Byblos (Jbeil) Archaeological Site

3 days solo travel in lebanon

may 18-19, 2012 friday to sunday

tripoli quick downtown stroll

how to go here:

from tripoli downtown terminal, ride a bus bound to beirut city and ask the driver to drop-off to byblos (biblos),jbeil is its present name. Travel time is around 30 minutes with no stop-over. Fare costs only 3,000 lbp ($2.0). Drop-off area in byblos has no marker so ensure to request to driver. If coming from beirut city, just go either from daora or charles helou bus station, all buses are crossing this town.

byblos (jbeil) archaeological sightseeing the crusaders castle

byblos (jbeil) archaeological site, roman pillars

Tripoli Quick Downtown Stroll

3-days solo travel in lebanon

may 18-19, 2012 friday to sunday

lebanon trip main page

how to go here:
from charles helou international bus station in beirut city, ride a tripoli express aircon bus for only 3,500 lbp ($2.33). travel time is around 1 hour with no stop-over to happen. the road is on the coastal side so sightseeing the mediterranean sea is inevitable. terminal is in downtown area in tripoli.

along the roads going to tripoli from beirut city

along the roads going to tripoli from beirut city

3 Days Self-guided Solo Travel in Lebanon

3rd Summer ot-ouf the-country trip for this year

June 15-17, 2012 Friday to Sunday

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” ~ Rosalia de Castro

My 14th country to visit, 18th solo backpacking trip, 3rd visa-on-arrival (VOA) encounter and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Lebanon had once been called (self-proclaimed) Switzerland and Paris of the East. The name Lebanon comes from the Semitic root lbn, meaning "white", likely a reference to the snow-capped Mount Lebanon. Upon his arrival to Lebanon around 47 BC, Julius Caesar proclaimed "Lub" "Na'an", meaning "White-Land" in Semitic. Lebanon is a country with a long and rich history. Roman ruins are scattered about the country and are easily accessible. Lebanon is easily the party capital of the Middle East and possible to drive from north to south in under 3 hours. The main means of transport are service taxis, bus and car. Either Lebanese pounds or US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and it is common to pay in dollars but receive change in pounds. Main language is Arabic and French, some also speaks English.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Lebanon 

Temple of Bacchus

Private Boat Cruise to Kubbar Island

3rd couchsurfing out-of-town escapade

june 09, 2012 saturday

I was part of the first group who said "yes" to the CS invite but due to quick response during Monday meet-ups, my name was pulled-out on 1st 35 confirmed couchsurfers. I did not expected that but I guess it was my destiny. Surprisingly, one day before the event organizer called me if I'm still interested. Good thing there was 4 joiners backed-out and one of my friend there paid for 10KD (PhP1,540) contribution as I requested. So here it was, the third round to the circle of united nation gathering in this small country.

the port going to kubbar island

the captain of the ship

Middle East 2012 Santacruzan (Flores de Mayo)

Filipino's finest tradition during summer season

May 25, 2012

Held inside the Holy Family Cathedral compound in Kuwait city and started around 1230H. Showcasing true Philippine beauty and honoring the catholic spirit. Bringing Filipino catholic tradition in the middle of Arab nation.

reyna banderada (queen with a banner)

 reyna esperanza (queen hope) / reyna caridad (queen charity)

I Missed My Flight! What Did I Do Next?

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

Agra city morning tour (The Fort and the Taj Mahal)

In 2010, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was conferred the fourth best airport award in the world in the 15–25 million category, and Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific Region by Airport Council International. In 2011, the IGIA was ranked the second-best airport in the world in the 25-40 million passengers category, again by Airport Council International.

I arrived 5 minutes late on the Agra Cantt station platform for train going to new delhi. I thought the schedule posted in website will somehow accurately deliver in actual time that is why I maximized my time but I was definitely wrong. From original sked of 1018H-1310H that becomes 1025H-1355H, my flight time is 1510H. So from nizamuddin station in new delhi, I have to ride the fastest rickshaw going to new delhi ariport express station which is I think the nearest station is the New Delhi. I arrived in the IGI airport terminal 3 at 1505H obviously left by my flight. What a gruesome disaster for a budget traveler, I cannot afford to stay another day here because of job matters.

taj mahal compound

Agra City Morning Tour (The Fort & Taj Mahal)

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

jaipur pink city by night tour

Traveling via train from jaipur with 2 hours delayed departure and arriving via agra fort train station, which is actually beside the famous agra fort tourist spot.

Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, 200 kilometres (124 mi) south from national capital New Delhi. Because 80 percent of the city's sewage flows into Yamuna River, it is 20th most polluted city in India. It achieved fame as this remains a major tourist destination because of Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Tāj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

agra fort

Jaipur Pink City by Night Tour

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

new delhi morning city tour (india gate, humayun's tomb & red fort)

Arrived in jaipur train station at 1750H via platform #2. Lots of rickshaw drivers awaiting outside asking friendly for my reason for visit. I have to stop getting irritated by them that's why I submitted myself to one of them and asked where is this hotel I booked. He immediately replied he knows it but giving some bad insights on that hotel thinking I will change my mind. I paid 20INR because the hotel is almost 300 meters away the station. I immediately went-out the vehicle directly to hotel entrance. I asked the attendant that I have availed a tour that is affiliated with them. He phoned someone, confirming my tour then he said a van will pick me up on this hotel after couple of minutes.

Jaipur also popularly known as the 'Pink City', is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727. Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur

jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over

New Delhi City Morning Tour (Humayun's Tomb & Red Fort)

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

new delhi international airport arrival

After arriving in IGI airport in new delhi city, the subway going to airport express is just infront of Terminal 3. I notice, while walking towards the metro station, police/military visibility is almost 100% and I don't know why. Even how they frisk passengers its like I'm inside the airport. So again, just like in other airports I have been... after touchdown, go the visa arrival section, then exit the airport going to subway station just infront, simple as that.

Airport express fare from IGI airport station to New Delhi cost only 80INR (php67) for around 18-23 mins travel time surpassing 4 stations. Very, very effective and exactly similar to hongkong's airport express but not on the fare. From New Delhi station, I went to yellow lane for the start of my city morning tour, with minimum fare of 12INR (php10) only. From central secretariat station, the tour went on via do-it-myself basis....

india gate with sandstorm in the morning

Visa-on-Arrival in New Delhi IGI airport

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

India train experience and tips

I confirmed New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport deserves to be named the World's Most Improved Airport in 2012.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed at the 8th India-Asean summit last October 30th of 2010 in Hanoi that there will be visa on arrival facility to nationals of Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and Laos, to be implemented starting January 2011. Tourist-visa-on-arrival for Filipinos shall be granted by the Immigration Officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports and shall be valid for a maximum of 30 days with single entry. This visas are non-extendable, non-convertible and shall only be allowed for a maximum of 2x in a calendar year with a minimum gap of 2 months between each visit.

new delhi airport visa-on-arrival section

airport going to new delhi, connecting via muscat

India Train Experience and Tips

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

India train booking without local mobile number

Railway experience has never been this incredible. Control yourself to get on your nerves or else you may not accomplished a true India travel without finding yourself having joyride on this famous Indian-style mode of transportation. The following is based on Pinoy-style observation, no offense for whatever impact would it had be.

1. book your seat in advance (important) - this is very, very critical and as much as possible maximize the 120 days (4 months) allowance before the travel date. As for mine, I booked and confirmed all my 3 train tickets last April 23, 2012 which was less than a month before my travel date. All of them were wait listed status so I don't know yet what will happen next if on the date itself the tickets is still on the same status. The thought of how long will I wait, do I have to force myself in or wait for another departure is playing in my mind after booking. Wait, I cannot afford that because I have only 1.5 days and train travel took 3-6 hours depending on the stops. confirmed seat slot is essential. Here were the status of that 3 tickets I booked from the date of purchase up to travel date;

new delhi old station going to jaipur