Friday, April 30, 2010
Measured Expansion
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Cabut Babut
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Hiking Experience in Korean Land
Glistening lines of kimchee pots sit above a natural spring, where hikers often refresh themselves
Article & photo by Julie Nariman
In my first month living in South Korea, the only hiking I did was on concrete. However, after I ventured out of the city and began exploring the mountains and countryside, I realized I had been missing out. I wasn’t just hiking up mountains; I was eating watermelon with a group of old ladies, photographing temple paintings, and finding a stone Buddha on a side trail. Hiking was fun, but its side diversions were marvelous.
Some of the loveliest hikes are the smaller provincial and county parks, like Muryeong Valley and Daedunsan. If you want a more intense hike, though, there are plenty. Jirisan is a huge, multi-day trek with breathtaking scenery and mountain huts where you can stay overnight (see below). On the other hand, Gyeongju’s Nam-San is a midget at 494 meters (1,600 feet). But this small mountain, with its 87 ancient Buddha figures, is the most interesting museum I’ve ever seen. Imagine grabbing a rope and swinging down a large rock to see an 800-year-old stone Buddha.
One of the best places to begin your hike is at a temple, which is often built on or near the base of a mountain. You are free to walk around and enjoy the ancient pagodas and Buddha sculptures. Monks are usually friendly and willing to answer your questions if either one of you speaks the other’s language.
On all mountains, ajumas and ajashis—middle-aged men and women—speed-walk in high tech hiking gear. On smaller mountains, they actually pump iron at workout centers on the summits. The same intense hikers will stop at a mountain spring to savor the cold water and then carefully place the communal drinking ladle back on its hook.
Koreans take hiking seriously, but they also enjoy it. The mountains themselves have clean trails, thudding waterfalls, and thoughtfully-named features like “Rice Steamer Rock” and “Three Fairies Pond.” Also, some of the best eating in Korea is near the mountains. Specialties are handmade tofu (“son-dubu”), whole duck or whole chicken soup (“O-ri bek su,” “Bek su”), mountain vegetables over rice (“san-che-bi-bim-bap”), and a grilled mountain root that’s tastier than it sounds (“do-dok-goo-ee”). Even with all the good food, Koreans still pack a picnic and will probably share with you if you’re alone. When I hiked Jirisan, I was offered red peppers, plums, coffee, kimbap (rice and vegetables wrapped in seaweed), kimchee, and frozen watermelon.
Certain things can make your trip easier. You should know a few basic phrases in Korean, and definitely learn hangul, the Korean alphabet. It takes most people less than a week to learn and is necessary for map-reading and directions. And definitely use a map. At most national and provincial parks, you can get one at the entrance for free or for 1,000 won ($1). Also, dress like you’re hiking. Don’t wear sweatpants that look like pajamas or jeans with holes. The more you look like you’re supposed to be hiking, the less Koreans will worry about you or, worse, glare at you. If you’re alone, you might get adopted anyway; most Koreans find it strange when people hike alone, especially women. At the Youngnam Alps, a family I met on the trail offered me chocolate and then informed me—quite firmly—that I would be hiking with them.
That evening, I enjoyed a delicious raw fish dinner with their extended family, and later slept soundly in their 10-year-old son’s room.
Public transportation in Korea is excellent, with frequent and inexpensive bus and train service. Lodging is also a bargain, at 20,000 won to 50,000 won ($20 to $50) per night. Yeogwons are inexpensive motels where you can choose a room with a Western bed or floor-heated “ondol” room with thick mats and comforters you spread out on the floor. Many yeogwons are also “love motels,” but that shouldn’t be a deterrent—you’ll just get a free toothbrush and a condom. Minbaks are similar to yeogwons, but are actually attached to private homes, and sometimes have shared facilities, like kitchens or bathrooms.
Korea is a land of contrasts. A college girl might wobble up a trail in pink high heels, leaning on her boyfriend’s arm. But don’t snicker too loudly; on the next steep hill a bent old grandmother will blaze past you. Just say “annyong haseyo” (“hello”) and keep trudgi
Land of the Morning Calm
Woraksan
I between 1988 and 2001, I lived in Korea for 8 of those 13 years. During that time I came to know, respect and love the Korean people. I empathize with them over their divided country and with their proud heritage. I learned the language and attended university there and am an avid buff of recent Korean history.
I lived in the Pyongtaek area, but was fortunate enough to own a car and was able to travel the entire country while I was there. I have climbed Soraksan, been to Dragon Valley Ski Resort, the beach at Pusan, Sashimi in Mokpo, the east coast cliffs and camping at Woraksan National Park (even did some trout fishing there).
In the future, I will expand my Korea page to include places that I have spent time in in Korea and give you the reader insight into different parts of Korea. I already have a Seoul travel guide because it is an entity unto itself. I hope you enjoy the rest of my entries.
South Korea Tourist Attractions
Some of the popular tourist destinations in South Korea are as follows:
Andong:
This is a town famous for its aristocrats and old culture. Tourists visit this town to see the Andong Folk Village and Folk Museum, which exhibits relics of ancient Korean culture. Restaurants in this town serve traditional Korean food, so you can try eating what the locals do. Just north of Andong is Dosan Seowon, which is a famous Confucian institute. West of the town is the Hahoe Maeul Folk Village, which is worth a visit. If you are in Andong during autumn, make sure you take the time out to see the Mask Dance Festival. It should not be missed under any circumstances.
Busan:
This port city is the second largest metropolis in South Korea. You should visit the Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park from where you will be able to get a fantastic view of the entire city. Another place where tourists flock is the UN Cemetey where the UN soldiers of the Korean War are buried. If you are interested in going to the famous Jeju Island, the Busan is the place from where you can depart.
Jeju Island:
The island is just 100 kilometers away from the mainland and it will transport you to a completely different world altogether. The infrastructure and accommodation is fantastic and the government has taken care to ensure that all tourist facilities are available here. With its lovely beaches, coastal waterfalls, hot springs, scuba diving and fishing facilities, this island is very popular with tourists. Do not forget to absorb a little bit of the local culture by visiting the Folkcraft and National Museum, and Jeju Folk Village Museum. The tallest mountain, Mount Hallasan, in entire South Korea is located on Jeju Island, and it is home to the imposing and beautiful Crater Lake.
Seoul:
Besides being the capital of South Korea, Seoul is also the main political and economic hub of the country. Seoul is truly an anomaly where modern architecture and ancient architecture blend together in total harmony. It is quite common to see a modern skyscraper standing right next to a monument or a palace. Do not forget to visit the Summer Palace to see some of the finest work of art and architecture.
Haeinsa:
The holiest Buddhist shrine in Korea is located in Haeinsa. The ninth century Buddhist temple is located in the Gayasan National Park, you can see the entire scriptures printed on 81,000 wooden blocks. However, the blocks are out of reach and you can just view them through a slatted window.
Articles and photos owned by: Cybertraveltips
Kimchi in Korea
KIMCHI
It is the most common side dish served in Korea and it eaten along with rice and other side dishes. Kimchi is also a common ingredient in dishes like Kimchi Stew and Kimchi Fried Rice.
The history of Kimchi dates back to more than 2,600 years ago. Even an ancient Chinese poetry book makes reference to this dish. The earliest form of this dish was made from cabbage, and it is only in the 12th century that spices were introduced into the dish to create flavors like sweet and sour.
In most forms of Kimchi, chili peppers are a common and important ingredient. Chili peppers were introduced into Korea in the early 17th century and since then the most common form of Kimchi consists of a variety of Chinese Cabbage and chili peppers.
Kimchi is considered to be quite healthy. In fact, a US magazine named this dish as one of the top five of the world’s healthiest foods. The dish is rich in vitamins and due to the various vegetables, it high in dietary fiber. In addition, it is low in calories. Kimchi provides 80 percent of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid and carotene.
Kimchi is rich in Vitamin A, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Calcium, and Iron. It is believed that the dish also aids in retarding the growth of cancer. However, some research has proved that eating high-sodium diet can lead to gastric cancer and Kimchi does contain large amounts of sodium. However, an oncological study has shown that one type of Kimchi, if consumed, can prevent against gastric cancer, while two other types which are rich in sodium can be risk factors contributing to gastric cancer.
Article & photos owned by: Cybertraveltips
7,101 Wonderful Islands in the Southeast Asia, Philippines
A perfect place to stay in the world is in the Pear of the Orient seas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Philippines. The essence of paradise is the fragrance in every island you step. When you count to step island 1 to island 7,101 you might lost in the middle for over-joy and satisfaction of the friendly nature Philippines. If you visit the first island at the age of 11 you would finish stepping 7,101 islands at the aged of 35, could you still measure the satisfaction to live life in the paradise? That’s the 7101 island in the Philippines? Have you think of Duca bay, Dakak Park Beach Resort, Siargao Island, San Jose Surigao Del Norte, Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Bohol, and many more. The Places is not just to visit and to travel but to live until the last breath of your life. Those mentioned places are just nothing compared to the virgin palm fringed beaches in the country and natural beauty of nature which not yet touch by man.
The Philippines is a tropical climate of Asia. There is no Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn because the weather in the Philippines is just Sunny and Rainy season with temperature of tropical places which you don’t need to wear jacket for cold, you dint need to use umbrella so you could taste the sweet rain and no need to go to anywhere because all and everything you need is there. Traveler around the globe found this Philippines as it magnificent natural beauty made by nature not by man. Dream of your travel to the Philippines and you would love do it to the rest of your life.
