Surfing has been in my bucket list for a very long time. I planned to go to Baler for surfing for my birthday last year, everything was planned perfectly, but I got cold feet that very same day and decided to give it a raincheck. I don't know, I just didn't feel the urge to surf that day. That would've been my first solo travel. Hmmm...

Until one day, 4/23/2016, I woke up feeling the urge to surf, packed my bag then hit the road to Baler for my very first ride on the wave!

I had no plans. I didn't know where to stay whilst in Baler. I googled the best hostel in Baler, of course I looked for the most affordable hostels because I didn't have enough cash that day. The Circle Hostel then popped from the list of search results. I immediately checked it out, mainly because of the hostel's design - it looked inviting and laid back.

As soon as I arrived at the hostel, I got excited seeing the cozy, artsy common areas - a big colourful bamboo structure filled with bean bags and hammocks will invite you to just chill and let the good times roll. I fell in love with this environmentally attuned haven!

 

 

Why I fell in love with The Circle Hostel

 

1. It is affordable! - when in Baler, you would want to save as much as you can from accommodation and food and splurge only on Surfing. It certainly takes time before you could manage to keep yourself balanced on the surf board. Once you do, trust me, you'll never want to stop! And as long as you are riding the waves, you are also paying for the surfboard (and the surfing instructor).

Get the hammock for only 450 PHP (10.47 USD) per night! Why pay more than 1000 PHP  (23.25 USD ) for a room you would barely use anyway?
 

2. Awesome social experience  - the perfect place to be when you want to meet new people and hear new stories! I like that all outlets are only installed in the common area, to increase the chance of making new friends. Sharing free breakfast with everyone will also give you the time to talk to others.
 

3. Artsy space for your Instagram feed! - Eyegasmic!! Every nook at the hostel is Instagrammable! Main design of the hostel are paintings, doodles and colourful calligraphy by guests. You can leave one too!
 

 

4. Well maintained facilities - Don't worry the common bathroom is squeaky clean!! You'd never run out of tissue supply. Though you might wait for your turn to use the shower room since there's only four shower rooms, of course four for male and four for female.

The kitchen is simple and has enough utensils for cooking. You can cook your own food, there is a 50 PHP (1.16 USD) rental for the propane.

The staffs are friendly and very attentive to our needs. Don't be shy to ask them to take your groufies! Lol!

 

Overall, bathrooms, kitchen and common areas are well maintained not only by the crews but by the guests as well.

 

 

 

Xoxo, TNM

 

 

 

 

Today I woke up, feeling the urge to surf, texted my friend, packed my bag then hit the road. We didn't have any plans, no bus tickets, no reservations, nor enough cash but we know that the most exciting things happen when you open yourself to discomfort and just roll with the punches.

It was thirty minutes before the last trip bound to Baler when we arrived at the bus terminal. Crap! Last trip was fully booked! We could have taken another trip as advised by the guard, though longer route, but we didn't. I don't know, but we had the feeling that we could get our tickets for the last trip. Lo and behold, four of those who reserved tickets have not yet arrived five minutes before the departure so we got in. Thank heavens!!

We slept almost all the time while on the road since we both came from work. The moment we woke up, we're already at Baler.

 

 

 

Oh God!! The Circle Hostel was fully booked too! One hammock was the only available accommodation. But we're two? I guess things were really going well for us, they allowed us to get the only remaining hammock then one of us can stay at the common area. We grabbed that offer right away!
 

 

 

The hostel is so artsy and laid back that I forgot the thunder inside my stomach and took photos right away, you know, Instagram! Lol! The hostel crew are very friendly and attentive to our needs. I'll write another article for The Circle Hostel review.

 

 

The best part of the trip??

We made new friends! Many Friends!! It didn't all start with a "Hello". I didn't even ask for their names or where they're from. I just talked to them then suddenly it felt like I've known them forever. It's surprising that we could talk for hours without running out of words to say, it all came out naturally, it's true, it's real.

 

Don't be shy to say "Hi!". That stranger could be your next travel buddy. ;)

 

Try new things!!

Surfing has always been the plan!! Man, it wasn't that easy to keep your self balanced on the surf board. Not at all!! But still, worth the body pain I'm feeling right now as I am writing this.

 

 

Slow down and let the good times roll..

 

 

Our last night in Baler was pretty chill, random conversations with new friends over bottles of beer and good music.
 

 

"What ifs" and "buts" are in us, defense mechanism I guess? Overthinking what could happen in the future could paralyze us till we lose our enthusiasm in life today. Truth is, we keep on waiting for the perfect time. But life isn't yesterday, not tomorrow, not next month, not when you get the promotion you've been working on, not even when you enter a new relationship, or when you graduate. LIFE IS TODAY!! LIFE IS NOW! It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go. So adjust your sails to the direction of your own happiness.

Worries are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf. Hey, I learned that from my surfing instructor! :)

 

 

Xoxo, TNM!

What about you? What do you do when you feel stuck? I would like to hear your story! Share it in the comment below.

Xoxo, TTN