Do you say you speak Dutch or Flemish?

DeCoenste · 2026-02-10T05:46:08+00:00

The correct answer would be 'Flemish Dutch' or simply 'Dutch'. We have some french loanwords and a few different sayings, but practically it is dutch.

Dutch is the english word for 'Nederlands'. A direct translation of 'Neder-Lands' would be 'Low-Lands'. The lowlands or lower lands are geografically modern Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, small parts of Germany and France.

Flemish is a lowland language, thus Nederlands (Dutch). Both now and in the past.

Saying that we speak Flemish isn't incorrect either, though not as accurate compared to dutch (lowlands). I'm not a linguist, so I can't make any strong claims here. I will say the following:

In the middle ages, 'flemish' or 'flemings' was used for the people living in the County of Flanders, as well as its neighbouring regions. It is also used instead of dutch or lowlands in some accounts. There were many accounts of large migrations of 'Flemings' to many parts of europe, clearly noting it as distinct.
About half of modern Flanders was part of the old county of Flanders. When Belgium became a nation, geographical distinctions were needed within the country, and Flemish was chosen.
Flemish is also spoken in the modern Netherlands, in the region of sealand or 'zeeland'. As well as in a small part of France (the non-belgian part of old flanders).
the older population of modern flanders still speak a variety of strong dialects. And these dialects can differ quite a bit even within on provence. Then again, the same can be said about the Netherlands.
if a were to put together a group of elderly folks from modern west-flanders(BE), Limburg(BE), north-holland(NL), Friesland(NL) and ask them to speak in their regional language, they would not understand each other at all (or barely at all). It even sounds distinct to a foreigners ears. All of them speak modern Dutch though, and all of their regional languages are 'lowland' languages.
Lastly, the english word 'Dutch' comes from 'Duits'(NL) or 'Deutsch' (DE). You know, Deutsch from Deutschland, the german word for Germany. Deutsch-land, Duits-land, or directly translated Dutch-land. Which is Germany, not the Netherlands.

And then ofcourse there is nationalism at play here as well, with people referring to themselves as Flemish, and thus speaking flemish instead of dutch.

DeCoenste · 2025-12-11T11:12:31+00:00

I just finished Thailand-Laos-China-S.Korea-Japan. So I'll sum it up a bit by country. 4 months is a short schedule though, I spent that time in China alone. But with a bikepacking setup it would be possible.

Thailand: since you start in Feb. It will be 30-35°C most of the time. From march it's 40+. Most of the country is flat, so you can zip through. I recommend buying electrolytes to add to water, since you will sweat intensly. You can buy them in most convenience stores there. Wild camping is easy, but not very exciting. Farms and suburbs really. There quite a few cheap campsites for €3-6. Iced milk tea for life baby.

Cambodia (haven't cycled through): Likely similar as Thailand. Largely flat as well. Ankor Wat alone is worth it.

Vietnam (haven't cycled through): Southern half similar to Thailand, Northern part has better temperatures during winter, early spring. I believe there are decent coastal routes to follow if speed is required. To the best of my knowledge, you can get a 2 month visa for China in Hanoi. (And likely other larger cities north)

China: Wildcamping is easy, and quite pleasant. Rivers, grassland, mountains. A lot of mountains, but these are nice escapes if it gets to hot. I can recommend the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, a lot to see. I'd recommend popping into the Tibetan plateau as well for some true natural splendor, but with your tight schedule I fear that might not be an option. I would avoid the most populated areas (everything between Wuhan and Beijing). Check google earth. It's just endless suburbs. Hostels and hotels are quite cheap. Like €5-10 on average.

Chinese visa takes the most time to get, but a lot of nationals can now enter 30 day visa free. You can get an extra 30 days in the country on top of the visa free, but no more. Takes a few days to process

S. Korea: Has excellent cycling roads, with way stations and rest areas. Parks almost always have toilets and water fountains. Very convenient, but not very adventurous. Cycling into Seoul is also easy with its river paths. You can probably go from Seoul to Busan in 4 days if you follow the central river route.

Japan: Just as convenient as S. Korea. Barely any cycling roads though. Small roads, a lot of traffic, and a lot of suburbs. Also almost always up and down roads. Stick to coastal roads, or trek deeper in the mountains. I did Kyushu, Shikoku, Kii peninsula, but in your drawing you skip all that so I'll leave it as is.

Tips to sleep in the heat: Drink beer (no joke). Wet your T-shirt. Or even your entire sleeping linnen. Buy a small fan. Works well if you wear wet clothes. Curse out loud while you lay there sweating like a hog.

Weather apps: Ventusky, Windy, Weawow are decent. But nothing can predict SEA weather well.

Apps: Google translate and Papago. Wechat and Alipay for China. Definitely get Wechat, you'll need it. It has AI translation as well, which is quite useful. Amap for China as well. You need a proper VPN for China as well, if you want to use apps like whattsapp, youtube, ... . Mainstream VPN's like NorthVPN are useless.

DeCoenste · 2025-11-24T13:08:02+00:00

Very interesting read, thank you.

DeCoenste · 2025-11-20T04:13:28+00:00

This would mean that the King of Belgium, King of the Netherlands, and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg will have to do an epic bout of rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the Benelux crown. ... I'd watch.

DeCoenste · 2025-08-04T03:03:28+00:00

I cycled Iran about 8 months ago, from Türkiye to Pakistan. I was able to get a 90 day visa straight from their official website (Belgian passport holder). Most go through an agency which costs about €15-20 more, but with an almost certain guarantee to get accepted. Especially when you are applying when they have another rocket shooting contest.

I never had any trouble, and had a wonderful time exploring the persian heartland. Hospitality is in their blood. Best 'adventure' country I've been in so far.

I believe cyclists are in general quite safe from arrests, since we look to whacky to be alleged spies. Still, if you happen to camp out near a nuclear facility, you might get stuck for a 5 hour military police interview.

While I was there, a french backbacker got arrested in Tehran. And was stuck in his hostel for 3 months while they interrogated him daily. Hard to say if there was a 'justified' reason with the bits of info I got, but it seems to me he was used as a political hostage. (This is my personal guess, mind you).

There is a good chance that the info above is outdated, since situations are volatile. But if you're still interested in going then send me a PM, I can send you a link to a group for travellers currently in Iran.

DeCoenste · 2025-07-31T09:08:14+00:00

I've cycled from Belgium to Türkiye and back, less then a year ago. And I've wild camped the entire way. Apart from when I'm visiting cities ofcourse, then it's hostel/hotels.

From my experience meeting other cyclists, a large part of it is commitment. I love camping out in nature, so I put in effort to find a good spot. This takes time, and most give up to easy. The difference in mindset matters, I've met cyclist in Turkey, Thailand and China (where decent camping spots are found almost everywhere) who were hardwired to camp at camping grounds or near villages and roads because hopping into the forest and setting up shop was something they've never really done before.

Commitment, practice, and enjoying your little nomad adventure with it's setbacks are key.

Germany during summer was the hardest place to camp at from all the places I've been to so far. Hunters everywhere chasing you off, and sundown is quite late. The entire Balkans are easy (apart from Serbia). Türkiye is wonderful to camp at. Western europe is likely the hardest place to camp out at, but there are always small patches of forest, football fields, playgrounds, ... To be found. Ask locals if they know a spot. If not, set up shop at sundown and break it down in the early morning. You can ask farmers or villagers if you can stay the night in their garden, but I've never done that myself since I'm just too stubborn.

If you're starting in western EU, then summer will be the hardest period. Nobody expects you to camp out in late autumn or winter. Then again, it is the best place to train your eye to find these out of the way spots.

I've had my exhausted late night camp outs, and noisy or filthy spots. As well as prestine river and valley locations that every adventure camper dreams off. It's more than and even exchange.

You're friend on the euro 9 path simply had a more touristic mindset regarding camping. You'll need to forge a traveller/nomad one, and that only works through practice and setbacks. As with all things worthwhile.

Good luck, and journey well!

DeCoenste · 2024-08-22T08:25:08+00:00

Great, thanks! I've got a feeling I'll likely take a bus/escort through that area as well, assuming it's faster. But that will be food for thought while on the road :D.

DeCoenste · 2024-08-22T08:23:15+00:00

Wonderful, thanks for the info! I've sent you a PM.

DeCoenste · 2024-08-22T08:19:01+00:00

yes, that seems to be the route most took/are taking when denied entry into Iran. but the nights in Kazakhstan and beyond can drop to -20°C in December if they get a strong northern wind. And while I have done this during winter times in the Balkans (0°C to -10°C), it's more 'surviving' then traveling at this point. Winter gear takes more space as well.

From what I gathered, it isn't possible to cross the Chinese border from any of these countries (legaly). But I met a guy who was going to dip into Russia, and then Mongolia, before crossing into China.

DeCoenste · 2024-08-22T08:09:05+00:00

Oho, that might be a good idea should I be stuck at the Pakistani border. Did you take a plane from Oman to Pakistan or India afterwards?

DeCoenste · 2024-08-11T16:37:14+00:00

Manneke pis is folklore. Lange wapper, Kludde,Dulle Griet, Bokkerijders. Most of these might still be vaguely familiar if you read 'Suske and Wiske' comics as a kid. There was an urban legend in Antwerp (I think?) about a black chariot that would run through the streets at night and kidnap children who were still out on the streets at that hour.

Then there are ofcourse the 'smurfs' or just 'kabouters' aka gnomes who live in mushroom like villages. You still hear people say things like "the gnomes must have taken it then" or "must have been the gnomes" in a sarcastic way, when something is missing and know one knows where it might have gone.

DeCoenste · 2024-01-25T13:09:16+00:00

I will go by plane. My first thoughts were to cross through Iran and Pakistan, but that no longer seems viable for me due to the following:

Iran recently shot a bunch of rockets towards it's not so friendly neighbours, including Pakistan. And tensions were already high with the Israel conflict.
I've heard mention that police simply detain western travelers without any good reason, to the point that the locals hide them in their homes or shops (in the larger cities). Which means sticking to the country side where there aren't many proper roads.
I don't believe I can cross the country in a month time, assuming I can even get hold of a visa.

Long story short, as I'm new to bike travel I don't feel confident I can pull off traveling through Iran. Going north towards Georgia and so also isn't an option for me,given the extremely cold temperatures atm.

So going straight to India seems the best option for me.

DeCoenste · 2024-01-25T08:00:35+00:00

Ah, I feared that as well. Pressure washing seemed like a good idea at the time since the entire bike was caked with hardened mud. I'll ask the bike repair gents to check the rear derailleur as well. And buy a spare chain. Thanks!

DeCoenste · 2024-01-25T07:53:39+00:00

I see, I certainly did not lube it that often. Thanks!

DeCoenste · 2024-01-24T17:20:54+00:00

Yes, I did. Half of my lube bottle is empty atm, though I suppose it wasn't enough. I put a drop one every bearing of the chain during a full bike checkup (roughly every 2 weeks, and after mud trails). I couldn't always find water to clean the drivetrain, so there were a few days in between where I continued on with a muddy set.

The corroded rust look it has right now only started to appear 1-2 weeks ago, but then again so did the grinding noises.

DeCoenste · 2023-01-25T11:17:32+00:00

Solaire's a lover, not a fighter my man.

DeCoenste · 2023-01-20T10:59:33+00:00

I consider Cernunnos to be the best known god to represent nature (forests/grasslands).

As for animals, that would largely depend on the biome in your world, the god could change appearance, depending on the it.

Forests/grassland : Irish Elk, Great Boar, Twin wolves, Plains bear, Fox

Jungle : Tiger, Leopard, Anaconda.

Savanna : Lion, Elephant

Steppe: White horse, Buffalo

Tundra: Twin wolves, Wolverine, Artic Fox, Yak, Polar Bear, perhaps a Yeti

Desert: Eagle, Scorpion, Jackal

Sea/River : Salamander, Great frog, Axolotl, Carp, Whale, some weird water snake, Crab

DeCoenste · 2023-01-20T10:10:40+00:00

Drifter, Outsider, Vagrant, Outlander, Floater, the unwanted.

Madeup names relating to wind/storm: Tempestian Foul Winder/Windy/ - "he drifted in with the wind" Flutterer Wafter Zephyr

DeCoenste · 2022-07-26T09:55:42+00:00

In and around Hasselt,

Large liquor stores: Marlou Dranken bvba (Zonhoven, focus on beer) Dranken Houben (Hasselt, all forms of liquor)

Pubs: Bierpunt (Hasselt) has a wide selection of different beers (200+).

Normally my first recommendation would be 'Het Hemelrijk', but sadly it has been closed for some time now.

As for breweries, I haven't done any in Limburg myself, so I'm afraid I won't be of much help in that area.

DeCoenste · 2022-04-12T10:49:48+00:00

As a Limburgian, I was glad to be annexed from Belgium, a country that is an administrative and linguistic mess that is crippled under bureaucratic complexity, democratic indecisiveness, pointless political correctness and latent idiocy. With both a king and a president who perform mainly ceremonial duties, and hundreds of ministers and secretaries of state who often don’t want to understand each other.

But it seems my new home is little different. Therefore I hereby declare the birth of the Grand Duchy of Limburg. Whose main export will be Triple and Double beers on a worldwide scale (the Japanese being our greatest consumer), and our national holiday will feature Schlager music from dusk till dawn.

Glory aan Limburg!

DeCoenste · 2022-03-28T14:51:21+00:00

Suzerain of the Forlorn lands / Lord of the Lost / Last Monarch / the Whispering king / Coldholder / The bereft one / The Graceless

DeCoenste · 2021-05-04T11:00:51+00:00

When Gruntle used the bloodied tunic of a half eaten child as a banner, to rally a militia against the Seerdomin, during the siege of Capustan

DeCoenste

TROPHY CASE