La Union's Kadangyan: 3BU Hostel's Paradise Awaits!
Kadangyan: 3BU Hostel – Paradise Awaits! (and Mostly Delivers!) - A La Union Rant & Rave Review (with SEO!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from La Union and my brain is still buzzing with sand, surf, and… well, Kadangyan: 3BU Hostel. They call it "Paradise Awaits!" – and honestly, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Let's unpack this whole experience, shall we? This ain't your average travel blog; it's a straight-up, no-holds-barred recount for you, my fellow weary traveler.
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First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof… Mostly)
Getting to Kadangyan was a breeze, which is always a good start. The hostel's location is prime, right in the heart of Urbiztondo, smack-dab near all the surf spots. This is HUGE for La Union!
Now, let's talk accessibility. This is where the "Paradise Awaits!" slogan starts to get a little shaky. While they mention "Facilities for disabled guests," and I was on wheels, this area is not their strongest point. The main areas are relatively easy to navigate, but anything beyond the main entrance might be tricky. Wheelchair accessible is not what I would call it in every area. Some rooms, I think, are on the second floor, so there is an elevator that takes care of anything out of the reach. If complete accessibility is a must, double-check with Kadangyan directly before booking. I'd suggest calling ahead.
The Essentials (and the WiFi! Oh, the Wi-Fi!):
- Internet: Okay, let's be honest: decent Wi-Fi is a MUST these days. Thankfully, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (and it mostly worked!). I’m talking serious Instagram-worthy upload speeds. The Internet access – wireless was a lifesaver for staying connected. Also there is Internet [LAN] available.
- Cleanliness: Kadangyan really tries hard. You can see they've put effort into Cleanliness and safety. They use Anti-viral cleaning products and have Daily disinfection in common areas. Staff are trained in Staff trained in safety protocol and there are hand sanitizers everywhere. I do feel safe.
- Room Comfort: The rooms are pretty decent. They have Air conditioning, which is a godsend in La Union heat, and Daily housekeeping. The Bedding-linen and towels were fresh, the bathrooms were clean. There's a mirror to check if you look cute while catching the sunset and slippers to wear. Smoke detectors and smoke alarms ensure safety. The Window that opens adds an airy feel to the space.
- Safety & Security: They've got the basics covered – Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, Fire extinguisher… reassuring. The are Safe deposit boxes too.
Ramblings on the "Things to Do, Ways To Relax" Spectrum:
This is where Kadangyan shines, and also where I got a little carried away… In a good way!
- The Pool: Ah, the pool. It's crucial in the sun, especially the Swimming pool [outdoor] and those sunset swims are absolutely magical. Pool with view is an understatement! Just floating there, watching the waves crash, is pure bliss.
- Spa & Wellness: Okay, confession time: I didn't actually make it to any of the spa treatments, because, well, prioritizing surf. But the fact they offer a Spa, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Massage, and even Body scrub and Body wrap is a massive plus. Next time, I am dedicating an entire day to pampering!
- Fitness First? This is a tricky one. They boast about the Fitness center, but I'm not exactly sure if many people hit the gym while being in paradise.
- The Beach: This is the main way to relax in La Union.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – The Food Coma Diaries:
This is where Kadangyan made me fall completely in love.
- The Restaurant Scene: The Restaurants offer a variety of dishes. There's A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, International cuisine in restaurant. I mean, I had a burger one day and then some amazing Thai food the next? Seriously, they knocked it out of the park. Coffee/tea in restaurant is a quick fix. The bar is lively after the sunsets.
- Breakfast Bliss: Breakfast [buffet] is a hit, while the Breakfast service keeps the crowds flowing. Even if you’re not an early bird, the Breakfast in room option is a solid choice!
- Poolside drinks: Get that Poolside bar and a Bottle of water.
- Sweet Tooth: As a dessert person. Desserts in restaurant is an absolute must-try.
Services & Conveniences – The Little Things that Make a Difference
- Super Convenience: The Convenience store came in clutch for late-night cravings, and the Cash withdrawal really saved me when I ran out of pesos. There’s also Currency exchange.
- Helpful Staff: The staff were generally super friendly and helpful. They offer Concierge service and Doorman service. The Front desk [24-hour] is also very helpful.
- Travel Logistics: Airport transfer can be arranged.
- Laundry & Ironing: Having Laundry service and Ironing service is pure gold when you're on a surf trip and your clothes are always sandy.
Things That Made Me Grumble (But Didn't Ruin My Trip):
- The Noise: Some nights, the party vibes from neighboring bars went a bit too late.
- Lack of… Well-Roundedness: Though I enjoyed the facilities, it didn't have many options to take extra steps, I still had an amazing time,
Bottom Line – Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Despite the minor hiccups, Kadangyan: 3BU Hostel is a solid choice for a La Union escape. It's clean, convenient, has a fantastic pool, and the food is just… chefs kiss!
My Kadangyan Booking Offer (Because Why Not?):
Craving La Union Bliss? Book Your Kadangyan Adventure NOW!
Hey, my fellow adventurer! Want to experience the surf, sun, and seriously chill vibes of La Union? Book your stay at Kadangyan: 3BU Hostel today and get:
- 10% off your room rate
- Complimentary welcome cocktail
- Free late checkout (subject to availability)
This is my personal guarantee - you won't be disappointed! Book your trip now and I hope this review helps you get started. Remember that it won't be perfect but it will be paradise.
Unbelievable Nung House Khao Sok: Your Secret Suratthani Paradise Awaits!
Kadangyan, Here We Go! (Or, How I Learned to Love La Union's Messy Soul) - A 3BU Hostel Survival Guide (ish)
Okay, so, I'm at that point where I'm supposed to be a "responsible adult" who plans things. Me? Plan? More like wing it and hope for the best. But Kadangyan, La Union, at 3BU Hostel? That demanded some organization. So, here's the (highly subjective, potentially disastrous) itinerary I cobbled together. Brace yourselves.
Pre-Arrival - The "Oh Crap, I Forgot To Pack…" Phase
- Day 0 (aka Panic Mode): Realized I was leaving in, like, 12 hours. Panic ensued. Found my passport (miracle!), then spent two hours alternating between packing and staring blankly at my suitcase. Ended up overpacking (surprise!) and promising myself I'd "simplify" later. Spoil alert: I didn't. Midnight snack: a very large bowl of instant noodles, fueled by travel anxiety.
- Day -1 (Flight Day): Woke up with a weird premonition of disaster. Did I book the right flight? Did I have enough sunblock? Answer: probably not and definitely. Flight was delayed. Standard. Used the extra time to eavesdrop on a very intense conversation about crypto. Wish I understood any of it. Finally, we're in the air! My eardrums are screaming.
Day 1: Surf's Up (and Maybe My Ego Will Too)
- Morning (The Hostel Hustle): Arrived at 3BU! The aesthetic is… definitely rustic. Think mismatched furniture, exposed beams, and a vibe that screams "bohemian beach bum." Immediately loved it. Met some fellow lost souls/travelers. Checked into my dorm – a bunk bed situation that felt both claustrophobic and strangely comforting. The air hung thick with the smell of sunscreen and saltwater… and maybe a hint of stale cigarettes (shhh!).
- Brunch (or, When I Realized I Was Hangry): Found a tiny, chaotic carinderia down the road. Ordered tapsilog (beef tapa, fried rice, and a fried egg – Filipino breakfast of champions!) and nearly choked on it out of pure hunger. The food was amazing. My stomach then decided to launch a full-scale protest against the unfamiliar spices. Note to self: pace yourself, you glutton.
- Afternoon (Surf School Shenanigans): Woke up, put on a rash guard and headed to the beach to start my surfing adventure. Got assigned a surf instructor and was promptly humbled by the ocean. Wiped out. A lot. But the feeling of catching even the tiniest wave was pure, unadulterated joy. Felt like a sea goddess! Briefly. Mostly felt like a beached whale. Learned that surf instructors have a near-telepathic ability to sense when you're about to fall.
- Evening (Sunset, Sand, and Stupid Conversations): Sunsets in La Union are legendary. Watched one, bathed in golden light, with a beer in hand (San Miguel Light, naturally). Met some people who were so effortlessly cool and effortlessly nice. Ended up in a deep, slightly incoherent conversation about… existentialism? Apparently the ocean makes everyone philosophical. Maybe it was the beer.
Day 2: The Great Food Coma and Secret Beaches (Maybe?)
- Morning (The Hangover Breakfast): Woke up with a throbbing head and a burning desire for… more tapsilog. Dragged myself to the carinderia. The owner gave me a knowing look. Survival tactics employed: extra rice, extra coffee.
- Mid-Morning (Exploring the Messy Streets): Walked around the neighboring streets, which were dusty, vibrant, and full of life. Stumbled upon a tiny shop selling ridiculously cheap, ridiculously sweet mangoes. Ate three. Immediately regretted it. Sugar rush. Found a bizarre, but charming, little art gallery with things I couldn't even begin to understand.
- Afternoon (Seeking the Hidden Paradise): The hostel buddies began to talk about discovering a secret beach. I asked the locals, and they said they could only be accessed through the rocky coastline. There were waves, but I had the courage to fight them. We rented a tricycle (a motorcycle with a sidecar – the Filipino equivalent of a taxi) and went off-roading. The road was bumpy, the driver was a maniac, and I loved every second of it. We eventually found a secluded cove. The water was crystal clear, the sand was white, and the only other people there were a couple of local kids playing. Pure bliss.
- Evening (Dinner, Drinks, and Decisions): Wandered back to Flotsam and Jetsam, the famous resort that offered the same sunset view but made it more instagrammable. Ordered some cocktails and a pizza. Spent the evening trying to decide whether to extend my stay. Spoiler: I did.
Day 3: Coffee, Culture, and Catastrophes
- Morning (Coffee Confessions): Found a coffee shop that made excellent iced coffee. Spent a very long time reading, and I felt calm for the first time.
- Mid-Morning (More Exploration): Visited the Ma-Cho Temple, a Taoist temple perched on a hill overlooking the ocean. The architecture was stunning, the incense smelled amazing, and the view was breathtaking. Had a minor existential crisis about the meaning of life. Decided that surfing and mangoes were a pretty good start.
- Afternoon (The Laundry Disaster): Tried to do laundry. Completely and utterly failed. My white shirt is now permanently tie-dyed. Lesson learned: trust the locals. Went back to the secret beach to unwind.
- Evening (The Farewell Feast (…kinda)): Another sunset. More beer. Had a farewell dinner with all the incredible people I met at the hostel. Realized, I didn't want to leave.
Day 4: Departure (Maybe)
- Morning (The Struggle is Real): Woke up feeling both exhilarated and utterly exhausted. Packing was a nightmare. Managed to condense things… slightly.
- Late Morning (One Last Surf): Went surfing again, determined to catch at least one decent wave. Success! Felt like a champion (until the next wipeout).
- Afternoon (Goodbye - For Now?): Said goodbye to the ocean, the sand, the incredible people, and the messy, beautiful chaos of La Union. Said goodbye to 3BU, a hostel with a soul. Departed. In complete silence, because my brain was on vacation.
Post-Trip Thoughts (aka, Ramblings from the Plane)
- La Union isn't perfect. It's crowded, a little rough around the edges, and sometimes downright chaotic.
- But that's exactly what makes it amazing. It's real. It's vibrant. It's full of life.
- Go. Get lost. Eat too much. Fall in love with the ocean.
- And definitely, definitely book that extra day. You won't regret it.
- I'll be back. With less luggage, more sunscreen, and a much stronger appreciation for tapsilog. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn how to surf properly. Or not. Either way, I had the time of my life.
(P.S. If you see my tie-dyed shirt in the Philippines - it's probably somewhere on the beach, or in the donation box)
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Pina Colada Resort in Tagaytay!
So, what IS this FAQ *actually* about? Like, the core concept?
Okay, so, *conceptually* it's supposed to be an FAQ. Like, Frequently Asked Questions, right? But, in reality, it’s more of a… brain dump. A chaotic, slightly panicked stream of consciousness about… well, my *thing*. This thing I’m supposed to be good at, apparently. You know, the whole "write a good FAQ" gig. This is my attempt. I'm going for genuine, not the perfectly SEO-optimized version your grandma probably uses to get you to buy her knitting needles. So, bear with me.
Alright, alright. But *specifically*, what are we covering here?
Right. The specifics. Let's just say… it's about a thing. A *creative* thing. And the mess that comes with it. Like, imagine a toddler throwing spaghetti at a wall, but instead of spaghetti, it's… ideas. Yeah, that's a good analogy. So, buckle up, because we're talking about... **the whole creative process**. Yikes.
Do you actually *like* doing this thing? Because, honestly, sometimes it seems like you're having a meltdown.
OH.MY.GOD. Where do I even begin? Do I *like* it? Yes. Absolutely. And sometimes, the joy of it is… pure. Like, a bolt of lightning, and the best idea ever just *blooms*. I get this rush, this feeling of like, "Yes! YES! I'm a friggen GENIUS!"... But then, the very next second, the doubt creeps in. Did I make a mistake? Is it actually good? Is it terrible? Am I terrible? It's… it’s exhausting. Like running a marathon while simultaneously being chased by a horde of judgmental squirrels. So, yeah, a meltdown now and then? Guilty as charged. But the good parts? They're worth the chaos. The 2% of the time it actually *comes together* feels like magic.
What's the hardest part of this whole creative shebang?
Oh, that’s easy. Besides, you know, the whole “imposter syndrome” thing? The hardest part is… starting. Staring at that blank screen, that empty canvas, the void of *nothingness*... It's paralyzing. I'll do ANYTHING to avoid it. I'll clean my entire apartment. I'll alphabetize my spice rack – twice! I'll read knitting patterns for hours even though I can't knit to save my life. Then, I'll stare at my phone. It's the worst. That first sentence, that first brushstroke? It’s torture. And that’s the truth.
Okay, so how *do* you get past the starting block, then? Any tips from the trenches?
Ugh. Don't even get me started. Okay, so, I’ve tried it all. The "just start writing!" advice? Doesn't work for me, most of the time. The whole "free-writing" thing? Turns into a rambling list of grocery needs and existential dread. But. Here’s what sometimes helps:
1. **Force yourself to write something, ANYTHING.** Even if it's garbage. Seriously, the first draft is *always* garbage. Embrace the garbage. Be the garbage.
2. **Lie to yourself.** Tell yourself you're just "playing" or "experimenting" or even "practicing." The pressure disappears when it's not "important."
3. **The "Morning Pages" thing.** Okay, hear me out. Don't judge me, but sometimes, just dumping my brain onto paper, even the stupid bits, helps clear the clutter. Then, the *real* work gets a chance to breathe.
What about the *good* days? The ones where the ideas flow, and you feel like a creative god?
Oh, those… those are *rare*. Like, spotting a unicorn rare. I remember one time, I was working on a project. It involved this whole elaborate thing with *[insert irrelevant detail involving obscure historical research]*. And it just… clicked. Suddenly, the whole thing fell into place. I wrote for like, 12 hours straight, fueled by caffeine and pure, unadulterated *joy*. The words just poured out. It was… euphoric. Seriously, it was like being in a dream. I got so much done, it felt as though I could have written an entire novel right then and there! And I was so pleased! Even though the final product was... well, let's just say it needed some serious revisions, and now I cringe every time I think about it. But for that brief moment, I was a creative *wizard*. And the memory of *that* keeps me going through the garbage.
Do you ever get… stuck? And if so, how do you *unstuck* yourself?
Stuck? Are you kidding me? I'm *always* stuck! In fact, I suspect I might actually live in a state of perpetual creative constipation. Okay, that's a bit much, maybe, but you get the idea. When I'm stuck, I try to do a few things:
1. **Step away.** Walk away. Take a walk. Do the dishes. Call your mom. Stare at the ceiling. Whatever it takes to *mentally* shut off for a while.
2. **Change the scenery.** Go to a coffee shop. Sit in the park. Basically, anything to break up the monotony of my usual surroundings.
3. **Embrace the "mess."** Sometimes, the only way out is *through*. Just keep writing (or painting, or… whatever). Let the bad ideas flow. The good ones might eventually peek out. Maybe.
What's the role of failure in all this? Because, let's be honest, there's a lot of it.
Oh, failure. My old friend! It's… constant. It's a regular companion, like the annoying uncle who never leaves. It's the fuel that feeds the creative fire, and it's also the fire that burns everything to the ground. But the thing is, it's *necessary*. You have to fail. You HAVE to. You have to write the terrible poems, paint the awful paintings, and make the godawful crafts. You learn more from the messes than from the masterpieces. That's what they all say, anyway. I find it hardRoam And Rests
