayrst duh KAH-mur zene)
 * Do you have anything quieter? : Heeft u iets rustigers? (hayft uu eets RUSS-tih-ghur)
 * Do you have anything bigger? : Heeft u een grotere kamer? (hayft uu uhn GHROH-turr-uh KAH-mur)
 * Do you have anything cleaner? : Heeft u een schonere kamer? (hayft uu uhn SGHO-nuh-ruh KAH-mur)
 * Do you have anything cheaper? : Heeft u een goedkopere kamer? (hayft uu uhn ghoot-KOWE-pur-uh KAH-mur)
 * OK, I'll take it. : Goed, ik neem deze. (ghoot ick name DAY-zuh)
 * Akkoord. (AH-cohrd)

 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : Ik blijf _____ nacht(en). (ick blaiyf _____ naght(uhn))
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : Kan u mij een ander hotel aanraden? (Kan uu maiy uhn ahn-DUR howe-TEL AHN-rah-dun)
 * Do you have a safe? : Heeft u een kluis? (hayft uu uhn kluys)
 * ...lockers? : ...baggagekastjes? (bah-GHAH-zuh-kass-tyus)
 * ...lockers? (LOCK-kurs)

 * Is breakfast/supper included? : Is het ontbijt/avondeten inbegrepen? (is hut ont-BAIYT/AH-vund-ay-tun IN-buh-gray-pun)
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : Hoe laat is het ontbijt/avondeten? (hoo laht is hut ont-BAIYT/AH-vund-ay-tun)
 * Please clean my room. : Kunt u mijn kamer schoonmaken? (kunt uu maiyn KAH-mur SGHONE-mah-kun)
 * Can you wake me at _____? : Kunt u mij wekken om _____? (kunt uu maiy WEH-kun om _____)
 * I want to check out. : Ik wil vertrekken. (ick wil vur-TRECK-un)
 * Ik wil uitchecken. (ick wil uyt-CHACK-kun)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Kan ik met Amerikaanse/Australische/Canadese dollars betalen? (kahn ick met ah-MAY-ree-kahn-suh/aus-TRAH-lee-shuh/cah-NAH-day-suh DOH-lars buh-TAH-lun)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Kan ik met Britse ponden betalen? (kahn ick met BRIT-suh PON-dun buh-TAH-lun)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : {Flanders} Kan ik met een kredietkaart betalen? (kahn ick met uhn kray-DEET-kahrt buh-TAH-lun)
 * {Netherlands} Kan ik met een credit card betalen? (kahn ick met uhn KREH-dit kart buh-TAH-lun)

 * Can you change money for me? : Kan u geld wisselen? (kahn uu ghelt WIS-suh-lun)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Waar kan ik geld wisselen? (wahr kahn ick ghelt WIS-suh-lun)
 * Can you change a traveler's cheque for me? : Kan u een traveller's check wisselen? (kahn uu uhn TREH-vuh-lurs chek WIS-uh-lun)
 * Where can I get a traveler's cheque changed? : Waar kan ik een traveller's check wisselen? (wahr kahn ick uhn TREH-vuh-lurs chek WIS-uh-lun)
 * What is the exchange rate? : Wat is de wisselkoers? (wat is duh WIS-ul-koors)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Waar vind ik een geldautomaat? (wahr vint ick uhn GHELT-oh-toh-maht)
 * {Netherlands} Waar kan ik geld pinnen / opnemen? (wahr kahn ick GHELT pin-nan / op-NAY-mun)
 * {Netherlands} Waar is hier ergens een Geldmaat ? (wahr is heer air-GHUNS ayn GHELD-maht)
 * {Flanders} Is hier ergens een BancContact MisterCash ?

Eating
Potatoes
 * A table for one person/two people, please. : Een tafel voor een/twee alstublieft. (uhn TAH-fuhl vore ane/tway ALS-tuu-bleeft)
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : Mag ik het menu, alstublieft? (magh ick hut muh-NUU ALS-tuu-bleeft)
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Mag ik de keuken zien, alstublieft? (magh ick duh KOY-kun zene ALS-tuu-bleeft)
 * Is there a house specialty? : Is er een specialiteit van het huis? (is uhr uhn SPAY-sha-lee-taiyt vahn hut huys)
 * Is there a local specialty? : Serveert u streekgerechten? (SERR-vayrt uu STRAKE-guh-regh-tun)
 * I'm a vegetarian/vegan.: Ik ben vegetariër/veganist. (ick ben VAY-ghu-tah-ree-uhr/VAY-gah-nist)
 * I don't eat pork. : Ik eet geen varkensvlees. (ick ate ghane VAR-kuns-vlase)
 * I only eat kosher food. : Ik eet alleen koosjer voedsel. (ick ate AHL-ane KOH-shur VOOT-sul)
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Een licht gerecht, alstublieft? (uhn lihght GUH-reght ALS-tuu-bleeft)
 * fixed-price meal : dagschotel (DAGH-sghow-tul)
 * à la carte : à la carte (ah lah kahrt)
 * breakfast : ontbijt (ont-BAIYT)
 * lunch : lunch (lunch)
 * tea (meal) : vieruurtje (VEER-uuhr-chuh)
 * supper : avondeten (AH-vunt-ay-tun)
 * I want _____. : Ik wil _____. (ick wil ___) (informal, but  without adding alstublieft this may sound too demanding,)
 * I would like (to) : I will graag ______ (ick wil ghraagh ___) (Formal, more polite form)
 * I want a dish containing _____. : Ik wil een gerecht met _____. (ick wil uhn GUH-reght met ______)
 * chicken : kip (kip)
 * beef : rundvlees (RUNT-vlase)
 * fish : vis (vis)
 * ham : ham (hahm)
 * sausage : worst (wohrst)
 * cheese : kaas (kahs)
 * eggs : eieren (AIY-urr-un)
 * salad : salade (sah-LAH-duh)
 * (fresh) vegetables : (verse) groenten ((VEHR-suh) GROON-tun)
 * (fresh) fruit : (vers) fruit ((vehrs) fruyt)
 * bread : brood (brote)
 * toast : toast (toast)
 * noodles : noedels (NOOH-duls)
 * rice : rijst (raiyst)
 * beans : bonen (BOW-nun):
 * May I have a glass of _____? : Mag ik een glas _____? (magh ick uhn glahs ______)
 * May I have a cup of _____? : Mag ik een kop _____? (magh ick uhn kop ________)
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : Mag ik een fles _____? (magh ick uhn fles _____)
 * coffee : koffie (coffee)
 * tea (drink) : thee (tay)
 * juice : sap (sahp)
 * (bubbly) water : spuitwater (SPUYT-wah-tuhr)
 * water : water (WAH-tuhr)
 * beer : bier (beer)
 * red/white wine : rode/witte wijn (ROH-duh/WIH-tuh waiyn)
 * May I have some _____? : Mag ik wat _____? (magh ick watt _____)
 * salt : zout (zawt)
 * black pepper : peper (PAY-pur)
 * butter : boter (BOW-tuhr)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Ober? (OH-buhr)
 * I'm finished. : Ik ben klaar. (ick ben klahr)
 * It was delicious. : Het was heel lekker. (hut wahs hale LEK-ur)
 * Please clear the plates. : Kan u afruimen. (kahn uu AF-ruy-mun)
 * The check, please. : De rekening, alstublieft. (duh RAY-kun-ing ALS-tuu-bleeft)

Aardappelen. (AHRD-ahp-puhl-uhn)

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : Serveert u alcohol? (serr-VAYRT uu AHL-co-hol)
 * Is there table service? : Heeft u bediening aan tafel? (hayft uu buh-DEE-ning ahn TAH-ful)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : Eén bier/twee bier, alstublieft. (ane beer/tway beer AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : Een glas rode/witte wijn, alstublieft. (uhn glahs roduh/wittuh waiyn AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * A pint, please. : Een pintje, alstublieft. (uhn PIN-tyuh AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * A bottle, please. : Een fles, alstublieft. (uhn fles AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : _____ (sterke drank) en _____ (aanlenging), alstublieft. (_____ en _____ AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * whiskey : whiskey (WIS-key)
 * vodka : vodka (VOT-kah)
 * rum : rum (rum)
 * water : water (WAH-tur)
 * club soda : spuitwater (SPUYT-wah-tur)
 * tonic water : tonic (tonic)
 * orange juice : sinaasappelsap (SEE-nahs-ah-pul-sahp)
 * Coke (soda) : cola (KOWE-lah)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : Heeft u snacks? (hayft uu snacks)
 * One more, please. : Nog eentje, alstublieft. (nogh ANE-tyuh AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * Another round, please. : Nog een rondje, alstublieft. (nogh uhn RON-tyuh AHLS-tuu-bleeft)
 * When is closing time? : Hoe laat is de sluitingstijd? (hoe laht is duh SLUY-ting-staiyt)
 * Whats a sweet girl/guy like you doing in a place like this? : Wat doet een lief meisje/lieve jongen als jij op een plaats als deze? (watt doot uhn leef MAIYS-yuh/lee-vuh YOUNG-un ahls jaiy op uhn plahts ahls DAY-zuh)
 * My place or yours? : Bij mij thuis, of bij jou? (baiy maiy tuys of baiy yowe)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : Heeft u dit in mijn maat? (hayft uu dit in maiyn maht)
 * How much is this? : Hoeveel kost dit? (HOO-vale kost dit)
 * That's too expensive. : Dat is te duur. (dit is tuh duhr)
 * Would you take _____? : Accepteert u _____? (ak-SEP-tare-tuu ____)
 * expensive : duur (duhr)
 * cheap : goedkoop (ghoot-KOPE)
 * I can't afford it. : Dat kan ik niet betalen. (daht kan ick neet buh-TAH-lun)
 * I don't want it. : Ik wil het niet. (ick wil hut neet)
 * You're cheating me. : U bedriegt me. (uu buh-DREEGHT muh)
 * I'm not interested. : Ik ben niet geinteresseerd. (ick ben neet guh-IN-tuh-ruh-sayrt)
 * OK, I'll take it. : OK, Ik neem het. (oh-KAY ick name hut)
 * Can I have a bag? : Heeft u een zakje voor mij? (hayft uu uhn ZAHK-yuh vohr maiy)
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : Doet u leveringen (naar het buitenland)? (doot uu LAY-vuh-ring-un (nahr hut BUY-tun-lahnt))
 * I need... : Ik heb ... nodig. (ick hap ... NOH-digh)
 * ...toothpaste. : ...tandpasta. (...TAHNT-pass-tah)
 * ...a toothbrush. : ...een tandenborstel. (...uhn TAHN-dun-bor-stull)
 * ...tampons. : ...tampons. (...TAHM-pons)
 * ...soap. : ...zeep. (zape)
 * ...shampoo. : ...shampoo. (shampoh)
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ...aspirine, pijnstiller (AHS-pee-ree-nuh, PAIYN-stih-lur)
 * ...cold medicine. : ...hoestsiroop. (...HOOST-see-rope)
 * ...stomach medicine. : ...maagtabletjes. (...MAHG-tah-blet-yus)
 * ...a razor. : ...een scheermes. (...uhn SGHARE-mes)
 * ...an umbrella. : ...een paraplu. (...uhn pah-rah-PLUU)
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ...zonnebrand. (...ZOH-nuh-brahnt)
 * ...a postcard. : ...een postkaart. (...uhn POST-kahrt)
 * ...postage stamps. : ...postzegels. (...POST-zay-guls)
 * ...batteries. : ...batterijen. (...bah-tuh-RAI-uhn)
 * ...writing paper. : ...schrijfpapier. (...SGHRAIYF-pah-peer)
 * ...a pen. : ...een pen. (...uhn pen)
 * ...English-language books. : ...engelstalige boeken. (...ANG-uls-tah-lih-ghuh BOO-kun)
 * ...English-language magazines. : ...engelstalige tijdschriften. (...ANG-uls-tah-lih-ghuh TAIYT-sghrif-tun)
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ...een engelstalige krant. (...uhn ANG-uls-tah-lih-ghuh krahnt)
 * ...a Dutch-English dictionary. : ...een Nederlands-Engels woordenboek. (...uhn NAY-dur-lahnts ANG-uls WOHR-dun-book)

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : Ik wil een auto huren. (ick wil uhn OW-toh HUU-run)
 * Can I get insurance? : kan ik een verzekering krijgen? (kahn ick uhn vur-ZAY-kuh-ring KRAIY-gun)
 * stop (on a street sign) : stop (stop)
 * one way : eenrichtingsverkeer (ANE-rihgh-ting-sfur-kare)
 * yield : geef voorrang (ghafe VOH-rahng)
 * no parking : niet parkeren (neet par-KAY-run)
 * speed limit : snelheidslimiet (SNEL-haiyts-lee-meet)
 * gas (petrol) station : tankstation (TANK-stah-shon)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : Ik heb niks verkeerd gedaan. (ick hap nix vur-KEHRT guh-DAHN)
 * It was a misunderstanding. : Het was een misverstand. (hut was uhn MIS-vur-stahnt)
 * Where are you taking me? : Waar brengt u me heen? (wahr brengt uu muh HANE)
 * Am I under arrest? : Sta ik onder arrest? (stah ick ON-dur ah-REST)
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Ik ben een Amerikaans/Australisch/Brits/Canadees staatsburger. (ick ben uhn ah-MAY-ree-kahns/ow-STRAH-lees/brits/kah-nah-DASE STAHTS-bur-ghur)
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Ik wil met de/het Amerikaanse/Australische/Britse/Canadese ambassade/consulaat spreken. (ick wil met duh/hut ah-MAY-ree-kahn-suh/ow-STRAH-lee-suh/BRIT-suh/kah-nah-DAY-suh ahm-bah-SAH-duh/kon-suh-LAHT SPRAY-kun)
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : Ik wil een advocaat spreken. (ick wil uhn AHD-voh-kaht SPRAY-kun)
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Kan ik gewoon nu een boete betalen? (kahn ick guh-WONE nuu uhn BOO-tuh buh-TAH-lun)

title: Dutch phrasebook


text:
Duval County

There is more than one place called Duval County:

United States of America

 * Duval County (Florida) - A county in Florida.
 * Duval County (Texas) - A county in Texas.

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

title: Duval County


text:
Duxbury

Duxbury is a city in Massachusetts. It is one of the wealthier communities in the South Shore region.

Get in
From Boston take I-93 south to Route 3. Route 3 passes through Duxbury with exits onto Route 14 and Route 3A.

Go next
Plymouth's attractions are just to the south. Boston and Cape Cod are well within range of day trips.

title: Duxbury


text:
Duxford

Duxford is a small village (under 2000 inhabitants) in the English county of Cambridgeshire, approximately 8 miles (13 km) south of Cambridge. It is probably best known as the location of a Second World War British and American airfield, today serving as an important branch of the Imperial War Museum.

Understand
After 1945 and the end of the war, Duxford and its airfield fell back into relative obscurity. With its employment in the making of the 1968 film The Battle of Britain, the location achieved new prominence and was purchased by the Imperial War Museum to house its aircraft collection.

By road
From London (less than 50 miles), take the M11 motorway north to Junction 10. Alternatively, routes northwards in the A1 and A10 / A505 will lead to the vicinity of Duxford - watch for signs.

By bus
A free bus service to Duxford operates when there are airshows from central Cambridge. The Citi 7 bus from Cambridge operates daily to the museum; not all buses go to the museum so ask the driver before getting on and paying.

See

 * the Battle of Britain Exhibition
 * the Battle of Britain Exhibition
 * the Battle of Britain Exhibition

Do

 * Attend one of the several air shows staged each year at Duxford.

Eat
The Imperial War Museum Duxford has a number of refreshment options, including the Runway Restaurant, a café and coffee shop/kiosk.

title: Duxford


text:
Dwarahat

Dwarahat is a city in Uttarakhand.

By bus/car
Dwarahat is well connected to the rest of the country by road. Although there is no direct rail or air link, there are enough private buses and cabs plying between Dwarahat and some of the other major towns and cities. Distance between Dwarahat and some major locations are as given below:
 * Dehradun - 484km to Lucknow - 491km
 * Haridwar - 407km to Delhi - 424km
 * Nainital - 97km to Kathgodam -118km
 * Ramnagar - 134km to Badrinath - 237km
 * Ranikhet - 38km to Almora - 49km

By rail

 * The nearest railway station is Kathgodam (90 km.) which runs trains to major towns and cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Howrah etc.

By plane

 * The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport at Nainital which is only 97 kilometers from Dwarahat and buses or cabs are easily obtained from there.

See
Though a small town, Dwarahat leaves a lasting effect on its visitors with its picturesque surroundings and religious significance. Some of the places that are a must visit for any visitor when in Dwarahat are:

Do
There are quite a few festivals that are celebrated in Dwarahat. Local temples, historical sites, and beautiful areas for treks offer many choices for visitors. Religion, dance, music and agriculture are deep influences for the people of Dwarahat.

title: Dwarahat


text:
Dwarka

Dwarka is a city and a municipality in Gujarat, India. Dwarkadish temple is one of the finest in India, and it dominates the city's small skyline. Sunset point near the Gomti river and its ghats are exceptionally beautiful at all times of day, though perhaps a little risky late at night. Though the city is challenging for the rare foreign tourist, its attractions more than make up for the difficulties faced if you are happy to spend the time getting there. Though it is a very small city, these attractions, along with city's peaceful feeling and pleasant nearby beaches, mean it is certainly worth a few nights visit.

Understand
The original Dwarka is believed to be sunken in the sea. Divers till today are researching, after finding the artifacts from the sea floor. A small island nearby is known as Bet Dwarka; you can hire a boat from Dwarka to go there. Bet Dwarka is a part mud and part sand beach. However, it's the best place for zoologists.

Due to its isolation and relatively limited accessibility by train (booking an overnight train from Ahmedabad is unattractive due to the schedule (as of 2013)), Dwarka is very rarely visited by foreign tourists. It is, however, very popular in the domestic tourist market and has some excellent attractions. Its omission from international guidebooks like Lonely Planet is a serious one.

Get in
Dwarka is 450 km from Ahmedabad. Nearby airports are at Rajkot (225 km away) and Jamnagar (121 km away). Both are served by Spicejet and Goair. The railway station is located almost 2 km from the main Temple and has direct trains to Mumbai and other cities in India.

A sleeper bus from Ahmedabad costs ₹450 per head and leaves from the highway on the outskirts of the city. It can be boarded at Patel Tours and Travels, but they may shuttle passengers (ie: an unmarked van) to the other boarding point without providing all of the details about departure times. It departs at 10:30PM and arrives in Dwarka early in the morning.

Get around
Local Municipal administration has "Dwarka Darshan" sight seeing non-AC bus facility. Twice a day: 8AM and 2PM. ₹100 per seat. Each trip takes about 5-6 hours. Booking office 1. Near Vegetable market 2. Bhadrakali chowk. This trip covers Nageshwar, Gopi Talab, Bet Dwarka and Rukshmani Temple.

See
Most importantly, Dwarkadhish mandir sits at the heart of this small city.

There are a lot of places around Dwarka which can be covered in a single day. There are local taxis which are available which would help you to visit them. The major ones covered are:

 * Nageshwar Temple - This is also one of the prominent Jyotirlingas and it is at around 8 km from Dwarka.
 * Gopi Talav - This is the place where Lord Krishna used to play with his Gopikas. There is a small pond where it is said that Lord Krishna used to play with the Gopika Strees (Gopika Women).
 * Hanuman Mandir - This is also in the Bet Dwarka where Hanuman fought with his son Makaradhwaja. To cover this place, it is advised to start as early as 7AM as this is lonely place and a rickshaw has to be hired to visit this place.
 * The Light House - Light House is famous place at sea-coast of Dwarka. One can enjoy complete silence sitting at the sea coast. Behind the Light House, there is a huge cave below the coast naturally created by striking of sea water. One can watch fishermen catching fishes in the midst of Ocean in complete silence. There is also a small Ganesh temple behind the Light House.

All these places are at an approximate radius of 80 km from Dwarka and the taxis normally charge ₹600 (per half day) for this. This cost does not cover the boat charges as well as other entry taxes applicable and the visit to Hanuman Temple at Bet Dwarka.

There are few other temples like Gayatri Shakti Peeth, ISKCON, Geeta mandir, Siddeshwar Mahadev, Bhadrakali temple, Bhadkeshwar temple. One can hire an auto for ₹20-30 per seat to see these places which are within 2-3 km radius. Bhadkeshwar temple is a "must see" as this place is almost surrounded by sea.

Panchtirth is on the other side of Gomti river. There are 5 small (2 feet x 3 feet) wells within 500 m range. Water of each well has different taste. Water is not salty though there is sea surrounding this area.

Do

 * Take a plunge into Gomti river, adjacent to Dwarkadhish Temple. Its really refreshing. Salty water? - Don't bother, you can have fresh water bath at nearby private bathing facilities or its good if your lodge is nearby this river.
 * Visit the Dwarkadheesh Temple which is also called as the Jagat Mandir. Enter temple through river side which has 52 steps. Electronic items are not allowed inside temple. Join people if you find them chanting "Dwarkadhish ki Jai" "Nand gher anand bhayo, Jai kanhayya lal ki". You may get help from the official guides (wearing ID cards) who will explain the significance of structure and temples. You need not pay them anything.
 * Note the dress colour of the main deity. It will be white on Friday, blue on Saturday (7 colours for 7 days of a week) Look for the colour of the flag. Not surprising to see someone changing the flag. It is changed 5 times a day.
 * Join the young Brahman students reciting "Shri Vishnu sahashsranama" in the morning. Don't miss the Aarti.
 * Hire a boat to cross Gomti River (₹10 per seat). If you are lucky, and its low-tide you can walk and cross river with knee deep water.

Buy
Pay ₹25 at the temple counter and buy prasadam which was offered to God.

Decorative items made from marine shells.

Vendors around the temple offer purses/bags, clothes, food items, and items for Deity worship at home. Check quality of items. Usually you should bargain.

Eat
The eating options at Dwarka are severely limited. Most hotels serve Gujarati thalis of varying quality and freshness.

Arti Restaurant near Dwarikadheesh Temple serves good food. Sharanam near Bhadrakali chowk is good AC restaurant with reasonable price. Depend on 5-6 small restaurants or Roadside Dhabhas/ eatouts also available.

Kant, in Badrakali Chowk, serves good food in both its upper and lower dining halls. The lower floor is for breakfast (Aloo Parantha along with idlis and dosas) and hot Gujarati Thalis for lunch and dinner. The upper floor is a multi-cuisine restaurant with very friendly staff. Its kitchen was hygienic as of December 2013.

Drink
Alcohol is prohibited in Dwarka. Do not expect any place to serve Alcohol here. Drink Hot Milk at Night at Shyam-Sunder Milk Parlor near Dwarikadheesh Temple.

Sleep
Many small, medium, budget lodges at walking distance from temple. 2-3 Luxury hotels also.

Many Dharmashalas available if you are travelling in group. May charge ₹25-50 per person.

 * Hotel Dwarkesh is budget hotel - 5 minutes walk. Telephonic booking in 2-3 days advance.
 * Hotel City Palace, Dwarka. 5 minutes walk from Dwarkadheesh temple.

Connect
To get more information about the Temple, you may contact the Administrator, Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka. . Hours: 9AM to 1PM and 3PM to 6:10PM on all the working days except public holidays.

Stay safe
Outside Dwarkadeesh temple, people claiming to be priests (who may or may not bother dressing for the part) may tell foreign tourists that they need to hand over their passports and complete forms to enter the temple and further suggest that they will get VIP treatment if they do so. This is utterly misleading! There are no restrictions on foreigners entering the temple and most certainly no paperwork necessary. The only restriction is the usual shoes and no electronic equipment allowed inside (There is a counter where you can check in electronics. If you try to hide a cell phone and security finds it, you will fined ₹1000.) Presumably if you take outsiders up on the offer for VIP treatment, you will find your passport has disappeared once you leave the temple. As a best case scenario, their holding of your passport will merely give them the upper hand when demanding payment for a mediocre and unnecessary tour.

Go next
Don't rely much on state bus. The state bus station officers does not have information on incoming and out going buses. The tea shops outside bus station has much better info.

Sleeper buses operate to Ahmdebad, Vadodara, Surat and Diu and can be booked in advance online or on relatively short notice from the travel agents near Badrakali Chowk. The rail network is more limited, though generally safer, more pleasant and easier to actually sleep on.

Hiring Car from dwarka is the best option if you want to visit near by place like Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Somnath, Diu, Sasan gir. There is also one train available from Dwaraka if you want to visit Somnath Temple.

title: Dwarka


text:
Dwight

Dwight is a city in Central Illinois.

title: Dwight


text:
Dyer

Dyer is a small city in Lake County, Indiana.

Get in

 * Route stopping in Dyer:
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.

Eat

 * Beggars' Pizza

title: Dyer


text:
Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve

Dzanga Sangha National Reserve is in Southwest Region of the Central African Republic.

Understand
The park is entirely covered in lowland rainforest and is situated adjacent to the Sangha River — a major tributary of the Congo River. Together with Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of the Congo and Lobéké National Park in Cameroon they constitute the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sangha Trinational.

Flora and fauna
Large mammals include the western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongo, giant forest hog, red river hog, chimpanzee, a host of monkey species, sitatungas and a number of duiker species.

Get in
Travel within Central Africa is not as scary as it sounds but it is within Central Africa where you will find Africa in its raw form, completely uncommercialised or changed by modern tourism and most outside influences.

From Bangui: Travel down to Bayanga by car from Bangui is one of the many routes to get to Dzanga Sangha and Sangha Lodge. Vehicles can be hired with drivers from one of several operators in Bangui. A stopover at N'gotto, a national park project with very comfortable accommodation at Encampment Le Buffel Rouge, is recommended. The trip can be done in one very long day's driving and with an early departure from Bangui in good conditions you can easily arrive before dark. It is also possible to charter a small aircraft from Bangui to Bayanga, approximately 1 hour's flight and cost dependent on the aircraft size are from $3500. Aircraft charters must be arranged well prior to your expected dates of departure. Approximate prices for aircraft rental for two trips (one to drop off, one to pick up, unless you plan to stay for less than a day):
 * Aéroclub Bangui M’Poko (centrafair@yahoo.fr)—€1830 (1 200 000 FCFA), Cessna 182 with 3 seats
 * MINAIR (Tel. 00236 610091)
 * Cessna with 5 seats: €4300 (2 820 000 FCFA)
 * Cessna 404 with 9 seats: €5500 (3 600 000 FCFA)
 * Dornier Do 288 with 18 seats: Available on demand

From Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo: it is possible to fly from Brazzaville to Ouesso in the north of the country on a scheduled Trans-Air Congo flight, and from there with the proper prior arrangements the Sangha lodge boat can collect you and transfer you upriver to the lodge. This is our most popular route for this trip.

From Yaounde or Douala, in Cameroon: it is possible to travel overland with a stopover in the towns of Bertoua and Yakadouma to Lebongo on the Sangha river where with prior arrangement the Sangha lodge boat can collect you and transfer you upriver to the lodge.

From Libreville in Gabon: it is possible to charter a plane directly to Bayanga, or to Ouesso and from there transfer to Bayanga By the Sangha Lodge Pirogue.

Fees/ and permits
Cost of activities (July 2011-June 2013)

Park activities
 * National Park entrance fees,	 €30/person per day
 * Visit to forest elephants at Dsangha Bai,   €60/person
 * Gorilla tracking,	         €300/person
 * Agile Mangabey tracking,	 €15/person
 * Saline tour,	                 €30/person
 * Pirogue ride on the Sangha, €40/canoe (max. 3 people)
 * Water drumming,                  €10/person

Community activities
 * Net hunting with the Ba'aka,	              €35/person
 * Traditional Ba'aka/Bantu music and dancing,   €35/person
 * Crossbow hunting with the Ba'aka,	      €20/person
 * Medicinal plant collecting with the Ba'aka,   €20/person
 * Cooking with Ba'aka women,	 €20/person
 * Construction of leaf huts with Ba'aka,        €20/person

Vehicle hire
 * 4x4 incl. driver & fuel (up to 100km)
 * Half day:  €75/vehicle
 * Full day:  €150/vehicle
 * Over 100km: €1/km

Get around
4X4 vehicles can be rented from a host of small, independent operators in Bayanga. The average cost is around €100 per day which includes a driver, but excludes fuel. Fees for vehicle hire in the park are listed above.

Pirogues (small motorised wooden boats) can be rented from Sangha Lodge for travel to and from either Cameroon or the Republic Of Congo.

Do

 * Gorilla tracking—Walk through the jungle accompanied by an international team of researchers on the trail of Western Lowland Gorillas
 * Agile Mangabey tracking—Walk through the jungle to observe a troupe of Agile Mangabeys, a poorly understood species of monkey with a vast vocal repertoire
 * Observing Forest Elephants—Walk through the jungle to a large clearing where dozens of elusive forest elephants (one of the rarest species of elephant) can be observed from an elevated platform.
 * Saline tours—Follow elephant paths through the jungle to clearings and salines where a large number of forest residents can be seen (elephants, buffalo, sitatunga, bongos, monkeys, and more.
 * Pirogue ride—Take a ride along the Sangha River in a dugout canoe (pirogue) and enjoy the park from a different, tranquil perspective. On some trips, you will meander through swamps to palm trees and watch as palm wine is extracted.

Ba'aka activities
 * Net hunting—Accompany pygmies on a hunt through the jungle for small animals. Collect leaves and plants to make delicious sauces back at their camp to accompany the day's catch, cooked up over an open fire.
 * Collect medicinal plant—Accompany a group of pygmy women through the jungle to collect medicinal plants. Learn the secrets of the forest, passed down for millennia of Bantu women, as you search for leaves to press for sap or roll to apply various medicines to the eyes or ear.
 * Music & dance—Spend an evening of singing and dance with a Ba'aka tribe.

Drink
Palm wine, a local speciality, is available at local bars.

Lodging
There are 2 lodges:

Sangha Lodge is on the banks of the Sangha river in the heart of the forest, and is a quiet and relaxing camp from which to base yourself. reservations@sanghalodge.com

Doli Lodge, far larger, is adjacent to the village of Bayanga. It is ideal for those who like to visit the local villages. The kitchen sometimes features a buffet of tasty African dishes.

Stay safe
Contrary to all accounts of travel in Central African Republic, there have been no serious threats to safety of travelers in the Dzangha-Sangha National Reserve. As of Feb 2023, the national park is under control of government forces, although caution should be taken if traveling in by road from Bangui.

title: Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve


text:
Dzūkija

Dzūkija or Dainava is one of the five "cultural regions" of Lithuania, in the south of the country bordering Belarus. This region is ill-defined, so on these pages it's taken as Vilnius city and county plus Alytus county.

Cities

 * is the attractive capital of Lithuania.
 * is a scenic village with an island castle.
 * on the Belarus border has a restored castle.
 * is industrial but has two 19th century churches.
 * is a resort town ringed by lakes.
 * is a historic spa for its salty springs.
 * is the centre of Europe by some measures, and a point on Struve Geodetic Arc.
 * is industrial, with little to interest a visitor.

Other destinations

 * contains the largest forest and swamp in the country, dunes, and hidden villages. There's no accommodation, visitors day-trip from Vilnius or Kaunas, both 100 km away. South is Čepkeliai Marsh, and this section along the border with Belarus is closed to visitors.
 * — Former Lithuanian capital at the bank of the river Neris and now a well-preserved archaeological site that is inscribed on the.
 * is a village almost surrounded by Belarus but linked by Highway 104. This "appendix" is a quiet place of farms, forests and wooden houses. Its other lanes end blind at the border: for the nearest crossing back-track to Šalčininkai, which stands on A15 towards Grodno.

Understand
Lithuania is divided into five "cultural regions", ten counties (apskritys) and 60 municipalities (savivaldybės). The five regions are ill-defined but are said to have distinct cultural characteristics, which for Dzūkija means a light sandy soil with limited agriculture but lots of lakes and forests, and a significant Polish population. Its northern part is the cradle of Lithuanian statehood and includes the current capital Vilnius, and two medieval capitals Kernavė and Trakai.

For the sake of clarity this page hews to the county boundaries of Vilnius and Alytus; neither regions nor counties have any administrative function. That means it includes the city of Vilnius, which as the cosmopolitan capital is culturally distinct, and the town of Ukmergė.

Talk
As elsewhere in Lithuania, the official language is Lithuanian. However Polish is widely used in this region as it has a large Polish population - it was captured by Poland in 1921, so the capital re-located for some years to Kaunas.

People in the service sector in Vilnius often speak good English, that's less common further out.

Get in
Vilnius is the transport hub for the entire country. Its airport is six km south of the city and has flights from across Europe, many by budget carriers.

You could also fly into Kaunas and take the direct bus to Vilnius.

Trains converge on Vilnius from all quarters: from Kaunas they run hourly and take 90 min. From Poland a daily train runs from Kraków via Warsaw, Białystok and Kaunas to Vilnius. The train from Riga was restored in 2023, running daily, though the line from Latvia via Daugavpils remains closed. Trains from Minsk and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad are suspended, but it's still possible to cross those borders by bus.

Flixbus is the main long distance bus line, and Kautra the main domestic inter-city line.

Get around
You need your own car to see much of this region. Highways radiate from Vilnius and are in good condition, well-signposted and toll-free. Winter driving can be challenging.

Bus routes follow the main highways. Railways have withered south of Vilnius because historically they crossed into Belarus, and closed when that became a "hard" border. One exception is Trakai, but the train from Vilnius is less frequent than the bus, and the station is further from the village sights.

See

 * Vilnius old town is outstanding and needs a few days to explore. It's baroque, and listed as a.
 * Užupis is a wacky eastern district of Vilnius that has declared itself a separate republic, more rive gauche than a micro-Transnistria.
 * Trakai has a gorgeous castle perched on a lake islet.
 * Kernavė was burned down in 1390 and rebuilt elsewhere, so its hillforts remain intact.
 * Old churches are found in all the towns. Druskininkai has one of the best, a wooden Orthodox church.
 * Medininkai Castle was built in the 14th century and is now a museum.
 * The highest hill or is it? Juozapinė Hill 1.5 km south of Medininkai was believed to be the country's highest point, and adorned with a cross and monument. Re-measurement in 2004 put it a metre shorter, and edged by Aukštojas Hill at 293.8 m a further 500 m south. Nothing that couldn't have been fixed by a taller monument, but vandals keep diminishing these.
 * Centre of Europe is somewhere round here, maybe. About a dozen sites across the Baltic nations make this claim and one is at Purnuškės / Girija 25 km north of Vilnius, off Highway A14. They even have a Centre of Europe golf course to prove it, which was enough to convince Guinness Book of Records. But it depends which bits of land count as Europe - what about Malta? - and whether you interpolate between its extremities or take account of land mass or population, or . . . But at least if you locate the monument by the driveway to the golf course, you may rest assured that you are not at the centre of any other continent.
 * Meschkanzi, nowadays Meškonys, is a point on Struve Geodetic Arc, a 19th century project to map the earth's shape by triangulating over 2820 km of the 30° Meridian, from Hammerfest to the Black Sea. Follow A14 for 2 km north of Purnuškės, turn onto Highway 5207 west to Meškonys village, and the marker is in a meadow 200 m north of the parking lot. The next point north along the arc is "Karischki" in Panemunėlis, north Lithuania, and the next south is "Beresnäki" on the outskirts of Vilnius.

Do

 * Vilnius has opera, ballet and theatres.
 * Water sports such as kayaking use the region's many lakes.
 * Football: internationals are played in Vilnius, and there are top-tier clubs there and in Alytus.

Eat

 * All the towns have places serving trad fare. Vilnius is the only place with international cuisines.
 * Trakai has the oddity of Crimean Karaite cuisine.

Drink

 * The tap-water is safe to drink.
 * Most cafes serve beer and vodka.

Stay safe

 * Obvious stuff: care of valuables, watch the traffic, and usual safety measures out on the lakes.

Go next

 * Kaunas to the west is the main city of Sūduva region bordering Poland.
 * With your own car, you can cross into Poland on the highway from Alytus to Augustów. Buses and trains run further north via Kaunas and Marijampolė towards Suwałki.
 * Belarus is nowadays difficult for westerners to enter, but the border crossings are still open. From Vilnius take A3 southeast for Minsk, or A15 south for Grodno.

title: Dzūkija


text:
Dzhugdzhursky Nature Reserve

Dzhugdzhursky Nature Reserve (Russian: Государственный природный заповедник «Джугджурский») is a nature reserve in Khabarovsk Krai in the Russian Far East established in 1990. It covers 859 956 hectares on the shores of Okhotsk sea.

Landscape
Middle range mountains covered with larch, fir and dwarf birch. Tundra also presents.

Flora and fauna
Flora and fauna numbers 211 mammals and 480 plants including 2 plants from the Red Book. The shore is a scenery rookery of sea animals.

Climate
Continental subarctic climate "characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers.(Wikipedia)". Permafrost is melting in summer to 70 cm down. The warmest month is July averaging +15 °C (maximum +35 °C). Snow disappears in the end of May and starts in October.

Get in
By plane from Khabarovsk to Ayan.

Fees and permits
This is a strict ecological reserve (zapovednik). As such it is mostly closed to the general public, but the reserve allows for limited ecotourist excursions (i.e. "for environmental education purposes"). You will probably be guided along one of a set of fixed routes by a ranger. In any case you need to apply for a permit.

For all information contact via

title: Dzhugdzhursky Nature Reserve


text:
Dziekanowice

Dziekanowice (pronounced as Dzyekhanovitse) is a small village in Wielkopolskie Voivodship, in Poland, appr 16 km westwards of Gniezno and 40 km eastwards of Poznan, about 2 km north of the train line and road linking two mentioned cities and just next to Ostrow Lednicki. The village is on the area of Lednicki Landscape Park.

By bus
Independent travel to Dziekanowice seems to be quite challenging - there are just few daily connections to the village. There are 3 buses to Poznan, 4 to Gniezno and 2 to some other surrounding villages, which have no meaning for tourists. It's much easier to get to the bus stop Dziekanowice-skrzyzowanie (pol.: crossing) which is located at the main road number 5, but from there one must walk more than 1 km to the museum.

By train
Numerous connections (depending on the day - up to 14 daily) to Lednogora (34 km from Poznan and 17 from Gniezno, 38 and 17 minutes ride respectively), from where one must walk appr. 2km. It's essential to know, that accelerated and Inter-Regio trains do not stop at the station (that's why the number of connections to Lednogora is smaller than to Gniezno).

By bike
Cyclists can get in to Dziekanowice using a Piast Cycling Trail, starting in Poznan just next to the crossing of Jana Pawla str and Baraniaka str, nearby the shore of Malta Lake. cycling time (depending on speed and e.g. wind) 3-4 hours. An interesting option is to take your bike to train with you one way and come back by bike - all trains stopping at Lednogora are traditional electric trains with a big compartment for bikes.

By car
Use the country road number 5 from Gniezno or Poznan, turn northwards at the monument of three ancient knights toward the village and the Museum.

See
The most important attraction in the place is the Greater Poland Etnographic Park - a big open-air museum, one of the biggest in Europe. It presents village buildings from all over the region, mostly timber ones, from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries. The museum, existing since 1982 (however formally established 7 years before) occupies an area of 20 hectares and includes more than 60 buildings (the final plans include 10 more). The surrounding also keeps rural character: numerous gardens, orchards, cattle pens, stockyards. The whole museum is divided into three parts: village, court and grange.

The sightseeing takes usually between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. It's the best to start the tour in the village, than stroll to the windmills, and from the passing by a chapel to the court of the village of Studzieniec. On the way some other attractions: the original XVIIIth-century equipment of an old smithy, interiors of a peasant's house, a hill with a magnificent view over the Lednickie Lake.

The most interesting exhibits in the Museum are:
 * a timber croft from the surroundings of Kalisz from 1841
 * a house from Godziesze Wielkie (as well surroundings of Kalisz), an example of the house for the poorest
 * an inn from Sokołowo (surroundings of Chodziez) with a big distillery
 * a church from Wartkowice from 1719, re-consecrated in 2001, occasional holy masses
 * an Olender-croft from the vicinity of Nowy Tomysl – an example of Olender buildings in northern and western Greater Poland in XVIIIth century
 * a chapel and cemetery – the temple originates from outside historical Greater Poland region (it's from the surroundings of Torun), it's a gift of polish Roman Catholic church Primat, cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, for the museum. Inside: a baroque altar from XVIIIth cent; around the church: some graves and cemetery crosses.
 * a copy of the court from Studzieniec (50 km north of Poznan) from the Ist half of XVOOOth cent. Inside you can find a small exhibition presenting an everyday life of noble families in the period between the world wars.

Tickets: the museum is open from early spring (in 2009 from February 15th) till autumn (in 2009 till the end of October). A ticket for the Ethnographic Park costs 8 zloty (reduced: 4), but a combined ticket from the museum and form Ostrow Lednicki: 12 and 6 respectively.

Do
The museum is a place of several interesting events:
 * 2nd half of March: Marzanna Drown (Marzanna – a traditional polish effigy, has to be drown and the turn of winter and spring (appr. 21st March) as a symbol of passed winter
 * the long May-weekend (1st-3rg May) – May Lednica Days, meeting with regional Greater-Polish handicraft, the events takes place both in the Museum and on Ostrow Lednicki island
 * June: „The Life Museum" – a presentation of a typical life of Greater-Polish countryside at the beginning of last century.

Eat
In the vicinity:

And the snack-bars in the area of archeological Ostrow Lednicki

Go next
Interesting objects in the vicinity:
 * Ostrow Lednicki - remnants of the ducal palace from IInd halt of Xth century with a baptism bowl, chapel and 9-m high ramparts
 * the Fish-Gate (a fish as a symbol of the first Christians in 1st cent AC), where every year in May–June a large youth meeting run by the Dominicans from the Poznan monastery are organised
 * timber churches in Weglewo and Lubowo
 * Pobiedziska

title: Dziekanowice


text:
Dziwnów

Dziwnów is a resort town in the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship in northwestern Poland. It is situated at the north coast of the islands Wolin at a wide sandy beach.

By train
[http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en? PKP]

By bus
PKS

By car
From Gdańsk or Szczecin by the route E28 to Goleniów and than E65

Get around
The sea resort is not quite big, so you can easily walk on food or rent a bike.

Go next
On the island Wolin:
 * Wolin National Park
 * Game reserve of wisents
 * 93 meter high Cliff of Gosan
 * Kawcza Góra Mountain
 * sea resort and port Świnoujście
 * sea resort Międzyzdroje
 * ancient town of Wolin (town)
 * medieval town of Lubin (Zachodniopomorskie)

On the mainland:
 * Pommeranian metropol Szczecin
 * sea resort and medieval town of Kamień Pomorski
 * sea resort and medieval town of Kołobrzeg
 * gothic church ruins at Trzęsacz
 * medieval town of Stargard Szczeciński with an over hundred meter high cathedral

title: Dziwnów


text:
Dzongkha phrasebook

Dzongkha (རྫོང་ཁ་) is the national language of Bhutan. Most educated Bhutanese are able to communicate in English as well, though attempting to speak Dzongkha will almost certainly impress your hosts.

Vowels
Vowels are [a ɛ e i ø y ɜ ɨ o u]. Diphthongs are [ai au ei øy ɤu/ou iɛ uɔ/yɔ]. The only coda is eng, in /aŋ eŋ oŋ/ and syllabic [ŋ̩].

Basics

 * Hello (formal) : Kuzoozangpo la
 * Hello (informal) : Kuzoozangpo
 * How are you? : Gadaybay Zhu yi Ga?
 * I'm fine : Legshom (Layshom) or Legshom bey rang yoe (full)
 * What is your name? : Chhoe gi ming ga chi mo?: What is your name (formal)
 * Na ge tshen ga chi zhuwu eena?

 * My name is _____: Nge gi ming _____ in
 * I am from ____ : Nga ____ lay in la
 * Thank you : Kadrin chhe
 * See you later (formal) : Shoo lay log jay gay
 * See you later (alternate) : Tama chhay gay
 * See you tomorrow : Naba chhay gay
 * Where : Gatey
 * How much : Gademchi

Problems
Where is the bathroom?

chhab sang gatey inna la?

We need to go to the hospital.

Nga chey (plural)/ nga (singular) menkhang na jo go bay.

Doctor:

Drung tsho

 * What is the Problem? : Choe gi Ka Ngyel ga chi mo?

 * Where is the Bank? : Ngyul Khang Ga teey mo?

Numbers

 * 0 : leykor
 * 1 : chi
 * 2 : nyi
 * 3 : sum
 * 4 : zhi
 * 5 : nga
 * 6 : dru
 * 7 : dhuen
 * 8 : ghay
 * 9 : gu
 * 10 : chutham
 * 11 : chu chi
 * 12 : chu nyi

Clock time

 * time : (...)
 * o'clock : bazaar
 * 8 o'clock : bazaar gyed/ chhutsed gyed

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : karma
 * _____ hour(s) : chhutsed
 * _____ day(s) : Zha/nim
 * _____ week(s) : dhuenthra
 * _____ month(s) : Daw
 * _____ year(s) : Lo

Days

 * Monday : Migmar
 * Tuesday : Lhagpa
 * Wednesday : Phurba
 * Thursday : Pasang
 * Friday : Penpa
 * Saturday : Nima
 * Sunday : Dawa

Months

 * January : indha dangpa
 * February : indha nyipa
 * March : indha sumpa, indha zhipa, indha ngapa, indha drukpa, indha duenpa, indha gyepa, indha gupa and indha chunyepa for December

 * Note : For the months of lunar calendar the prefix is rangda, indha is used for the months of the international calendar.

Colors

 * Green : Changkha
 * Red : Marp
 * White : Karp
 * Blue : Hoem
 * Black : Naap
 * Yellow : Sep
 * Orange : Leewang

Taxi
Identified by the yellow top (hood) and BT registration affixed before the number.

 * Taxi : la khor
 * Fare : la
 * how much : ga day chi in na la

Money
How much is this/it ? Ngultrum ga them chi mo

Eating
Meal : Toh /zhay go

Breakfast: dom zer

Lunch: nima ge toh

Dinner: tsho

eating : zhaygo za ni

delicious : zhim bay

bitter   ; khag tay

sweet    : ngam

sour     ; chup

Water    ; chhu

Tea      : ja

Curry    : tshoem

Soup     :thup

Chilli   : ema

Cheese   :datshi

cook(verb)      : toh bey ni

eat       : zhey (formal)/ za (informal)

Dry Chilli : ema kam

Bars

 * May I please have _____: Nga lu ______ nang mey la

 * Alcoholic Beverage: Changg

 * Bar              : Changkhang

 * Tip              : soera

 * Whats the bill   : Ga de chi mo

 * I am drunk       : changg dang so ye

HOT Water
 * Water            : chu

Chu-tse
 * Local Drink      : Ara

 * It is strong(spirit) : ah ni ga tra du

 * It is mild           : lha si si du

Shopping
shop : tsongkhang

how much : ga de chi mo?

discount please : gong phab nang mey la

Driving
Car : Numkhor

Drive : Numkhor tang ni

Licence : Lak Kher

Police : thrim sung

Road   : Lam

High speed : joba joba/ shuk bay tang

Low speed : drey gay bay tang

please take caution(driving) : reb drim di tang

Lets go : jogay

stop    ; numkor kag nang

Risky  : ngyen khag

Love
I love you: nga gi che lu ga

I miss you: nga choe drem mey

I can't stay without you: nga che me pa me cha bay

I will make you a phone call: nga gi che lu juthen tang gay

Do you miss me: che nga dem mey ga

You're so beautiful: che namay samay jarim dhu

I miss you very nuch : na may sa may dren yi

Dzongkha

title: Dzongkha phrasebook


text:
Dzongu

Dzongu is a triangular, rural region in North Sikkim, India. It is bounded by the Teesta River in the south-east, Tholung Chu River in the north-east and by mighty mountains in the west. It borders the Kangchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. The area is divided into Upper Dzongu and Lower Dzongu.

Understand
Dzongu has been established as an official reserve for the Lepcha people, the aboriginal inhabitants of Sikkim. The Lepchas have strong ties with the nature and have lived here for centuries. An understanding of their culture, customs and language helps to foster an appreciation of the beautiful mountains, deep forests, and the emerald-colored Teesta River.

The region sees little tourist activity and hence seems almost untouched. It is sparsely populated and most of it is covered with dense vegetation. Rice fields and cardamom plantations can be seen near the villages.

Get in
Dzongu is about 70 km from the state capital, Gangtok. It is easily reachable by road. Permission from Sikkim Government is required to enter Dzongu. One can obtain permission from the Tourism Office in Gangtok or one in Delhi. Tour operators can arrange the permits before you reach Sikkim.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Bagdogra in West Bengal. From here one can either take a pre-paid taxi (from within the airport) or one can go to Siliguri to find a shared taxi. Air India and Go Air fly to this airport. One can either take a taxi up to Gangtok (4 hours), or take a direct taxi to Dzongu which can take the route via Singthem to reach Dzongu in about 5 hours.

By train
The nearest rail head is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, not far from the airport. One can take a taxi up to Gangtok or directly to Dzongu from here. Bus services from here can be availed up to Gangtok.

By taxi
An exclusive taxi from the airport/railway station, to Gangtok, will cost from ₹1,500 for a non-AC Indica (for max. 4 people) to ₹1,900 for a Sumo (bigger, SUV style car).

A shared taxi from Gangtok, directly up to Dzongu, can be had from the Vajra stand in Gangtok. However these taxis may not ply at all times of the day. Another option is to reach Mangan and get off in the main market. From there, one can easily find an exclusive vehicle/shared taxi to Dzongu. Lower Dzongu is only 10 km from Mangan, which is the capital of North Sikkim District.

Get around
To get around in Dzongu, you will either have to hire a taxi or go hiking. Some destinations are only a short hike away, while others may require 3-4 days of backpacking. Shared taxis ply from near the Police Check-post.

See

 * Hee Gyathang - Is in Lower Dzongu. It has a small lake, considered to be sacred by the Lepchas.
 * Keushong - Reach here after backpacking for 3-4 days. The most pristine place in Dzongu probably. This place has a very beautiful lake and hills all around it. The valley is covered with flowers in the right season.
 * Lingthem - A short but steep hike up from Passingdang village. Great views of Mt. Kangchenjunga and Dzongu Valley.
 * Pentong - Reachable after a trek. Quite close to snow-capped mountains.
 * Tholung Monastery - 20 km from Passingdang. Every three years, Tholung treasures are put on display. It has a cane bridge one can try to cross - excellent experience!
 * Tingvong & Kusong - Two beautiful villages, a short hike apart.
 * Traditional Lepcha House Museum - A model of the Lepcha house built in the traditional style. Houses a museum inside it. Located in Namprikdang, near the confluence of Teesta and Rongyung Chu Rivers. Surrounding area provides great opportunities for Butterfly watching.
 * Waterfalls - Dzongu is full of waterfalls. They can be seen cascading down from every second hill. Lingzya falls is the best among them. Try a bath here!

Itineraries
Keushong Trek
 * Day 1 - Reach Dzongu from Gangtok/ Bagdogra. If you reach early enough, you can visit Lingthem Village. Stay at a Homestay, enjoy traditional Lepcha dishes and interact with the hosts.
 * Day 2 - Reach Lingzya falls and then hike up to Tholung, along the thundering Tholung Chu River. (Can be combined with Day 1. It is a 5-hour hike)
 * Day 3 - Acclimatize at Tholung (8000 ft). Visit Tholung monastery, cross the cane bridge (great adventure!) to visit the hot springs, see plenty of water falls. (Some people may not find acclimatization necessary, they can proceed directly.)
 * Day 4 - Tholung to Keushong. Some stunning scenery awaits you on the way. Enjoy crystal clear waters and dense jungles with lots of flowers, birds and butterflies. Amazing! You will reach Keushong only by evening.
 * Day 5 - Explore and enjoy in the Keushong valley. Sit by the Keushong lake, see the valley carpeted by flowers, and explore the surrounding areas.
 * Day 6 - Descend to Tholung.
 * Day 7 - Tholung to Dzongu and onwards to Gangtok/Bagdogra.

Do

 * Cross Cane Briges - Lepchas build cane bridges across rivers. They sway with each step you take on it and thundering rivers flow under them. A must try!
 * Fish/ Angle - Angling is possible in the rivers here. The catch may not be too huge, but a little patience bears results. Trout & Mahseer can be caught here. Nice experience.
 * Hike/ Trek/ Backpack - Small hikes and long treks, both are possible in Dzongu. Both are equally recommended by the people here (and me!). The most enjoyable thing about the trekking here is that it is almost a virgin territory. You encounter untouched forests and streams.
 * Observe Nature - Watch birds, butterflies, different plants. Understand from the Lepchas how they make use of different plants for medicinal purposes etc. Lots of flowers to be seen too. As many as 5 different species of the Rhododendron are found here.
 * Watch Cultural Programs - The Lepchas take pride in displaying their traditions and culture. You can watch Lepcha performing their folk songs and dances. This can be arranged by the homestay host.

Eat
Almost all of the vegetarian food that you get in Dzongu is grown there. Lepcha people do not use any modern fertilizer or pesticide in their farming.

Rice and large cardamom are the two main crops grown there. Rice is grown in contour farming at the sides of the hills while cardamom can take root on slopes as well. The climate suits growing cardamom.

Rice is the staple food here. Lepchas do not use much oil in their cooking: their food is often boiled or roasted. But it is tasty nonetheless!

Lepchas prepare non-vegetarian fare as well. These include dishes made of chicken, beef, fish and pork. Fish is usually caught from the nearby river.

Drink

 * Chee - Traditional Lepcha drink, brewed from millet.

Sleep
There are no hotels in Dzongu. As eco-tourism initiative, some families have started 'homestays' here. One can experience the hospitality of the Lepcha people by living as a part of their family in their home. It also provides an excellent opportunity to understand this old tribe.

Eco-tourism was started by some NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) working in this area in around 2006. Training were given to the families and lot of effort was put in to make this area more attractive to the tourists. However, the NGOs left the area after some time and now the project has no leader. Some families continue to provide homestay and the hosts can arrange everything on request.

Stay safe
Lepchas fear ill-reputation; hence, Dzongu area is very safe in terms of crime.

One may encounter a landslide on the way, in the rainy season. But the sites of the landslides are usually the same every year and are known to the locals.

Go next

 * Darjeeling
 * Gangtok
 * Gurudongmar Lake
 * Lachen
 * Lachung
 * South Sikkim
 * West Sikkim
 * Yumthang Valley

title: Dzongu


text:
Dzungarian

Dzungarian (also spelled Zungharia and Jungaria) is in Xinjiang in China. It is the area north of Tian Mountain running through the middle of Xinjiang Province. It consists of Altay Prefecture, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Tacheng Prefecture, Karamay Prefecture, Shihezi City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Wujiaqu City, Urumqi Prefecture, Turpan Prefecture, Hami Prefecture and Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture

Cities

 * - the capital

Get in
Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport. Turpan Jiaohe Airport.

title: Dzungarian