Medellin for the first time

I want to see the city, meet people and explore the surrounding nature. I speak low-intermediate Spanish. I'm looking to stay for 2 weeks.

• What kind of budget am I looking at? I'm not looking for anything high-end (I don't want to share a room with strangers) Just a $ range is fine.
• Do Interac cards work (Canadian) in their ATM machines so that I could withdraw straight from my bank account?

Anyone at Hanoi backpackers on Tuesday?

My friend is from the Cayman Islands and is 30. She could do with some friendly company. She likes Tiger beer...... h

Salta/Busservie from Salta to BA/La Plata

Good morning!
I'll be going to Salta November 2nd departing from Asuncion, Paraguay. I was wondering if anyone has some good suggestions what to do there, suggestions for hostels, etc. ;)
Second question: After my stay in Salta I want to travel to Buenos Aires/La Plata. So far I found some Busservices for about 480-800 pesos. Do you think it's better to book in the internet beforehand, or can I get a better price bookin there at the busstation!?

Thank you

Peter

Hiking in the Canaries in November

Hi all,
Planning to spend 6 nights in the Canaries in November, mostly hiking.
At present, my flight is into an out of Tenerife Norte.

Trying to decide between the following:

1. Spend the entire time in Tenerife, including a climb of Teide (already booked the refuge)
2. Spend the first 2-3 days in La Palma, then head to Tenerife to climb Teide
Any recommendations? Thanks.
Also, can someone please confirm that I don't need a permit to climb Teide if I'm staying at the refuge.
Thanks.

Brian

Hotel in Caracas

Hi All

Please can anyone recommend a hotel in Caracas I will be there from 26.10.12 for a few days

I am a single gay guy travelling to VNZ & Colombia for 2 weeks

I was told the Altamira area is a good bet. Any idea of prices ?

Also the best way to travel from CCS to Merida, and then Merida on to Bogota ??

Thanks

Eddy

Airline carriers and fees for non-Peruvians

What's the low down on fees for foreigners traveling from Lima to Cusco? I saw acceptable airfares on Orbitz, but they included using LAN or TACA, which from what I've read, will charge approximately $175 each way since I'll be a non-Peruvian.

I might just book separate flights, fly into Lima, then use Peru Star or Peruvian Airlines. The downside to this is, I might end up staying in Lima, which I hadn't planned on. I'm weary of booking independent flights on my own that require a connection.

Any comments on foreigners flying in Peru would be appreciated.

Avoid Camel Travel at any cost!!

We took a night bus from Ninh Binh to Hoi An (which departed from Hanoi). The following happened:

• it was not possible to book seat numbers, which I found odd. When we got on, the driver gave us the worst possible seats at the back, so I ended up being in a 3-person 'bed' in the middle of course next to a stranger (all of us non-Vietnamese)... nice... impossible to negotiate as the guy does not speak English (or does not want to)
• the bed was next to the loo, which was soon overfilled and smelly from 3am... Nobody seemed to care and they kept using it... we had a lovely night as you can imagine
• despite the loo not being usable, the driver did not want to stop. We did not stop once. At long last we stopped in Hue, the girl I was travelling with ran to the toilets. A couple of minutes later the driver wanted to leave, I told him to wait until she comes back. He started scr...

6 hours at Seoul airport

Hi we have only 6 hours at Seoul airport and would like to see a little of Korea rather than spend the time at the airport. is there anywhere we can go close to the airport for a few hours?