Ant the Explorer in English

Seoul, another view

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:36:41 +0900

The Seoul view from Seoul N Tower on Namsan.

I bought a Sigma 50mm F1.4 lens. Here it is.

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:03:17 +0900

Here are a Sigma 50mm F1.4 lens and a Canon 35mm F1.4 lens.

Garosugil, Seoul

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:47:43 +0900

Garosugil (Sinsa’s Tree-Lined Street) is one of the famous street in Seoul.

I found a good article introducing Garosugil.
http://discoveringkorea.com/2008/11/17/garosugil/

Seoul, Night

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:36:46 +0900

Seoul, Night

Lake District Virtual Bus Trip

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:26:59 +0900

Last summer, I went Lake District and took some pictures. I logged the track also with a portable GPS receiver. I combined pictures and GPS log data into a animation using Google Earth.

Sungnyemun, Seoul, 2007

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:16:32 +0900

Sungnyemun, Seoul, Summer, 2007

From Wikipedia...

Namdaemun, officially named Sungnyemun is a historic gate located in the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea

A day in Seoul

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:01:59 +0900

Gongdeok-dong, Seoul

Late afternoon on a summer day

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:44:44 +0900

Chungmuro, Seoul

In afternoon, everybody goes home from their works.

Chungmuro, Seoul

A late sun dyed a building gold.

On a lazy summer afternoon.

Seoul - Winter

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:01:19 +0900

Winter pictures of Seoul

Snow in Seoul

Seoul Tower

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:03:29 +0900

From Seoul Tower which located on Mt. Namsan.

2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 4

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:25:26 +0900

I watched the beach volley world tour '08 opened in Han river, Seoul. I was glad to see players who played at the world tothe last year.

The weather was so good and warm, I can enjoy watching the game. A fresh breeze and warm sun light.

These pictures were taken in semi finals on Saturday. I watched 2 games. After watching games, I moved to sub courts to see players practice. Next year, I hope to see korean players.

Lens: Sigma 50-150 F2.8
Camera: 20D

2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 1
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 2
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 3

2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 3

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:23:38 +0900

2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 2

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:21:48 +0900

2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 1
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 3
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 4

2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 1

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:19:18 +0900

2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 2
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 3
2008/05/25 - [Event] - 2008 SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 - 4

A cheap DIY ring flash

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:27:12 +0900

I made a cheap DIY ring flash. Let's see how I did it.

The Namtaeryeong Old Trail

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:26:45 +0900

After couple of holidays of Seol (Korean lunar New Year´s Day), I walked the Namtaeryeong old trail. A book, which I read few years ago, recommended this trail for good walking, so I have wanted to walk this trail. So I walked it today.

This monument says 'Namtaeryeong'. It is located between Seoul and Gwacheon city.

There is a monument at the entrance of Namtaeryeong old trail. It also says 'Namtaeryeong old trail' and it's origin and history.

The origin of Namtaeryeong:

Namtaeryeong old trail was only way to Samnam (3 southern provinces; Chungcheongdo, Jeollado, Gyeongsangdo) from Hanyang (old name of Seoul).

From here, people walked to southern provinces through Suwon and Anseong. In other way, people walked this pass to Sandangdong, Dongjakdong, Heukseokdong, and then they cross the Hangang (Han river) on ships to Hanyang at Noddle Naru (Noryangjin).

But originally, this pass was called "Yeowugogae" (a pass of a fox). When the King Cheongjo, who was a great king of Joseon dynasty, lived 1752 - 1800, went to the tomb of Sadosaeja, who was father of the King Cheongjo, Chenongjo asked the name of this pass to his official. Mr. Byeon, who was an official of Gwacjeon, answered that this pass was "Namtaeryeong", because he thought "Yeowugogae" was a vulgar tongue. "Namtaeryeong" means the first big pass from Hanyang to southern provinces. This is the legend about the origin of "Namtaeryeong".

Most of old trail was lost, so I could walk on very short trail today.

Steps to Gwacheon...

Gwacheonru.

An information of Gwacheonru

The entrance to the Namtaeryeong old trail. This picture was taken from Gwacheon side.

Short and quiet walk way

Trees are very photogenic.

All these pictures are taken with 20D and EF 35mm F1.4. B&W mode Contrast +1, Sharpness +2, Filter effect: Ye

Sunset

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:49:25 +0900

When I went to Olympic park to take pictures of a cool tree (COOL NAMU), I took these photos of beautiful sunset.

Hill of pinwheel

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:13:00 +0900

These pinwheels are located in Imjingak. At Imjingak, there is a hill of wind (Baram-ue Eondeok, 바람의 언덕) and there are these pinwheels.

Do you know Hobakjeon ?

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:09:11 +0900

Hobakjeon (호박전) is one of traditional food in Korea. It is squash sliced into thin round pieces, coated in flour and egg batter, and pan-fried. (from Click Korea)

In Jan 2006, I fried Hobakjeon. Do I look like a pro ? ^^;;

Gyeonghoeru is the two-story pavilion in Gyeongbokgung

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:48:50 +0900

Gyeonghoeru is one of the most famous traditional buildings in palaces of Joseon period, Korea. I try to visit Gyeonghoeru whenever I go to Jongno-gu, the center of Seoul. It is located in Gyeongbokgung, the largest palace of Joseon period. In the information site, it says that;

The elevated pavilion, buttressed by stone columns floats on a man-made lake, and its granite railings feature carved renditions of the Bulgasari, a mythological creature known to consume fire. The two-story pavilion may be a familiar sight as it is inscribed on the back of the 10,000 won note.

So, I took a picture where both a 10,000 won note and Gyeonghoeru are shown together. The angle is so similar between the note and my photo. Do you agree? ^^;;

Taegeukjeong - A summerhouse of a royal palace in Seoul

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:39:22 +0900

This beautyful building is located in Changdeokgung, Seoul, Korea.

Self Potrait

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:31:20 +0900

I miss her. Now, nothing remains but the shell.

I visited the Korean altar in Mt. Mani, Ganghwa Island at the National Foundation Day

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:52:57 +0900

At the last Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day), I visited Mt. Mani in Ganghwa Island.

I could see the Gaecheonjeol ceremony by good luck. That ceremony is extraordinary thing, so I post some pictures of it.

This picture was taken from below Chamseongdan (the altar).

This is Chamseongdan. Lots of hikers were waiting for the ceremony.

They were preparing the religious service. People who wear the traditional costumes are from Sungkyunkwan (an education institute established in 1398) and local assembly.

This is south view of Ganghwa Island from the near Chamseongdan.

The seven Seonnyeo (Korean nymph) came downstairs. Someone said that they were chosen from Gangwha Women's High School every year. They seemed to have practice the ceremony very much.

A helicopter from MBC. It seemed to be here for broadcasting. ^^

The seven Seonnyeo stood in just fromt of me fortunately~. ^^

Now, here comes a helicopter from KBS. ^^;;

The seven Seonnyeo began to walk upstairs.

They seemed to practice this ceremony very much. They went upstairs with very soft steps. ~ ^^

They showed us a beautiful dance with round fans.

Threr was a event of the sacred fire. ~ ^^;; I hope you have good luck and enjoy good health from now on.

At last, a helicopter from SBS came here.

After the official ceremony, people went upstairs to see Chamseongdan at close hand.

The legned says that Chamseongdan was built by the age of Dangun. But it was repaired and maintained at the age of Joseon Dynasty and Republic of Korea. I was exited when I realized that my ancestors had took care of this place for the thousand years.

Wow. The secret of Seonnyeo is a helicopter. They may had riden on this helicopter from the bottom to the top of this mountain. ~ ^^

Chanseongdan is normally a restricted area. But there are special days when vistors can enter Chamseongdan. One is Gaecheonjeol (3rd October) and the New Year's Day (31th December and 1st January).

The top area of Chamseongdan is quite small, it may be 10 meters by 10 meters.

As there a lots of visitors in opening days, you have to be there very early in the morning if you want to visit.

Bonus !!

A hellicopter from MBC has an automatic TV camera system on its side.

KBS has an automatic TV camera system on its bottom.

But a camera man of SBS shoud hold TV camera on his shoulder. So sad. :-)

[Japanese version]

Fantastic autumn view of Mt. Seorak

Ant the Explorer 개미탐험가 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:02:09 +0900

As I listened to the weather casting from TV, I worried about the weather when I decided to go to Mt. Seorak for a tracking and taking photos of autumn woods. But I decided to go because it might be the last chance to go to Mt. Seorak in this year. Because Mt. Seorak is noted for the glorious tints of its autumn foliage.

Fortunately, the weather was VERY NICE today. ^^;;

I post some of pictures here. Later, I will try to put some more pictures.

And, I took the sun rising.

[Japanese]