Saturday, October 14, 2017

The Enchanting Jeju Island

A late post from vacation trip during May earlier this year.

Made it to Jeju Island which was a mix of excitement and disappointment. Disappointment was with, the very awesome waterfalls but yet unable to go near - only to be watched afar like a television. However, there are even more spectacle natural heritage of Jeju that will make you want to go back again!

Chilseonyeogyo @ Seven Nymphs Bridge  
Cheonjeyeon Waterfall
Cheonjeyeon Waterfall - this was so far, only seeing it as small as our palm 
Inspiration - how small humans are in the eyes of mother nature


My awesome travel partner :)
An attempt to get a self-portrait with long exposure :P 
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Seosokkak Sanctuary - The clear blue-green colors were amazing
The Grand Canyon!
Well.. of Jeju Island! The impressive natural heritage of Yongmeori Cliff did blow me away!
The essence of this trip... walking through this spetacular rock formation and admiring the natural artwork of nature

In hopes to be there again, attempting hiking up Ilchulbong and Hallasan! 

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Cherry Blossoms in South Korea~!

Talking about spring here, two things come into mind - Cherry Blossoms and Yellow Sand. Of course, the former is the desirable one, and the latter is the downside of the long-awaited season. Nevertheless, I am glad to have experienced some magnificent views of cherry blossoms... and yellow sand as well. LOL!

Cherry blossom festival is enjoyed by both locals and foreigners, so be ready to face squeezing in crowds with 99% of local people! Seriously they go nuts with what they have every year!

@Kyunghee University - one of the best sites for cherry blossom viewing in Seoul~
TIP: Come as early in the morning as possible, for after 10am the roads and everywhere would be crowded with groups of people and selfie sticks.





A canopy of cherry blossom tree
 @Seokchon lake - another popular site at Gangnam area, and so crazy crowded with people! You might mistaken them for going to demonstration but no, it was for flowers! With that, up-close shooting of the blossoms is almost the only choice here, and glad I did manage to catch some to satisfactory. :)




@Lotte Tower




@Jayu Park - last but not least, had a great snow-like cherry blossom view at Jayu Park in Incheon. No awesome shots here, but the experience was amazing~~ It really felt like snowfall ^^

Sakura Canopy~!

Next year, it would be more wonderful! :D

Adventures in Gyeonju

Been more than a year since my last post, and can't imagine the numerous changes that has occurred within this time! Probably one of the biggest changes in my life, for someone who is as homesick as me, I have decided to go abroad for studies. And yet to the popular-for-tourism but not-so-popular-for-studies country, South Korea.

And of course, another adventure of photography for me, yay! But reaching here, finding out that doing street photography is not very encouraging, really brings my mood down. >.< Smartphones here even have a un-disabled-able loud camera shutter sound whenever you take a photo! @_@ So, I am thankful to have one from my own country, although it is still uncomfortable trying to take street photos around, imagining you might be stared or scolded by an ahjuma or ahjussi nearby.

Anyhow, adventure is still adventure. My Nik is more for scenery shooting now. Last vacation, got the chance to visit the oldest and most historical location that we have been studying in our books for 3 semesters - Gyeongju! Loved the place honestly, a small town but with Buddhism culture and great historical sites and stretches of nature! Vow to return for discovery of the Namsan again!

@Cheonmachong Tomb - the signature of Korea, the Taeguk

@Bulguksa Temple - One of my favorite places. The aroma of Buddhism is awesome here. 

@Bulguksa Temple - the main Shrine in the temple

@Bulguksa Temple 

@Seokguram - UNESCO World Heritage Site with Bonjon statue of the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva statue is one of the best I have seen, with a generous smile and calming figure.

@Cheomseongdae Observatory - it is smaller than I imagined :P

@Anapji Pond - one of the highlights of the trip. Night view is awesome here, and the first time seeing many DSLR photographers flocked together (rarely finding serious phtography hobbyists here really)!

Coming up soon with more from Daehan Minguk!!