akiakat 15

Spending an Afternoon at 51th Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

2014-10-19T22:29:00.000+08:00

One of the regional festivals in Korea that is very attractive aside from its uniqueness is located in Suwon City, the Hwaseong Cultural Festival.

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1997. It is a large fortress that is 6m high and 5.7 km long. Haenggung means a shelter where a King rested or retired from a war.

Brief history: In the 18th century, Prince Sado was the second son of King Yeongjo of Joseon Dynasty. He become mentally ill and was royal decreed to be murdered by locking alive and starving inside a rice chest after failing to commit suicide. He died and was buried at Mt. Baebong in Yangju-si. In 1789, his son King Jeongjo moved his remains at Hyeollyungwon and built the new Suwon city and constructed the city fortress. King Jeongjo completed the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in 1796 and it served as his temporary royal palace during his visit to his father's tomb. King Jeongjo also throw a party for soldiers to commemorate the 60th birthday of his mother.

When I came here, there is a Food Culture and Beauty Festival. Visitors can try foods such as beef barbecue and some traditional foods from Korea, China, and Japan.

A grand ceremony is about to start after the five-day festival. And it is said that the King had made some preparations to return to the palace.

Sinpungnu Pavillion at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

Sinpungru, Main Gate of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

The Zelkova tree

This Zelkova tree is said to be more than 600 years old and very sacred. It protected the Suwon city since before the construction of Hwaseong Fortress.

Three Ways

The way to Bongsudang is splited into three roads and the middle one is wide and slightly high. Side roads were used for subjects, right one for civil officers and left for military officers. Eodo, the King's road, in the palace was allowed to use only for the King.

King Jeongjo's place

This place is to show where King Jeongjo meet his vassals and rest upon arrival at Hwaseong Haenggung. Yuyeotaek is the original place for King Jeongjo but the scene has been reproduced here at Bongsudang for visitors's convenience.

King Jeongjo inscribing a plaque
This building was constructed in 1794 (18th year of King Jeongjo's reign). King Jeongjo inscribed and named as Jangnakdang after Jangnakgung, the residence of an empress Dowager in Han dynasty.

Experience of Hwaseong Fortress Construction

Locals and foreigners can experience joining the construction of Hwaseong Fortress, which reflects King Jeongjo's reformative mind.

Hwaryeongjeon

This place was built to enshrine a portrait of King Jeongjo in a military uniform. Hwaryeongjeon means "Return to pay respects to parents".

Shin-yeon (Spiritual Carrier)

A Shin-yeon refers to the palanquin used to carry the Shin-baek, a wooden sign representing a deceased king or queen during a royal funeral ceremony.

Naknamheon

Naknamheon was a specially designed facility for various events. It is the only building of the temporary palace which was not destroyed and still maintained in its original form.

Ne-Po-sa

Po-sa refers to facility which acted a role as a beacon informing impending danger for residents in the fortress.

at the back where the Food festival is being held

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is also dramatically popular because of the Korean TV Drama "DaeJanggeum", known as "Jewel in the Palace". Some scenes of young Janggeum were filmed here undergoing training in the palace for cooking competition, training of women doctors, and Naeuiwon, medical facility of the palace.

ORBITA. Tradition Tightrope Walking

Some traditional Arts Group from Suwon's sister cities in Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Romania stage diverse performances at Sinpungru.

I'd kept a lot of unforgettable memories here in Suwon City especially in the Hwaseong Fortress. equipped with ancient traditional heritages.

These are only a few things you can find when you visit Suwon. There's a lot more. Suwon Hwaseong Festival offered me its best attraction, a journey of fun-filled adventure all by myself. When I left the place, I was armed with stories and memories to share to everyone.

If you want to visit the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, you may take the Suwon Station Seooul Subway Line 1, Exit 6. Cross the road, turn right, and walk 100m to the Yeokjeon Market bus stop. Take Bus 7, 7-2, or 32-1 and get off at Hwaseong Haenggung.

By Bus:
1. Jamsil to Suwon
Take Bus 1007 from Jamsil station (subway Line 2) and get off at the Hwaseong Haenggung station. The first bus leaves at 5:00 am and comes every 8-12 minutes.

2. Gangnam to Suwon
Take Bus 3000 from Gangnam station (subway Line 2) and get off at the Buksu-dong station. The first bus leaves at 6:00 am and comes every 20 minutes.

My I Love SEOUL I Like TEMPLE Tour Experience

2014-10-19T17:46:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday, October 12, 2014, I've got to experience Korean culture at one of the Seoul temples, the Jinkwansa Temple. This is one of the old temples which also contains more than 100 years of history of Seoul. The Seoul city government made the traditional temple week last October 10-12, 2014.

The gathering of team members started at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu. It is located in Seoul where Korean and foreigners can visit and participate in some events of the temple.

Entrance of Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa Temple Flower Festival has begun.

I Love Seoul I Like Temple Tour booth

Finding of team members both locals and foreigners

They are my team members, Team 11.

See the beautiful flowers at the back.

On our way to the Jinkwansa Temple, we rode the Metro Tour which takes us to the temple for free to experience Korean Buddhist culture.

We walked for almost 15 minutes to the temple. But you will never feel tired while walking because some Koreans tells stories about Buddhist religion, aside from the nature friendly atmosphere I saw.

There is a stream located here.

Some visitors went on hiking Mt. Bukhan

When we arrived at the place, we were late for 30 minutes because the program has started already. We were given introductions about the history of Jinkwansa Temple in English.

The Korean Monk was our tour guide for the day.

The Ambassador of Switzerland is also here for a visit.

They give us some gifts like this Korean cookie which is I known serve during festive days and I give one to my Sajangnim for us to get lucky. I thought of it like the Fortune cookie.

Before lunch, they gave us some Tteok, Korean rice cake made of glutinous rice flour which is made by their chef, that is why it is very delicious and nutritious.

Giving of Korean cookie and Tteok

The Buffet Lunch served for VIPs, wherein we got a chance to ate there too.

This was my buffet lunch last Sunday. There were no meats at all. I asked one of my team members why, because Buddhist value life. Only vegetables for that time and some fruits too.
Get some foods which you can eat but not too much or else you will eat the leftover food in your next life as one of the translator said. Oopss! Don't be greedy.

If we are not included in the VIP area, we are eating there too along with some visitors of the temple.

She was asking if we have dreams and we said, Yes!

The lecture has just ended.

It was the Jinkwansa Temple National event of "SuRyukJae". We experienced the Gwaebul-eun ritual wherein there is a large Buddhism painting Gwaebul hang up on the Gwaebul pole. It symbolizes vulture peak assembly of Shakyamuni. In Joseon dynasty, people believes that Gwaebulnim brings down rain to come out during drought if the painting is outside.

After the Gwaebul ceremony, Buddha's sermon on vulture peak mountain will be shown and majestic, beautiful music and dance are performed by monks.

The nun tour guide also said something about Sa-Ja-Dahn, requesting an envoy riding a horse to let all Buddha and lonely souls know the ceremony is about to begin. The horse will have its own comfort place.

When you became a Buddhist, as what our monk tour guide said, you should give up everything, even your own family. She even asked us to donate something, our SMILE. If we smile, happiness is in. She said that we should always be thankful that we are alive everyday. And as we open our eyes in the morning, wherein our body wants to still be in bed, let our mind be our guide that we should wake up and be thankful each day. Being positive should always be remembered. Negative thoughts should be thrown away as these deteriorates ourselves. In this tour, I've experienced happiness inside and out. Aside from the fact that our monk tour guide was so happy and not boring.

After the lecture/discussion on some Korean Buddhist culture, they allowed us to spent our time walking around, taking some pictures, participating in some events.

.They offered us some snacks and green tea

My newly-found friends, Koreans and Chinese.

This is what Temple stay means.

We received special gifts in this event processed with Seoul Metro Stamp Tour by Korea Tourism Organization.

This journey took me to the best that Jinkwansa Temple has to offer from a warm welcome to a fond farewell and got home armed with stories and memories to share with others.

Thanks to the host of the event I Love SEOUL, I Like TEMPLE Tour, Seoul Metropolitan Government, organized by Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Headquarters, supported by Korea Tourism Organization and executed by Cham Education & Culture.

If you want to visit the Jinkwansa Temple, you may call their telephone number, 02-359-8410 or here is their address.

Line 3 Yeonsinnae Exit 3 and take a bus 7211 or 701
Line 3 Gupabal Exit 3 and take a bus 7723.

If you want to visit the Jogyesa Temple, you may call them at 02-732-2115.

Directions thru subway:
1. Jonggak Subway station
Subway Line 1, Exit 2
Go 70m forward, then cross the street,
Go 100m more to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple.

2. Anguk Subway station
Subway Line 3, Exit 6
Go 50m forward, then cross the street infront of Dongduk Gallery.
Go 50m more to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple

3. Gwanghwamun Subway station
Subway Line 5, Exit 2
Go 150m forward to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple between YTN Parking Tower and Hana Bank.

Operation Tulong

2014-04-02T22:42:00.001+08:00

After working, we went to one of our friend's house and helped her fix and changed some furnitures. Here in South Korea, seasons change and some Koreans change their furnitures, too. If luck comes, we can pick it and use in our house. Before, it's so easy to pick some furitures and take home but now, some Koreans sell it to junk shop.

After the household chores, they bought some snacks, my favorite.

Happy April Fools Day 2014

2014-04-01T22:48:00.001+08:00

Today is April Fools Day and our friends invited us for a dinner in a restaurant near our place. One of them noticed that I became slimmer. Oh really! This was what I said. But suddenly he said.. Joke! Oh no.. I thought that was true. ;)
Everyone of us throw jokes with each other with permission.

Earlier this morning there was 5.1 magnitude of earthquake here in South Korea after a decade. Reports said that there were no casualties or properties damaged. The North Korea's nuclear test were dismissed due to the earthquake with aftershocks in North Western part of South Korea. In Seoul, some from there aparments felt the earthquake.

Monday Sickness

2014-03-31T22:03:00.001+08:00

Working on a Monday morning after weekend is so tiring. Why? Its because last Saturday one of our friends celebrated her birthday and we end up until Sunday morning. So we went home so tired and sleep all day long. But we're happy. Its now Monday evening and tomorrow is another day of work. Excited to see our new workmate on Friday afternoon.

REPOST: Join the team at Worldwide Korea Bloggers

2014-03-27T00:03:00.001+08:00

Launched on January 31, 2011, the Korea Blog is an English-language affiliate of the Korean government’s multilingual web portal Korea.net (www.korea.net), run by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS).

As Korea.net’s honorary reporters, Worldwide Korea Bloggers (WKBs) are tasked with the mission of disseminating unique, real-time perspectives about the multifaceted Korean world, promoting opinions and stories unfound in conventional news media and guide books. Don’t miss this opportunity to have a global exchange through the Korea Blog with people from around the world on the genuine aspects of Korea’s charm and stature. We have visitors from over 132 countries, so don’t miss the chance to converse with them all!

1. Guidelines

1) Qualifications

(1) Anyone, regardless of nationality, gender, age, etc, who is interested in promoting Korea though blogging
- Running a personal blog in English, having regular content published online, or actively participating in social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc
- Ability to take quality videos and/or photos, or ability to illustrate or draw cartoons would be a plus

For example, three students at the UK Sejonghakdang, taking a Korean language course at the UK Korean Cultural Center, started a group blog athttp://koreanclassmassive.com. They have been making great reports on the waves of Korean pop music and Korean food that have hit the UK, while also interviewing Korean designers and actors/ actresses active on the local stage. They were invited to Korea in 2012 as one of our “Best Bloggers” of the year.

(2) Students of Sejonghakdangs or students enrolled in Korean studies abroad or in Korea:

- Should consider this opportunity a chance to indulge in Korea’s culture and practice the Korean language.

- Also, an opportunity to reach out and relate to other fans of Korea who are out there in other countries around the globe.

2) Application

(1) Deadline: 6:00 pm Friday, March 27, 2014. (Korean Standard Time, GMT + 9)

(2) Process
- Download and fill out the application form attached below. Send it to blog.korea.net@gmail.com by no later than the deadline above. Group bloggers should individually fill out application forms and send them together as e-mail attachments.
- Make the posts and traffic to your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts public. We will be reviewing all of them during the selection process.
- A total of 20 bloggers living in or outside Korea will be chosen to join this year, joining our existing team of bloggers. Each will be contacted by e-mail after the final announcement has been made to finalize the selection process.

3) Final Announcement
Successful candidates will be announced in the “Notice” section of the Korea Blog on Tuesday, March 31, 2014.

2. Terms

1) Activity period: April 2014 to March 2015

2) Blogger Activities
(1) Certificate of Appointment as a Worldwide Korea Blogger and an icon banner for your own blog or website indicating your affiliation with the Korea Blog.
(2) Each blogger will send monthly proposals for prior approval and will publish at least two posts per month. However, the blog administrator has full discretion to choose topics, suggest edits, change content and decide on the publication of each post.
(3) [Benefits] Monthly evaluation of posts and social network activity will possibly qualify you to be invited on a familiarization tour of Korea. Generally, our top five bloggers are invited on the trip, though the exact destination and other details will be determined later this year.

3) Other merits
(1) Bloggers residing in Korea will have an opportunity to participate in offline meet-ups.
(2) Occasional gifts will be sent out to you.
(3) Participating bloggers will receive a note of gratitude recognizing their hard work during the given period.
(4) Select bloggers will get automatic renewal the following year.

For more information, click here.
http://www.korea.net/Others/Notice/view?articleId=76

Win a Family Trip to Korea!

2013-12-07T22:11:00.001+08:00

Win a Family Trip to Korea!

EVENT: SNS 회원 100만 명 달성 기념 이벤트

2013-09-30T22:40:00.002+08:00

여러분의 사랑 덕분에 삼성에버랜드 공식 페이스북과 트위터의 SNS친구가 100만 명을 돌파했습니다~!! 100만 명이란 숫자.. 어마어마하지만, 100만 명의 페친님, 트친님이 계셔서 얼마나 든든한지 모른답니다~

감사의 마음을 담아 에버랜드 이용권 100매를 쏩니다! 이미 페친/트친님이시라면 응모 완료! 아직도 에버랜드 페친/트친이 아니시라면 '좋아요'와 '팔로우'만 눌러주세요~~^_^)//

발표는 10월 2일, 바로 이 페이지에서 합니다!

□ 참여 방법

- 에버랜드 페이스북 '좋아요'하기 ☞ www.facebook.com/witheverland

- 에버랜드 트위터 '팔로우'하기 ☞ www.twitter.com/witheverland

□ 당첨자 발표 : 2013년 10월 2일

- 총 50명 선정 (1인 2매)

- 경품으로 제공되는 에버랜드 이용권은 2013년 12월 31일까지 사용가능합니다.

- 당첨되신 분께는 페이스북 메시지 또는 트위터 쪽지(DM)를 개별적으로 보내드릴 예정입니다.

You can also join until October 2, 2013. Here are some of my links in facebook and twitter.

삼성에버랜드 공식 페이스북과 트위터의 SNS친구 100만명 돌파를 축하드려요~

할로윈 축제도 많은 사랑 받기 바래요

https://www.facebook.com/akiakat15/posts/10151914132731011

트위터: https://twitter.com/akiakat15/status/384684260046557184

KAJOG's Summer Escapade at Caribbean Bay South Korea

2013-08-13T00:34:00.000+08:00

Yay! Blogging at 1:26 AM. Oh!eM GiL!

TEAM KAJOG at Caribbean Bay S.Korea
08-03-13

It was a blast and the rest will not remain history. (next time I'll upload more videos and pictures esp. Akiakat15's moments of love, hihi!)

Watch this video first. Hirap iEdit! as in.. trim trim ->

http://youtu.be/MD5Esz8pKn8

Kay Shayne, happy birthday! God bless you as always =)

Kay Aki ng buhay ko.. I'm so SORRY be! I've cooked something for you.
Hope you still remember this.. cry cry muche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDvvSDFBAKw

My Anti-burst Adidas Gym Ball 65 cm

2013-05-18T18:49:00.001+08:00

Recently me and my friends were planning to go to a gym because summer is coming up and we want to look good and feel good with our body. Going to gym costs a lot of money and aside from the time you will allot for it too.

So I came up with an idea to just simply shop online and I saw a suggestion page on Facebook of this online shop namely 11 Street English here at South Korea. We look for fitness equipment and I bought this gym ball. Here is the link of this item: http://bit.ly/187Hfh2

Adidas Anti-burst Gym ball 65 cm (red)

I ordered it and the delivery was so fast. The delivery man was so approachable and has a good attitude towards me, since I am a foreigner in his country.

I love this anti-burst Adidas gym ball 65 cm because of its very high quality and anti-burst performance wherein it deflates slowly to avoid injury instead of popping like a balloon when you accidentally get puncture in the ball while using it. We can do 101+ moves with the gym ball.

11 Street English is the easiest and the most reliable shopping mall for buying Korean products online. The official page of 11 street English is here: http://english.11st.co.kr/

Yes, you can order too wherever you are on the globe because 11street is shipping internationally. So what are you waiting for? Place your orders online now.

https://www.facebook.com/en.11street

AIM GLOBAL PRODUCT DEMO & OPP IN ENGLISH

2013-03-23T00:27:00.001+08:00

A strawberry in my palm.

2012-06-20T20:57:00.001+08:00

Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Giveaway: Marshmallow Mama's Milkin' Cookies!

2012-02-15T18:05:00.000+08:00

Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Giveaway: Marshmallow Mama's Milkin' Cookies!: Early this year, fellow lawyer Joyce contacted me and asked me if I wanted to sample her milk-making goodies. Joyce previously posted as gu...

Me and My Glambition: IamBabyPanda Member of The Month and Singles Aware...

2012-02-14T19:36:00.000+08:00

Me and My Glambition: IamBabyPanda Member of The Month and Singles Aware...: Hey guys!! Long time no talk!! Because I missed you guys so much, today I will be holding my first major and monthly giveaway of the year ...

Uncomplicated: Uncomplicated 4th Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

2012-02-14T19:12:00.000+08:00

Click the link for the complete mechanics.

http://wengzaballa.blogspot.com/2012/02/uncomplicated-4th-year-blog-anniversary.html

Uncomplicated: Uncomplicated 4th Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway: My blog is turning 4 years old tomorrow, February 14, 2012 and as a way to thank my readers I am hosting a simple giveaway. Thank you so muc...

Lipgloss Love Affair: Very Belated Bloggiversary Giveaway

2012-01-29T18:01:00.000+08:00

Lipgloss Love Affair: Very Belated Bloggiversary Giveaway: First of all I want to say thank you to you guys for the warm responses on my previous post. I seriously got a little teary eyed at all the...

My Chinese New Year at South Korea 2012

2012-01-23T21:01:00.001+08:00

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000+08:00

Mukhang Pera Contest: Toast To 2012 Giveaway

2012-01-16T23:10:00.000+08:00

Toast To 2012 is a huge giveaway hop event organized last year. Mukhang Pera is a part of it and you can win $40 via Paypal from this blog’s on contest. There is also a grand Toast To 2012 Grand Prize where you can win 1 of 5 $100 or Visa Gift Card.

For Mukhang Pera‘s own giveaway, he asked for sponsors in the Philippine Bloggers Facebook Group and was able to pool $40 to give away as prize to one (1) winner. Please visit the sponsors listed below:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN:

http://mukhangpera.com/2012/01/contest-toast-to-2012-giveaway/#ixzz1jb7ogJBh

Tales from the Tummy: The New Look Fersal Hotels + Giveaway

2012-01-12T23:13:00.000+08:00

Tales from the Tummy: The New Look Fersal Hotels + Giveaway: I got a chance to view the new changes at Fersal Hotel, Neptue Branch, which recently completed a major facelift. Since 1994, Fersal Hote...

Life is Beautiful: HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY with SKYEAVENUE!

2012-01-12T22:56:00.000+08:00

Life is Beautiful: HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY with SKYEAVENUE!: Are you excited for this Holiday Season? Can you feel the spirit of gift giving and sharing this Christmas? Well, here's another surprise fo...

Life is Beautiful: HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY with SKYEAVENUE!

2012-01-12T22:53:00.000+08:00

Life is Beautiful: HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY with SKYEAVENUE!: Are you excited for this Holiday Season? Can you feel the spirit of gift giving and sharing this Christmas? Well, here's another surprise fo...

The Food and Travel Buff giveaway!

2012-01-11T21:34:00.001+08:00

The Food and Travel Buff giveaway!

Win 5 VIP passes for ride all you can in Star City! Join The Food and Travel Buff giveaway and have FUN with your family or friends!

The contest will end on January 31, 2012 and the winner will be announced on February 2, 2012, the date before my birthday. Oh my! =)

And here are the links of the generous sponsors. Thank you =)

http://www.thefoodandtravelbuff.com

http://www.thejournalisticview.com

http://www.fadandglamor.com

http://www.pilipinasngayon.com

http://www.hotfunstuffs.com

http://thenewsmakers.info

http://caraeclesiblings.info

http://www.divinefully.blogspot.com

For the complete mechanics, CLICK the LINK below.
http://thefoodandtravelbuff.com/2012/01/08/the-food-and-travel-buff-giveaway/

Divine's Memoirs (My Sound Expressions): Sony laptop giveaway!

2012-01-04T20:07:00.000+08:00

Divine's Memoirs (My Sound Expressions): Sony laptop giveaway!: This is one great giveaway that you shouldn't miss! Sony 15.5" VAIO VPC-EE23FX Laptop PC with AMD Athlon II Processor & Windows 7 Home Pre...

Manila Shopper: Win Cool Giftaways from Aero Manila

2011-12-29T19:16:00.000+08:00

Manila Shopper: Win Cool Giftaways from Aero Manila: I have featured Aero Manila products as one of my Holiday Gift Ideas . Now, it's your chance to win not 1 ... not 2 ...but 5 of them...