tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86747238348646280112024-03-12T22:01:13.334-07:00Travel Guide South KoreaKorea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-5520764743381821972010-12-18T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:33.868-08:00Sejong Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TCiK7b3YDpI/AAAAAAAAEh8/6geluB2PUF0/s1600/Sejong+Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TCiK7b3YDpI/AAAAAAAAEh8/6geluB2PUF0/s400/Sejong+Memorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (or Sejong Center) is the largest arts and cultural complex in Seoul, South Korea. It has an interior area of 53,202m². It is situated in the center of the capital, on Sejongno, a main road that cuts through the capital city of the Joseon Dynasty. The center took 4 years to complete, opening its doors in 1978. It was "built as a cultural center for Seoulites." It currently is home to the biggest pipe organ in Asia. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_Center">Wikipedia</a>)</div> <br />The building is located in Gwanghamun and you can view the statue of the great King Sejong just in front of the center. Underneath the statue, you can walk into Gwang Ha Rang, where you can view many free exhibition. The Gwang Hwa Rang is situated right underneath the Sejong-ro crossroads. It is accessible to pedestrians and art-discerning visitors. There is a window-gallery that enable by-passers on ground level to peek inside.<br /><br />Check out my trip to Gwanghamun on April 2009 <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/06/gwanghamun.html">here</a> and to King Sejong's tomb <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/08/king-sejong-tomb.html">here</a>.<br />My friends Iris, Fiza, Nyna and Hanim recently visited the great King Sejong's exhibition and check out their pictures here. You can even practise writing your own name in Hangul! ^^<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm2523Ky7I/AAAAAAAAFlY/ZRR4gF7Nga8/s1600/king+sejong1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm2523Ky7I/AAAAAAAAFlY/ZRR4gF7Nga8/s400/king+sejong1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm3kJd0i9I/AAAAAAAAFlc/7KAKlJjVYhA/s1600/king+sejong2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm3kJd0i9I/AAAAAAAAFlc/7KAKlJjVYhA/s400/king+sejong2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The great King errr..Queen Fiza?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm4ZQIOG9I/AAAAAAAAFlg/0chnHblEmTs/s1600/king+sejong3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm4ZQIOG9I/AAAAAAAAFlg/0chnHblEmTs/s400/king+sejong3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice kitty..rawrrr!! Be careful Nyna! ^^</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm5G7R8CLI/AAAAAAAAFlk/SSvA5kYpnHc/s1600/king+sejong4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm5G7R8CLI/AAAAAAAAFlk/SSvA5kYpnHc/s400/king+sejong4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm9CItP5dI/AAAAAAAAFlo/02qTRtCDZb0/s1600/king+sejong5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm9CItP5dI/AAAAAAAAFlo/02qTRtCDZb0/s400/king+sejong5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm9USzpYDI/AAAAAAAAFls/Fmp9RI6ng0k/s1600/king+sejong6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm9USzpYDI/AAAAAAAAFls/Fmp9RI6ng0k/s400/king+sejong6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fiza landed into the same dreaded situation like me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's no letter in Hangul which sounded like 'Z' and 'F' hence</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Korean pronounce our name as Pija and Jarina respectively.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I gave up to teach them on how to pronounce my name properly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The funnier thing is, Korean pronounce pizza (the food) as pija. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmm...hehehe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm-NGOAklI/AAAAAAAAFlw/SAxso-j1w5E/s1600/king+sejong7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm-NGOAklI/AAAAAAAAFlw/SAxso-j1w5E/s400/king+sejong7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm-rrmIUII/AAAAAAAAFl0/2yc-PVLKb8w/s1600/king+sejong8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQm-rrmIUII/AAAAAAAAFl0/2yc-PVLKb8w/s400/king+sejong8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Uri chingu!! From left Fiza, Iris, Nyna and Hanim.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All pictures are from their courtesy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQnPAVAX4HI/AAAAAAAAFl4/UgwylNNsTqk/s1600/gwanghamun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQnPAVAX4HI/AAAAAAAAFl4/UgwylNNsTqk/s400/gwanghamun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Myeongdong to Gwanghamun</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">16 minutes, 5 stops, 5.1km</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1,000 won with cash, 900 won with T-Money</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture park subway station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take Exit 5 at Gwanghamun subway station to go to Sejong Center</div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-27507969689532388882010-12-16T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:33.916-08:00Teddy Bear Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhLS8G3pGI/AAAAAAAAFks/3C7aSwXJmnA/s1600/teddy+bear+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhLS8G3pGI/AAAAAAAAFks/3C7aSwXJmnA/s320/teddy+bear+museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhNL5hGCjI/AAAAAAAAFkw/HHiDEZ-Y3ME/s1600/teddy+bear+museum0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhNL5hGCjI/AAAAAAAAFkw/HHiDEZ-Y3ME/s320/teddy+bear+museum0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhQXM-YkRI/AAAAAAAAFk0/0UVqdjcpi4A/s1600/teddy+bear+museum1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhQXM-YkRI/AAAAAAAAFk0/0UVqdjcpi4A/s400/teddy+bear+museum1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhTMTatBiI/AAAAAAAAFk4/1dA6iihhONM/s1600/teddy+bear+museum2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhTMTatBiI/AAAAAAAAFk4/1dA6iihhONM/s400/teddy+bear+museum2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhUpF4ESQI/AAAAAAAAFk8/QaDfuJVVeMM/s1600/teddy+bear+museum4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhUpF4ESQI/AAAAAAAAFk8/QaDfuJVVeMM/s1600/teddy+bear+museum4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhVR8iSnLI/AAAAAAAAFlA/FwQ3n9HNNZE/s1600/teddy+bear+museum5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhVR8iSnLI/AAAAAAAAFlA/FwQ3n9HNNZE/s400/teddy+bear+museum5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhZDEofsWI/AAAAAAAAFlI/wCfbuq-piTc/s1600/teddy+bear+museum6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhZDEofsWI/AAAAAAAAFlI/wCfbuq-piTc/s400/teddy+bear+museum6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhoWZevi7I/AAAAAAAAFlM/FZH6KnHPQTo/s1600/teddy+bear+museum7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhoWZevi7I/AAAAAAAAFlM/FZH6KnHPQTo/s400/teddy+bear+museum7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhzM57XuEI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/VPN21ByJtVY/s1600/teddy+bear+museum9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQhzM57XuEI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/VPN21ByJtVY/s400/teddy+bear+museum9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQh2quRNheI/AAAAAAAAFlU/uvbNnTidCDY/s1600/teddy+bear+museum10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQh2quRNheI/AAAAAAAAFlU/uvbNnTidCDY/s400/teddy+bear+museum10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/Etc/English.asp">http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/Etc/English.asp</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Admission:</strong> 8,000 won (Museum only) , 12,000 won (Museum + N Seoul Observatory)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Operating hours:</strong> 10:00 - 22:00 (Last Admission: 21:00)</div><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>How to go: </strong><br /><strong>By bus</strong> - Take the yellow bus for 500 won with T-Money. Check my post for <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/09/namsan-tower.html">Yellow bus to N Tower</a>. <br />Once you reach the bus stop at N Tower base, you need to walk a bit up to the steep hill. If you want to avoid this, you can always ride the cable car. If not, please wear comfortables shoes like sneakers.<br /><br /><strong>By cable car</strong> - From Myeongdong subway station, Exit 3, walk up to the hill behind Pacific Hotel until you reach the cable car station. Cable car return fee 7,500 won. Check my post for <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/11/namsan-tower-cable-car-from-myeongdong.html">cable car to N Tower</a>.<br /><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?gotoPage=&cid=664126&move=">KNTO</a><br /><br />Picture courtesy: Iris, Fiza, Hanim and NynaKorea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-55409010186204686602010-12-15T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:33.946-08:00Korean Rice CakeAnother food that I really miss, a lot!! I was surprised when I found Korean rice cake sold right in front of Cold Storage at The Gardens, Midvalley. I'm not sure whether they still sell it now though. A beautiful box of Korean rice cake sold for MYR10.<br /><br />In Korea, if you pass by a store like this, you can buy a portion for 2,000 to 3,000 won depending on the type of rice cake. I particularly prefer Songpyeon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeQz-RUPJI/AAAAAAAAFj4/VjIcHlsgWzE/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeQz-RUPJI/AAAAAAAAFj4/VjIcHlsgWzE/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Korean rice cake house / shop = 떡 집</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQehTjMjLtI/AAAAAAAAFkk/wnU9odm-L5U/s1600/songpyeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQehTjMjLtI/AAAAAAAAFkk/wnU9odm-L5U/s400/songpyeon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favourite songpyeon. Can someone buy me some from Korea? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I miss eating this so much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQo8gIq1H0I/AAAAAAAAFmk/MxKAZIN2NJg/s1600/songpyeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQo8gIq1H0I/AAAAAAAAFmk/MxKAZIN2NJg/s400/songpyeon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside songpyeon - brown sugar, sesame seed</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQePbTjg93I/AAAAAAAAFj0/XI7hhdLx4Sc/s1600/korean+rice+cake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQePbTjg93I/AAAAAAAAFj0/XI7hhdLx4Sc/s400/korean+rice+cake3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can buy Korean rice cake at underground store near the subway station </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for 1,000 won. The cheapest I could get. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeShHDrWHI/AAAAAAAAFj8/3z2aXpz4nzg/s1600/korean+rice+cake4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeShHDrWHI/AAAAAAAAFj8/3z2aXpz4nzg/s400/korean+rice+cake4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture was taken around Suwon Market after my friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">visited Hwaseong Fortress with Mi Hyeon Onni and Min Young. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before closing the shop the rice cake are sold cheaply. 3 packet </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for 5,000 won. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeTt38LMXI/AAAAAAAAFkA/QDIxfv6i1fs/s1600/korean+rice+cake5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeTt38LMXI/AAAAAAAAFkA/QDIxfv6i1fs/s400/korean+rice+cake5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At some larger Korean rice cake shop, you could order it as </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a set of gift. Korean give out rice cake at almost every occasion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For example when a newly wedded couple move into their new</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">house, they will give rice cake to the neighbors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeVtvXFK2I/AAAAAAAAFkE/Q9yGUTd5Lq0/s1600/korean+rice+cake6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeVtvXFK2I/AAAAAAAAFkE/Q9yGUTd5Lq0/s400/korean+rice+cake6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love 쑥갠떡. The green one. It is made from mugwort. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mugwort is beneficial for treating stomach and intestinal disorders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.greathomeremedies.com/herbs/mugwort.html">Great home remedies</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeYiABicaI/AAAAAAAAFkI/EXnHwdjWp6k/s1600/korean+rice+cake7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeYiABicaI/AAAAAAAAFkI/EXnHwdjWp6k/s400/korean+rice+cake7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty one for gift set.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeoq5NPT3I/AAAAAAAAFko/_sqEm1aoqfc/s1600/korean+rice+cake8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeoq5NPT3I/AAAAAAAAFko/_sqEm1aoqfc/s400/korean+rice+cake8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out Tteok Museum for more information.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=630938">KNTO</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Saqaznxs8k?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Saqaznxs8k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-45904797430549321092010-12-14T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:33.966-08:00How to Make HotteokHotteok is among my favourite street foods of Korea. Nyamm..^^ The price normally ranging from 500 to 1,000 won per piece.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeB9A3on3I/AAAAAAAAFjo/HnAIgieVeN8/s1600/hotteok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeB9A3on3I/AAAAAAAAFjo/HnAIgieVeN8/s400/hotteok.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeHU4EEbCI/AAAAAAAAFjs/do4ne2KEmZU/s1600/hotteok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeHU4EEbCI/AAAAAAAAFjs/do4ne2KEmZU/s400/hotteok.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shop is very famous in Insadong. Expect long queue when you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">arrive there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Normally I bought the Hotteok mix at the Korean grocery store in Ampang and just mix it as per instruction. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQOE_5TXnQI/AAAAAAAAFjM/MyvrKmHgqbY/s1600/hoduk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQOE_5TXnQI/AAAAAAAAFjM/MyvrKmHgqbY/s400/hoduk1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeKk4b8F6I/AAAAAAAAFjw/WObzZy-dSJo/s1600/ampang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQeKk4b8F6I/AAAAAAAAFjw/WObzZy-dSJo/s400/ampang.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The filling tastes like a mixed of nuts, brown sugar and cinnamon. Although I hate cinnamon after-taste but this one is an exception! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SyNrR64HXsI/AAAAAAAADoo/B6CqZ8rnNOQ/s1600/DSC_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SyNrR64HXsI/AAAAAAAADoo/B6CqZ8rnNOQ/s400/DSC_0822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SyNrRNvBYvI/AAAAAAAADoY/dxYfAqU3NSI/s1600/DSC_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SyNrRNvBYvI/AAAAAAAADoY/dxYfAqU3NSI/s400/DSC_0826.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R_MPEq53QFs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R_MPEq53QFs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out <a href="http://maangchi.com/">Maangchi.com</a> for full recipe.</div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-30408677725834502702010-12-13T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:33.989-08:00Where to Buy Korean Hallyu Souvenirs?I found a few of these shops in Myeongdong and Namdaemun but couldn't care less to take the pictures until my friends returned from Seoul and showed me their cam-whoring results. <br /><br />There are various items of imaginable Korean Hallyu souvenirs sold here. Namely socks, t-shirts, calendars, key-chain, mug and etc. You name it! Price differs between shops. Haggling is a must!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWGSyeeNWI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/MGwnc0yWFmQ/s1600/souvenir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWGSyeeNWI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/MGwnc0yWFmQ/s400/souvenir.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shop is in Insadong. You could also find Korean Hallyu souvenirs here. Insadong mostly caters Korean traditional souvenirs like Korean mask, fan, hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) and etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>How to go to Insadong</strong> - stop at either Jongno /Euljiro/ Jonggak subway station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWG3cwsq1I/AAAAAAAAFjU/XriapDFYt6k/s1600/souvenir+hallyu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWG3cwsq1I/AAAAAAAAFjU/XriapDFYt6k/s400/souvenir+hallyu1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guess who on the far right? Has he finished his military duties yet?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWHVfPYeQI/AAAAAAAAFjY/UUii0wYbwe0/s1600/souvenir+hallyu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWHVfPYeQI/AAAAAAAAFjY/UUii0wYbwe0/s400/souvenir+hallyu2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought that SNSD file folder but now it sits between piles of books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mian he..hehe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shop is in Namdaemun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>How to go to Namdaemun - </strong>stop at Hoehyeon subway station. Actually Namdaemun is walking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">distance from Myeongdong. They are near to each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make sure you see this building and walk towards Namdaemun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWp4NmJGWI/AAAAAAAAFjk/3yp18BkE14k/s1600/near+shinsegae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWp4NmJGWI/AAAAAAAAFjk/3yp18BkE14k/s400/near+shinsegae.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWHv13QZqI/AAAAAAAAFjc/9TTXJ8LWw9A/s1600/souvenir+hallyu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWHv13QZqI/AAAAAAAAFjc/9TTXJ8LWw9A/s400/souvenir+hallyu3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This makeshift stall is in Myeongdong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWIFdGxJaI/AAAAAAAAFjg/c8uj-I2ImqU/s1600/souvenir+hallyu4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQWIFdGxJaI/AAAAAAAAFjg/c8uj-I2ImqU/s400/souvenir+hallyu4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To Big Bang lovers, GDragon said..Kajima!! Don't go until you buy this calendar!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">GDragon..Kyaa!! *fangirl mode*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can find many sellers at the underground shopping centers too like in Euljiro and Myeongdong nearby the subway. Most of the shops are selling similar stuff and price wise is pretty much the same. I rarely get discount from those ahjummas but I would buy a few things at one go and ask for service. In Korea, service means free items or sample. They will gladly give it to you if you purchase a lot from their shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQebKEBJs-I/AAAAAAAAFkM/LmBn9KXsurc/s1600/underground+shopping+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQebKEBJs-I/AAAAAAAAFkM/LmBn9KXsurc/s400/underground+shopping+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entrance to Hoehyeon underground shopping center</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQebaLJzO0I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/vFdMzJOkj-U/s1600/underground+shopping+center1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQebaLJzO0I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/vFdMzJOkj-U/s400/underground+shopping+center1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Myeongdong underground shopping center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture courtesy: Iris, Fiza, Hanim, Nyna and 2T</div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-54194965668697708002010-12-12T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.009-08:00How to go to Cheongyanni Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you want to go to Nami Island by train at Cheongyanni Station, you have to ride the subway to until here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/Sv0qSt3rFyI/AAAAAAAACN4/aVVrYRQz4qA/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/Sv0qSt3rFyI/AAAAAAAACN4/aVVrYRQz4qA/s400/DSC_0526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheongyanni Station on November 2009</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQMZ6UUAx7I/AAAAAAAAFjE/9GobvJz5BOE/s1600/cheongyanni+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQMZ6UUAx7I/AAAAAAAAFjE/9GobvJz5BOE/s400/cheongyanni+station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cheongyanni Station on November 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Myeongdong to Cheongyanni</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQMzYIv8eBI/AAAAAAAAFjI/jOt1vKalbVQ/s1600/Myeongdong+to+cheongyanni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQMzYIv8eBI/AAAAAAAAFjI/jOt1vKalbVQ/s400/Myeongdong+to+cheongyanni.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">22 minutes, 7 stops, 5.9km</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">900 won with T-Money, 1,000 won with cash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Transit at Dongdaemun subway station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After that go out from <span style="color: red;">Cheongyanni Subway Station</span> to <span style="color: red;">Cheongyanni Train Station. </span><span style="color: black;">The picture above is Cheongyanni Train Station. Don't be confused! ^^</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buy a ticket at Cheongyanni Train Station to Gapyeong Train Station for about 3,500 won. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gapyeong Station is not in the Seoul Metro map because it is not a subway train. It is a normal train. Don't waste your time finding the station name in the Seoul Metro map.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can catch a taxi for about 4,000 won to Nami Island jetty from Gapyeong Station. The return ferry ride cost about 8,000 won. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Subway 900 won x 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Train 3,500 won x 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Taxi 4,000 won x 2 (Divide among your friends if you are in a group)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ferry 8,000 won</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total is roughly 23,900 won</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out the link at KNTO for <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309520">Winter Sonata Course</a>. </div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-6592409436723721782010-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.040-08:00Ice Skating in SeoulWinter is here and it's time to sharpen your skating skill!! ^^<br /><br />Honestly, I don't know how to skate at all and it's natural to envy Kim Yuna's skill ^^. No intention to learn it though cause I love snowboarding more than skating. Snowboarding invokes a different kind of adrenaline rush for me like jumping on the craziest roller coaster? Kind of. ^^ (Whatever Zarina..you gonna be stoned to death by Kim Yuna's fans! *run and hide*)<br /><br />Why you want to skate if snowboarding is much cooler?<br />1.No time to visit ski resort<br />2.No budget to snowboard/ski at the ski resort<br />3.Maybe you will meet Kim Yuna look alike? *who knows..hehe*<br /><br />For Malaysians; take a dip! Do not compare to your Sunway Pyramid's skating experience cause you may need to garb yourself with layers of clothes to endure the bitter cold. Looking at it from another perspective, winter is the time to be flashy and fashionable, right? At any cost, avoid black. It's too somber and depressing for winter. ^^<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Gwanghamun Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAY3ltH3vI/AAAAAAAAFhs/9t8f3DVNjlM/s1600/Gwanghamun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAY3ltH3vI/AAAAAAAAFhs/9t8f3DVNjlM/s400/Gwanghamun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAZJP4f7NI/AAAAAAAAFhw/4Oidl6nZCGs/s1600/Gwanghamun1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAZJP4f7NI/AAAAAAAAFhw/4Oidl6nZCGs/s400/Gwanghamun1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><strong>Admission:</strong> 1,000 won per hour (Skate and helmet included), 30% discount for group of 20 people<br /><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> Weekdays 10:00 - 22:00, Weekend and Holidays 10:00 - 23:00<br /><strong>Date:</strong> December 11 to February 15<br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Gwanghamun subway station, Exit 1 or 8, Line 5<br /><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257366&cid=686510">KNTO</a><br /><br /><strong>Myeongdong to Gwanghamun</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGPa-lOVxI/AAAAAAAAFis/bOn7dv1r5xQ/s1600/myeongdong+to+gwanghamun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGPa-lOVxI/AAAAAAAAFis/bOn7dv1r5xQ/s400/myeongdong+to+gwanghamun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">16 minutes, 5 stops , 5.1km</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">900 won with T-Money, 1,000 won with cash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park subway station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Walkerhill Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA8_5GFVqI/AAAAAAAAFiE/lBR1S6VW6WA/s1600/walkerhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA8_5GFVqI/AAAAAAAAFiE/lBR1S6VW6WA/s400/walkerhill.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA9Nc4wCbI/AAAAAAAAFiI/c0b1_SkPgxo/s1600/walkerhill1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA9Nc4wCbI/AAAAAAAAFiI/c0b1_SkPgxo/s400/walkerhill1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.sheratonwalkerhill.co.kr/eng/">http://www.sheratonwalkerhill.co.kr/eng/</a><br /><strong>Admission:</strong> Weekdays 20,000 won/ Weekend or holidays 30,000 won<br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Skate Rental:</strong> 12,000 won</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> Weekdays 12:00 - 21:00, Weekend and Holidays 12:00 - 22:00</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Date:</strong> December 19 to February 15 <br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Gwangnaru subway station, Exit 1, Line 5 then take complimentary bus to the Walkerhill Hotel<br />Source: <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257366&cid=686548">KNTO</a><br /><br /><br /></div><strong>Myeongdong to Gwangnaru</strong><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGUlp3usvI/AAAAAAAAFiw/4bhd-9Oy9kQ/s1600/myeongdong+to+gwangnaru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGUlp3usvI/AAAAAAAAFiw/4bhd-9Oy9kQ/s400/myeongdong+to+gwangnaru.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>29 minutes, 12 stops , 12.4km<br />1,000 won with T-Money, 1,100 won with cash<br />Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park subway station<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA_0xwKG-I/AAAAAAAAFiM/imUAZx6aHB8/s1600/olympic+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA_0xwKG-I/AAAAAAAAFiM/imUAZx6aHB8/s400/olympic+park.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBAQy8perI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/kWx2q3bx5dQ/s1600/olympic+park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBAQy8perI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/kWx2q3bx5dQ/s400/olympic+park1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.sosfo.or.kr/">http://www.sosfo.or.kr/</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Admission:</strong> 1,000 won for 1 hour 30 minutes (Skate and helmet included)</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> Weekdays 09:00 - 21:00, Weekend and Holidays 09:00 - 22:00</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Date:</strong> December 7 to February 15 <br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Mongchontoseong subway station, Exit 1, Line 5 then take the green bus #2412 or 2413 and get off at the Peace Plaza bus station.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 544px;"><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><strong>Source:</strong> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257366&cid=686586">KNTO</a></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">I have never thought of visiting Olympic Park although it is only one subway stop away from Jinny's home back when she lived in Bangi area. Now I have a reason to. ^^</div><div><br /><strong>Myeongdong to Mongchontoseong</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGWWzAe8SI/AAAAAAAAFi0/IzqP03dpfa0/s1600/myeongdong+to+mongchontoseong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGWWzAe8SI/AAAAAAAAFi0/IzqP03dpfa0/s400/myeongdong+to+mongchontoseong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />40 minutes, 14 stops , 14.8km<br />1,000 won with T-Money, 1,100 won with cash<br />Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park subway station and Jamsil subway station <br /><br /></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Grand Hyatt Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBCnxw26gI/AAAAAAAAFiU/b4gPsP5_T10/s1600/grand+hyatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBCnxw26gI/AAAAAAAAFiU/b4gPsP5_T10/s400/grand+hyatt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBC4aWKILI/AAAAAAAAFiY/96KJnPzaj8o/s1600/grand+hyatt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBC4aWKILI/AAAAAAAAFiY/96KJnPzaj8o/s400/grand+hyatt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp">http://www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp</a><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Admission:</strong> Weekdays 19,800 won/ Weekend or holidays 24,200 won</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Skate Rental:</strong> 15,400 won</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> Weekdays 12:00 - 21:00, Weekend and Holidays 10:00 - 22:00</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Date:</strong> November 28 to February 28 <br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Noksapyeong subway station, Exit 1, Line 6. Cross the road at the crosswalk and take bus #3 to the Grand Hyatt Hotel bus stop. You may also take bus #402 from Seoul Station to the Grand Hyatt Hotel bus stop<br /><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257366&cid=686603">KNTO</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 544px;"><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /><strong>Myeongdong to Noksapyeong</strong></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGftay9oGI/AAAAAAAAFi4/WKHS_w5j7Ag/s1600/myeongdong+to+noksapyeong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGftay9oGI/AAAAAAAAFi4/WKHS_w5j7Ag/s400/myeongdong+to+noksapyeong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>18 minutes, 5 stops , 4.9km<br />900 won with T-Money, 1000 won with cash<br />Transit at Samgkji subway station<br /><br /></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Lotte World Indoor Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBD_lbom3I/AAAAAAAAFic/erOFB0NdiZI/s1600/lotte+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBD_lbom3I/AAAAAAAAFic/erOFB0NdiZI/s400/lotte+world.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBGTWsyKiI/AAAAAAAAFig/ebTY4Typs1A/s1600/lotte+world1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBGTWsyKiI/AAAAAAAAFig/ebTY4Typs1A/s400/lotte+world1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.lotteworld.com/Family_sports/menu01.asp?mn=Mn101">http://www.lotteworld.com/Family_sports/menu01.asp?mn=Mn101</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Admission:</strong> 8,500 won for 3 hours, 1,000 won for exceeding 30 minutes</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Skate Rental:</strong> 4,500 won</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> Weekdays 10:40 - 22:30, Weekend and Holidays 10:00 - 22:30</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Date:</strong> All year round , 365 days <br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Jamsil subway station, Exit 4, Line 2 or 8.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=266850">KNTO</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Highlight: Laser show Weekdays 20:50 - 21:30, Weekend and Holidays 21:20 - 22:00</span></b></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 544px;"><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /><strong>Myeongdong to Jamsil</strong></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGoYmT-9TI/AAAAAAAAFi8/YeQS7f9m_og/s1600/myeongdong+to+jamsil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGoYmT-9TI/AAAAAAAAFi8/YeQS7f9m_og/s320/myeongdong+to+jamsil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>31 minutes, 13 stops , 14km<br />1,000 won with T-Money, 1,100 won with cash<br />Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park subway station<br /><br /></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Korea University Ice Skating Rink</u></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBI76L58II/AAAAAAAAFik/msF4a3ZbqwI/s1600/korea+univ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBI76L58II/AAAAAAAAFik/msF4a3ZbqwI/s400/korea+univ1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBJa-td4bI/AAAAAAAAFio/1WnuNBOZxAQ/s1600/korea+univ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQBJa-td4bI/AAAAAAAAFio/1WnuNBOZxAQ/s400/korea+univ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://kusports.korea.ac.kr/main.php?lang=2&year=&month=">http://kusports.korea.ac.kr/main.php?lang=2&year=&month=</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Admission:</strong> 5,000</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Skate Rental:</strong> 3,000 won</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> 14:00 - 18:00 / Vacation period (mid July - end August / mid December - End February 13:00 - 18:00</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>Date:</strong> All year round , 365 days <br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Korea University subway station, Exit 3, Line 6 then take bus #20 and get off at Korea University bus stop <br />Source: <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_2_4.jsp?gotoPage=&category=&areaCode=&recommCid=257366&cid=686625">KNTO</a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Myeongdong to Korea University</strong></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGtZuRmcgI/AAAAAAAAFjA/tHmCPDuA5bU/s1600/myeongdong+to+korea+univ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQGtZuRmcgI/AAAAAAAAFjA/tHmCPDuA5bU/s400/myeongdong+to+korea+univ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />30 minutes, 8 stops , 6.7km<br />900 won with T-Money, 1,000 won with cash<br />Transit at Dongdaemun subway station and Dongmyo subway station</div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Note: Price and date may change.</span></b></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-85000797016106640912010-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.061-08:00Free Shuttle Bus from Seoul to Gangwon-doWhat does this mean? Of course more savings for your trip! ^^<br /><br />The FREE shuttle bus from Seoul to Gangwon-do runs from December 5th, 2010 to February 25th 2011 especially for you winter fans! The shuttle bus offers wireless internet, personal earphones and DVD video system.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Note: No shuttle service on Monday and first come first serve basis.</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA0qiVwWEI/AAAAAAAAFh8/cbnG61dBDCs/s1600/Gwanghamun+img_bus_05_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA0qiVwWEI/AAAAAAAAFh8/cbnG61dBDCs/s400/Gwanghamun+img_bus_05_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting point: Gwanghamun Subway Station, Exit 6, Line 5</div><br /><b>The route:</b><br /><b>Seoul to Gangwon-do</b><br />Gwanghamun 08:00 --> Gangwon-do (Yongpyeong Resort) 11:30 --> Gangwon-do (Alpensia Resort) 11:45 --> Gangwon-do (Gangneung Jungang Market) 13:00<br /><br /><b>Gangwon-do to Seoul</b><br />Gangwon-do (Gangneung Jungang Market) 17:00 --> Gangwon-do (Alpensia Resort) 18:00 --> Gangwon-do (Yongpyeong Resort) 18:25 --> Gwanghamun 21:45<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA1ucz3nAI/AAAAAAAAFiA/TWjCamNRuXg/s1600/free+shuttle+bus+img_bus_11_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQA1ucz3nAI/AAAAAAAAFiA/TWjCamNRuXg/s400/free+shuttle+bus+img_bus_11_01.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br /><br />For booking: <a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_07_01_01.asp">Visit Korea Year website</a><br />Check out KNTO link for <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?gotoPage=1&cid=860691#1">ski resorts in Gangwon-do.</a>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-6674147824997254522010-12-09T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.090-08:00Welcome Plan Service by Visit Year Korea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAu_e8apMI/AAAAAAAAFh4/bJvUbI-SAcM/s1600/Logo_Visit_Korea_Year_2010-2012%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAu_e8apMI/AAAAAAAAFh4/bJvUbI-SAcM/s400/Logo_Visit_Korea_Year_2010-2012%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Those who are visiting Korea between January and February 2011, a welcome kit awaits you at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport Korea Tourism Booth!! The welcome dates will be announced sometime soon and keep yourself updated at Visit Year Korea website <a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_01_01_01.asp">here</a>.<br /><br />Grab one if you gonna travel during that time.^^<br /><br />The welcome kit will vary from one of these:<br /><br /><ul><li>Souvenir Packaging Kits</li><li>1330 Wet Tissue</li><li>T-Money</li><li>Cosmetics Sample Kit</li><li>Casino Coupon</li><li>Currency Exchange Discount Coupon</li><li>Korean Wave Star Postcards (I want Lee Jun Ki or So Ji Sub!! ^^)</li></ul><br />You have to <a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_01_01_01.asp">print the coupon</a> from Visit Korea Year before you reach either airports.Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-39370512767791766582010-12-08T16:49:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.116-08:00Discount Coupon in Seoul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAcCBvvxWI/AAAAAAAAFh0/KIIBKrqLUtE/s1600/discount+seoul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TQAcCBvvxWI/AAAAAAAAFh0/KIIBKrqLUtE/s400/discount+seoul.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get discount coupons for these outlets and many more at <a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01.asp">VisitKoreaYear website</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit Korea Year is from 2010 to 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Participating outlets :</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Cosmetics</u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_02.asp">Hanskin</a> - 5%</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_07.asp">The Face Shop</a> - 5 to 10%</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_09.asp">Tony Moly</a> - 5%</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_10.asp">Missha</a> - 10% </li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_12.asp">Nature Republic</a> - 10%</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_16.asp">Innisfree</a> - 10%</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_22.asp">Etude House</a> - 5 to 10%</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Note: </span></b>All stores are in Myeongdong except for Etude House is in Insadong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Coffee Shops</u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_03.asp">Holly's Coffee</a> -10% on beverages excluding bottled drinks at Myeongdong and Insadong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_08.asp">O'sulloc Tea House</a> -10% at Myeongdong and Taepyeong</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Food</u></span></b></div><br /><ul><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_04.asp">Omuto Tomato</a> - Fusion Omurice; all items 10% except alcoholic beverages at Myeongdong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_05.asp">Rotiboy</a> - One free bun / coffee with purchases of 6 or more buns at Myeongdong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_06.asp">Sunshine Kebabs</a> - Free coke with purchase of kebab at City Hall</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_14.asp">Under The Sea</a> - 10% at Myeongdong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_13.asp">Dunkin Donuts</a> - 10% at Myeongdong, Jonggak, Jongno, COEX</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_15.asp">Cheong Kwan Jang</a> - 5% for root of ginseng and 10% off other products at Myeongdong, Euljiro</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_17.asp">Todai</a> - Free wine for 2 people dining at Myeongdong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_19.asp">Yeon Ta Bal</a> - Service menu at Apgujeong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_18_02.asp">Red Mango</a> - 10% all items at multiple branches</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_21.asp">Cacao Green</a> - 10% all items at Myeongdong</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_24.asp">Dong Hae Byel Gwan</a> - Complimentary alcoholic drink 'Hwa Yo' at multiple branches</li></ul><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Multi Shop</u></span></b><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_multi.asp">ABC Mart</a> - 5,000 won discount on all purchase at Myeongdong</li></ul><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Others</u></span></b><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_20.asp">The Foot Shop</a> - 10% discount all items at Gwanghamun and Jongno</li><li><a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01_23.asp">Lotte World Shooting Range</a> - two shootings at one round, another round for second at Jamsil</li></ul><br /><b>Terms and Conditions:</b><br /><br /><ol><li>Only those with a coupon will receive discounts</li><li>Present your coupon at the counter before paying</li><li>One coupon per person</li><li>Only one coupon per purchase</li><li>Please check if the store is a member store for discount</li><li>Discounts are for foreign tourists only</li></ol><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Note: Please check the map in each link for participating stores. Not all stores are participating.</span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />Source: <a href="http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/main.asp">Visit Korea Year</a>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-23774666061844805052010-12-04T20:03:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.135-08:00Rainbow lookout café in Gangnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying the night view over a sip of coffee at the killer view Han River cafe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=996343">KNTO</a> for more info if you decide to spend your time here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPpPV-xU2aI/AAAAAAAAFhI/iZvAWP5UMu0/s1600/han+river+bridge+view+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPpPV-xU2aI/AAAAAAAAFhI/iZvAWP5UMu0/s400/han+river+bridge+view+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Min Young brought my friends Hanim, Iris, Fiza and Marina for a night out. The weather was cool and so was the view of Hannam Bridge and Dongho bridge from Rainbow lookout café.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not all seats have a Hangang River view though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the café offers a great view of Hangang Park and Olympic Bridge from any seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPsCtN6APVI/AAAAAAAAFhY/4tJSrKPeLn0/s1600/Dongho+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPsCtN6APVI/AAAAAAAAFhY/4tJSrKPeLn0/s400/Dongho+bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dongho bridge</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TLlVFCf94NI/AAAAAAAAFUw/EBj9GQlKnLI/s1600/Hannam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TLlVFCf94NI/AAAAAAAAFUw/EBj9GQlKnLI/s400/Hannam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hannam Bridge</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPpUsrRKXMI/AAAAAAAAFhM/w3_AeUBudVw/s1600/han+river+bridge+view+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPpUsrRKXMI/AAAAAAAAFhM/w3_AeUBudVw/s400/han+river+bridge+view+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fiza, Min Young and Iris strolling the Han River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fiza and Iris bought that clothes they wore from Dongdaemun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the day before. How they could endure the cold? By wearing layers of clothes; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that's how you do it if you want to avoid bulky autumn clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPr-IiGB44I/AAAAAAAAFhQ/3I5r_5Z5nFA/s1600/han+river+bridge+view+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPr-IiGB44I/AAAAAAAAFhQ/3I5r_5Z5nFA/s400/han+river+bridge+view+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPr-eC3g3II/AAAAAAAAFhU/a64x4rVXwIw/s1600/han+river+bridge+view+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPr-eC3g3II/AAAAAAAAFhU/a64x4rVXwIw/s400/han+river+bridge+view+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPsM5EgFCWI/AAAAAAAAFhc/sUPwh19-wQM/s1600/map+han+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPsM5EgFCWI/AAAAAAAAFhc/sUPwh19-wQM/s400/map+han+river.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Map by Google.</div><br /><strong>How to get there</strong> <br />By Subway - Take Line #3 to Sinsa Stn. Exit #4, or to Nonhyeon Stn. Exit #6,7, then take a transit bus.<br />Or you can stop at Apgujeong Subway Station and take your time to walk. <br /><br /><strong>Nearby attractions</strong><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264107" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1b4ba5;">Apgujeong Rodeo Street</span></a><br /><br />Check out my post on <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/11/7-must-see-bridges-of-han-river-hangang.html">7 Must See Bridges of Han River (Hangang)</a>.<br /><br />Pictures: Courtesy of Hanim, Nyna, Iris and Fiza.Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-64836323407639053602010-12-02T21:57:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.156-08:00Nanta Show : Should or Shouldn't?<div style="text-align: justify;">Hey..I'm pretty tired lately and decided to take some time off from blogging for a while. ^^</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been asked whether I went to any theatre performance in Seoul before. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Watched Nanta in Myeongdong but not really enjoying the full lengthy show of 1 hour and a half. In fact, I have mixed opinion on it though. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a few days before I left Seoul and watched it with Mi Hyeon when we had nothing specific to do at Myeongdong. Her husband dropped us off in front of Woori Bank and we saw people gathered in front of the Myeongdong Theatre. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not so much into theatre. Slept in a theatre hall once when I watched a very lame performance so long time ago and swore that I'm not gonna watch any ever again. Since Mi Hyeon's credit card had a joined offer from <a href="http://www.outback.com/locations/int_korea.aspx">Outback Steakhouse</a> (Daniel Henney was the spokesperson for this restaurant at that time) and Nanta Show, so we decided to jump into the chance. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAwIpw_7vNo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAwIpw_7vNo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not that I'm gonna meet Daniel Henney but maybe my perspective on watching theatre would change for the better ^^.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiFe_wjBxI/AAAAAAAAFg8/5Cw_mqHMZ98/s1600/Nanta1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiFe_wjBxI/AAAAAAAAFg8/5Cw_mqHMZ98/s400/Nanta1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><strong>Nanta Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/en/index.asp">http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/en/index.asp</a><br /><strong>Ticket Price:</strong> ranging from 60,000 to 40,000 won<br /><strong>Discount:</strong> 10% for member, <strong>20% for WWOOFERs (bring your WWOOF card for verification)</strong><br />Check out the website for coupon and booking.<br /><strong>Theater Location:</strong> Myeongdong, Gangnam, Jeju Island and Gangbuk Jeong Dong <br /><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiG731QC9I/AAAAAAAAFhA/C6NKlbSFCI8/s1600/img_place_myeongdong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiG731QC9I/AAAAAAAAFhA/C6NKlbSFCI8/s400/img_place_myeongdong.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Myeongdong Nanta theatre from inside. I sat second row from the front. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiRlpS56nI/AAAAAAAAFhE/sUggNmQ_o8w/s1600/Myeondong+Nanta+Theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TPiRlpS56nI/AAAAAAAAFhE/sUggNmQ_o8w/s400/Myeondong+Nanta+Theatre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The map to Myeongdong Nanta Theatre.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My point - I was thrilled for the first half hour because I sighted one eye candy among the performers. Hahaha..All of them were pretty good looking! They didn't speak in any specific language so don't worry thinking that you won't be able to understand them. The theme is about cooking in a kitchen and they have all the drama to pique your interest. Kids would love this show cause it's pretty hilarious most of the time. Of course they will have a joker to cheer up the stage, a love plot between the pretty chef and the hunky one and a revenge plot between the chefs and the manager.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After half an hour, I got bored. Was it only me? Nope..a middle aged japanese women sitting next to me slept for a good half an hour. The plot was draggy and repetitive in the middle and only towards the end that they decided to pick a few audiences to join the stage. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not gonna say that it is an amazing show but you gonna love it. Not really a must but if you have exhausted your itinerary in Seoul then this might be it. Enjoy!</div><div align="right" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lCj7bq4iUrk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lCj7bq4iUrk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCj7bq4iUrk&feature=related">Yaaaratheone</a></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-66856474210112507012010-11-27T08:03:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.176-08:00Snow Sledding in SeoulWhen I went to <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/12/snowboarding-at-phoenix-ski-resort-on.html">Phoenix Ski Resort in December 2009</a>, I thought that the slopes were way too dangerous for kids and children below 7 years old to enjoy with their family. Not only that; to learn skiing or snowboarding at the ski resort will need you to rake out another 50,000 -100,000 won per coaching session. You could never be an expert in one day! Believe me..<br /><br />So for those who have always wanted to experience winter, building snow man and playing snow balls but have no time or rather on a tight budget to run up the ski resorts for ski or snowboard activities, there are always other options. Hurray!!^^<br /><br />Lets go snow sledding, guys!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Korean Children's Center Snow Sledding Field at Gwangjin, Seoul-si</span></strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOoLyAWNLkI/AAAAAAAAFgU/os_O5tJ0yjw/s1600/Korean+children+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOoLyAWNLkI/AAAAAAAAFgU/os_O5tJ0yjw/s400/Korean+children+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.sselmaejang.com/">http://www.sselmaejang.com/</a> - (Only in Korean)<br /><br /><strong>Operating Date and Hours:</strong> Dec 18, 2009 – Feb 21, 2010; 9:30am - 5:00pm<br /><br /><strong>Rental fee:</strong> 8,000 won<br /><br /><strong>How to go:</strong> Children's Grand Park Subway Station (어린이대공원역) , Line 7, Exit 2. Walk about three minutes towards Children's Grand Park. <br /><br /><strong>From Myeongdong to Children's Grand Park Subway Station </strong><br />30 minutes, 10 stops, 9.5km<br />Fare: 900 won with T-Money, 1000 won by cash<br />Transit: Dongdaemun History and Culture Station, Konkuk University Station <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpY-jRJcdI/AAAAAAAAFgk/19ymX3iHB38/s1600/orini+de+gongwon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpY-jRJcdI/AAAAAAAAFgk/19ymX3iHB38/s400/orini+de+gongwon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Korean Folk Village Snow Sledding Field at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do</span></strong> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOoZp362URI/AAAAAAAAFgY/1ZkozcwE9cA/s1600/korean+folk+village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOoZp362URI/AAAAAAAAFgY/1ZkozcwE9cA/s400/korean+folk+village.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/folk/english/index.htm">http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/folk/english/index.htm</a> - (available in English)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><strong>Operating Date and Hours:</strong> Dec 20, 2009 – Late Feb, 2010 <br /><br /><strong>Rental fee:</strong> Adult 12,000 won/Teenager 9,000/Child 8,000<br /><br /><strong>How to go:</strong><br />1-By subway<br />Get off at Suwon Subway Station, Line No.1 <br />There is a Suwon business office across the street on the left side of Suwon Station. <br />Take a free shuttle bus in front of the office after purchasing the admission ticket or pass. <br />(Every hour from 10:30~14:30/30~40 min ride)<br /><br />2-By Bus<br />Take bus No. 1560 or 5500-1 at Gangnam Subway Station, Line 2,Exit 6<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><strong>From Myeongdong to Suwon Station </strong><br />1 hour, 8 minutes, 25 stops, 41.4km<br />Fare: 1,600 won with T-Money, 1,700 won by cash<br />Transit: Geumjeong Station<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpcN4BhG5I/AAAAAAAAFgo/hUmag-IBAs0/s1600/yongin+folk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpcN4BhG5I/AAAAAAAAFgo/hUmag-IBAs0/s400/yongin+folk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Seoul Land Snow Sledding Field at Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOozGv12bmI/AAAAAAAAFgc/Q_a3vrz4DiE/s1600/seoul+land+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOozGv12bmI/AAAAAAAAFgc/Q_a3vrz4DiE/s400/seoul+land+snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br />There are various types of sleds available, including tube sleds.<br /><strong>Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/index.html">http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/index.html</a> - (Available in English)<br /><br /><strong>Operating Date and Hours:</strong> Dec 20, 2009 – Late Feb, 2010; 10:00 - 17:00<br /><br /><strong>Rental Fee:</strong><br />Admission + Sledding Hill : Adult 18,000won, Teenager 15,000won, Children 13,000won <br />(After entering) Sledding Hill : 3,000 won <br />All-Pass Users : Free Sledding Hill <br /><br /><strong>How to go:</strong><br />Seoul Grand Park Subway Station, Line 4, Exit 4.<br />Walk straight ahead for about 15 minute to Seoul Land <br />Check transportation map <a href="http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/general/general05_01.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><strong>From Myeongdong to Seoul Grand Park Station</strong><br />29 minutes, 13 stops, 16.9km<br />Fare: 1,100 won with T-Money, 1,200 won by cash<br />Transit: No<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOp5sTU4q7I/AAAAAAAAFgw/6J3I6F2pKgw/s1600/seoul+land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOp5sTU4q7I/AAAAAAAAFgw/6J3I6F2pKgw/s400/seoul+land.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Everland Snow Buster at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpHtpJMIDI/AAAAAAAAFgg/mpE_OD7UhOg/s1600/everland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOpHtpJMIDI/AAAAAAAAFgg/mpE_OD7UhOg/s400/everland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><strong>Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://www.everland.com/MultiLanguage/english/index.html">http://www.everland.com/MultiLanguage/english/index.html</a> - (Available in English)<br /><br /><strong>Operating Date and Hours:</strong> Mid Dec, 2009 – Early Feb, 2010 ; 9:30am - 5:30pm<br /><br /><strong>Rental Fee:</strong><br />Monch Infant Sled, Jungfrau Sled, Finsteraarhorn sled, Bobsled are included in the admission fee.<br />Eiger Skisled : Adults & children-5,000 won(Free of charge for all-pass ticket users and members)<br />Shoe Rental : 2,000 won <br />Adult Day 28,000 / Night 24,000<br />Child Day 21,000 / Night 18,000<br />Adult : Above 12 years old <br /><br /><strong>How to go:</strong><br />Take bus No.5002 at Gangnam Subway Station (Line 2) to Everland<br />Note: From Myeongdong to Gangnam Station - 35 minutes and from Gangnam to Everland - about 1 hour<br />More info about transportation to Everland <a href="http://www.everland.com/MultiLanguage/english/Gi/htm/Gi_Trans.htm">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><strong>From Myeongdong to Gangnam Station</strong></div><div style="margin: 0px;">35 minutes, 11 stops, 12.4km</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Fare: 1,000 won with T-Money, 1,100 won by cash</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Transit: Chungmuro Station, Seoul National University of Education Station</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOsmD6IpQaI/AAAAAAAAFg0/6wU3SDETVDk/s1600/gangnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOsmD6IpQaI/AAAAAAAAFg0/6wU3SDETVDk/s400/gangnam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For other sledding slopes places in seoul please check the details at <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=690191">KNTO</a><br />Note: Rate and fare may change. </div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-85123610385982765982010-11-26T01:17:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.199-08:005 Grand Palaces in Seoul<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There are five grand palaces in Seoul during Joseon Dynasty.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SvIMNP5wX1I/AAAAAAAAB78/AD6Ljv9EC2Y/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SvIMNP5wX1I/AAAAAAAAB78/AD6Ljv9EC2Y/s400/DSC_0266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With our English speaking tourist guide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out my Gyeongbuk Palace post <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/11/gyeongbukgung.html">here</a>.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gyeongbuk Palace</span></b> - translates in English as "Palace of Shining Happiness." located in northern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul" title="Seoul">Seoul</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea" title="South Korea">South Korea</a>. the main and largest palace of the <i>Five Grand Palaces</i> built by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon_Dynasty" title="Joseon Dynasty">Joseon Dynasty</a>. originally constructed in 1394 by <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Taejo" title="King Taejo">King Taejo</a>, the first king and founder of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon_Dynasty" title="Joseon Dynasty">Joseon Dynasty</a>. houses the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Folk_Museum_of_Korea" title="National Folk Museum of Korea">National Folk Museum of Korea</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Palace_Museum_of_Korea" title="National Palace Museum of Korea">National Palace Museum of Korea</a>. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung">Wikipedia</a>)</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp">http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp</a></span><br /><br /><strong>Operating Hours:</strong> <br />March ~ October 09:00-18:00<br />November ~ February 09:00-17:00<br />English Guided Tour: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30<br />Closed every Tuesday<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Admission fee:</strong> 3,000 won (Adult)</span> <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>How to go: </strong></span><br />1. From Exit No. 5 of Gyeongbokgung Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No.3), walk 5 minutes.<br />2. From Exit No. 2 of Ganghwamun Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No.5), walk 5 minutes.<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337">KNTO</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SskpmWANH8I/AAAAAAAAAlg/6krmjN1ZuH0/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/SskpmWANH8I/AAAAAAAAAlg/6krmjN1ZuH0/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you go through this gate in Changdeok Palace, you won't </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">get old. Try it! My post <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/10/chang-deok-palace-changdeokgung.html">here</a>. </div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Changdeok Palace</span></b> - the second palace after Gyeongbokgung. The literal meaning of Changdeokgung(昌德宮) is "Palace of Prospering Virtue". referred to as the East Palace(東闕, <i>Donggwol</i>). was the site of the royal court and the seat of government until 1872. added to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" title="UNESCO">UNESCO</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_List" title="World Heritage List">World Heritage List</a> in 1997. Portions of the palace were used to film the hugely popular Korean Drama <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dae_Jang_Geum" title="Dae Jang Geum">Dae Jang Geum</a>. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changdeokgung">Wikipedia</a>)</span><br /><br /><strong>Official Website:</strong> <a href="http://eng.cdg.go.kr/main/main.htm">http://eng.cdg.go.kr/main/main.htm</a><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Operating hours:</strong></span><br />April ~ October: 09:00 - 17:30<br />November/March: 09:00 - 16:30<br />December ~ February: 09:00 - 16:00<br />English Guided Tour: 11:30, 14:30 <br />Closed every Monday <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Admission fee:</strong> 3,000 won (Adult) </span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>How to go:</strong></span><br />Anguk Subway Station ,Line 3, Exit 3, walk 5 minutes</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/THkr7Nwu55I/AAAAAAAAFAc/ScOI28DMim0/s1600/ticket+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/THkr7Nwu55I/AAAAAAAAFAc/ScOI28DMim0/s400/ticket+gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ticket counter at Deoksu Palace. Check out my post</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/09/deoksu-palace-deoksugung.html">here</a> for more pictures of Deoksu Palace.</div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Deoksu Palace</span></b> - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">was originally the residence of Prince Wolsan, the older brother of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seongjong_of_Joseon" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Seongjong of Joseon">King Seongjong</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">. This residence became a royal 'palace' during the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasions_of_Korea" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Japanese invasions of Korea">Seven-Year War</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> after all of the other palaces were burned in 1592 during the Japanese invasions of the Seven-Year War. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deoksugung">Wikipedia</a>)</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://www.deoksugung.go.kr/eng/index.asp">http://www.deoksugung.go.kr/eng/index.asp</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Opening time:</strong> </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">09:00 -21:00</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Closed on Mondays</span></span><br />English guide tour: Tuesday to Friday 10:30<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Admission fee: </strong>1,000 won (Adult)</span></span><br /><br /><strong>How to go</strong>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 3px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 3px; line-height: 18px;">Subway lines 1 or 2, City Hall Station, exit 3 walk towards Deoksugung (Palace) </span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The other two grand palaces in Seoul that I haven't been to are: </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TO8c0Ka_NSI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Lq2JUiKrd0c/s1600/794767_Changgyeong-Palace-in-Seoul-South-Korea-on-a-snowy-day_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TO8c0Ka_NSI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Lq2JUiKrd0c/s320/794767_Changgyeong-Palace-in-Seoul-South-Korea-on-a-snowy-day_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picture courtesy of <a href="http://www.picable.com/slicedshow/tags/Seoul/3">Picable</a><br /></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Changgyeong Palace</span></b> - referred to as the East Palace(東闕, <i>Donggwol</i>). Originally the Summer Palace of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goryeo" title="Goryeo">Goryeo</a> Emperor. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changgyeonggung">Wikipedia</a>). </span>My friends Iris, Nyna, Hanim and Fiza visited the palace recently and I'm going to put up a post for it sometime later.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://english.cha.go.kr/">http://english.cha.go.kr/</a><a href="http://english.cha.go.kr/"></a> </span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Operating Hours:</strong><br />April ~ October 09:00 - 18:30 <br />November/March 09:00 - 17:30 <br />December ~ February 09:00 - 17:00 <br />Closed on Mondays</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br /><br /><strong></strong></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Admission Fees:</strong></div>1,000 won (Adult)<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>How to go: </strong>Jongno 3-ga subway Station, line 3</span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Checkout <a href="http://picturesofkorea.com/?p=243">picturesofkorea</a> <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gyeonghui Palace</span></b> - literally <i>Palace of Serene Harmony. </i>served as the secondary palace for the king, and as it was situated on the west side of Seoul, it was also called <i>Seogwol</i> (a palace of the west). The Secondary palace is usually the palace where the King moves to in times of emergency. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeonghuigung">Wikipedia</a>)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Official website:</strong> <a href="http://english.cha.go.kr/">http://english.cha.go.kr/</a> </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Opening time:</strong> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Weekdays 09:00 - 18:00 </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Weekend 10:00 - 18:00 <br />Closed every Mondays.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Admission fee:</strong> Free</span> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>How to go: </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Get off at Seodaemun Subway Station,Line 5, Exit 4, walk for about 10 minutes.</div><br />More info on Gyeonghui Palace <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264308">here</a>.</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Note:</strong> From May 1st, 2010, visitors may visit and take a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace (Rear Garden included), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine by buying one all-inclusive ticket. The ticket is 10,000 KRW and may be used within a month after purchase. <br />Source: <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264348">KNTO</a></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For more info, check out <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/PL/SI_EN_3_4_18_1.jsp">KNTO</a> and <a href="http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp">RoyalPalace</a></span></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-22097732661853595082010-11-24T21:31:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.270-08:00South Korea v/s North Korea at it again.I regret to put this kind of post in the blog. For once, I wish this act could stop. It alarmed everyone in the country and us, the innocent travellers who want to experience the beauty of Korea.<br /><br />Last night, I called my Korean friends worried about their condition but all of them replied nonchalantly that it was normal for them. North Korea's threats to start war with South Korea happened almost everyday that the people get used to it. <br /><br />In fact, I was in Gangwondo when the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Cheonan_sinking">sinking of Cheonan submarine</a> happened on March 26th 2010 (my mom gonna kill me if she knew this!). Apart from the jets flying frantically on top of our heads there's nothing much happened on that day. South Korea wanted PEACE and safety for his people. I am glad that I went through the day safely while I was there.<br /><br />Hmm..for those going to South Korea any time soon, I will not give my assurance that nothing of that sort gonna happen but just be safe. I doubt that both sides want war. It's gonna be difficult for both nation and too much heartache to be undone since the 1950's Korean War. <br /><br />I had the chance to visit <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/10/pow-camp-in-goejedo.html">Geoje Island POW camp (Prisoner of War)</a> and I don't want the people to go through the same cycle. Never again. <br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2010&dt=1125&pub=Kosmo&sec=Dunia&pg=du_02.htm">Kosmo write up</a> and <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101124/ap_on_re_as/as_koreas_clash">Yahoo News</a> on the issue.Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-15286687695822221442010-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.291-08:00Hanok Stay in KoreaSome readers expressed their desire to stay in Hanok - Korean Traditional House rather than normal guesthouse or hotel. In that sense, you could experience Korean culture and enjoy the intricate and gorgeous Korean architecture. Some Hanok represents different design and each region differs. KNTO has listed some <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/images/main/201011/index.html">Korean Traditional House for tourists</a> to board in accordance with G-20 Summit 2010 which recently held in Seoul. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Hanok in Seoul</u></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://eugenehouse.co.kr/index_en.php"><span style="font-size: large;">Eugene's House</span></a></strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOieKkYv_SI/AAAAAAAAFgA/vEYM1Np7D2o/s1600/eugene+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOieKkYv_SI/AAAAAAAAFgA/vEYM1Np7D2o/s400/eugene+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Room rate:<br />From 80,000 (for 2 people) to 250,000 won (for 5 people)<br /><br />Meals Included:<br />Breakfast served (Toast, cereal, coffee, milk, etc.)<br /><br />Reservation: <br />Email at <a href="mailto:yykim65@hotmail.com">yykim65@hotmail.com</a><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Phone at +82 2 741 3338 / +82 10 5069 3348 / 070 8831 3338</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How to go: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hyehwa Station, Seoul Subway line 4, Exit #1 >> Take the local bus #8 >> Get off at 88 Gukmin Saenghwalgwan (국민생활관)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nearby attractions:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Seoul Fortress Wall: Located within a five-minute walk</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Daehakro (College Street) and Chungmuro</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.teaguesthouse.com/english/index.php?id=eng"><span style="font-size: large;">Wandang (Tea) Guest House</span></a></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOisPT4exII/AAAAAAAAFgE/nrCc5typWaQ/s1600/wandang1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOisPT4exII/AAAAAAAAFgE/nrCc5typWaQ/s400/wandang1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Room rate:<br />60,000won (1 person)<br />90,000 to 100,000 won (2 person)<br />160,000won (3 persons)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />Meals Included:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Breakfast served (Toast, cereal, coffee, milk, etc.) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />Reservation:<br />Email at <a href="mailto:tea@teaguesthouse.com">tea@teaguesthouse.com</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />How to go: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Exit3</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nearby attractions: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=562863">Dong-Lim Knot Museum</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=562503">Gahoe Museum</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1025179">Seongsim Arts & Crafts</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=562844">Hansangsoo Embroidery Museum</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AC/AC_EN_4_8.jsp?cid=754886&nearBy=site&#nearbyMap">Seoul Museum of Chicken ArtFriends House</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.friends-house.com/main.asp?lang=eng"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends House</span></a></strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOjLrkc9p0I/AAAAAAAAFgI/clAHP3q9HAc/s1600/Friend+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOjLrkc9p0I/AAAAAAAAFgI/clAHP3q9HAc/s400/Friend+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Room Rate:<br />30,000 won (dormitory - per people)<br />40,000 won (1 person)<br />70,000 won (2 people)<br />90,000 won (3 people)<br />110,000 won (Group- 4 people or more) <br /><br />Meals Included:<br />Breakfast served (Toast, cereal, coffee, milk, etc.) <br /><br />Reservation:<br />From the website or email at <a href="mailto:friends_house@hotmail.com">friends_house@hotmail.com</a><br /><br />How to go:<br />Hyewa Subway Station, Line 4. Refer to map <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AC/AC_EN_4_8.jsp?cid=970990&nearBy=site&#nearbyMap">here</a>.<br /><br />Nearby attractions:<br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1061567">Hyehwamun Gate (Honghwamun)</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=629115">Sungkyunwan University</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=629115">Dongsoong Arts Center</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=652233">Gansong Art Museum</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1034875">Samtoh Blue Bird Theater</a><br /> <br /><strong><a href="http://www.bukchon72.com/eng_index.php"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Korean Houses of Bukchon</span></a></strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOjUC-ldfyI/AAAAAAAAFgM/Jbs9uOGnwSE/s1600/bukchon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOjUC-ldfyI/AAAAAAAAFgM/Jbs9uOGnwSE/s400/bukchon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out Bukchon slideshows <a href="http://hermithideaways.com/2010/11/14/seoul-walk-gye-dong-gahoe-dong/">here</a>.</div><br />Room rate:<br />40,000 won (1 person)<br />60,000 - 70,000 won (2 person)<br />70,000 - 100,000 won (3 person)<br /><br />Meals Included:<br />Breakfast served (Toast, cereal, coffee, milk, etc.) <br /><br />Reservation: <br />Email at <a href="mailto:bukchon72@naver.com">bukchon72@naver.com</a><br />Call at +82-2-743-8530<br /><br />How to go: <br />Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Exit 3 <br />Call the guest house for pick up from station<br /><br />Nearby attractions: <br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1025179">Seongsim Arts & Crafts</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=562863">Dong-Lim Knot Museum</a> <br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=562503">Gahoe Museum</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=610704">Bukchon Cultural Center</a> <br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1031213">Jeongdok Library</a><br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.anguk-house.com/">Anguk Guest House</a></span> </strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOkb4kg-3sI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/uFg6veYMDgs/s1600/anguk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOkb4kg-3sI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/uFg6veYMDgs/s400/anguk.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br />Room rate: <br />50,000 won (1 person)<br />70,000 won (2 persons)<br /><br />Meals Included:<br />No<br /><br />Reservation: <br />Email at xyetron@naver.com<br />Call at +82-2-736-8304<br /><br />How to go: <br />Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Exit 1. Refer to map <a href="http://www.anguk-house.com/bbs/view.php?id=anguk&no=4">here</a>.<br /><br />Nearby attractions:<br /><a href="http://insa%20art%20space/">Insa Art Space</a><br /><a href="http://insa%20art%20space/"></a><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=617159">Woorikyubang</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1031413">Myeongin Museum</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1089548">Ice Gallery</a><br /><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=610704">Bukchon Cultural Center</a></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-57964751089696853832010-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.313-08:00Kimbap Cheonguk김밥 천국 or <a href="http://www.kimbabchunkuk.co.kr/">Kimbap Cheonguk</a> means kimbap heaven. It is franchise restaurants all over Korea and you could recognize the bright orange signboard easily. It's almost like McDonalds where you can find at least one around the block. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HG6MdKJPM64?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HG6MdKJPM64?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Video courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG6MdKJPM64">esloutlet</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Although kimbap literally represents a roll of rice with various filling wrapped in seaweed but in Kimbap Cheonguk there are a lot of other dishes that we could try other than kimbap. Other varieties of similar chain restaurants are <a href="http://www.kimbobnara.co.kr/">Kimbap Nara</a> and <a href="http://www.gimgane.co.kr/">Kim Ga Ne</a>. <br /><br />Picture courtesy of <a href="http://www.mykoreankitchen.com/">http://www.mykoreankitchen.com/</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOeVPku_Q2I/AAAAAAAAFfk/aDtbpL-qZmc/s1600/kimbap-cheonguk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOeVPku_Q2I/AAAAAAAAFfk/aDtbpL-qZmc/s320/kimbap-cheonguk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kimbap Cheonguk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOejPfmp8cI/AAAAAAAAFfo/JzI33jM8rzc/s1600/kimgane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOejPfmp8cI/AAAAAAAAFfo/JzI33jM8rzc/s1600/kimgane.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kim Ga Ne</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOenu4n8_DI/AAAAAAAAFfs/FaT6OGJy_90/s1600/kimbap-nara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOenu4n8_DI/AAAAAAAAFfs/FaT6OGJy_90/s1600/kimbap-nara.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kimbap Nara</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOdrOFpIPeI/AAAAAAAAFfg/QQJ2_TWYcbU/s1600/Kimbap+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOdrOFpIPeI/AAAAAAAAFfg/QQJ2_TWYcbU/s400/Kimbap+Menu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 김밥 - Kimbap</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">천국 김밥 (Cheonguk Kimbap) 1,000 원 - Standard kimbap (rice, ham, omellete, pickled radish and carrot)</div><br />야채 김밥 (Yachae Kimbap) 2,000 원 - Standard kimbap + vegetables<br /><br />참치 김밥 (Chamchi Kimbap) 2,000 원 - Standard kimbap + tuna<br /><br />김치 김밥 ( Kimchi Kimbap) 2,000 원- Standard kimbap + kimchi<br /><br />치즈 김밥 (Cheese Kimbap) 2,000 원- Standard kimbap + cheese<br /><br />소고기 김밥 (So gogi Kimbap) 2,000 원- Standard kimbap + beef<br /><br />날치알 김밥 (Nalchial Kimbap) 2,000 원- Standard kimbap + flying fish roe<br /><br />계란말이 김밥 (Kyeranmari Kimbap) 2,000 원- Standard kimbap + egg rolls<br /><br />누드 김밥 (Nude Kimbap) 2,500 원- Check out the video below for better explanation. Don't succumb to your own imagination..ahahaha ^^<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dh6ZLZyNAsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dh6ZLZyNAsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: center;">How to make nude kimbap by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh6ZLZyNAsQ">ekthal</a></div><br />돈까스 김밥 (Donkatsu Kimbap) 2,500 원- Standard kimbap + pork cutlet<br /><br />모듬 김밥 (Modem Kimbap) 2,500 원- a mix of your choice<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiBY5dbu-I/AAAAAAAAFfw/PC3AFCCcXwg/s1600/jungguk+kimbap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiBY5dbu-I/AAAAAAAAFfw/PC3AFCCcXwg/s400/jungguk+kimbap.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nowadays, they have menu with pictures and English translation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No more worries! ^^</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiB63R_3uI/AAAAAAAAFf0/wU6qKC_vXmY/s1600/jungguk+kimbap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiB63R_3uI/AAAAAAAAFf0/wU6qKC_vXmY/s400/jungguk+kimbap2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Kimchi fried rice with egg - 4,500 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiCQKSl48I/AAAAAAAAFf4/9-o670rXnYQ/s1600/jungguk+kimbap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiCQKSl48I/AAAAAAAAFf4/9-o670rXnYQ/s400/jungguk+kimbap3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sundubu jjigae with seafood<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiClfTXlWI/AAAAAAAAFf8/O4VrhGsE3Co/s1600/jungguk+kimbap4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOiClfTXlWI/AAAAAAAAFf8/O4VrhGsE3Co/s400/jungguk+kimbap4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An ahjumma preparing kimbab.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pictures: Courtesy of Hanim, Nyna, Iris and Fiza.</div></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-5237518615639763772010-11-19T21:18:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.339-08:00Hitchiking in KoreaHave I done it? You bet I did. ^^<br />I experienced hitchiking mainly in Jinbu, Gangwondo when I wwoofed in Santisuk.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOdDT_o0IMI/AAAAAAAAFfc/vN-KBsMkaM8/s1600/santisuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOdDT_o0IMI/AAAAAAAAFfc/vN-KBsMkaM8/s400/santisuk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santisuk means peace and happiness. Gorgeous right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out all my posts under label Jinbu </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to know more about this place. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/07/min-young-from-incheon.html">Min Young and me</a> - We missed the daily bus from Lee Seung Bok Memorial to Pyongchang; which runs like 6 times a day. So we both hitchhiked our way like 3 times. First, with a kind driver who could take us until the junction between Jinbu and Pyongchang. Then another lady until in front of her son's school and finally with a group of guys who just had lunch + soju who sanely drove us until Pyongchang's bus station. Crazy? Not really but they reeked with alcohol. Yikes..sul nemsae! ( ^^<br /><br />Min Young, Casper and me - We were dead bored and dampened because we couldn't join Hae In and her father to Buddha's Birthday Celebration at Jinbu that night. So what we did was, we quietly sneaked out from the house and hitchhiked along the light less and creepy road to Jinbu. We were lucky because we got our ride immediately! The best part was the gentlemen were a Canadian and his Korean friend who spoke fluent English. Both of them work as water theme park designer and were designing a private water theme park in Gangneung. I envy their job. They got to travel the world on fun assignment!<br /><br />Angelica and me - Initially our plan was to brisk walk because sitting around and no play in Santisuk during winter made us fat. We loss count of time and the weather was getting colder by the time when we realized that we were so far away from Santisuk. After so many failed attempt on hitchiking, suddenly a farmer with a truck loads of tools stopped. It was funny because he was drunk but he could still drive! I was stupid enough to invite him to Santisuk for a cup of coffee and later got a good bashing from Nandida for being one. ^^ Although I couldn't understand everything she said I knew she was concerned about our safety.<br /><br /><a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/12/hiking-gyebangsan.html">Angelica, Dave and me</a> - We decided to be kids again and walked up to Gyebang mountain. We hitchhiked up to the mountain with an old couple. They couldn't speak English but I just tried my best with my decent Korean repertoire which means broken Korean..hehe. When we went down the mountain our ride was with a bunch of construction workers in truck and one of them could speak Spanish! Wow...so along the way the guy practised his Spanish with Angelica.<br /><a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/03/jinbu-outing.html">Andy and me</a> - We hitchiked twice to Jinbu. It snowed so hard that day but I didn't know why we were so stubborn to go out even though Nandida had warned us. It was seriously cold. We managed to get a ride with a guy who could bring us up until the hot spring. Then, we walked until the junction between Jinbu and Pyongchang. From there, we had a ride with a man who has stayed in Los Angeles and spoke decent English.<br /><br />Myself - I failed to hitchhiked from Pyongchang to Santisuk and I walked about 20km for 2 hours. My body was so sore from snowboarding the night before and I was amazed at myself why I didn't just call Nandida for a pick up. I knew I was crazy but I told to myself that if I didn't walk at that moment I wouldn't be able to breath in the gorgeous sights of Gangwondo anymore in future.<br /><br />The one below might not be a hitchiking experience but I think I would not get the same treatment in Malaysia or maybe never. ^^<br /><br />There was once when I returned from Seoul, I missed the daily bus and didn't have enough money to pay the taxi. So I thought hmmm..I would just grab a taxi and once we reach Santisuk I would ask Nandida for some money..hehe. But I was in for a surprise. When I told the taxi driver to wait for the money, he just waived his hand and said it was okay. I looked at the charged meter it read 14,000 won. :O Koreans surprised me and made me almost to tear so many times. T_T Kamsahamnida!<br /><br /><b>Tips on hitchhiking in Korea</b><b><br /></b><br /><br /><ul><li>Although in general Korea is pretty safe for hitchhiking but be warned: Try it at your own risk</li><li>Just say Anyonghaseyo to greet the driver and don't forget to say Kamsahamnida to thank them for their kindness.</li><li>Some of the drivers may not be able to bring you until your desired destination so be thankful</li><li>Don't hitchhiked at the corner of a road or winding road; choose your spot wisely.</li><li>Smile and don't curse them if they don't stop for you (although you can't help it sometimes..hehe)</li><li>DO NOT give money in exchange of their kindness! Perhaps some token from your country as remembrance would be more appropriate. </li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fl4-HqWwubY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fl4-HqWwubY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl4-HqWwubY&playnext=1&list=PL9E82101DDBE5284B&index=33">prcrossman</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For more information checkout <a href="http://hitchwiki.org/en/South_Korea">Hitchwiki for South Korea</a>.Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-68582812655542112332010-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.361-08:00Pat Bing Su<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">You must try this!! Although it is very good particularly during summer.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I tried Pat Bing Su twice in Incheon when I helped Min Young during Parents Day and Children Day. The taste reminds me of ABC or Ais Kacang in Malaysia but the texture of shaved ice was coarser. In some places you can choose different toppings and the sight of pat bing su itself is already tantalizing.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TDtOzHT7JbI/AAAAAAAAEnc/dvQz-vSedLk/s1600/pat+bing+su.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TDtOzHT7JbI/AAAAAAAAEnc/dvQz-vSedLk/s400/pat+bing+su.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried this with Min Young at a shop near Bupyeong Station.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TDtPhDzS8hI/AAAAAAAAEnk/Y4BlGmxMm9c/s1600/pat+bing+su2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TDtPhDzS8hI/AAAAAAAAEnk/Y4BlGmxMm9c/s400/pat+bing+su2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one at a cafe' in Home Plus.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><b>Patbingsu</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><b>patbingsoo</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> (팥빙수) is a very popular </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snack" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Snack">snack</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dessert" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Dessert">dessert</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="South Korea">South Korea</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, especially during the sweltering and humid summer season.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-authentic_0-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu#cite_note-authentic-0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a> </sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">This snack originally began as ice shavings and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azuki_bean" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Azuki bean">sweetened azuki beans</a> (known as <i>pat</i>, <a class="extiw" href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%ED%8C%A5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #3366bb; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="wikt:팥">팥</a>).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Doosan_1-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu#cite_note-Doosan-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[2]</a></sup> It was sold by street vendors. In contemporary culture, it has become a very elaborate summer dessert, often topped with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Ice cream">ice cream</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_yogurt" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Frozen yogurt">frozen yogurt</a>, sweetened <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensed_milk" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Condensed milk">condensed milk</a>, fruit<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrup" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Syrup">syrups</a>, various fruits such as <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Strawberry">strawberries</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwifruit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Kiwifruit">kiwifruit</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Banana">bananas</a>, small pieces of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteok" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Tteok">tteok</a></i> (rice cake), chewy jelly bits, and cereal flakes.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu#cite_note-2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0645ad; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu#cite_note-2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">3</a></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu#cite_note-2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">]</a><b><i> (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patbingsu">Wikipedia</a>)</i></b></span></sup></span><br /><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;"><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></sup><br /><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pat Bing Su from Cold Stone</span></span></b></span></sup><br /><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.icoldstone.co.kr/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cold Stone website</span></span></a></span></sup><br /><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Check out <a href="http://thedailykimchi.blogspot.com/2007/09/maximizing-your-experience-at-cold.html">The Daily Kimchi's post</a> on Cold Stone.</span></span></span></sup><br /><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></sup><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPLbfbeNsI/AAAAAAAAFeo/Jc13mxKSjGw/s1600/coldstone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPLbfbeNsI/AAAAAAAAFeo/Jc13mxKSjGw/s400/coldstone1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="line-height: 1em;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></sup></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOhXD9ZyXI/AAAAAAAAFeg/lpMVfU5kBDI/s1600/pat+bing+su+cold+stone+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOhXD9ZyXI/AAAAAAAAFeg/lpMVfU5kBDI/s400/pat+bing+su+cold+stone+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOhlX96taI/AAAAAAAAFek/i5q_2m4-uP4/s1600/pat+bing+su+cold+stone+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOhlX96taI/AAAAAAAAFek/i5q_2m4-uP4/s400/pat+bing+su+cold+stone+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Pat Bing Su from Lotteria</b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lotteria.com/eng/menu/unit_menu_view.asp?category=10010&product_number=10009">Lotteria website</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMAE22MYI/AAAAAAAAFes/v6PnWTQJsAQ/s1600/lotteria+pat+bing+su.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMAE22MYI/AAAAAAAAFes/v6PnWTQJsAQ/s400/lotteria+pat+bing+su.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Pat Bing Su from Red Mango</b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://redmango.co.kr/menu/menu03.asp">Red Mango website</a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FO/FO_EN_6_4_4.jsp?cid=398394">KNTO's post</a> on Red Mango.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMIiGsG6I/AAAAAAAAFew/q_yXkhLTvEs/s1600/red+mango+pat+bing+su.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMIiGsG6I/AAAAAAAAFew/q_yXkhLTvEs/s400/red+mango+pat+bing+su.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMN21tWkI/AAAAAAAAFe0/nF12QRmfxVc/s1600/red+mango+pat+bing+su1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOPMN21tWkI/AAAAAAAAFe0/nF12QRmfxVc/s400/red+mango+pat+bing+su1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You could try pat bing su at any shopping complexes's food court too. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-64474832503290252002010-11-17T21:53:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.393-08:00Hwaseong FortressAs promised, a post on Hwaseong Fortress.^^<br /><br />I ranted about <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2010/11/sungkyunkwan-scandal-and-jalgeum.html">Sungkyungkwan Scandal Korean drama</a> before and mentioned a bit about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeongjo_of_Joseon">King Jeongjo</a> and his desire to move Joseon Dynasty's capital to Hwaseong Fortress.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hwaseong</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> (<i>Brilliant Castle/ Fortress</i>), the wall surrounding the centre of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Suwon">Suwon</a>, the provincial capital of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeonggi-do" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Gyeonggi-do">Gyeonggi-do</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="South Korea">South Korea</a>, was built in the late 18th century by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeongjo_of_Joseon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Jeongjo of Joseon">King Jeongjo</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon_Dynasty" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Joseon Dynasty">Joseon Dynasty</a> to honour and house the remains of his father <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Sado" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Prince Sado">Prince Sado</a>, who had been murdered by being locked alive inside a rice chest by his own father <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeongjo_of_Joseon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Yeongjo of Joseon">King Yeongjo</a> having failed to obey his command to commit suicide. Located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Seoul">Seoul</a> and enclosing much of central Suwon including King Jeongjo's palace Haenggung,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="UNESCO">UNESCO</a> designated the fortress a <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="World Heritage">World Heritage</a> site in 1997. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwoncheon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Suwoncheon">Suwoncheon</a>, the main stream in Suwon, flows through the centre of the fortress. (Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwaseong_Fortress">Wikipedia</a>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Sungkyunkwan University also has another campus in Suwon. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">All pictures are courtesy of my friends; Hanim, Iris, Marina and Fiza who just recently returned from Seoul. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON7bKQdAEI/AAAAAAAAFdg/L4BKYW3OVro/s1600/hwaseong+fortress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON7bKQdAEI/AAAAAAAAFdg/L4BKYW3OVro/s400/hwaseong+fortress1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">A mural done on floor before the entrance of Hwaseong Fortress</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON78xvUmII/AAAAAAAAFdk/m5xbd05lPv8/s1600/hwaseong+fortress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON78xvUmII/AAAAAAAAFdk/m5xbd05lPv8/s400/hwaseong+fortress2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The entrance</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON8NoI0qEI/AAAAAAAAFdo/e_EcnnDV4-U/s1600/hwaseong+fortress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON8NoI0qEI/AAAAAAAAFdo/e_EcnnDV4-U/s400/hwaseong+fortress3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a reason why you can see soldiers here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON8vhdXjUI/AAAAAAAAFds/ao9PWZ4ftkI/s1600/hwaseong+fortress4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON8vhdXjUI/AAAAAAAAFds/ao9PWZ4ftkI/s400/hwaseong+fortress4.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the filming location for DaeJanggeum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Jewel of the Palace Korean drama.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9JlPEwnI/AAAAAAAAFdw/nb_GHGpq9CU/s1600/hwaseong+fortress5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9JlPEwnI/AAAAAAAAFdw/nb_GHGpq9CU/s400/hwaseong+fortress5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9VKaBBNI/AAAAAAAAFd0/riTjzg2GLlc/s1600/hwaseong+fortress6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9VKaBBNI/AAAAAAAAFd0/riTjzg2GLlc/s400/hwaseong+fortress6.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9gFT7VUI/AAAAAAAAFd4/b_tcPBeMVkE/s1600/hwaseong+fortress7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9gFT7VUI/AAAAAAAAFd4/b_tcPBeMVkE/s400/hwaseong+fortress7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe this is how Lee Seon Joon studied during the old days.^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON91J9O9uI/AAAAAAAAFd8/IaNazAp6Lqo/s1600/hwaseong+fortress8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON91J9O9uI/AAAAAAAAFd8/IaNazAp6Lqo/s400/hwaseong+fortress8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9_M8d1lI/AAAAAAAAFeA/5CpMd4ULtZY/s1600/hwaseong+fortress9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON9_M8d1lI/AAAAAAAAFeA/5CpMd4ULtZY/s400/hwaseong+fortress9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The room where King Jeongjo discussed the nation's affair with </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his officials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON-WgtbOpI/AAAAAAAAFeE/7IQOgqsEaIw/s1600/hwaseong+fortress10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON-WgtbOpI/AAAAAAAAFeE/7IQOgqsEaIw/s400/hwaseong+fortress10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the belongings of King Jeongjo's are exhibited here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON-svg0a5I/AAAAAAAAFeI/UisFcO0-r9s/s1600/hwaseong+fortress11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON-svg0a5I/AAAAAAAAFeI/UisFcO0-r9s/s400/hwaseong+fortress11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The original portrait of King Jeongjo and the reason why </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there are soldiers hovering the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_XF9r9MI/AAAAAAAAFeM/T6pa1KhtSj8/s1600/hwaseong+fortress12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_XF9r9MI/AAAAAAAAFeM/T6pa1KhtSj8/s400/hwaseong+fortress12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The gate to Hwaseong Fortress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_hdoMncI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/BQkgQ_Clj18/s1600/hwaseong+fortress13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_hdoMncI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/BQkgQ_Clj18/s400/hwaseong+fortress13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Suwon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Check out <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=966651">KNTO article on Hwaseong Fortress.</a> and the unsuccessful attempt of King Jeongjo to make Suwon the nation's capital <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwon">here</a>.</span></span></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Admission</span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b>Hwaseong Fortress: 1,000 won. Hwaseong Haenggung: 1,500 won</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Getting There</span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The fortress (Paldalmun Gate) is a 20-minute walk from Suwon Station, Line 1.</span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">From Myeongdong to Suwon by Subway</span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 hour 8 minutes, 25 stops, 41.4km</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1,600 won by T-Money, 1,700 won by cash</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Transit at GeumJeong Station.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON6Z9D0lOI/AAAAAAAAFdc/UfCFaac0oHg/s1600/seoul+to+suwon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON6Z9D0lOI/AAAAAAAAFdc/UfCFaac0oHg/s400/seoul+to+suwon.jpg" width="400" /></a>\\</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Famous people from Suwon </span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_-9rlC8I/AAAAAAAAFeU/Kd6kJbr6DTY/s1600/park+ji+sung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TON_-9rlC8I/AAAAAAAAFeU/Kd6kJbr6DTY/s400/park+ji+sung.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Ji Sung - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_United_F.C." style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Manchester United F.C.">Manchester United</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> footballer. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Ji-Sung" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Park Ji-Sung">Park Ji-Sung</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> grew up in Suwon </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">but was born in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Seoul">Seoul</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">, in 2005 a city street in Suwon was renamed after him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOAIQ3CuCI/AAAAAAAAFeY/3FE9bcySZiY/s1600/2AM+Milky+Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOAIQ3CuCI/AAAAAAAAFeY/3FE9bcySZiY/s400/2AM+Milky+Boy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jo Kwon - 2AM's leader; second from left.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOBCd8lmII/AAAAAAAAFec/Q7HDJoXqtyo/s1600/HaJiWon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TOOBCd8lmII/AAAAAAAAFec/Q7HDJoXqtyo/s400/HaJiWon.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ha Ji Won - actress of SBS's currently airing drama - Secret Garden</span></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-2490960266024330722010-11-16T20:26:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.409-08:00Korean PoemWhen I took the bullet train from Yongsan to Cheonan Asan; I found one beautiful Korean poem. Although I didn't understand a single word at that moment but I was amazed at the beauty of Korean calligraphy. A month later, I met Mr Lee from Santisuk who is a serious learner of Korean calligraphy. Talk about coincidence! ^^<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TONWtYCgJbI/AAAAAAAAFdY/bXxfLP1es40/s1600/Mr+Lee+Korean+Calligraphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TONWtYCgJbI/AAAAAAAAFdY/bXxfLP1es40/s400/Mr+Lee+Korean+Calligraphy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr Lee; an amazingly talented teacher perfecting his art.</div><br />After checking with Mi Hyeon 언니 for translation of the poem, she told me that the poem is about autumn! Second coincidence in a row. Arghh..I am so much in love again and again with autumn.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TONVrt-RKmI/AAAAAAAAFdU/sBZC365wLdA/s1600/korean+poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TONVrt-RKmI/AAAAAAAAFdU/sBZC365wLdA/s400/korean+poem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The poem goes like this:<br /><br />Title: 그리움<br /><br />Poet: 맹 주 상<br /><br />갈변이 머무는<br />강당골 어느 초당<br />홀노인은<br />매운 고추 배를 가르고<br />저녁노을속<br />알토란 캐던 아낙네들<br />긴 그림자<br />멀어지면<br />그 눈시울이 붉다<br /><br />Year: 이천팔년 2008<br />Time: 하늘 높은 계절<br />Pen Name: 소하-이천섭<br />He has written this 씀<br /> <br /><strong>Mi Hyeon's translation</strong> <br /> <br />가을<br />어느 강당 옆 작은 초가에<br />한 노인이<br />매운 고추를 반으로 가르고 있다<br />저녁이 되어<br />토란 캐던 여자들의<br />그림자가 길어지고<br />눈빛도 노을처럼 붉어진다<br /><br /><b>English Translation:</b><br /><br />Leaves turned brown in fall<br />It was during one fall afternoon,<br />I saw an old man sitting at a small thatched cottage<br />Separating spicy peppers into halves<br />Women were digging out taros<br />As time goes by, their shadow getting further away<br />Finally their face and eyes turned red reflection of the sunset<br />Perhaps I miss this peaceful sight<br /><br />Check out Wikipedia for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_poetry">Korean poetry</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi_(poetry)">Shi</a>.<br /><br />Note: Anyone can translate this poem better? Tell me!! Although Mi Hyeon has done her best there might be other different interpretation.Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-52149424695428124602010-11-15T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.428-08:00Guesthouse in HongikAll these guesthouses are very near to Hongik University, Yonsei University, Ewha University and Sogang University. Numerous cafes, clubs, bars, restaurants, boutiques and musical playgrounds catering for the university students and there's a <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309567">flea market at Hongik Universit (Hongdae),</a> opens at 1pm every Saturday from March to November.<br /><br />They serve free breakfast (bread, butter, jam), tea/coffee. All guesthouses are equipped with 100Mbps internet speed and WiFi.<br /><br /><strong>Hongik to Incheon airport</strong><br />1 hour 16 minutes, 17 stops, 51.6km<br />4,500 won by t-Money, 4,600 won by cash<br />Transfer at Dangsan Station and Gimpo Airport Line 9<br /><br /><strong>Hongik to Myeongdong</strong><br />28 minutes, 11 stops, 10 km<br />900 won by t-Money, 1,000 won cash<br />Transfer at Dongdaemun History and Culture Station<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://bebop-guesthouse.com/">Bebop Guesthouse</a></strong><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1<br />20,000 to 75,000 won<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xREKR8OI/AAAAAAAAFbk/gwN0TN7I6xY/s1600/bebop+guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xREKR8OI/AAAAAAAAFbk/gwN0TN7I6xY/s400/bebop+guesthouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xiEJH90I/AAAAAAAAFbo/KasXGrVhEYE/s1600/bebop+guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xiEJH90I/AAAAAAAAFbo/KasXGrVhEYE/s400/bebop+guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xtGdxNLI/AAAAAAAAFbs/8mquqvZ5VfE/s1600/bebop+guesthouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5xtGdxNLI/AAAAAAAAFbs/8mquqvZ5VfE/s400/bebop+guesthouse3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.lnguesthouse.com/"><strong>Lee and No Guesthouse</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2 - 6 minutes walk<br />20,000 to 80,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5x7rFcLvI/AAAAAAAAFbw/Z8gaA9B6RWM/s1600/leeandno+guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5x7rFcLvI/AAAAAAAAFbw/Z8gaA9B6RWM/s400/leeandno+guesthouse1.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5yG_vAhaI/AAAAAAAAFb0/oewXH9bHnek/s1600/leeandno+guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5yG_vAhaI/AAAAAAAAFb0/oewXH9bHnek/s400/leeandno+guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5yTd_8gLI/AAAAAAAAFb4/bg5DlKvYfoA/s1600/leeandno+guesthouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5yTd_8gLI/AAAAAAAAFb4/bg5DlKvYfoA/s400/leeandno+guesthouse3.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong><a href="http://www.namugh.co.kr/">Namu Guesthouse (for family)</a></strong><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2<br />Near to Lee and No guesthouse<br />22,000 to 90,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5ymcbS8YI/AAAAAAAAFb8/GLHiJOS6Arc/s1600/Namu+guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5ymcbS8YI/AAAAAAAAFb8/GLHiJOS6Arc/s400/Namu+guesthouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5y0E00pSI/AAAAAAAAFcA/cOvbmvR20RM/s1600/Namu+guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5y0E00pSI/AAAAAAAAFcA/cOvbmvR20RM/s400/Namu+guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong><a href="http://hongdaeguesthouse.com/">Hongdae Guesthouse</a></strong><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1<br />22,000 to 120,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5y_cT6WVI/AAAAAAAAFcE/63PkevqvTeY/s1600/hongdae+guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5y_cT6WVI/AAAAAAAAFcE/63PkevqvTeY/s400/hongdae+guesthouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zPjanVUI/AAAAAAAAFcI/-d4w5utF0e0/s1600/hongdae+guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zPjanVUI/AAAAAAAAFcI/-d4w5utF0e0/s400/hongdae+guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.heybackpackers.com/"><strong>Hey Backpackers</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 5<br />22,000 to 120,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zernqNTI/AAAAAAAAFcM/RqpsBjolcAY/s1600/hey+backpackers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zernqNTI/AAAAAAAAFcM/RqpsBjolcAY/s400/hey+backpackers1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zrFvteHI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/kgO2Ba2Xoqg/s1600/hey+backpackers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5zrFvteHI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/kgO2Ba2Xoqg/s400/hey+backpackers2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.guysanddolls.kr/intro.htm"><strong>Guys and Dolls guesthouse</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 4<br />28,000 to 22,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5z8L22LoI/AAAAAAAAFcU/oIby-Y3pugg/s1600/guys+and+dolls+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN5z8L22LoI/AAAAAAAAFcU/oIby-Y3pugg/s400/guys+and+dolls+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN50Ij7VJoI/AAAAAAAAFcY/8ytc7F2QTZM/s1600/guys+and+dolls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN50Ij7VJoI/AAAAAAAAFcY/8ytc7F2QTZM/s400/guys+and+dolls+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN50jB-ULPI/AAAAAAAAFcc/oM50gD7I0e4/s1600/guys+and+dolls+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN50jB-ULPI/AAAAAAAAFcc/oM50gD7I0e4/s400/guys+and+dolls+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.bluguesthouse.com/"><strong>Blu guesthouse</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1<br />18,000 to 55,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN52_57nwKI/AAAAAAAAFck/BYIhBNBWWE4/s1600/blu+guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN52_57nwKI/AAAAAAAAFck/BYIhBNBWWE4/s400/blu+guesthouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN550RyiS8I/AAAAAAAAFco/r4MDkB-P1_M/s1600/blu+guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN550RyiS8I/AAAAAAAAFco/r4MDkB-P1_M/s400/blu+guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN56Wne444I/AAAAAAAAFcs/RvU2Jccizw4/s1600/blu+guesthouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN56Wne444I/AAAAAAAAFcs/RvU2Jccizw4/s400/blu+guesthouse3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.grapegardenhouse.com/"><strong>Grape Garden House</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1<br />17,000 to 63,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN56pdS8T2I/AAAAAAAAFcw/3kQsavlGfqk/s1600/grapegarden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN56pdS8T2I/AAAAAAAAFcw/3kQsavlGfqk/s400/grapegarden1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN565-97ISI/AAAAAAAAFc0/-qjHbTR_kt8/s1600/grapegarden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN565-97ISI/AAAAAAAAFc0/-qjHbTR_kt8/s400/grapegarden2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN57Hr85JnI/AAAAAAAAFc4/YAPjZ5iOVzE/s1600/grapegarden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN57Hr85JnI/AAAAAAAAFc4/YAPjZ5iOVzE/s400/grapegarden3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.staykorea.co.kr/"><strong>Stay Korea Guesthouse</strong></a><br />Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2<br />19,000 to 80,000 won<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN58Ba86r6I/AAAAAAAAFc8/4I5V59MFyPs/s1600/staykorea1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN58Ba86r6I/AAAAAAAAFc8/4I5V59MFyPs/s400/staykorea1.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN59l-XT7NI/AAAAAAAAFdA/STTHl2h0rNU/s1600/staykorea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN59l-XT7NI/AAAAAAAAFdA/STTHl2h0rNU/s400/staykorea2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.seoulbesthostels.com/">SeoulBestHostels</a>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-25997757688688950242010-11-14T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.453-08:00Persimmon or Gam/Kam in KoreaYou have to try persimmon because it is abundant only in autumn (which is my favourite season) or early winter. Some people called it as 'Pisang Kaki' in Malaysia. Don't mistake it for tomato because it does look like it but the taste is far from same.<br /><br />I used to frequent Chinese traditional medicine shop with my parents to buy some herbs when I was small and I would ask them to buy some dried persimmon for me too. Never thought that it is the persimmon that I love eating so much in Korea! There are so many shops selling persimmon during autumn. I bought 3 for 1,000 won while visiting Korean Hanok Village near Chungmuro Subway Station.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN095Ms9XJI/AAAAAAAAFaE/Tn-p21z4tn8/s1600/Dried-Persimmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN095Ms9XJI/AAAAAAAAFaE/Tn-p21z4tn8/s1600/Dried-Persimmon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dried persimmon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Korea, there are 2 types of persimmon:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1EyrF8Z8I/AAAAAAAAFaI/-LMnQLGCMSE/s1600/fuyu+persimmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1EyrF8Z8I/AAAAAAAAFaI/-LMnQLGCMSE/s400/fuyu+persimmon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fuyu - you can eat it when it is not fully ripe and it is still sweet (my favourite) and I like it when it is crunchy just like apple. The shape resembles tomato and in Korea it's called tam kam (단감). The taste is not that sweet. Have you have tried eating sugar cane? Almost like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1FUIlEXPI/AAAAAAAAFaM/RwHVD_zaJx0/s1600/Hachiya+persimmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1FUIlEXPI/AAAAAAAAFaM/RwHVD_zaJx0/s400/Hachiya+persimmon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Hachiya - Notice the difference in shape? It's kinda heart-shaped. However, you can only eat it when it's fully ripe. If you eat it before it's ripe, very bitter. I don't like Hachiya persimmon because it's kinda gooey when you consume it. Ack! Just like the picture below.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1FyH4XZoI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/U7r2ihQ9aq4/s1600/Hachiya+persimmon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1FyH4XZoI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/U7r2ihQ9aq4/s400/Hachiya+persimmon2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Persimmon's Health Benefit</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>source of vitamin A</li><li>high in fiber</li><li>contains shibuol and betulinic acid that are thought to have anti-cancer properties</li><li>A study conducted in Japan showed that the peel of the persimmon contains phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins which may protect cells against oxidative damage associated with aging. <b>(Is this one of the reasons why Koreans look young?!!)</b></li></ul>Source: <a href="http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-many-health-benefits-of-eating-persimmons/">HealthMad</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Get all your Persimmon related recipes at <a href="http://www.epersimmons.com/recipes.htm">Epersimmon</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out my <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/11/wwoof-at-jangheung-part-2.html">WWOOF trip to Jangheung</a> where I helped the family picking persimmons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For more information about persimmon, check out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persimmon">Wikipedia</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1IkzMM03VwA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1IkzMM03VwA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picking persimmon</div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-3787604611398907162010-11-13T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.481-08:00Big Bang GuesthouseThis is not a bad joke but Big Bang does have a guesthouse in Korea. ^^ Unfortunately you're not gonna meet any of Big Bang's member in this guesthouse. Dream on..hehehe.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I stayed in this apartment turned guesthouse 3 times because I totally fell in love with the place. Although I love staying near Myeongdong but Big Bang Guesthouse feels more like home. The owner was like a mother to me, she chatted with me until late at night and even bought me Korean rice cake! Talk about superior and personal service. I got one here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Big Bang Guesthouse is located about 5 to 10 minutes on foot from Yaksu Station, Line 3/6, Exit 8. Korean fast food restaurant like Kimbap Jongguk, convenience shop, fruit shops and my favourite Korean rice cake shop are walking distance from the guesthouse.</div><div><br /></div><div>I passed by the beautiful Shilla Hotel (where many Korean artists had their wedding ceremony) and walked up to <a href="http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com/2009/09/namsan-tower.html">Namsan Tower from Yaksu Station</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1UNUQ3phI/AAAAAAAAFaU/iVjnoi0MyfA/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1UNUQ3phI/AAAAAAAAFaU/iVjnoi0MyfA/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Told ya..it's Big Bang! ^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1bwOxCU0I/AAAAAAAAFaY/O6XMexUepqY/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1bwOxCU0I/AAAAAAAAFaY/O6XMexUepqY/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surf internet here and if you have your own machine, remember</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to have your own international adaptor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1cJL9aHSI/AAAAAAAAFac/dXTUA7cvlkY/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1cJL9aHSI/AAAAAAAAFac/dXTUA7cvlkY/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very very very comfy 4-bed dormitory room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1cowTGT8I/AAAAAAAAFag/t-l02xuZGD8/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1cowTGT8I/AAAAAAAAFag/t-l02xuZGD8/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse3a.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1c4l8vUoI/AAAAAAAAFak/U1-lfiSjtsk/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1c4l8vUoI/AAAAAAAAFak/U1-lfiSjtsk/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every room is equipped with a TV which you don't get in </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Namsan Guesthouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1dNwGInkI/AAAAAAAAFao/VGshxVZwkQU/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1dNwGInkI/AAAAAAAAFao/VGshxVZwkQU/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took the time to watch the replay of my favourite ssangchu</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">couple - Hwangbo and Kim Hyun Joong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1dugLTuqI/AAAAAAAAFas/n3imifJL1Q4/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1dugLTuqI/AAAAAAAAFas/n3imifJL1Q4/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here in this building, second level is Big Bang Guesthouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1ebTd6HPI/AAAAAAAAFa0/tlAWOq_1e98/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1ebTd6HPI/AAAAAAAAFa0/tlAWOq_1e98/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Halmi Syupo..hehe. A mini mart just in front of the guesthouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1eG-dUNyI/AAAAAAAAFaw/wIWaavVlrIk/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1eG-dUNyI/AAAAAAAAFaw/wIWaavVlrIk/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Hanim walking down the steep lane. You can't see it </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">here but it is steep, trust me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mummy Moon, just fyi this is how it looks like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, bring the stroller for your kid ok? ^^</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1fNva5mwI/AAAAAAAAFa4/zSqXGkQQkCU/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1fNva5mwI/AAAAAAAAFa4/zSqXGkQQkCU/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walk straight until you see..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1fi9_scgI/AAAAAAAAFa8/Uvf_85Ocdzk/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1fi9_scgI/AAAAAAAAFa8/Uvf_85Ocdzk/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse6a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ..this resting place. In the evening, you could find a fruit seller with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his van here. We bought Korean grapes which tasted hmmm..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">no comment..hehe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1gH9xyyfI/AAAAAAAAFbA/-_zg6iqLiyI/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1gH9xyyfI/AAAAAAAAFbA/-_zg6iqLiyI/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeay! My favourite tteok jib. Korean rice cake shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turned left from here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1hAaVSbyI/AAAAAAAAFbE/H17NQWriu8I/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1hAaVSbyI/AAAAAAAAFbE/H17NQWriu8I/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse7a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until you see this shop selling meat and chicken. Then turned right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1hpuOET_I/AAAAAAAAFbI/YpTQA0Tb5MA/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1hpuOET_I/AAAAAAAAFbI/YpTQA0Tb5MA/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walk up the staircase and..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1iHG0jCXI/AAAAAAAAFbM/FafcipYMLeM/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1iHG0jCXI/AAAAAAAAFbM/FafcipYMLeM/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">tada..Yaksu Station exit 8. ^^ It is just next to a bakery. See that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">red signboard? 빵 means bread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1ixGapzgI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/SPREkopnkjo/s1600/Big+Bang+Guesthouse10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN1ixGapzgI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/SPREkopnkjo/s400/Big+Bang+Guesthouse10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me with my favourite omoni = mother. I know that I should</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have called her ahjumma instead but she is very very kind! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arghh..I'm so chubby here. Korean diet didn't work for me </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cause I love rice! Blame it all on Korean rice cake..hahaha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go to the <a href="http://www.happyguesthouse.com/">official website</a> for more details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">FYI, the owner has 2 guest houses. Another one is named Happy Guest House located near to Beotigogae Subway Station, Line 6. I will put up another post on Happy Guest House later.</div><div><br />Just to shed some light, both guest houses are hot cakes. The omoni told my friends who recently visited Seoul that the houses are fully booked by Malaysian tourists until end of December 2010!<br /><br /></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674723834864628011.post-2529219894526634452010-11-13T05:50:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:01:34.509-08:00Moon Jae Shin hotness!Our favourite Moon Jae Shin aka Yoo Ah In. This must be for another magazine spread.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN6WzFaBxxI/AAAAAAAAFdE/g2yhO9mldpQ/s1600/YooAhIn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7HzNkCAd5P0/TN6WzFaBxxI/AAAAAAAAFdE/g2yhO9mldpQ/s400/YooAhIn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitpic.com/358tu3">From his Tweetpic link</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yoo Ah In's Twitter : <a href="http://twitter.com/seeksik">Seeksik</a></div>Korea Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09613559924153385827noreply@blogger.com1