When In Busan

Trekking Mt. Tres Marias Located in Almeria, in the island province of Biliran, its highest peak stands at about 1,315 meters above sea level

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Mt. Tres Marias: The Beautiful Sierra You Don’t Want to Miss

Summit (Mt Aminduen) to Sea - Sambawan Island, Maripipi, Biliran

From Volcano Trails to Island Paradise: Hiking Mt. Aminduen to Sambawan Island

Biliran Province is one of the hidden gems of the Philippines, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored. One of my most memorable adventures there was trekking Mt. Aminduen on Maripipi Island and continuing the journey to the beautiful Sambawan Island. It was a trip that combined volcanic landscapes, mountain views, and tropical island scenery all in one unforgettable experience.

The journey began early in the morning on Maripipi Island. Mt. Aminduen, the highest peak in Biliran Province, stands proudly above the island at about 1,340 meters above sea level. The trek started through quiet villages and green forests, where the cool mountain air and the sounds of nature created a peaceful atmosphere.

Along the way, one of the fascinating natural attractions was the Sulfatera Vent. Here, you can see steam rising from the ground, reminding visitors that Biliran is a volcanic island. The smell of sulfur and the sight of smoke slowly escaping from the earth made the place feel mysterious and powerful. It was a unique stop that showed the island’s volcanic character.

Continuing higher into the mountains, another highlight of the journey was the Mt. Janagdan Crater Lake. Hidden within the mountain landscape, the crater lake is calm and quiet, surrounded by thick vegetation and volcanic rock formations. The deep green water reflects the surrounding forest, creating a peaceful and almost magical atmosphere. It felt like discovering a secret place in the middle of the mountains.

Finally reaching the summit of Mt. Aminduen was an unforgettable moment. From the top, the view stretched across the Visayan Sea, revealing nearby islands and endless blue waters. In the distance, Sambawan Island appeared like a small paradise waiting to be explored.

After descending from the mountain, the adventure continued toward the coast and eventually to Sambawan Island, one of Biliran’s most stunning destinations. The island is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand, and rolling grassy hills. Climbing the hill on the island offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands and the sparkling sea.

The entire journey—from the volcanic trails of Mt. Aminduen, to the mysterious Sulfatera Vent, the peaceful Mt. Janagdan Crater Lake, and finally the tropical beauty of Sambawan Island—felt like traveling through different worlds in a single adventure.

It was a reminder of how rich and diverse nature can be in the Philippines, where mountains, volcanoes, and islands exist side by side, waiting for travelers willing to explore them.

Apple Picking Experience - Miryang South Korea

It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing colors, we break out our jackets, and the smell of apple pie wafts through air. This year, the goup of OFW working in SHI decided to visit and got to go to a Korean apple orchard in the Miryang region and pick our own apples. And we were told the Miryang region’s apples are regarded as the best, juiciest apples in Korea.

We filled up our box to what we thought was full, found out we went a little overboard, but thankfully they allowed us to just take out the extra apples instead of paying for them. I think 10kg (or 22 pounds) is plenty for the eight of us!

After we picked apples, we sat along the creek and ate lunch. It was a really pretty day, even if the wind made it quite chilly.

Naejangsan National Park Solo Backpacker

MT. NAEJANGSAN NATIONAL PARK

Mt.Naejangsan is a famous mountain in the Jeolla-do province of Korea, and the best mountain in Korea for viewing autumn crimson leaves. Naejangsan National Park was designated as the 8th national park in Korea in 1971. It is one of the 5 characteristic mountains on southwest Korea, as well as one of the 8 most beautiful mountains in Korea. 

Naejangsan was originally named “Yeongeunsan” after its main temple, Yeongeunsa, but was later changed to “Naejangsan”. The name Naejangsan means there are many hidden treasures in the mountain. The mountain is also referred to as "Geumgangsan of Honam(southwest)".

The park is beautiful not only in autumn, but also in spring when the azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom, in summer when the mountain turns fresh green, and winter when the unique rocks and cliffs covered with snow. All throughout the year the mountain shows an amazing scenery.

A Solo Autumn Journey to Naejangsan National Park

My solo journey to Naejangsan National Park in South Korea remains one of my most unforgettable travel experiences. It was a trip filled with long bus rides, spontaneous decisions, and the breathtaking beauty of autumn.

I began my journey from Geoje Island in the afternoon. My first stop was Tongyeong-si, a coastal city known for its scenic harbor and fresh seafood. Before continuing the long journey, I had dinner at Tongyeong Macdo, enjoying a warm meal while watching the calm evening atmosphere of the port.

Later that night, I boarded a bus bound for Gwangju. The ride was long and quiet, and I arrived close to 11 PM. Since I had not arranged accommodation in advance, I quickly searched through Booking.com and was fortunate to find a backpacker-style place to stay for the night. It was simple but comfortable—exactly what I needed after hours of travel.

Early the next morning, I continued my journey to Jeongeup, the gateway to Naejangsan National Park. From there, I entered one of South Korea’s most famous autumn destinations.

The moment I arrived, I understood why so many people visit this place during fall. The park was filled with vibrant colors—bright red, golden yellow, and deep orange leaves covering the mountains and pathways. My walk began along the famous Maple Tree Tunnel, where rows of maple trees formed a colorful arch above the road.

As I continued deeper into the park, I visited several of its well-known attractions. One of the highlights was Naejangsa Temple, a peaceful temple surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage. The temple area felt calm and spiritual, with visitors quietly admiring the scenery and taking photos.

Another memorable spot was Uhwajeong Pavilion, a small traditional pavilion standing gracefully on a pond. The reflection of the colorful trees on the water made the place look almost magical.

I also walked toward the Naejangsan Cable Car area, where visitors could ride up the mountain for a panoramic view of the autumn landscape. The sight of the colorful forest stretching across the mountains was truly breathtaking.

Throughout the park, many local Korean visitors were also enjoying the season. Families, couples, and hikers walked slowly along the trails, taking photos and appreciating the beauty of nature.

Spending the entire day wandering around Naejangsan National Park felt peaceful and refreshing. The crisp autumn air, the sound of leaves under my feet, and the stunning scenery made the long journey completely worthwhile.

Looking back, that solo trip was more than just travel. It was an experience of freedom, discovery, and the simple joy of walking through one of Korea’s most beautiful autumn landscapes.

Trekking Gyeryongsan with my Malay and Chinese friends

Located in the middle of Geojedo island, the height of this mountain is 566m above sea level. At the top of the mountain is a place called Uisangdae, which was supposed to be a site of temple built by Monk Uisang. Also in the mountain are Bulimunbawi(gate rock), Janggunbawi(general rock), Geobukbawi(turtle rock), Janggipanbawi(chess board rock). Also, the wreck of communication tower for the P.O.W. Camp used during the Korean War remains.

This mountain is called Gyeryongsan because its peak looks like a chicken head and its tail looks like a dragon. It seems that nine tails are rooted in Gucheon Valley. This deep valley in the mountain is called Guryongho(pond) or Gucheon Valley. Gucheon Dam was completed on November 21, 1987. At the Geoje side of the mountain top, Uisangdae is located under the rocks. The rocks surround the temple site of about 150 m2 like a screen. It is said that Uisang, who was the founder of Hwaeom sect of Buddhism during Silla period, built a small temple and led an ascetic life. When you climb down from the temple site toward Gohyeon, there is a house site at the eight tenths of the ridge. It is said that there used to be a temple here, but its origin is not known. In between the rocks on the way to the summit is a rock called Janggipanbawi meaning chess board rock. A legend says that hermits with supernatural powers played here. When you pass Bulimun, flat areas filled with eulalias and turnip fields appear. A legend says that a hermit called Kae-ak planted turnips and lived here. Behind is a rock looking like a turtle leaping toward the sky. And there is a mountain trail called Yongsanjae, which leads from Geoje-myeon to Gohyeon. It is called Geosanjae now. Above the top of Eumdalbawi are the remains of UN communication center used for the surveillance of prisoners of war during the Korean War. Mt. Gyeryongsan is one of the major mountains in Geoje and it is considered one of ten most beautiful places in Korea. In a book called Jeonggamnok, it is said that Mt. Gyeryongsan will save a million people. During the Korea War, 100,000 residents, 200,000 refugees, and 170,000 prisoners of war took refuge under this mountain. After that, this mountain is considered as the mountain described in Jeonggamnok .