Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Yongma falls Park

Do you know we can enjoy a 'waterfall' in central Seoul?
There is a waterfall in Yongma falls park.

Such a beautiful one like this in the photo.
It is fascinating to cool off with this waterfall in the center of Seoul.
Of course, it is an artificial waterfall...but still marvelous.

It was impressive to see that people got to sit around the waterfall and for lunch.
I went near the waterfall. Although I knew it was artificially made, I felt like it was real.
It feels really nice…
You should go there.


But, you should check the hours of operation before you go there. ^^



Many kids were there, riding bicycles through the park. She is so cute.




There is a turf ground beside the waterfall and also many sports facilities.
Ah,,,you can climb the Mt. Yongsan by walking the path.
I wanted to play soccer in this wide field!

If you are taking a subway, take line No.7 and get off at ‘Sa ga jung’ station.





Monday, August 17, 2009

Haneul Park (Sky Park)

One Sunday morning, “EYES” gathered at Haneul Park at 9:30 in the morning.
Since it was quite early for people to visit here, only few people were there.
We could feel a refreshing mountain atmosphere.


As we waited for the other members to arrive, the sun came up and dried up all the morning dew.

Back in the history, Haneul Park used to be a beautiful island with orchids and it was called Nanjido. But, it was converted into a landfill in the middle of the rapid urbanization of Seoul in 1978. We could not hand down Nanjido, the mountain of garbage, to our descendents. Therefore, our efforts to regenerate Nanjido as an environment-friendly park have started. Haneul Park is one of the fruits from those efforts.



From here, the stairs to the sky starts. If you climb up all those stairs....

you will arrive at here!!! Just under the sky.


Haneul Park is located in the hightest place within World Cup Park.





There are many boards of this kind. It has questions and answers that regards information about this park.
There is view point where you can look down Seoul’s great scenery such as Mt.Bukhan, Mt.Namsan and Han river.

(extraction and recycling of landfill gas) Methane gas generated from here is recycled as fuels for Seoul World Cup stadium and an apartment complex nearby Nanjido. Recycling of methane gas, the primary cause of the stench, has accomplished both the environmental improvement of Nanjido area and the substitution effect of energy source, and the recyled gas will be supplied for Sangam area and Digital Media City as well.



A vast grassland for a habitat of animals and plants was created by placing eulalia and cogongrass in its northern part and sunflowers and buckwheat in its southern part, and the, a natural ecosystem was finally established by setting over 30 thousand butterflies at large.

_________________________Information from: a brochure of World Cup Park.
Photos taken by: Lee Jae kyung
Editor: Park Soo jin

Bongeunsa

" EYES" gathered at Bongeunsa to make plans for our future volunteer work.

Despite the early summer season, our team got really sweat in the scorcher.

Du-ho walked under an umbrella, telling us "I don't want my skin get sunburned". He is a funny guy.^^

Any way, we finally arrived at Bongeunsa.

It was located in the noisy city. It seemed to be dwarfed by tall buildings around.

However, once we got inside, we could see that Bongeunsa was such a magnificent place.
The temple was much larger than we have expected. The first thing we could see was 'Jinyeomoon'.


The Four Devas painted on the door was very impressive.


We also visited 'BupWangRoo' where buddah stay.

Although I am a atheist, when I faced the Buddha I became solemn and silent with my hands pressed in prayer.


The three-story pagoda



For more information about Bongeunsa, visit.. http://www.bongeunsa.org/eng/tem/tem_1.asp !


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Samcheongdong gil(street)

Samcheong-dong...



I had thought Samcheong-dong was a hard place to tour alone at first,

however, you would spend a whole day taking pictures
when you go there with a camera.
Samcheong-dong has beautiful autumn views
The weather is good, so it would be a good place to have some tea,
feeling fresh breeze on your skin.
Samcheongdong is full of peculiar sign boards.
well.. you recognize that is a shoes shop at a glance.. aren't you?



So cute kittens..
Samcheongdol-gil was dyed yellow last autumn.
Look the tiny owl shaped museum sign board..
I recommend that traditional tea cafeteria " cha masinun ddeul"
,which means "tea time in front yard "
The garden is gorgeous with variegated flowers in full glory.The front glass makes me feel being open-minded.. tea was also good.

The cafe was crowded with tourists, so you could wait for a moment..

I-taewon

I-taewon is a popular spot for bargain shoppers and entertainment seekers.


It is largely responsible for Seoul's international reputation as a shopper's paradise.



The area's main street runs for more than a mile and is lined with stores and sidewalk stalls.



The boutiques sell hand made suits and dresses, leather and handbags, jewerly and fur coats at a fraction of the normal price.


There are also numerous antique shops and stores specializing in Korean art.


I-taewon is always bustling with activity. During the day shoppers and merchants crowd the side walks.

There is an abundance of fast food restarants, coffee shops and cafes that offer a wide selection of music including jazz and pop.


English is widely spoken and US dollars are welcome.


I was momentarily under the illusion that I was in a foreign country.



Going away for a change would be a great idea to escape from the routine. because, it is tourist's route.

Olympic Park

Welcome to the Seoul Olympic Park where there is full of the scent of flowers!












That's the symbol of the Olympic Park, the gate of peace, 'Pyeonghwa ui mun' in Korean.




The Olympic Park plaza is favorable place to in-line skaters because of its wide space.

It would be great if you worked out in the morning.


The color of yellow flowers which was reflected on the surface of water was very wonderful.

I kept going to see the 'Wangdda tree' behind the lake.



What a beautiful S shaped way. It looks peaceful and refresh!




Finally, I found the 'wangdda tree. 'Wangdda' means solitude in Korean.



The more summer comes, the more the color of trees becomes thick.

I feel like turning me on to the sky.
The Olympic Park accommodates the Olympic Velodrome, Weight lifting and Fencing Gym, tennis courts and an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool.


Another attraction in Olympic Park is the open air glass sculptures. The sculptures were donated by famous artists in celebration of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.


What about using 'Hodol-i' train ? that costs about 1.5 dollar round way.

Or you can also rent the bicycles for 4 and 6.