Back in NJ/NY : New pics site (in progress)

I'm playing catchup again. By now, you probably know that I'm back in NJ. I arrived here late Sat night shortly before midnight. Long flight, but shorter than going out there.

I've set up a pics site for you all since I don't think that Blogger handles this in a good way.  For pics, please click here and I will write my journal entries according to the album names.

As much as I tried to keep awake though on the flight, I couldn't help but doze off every now and again. I managed to watch Iron Man (good) and the Incredible Hulk (bad) on the flight. Might have caught some other movie bits too, but none were memorable. On my way out though, I saw this Japanese movie called "Cyborg She" which was very interesting and entertaining. I recommend watching it.

Anyway, I'd like to take the next few days and weeks to go over the days that I missed while out in Korea. I consider Day 1 to be my arrival and nighttime romp in Myeong Dong (where I stayed for the first few nights). Day 2 was my trip to Suwon to visit the Korean folk village (Day 2.1) and Fortress (Day 2.2). 

En route to Kwangju

I'm at the Jeju airport now waiting for my 9am flight. The check-in lady said that the flight is overbooked or something due to bad weather in Kwangju, but hopefully it won't be delayed. Airport here is just like the airports at all the other places I've been to thus far... very clean and modern with lots of space.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to make it out to watch the sun rise at Seongsan Ilchulbang because the hotel I stayed at was full of mosquitos which kept me up all night. And I've got lots of bites. So I informed them that I'd be checking out later that day (at 12ish) and proceeded to look for another.

I stopped by a tourist info booth somewhat near the hotel and got lucky. The workers there - and most of the people I've interacted with in Korea have all been very helpful and friendly. They all think I'm Korean and are fascinated when I tell them I'm Chinese and from the states. When I mention New York... forget about it.

Anyway, one of the workers brought me to a hotel just next door... Hotel Echae (www.echaehotel.com). It was the bomb. A boutique hotel not far from the airport and where my previous hotel was and very modern and chic. I highly recommend it if coming to Jeju City, although it doesn't seem as though there are many bars and night entertainment in this part of Jeju City. The good news though is that the happening spot is somewhat closeby via taxi which is cheap all over the place.

Anyway, I booked a room and proceeded to find abalone jook on a nearby street, a traditional Jeju-based food. It was good and I'll post pics when I can. After eating and moving my bags from old hotel to new, I proceeded to Seongsan Ilchulbang.

I tried taking the bus, but got a tad lost as I fell asleep on the bus from lack of sleep. Fortunately though, I got a cab which took me to the nearby bus stop which goes to Seongsan. The bus ride lasted 1 hr and 20 min in which case I took another nap. This time though, I woke up ahead of time and just in time to enjoy the beautiful scenary. A lot of small local farm fields bordered by mini lava rock fences that look to have been put up by hand. Very impressive. Green fields, lava rocks, blue skies, beautiful clouds...

And then the old lady next to me pointed to Seongsan in the distance. I need to read up on the full story about it but it seems to be another volcano formed almost-island that is connected to the main Jeju island. To get to the top is quite a hike, but well worth the view. It's got a great view of the ocean (?) and has a volcanic crater near the top called a "tuff cone". (I think the translator was using "tuff" instead of "tough".) Now, the crater is filled with green.

Anyway, I actually have to grab my flight now, but more to tell about Seongsan Ilchulbang, the fresh sushi I had from the "women divers" of Jeju and the Manjang Gul caves.


MDS

Playing catchup...

Finally, I have access to a computer again (albeit a slow one with slow Internet access). Here are some pics that I owe from the DMZ (day after Suwon), Busan, Gyeongju, etc. After Gyeongju, I went back to Busan to spend the night before flying today to Jeju Island. This island truly is a Hawaii of Korea it seems. Lots of tropical stuff here and honeymooners.

Unforunately, I can't post any pics again today b/c this slow PC and Internet connection is killing me. Hope to have time tomorrow at a PC room nearby the hotel.

Right now, I'm stuffed with eating pheasant which is a traditional food here on Jeju Island. Stuffed. Going to hit the sack soon to (try to) wake up at 4am to watch the sun rise at Seongsan Ilchulbong peak which is almost an island off the east coast of Jeju. Sprouted from a volcanic eruption apparently. Looks to be fun and interesting.

MDS

Hungover

Hi all,


Sorry I haven't had much time/access to PCs recently. Right now, I'm in Gyeongju and will be leaving here later today. Since my last post, I've been to Busan in southwest Korea and am now in Gyeongju.


Busan was awesome. They have beaches, Pusan Int'l Film Festival (I watched a Japanese movie called "All Around Us"), UN Memorial Cemetery, Jagalchi fish market (so so only) and Nampodong (5th ave of Busan) and other places to visit. Very nice place to visit.


Now, I'm in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla kingdom. Here, they have MOUNDS. Big ass burial mounds for the kings of the past who died. These things are huge and now covered with grass. I will try to take some pics with them today. There are also a huge amount of buddhist temples here in korea. Yesterday, I visited a few. Very nice and peaceful.


Right now, I'm hungover. Last night, I got back to my minbak and then some koreans staying here wanted us to drink with them. I was obliged to do so and we drank the night away. One fam was from Paju city near the DMZ and the other was from southwest Korea called Jeosu I think. Anyway, there was a lot of Cham (a brand of soju I think that's related to cham i sul) and then this powerful thing called An Dong Soju. 80 proof. Needless to say, I got my ass kicked.


Anyway, off to see some more sights and will take more pictures to post at another time.

Suwon Fortress and Korean Folk Village

(Note: Yesterday's post)

Today, I woke up early because there were a few mosquitos in my room and I couldn't sleep because of it. It was good though because I think I got enough rest and got an early start on my day. Went down early this morning to check mail and my schedule for the day and met a nice chinese couple from east windsor, nj. Small world. He even worked at Vonage, albeit only a month...

So I packed all my stuff because they had to move me from a double to a single (this was all arranged ahead of time). So my new room is smaller, but still decent. Hopefully no mosquitos tonight.

I got these two mini-sandwich things from a street vendor for breakfast this morning... one looked like tuna with yellow mayo and the other had these mini weiners in them with white pickled radish. It did the trick and together cost less than $1. I had the <$0.50 water bottle from my guest house to wash it down. So I ate that on the subway on my ride to Suwon. To me, it seems that the Seoul subway station is very clean, nice and convenient. I am both amazed and impressed by how far outside the city limits the subway reaches. I was also amazed by how people are able to talk on their cell phones while in tunnels etc. And they have a newspaper guy who collects discarded newspapers which people leave on the luggage racks above their heads before they exit the train. Lazy... Anyway, the folk village was nice, but something that I think you only need to see once to appreciate. Basically what you would expect of rural type houses from way back when. Lots of kids there on school trips... I think I got the most fun out of watching them cause trouble. I took lots of pics of these houses and other objects and also watched two performances. One was "Farmer's Music and Dancing" which was entertaining. The other was a traditional Korean wedding. So, now I know how it works (at least back then), but it went by pretty quick and wasn't much to it. A lot of bowing and symbolism though... very interesting to see and watch.

Then I headed back to Suwon Station and then proceeded to the Suwon Fortress. The Suwon Fortress was also built many years ago by a King Joseong I believe... I'll check it another time. But basically, this was a big city that comprised Suwon. Now, the city has grown (it's trying to be as big as Seoul) and the sprawl has extended beyond these walled limits. Although the first area I saw was similar to a lot of the Chinese temples I've seen, it had its own unique charms. I then proceeded to walk along the fortress walls and experienced nice views of the city. I was also pleased to see a lot of people walking and being in touch with nature and the history of the city around them. It's part of them it seems. Small kids might not know or realize - it seems that way at least - but I'm sure that they will come to appreciate it in time.

I tried finding a kalbi restaurant in Suwon - they're supposed to be famous for it - but couldn't. I had decided to go back to Suwon Station since it was early to take a rest and look around the mall. Apparently, it seems as though a lot of malls are attached to major subway stops. It turns out that all the good kalbi restaurants were near the Suwon Fortress. Oh well... went back to Myeong Dong and grabbed mandoo and kal guksu at Myeong Dong Kyoza. It was pretty good and tasty, but I ate way too much.

MDS

Made it to Korea!!

Flew dang long and had a headache most of the way - due to lack of sleep before the trip - but finally made it here. Left at 6:25am from Newark, stopped in Atlanta from 9am-11:20am and then arrived here at 3:30pm Korea time. Incheon airport was very clean, nice and modern... and empty... pretty much what I'd expect of a new airport.

After a brief scare, I was thankful to have gotten my luggage piece and then proceeded to take the airport limousine bus to Myeong Dong Guest House (right in the center of the Myeong Dong shopping district, across the street). Bus was nice and had satellite cable or something on a huge 24" TV!!

My room accommodations are also what I'd expect (which wasn't much). Bare, not much space for anything but a bed and a tiny bathroom. But it'll run under $30/night for 3 nights. Location matters more for me as I'm travelling alone.





















Tonight, I played it low key because I need some rest. Went to Myeong Dong and ate some bibim naeng myun and photographed some of the night traffic and ate this fried dough thing with molten sugar on the inside. Nearly killed myself while doing so. There's actually a ton of fried things in the street... sausages, fish cakes, fish cake-wrapped sausages, squid and octopuses (is this the plural form?) and other... basically a lot of bad but tasty food.




















Now I'm headed off to bed. Going to visit a Suwon Fortress and Korean Folk Village tomorrow. Then DMZ / Panmajeon tour on Tuesday (hopefully).

Welcome to Han Guk Adventure!!

Hello all,

Welcome to my first blog post.  I hope you enjoy reading about my Korea adventures in the days to come.  I'm really excited to be going to Korea for the first time ever... a country with an exciting history and culture.  Read more about Korea (like I did) here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea

I'm going to travel, eat, drink, explore walk, hike, photograph, eat, read and eat a lot while I'm there.  I hope to eat some live creatures and perhaps some dog (if I muster the courage and can find the thing).  I'll be sure to post a lot of pics whenever I can.  Too bad... no video.

Here's a list of places I will be visiting:

• Seoul
• Busan
  
• Gyeongju
  
• Jeju
  
• Gwangju

If you have any recommendations as to where I MUST go in these places, please drop me a note.  Today, I have some more packing and administrative stuff to take care of when I get home and will be leaving my place at around 4am tomorrow morning.  Dark and early.  :)

MDS