2 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Merida

My 2024's Second Trip on my quest to go beyond #lakbay100... Sep. 07 to 13, 2024

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Summer Venezuela Preparation and Full Itinerary

One of the world's longest and highest cable cars (teleferico) is on the mountainous part of Venezuela passing through Pico Espejo (4,765masl), highest cable car point overlooking the Pico Bolivar (4,978masl), Venezuela's Highest peak. 20 USD return fare for foreigners.

Despite what happened last night as my scariest checkpoint ever, I still find a lot of kind locals including these two gorgeous ladies who supported me to a wonderful experience here in Merida.

#solobackpacker #pinoytraveller #pinoy #solotravel #travel #america #southamerica #venezuela #caracas #merida

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MERIDA

1. Coromoto Ice Cream Parlor achieved the Guinness Record for the largest variety of ice creams in a single location.

2. Visit the incredible theme parks: "La Venezuela de Antier" and "Los Aleros".

3. Exploring La Laguna de Mucubají (3,575masl).

4. Hiking to La Laguna Negra, surrounded by majestic mountains (3,500masl).

5. Taking a bath in the thermal waters of La Musui.

Day 15: September 07 Saturday VENEZUELA 1

0500H ETD Paramaribo PBM UTC -0300H; flight BW884

0535H ETA Port of Spain POS UTC -0400H; 2hr transit

0800H ETD Port of Spain POS; flight BW300

0955H ETA Caracas CCS UTC-0400H ₱28K / Airport immigration queuing took long

UCAMC bus (Domestic Terminal) to Parque Central metro (line 4) $5

Metro to La Bandera Terminal (line 3) free ride / Lunch $10

1700H ETD Caracas; night bus $35 / No charger, no wifi, 17 hours on road

2345H Police Checkpoint; scariest, lost $130 cash during inspection

Scariest Experience - Venezuela Police checkpoint during 17-hour overnight bus trip due to language barrier, lost around $130 for robbery/bribery plus whole body frisking.

TOTAL: $180 / ₱10,800

Day 16: September 08 Sunday VENEZUELA 2

1000H Merida; taxi to hotel / Hotel Luna Azul 1N $25; lunch $5

1330H Merida Cable car, world’s highest/longest cable car

12.5km journey, $20 (9AM TO 2PM) / Pico Espejo (4,765masl), highest cable car

Pico Bolivar (4,978masl), Venezuela Highest peak

1630H walk-around to Centro (Heladeria Coromoto, Basilica) dinner ,$5

TOTAL: $55 / ₱3,300

Day 17: September 09 Monday VENEZUELA 3

0700H random morning walk; lunch $5

Due to the traumatic checkpoint experience, tired to do anything; morning random walks; snacks $5

1400H Checkout hotel; walk to Bus station 

1700H ETD Merida; night bus $30

TOTAL: $40 / ₱2,400

2 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Merida

Guayaquil (Malecon 2000, Aerialway Cable Car)

41 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Ecuador March 24 to May 04, 2021

Coastal (Puerto Lopez, Playa Montañita, Atacames, Salinas)

Day 84: Apr. 29, 2021 Thu / Guayaquil 2

0700H ETD Hostel; breakfast 3

0800H ETD Atacames; bus 14.5

1200H Santo Domingo; lunch 4.5

1800H ETA Guayaquil; walk to hostel; dinner 5.5; Casa Michael 4 nights 32

TOTAL: $59.5

Day 85: Apr. 30, 2021 Fri /  Guayaquil 3

0800H ETD Hostel; bus #74 0.30

0830H ETA La Bahia; breakfast 1.5; Guayaquil Cathedral, Malecon 2000 Walk; Aerialway Cable Car Roundtrip 1.40

1130H ETD La Bahia; bus 0.30; lunch 6; Cinemark "Mortal Kombat" 7; Casa Michael; dinner 2.5; snacks 12

TOTAL: $31

Day 86: May 01, 2021 Sat /  Guayaquil 4

Ecuador Nationwide Weekend Lockdown

1430H 22ND COVID19 TEST (PCR); MEDIKAL 45; Casa Michael; snacks 6.5

TOTAL: $51.5

Day 87: May 02, 2021 Sun / Guayaquil 5

Ecuador Nationwide Weekend Lockdown; Casa Michael; snacks 1.5; laundry 5

TOTAL: $6.5

Guayaquil (Malecon 2000, Aerialway Cable Car)

La Paz (Mi Teleferico, Tiwanaku, Valle de la Luna, Canyon de Palca)

8 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Bolivia February 17, 2021 to February 26, 2021

Uyuni Salt Flat Day Tip

Trip Description (Feb. 2021): La Paz (Valle de la Luna, Valle de las Animas, Canyon de Palca), Tiwanaku and other nearby tourists destinations, relax self-guided walk day visit

How to Go: For Valle de la Luna, take bus #902 in front of Basilica de San Francisco for B3 fare with 20 minutes travel. For Valle de las Animas and Canyon de Palca, take bus #965 for B3 fare with 30 minutes travel. For Tiwanaku, colectivo terminal is located near Cementerio for B20 fare with 1.5 hour travel. 

Day 18: Feb. 22, 2021 Mon / La Paz

0730H Mi Teleferico; card with charge 30; Money Exchange 100 USD = B695 (6.95)

0815H Jalsuri Stn; breakfast 23

0900H PARAGUAY VISA APPLICATION

1030H bus #902 to Valle de la Luna 3

1200H bus #992 to main road 3; bus #965 2; Valle de la Luna / Valle de las Animas; snacks 13

1430H bus #965 to centro 3; Centro walk; haircut 30; dinner 23; The Rooftop Hostel

TOTAL: B130

Day 19: Feb. 23, 2021 Tue / La Paz

0600H ETD Hostel; walk to colectivo terminal

0630H ETD La Paz; colectivo to Desaguadero 20

0730H Laja Border Checkpoint bribe 100

0800H ETD Laja; colectivo to Tiwanaku 10

0830H ETA Tiwanaku junction; walk to town; Tiwanaku Archeological Park 100; breakfast 7

1000H ETD Tiwanaku; colectivo to La Paz

1130H ETA La Paz; colectivo 14; Teleferico; PARAGUAY VISA CLAIM 65 USD; Money Exchange 35 USD = B240 (6.85)

Lunch 23; Teleferico card charge 10; snacks 27; Mi Teleferico sunset joyride; The Rooftop Hostel

TOTAL: B311

Day 20: Feb. 24, 2021 Wed / La Paz

0800H ETD Hostel; breakfast 14; Money Exchange 50 USD = B347 (6.95); Colectivo to San Miguel 3

0900H 17TH PCR TEST; RESCATA Bolivia 450; Colectivo to Uni bus # 965 3

1100H Canyon de Palca

1330H Colectivo to La Paz bus # 965 3; lunch 24

Mi Teleferico joyride; card charge 10; snacks 26; The Rooftop Hostel

TOTAL: B533

La Paz (Mi Teleferico, Tiwanaku, Valle de la Luna, Canyon de Palca)

Bulgaria Day Tour 2nd part; Road Trip to Rila Seven Lakes

1-Day tour to quickly sight-see the best marvels of Bulgaria

June 16, 2015

Bulgaria Day Tour 1st part; Overnight Train from Belgrade to Sofia

How to Go to Rila Seven Lakes;
Rila Seven Lakes is somehow hard to navigate from Sofia Central Bus due to (1) this is not famous yet to locals and (2) its very hard to find someone who can speak english. Even so, please see the following table how did I go there via public transportation. Entrance fee costs 18 BGN that includes chair lift return ride. Photography and video taking is allowed. Free Wi-fi at the restaurant above 2,000masl.

0910H		ETD Sofia			bound to Dupnitsa	bus	6 lev
1100H		ETA Dupnitsa			20mins bus transfer
1120H		ETD Dupnitsa Sektor			bound to Panichishte	bus	1.6 lev
1200H		ETA Panichishte			ask locals, taxi to Rila 7 lakes lift	taxi	16 lev
1245H		Rila Seven Lakes			roundtrip ride	lift	18 lev
		chicken meal			free wifi at 2,000masl		7 lev
1515H		ETD Rila Seven Lakes			fridge magnet		10 lev
1630H		ETD Seven Lakes lift			hitch ride	car	25 lev

Rila Seven Rila Lakes are without a doubt one of the most notable natural attractions on the Balkan Peninsula, a dream destination not to be missed. The lakes have been named for their shapes and qualities. The highest of them is Tear Lake, which gained its name for its crystal-clear water. It is 2,535 meters high. Next is Eye Lake, the deepest of the seven at 37.5 meters. Somewhat lower than Eye Lake is Kidney Lake, named for its kidney shape, which has a surface area of 85 hectares and steep rocky banks. Next comes the Twins. Wide at both ends and narrow in the middle the lake resembles an hourglass. During dry years, the lake becomes two smaller lakes, and this is the source of its name. Farther down the trail are Three-leafed Lake and Fish Lake. The Seven Lakes Shelter is on the banks of Fish Lake. The lowest lake is appropriately called Lower Lake, which feeds the Dzherman River. The lakes are all connected by narrow streams.
http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/274/sedemte_rilski_ezera
  

Bulgaria Day Tour; Road Trip to Rila Seven Lakes

Zhangjiajie Tour 4th part; Cable Car to Tianmen Mountain

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 3rd part; above the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

Tianmen Mountain Cableway is the longest mountain cableway in the world. Its cableway length of 24,459 feet (more than 4.5 miles) with travel time of around 25mins, starting from the city center of Zhangjiajie to the 'Hanging Garden' on the peak. Important; It is highly recommended to buy ticket early in the morning (0700H) because massive volume of tourist group is about to unfold everyday, taking note that winter is supposedly an off-peak season, much more if its summer or spring. I arrived on ticket queuing around 0800H and begun my cable ride around 1330H, that was 5hr30mins.

How to go to Tianmen Mountain Cable Car;
Tianmen Mountain Car is just above the Zhangjiajie train station. From Zhangjiajie train station, follow the cable above which is around less than 1km away from Exit. Entrance fee is 228CNY ($37) (Off-peak season rate). This admission fee includes entrance ticket, Cable car round trip, tourist bus and insurance. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

Tianmen Mountain Cablecar was constructed by the French company Poma from nearby Zhangjiajie railway station to the top of the mountain. Tianmen Mountain Cableway is claimed in tourist publications as the "longest passenger cableway of high mountains in the world", with 98 cars and a total length of 7,455 metres (24,459 ft) and ascent of 1,279 metres (4,196 ft).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianmen_Mountain

Zhangjiajie Tour 4th part; Cable Car to Tianmen Mountain (99 Bends)

Zhangjiajie Tour 1st part; at the Yellow Stone Mountain

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Harbin Tour last part; Inside the Siberia Tiger Park

The main attraction in Zhangjiajie is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage that includes the Zhangjiajie Forest Park.

How to go to Yellow Stone Mountain (Huangshizhai);
This place is the first park to visit inside the Zhangjiajie National Park. From Zhangjiajie Bus Terminal, ride an ordinary bus bound to "Znhajiajie". the bus has no number posted, so asking locals for direction and the proper bus before going aboard is important. Travel time is around 45mins for a fare of 10CNY ($1.6). Zhangjiajie National Park entrance fee is 139CNY ($23) (Off-peak season rate) and valid for 4-days consecutive (non-transferable). Cable car ride is paid separately at 118CNY ($20) roundtrip. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

The Huangshizhai Village, also called Yellow Lion Village or Yellow Stone Village, refers to a huge mountain land in the middle part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. With an elevation of 1,080 masl, Huangshi Village is a high, magnificent and vast sightseeing platform, a high-south, low-north terrace composed of many cliffs. This place is a The top consists of more than 20 hectares, with over 10 scene viewing platforms from where one can enjoy majestic sandstone peak forests. People even say that not visiting Huangshizhai is equivalent to not visiting Zhangjiajie. Major Attractions are Treasure Box with Sealedbook, Devine Needle, Great Southern Pillar, Left Piers.

http://www.zhangjiajietourism.us/what-scenic.html

Zhangjiajie Tour 1st part; at the Yellow Stone Mountain

The Viewing Deck Collections; Cable Cars/Gondola Lifts/Ropeways

Gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, often called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal, which is connected to an engine or electric motor. They are often considered continuous systems since they feature a haul rope which continuously moves and circulates around two terminal stations. In Japan, all the systems above are regarded as a same kind of rail transport and called ropeway while telpher in China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_lif
 

Gudauri Ice Skiing Cable Car (Republic of Georgia 2014)

Masada Palace (Israel 2014)