JEJU-DO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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South Korea Jeju Island 제주도 濟州島 Preview

Yahoo! Features Korea

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


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

King Sejong



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



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

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

Eating My Way Through the Land of the Morning Calm

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

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



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




Kimchi Bukeom




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



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

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

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

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

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

Entrance to the National Museum

Overlooking the ground and second floor

The Imperial Throne during the days of old

The Korean century old bell

The view outside the exhibition hall

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Street Food of South Korea

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




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

 



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

  


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

 

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