Budget Travel Tips on Caribbean Cruise as Filipino Solo Backpacker

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise

November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 8: Day Trip in Bridgetown, Barbados

Highlight: Coming from Philippine Airport (MNL) as Budgetarian Filipino Solo Backpacker with Philippine passport only. I confirm and fully paid both flights and cruise around 24 days before the first flight but save around 40% of the flight fares and 50% on the entire cruise fare (mandatory gratuities included). Minor expenses only per island visit day. Also, NO VISA APPLIED in all 6 Island nations and 2 transit airports visited. I just booked the flights and cruise, bring my backpack and passport, then go.

Origin Airport: NAIA T3 (MNL) UTC +0800H

Transit Airport: Dubai (DXB) UTC +0400H and Amsterdam (AMS) UTC +0100H

Arrival Airport: Bridgetown (BGI) UTC -0400H

Time Difference between Origin and Arrival: 12 hours 

Flight Time: Approximately 42 hours (transits included), 3 sets of flights with 9 hours average per flight 

Airlines booked: Emirates and KLM

Visa Applied: NONE, Transit without visa and visit without visa if the transit/visit is less than 24 hours

Cruise Date: Nov 27 to Dec. 04, 2022 (UTC -0400H) 

Cruise line / Itinerary: Royal Caribbean (US website) / 7 Nights Southern Carribean 

Major Expenses (booked / paid on 02-Nov-2022, just 24 days before first flight departure): 

* 7 Nights Southern Carribean (6 Island Nations) via Royal Caribbean Cruise $555.25/P33,141

- standard cruise booking was around $1,100, I save around 50%

* Return Flight MNL-AMS-MNL (Emirates) and AMS-BGI-AMS (KLM) via Sky Scanner (Trip.com) P118,648

- airline website was around P200,000, I save around 40%

Total: PHP 151,789 (USD 2,643)

Detailed Itinerary: 7 Nights Southern Carribean Cruise from / to Bridgetown, Barbados

Caribbean Cruise Requirements (print-out expedites the process):

1. Original Passport and photocopies (minimum 6 months validity)

2. Barbados online arrival form (Bridgetown is the airport and seaport of entry / exit of the cruise)

3. Print-out Full Covid19 Vaccine Certificate 

4. Print-out Return Flight tickets

5. Print-out Cruise Receipt / Itinerary

5. Print-out of some financial documentation as a source of income / to pay for expenses

Budget Travel Tips on Caribbean Cruise as Filipino Solo Backpacker

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 8: Day Trip in Bridgetown, Barbados

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 7: Day Trip in Castries, St. Lucia

Barbados is an island in the Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela that is often portrayed as the Little Britain of the Caribbean because of its long association with the UK as a British colony.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Barbados

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 8: December 04, 2022 Sunday BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (My 133rd Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast

0700H ETA Bridgetown UTC -0400H / 99.75 USD refund

Brandon's beach, Old Town, Brownes beach / Fridge magnet 5 USD

1300H ETD Bridgetown center (bus terminal); bus 12/13 to airport 2 USD

1959H ETD Bridgetown UTC -0400H; flight KL781

Total: USD 7

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 2 BBD  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BARBADOS

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Bridgetown    language - English    currency - Dollar (BBD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are visa upon arrival (free of charge). However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa.

1. Barbados is named after a tree. When the Portuguese first discovered the island in 1536 the Bearded Fig Tree was found all over the island. “Los Barbados” is Portuguese for “The Bearded One.”

2. Barbados has never been invaded by a foreign power since the British took rule in 1627.

3. Barbados is also known as “the land of flying fish” as they are seen gliding around the island. They can glide for up to 45 seconds at speeds of more than 70km / hour!

4. Barbados has the third oldest Westminster-style parliaments in the Western Hemisphere. It has been in existence for 369 years.

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 8: Day Trip in Bridgetown, Barbados

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 7: Day Trip in Castries, St. Lucia

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 6: Day Trip in Roseau, Dominica

Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth country that is an island in the Caribbean, off the coast of Central America. It lies between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) are striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere that are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Saint_Lucia

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 7: December 03, 2022 Saturday CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA (My 132nd Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast

0800H ETA Castries UTC -0400H

Castries city view point, La Toc beach, Vigie beach, Constitution Park

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk / Fridge magnets 15 XCD

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD Castries UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 0

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 2.7 XCD  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SAINT LUCIA

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Castries    language - English    currency - Dollar (XCD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are visa upon arrival (free of charge). However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa.

1. First country to be named after a woman and gained independence from Britain in 1979

2. St. Lucia has the world’s only drive-in volcano

3. The country is 70% covered in rainforest

4. St. Lucia has more Nobel Prize Laureate’s than anywhere else

5. It enjoys a year-round temperature of 27°

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 7: Day Trip in Castries, St. Lucia

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 6: Day Trip in Roseau, Dominica

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 5: Day Trip in Kingstown, St. Vincent

Dominica is a Caribbean island country between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. It is often known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system. The most mountainous island of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest thermally active lake in the world. Should not be confused with the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Dominica

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 6: December 02, 2022 Friday ROSEAU, DOMINICA (My 131st Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast

0800H ETA Roseau UTC -0400H

Botanical Garden, Morne Bruce hiking via Jack's walk trail

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk / Fridge magnet 5 XCD

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD Roseau UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 0

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 2.7 XCD  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DOMINICA

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Roseau    language - English    currency - Dollar (XCD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are visa upon arrival (free of charge). However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa.

1. It’s definitely not the Dominican Republic.

2. There are nine volcanoes.

3. Sulfur springs and black-sand beaches surround the capital city of Roseau.

4. Dominica has the second-largest boiling lake in the world.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was filmed here.

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 6: Day Trip in Roseau, Dominica

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 5: Day Trip in Kingstown, St. Vincent

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 4: Day Trip in St. George's, Grenada

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Caribbean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The main island of Saint Vincent has most of the land area and population of just over 100,000. The many small islands and islets of the Grenadines trail in a curve spanning more than 60km to the south, where the southernmost Grenadines are part of the independent island nation of Grenada.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 5: December 01, 2022 Thursday KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT (My 130th Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast

0800H ETA Kingstown UTC -0400H

Fort Charlotte (6km distance with 200m elevation gain), Botanical Garden

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk / Fridge magnet 10 XCD

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD Kingstown UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 0

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 2.7 XCD  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SAINT VINCENT AND GRENADINES

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Kingstown    language - English    currency - Dollar (XCD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are visa upon arrival (free of charge). However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa.

1. While the country is made up of 32 islands and cays, only 9 of them are actually inhabited.

2. The country is home to the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere which were formed back in 1765

3. Kingstown is actually referred to as the “City of Arches” because the city’s buildings have approximately 400 arches!

4. The hit franchise Pirates of the Caribbean actually shot multiple scenes from their first 3 instalments in this country!

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 5: Day Trip in Kingstown, St. Vincent

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 4: Day Trip in St. George's, Grenada

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 3: Day Trip in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Grenada is a group of three larger islands (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique) and several tiny islands in the Caribbean, or West Indies. It lies just northeast of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is famous for spices and is known as the "Spice Isle", being a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Grenada

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 4: November 30, 2022 Wednesday ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA (My 129th Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast

0800H ETA St. George's UTC -0400H

Fort George, Christ of the Abyss, Lagoon / Exchange 15 USD = 40 XCD (2.7) / Fridge magnet 5 XCD

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD St. George's UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 15

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 2.7 XCD  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GRENADA

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - St. George's    language - English    currency - Dollar (XCD)

visa - Philippine passport holders need to apply visa before arrival. However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa.

1. Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1498 and named it Concepcion. A year after that, another bunch of explorers passed by the island and changed the name to Mayo . When the French came, they changed it to “Le Grenade” and finally when the British took over, they called it Grenada.

2. Grenada produces many spices and therefore is also called “Island of Spice”.

3. Grenada boasts of having the world’s first underwater sculpture park

4. Civilians in the country can’t wear camouflage in any form. The camouflage is reserved for the army only.

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 4: Day Trip in St. George's, Grenada

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 3: Day Trip in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 2: Day Trip in Scarborough, Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a nation consisting primarily of two Caribbean islands just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. The country is the most industrialised and one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. Overall, tourism is not a major industry (though the island of Tobago has proportionally more), leaving the islands replete with natural unspoiled beauty not found in most other Caribbean countries.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Trinidad_and_Tobago

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 3: November 29, 2022 Tuesday PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (My 128th Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast 

0800H ETA Port of Spain UTC -0400H

The Red House, Trinity Cathedral, Queen's Park, National Museum, Stollmeyer's Castle, White Hall, Archbishop House

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch 

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD Port of Spain UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 0

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 6.7 TTD 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Port of Spain    language - English    currency - Dollar (TTD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are eligible for 90 days visa application upon arrival for TT$400. However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa regardless of nationality. 

1. Trinidad and Tobago has the biggest celebration of Divali (Festival of Light) in the Western Part.

2. Tobago has the Largest Brain Coral in the World.

3. Pitch Lake (Trinidad) is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the in the world.

4. Trinidad (Queen’s Park Savannah) has the Largest Roundabout in the World

5. T&T is the Happiest Country in the Caribbean.

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 3: Day Trip in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 2: Day Trip in Scarborough, Tobago

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise November 26 to December 06, 2022

7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise Preparation, Whole Itinerary and Day 1

Trinidad and Tobago is a nation consisting primarily of two Caribbean islands just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. The country is the most industrialised and one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. Overall, tourism is not a major industry (though the island of Tobago has proportionally more), leaving the islands replete with natural unspoiled beauty not found in most other Caribbean countries.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Trinidad_and_Tobago

Important Note: Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated if worn in port, and the wearer may be charged by local authorities.

Day 2: November 28, 2022 Monday SCARBOROUGH, TOBAGO (My 128th Country)

0600H Morning walk and workout / Buffet Breakfast 

0900H ETA Scarborough UTC -0400H

Botanical Garden, Fort King George, Tobago sign; Souvenir Currency and Fridge Magnet $3 

1130H Back to ship, Buffet Lunch 

1300H Back ashore, stroll around random walk

1500H Back to ship / watch FIFA match at pool

1800H ETD Scarborough UTC -0400H / Fine dining / outside movie at the pool

2100H Sleep rest

Total: USD 3

Currency Exchange Rate as of Nov. 2022: 1 USD = 6.7 TTD 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

timezone - UTC -0400H   capital - Port of Spain    language - English    currency - Dollar (TTD)

visa - Philippine passport holders are eligible for 90 days visa application upon arrival for TT$400. However, cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa regardless of nationality. 

1. Trinidad and Tobago has the biggest celebration of Divali (Festival of Light) in the Western Part.

2. Tobago has the Largest Brain Coral in the World.

3. Pitch Lake (Trinidad) is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the in the world.

4. Trinidad (Queen’s Park Savannah) has the Largest Roundabout in the World

5. T&T is the Happiest Country in the Caribbean.

Southern Caribbean Cruise Day 2: Day Trip in Scarborough, Tobago

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise

continuation of my quest to go beyond #lakbay100 despite the odds... November 26 to December 06, 2022

"Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free." - Christy Martine

My 106th solo backpacking trip and trying some usual budget do-it-yourself (DIY) itinerary from arrival to departure. Yes, you read it right, backpacking despite the very laidback type of journey. It is due to some of my flights have no check-in luggage included just to avail the cheapest flight. This trip served also as my Second visit in Caribbean following the Hispaniola Island (Haiti - Dominican Republic) solo trip (Oct. 2020) and Second Cruise Adventure following the Antarctica voyage (Nov. 2019). 

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Caribbean

Rhapsody of the Seas is a midsize Vision-class cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International built in 1995. Rhapsody doesn't have all the snazzy high-tech features included on newer cruise ships. But, guests will enjoy superior service, smaller crowds, and a more intimate cruise experience.

https://cruiseline.com/ship/rhapsody-of-the-seas

My reasons why I chose this cruise are (1) the itinerary voyage consist of all the 6 Caribbean island countries that I did not visited yet, (2) Rhapsody of the Seas is the only ship that offers the item (1) in a compressed itinerary and (3) luckily I got the cheapest cruise package and flights from / to Philippines (MNL).

My Objective Why I still pushed this Adventure despite of what happened on my 2022:

1. It's my dream to experience the Caribbean cruise.

2. I got a huge discount luckily to flights and the cruise itself.

3. Continue my journey to go beyond #lakbay100 (visiting countries I've never been).

4. I need a diversion and new beginning of what just 2022 offered me.

Visa Requirements for Caribbean Cruise:

Cruise ship passengers staying for less than 24 hours and not staying on the island overnight do not require a visa (most of the caribbean islands). 

Budget Travel Tips on this Caribbean Cruise as Filipino Solo Backpacker

Royal Caribbean (Rhapsody of the Seas): 7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise

Playa Macao and Redonda Montaña Day Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

This trip was supposedly a planned 2 days tour on two different best beaches of Dominican Republic. The first day was in Playa Macao and Buggy ride and the 2nd day was in Saona Island. Unfortunately, I received a whatsapp message just afternoon of the 1st day from the tour operator declaring the 2nd day was cancelled due to lack of joiners. Since I don't wanna waste my time in Dominican Republic doing nothing, I change the trip to Redunda Montana + Playa Macao.

Playa Macao is declared by UNESCO as one of the best in the Caribbean for its fine sand and abundant palm trees, this stunning beach is virtual eye candy! Natural, expansive, virginal and 3.2 miles long, Playa el Macao is what dreams are made of.  As soon as arrive atop the hillcrest, all you will be able to say is… “WOW”! There is so much space to explore and not many people. Playa el Macao is never crowded because the beach is so big – except on weekends as it is a popular destination for Dominicans -At times, there will be excursions from the resorts with a busload of tourists and buggy excursions (which have pretty loud engines) which traverse the white dunes but there is plenty of room for everyone.

http://visitpuntacana.org/playa-el-macao/

It is a scenic place that has been operating as a tourist place since (1999). Its owners are the “Pión Martínez” family. Round Mountain in Miches, is an unforgettable place, being surrounded by the nature of the countryside, enjoy a panoramic view, where the reflection of the lagoons combine with the sun rise on the beach and sunset with the green of the mountains, clean air and singing birds, peace and tranquility.

Day 2: October 13, 2020 Tuesday / Dominican Republic

0530H ETD Hostel; Morning refreshments 60

0630H ETD Santo Domingo

Playa Macao + Buggy 1,890 (paid)

1800H ETA Santo Domingo; snacks 80

TOTAL: 140 DOP

Day 3: October 14, 2020 Wednesday / Dominican Republic

0530H ETD Hostel; Morning refreshments 195

0630H ETD Santo Domingo

Redonda Montaña + Macao Day Tour 1,590 (paid)

2030H ETA Santo Domingo; snacks 235

TOTAL: 430 DOP

Playa Macao and Redonda Montaña Day Tour

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic, and it prides itself in being the first European city in the New World. The old city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Founded by Christopher Columbus's brother Bartolome Colombus in 1496, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and was the first seat of the Spanish colonial empire in the New World. For this reason, the city of Santo Domingo has a really rich historic and cultural heritage that makes any visit extremely worthwhile.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Santo_Domingo

Day 1: October 12, 2020 Monday / Dominican Republic

Island Life Hostel $72; Free breakfast

0830H Colonial Zone Historic Walk Tour

Exchange $1= 58DOP; $100=5,800DOP

Lunch 290; magnet 100; ATA Excursions 3,880

Refreshments + snacks 465

TOTAL: $72 + 4,735 DOP

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

My 112th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 91st solo backpacking trip, 3rd country in North America, 2nd time in Caribbean and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

As part of the Caribbean the Dominican Republic has the North Atlantic Ocean lying to its north and the Caribbean Sea to its south. It's situated on the island of Hispaniola and occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island while Haiti occupies the western third. After attaining independence in 1844 the Dominican Republic endured many years of a largely non-representative rule until Joaquin Balaguer became president in 1966 holding office until 1996. Today regular elections are held and the Dominican Republic now has an impressive and fast growing economy with tourism playing a major role. For the adventure tourist this Caribbean country offers a diverse countryside comprising tropical rainforests, arid desert expanses, alpine ranges and steamy mangrove swamps. It's a playground for trekkers, mountain bike enthusiasts and water-sport junkies.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Dominican_Republic

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

Miami City Transit Visit

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

This trip was very spontaneous. My original plan was to cross the border of Dominican Republic through Ouanaminthe in Haiti. Unfortunately, the border was closed which was why the Caribe Tours bus station is closed. I just booked my ticket just night before the flight.

Miami, officially the City of Miami, is a metropolis located in southeastern Florida in the United States. It is the second most populous metropolis on the East coast of the United States, and it is the seventh largest in the country. The city is an economic powerhouse, serving as the financial and business capital of Latin America. Miami is a major center and leader in finance, commerce, culture, arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America" and is the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami

Day 5: October 11, 2020 Sunday / Miami Transit

0952H Port Au Prince UTC -0400H; flight AA1181

1157H ETA Miami UTC -0400H; 6hr transit

Miami aftenoon tour; bus #150 to South Beach

Miami South Beach; Burger King $10; souvenirs $17

1830H ETA Miami Airport; dinner $17

2030H ETD Miami; flight AA1511

2245H ETA Santo Domingo; Uber to hostel $16

TOTAL: $60

Miami City Transit Visit

Cap-Hatien Afternoon Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

Port-au-Prince Afternoon Tour

Cap-Haïtien, often referred to as Le Cap or Au Cap, is on the north coast of Haiti and capital of the department of Nord. Previously named Cap‑Français and Cap‑Henri, it was historically nicknamed the Paris of the Antilles, because of its wealth and sophistication, expressed through its architecture and artistic life. Cap-Haïtien is near the historic Haitian town of Milot, which lies 19 km to the southwest along a gravel road. Milot was Haiti's first capital under the self-proclaimed King Henry Christophe, who ascended to power in 1807, three years after Haiti had gained independence from France. He renamed Cap‑Français as Cap‑Henri. Milot is the site of his Sans-Souci Palace, wrecked by the 1842 earthquake. The Citadelle Henry, a massive stone fortress bristling with cannons, atop a nearby mountain is 8.0 km away. On clear days, its silhouette is visible from Cap‑Haïtien.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap-Ha%C3%AFtien

Day 3: October 09, 2020 Friday / Haiti

0630H Sans Souci Bus Stn; change receipt to seat 

0700H ETD Port au Prince Bus to Cap-Haitien

1000H Bus stop over; lunch 400

1400H ETA CAP-Haitien (Ouanaminthe bus query) 

Taxi to Caribe Tours 500 (already closed) / Taxi to Milot 1,250

1600H Citadel Laferriere / Sans-Soucis Palace (Milot)

Motorbike to Citadel roundtrip $12 / Horse rental with guide $24

Citadelle entrance fee $10; Guide fee 30

2000H Motorbike to CAP-Haitien $24

Rue B Hotel $50; dinner 250

TOTAL: $150 + 2,400 HTG

Cap-Hatien Afternoon Tour

Port-au-Prince Afternoon Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Haiti

The city of Port-au-Prince is on the Gulf of Gonâve: the bay on which the city lies, which acts as a natural harbor, has sustained economic activity since the civilizations of the Arawaks. It was first incorporated under French colonial rule in 1749. The city's layout is similar to that of an amphitheatre; commercial districts are near the water, while residential neighborhoods are located on the hills above. The city was catastrophically affected by a devastating earthquake in 2010,with large numbers of structures damaged or destroyed. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-au-Prince

Day 2: October 08, 2020 Thursday / Haiti

1340H ETA Port Au Prince UTC -0400H

Visa on arrival free, Tourist fee $10

Hand-over Negative Covid19 test result printout; Walking distance to bus station to CAP-Haitien

Sans Souci Hotel $60 + $90 Exchange ($1=60 HTG)

Sans Souci Bus Reservation $20

Afternoon city tour 1,500; Snacks + Beer 520

TOTAL: $90 +2,200 HTG

Port-au-Prince Afternoon Tour

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Haiti

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

My 111th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 91st solo backpacking trip, 2nd country in North America, 1st time in Caribbean and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola is occupied by the Dominican Republic. To the north lies the North Atlantic Ocean, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the south. Haiti is a country with a revolutionary, exciting past and its future still remains uncertain. Though Haiti has faced hard times during the past decades, Haiti's tourism industry which bustled in the 60s to the 80s is returning. 

https://wikitravel.org/en/Haiti

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Haiti

New York City Transit Visit

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

Almost all international arrivals in New York JFK airport require 14 days quarantine except for transit passengers. I just know only that I can go out of the airport the moment I arrived in JFK (I thought I will just stay inside the airport). Good thing I have around 8 hours to stroll around the city as the metro is operational only until 0100L. This is my first time visiting New York and my 7th state in United States.

New York City (NYC), often called simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. New York City has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, significantly influencing commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City

Day 1: October 07, 2020 Wednesday / New York Transit

0810H ETD Abu Dhabi UTC +0400H; flight EY101

1420H ETA New York UTC - 0400H; 18hr transit

14 days quarantine not required for transit passengers with less than 24 hours of stay

AirTrain+Subway 11.5 drop to Charles St Station

World Trade Center Museum; Staten Island Ferry Ride free

Subway to Times Square 3; Fridge Magnet 4.5

The Vessel, Empire State Building, McDo 8

2230H ETD Times Square; Subway to AirTrain 11

TOTAL: $38

Day 2: October 08, 2020 Thursday / Haiti

0100H ETA New York JFK Airport Terminal 5

0959H ETD New York UTC -0400H; flight B61835

1340H ETA Port Au Prince UTC -0400H

New York City Transit Visit

9 Days Solo Trip in Summer Hispaniola Island (Caribbean)

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

32 Li backpack and 1st time to bring my laptop on the road... I did not bring my real backpacking stuff as everything was planned only during my Abu Dhabi departure flight going to Manila. Spontaneous minimalism adventure for summer and winter season awaits.

Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean archipelago known as the Greater Antilles. It is the most populous island in the West Indies and the region's second largest after Cuba. The 76,192-square-kilometre island is divided into two separate, sovereign nations: the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic (48,445 km2) to the east and French / Haitian Creole-speaking Haiti (27,750 km2) to the west. Hispaniola is the site of the first European settlement in the Americas, La Navidad (1492–1493), as well as the first proper town, La Isabela (1493–1500), and the first permanent settlement and current capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo (est. 1498). These settlements were founded successively in each of Christopher Columbus' first three voyages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniola

9 Days Solo Trip in Summer Hispaniola Island (Caribbean)