Boracay Hostel: W Hostel Boracay

August 26, 2017Aklan, Hotel Reviews, Philippinesbest beach in the world, best hostel in brocay, Boracay, boracay hoste, cheap room in boracay, hostel accommodation, hostel in boracayian dela pena

Boracay can be a lonesome place for a solo traveler, but thank God for Hostels. Hostels are a very good place to find travel buddies even for just a short while. That’s why I love staying in Boracay hostel. So on my uhmm…. fourth (not sure though) time in Boracay, I scouted for a cool hip place to stay where I can meet new people and I was not disappointed.

This Boracay Hostel is strategically located along Bulabog road. Just right between the kite surfing famous Bulabog Beach and the world famous White Beach of Boracay. The hostel occupies two floors of the building allowing them to offer dorm type, en-suite and private rooms for travelers of different kinds.

What I Love About This Boracay Hostel

The Hostel

As soon as I enter the reception of the hostel I was warmly greeted by the staff as if they know me (yeah you get the warmest hellos in hostel – not at all hostels though, unfortunately). Jen their lead front desk officer assisted me in checking in and helped me settle in the hostel. Really felt I was genuinely welcomed.

The hostel doesn’t have those super dorms putting in 12 or more people in one room making it bearable. I was assigned on a four bed dorm with fellow travelers from France and Germany . Each room has a corner table where you can work on. Every bed also has a certain level of privacy. Each one of them has curtains installed to cover, giving you a capsule like experience. And yes all rooms are air conditioned. I was also happy that they have multiple showers and toilets for each floors. available so using the bathroom was never an issue.

It was raining my entire stay in the island and you know what my saving grace was? This Boracay hostel! Since the weather was bad most of the time with the sun peeping every now and then, it was awesome that they have this roof top where I can hang out. the rooftop has a small pool where you can hang out while looking out to Bulabog Beach. They also have some weights that you can use to keep your self fit while lounge chairs are enough for people to catch some of that Sun.

Location

The hostel is also located between the two most popular beaches in Boracay giving you easy access to both of them. Food selection, grocery and night life is also not a problem. WHostel Boracay is just a several meters away from good Filipino eateries, water refilling station, D’Mall, grocery store, spa and restaurants around station 2.

Price

I got my bed for a little over $6 a night. The price includes breakfast that usually are bread, jams, congee, flowing brewed coffee and each guest gets one egg for free which the staff can cook for you. I choose to cook my own to a fluffy consistency ^_^ . Do I need to say anything more? I mean the price was just amazing having those amenities and inclusion at your disposal. I say it was a good deal.

Verdict

This boracay hostel is a great choice if you are looking for value. Yes, it may not be a beach front property but access to both Bulabog and White beach is good. It also provides you a more decent accommodation in the Island. At around that price considering their facilities and that free breakfast just cuts the deal. Cleanliness is also exceptional and their wifi connection is excellent. Imagine having your own router in your room so that you don’t have to compete with others in connecting to the internet. With that I’d say that I’d highly recommend this Boracay Hostel

If you like this hostel, you can book them through or

Sinagpa Backpackers Your True Escape In Boracay

August 18, 2017Aklan, Hotel Reviews, Philippinesbest beach in the world, best island in the world, Boracay, cheap rooms in station 1, party island in the philippines, where to party in the philippines, where to stay in station 1, white sandian dela pena

Known to be one of the best islands in the world, Boracay can be a bit tiring after all the partying all night. But getting good accommodation in Boracay’s Station 1 area at an affordable price is next to impossible. After extensively searching the entire Boracay inventory of Agoda.com one property stood out among them, it was Sinagpa backpackers.

Tucked at the northern end of Boracay’s Station 1, Sinagpa Backpackers joins other high end accommodations such as Punta Rosa, Boracay Terrace Resort and The Strand. The property’s beach access seem to be a semi private part of white beach’s stretch as it curves into a little cove like area giving you a bit more privacy in you own little stretch of the beach.

What I Like Most About Sinagpa Backpackers

Being a backpacker at heart, my attention was quickly taken by Sinagpa Backpackers’ rating and price range. Being so near the high-end resorts around I was surprised with the price range that it was showing. I thought that it was too good to be true, so I checked the reviews and it was a real value for an accommodation having a 7.9 rating in Agoda.

Sinagpa Backpackers offer rooms that has a well equipped kitchenette. The utensils and kitchenware were all clean with the counter top sparkling clean. Since it is located on a non-commercial residential area of Boracay, I was able to buy food and other things from the store at normal non-bloated prices! Like how they would sell you things at your local sari-sari store. I bought 5 eggs at 8 pesos each and some oil so I can cook my scrambled eggs.

Digital nomads also do not have to worry about internet connection as the rooms has access to a decent WiFi connection. I was able to finish a lot of social media tasks and upload photos for the day to update people who follow me on social media.

I also enjoyed the soft bed and pillows that smelled really clean! It really made my sleep comfortable and I always wake up well rested. See it is important for me to get good sleep while I travel not only because it feels good waking up, but that also means that even if I sleep short I will feel energized and enjoy more hours of exploration in my destination.

Location

Sinagpa Backpacker’s location is pretty good for those people who would like to experience a quieter Boracay without straying away from the vibrant scene of white beach. You may feel that the location is a bit far flung as you take Boracay’s road network. However, once you are settled station 1 and station 2 is just a good 10 minute walk via the soft powdery sands of white beach.

Verdict

I’d say that Sinagpa Backpackers offers something that only the high end market can afford most of the time. Sinagpa Backpackers offers the accessibility to Boracay’s finest sand at station 1 while locating you on a community that offers affordable commodities. That alone gives you a bang for your buck at Sinagpa Backpackers. But what most appeals to me is that the accommodation is located far enough from the crazy scene of white beach but still is accessible enough to reach the usual areas of activities. Because of its unique location you can enjoy some peace and quite moments by beach letting you commune with the sea, the sun and the wind.

If you like this hostel, you can book them through or

The Hot Springs Of Beitou

August 15, 2017Asia, Destinations, Taiwanbeitou, hot springs, japanese bath, nude bathing, onsen, taipei hot springsian dela pena

One of the best things that the Japanese colonizers has left in Taiwan is the Hot Springs or Onsen culture. Beitou, a district at the northern end of Taipei is where you’ll find the best onsens. Throughout the district you will find Onsens that range from a local hotspring just like the Lung Nai Tang to high end facilities. With so much choices, here are my favorite Hot Springs Of Beitou

XinBeitou Area

This area is the easier one to get to. Just take the Red MRT Line to Beitou station then change trains to the Branch line going to Xin Beitou. This area is the toursity part, but for a good reason. Here are some of the spots that you can check out while in XinBeitou.

Taipei Library

While the building exudes beauty by it self alone, it also sets an example as it is also a green building. you can come in and just wander around the facility

Address: No. 251,Guangming Rd,,Beitou District,,Taipei City,Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Operating Hours: Sun-Mon (09:00-17:00), Tues-Sat (8:30-21:00), Closed on Holidays and first thursday of the month
Fees: Free

Beitou Hotsprings Museum

Know the history of how Taipei acquired the hot springs culture. The museum is house on a former bath house built during the Japanese era, when Taiwan was still its colony.

Address: No. 2, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112 (R.O.C.)
Operating Hours: Tues-Sun (09:00 – 17:00), Closed on Mondays and National Holidays
Fees: Free

Long Nai Tang

The Long Nai Tang is the oldest still in operation public bath house in Taipei. The bath house traces its history back to the Japanese era when the colonizers introduced the Onsen culture to the Taiwanese people. Do not expect much with the facilities though. The public bath is as local as you can get. There are no lockers just some shelves where you can put your clothes in. The shower area is on one corner of thee bath house where you use a dipper to clean your self from the cold flowing spring water. There’s no separate wet and dry area where you can change, basically its just one space (about 25sqm) where you undress,clean and bathe. Though it lacks the glamorous facilities, its historic value as the oldest hot springs of beitou sure makes up for it.

Address: No. 244 Guāngmíng Road, Běitóu District, Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Operating Hours: Daily 06:30 – 21:00
Fees: NT$90 (Adults), NT$50 (Children)

Ketagalan Culture Center

Know more about Taiwan’s aborigines, Taiwan’s first inhabitants. Entrance is free for the museum but no photos are allowed to be taken. The museum hosts a large inventory of aborigine dresses, artifacts as well as historical and educational materials where you can learn about the peoples origins and culture.

Address: No. 3-1, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Operating Hours: Daily 06:30 – 21:00
Fees: Free

Note: Photographs not allowed inside

Beitou Thermal Valley (Hell Valley)

Like a scene reminding you about that hot place where souls are punished is how the Beitou Thermal Valley got its nickname Hell Valley. The park showcases the process of how Beitou gets its therapeutic hot spring waters that feeds to the hot springs of beitou.

Puji Temple

A Japanese era temple, Puji Temple has survived the years making it a rare example of Japanese Buddhism

Mankewu Ramen

A must try when in Beitou, Man Ke Wu Ramen (Lamian in Taiwanese) are prepared using hot spring water that makes it special. Price ranges around NT$ 110 -200.

Address: 110 Wenquan Rd, Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
Hours: 11am-2pm, 5-9pm Tuesdays to Sunday

Xinyi Road Area

Hot Spring Area

Most of the mid-range hot springs resorts are located in this area. The resorts are built around the sulfuric hot springs where the therapeutic waters are sourced from. Price range from this are varies from 200 – around 500 NT

Sakuraoka Hot Springs

Aside from Lung Nai Tang, The Sakuroka Hot Springs resort is the other hot spring resort that I have tried so far. Sorry I don’t have any personal photos of it because I forgot to take a photo when there was still light. Then, it was dark already when I got out because I really enjoyed soaking in their hot tubs.

Yes, you are required to be naked while taking a bath. I strongly suggest you try it, you’ll bathe together with families of fathers and sons for me and mothers and daughters for girls. You’ll feel relieved in the sense that you’ll realize that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about bathing together in public.

I promise to make a proper review of the place when I get back to Taipei. This is a good one though.

Other Spas that I recommend

Emperor Hot Springs – Better than Sakuraoka Hot Springs as per reviews.

There are gay spas so please ask the reception if they are one. I mistakenly got into one, there are no signs like the LGBT flag on their doors and reception. I just kept an open mind. They were all behave…. it was way too early for the rush hour people to come in anyway… hahaha!

Suggested Itinerary

You can go around the Beitou tourist area first and visit the museums and eat ramen for lunch then later in the after noon you can go to the hotsprings and enjoy the therapeutic waters of the hot springs of Beitou.

How To Get To The Hot Springs of Beitou

To get to Xin Beitou, just take the Red Line MRT the change platforms to the branch line going to Xin Beitou. If you want to go straight to the Onsens, just take the red line and get off at Shipai Station. Get on a 509 Bus and get off at Xing Yi Lu San bus stop and walk down the street. Fare from Shipai Station is NT$15

Free Things To Do In Hong Kong

August 14, 2017Asia, Destinations, Hong Kongback packing, budget travel, free tourist spots in hong kong, hong kong, tourist spot, travel, trip, what to see in hong kong, where to go in hong kongian dela pena

Just recently Hong Kong has been listed as the world’s most expensive city. Despite this label for Asia’s World City, Hong Kong still proves to be one of the favorite destinations for Filipinos. Aside from its visa free entry policy for Filipinos Hong Kong is just 2 Hours from the Philippines capital city of Manila.

When visiting Hong Kong, visitors will surely have no shortage of places to visit and activities to do. However, stretching your dollar can be a challenge if you want to squeeze more into your day and experience more of Hong Kong. Fret no more though, we’ve come up with the top free tourist

Avenue Of Stars

Walk across a concrete board walk above the waters of Victoria Harbor and see Hong Kong’s tributes to its past and present brightest stars. The promenade was built in the 1980’s, by 2004 the same promenade around the New World Centre was developed into what we now know as the Avenue of Stars.

Chi Lin Nunnery

Built in 1934 and renovated in 1990, the Chi Lin Nunnery is wooden temple complex that features a series of temple hall and deity statues. The Buddhist temple complex is found at Diamond Hill in Kowloon

Nan Lian Garden

Just right across the Chi Lin Nunnery is the Nan Lian Garden. A well kept public park one can find himself relaxing in this lush garden filled with amazing flora and sculpture. The garden was built in Tang Dynasty style hence the ancient feel of the entire place.

Lady Market

walk through this expansive market place that comes alive specially at night. The Lady’s Market got its name from the women merchandise that are mostly sold ranging from cosmetics accessories and trinkets. There are also good food finds around that market where you can experience authentic Hong Kong style cuisines.

Noon Day Gun

Every noon time this huge gun is fired facing the Causeway Bay. The gun is actually privately owned by the multinational giant Jardine Matheson hence, a Jardine employee has the honor. This ritual traces its origin way back in the 1860’s ironically as a penalty. During those times everytime Jardine’s tai-pan arrives the company would fire the gun as a salute. However, a new comer British naval officer got annoyed of it and penalized the Jardine Matheson company by ordering it of firing the gun for all eternity! Jardine however up to this day has kept its side of the deal.

Central Plaza Sky Deck

One of the best views of Hong Kong is actually offered for free. Find your selves at the Central Plaza sky deck where you can get an unobstructed view of Hong Kong for free. Best part of it is that not a lot of people know about this !

Central Mid Level Escalator

Declared as the world’s longest escalator, The Central Mid Level escalator connects the lower part of Central to the upper part through the steep hill side via a series of 20 escalator and inclined walkalator. Total travel time from the lower part to the top of the escalators is about 20 minutes.

Man Mo Temple

The Man Mo Temple is a tribute to the God of Literature and God of War. It is said that many have flocked to this temple since the 1800’s to pray for their studies. People offer coiled up incense and hang them up in front of the altar for their prayers.

Hong Kong Museum Of History

The museum offers some free galleries showcasing 400 million years of history that includes artifacts, ethnography and other natural histories about Hong Kong and South China.

Symphony Of Lights

Back at the Avenue of Stars, a free nightly show comes to life as soon as the clock strikes 7. The entire Hong Kong island becomes a big stage as its famous skyline dances with lights to the beat of a common music.

Hong Kong Park

Take a break from the chaotic city scene of Hong Kong without going to the country side. The Hong Kong park offers respite for those who need to breath a little. The park is located just right off of the Hong Kong Zoo

If you need more information about Hong Kong you can check out this Free Travel Guide and Itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Oras Falls Tabaco City’s Hidden Gem

August 3, 2017Albay, Destinations, Philippinesalbay, bicol, nature, oras falls, tabaco cityian dela pena

One of the things that I love about Tabaco City is how close the nature it is. Just several minutes away from the down town one can find himself surrounded by nature at the heart of an abundant forest. There’s no need to hike so much though to find Tabaco City’s hidden gem because just a few minutes of walking from the jump off point you will find the Oras Falls.

Unlike the better known Vera falls, Oras Falls enjoys a bit more relaxed environment as it doesn’t get flooded much with tourists. I also love in particular the multi level small cascades at the food of the falls where the water runs downhill. You can just sit on one of the boulders and feel the water rushing through your body giving you some kind of whole body massage effect.

I really enjoyed my time spent in Oras Falls. It’s a great thing to find places like this that doesn’t take much effort to see natures beauty. Not that I don’t like hiking, but sometimes if you just want to escape the toxicity of your city life it helps going to places like these where you can commune with nature at whim.

How To Get To Oras Falls

The easiest and most convenient way to get to the falls’ jump-off point is to rent a tricycle from the city proper. Alternatively one may take a jeepney from the city and get off at Brgy. Oras and then take a tricycle to the jump-off point. From there it only takes about 10 minutes or less on foot (depending on your hiking skills) to get to the falls.

For more information please contact the Tabaco City Tourism Office you can also check out Celineism’s detailed post about this destination

Tabaco is a fourth class city in the province of Albay. The best way to reach the city is by taking a 60 minute plane ride to Legazpi City Airport, its nearest airport then a bus to the city’s downtown. You can also take a 12 hour bus from Manila that takes you directly to the city.