A Walk to Remember: Travel

Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

[Jeju] The First Day of A Bicycle Trip in Jeju

Summer 2009, I got a message from my friend who I met during the military services. He asked to me to do bike hike in Jeju Island. So, I accepted it, but the weather was obstacles. When we departed, it was rain. But the plane took off.

Fortunately, it was clear. I took the Eastar Jet which is one of low-cost airlines in Korea for the first time. It wasn't bad, but their English pronunciation is not that good for me. I don't know for native speakers.

Jeju International Airport

I think there are many shops for renting a bike in Jeju now since it is quite popular these days. So, I am not going to post the shops where I used. Bike was just normal bike, but I should have considered deeply.

Anyway, let's start to the bike trip.

Scene of Jeju

Whenever we took the pictures, we got off a bicycle. As you know, my butt was so sore from long riding. it was horrible when I got on the bike. But it was okay since I got a lot of nice pictures.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

[Boston] Boston Duck Tours

Dukw which used during World War II, was remodeled into the Boston Duck Tours. It is possible to do this tour in many other countries. Although it is little expensive, it is worth trying.

I went to Museum of Science with making a lot of efforts. I had to have a bored time there since I had some time to leave the tour. Of course I could spend time with looking around the museum, but I didn’t want to pay for it. Moreover it was rainy day, so I just stayed at the waiting room quietly.

Two days later, I got the information that there is Prudential Center near my guest house. And there is a departure point inside of the building with shopping malls.

It is the DUCK that I got on. Fortunately, the rain was almost stopped when the DUCK left.

There were not too many passengers here because of the rain.

He is a driver and tour guide at the same time. He explained all the things about Boston with jokes. But I couldn’t understand what he said because my English ability wasn’t very good. I just made smile whenever other passengers laugh. (Still my English is not good, so I made this blog for my English ability.)

There wasn’t any transform when it got in to the river. I thought that it would be better if there were no windows here.

When we were in the middle of wide part of river, he gave a permission to drive this DUCK. I think he wanted to take a rest for a while.

I was there alone without any friends or interpreter, I volunteer for driving it. Even I asked him to take a picture for me.

Actually, I just held the handle. I didn’t need to put down an accelerator or a break. I realized that he let me drive this boat since there is nothing to do now.

After I finished the driving, I got this sticker from the driver. “I drove a duck!” Yes, I did, it is a piece of cake though. I don’t know where this sticker is now.

Whenever I visited strange city, I usually use this kinds of tour services to look around the city once. It is only possible when I have enough money of course. Through this tour, I can get a tour plan where I go.

For me, it was too long sitting on the boat with English explanation without interpretation or subtitles. I should have used shortest one.

More Info. http://www.bostonducktours.com/Default.aspx

[Seoul] 용산전자상가 벼룩시장 Flea Market at Yongsan Electronic Shopping Center

I went to Yongsan Electronic Shopping Center to buy computer for my friend. When I was little, I played ‘Rainbow Six’ which is a kind of FPS game. Since its background is Korea, I visited Yongsan very much in cyberspace. Until finished the military service, I had never visited there. Finally, I was there to buy a laptop for the first time 5 years ago. However, I’ve never had a chance to look around Yongsan because I picked up my laptop whenever I visited there.

I didn’t look around at this time as well since I had a clear object; buying a computer. However, there was a flea market just in front of the gate of Seon-in shopping district where I wanted to go. There are more flea markets somewhere, but I didn’t know where it was. (There are a lot of things related to electronic in the shopping center not only computer but also lighting.

Only permitted sellers can get a spot at the flea market. And they sell used or be carried forward computer parts. But it wasn’t that cheap compared to interior shops. I think it is better to shop in the building because of the air conditioner.

They did cast lots for location of booth. Somehow, it is easier to gather the customers near subway station. So, they do not give the spots as sellers like.

I don’t know about the price since I’ve never used desk top since I graduated high school. When I was a middle school student, I might pay about 2 million KRW, but it is less than quarter now.

I took this picture in the building. Used 24 inch LED screen is only 110 thousand KRW (about 110 US dollar). Many of them came from PC Bang a kind of internet café for high quality of computer game or charged online game.

Just in front of the market, there is a street food peddling. So, I drank a cup of cool soda. Later, I realized that there was Sikhye 식혜 (rice-punch). I should have asked to them about it. If I visit Yongsan Electronic Shopping Center again. I hope to look around more.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

[Seoul] 63시티 63City

I got the ticket for 3 things in the 63 City from my friend. The official name of this building is 63 City, but many people still call it as a 60 Building which is former name. But it doesn't matter. Anyway, it was the biggest building in Korea in the past, but there are many buildings higher than 63 City now. Still it is a kind of symbol of Korea.

First of all, I went to aquarium. I've never visited other aquarium in Korea, so I can't compare with it. But, it is not that big.

There are letters to parents written by children behind the sea horses. I think it is a kind of events made by 63 City. There are more letters in the other water tanks.

I put my fingers for doctor fishes. It was weird feeling but not bad.

For the next, I went to observatory. It was a cloudy weather, so it's hard to see the N Seoul Tower.

I've just visited only two spots since I didn't have enough time. When I was little, I was here for the first time, it was so nice. However, it wasn't that fun for me at this time compared to visiting when I was little. Maybe I am too old to enjoy this. I hope the owner of this building have to make more fun things here.

More Info. http://www.63.co.kr/63eng/63Main.html

Thursday, August 22, 2013

[Seoul] 경회루 Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Its official name is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, but we just say it as Gyeonghoeru.

Gyeongbok-gung which is a royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty is the most biggest palace in Korea. I think the most beautiful part of Gyeongbok-gung is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. As you can guess from its name it was the place for banquet on a special day when the ambassador came during the Joseon Dynasty.

As you can see the picture, the exterior of this building is very beautiful. However, it is awesome if you get in this building. Until 10 years ago, it was banned to get in this pavilion to protect cultural assets.

As soon as Yoo Hongjoon got an appointment as a head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, he permitted to use Gyeonghoeru as a party place. It was quite big issue in Korea, and he was blamed a lot. For traditional Korean building, however, it is better when people live in. It is restrictively open except winter season now with that reason.

Outermost pillars are squared, and the other are circular columns.

Ceiling is painted with beautiful pattern.

Usually, 80 people get in here as a group.

I thought that it is not that big when I saw it outside of this building. But I was wrong.

Using the things that open toward upper side, it is possible to make the wall. Depend of the number of people, they could decide the size of space.

There is a pattern on the ceiling as well. Every room has different pattern and shape on the ceiling.

I hope to be here with my girlfriend in some day.

Yoo Hongjoon, who is the former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, gave a question in a TV show. "There is a wonderful picture in this room. Where is it?"

The answer is that the view from the inside of Gyeonhoeru. All the scenes look pretty as a picture. You can see the mountains, forests, dense tiled roof, and modernized skyscrapers.