Post Hostel

A fun and comfortable stay in Praha

My sister and I booked 2 bunk beds here for 5 nights in a 4-bed dormitory with shared bathroom.

Staff

All of the staff members were friendly and good at their job. We checked in pretty late and I think we were still given the same treatment as anyone who's checking in anytime at the hostel. The information given were very thorough and helpful.

Reception

Room

The size of the room was massive and clean. Each bunk bed has its own curtains which was a big plus point so that you have privacy; other hostels don't have that feature. You have you own personal locker, and the bunk beds each has your name on it and your check out date. The room also has a table with 2 chairs, and plenty of electric sockets. Each bunk bed has its own light and electric sockets.

Bunk Bed name

The bunk bed was really comfortable to sleep on. I did not have any problems going to sleep.

Bunk Beds

Bathroom

4th Floor

On our area, there was one shared bathroom, each with a separate water closet and walk-in shower cubicle, for three 4-bed-dormitories/rooms. Meaning, it's a shared bathroom for 12 people. But it was maintained clean all throughout our stay and I did not have any problems with its cleanliness. The only downside with that is if someone is already using the W/C or is in the shower, you'd have to wait for your turn, obviously.

The shower cubicle has hooks for you to hang your clothes, but apart from that, there's only the shower tray to put on your toiletries, there's no other countertop available to put your stuff. But the water pressure in the shower is pretty good, and it's got hot and cold options.

The water closet does not have a bidet but there's plenty of tissue paper available as well as an air freshener. The flush works great too.

There's a separate sink with mirror and an electric socket inside the bathroom in front of the cubicles.

Facilities

Post Hostel Reception

Over all, the hostel is relatively new and thus looks, smells and feels really clean and comfortable. The ambiance is pretty chill and the decorations in the hallways, main room, common areas and lounges are pretty cool.

Hallway at 4th floor

They also clean the bathrooms and common areas daily. There's a lift in situ.

Each floor has its own substantially-equipped kitchen with dining area. There's also a fridge where you can store food with sticker labels available on top of each fridge so you can label your food with your name and check out date. 

The kitchen is one of the good places to make friends with your fellow travellers.

Activities

Every day, the hostel has activities planned that will be sure to help you meet new people and make friends while enjoying what the city of Prague has to offer.

They arrange walking tours with free transportation to the meet up point, pub crawls, and drinks by the river, among many others. Just check out their schedule at the reception desk and in bulletin boards scattered throughout the hostel.

Location

The location is great as it is very near transportation routes. It is also near Námêstí Míru (aka the Peace Square) where you'll find the Church of Saint Ludmila as well as the Námêstí Míru tram stop and metro station.

The neighbourhood is also pretty safe and has good restaurant options.

The hostel is roughly:

- About 10 minute-walk from Námêstí Míru metro station

- About 5 minute-walk from Jana Masaryka bus and tram stops

- About 5 minute-walk from a laundromat and small convenience stores

Other Points:

Main Dining Area

- There is free breakfast at the main room from 8-10 AM. Free breakfast includes cereals, toast/bread, spread, hot drinks (coffee, tea), milk and juice.

Free Breakfast

Eating breakfast in the main room is actually a good way to make friends with other travellers staying in the hostel, or with the staff.

- There are different games available on the main room, including a table football and PS4 with loads of games.

Main Room at day

Main Room at night

- The entry to the building and to each room is via a key card system. Take care of your card as they charge if you lose it.

Computer area just outside the Reception area

- There's a luggage room where you can leave your stuff on the day of check out.

- They charge €1 for a towel, but it's free to borrow a hairdryer and iron. You can also buy food and drinks at the reception, as well as a charger adapter and padlock, if you forgot to bring one for your locker.

OVERALL: I had a really fun and comfortable stay at this hostel. It was very affordable and it was a great value for your money. I definitely recommend this hostel especially to solo travellers.

Things to do in Baler

Located a whopping 230 kilometers northeast from Manila, Baler is very famous as a surfer's haven. As part of the province of Aurora, Baler faces the east Philippine sea and is known as one of the top surf sites of the country which tourists flock to for a crazy surfing adventure between the months of September to February.

With the Baler Movie Back Drop

But it's towering waves are just one of Baler's tourist attractions. Here are 5 activities that can be done when in Baler for a short period of time.

1. Lounge at Costa Pacifica

Costa Pacifica swimming pool

Costa Pacifica is one of the newest accommodations in Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora. Having 106 rooms, it also boasts of an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, a kid's nook, and a souvenir shop. Even though you're not staying there, you can use the swimming pool provided that you order from their restaurant.

Inside Costa Pacifica

Or hop from one hostel/hotel to another as you walk along the 'barely present and constantly bombarded by waves' beach of Baler.

2. Baler Town Tour

Baler Church

Begin your tour with the Baler Church made famous because of a period romantic movie starred by Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales, entitled Baler. From there, trace the steps towards the ancestral home of Dona Aurora, situated just in front of the church.

Dona Aurora's Ancestral House

Manuel Quezon's Presidential Car

Then walk towards Museo de Baler and enjoy some art works and learn historical facts about Baler.

Museo de Baler

Museo de Baler Facade

Inside Museo de Baler

At a park in front of the museum, you can also snap some shots with Manuel L. Quezon's statue.

Manuel Quezon statue

You can then walk towards the BALER letters and have your wacky photos taken there.

BALER letters

And then just a walking distance from the letters (or you could ride a tricycle), there is a hanging bridge in Zabali, Baler, the Tibag-Sabang Hanging Bridge. Whilst crossing this bridge, you'll actually have a feeling that the bridge is moving along with the river's current. It's more of a fun than a frightening experience. However, there's nothing to see or do on the other side.

Hanging Bridge

The entrance to the church is free, but to enter the other sites, such as the ancestral home, you have to pay a very small fee. You'll be given a ticket which you can present at other sites, such as the Museo de Baler, to be able to enter.

3. Explore and enjoy the privacy of Dicasalarin Cove

Dicasalarin Cove is a private beach property.

Dicasalarin Cove view from the entrance

Read more about our experience there here: Dicalarin Cove.

Dicasalarin Beach

Dicasalarin Lighthouse

4. Be spooked by the Balete Tree

Balete Tree

With the Millennium Tree

5. Go on a food trip

Of course, no road trip would be complete without food trip! Check out Baler Surfer Grill which is very known in IG for its iconic car trunk grill. They serve barbecue and grilled dishes priced at around 200 pesos each. One catch though is that they are only open on weekends.

You could also try Gerry Shan's Place which is a buffet priced at only 185 pesos!

So if ever you're in Baler for one night only, try out these activities and you're good to go.

A Day to Dive For

Aside from lounging on the beach and food-tripping, what more can you do in Boracay? But of course, there are lots of water sports to try! So, try we did. If you just walk along the beach, lots of guys would automatically offer you packages for activities. Usually, it would cost you 1500 for 7 pre-selected activities. However, since we only wanted to try parasailing and helmet diving, we opted to pay for each activity separately. Helmet diving costs 300 pesos per person, inclusive of a boat transfer to the diving site, plus photos underwater, and a cool helmet with a large peep glass in front. On the other hand, parasailing usually costs 1000 pesos per person, inclusive of a private boat, and having your own parasailing equipment exclusive for your group to avoid the long lines.

Private Superman Boat for Parasailing

Parasailing is perfect when done early in the morning so that the temperature is just cool enough for you to enjoy the view high above the sea. One ride up usually lasts for around 15 minutes, and for me, that was long enough to turn my stomach upside down. If you have motion sickness, you'll prolly want to skip this activity, since after only 5 minutes in the air, I already felt sick, really.

Parasailing

Helmet diving is done in one spot only. The difference is on the helmets used underwater, some only have a circular hole for you to peep on, while others, like ours, have the whole front of the helmet being glass so that you can see a lot, and at the same time, you can actually see your face in the underwater photos. Helmet diving usually lasts for around 15 minutes as well. You need not wear any type of footwear to wander around underwater.

Helmet Diving

After the water sports, we were dropped off at Ariel's House located in Station 1, where we purchased 4 tickets for a trip to Ariel's point. While waiting for the boat transfer to the site, we were briefed of the rules and regulations and were given all the freebies, such as the baller bracelets, etc. Each ticket costs 2000 pesos inclusive of unlimited drinks, buffet lunch, kayaking, snorkeling, unlimited fun, and the main event, unlimited cliff diving! For more information, check out their website here.

Drinks on board to Ariel's Point

I knew just at the boat ride that this activity is definitely worth the bucks spent. What with the unlimited drinks that immediately poured during the boat ride to the spot! Then upon arrival, you'll be greeted by amazing views and relaxing spots. I went straight to the bar to order Jack coke and Rum cola to soothe my nerves, because I planned on diving from all of the dive spots, proceeding from lowest to highest. Unfortunately, since my adrenaline was in overdrive, I failed to spot the 3 meter dive spot, and went straight to the 5 meter dive spot! And I have got to say, it was one hell of a jump! The key is to let go of the railing, walk until you reach the edge of the plank, and just dive/jump without looking back, or else, you'll be fighting for your life.

My jump shot from 5 meter plank

Highest dive spot: 15 meters

After one jump, I downed two more glasses of Jack coke to calm my nerves and went straight for the 8 (or I think 10) meter dive spot. I thought that since I already jumped once, it'd be less frightening and nerve-wracking the second time around. But, no! Lo, and behold! Everything I felt during the first dive was doubled. And yet, I jumped. Hell, yeah, I did.

One of the chill spots to relax at Ariel's Point

Lunch buffet then came tumbling after, and I chowed down what I could. The lunch was nicely done and was really delicious, with lots of choices. I had to go back to the table 3x before I told myself to stop.

Starting spot for snorkeling and kayaking

Our group opted to explore around and do kayaking and snorkeling. And at around 3 in the afternoon, I went back up to jump from the highest dive spot, 15 meters that is. After around 3-5 minutes of gruesome war between me, myself, and I, I finally let go of the railing and jumped. That must have been the longest 15 seconds of my life. I would never forget how it felt while I was falling towards the clear bluish-greenish sea. And then the splash, I rose up to the surface, and I knew, it was truly, madly, amazingly worth it!

Ariel's Point

When I went back up, I can still feel my heart racing! I downed some more glasses of alcoholic drinks and by 4 pm, we were heading back to Boracay Island.

We suddenly felt like having coffee, so we went to get some at Starbucks. I must say though, the prices are way way up. Then we ate the famous chori burger, and some isaw from a food kiosk, I think in Station 1. Essentially, chori burger is just sliced and grilled chorizo sandwiched in buns. It was good enough to satisfy hunger for about 40 pesos each.

Our last stop for this jam-packed day is PubCrawl. Basically, PubCrawl is the best way to meet new people and fellow travelers from all over the world while hopping along the hottest bars in Boracay. Throw in interactive games, plus free shots by the beach, this is one epic night out you won't wanna miss. Check out their website by clicking here.

Boracay PubCrawl

(*Some of the photos were grabbed from Boracay PubCrawl FB page)

Crazy Boracay PubCrawl Bunch

Before heading to PubCrawl, we freshened up back at the hotel. Unfortunately, the night spent at PubCrawl was too damn awesome and uhh-mayyy-zing for me to put into words. So... all I can say is: it was the best night ever! If you're looking for a night out to party, get to know other people, kiss some random stranger, drink 'til you drop, and or dance 'til dawn, whether you're shy or a party animal, PubCrawl is exactly what you need. It is indeed the number 1 activity in Boracay. Pre-book your tickets online so to save some bucks. A ticket is worth 735 pesos online, and is much more expensive if bought through walk in. I give it 5 stars, or, hell, better yet 10!

Me and my girls at PubCrawl

Too much partying can lead to ravenous tummies. So by 3 am, people were pouring into different restaurants that are still open to be free of hunger. After the midnight/early morning snack, we headed back to the hotel and had some good night's sleep. What a day!

Costs of the day:
- water sports: 1300 pesos
- Ariel's point: 2000 pesos
- Chori burger+isaw: 60 pesos
- Starbucks: 205 pesos
Total = 3565 pesos