Mini bus trip last Sunday
Last Sunday, 8 Friends, and One Hyundai Staria Trying to Survive Lebanon
Last Sunday, eight friends squeezed into a Hyundai Staria and decided to “explore Lebanon.”
Which is Lebanese code for: no plan, no schedule, and nobody actually knows where we’re going.
Perfect conditions for an adventure.
Stop #1 — Baabdat Viewpoint: Coffee, Fog & Ego Boosts
We kicked off in Baabdat. The fog was thick, the coffee was thin, and everybody instantly became a National Geographic photographer.
The Staria climbed those hills quietly and smoothly—no overheating, no dashboard drama, no complaints (unlike some passengers).
Bonus detail:
One friend slept through half the trip, woke up confused, and asked if we reached the airport. Respect.
Stop #2 — Deir el Qamar: Streets That Make You Walk for No Reason
From Baabdat we rolled down to Deir el Qamar—stone houses, narrow streets, and that classic Lebanese medieval vibe.
We found a bakery. We bought manakish. We inhaled them.
Only regret of the day:
One guy ordered Zaatar and spent the next 30 minutes talking about how he “should’ve taken cheese.”
Weak leadership.
Stop #3 — Chouf Cedar Reserve: Breathing Without Tasting Exhaust
Next stop: the Chouf Cedar Reserve. Clean air, big trees, and finally a place in Lebanon where you don’t breathe dust and octane.
We walked around touching trees older than our entire family lineage and pretended we knew environmental facts.
Useful info if you go:
✔ Marked walking paths
✔ Family-friendly, not just influencer content
✔ Bring a jacket—weather doesn’t care about your outfit
Meanwhile the Staria waited outside like a loyal dog. If it could speak, it would judge us—silently and respectfully.
Stop #4 — Beiteddine Palace: History With Parking
Then we hit Beiteddine. The courtyard still feels unreal—arches, marble, tiles, fountains. Lebanon did something magnificent here (yes, a long time ago, but still).
Crucial historical lesson learned:
Nothing in our modern life is as well designed as Beiteddine’s tiles. Not even close.
Final Stop — Barouk: Food, Chairs & That One Guy
Last stop: Barouk for food and fresh mountain air.
The Staria’s trunk became storage for jackets, cameras, and random objects nobody claimed.
Lunch was the usual Lebanese war:
Fight for the last hummus swipe
Mixed grill vs. kafta debates
Someone saying “I’m cutting carbs” while eating bread
Everything tasted better after 9 hours of chaos, laughing, and questionable navigation decisions.
What We Learned About the Hyundai Staria (a.k.a. The Spaceship)
After a full day of Lebanese roads, speed bumps, and mountain curves, here’s the verdict:
✔ Fits 8 full-size humans without violence
✔ AC reaches the back seats (Lebanese miracle)
✔ Sliding doors save friendships in parking lots
✔ Doesn’t drink fuel like it’s happy hour
✔ Suspension survived every pothole
At one point someone said:
“I feel like I’m in a spaceship.”
To be fair, that person barely travels—but he wasn’t wrong.
Micro-Marketing Moment (Stay With Me)
If you're thinking:
“This looks fun but I don’t want to drive, plan, or deal with traffic.”
Congratulations. You are wise.
This is where BeirutVans.com steps in like a Lebanese superhero:
🚐 Vans & minibuses with drivers
📍 Airport pickups, tours, events, family trips
💺 Hyundai Staria, H1, Odyssey, VIP vans
👨✈️ English-speaking drivers
🇱🇧 Local itinerary suggestions (zero tourist traps)
💰 Transparent prices—no hidden stories
So instead of destroying your personal car or your patience, do the smart thing:
book a van, let someone else drive, and just enjoy the country.
Closing Thoughts
Lebanon is ridiculous in the best way possible.
One minute you’re in foggy mountains, next you’re walking through historical palaces, then you’re eating mashawi in Barouk.
We complain about this place constantly, but when the sun sets behind the Chouf and you’re laughing in a van full of friends… nobody wants to go home.
And honestly, that’s the charm.
If you want to plan something similar:
If not, enjoy your Sunday naps.
Our driver already dropped us home safely.