Biri Island

A VISAYAN ESCAPE

San Barnandino Strait view from Biri Island during sunset. July 2016

Located between the San Bernandino Strait and Pacific Ocean, is where the 18-piece Balicuatro Group of Islands are located, one of which is Biri Island.  A 45-minute boat travel from the north-western tip of Samar Island would take you to these scenic views naturally packed with rugged coasts, slopes covered in free-flowing greens with a background sound of perfectly timed roars of the seas. A perfect moment that can be enjoyed as your me time or with family and friends.

Rugged landscape in Biri Island. July 2016.

The island is naturally laidback where locals and nature are living every day on a harmonious relationship. There are few establishments and roads free from exhaust fumes and heavy traffic. Well, part of the laidback atmosphere is the fact that electricity here is not available 24 hours and runs only from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Cellular signals are present though, but expect that these are weak at some parts. It is part of the experience so just go with it. With a serene community, tourists can be confident of their safety and can surely enjoy the trip. The locals are accommodating and warm too. One can find solitude in visiting this island very well-known for its seven massive rock formations found on its northern coast: Magasang, Bel-at, Magsapad, Caranas, Macadlaw, Puhunan and Pinanahawan.

Biri Island. July 2016

Rugged terrain matched with dancing greens. July 2016

I have visited this place on July of 2016, but I would recommend that you visit it on the dry season (late February to early June). Biri Island can be reached from Luzon Island by taking a ro-ro boat from Matnog, Sorsogon to Allen N. Samar. The trip took more than an hour and costs PHP 140.00 pesos ($3.00) including its terminal fee. From Allen N. Samar, you can take a tricycle to Lavezares N. Samar. Me and my friend paid PHP 300.00 ($6.00) total for the tricycle. From Lavazares, ride a passenger boat to Biri Island. The trip will take for more than an hour and will cost you 50.00 ($1.00). Be prepared as the total cost can be split to the number of its passengers. Brace yourself as the journey starts with the welcoming big and strong sea waves. I suggest that you drink a medicine before this trip.

Magsapad Rock Formation, Biri Island. July 2016

Upon arriving on Biri Island port, you can easily get your habal-habal (motorbike) to take you to your accommodation in the town’s center. The ride costs 10.00 pesos. Habal-habal is the most common mode of transportation in the island. Talk to your habal-habal driver because he will be your guide while you are on your trip. We could get a justifiable rate of PHP800 for the trip for two persons to Magasang and Bel-at rock formations.

Biri Island can be toured within the day. After arriving on our accommodation (Biri Resort Dive Center), we took a quick prep for our tour that day.

Things that I recommend you to bring:

     a. drinking water (there are no convenience stores in the tourist spots)

     b. foot sandals (you don't want to walk barefoot on sharp rock edges)

     c. some sweets or food

     d. hats and shades

     e. sun screen

      f. camera and an extra battery (expect tons of snapshots)

First stop, the Tourism Center, few minutes’ walk from the Biri Resort Dive Center, to pay a tourist fee that costs PHP 50.00 ($1.00). It is a minimal fee for the maintenance of tourism services in the island. Also, you can eat here since restaurants or food shops are not common in the island. The Tourism Center offers rice meals, pasta, sandwiches and the like. After defeating hunger, our journey continues.

MAGASANG ROCK FORMATION

On the way to our first stop, Magasang rock formation, one can already enjoy the picturesque view of the sea and the greens. The legend has it, as relayed by our habal-habal driver, that the rock formations are inhabited by fairies and one must keep quiet during the tour for not to disturb them. Also, as folks said that once there lived a lovely woman in the place named Berbinota, showing the resemblance of a woman's shape in the rock formation left of Magsapad's. From this woman is where the town took its name.

Magasang Rock Formation on the right. July 2016

View from the top of Magsapad Rock Formation. July 2016

In Magasang, one will have to walk through the concrete bridge to get access to the rock formation. From here, you can already see from a distance the Macadlaw and Puhunan rock formations covered in greens.

Concrete bridge leading to the Magasang Rock Formation. July 2016.

Bridge to Magasang. July 2016.

The waves are strong once you arrived the rock formation, path is slippery and there would be steep slopes, and I suggest you to be careful. But thanks to that waves, as through time it has created a masterpiece the Biri island treasures. The place resembles that of the green slopes of Batanes, where the grasses dances to the rhythm of the wind. This rock formation alone, already justified the cost of the trip.

View from the top of Magasang. July 2016

Natural wall back drop of Magasang. July 2016.

Magasang, Biri Island. July 2016

Kiko's friend on the ledge of a steep slope in Magasang. July 2016.

A man spends his afternoon in the beach. July 2016

BEL-AT ROCK FORMATION

After enjoying the Magasang, we are on our way to our next rock formation the Bel-At. It was a few minutes ride on the habal-habal from the Magasang to Bel-at. In Bel-at, you'll have to cross the wooden bridge matched with the lush vegetation of mangrove forests and coconut trees. At the end of the bridge, an amazing surprise awaits you: a big tidal pool that invites every visitor to take a dip on its cool waters. We took a swim and enjoyed the natural pool, but don't stop there. Go up to the top of the rock formation to get a wider view and a better snapshot.

Natural tidal pool in Bel-at rock formation. July 2016

View from the top of Bel-at rock formation. July 2016

View of Bel-at Rock Formation. July 2016

Try to walk around and you'll see more tidal pools that you can dip into. Also, different angles and different views of the rock formation will keep you in awe. The rocks were perfectly chiseled by time creating smooth edges and rugged lines perfectly matched together to create a natural masterpiece.

Biri Island. July 2016

Natural masterpiece. Biri Island. July 2016

The trip to the Bel-at rock formation ends our day trip to Biri Island and I call it quits. I got satisfied with what I saw and with what I experienced. This is not an ordinary island I should say and an experience I can be proud to share. But let's not just stick to the famous rock formations the island offers. It is also a good place go for camping, rock climbing, snorkeling, bird watching and surfing. Start to grab your bags now and start the trip that ROCKS.

San Bernandino Strait view from Biri Island. July 2016.

Kiko at Biri Island. July 2016.

South Korea: Seoul Searching

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA:

(This is a late post. Travel made on 2015)

Gwanghwamun Gate in Gyeongbokgung Palace

It was the peak of MERS virus in Korea when me and my friends took a journey. I was very reluctant at that time because of fear. My interest going to South Korea subsided day by day because news channels were all talking about MERS. But still, we did go. I have already paid for the airline tickets and the accommodation, and that would cost me a lot. Besides, I'm thinking that it would give a little spice to the trip.

Through the years, South Korea has made itself recognizable and respected in the world. With big brands like Samsung, LG, HYUNDAI and more, the country was able to carve its name to the globe. Not to mention Korean Pop and Dramas which are taking the world by storm.

One would be very curious to know and discover what is South Korea. On June of 2015, me and my friends took a 4-day off from our work to discover the country. Korea offered us a big basket of exiting things to discover and we were only able to get a handful. Probably that's the reason that we should go back.

NAMI ISLAND

This one is famous folks if you have been watching Winter Sonata (a Korean Drama). It is a tiny half-moon-shaped island about 60km from Seoul (1 hour and 30 minutes by train). Because of the proximity to Seoul, Nami island became a favourite destination not only for locals, but tourists as well. Usually, the island is full during weekends, and it is recommended to make a visit during weekdays.

The island has cherry trees, gingko, redwood, tulips, white birch and white pine. Thus, making your visit to the island delighting at any season of the year.

Nami Island Entrance Gate

Gingko trees

How to get there (from Myeong-Dong Station):

a. Myeong-Dong Station (take Line 4 bound to Chungmuro) ---> get off at Dongdaemun History and Cultural Park Station

b. Dongdaemum History and Cultural Park Station (transfer to Line 2 bound to Sindang Station) ---> get off at Wangsimni Station

c. Wangsimni Station (transfer to Jungang Line bound to Cheong-nyong ni Station) ---> get off at Mangu Station

d. Mangu Station (transfer to Kyeongchun Line bound to Galmae Station) ---> get off at Gapyeong Station

Gapyeong Station

Outside the Gapyeong Station, take a taxi (2,500 ~ 3,000 KWN) to Ferry Wharf of Nami Island. You can also take a local bus (which is actually cheaper than the taxi) outside the train station and get off at Nami Island Station. There is a tourism office outside the station, if you get confused which bus to take. 

Cost 

At the ferry wharf, get your tickets (10,000 KWN) which includes ferry fare and an entrance to the island.

GARDEN OF MORNING CALM

According to morningcalm.co.kr, the garden was founded by professor Song-kyung Han and it opened in May 11, 1996. The name of the garden originated from where Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, called Korea as "The Land of the Morning Calm".

How to get there:

Using the same bus route from Gapyeong Station to Nami Island, get off at the last bus stop, "Garden of Morning Calm".

Cost 

The ticket costs 9,000 KWN during weekends and holidays and 8,000 KWN during weekdays.

Mango parfait in one of the cafes inside Nami Island

MYEONG-DONG / MYEONG-DONG CATHEDRAL

Myeong-dong area is one of the famous shopping sites in Korea especially for cosmetics. The shopping street is lined with all those Korean facial wash, cream and whole lot more. This street is really good for souvenirs.

Also, this is where the Myeong-dong Cathedral is located. The Cathedral is where the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea started. It is also known as "Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception".

How to get there:

Get off at "Myeong-dong Station".

Myeong-dong Cathedral

Myeong-dong shopping street at night

GYEONGBUKGUNG PALACE

The Gyeongbukgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and was built in 1395. 

Aside from the Korean ambiance you will feel in the palace grounds, you have to wait for the "Change of Guard" ceremony. This is one of the highlights of the palace. I am not sure of the schedule but I read that it happens every hour.

Also, you could rent Korean costumes near the gate. Perfect for a good picture, with a Korean palace backdrop.

The palace is closed on Tuesdays.

Cost 

The admission fee is 3,000 KWN (which is also valid for National Palace Museum and National FOlk Museum).

There is also an "Integrated Palace Ticket" that costs 10,000 KWN, in which you could have access to the four (4) palaces including the Jongmyo shrine. The Integrated Palace ticket covers the following:

     a. Changdeokgung Palace (including Huwon and Secret Garden)

     b. Changgyeonggung Palace

     c. Deoksugung

     d. Gyeongbukgung Palace

     e. Jongmyo Shrine

How to get there:

Use Exit # 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway line no. 3).

Change of Guard Ceremony in Gyeongbukgung Palace

CHANGGYEONGGUNG PALACE

Chaanggyeong Palace is included in the Integrated Palace Ticket.

It was built by King Seongjong in 1483, the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty. It is also referred as "Donggwol" or the "the East Palace".

The palace is closed on Mondays.

How to get there:

Get off at Hyehwa Station (Exit 4) from Subway Line 4.

JONGMYO

The shrine is the primary palce of worship of the kings during the Joseon dynasty. The main shrine hall, Cheongjeon, houses the tablets for the kings and queens.

This is included in the integrated Palace ticket, but take note that the shrine tour will be offered only at specific times during the day. Schedules are usually posted on the gates of the shrine.

The shrine is closed on Tuesdays.

How to get there:

5-minute walk from the train stations' exits.

     a. Jongno 3 (sam) - ga Station (subway line 1, exit 11)

     b. Subway line 3, exit 8

     c. Subway line 5, exit 8.

EVERLAND

Everland is South Korea's largest theme park, located in Yongin, city of Gyeonggi-do. One of its attractions is the T-Express that opened in 2008. It is the country's hishest, fastest, longest, steepes wooden roller coaster.

How to get there:

From Myenong-dong, Seoul, the trip will approximate take 1.5 hours.

     a. Get-off at Giheung Station (Bundang Line)

     b. Transfer to Yongin Everline and get-off at Jeondae Everland Station

     c. From Jeondae Everland Station, take the free shuttle bus to Everland.

Everland gates (RSO photo)

T-Express (RSO photo)

Safari Ride. You get the chance to see a feeding giraffe. This close!

Bears are so adorable. They wave their hands for food.

Garden in Everland.

ACCOMODATION

We stayed in Namsan Guest House No. 3 during this trip. Check their address here: Namsan Guest House. The place is accessible since it is in the Myeong-dong Area. From our window, we could see the N-Seoul Tower. The place is indeed comfortable. On my trips, I usually check the staff's behavior towards their clients, and this one is a thumbs up! They are good in English and very accommodating.

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Date of Trip: June 26 to 28, 2015

Kiko and the gang