SOUTH KOREA CONNECT

HALLIM PARK

2013-10-12T18:11:00.001-07:00

A visit in Jeju-do is not complete if one doesn't visit a local museum or park. Hence, the first stop we did when we arrived in Jeju was to visit the famous and popular Hallim Park.Located on the west side of Jeju specifically along the beach of Hallimeup, Hallim Park is a 100 thousand square meter attraction.

Stone Garden

Bonsai Garden

A 200 year old Bonsai

Traditional House inside Hallim Park

Flower Garden

Zoo

Souvenir Shop, Food booth and the famous dol Harubang statue

Hyeopjaegul and Ssangyonggul Caves known to be the only two-dimensional caves in the world can be found at Hallim Park. Other attractions at the park include the Palm Tree Road, Subtropical Botanic Garden, Water Garden and much more.

Entrance fee for adults at the park is 9,000KW. If you're a resident of Jeju, just show your national ID and you'll get a discount.

CHINATOWN IN INCHEON

2013-10-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

This arch is the entry way going up to the Liberty Park in Incheon
and the entrance going (down) to the Chinatown.

The stairs going up to the Liberty Park. On both sides of this stairs are
restaurants that serves specialty dishes native to Incheon
such as the black noodles.

Chinatown souvenir shops and restaurants!

Early morning at Chinatown.
In my opinion, Incheon is cooler than Busan.

MORE OF MY INCHEON VISIT

2013-10-02T04:30:00.001-07:00

One of the many work of art along the Incheon harbor

I dunno how they call these but they can be
found almost anywhere in South Korea.
They kind of welcome guests to their city.

Still at the Wolmido Harbor

At the new Songdo International City in its infancy

New buildings rise at the Songdo International City

INCHEON VISIT

2013-10-02T04:22:00.001-07:00

I was given a tour by my boss in his hometown, Incheon, on my last day. We had a night flight back to the Philippines so he took the time during the day to bring me around Incheon.

This photo was taken at Incheon's Freedom or
Liberty Park that overlooks the harbor.

Still at the Freedom Park where beautiful flowers such
as in the photo blooms during the November autumn

I found a monument of General Douglas McArthur that honors
the man for his effort to free South Korea from
the Japanese during World War II.

The mural street that depicts history and art of South Korea.

This carnival ride in an amusement park is controlled by a person
inside the booth on the right side and make fun of the riders. Luckily
though the riders take his jokes and remarks about their
situation on the ride lightly and the audience are treated with
various comic comments and funny situations of the riders.

The infamous Han River.
Across the river, one can see the New Songdo City.

Carnival ride in Incheon, South Korea

2013-10-02T04:10:00.001-07:00

MY JEJU CONNECTION

2013-09-29T19:26:00.002-07:00

My 친구 chingu/friend Kang Chang Oun or "Mountain" as we call him.
This shot was taken along Jeju's coastal road.
One of the many attractions along Jeju coast - windsurfing.

With Mr. Kang's 어머니 oemeoni/mother
in front of their house at Taehung-ri

Among the famous tangerines of Jeju.
This tangerine farm is owned by Mr. Kang's mother.
She comes here everyday and picked the fruits all by herself
and sells these to bulk buyers.

MEMORIES OF JEJU 2

2013-09-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Pa-jeon making (spring onion cake)

At the peak of Mt. Songaksan

The highway going to the peak of Mt. Halla.
As I was there in autumn I can see trees changing colors.
Such an awsomeness experience for me!

Resting at one of Mt. Halla's national park

Silla Hotel. This rest area is on a cliff facing the sea.

Buddhist Temple along the coastal road

MEMORIES OF JEJU 1

2013-09-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

A replica of a Korean traditional house. I found out that their floors are a foot or two higher from the ground, enclosed and is heated during winter from a furnace
(a hole on a wall) beside their cooking area.

A hotel along the famous Jeju road. This road cut across the island of Jeju
and along the coastline where one can see lighthouses, ports, breakwaters,
watersport areas,museums, hotels/inns (or cottages as they call them), r
estaurants, residences, coffee shops among others.

giant cabbages along the coastal road

one of the ports that can be seen
along the coast of Jeju Island

O'SULLOC TEA FARM AND MUSEUM

2013-09-22T22:28:00.001-07:00

Green Tea is a popular and healthy drink in South Korea. Lucky me, the famous O'Sulloc Tea farm is situated at Jeju Island. My friend Mountain Kang, without haste brought me there to check the place out.

The entrance going to the tea farm

The green tea leaves are picked daily for drying

The O'Sulloc Tea Shop where you can buy green tea ice cream,
green tea drinks, snacks, different kinds of green teas
and souvenir items

This basin is very very hot. This is where the tea leaves are dried up
and stirred by hand before packing.

Expensive Teas
prices range from 30,000Won & up or P12,000 to P15,000 per bottle

Kris Aquino and sons visit Gangnam, other parts of Seoul

2013-02-08T02:03:00.001-08:00

Girls' Generation 소녀시대_I GOT A BOY_Music Video

2013-01-09T22:20:00.001-08:00

MY KOREAN KIDS

2012-09-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

Year 2001-2005, my family and I had the privilege of hosting a number of students from South Korea with an average of 2-4 students at one time in our house. Having homestay students had taught me and my family a lot about Korean culture and traditions. I even learnt how to cook Korean food to please my Korean sons and daughters.

It's not easy having homestay kids in our house all year round but definitely, the relationships and camaraderie formed all throughout the months that these Korean students stayed in our house was simply rewarding and will last a lifetime.

It was also a plus for these kids to stay in a homestay house since they also get to witness, observed and feel the Filipino way of life. Much so different from their own culture. And, I pray that while they stayed in our house and share our day to day life, they became more open-minded and more understanding of the culture of other nations.

Sebastian and Dean eating pork adobo which they found delicious

with Kevin during Phil-Korea's yearly christmas party

one of those house parties when our home-stay sons
enjoyed a bottle of San Miguel beer

Jin, Cindy and Tim

with Kelly, Tom, Tita Tina (host mom too), Monami andTeacher Ricardo
during the departure our Korean kids

with their teachers and friends at home

THE NEW DANCE CRAZE IN KOREA - PSY - GANGNAM STYLE

2012-09-13T01:40:00.001-07:00

FIRST MEAL IN SEOUL

2012-05-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

When I arrived in South Korea, my itinerary is already done by my boss and he only need to drop me off somewhere for somebody to pick me up. My first drop off is at Seoul Train Station. That's where we meet Mr. Kang Chang Oun, my travel companion for my first 3 days there.While waiting for our KTX ride to Busan we ate breakfast at the Lotteria (Korea's version of Jollibee). I had a shrimp burger and coffee, my first meal ever in Seoul, and I find it interesting that older women are hired to work in a fastfood joint.

Shrimp Burger and Coffee at Lotteria

Sugar sticks

Senior Citizens working at the Lotteria. Awesome!

NAMSAN TOWER

2012-04-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

The N Seoul Tower, officially the CJ Seoul Tower and commonly known as the Namsan Tower and Seoul Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on Mt. Namsan in central Seoul, South Korea.

It opened in 1980 and had since then become a landmark of Seoul. I was brought there by my boss one afternoon and was amazed how people, locals and tourists alike trooped to this place especially in the late afternoon. We rode a cable car with a rate fare of W7,500 each going up.

We weren't able to go up the observation deck since there was a long line of people trying to go up there and we had a dinner appointment to keep. However, I enjoyed looking at the city scape at twilight. It is such a awesome place to be.

LOCAL MARKET IN JEJU-DO

2012-02-06T03:43:00.000-08:00

To really experience the culture of another country, one should try to visit their local market. It is because for me the local market is the soul of each village, town or city.

It is so amazing to find a giant radish in the market

The ajjuma’s selling various vegetables and dried fish

in the dry section of the market

STREET SMART

2012-02-03T01:52:00.000-08:00

When I was in Busan, I was amazed to find cotton candy being sold on the street much like in the Philippines. And for the first time, I get to buy bottled water in a vending machine. Cool!

COTTON CANDY IN THE STREETS OF BUSAN-SI

GETTING MY BOTTLED WATER FROM THE VENDING MACHINE

JEJU-DO

2012-01-02T02:23:00.000-08:00

On our way to Mt. Halla. Magnificent scenery along the way
especially since its autumn when I went there.Trees were changing colors.

I never found a place so enchanting as Jeju Island. Dominated by the magnificent Mt. Halla, Jeju-do is host to the natural World Heritage Site which is the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

Museums, heritage parks, waterfalls, orange farms, dol hareubang, mysterious road, crater lake and other tourist attractions abound in the island.

This is dol hareubang. Prominent statues that
you can find almost anywhere in Jeju Island.

Things I love about Jeju-Do? The small restaurants that offers kimchi tchiage (my favorite) as their specialty, the outdoor coffee shop where one can sit on top of a cliff overlooking the sea while sipping a cup of coffee, the coastal road where you can go walking, run, bike or take a leisurely drive and just enjoy the seascape, mountain trails, Mt. Halla, orange farms, subtropical climate.... I guess I love all of Jeju.

Wasn't able to catch the sunset though, much more the sunrise..but I really really wish to go back there to experience this "must see" beauty of nature. According to my chin-gu (friend) I traveled half of the island and he said...I have to go back there to see the other half. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

As I shared with my Filipino friends - "I left my heart in Jeju Island".

By the way, I heard from a friend of mine that Filipinos can fly direct to Jeju Island for a tour without a need for a visa. This privilege is good for 30 days only. You can check this out at http://www.booknflytravel.com/2011/07/countries-filipinos-can-travel-without.html

South Korea Jeju Island 제주도 濟州島 Preview

2012-01-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! Features Korea

2011-12-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

Korea Tourism Organization President Mr. Charm Lee talks to Yahoo! Southeast Asia about the attractions in South Korea. Report by Jason Domantay of Yahoo! Southeast Asia. Video produced by Yahoo! Southeast Asia and loQal.

Check this out:
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/video/newsoriginals-26883186/finding-inspiration-in-korea-27597503.html

King Sejong

2011-12-08T22:25:00.000-08:00

"The most important element in ruling a country is showing trust."
(from Annals of Sejong, July 3, 1423)

King Sejong's name is Yi Do and his courtesy name is Won Jeong. He was born in Junsubang, Hanyang (currently around Yeongchumun, Gyeongbokgung, Tongin-dong, Seoul). He was born in April 10, 1397 and died February 17, 1450. He reigned for 31 years and 6 months. His important contribution to South Korea is the creation of the Korean alphabet or Hangul, contribution to the development of science, music and technology, and territorial expression.

What struck me most during my visit to the Underground Gwanghwanmun Square in Seoul where King Sejong's achievements are exhibited was his love for his people whether they are rich or poor. The yearly party for the old people during his reign allowed poor subjects to mingle with the rich.

Eating My Way Through the Land of the Morning Calm

2011-12-05T22:14:00.000-08:00

Local food is always in the top of my list when travelling. Eating or trying a local cuisine or delicacy can be an eye opener to a culture strange to ones own. However, to me, Korean food is no longer alien. I've been hosting Korean students for 5 years and managing a dorm full of Korean for another 5 years so I get to sample, taste and cook Korean dishes. In all honesty, I find it easy to prepare Korean food than Filipino food. Really!

Landing in the Land of the Morning Calm, it is in my utmost list to eat the originals...... different kinds of kimchi, eat meals prepared by azzumas. Anyway, here are the pictures of what I ate during my six days travel in South Korea.

Dokkbuki with kimbap, boiled eggs, kimchi jeon, mandu.
Pickled radish is served as a side dish.
That's my yummy lunch at Seogwipo Market in Jeju-do.
Okay, this meal can also be found in the streets of a metropolitan city like Seoul.

Kimchi Bukeom

A Korean meal is not complete without side dishes.
We had seven (7) side dishes with our kimchi bukeom meal.

Korean rice with shrimp and vegetables and
topped with fried egg and spring onions at Westin Chosun, Busan-si

I also had two (2) samgyupsal dinner. The first one was served with beef and mushroom (my first time to eat samgyupsal with mushroom) and the last samgyupsal meal, duck was served, and as I understand it, duck for samgyupsal is special. I also was able to eat at a Kimchi tchigae specialty restaurant in Jeju-do. All I can say is that I'm just too damned comfortable in there with the food, culture and all. Yum!

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

2011-11-27T01:03:00.000-08:00

The National Museum of Korea is a three storey building located at Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu in Seoul. The museum currently houses the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Donations Gallery, Sculpture and Crafts Gallery and Asia Gallery.

Admission is free to the Permanent Exhibition Hall and Children's Museum. If you don't understand Hangul (of which I do) one can rent a Digital Device (PDA or MP3 with an earphone) where you can get an English Mobile Tour Guide. Make sure that you have an ID to leave with the counter staff. Rental cost for the PDA is 3,000Won and MP3 is 1,000Won. Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge in the Great Hall.

Entrance to the National Museum

Overlooking the ground and second floor

The Imperial Throne during the days of old

The Korean century old bell

The view outside the exhibition hall

Street Food of South Korea

2011-11-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

Street food as I presume will always be present anywhere in the world. During my travel in South Korea, I found out that street food is also making good business there. Street food in Jeju Island can also be bought in the Seoul albeit a difference in prices depending on locations.

Street food at Namdaemun (South Korea's version of Divisoria) pajeon, chapchae, samgyupsal meal, soju, etc.
this particular store is a like an outdoor carinderia
where you eat under a tent

In Incheon- corn on the cob, hotdog, sausage, dak ggochi, ddeokbockyi (rice cake)

Coffee Lady at Incheon's Freedom Park
Cost of one (1) cup of coffee 1,000Won

Korean Folk Village

2011-11-15T02:35:00.000-08:00

Entrance to the Folk Village

My boss brought me to Korean Folk Village on my 4^th day in South Korea. Located in Yong-In City, it is a 243 acres expanse that has 260 traditional houses from the different regions of South Korea. The village also has museums, sculpture garden, bazaar that sells traditional Korean food and live performances can be viewed around the village.

Dae Jang Geum
the movie "Jewel in the Palace" (2003)
apparently was shot here

The ACROBATICS ON A TIGHTROPE SHOW
Can be seen from Tuesdays to Sundays
at 11:30AM & 3:30PM

The Traditional Wedding Ceremony held every 12:00NN, daily at the Nobleman's Mansion

The Equestrian Feats
kids will enjoy watching these horseback riding people
Shown daily, 1PM & 2:30PM at the Performing Arena

There are a lot of wonderful things to see at the Folk Village so going there one must wear shoes for walking. 243 acres is a big area and I get to tour maybe only 70%, prepare to spend 3-4 hours at the village.

Entrance cost 15,000Won per person, around P600 in Philippine Peso. Credit cards are accepted.

You may also want to visit their website at www.koreanfolk.co.kr