A Boat Tour on Heuksando Island (흑산도)

Heuksando Island (흑산도)

Have you heard of Heuksando ? 

( http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264278 )

Heuksando Island is located at the southern end of Korea about 92.7 km away from Mokpo.

(It takes 2hours by ferry )

It's such a small island. 

But there are 1004 different islands(include Heuksando) around this island.

And the only way you can see the islands is taking a boat tour.

In that way, you can look around the sea and see the islands. Since most of them are uninhabited, you will see beautiful natural view which is rarely cisited by anyone. 

Of course you can't see every island at once. 

But here's a review of boat tour courses.

This is 1st course.

It goes around about 30 islands and takes about 2 hours.

▼ You can sit inside of the boat. Also can be 2nd floor.

And it has a small toilet.

One Guy in front of the ship will give you guide  about history or just story about islands.

If you can understand Korean, it would be fun. On the other hand, it's still okay.

▼ It's 'disco rock'. (디스코바위)

▼ Crane rock. (학바위)

Because it had a crane fossil on the crevice between two rocks.

(the little white thing..)

▼ Candle rock (촛대바위)

 ▼ Lotus rock (연꽃바위)

▼ Jesus rock / Monkey rock

▼ Skate cave. 

▼ I loved Heuksan-do sea's color a lot.

 ▼ On the way back to the port. 

It seems like the two guys definitely know how to enjoy the sea. :P 

 

Maybe the name of islets might sound silly for you, but once you are seeing the beautiful scenery, you could be generous than you used to be.

+ 

Information.

The trip costs 19,000 each (and is worth it.)

▼The tour company is close to Post office.

Don't you wanna eat Patbingsu (팥빙수,adzuki-bean ice dessert) ?

팥빙수

(Patbingsu)

If you live in Korea,

I'm sure that you  saw this at least once. Especially in Summer.

This is the most popular Summer Snack for Korean.

As you can see, the main ingredients are adzuki beans and ice.

Depending on the main ingredient, its name will be changed. 

Like, 팥빙수(Adzuki bean), 녹차빙수(Green tea), 과일빙수(Fruit). 

Suncheon Bay Garden Expo(2013.4.20-10.20)

Suncheon Bay Garden Expo

http://www.2013expo.or.kr/

Have you ever heard about Suncheon Bay Garden Expo?

Here are some information about it.

Garden exhibitions have been held in Europe and other leading countries for over 150 years.

They have been a symbol of urban regeneration and environmental protection.

And 2013, it's being held in Suncheon.


Basically, you can see international gardens, wetlands (artificial), zoo, arboretum. 

▼ This is Korean traditional garden.

▼ A bridge to enter the Korean traditional garden

▼The view of Suncheon Garden Expo from the top of the Korean traditional garden.

▼French Garden

▼Italian Garden

 ▼ British Garden

Well. Be honestly, you might be disappointed at international gardens.

(I was disappointed too.)

I could see they tried hard, but it didn't work that much well actually.

But If you love natural,

it would be the best place to visit for you.

▼ Wetland center

I loved this place a lot.

You can see various life in wetland. 

 ▲ I love this fish, 짱뚱어. 

It looks so funny !!

▲ What a cute name !

▼ Right next to the Wetland Center, there is a zoo.

You can see various animals here (not many animals though.)

▼Other views in Expo area

I recommend you to visit here once if you have time to go.

It feels so refreshing and healthy.

Suncheonman Bay Ecological Park (Field of Reeds) (순천만 자연생태공원) / Suncheon city, Jeollanam-do

 Suncheonman Bay Ecological Park 

(Field of Reeds/순천만 자연생태공원) 

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=681459

This is also an attraction you should go.

You will see the most beautiful Bay of Korea.

Among all of the world’s wetlands, Suncheonman Bay is widely known for attracting the largest number of rare birds. Such internationally rare birds as the hooded crane, white-naped crane, white stork, black-faced spoonbill, and the Eurasian Oystercatcher, as well as birds designated as natural treasures, are spotted here. There are about 140 species of birds including the snipe, wild duck, shelduck, and wild goose.

▲ You can get aboard a cruise to look around bay 

(Also there is a train)

Walking around this beautiful area it feels just like heaven !

It was all green when I went there on May.

But if you go there in Fall, you will see gold field of reeds. 

Have you ever heard of 짱뚱어(Jjangddung-eo/Goggle-eyed Goby/blue-spotted mud hopper) ?

You can see this fish at Suncheon Bay.

Apparently, it looks 'ridiculous and somewhat creepy' haha

Let me see you this fish ▼

▲ You can see its face too 

What do you think? 

Is it really looks creepy and ridiculous?

Well. Before you enter the Bay, you'd better bring water.

You also should put on sunscreen.

Since there is no shade in whole area, it's easy to get sunburn. :)

The 2 most beautiful temples near sea shore

The 2 most beautiful temples near sea shore 

Naksansa (낙산사) / Haedong Yonggungsa (해동용궁사)

Naksansa (낙산사)

Naksansa Temple(낙산사) is in Yangyang(양양), Gangwon Province(강원도).

Actually I went here after Seoraksan trip. You can go here by bus from Sokcho(속초).

Anyways,

Naksansa Temple (낙산사) is located 4km north of Naksan Beach, and boasts a 1,300-year history. It is a temple built by Ui-Sang(의상), the ambassador of the 30th King of Silla Period (57 BC~AD 935). It was named Naksansa Temple by Ui-Sang, at the spot where he learned the prayer "Gwansae-eumbosal"(관세음보살) from Bosal, after he returned from studying abroad in the Chinese Dang Kingdom. 

It was rebuilt several times afterwards, and the current building was raised in 1953. 

Unfortunately, this temple was destroyed by a big forest fire in 2005. 

Now, it was restored to almost its original state but, of course they lose so many priceless buildings or things at that time. 

 But we can still see the living Buddism history because of many wise monks and people's efforts. Including the paper Buddha.

Except the meaning of Buddism history, this temple is just awesome.

Really beautiful !  You would even feel like, you are lucky to be alive. :P

 

This is the main enterance

   

Haesugwaneumsang (해수관음상)

Mount Naksan is crowned by the Buddhist statue of Haesugwaneumsang (해수관음입상, Bodhisattva of Mercy), known as the goddess Gwanseum-Bosal, facing southeast standing 15 meters (49 ft) high on a 2.8-meter (9 ft) high pedestal. The white granite statue stands in a clearing at the top of the hill, eyes and fingers closed in peaceful meditation as it gazes out to sea.

Map 

 

Since it's a big temple, you need sort of a strategy to  look around.

When I went there, the guy work at ticket box taught me the best way.

1. Begin at the main enterance (not back door)

2. Follow that arrow.

3. Enjoy the temple

4. Come back to the main entereance.  (it takes only 10min)

 

★ How to get there

* Local Transportation * 

At Yangyang Intercity Bus Terminal, 

1. take bus no. 9 or No. 9-1 for Mt. Naksansa Temple.(10-15 minute ride) 

 2. taxi takes 10 minutes. 

At Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (40 minute ride)

or Sokcho Express Bus Terminal (15 minute ride)

take bus No.9 or No.9-1 to Mt. Naksansa Temple.

Haedong Yonggungsa (해동 용궁사)

This is my favorite temple in my area.

It's located in Gijang-gun(기장군), Busan.

I've never seen someone who says it sucks :P

Always awesome, beautiful, wonderful...etc.  :D

So if you live near Busan, don't hesitate, just go !

They have an English page for you.

http://www.yongkungsa.or.kr/en/

★ How to get there

at Haeundae station exit7 (해운대역 7번출구), 

take bus no.181

(30 minute ride)

Get off at Younggungsa , Gukripsusangwahakwon (용궁사 국립수산과학원) stop.

(Usually there are many people get off at there to go to Yonggungsa.)