Expo 2012 Yeosu, Korea

Ok, so it's been almost a year since my last blog which is just terrible and for which I apologize. It's not because I've been leading a boring and uninteresting life no, but because I spilled water on Sophie's Mac thus breaking it and leaving me unable to continue work due to recovery time from Sophie's beating.

Anyway, once the computer was up and running again, all my photos had been lost 'sigh'. However the geek inside me kept a back up, although not well organized I am able to do a quick recap of my remaining year in Korea and try and get you up to date. So, here it goes.

In August of last year - yep that's how long I've left it - me and Sophie went to the World Expo in Yeosu which is on the south coast of the country. Now, if your unfamiliar with what the world expo is, it's basically a big exhibition about different cultures from around the world, and generally has an overall theme; This last years theme was global warming and saving the ice cap and sea life etc. Exciting stuff!

We took the bus down and arrived early enough to beat the crowds, we we're told on the hours long queues that would form for the popular attractions. It was a huge, out door place, almost a town of its out with fantastic buildings and performances.

That's pretty much where it ends, we still ended up queuing for hours on end for what turned out to be a mediocre exhibitions or shows. We had more joy from just walking around seeing the street performances.

About half way in the queue for the Samsung building. Over 2 hours wait for a 10 minute performance. 

All in all it was a nice day out, and we decided to stick around till close. As it was the last night of the expo, there was a huge fireworks and digital laser show to finish with a bang, I must say, it was the most spectacular fireworks show I've ever seen. Seemed to last forever and unfortunately our phones had died and we couldn't record it.

Anyway this is just meant to be a catch up, so please follow the link for some photos from the day.

World Expo 2012: Photos

Deokjin Park

August 5th and we had the day off work. In the afternoon we decided to visit Deokjin Park which is located not far from the uni area of Jeonbuk Dae. A large park centred around a natural pond with huge lotus flowers blooming within.

As we reached the pond round to the left is a pagoda that overlooks the park, it's such a peaceful place and while we we're enjoying just relaxing in the pagoda - a woman who was having a picnic with her family - offered us some food. Once again an example of just how nice and welcoming people here are.

The arched suspension bridge that takes you across the centre of the pond, this also leads to more trails to explore. There is also a huge theatre screen in the car park for anyone looking for a drive in.

We continued to walk around the park we came to another bridge, this time a smaller wooden one that snakes through that pond and really is quite beautiful. halfway across the bridge sits another pagoda, you get some great views from here especially at sunset as the arch bridge becomes silhouetted against the red sky.

You can spend as little or as long as you want here, if it coincides with your travels, they hold an - they hold an annual Dano Changpomul (Water Iris) Festival on the 5th day of the 5th month. On this day amongst the celebrations,  women wash their hair in iris-infused water from the pond to wish themselves good health for the coming year.

To view the full photo album please follow the link below
Deokjin Park Jeonju

Busan South Korea

From July 28th - August 1st, we had our first proper holiday in Korea. Me and Sophie took the bus down from Jeonju to Busan, which took about 4 hours or so. On arrival we met up with some friends who drove down the night before and made our way to the hotel which was only a stones throw away from Gwangalli Beach - cost was 60,000 won (£30) per night for a double room.

Just before we reached the beach, a couple of guys rode up on motor bikes, ones I've seen nothing like before. Some serious customisation going on here!

There are two things that I like about this photo, first is the way you have these two guys on beasts of bikes, then the guy on the far side rolls up with his little scooter and a honk of his horn! Second, after looking at the photo a little more closely, I notice the holstered gun on the guys hip - brilliant.

Anyway after being rather pleased with myself capturing this moment - thank you camera phone - we continued down the road to the beach.

The beach is beautiful with amazing views, behind you there's a strip of bars and restaurants that run the entire length of the beach that horse shoes round into the ocean with an amazing city backdrop. As you look out to sea from the beach, a bridge spans the horizon joining two sides of the city. At night the bridge lights up the ocean below for a spectacular view wether your relaxing on the beach, or enjoying a few beers in one of the many beach front bars.

The following day we all piled into Scotts car and off we went to visit  Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. First built in 1376 during the Goryeo Dynasty, this is the first coastal temple ever built in Korea. I strongly recommend this to anybody who's visiting Korea. As you make your way down some winding steps, the trees break to give you a partial view or the temple and ocean.

Soon enough the steps divide, to the left leads to the rocks below where you can sit with your feet in the ocean and enjoy the view. 

If you continue down the main steps they lead across the bridge you see above to the temple. On the far side of the bridge there is a water feature, and approximately 30 yards or so a chalice of sort. It is said that if you can throw a coin into the chalice from the bridge, you can make a wish. I suppose in much the same way as a wishing well, however you just need to hit the target. I did make a shot, however my wish ended up costing me more coins than it was probably worth.

Over the bridge you find the main temple, theres lots to see here from huge statues of Buddha to hundreds of tiny dolls that adorn some rocks. There's a cafe for some food and you can enter into the main temple to say a prayer if you wish. The only advice I would offer is to avoid the public toilets here - not good and will destroy a little part of this beautiful place.

We came here during the summer, the weather was amazing which helped make the day. However I've read that many people visit here on new years day to watch the sun rise an make their new years wish. Also during April the cherry blossoms are in full bloom which I can only imagine changes the whole experience of this temple.

I have taken more photos which I'll add a link for at the end of this post.

We probably spent half our day here and feeling suitably cultured we decided to head back to Gwangalli to lay on the beach, play in the sea and drink some beer. Now as beautiful as it looks, the sea isn't all that nice. There's a kind of film to the water and there was a fair bit of rubbish, not so bad you wouldn't want to swim, but still wouldn't put my head under thats for sure.

That night we sampled a few of the sea front bars that Gwangalli had to offer, we found ourselves in a bar called Thursday Party, there are two in close proximity but one had great staff with great music. Much of the next few hours have somehow evaded me, can't think why. 

After we left the bar, we loaded up with soju stumbled across to the beach and watched the sunrise from the ocean. This was certainly one sunrise I'll never forget.

The following day myself and Sophie went to Haeundae Beach, it's easy to get to via the subway - line 2. Haeundae in considered the best beach to visit in Busan and it is beautiful. There is a bit more to do in the surrounding area as well, more bars and restaurants. We went for a really nice curry here, which is hard to find in Korea. We spent the entire day just sunbathing on the beach, then once the sun was no longer high in the sky, we went to Busan Aquarium , which is right off the beach. 

I've got no photos from the Aquarium however because my phone died but it was fantastic. sharks, dolphins, giant turtles and some freaky ass fish I have know idea what they were. A good day out for all.

On our last day we had until late afternoon before our bus home. We decided to visit the Busan art gallery which was great, some great paintings, sculptures and instillation work. Also some amusing translation errors.

I have take lots of photos from the museum, I'll add a link to the full album at the end of this post.

Once we felt satisfied that we had pondered and critiqued everyones work with justified snobbery that one must in an art museum, we found that we weren't all that far from Bexco - Busan Exhibition Centre. Kind of like the NEC for us brits. We didn't know what was on but thought we'd chance it.

When we got there we couldn't quite get over the size of the place. As you walk into the courtyard, you are dwarfed by the surrounding buildings. 

Here they had an indoor water park, and much to our surprise a David Lachapelle exhibition. I do like Lachapelle's work and Sophie has often spoken of how she likes his work so this proved to be the perfect ending to our trip. Unfortunately, my phone once again died so there are no more photos. 

Sophie does have some so I might be able to add some later from her phone.

To see the full album though from our Busan trip please follow the link below:

Busan South Korea

Jeonju Hanok Village

It's 08:30 Saturday morning here in Jeonju, I've been awake since 06:00 for some unknown reason and have exhausted Bejeweled on my phone for the past two hours, Sophie is still asleep so I figure now would be a good time to try and catch up with the blog.

Now the good thing about my phone (Lumia 800) and I guess any smart phone these days is that when you take photos it also registers the time, date and location. The down side to that, is I can see how far behind I am with my blogs, and should probably stop waffling uninteresting bull and get on with it!

So here it is, if I may take you back to the morning of July 22nd 2012, we've already been in Jeonju for a month and a half by this point and experienced so much already, yet not entered the traditional area of Hanok Village. Yes We've been here before to the main street where we met Casanova - as mentioned in a previous post - but not entered into the walls of Hanok.

As you enter the main street, a short walk and on your left hand side you come to the main gate. It was free to enter but now they charge but its very cheap, works out about £1.50. As you approach, two traditionally dressed warriors stand guard and remain emotionless and statuesque as tourists pose and take photos. I suppose in much the same way as the queens guard only its us western folk with the cameras.

We we're told that this small village behind us was actually built to enshrine the portrait of General Yi Seong-Gye - King Taejo, founder and 1st King of the Joseon Dynasty. Jeonju was King Taejo's families ancestral hame.

The restored portrait of King Taejo

We visited Hanok on a Sunday afternoon which turned out to be the perfect time to go, there was lots of activities going on in the village. aWe had a go at some traditional print making and got to dress up in traditional official clothing. You do have to pay, but it works out about £1.

Above you can see our final prints, one being a pattern and the other is a map of the traditional area. At the bottom you can see the outer wall, a little above the in the centre you can see the main gate where we had our photo, then in the centre of the picture is where the courtyard is that houses the portrait of the King. This one however isn't the original, that can be found in the museum round the back to the left where the two isolated huts are.

Traditional Officials Clothing

Seoul Trip

Saturday July 14th and Sophie had a trip to Seoul planned to go and get her hair done. Yes apparently for you girls out there who colour your hair (blond) it's hard to find somewhere in Jeonju that has western hair experience and a trip to Seoul is the answer.

We'll ignore the fact that I got my hair done here in Jeonju by a Korean woman with perfect English who studied hair dressing in London's Videl Sassoon's salon because apparently Seoul is the only answer :)

I originally wasn't planning on going on this hair adventure and decided that on Friday night, I'd head to the local dive bar Radio Star. It's a good bar here in Jeonju popular with foreigners with live music and random instruments scattered around the room and an open DJ box for you to add whatever you like to the playlist.

I arrived back home somewhat intoxicated at 7:40, and in efforts to prevent waking up Sophie thought it was best to get undressed for bed - outside the apartment door - to cause as little distraction as possible. This however didn't work and whilst sneaking in Sophie awoke. She asked to wake her up at 7:30 to which I replied with the current time!

Sophie got up and started to get her stuff together for the morning bus to Seoul, now the night before my friend and co-worker had invited me to Seoul with him as he was heading to visit a friend, so still drunk thought that this would be good. We can all go to Seoul together, the girls can go off and do the hair thing and we can do our thing and meet up later for drinks. I packed a bag, poorly and was on my way.

I slept for the duration of the trip and when I awoke in Seoul I was struggling but, was determined to have myself a good time. We found our way to Chris' friends apartment where we we're treated to home made Mexican food! I feel now would be the time to mention that Chris aka Mexi-Chris and his friend Linda are both Mexican. It was the perfect food for the state I was in and ended up taking priority over any sight seeing we originally had planned.

We did however make it out to Seoul Tower and although the weather was a little rainy, in my opinion just added to the view over Seoul. The stormy sky for me really made the view so much more dramatic!

Martyrs Mount Jeonju

On July 9th after our trip to the museums the day before, we decided to hike Martyr mountain, Martyr Mountain is in the southern part of Jeonju and is the final resting place of six Catholic missionaries, killed for their beliefs. We walked there from Hannok Village as we were told it was just five minutes away. Not quite true, it's about a half hour walk from Hannok and fairly easy to find.

The trail itself was beautiful and laden with 13 crosses marking the burial sight of members from the Catholic Church. We were the only people on the mountain and found it a very peaceful experience, however the humidity and heat made it a challenge, the climb is very steep.

Towards the top of the mountain - just as we were thinking of turning back around - we came across a Catholic Church, outside was a much needed water fountain and inside was a wonderful Church that anyone religious or not can appreciate. There was a lady inside playing some 'your going to die' music on the organ and after an hour of thinking we were the only people on the mountain, it kinda felt like a scene from a horror film! Still this is an amazing place I'd recommend to anyone.

As we reach the peak there's a traditional-style tomb that marks the final burial place of the martyred family, six painted circles on the floor which, I assume, is one for each family member. A man appeared from behind us and stood in front of the tomb to say a prayer, he moved to the largest circle on the ground to say a second prayer. He then followed the circles that lead to a path that took you up to a cross overlooking the tomb and I can only guess that here he said a final prayer. 

Even if you aren't Catholic, as in my case, it's still an amazing and peaceful place to visit with some great views over Jeonju.

Jeonju Historical Museum and Jeonju National Museum

Ok, so it's been a month or so now since I've last blogged. This is largely due to the fact we've been really busy and not had much time at the apartment. That and it's the end of term so report cards, testing, and other goings on has kept me from this blog. However I find myself here on a Friday morning with nothing to do, the rain falls outside and I've exhausted Facebook already so let me take you back to July 8th.

About an hour's walk from our apartment are two museums - the Jeonju Historical Museum and The Jeonju National Museum.

Id did however take us about three hours as we had no real idea where we were heading. On our walk we came across what looked like a business park, all nice new shiny buildings with some nice surrounding grounds. Now, just out the front of this business park were a load of cars and bikes lined up, OK nothing strange there however these cars and bikes were Children's cars and bikes! I figured this must have been the HQ of Triple Velvet or something.