Shattered

Parked

Faces and Paces

Last Step

Can you spot the rainbow?

Buddha Land

More pictures from the Bulguk-sa Temple, home to seven South Korean national treasures.

UNESCO world heritage site

Ancient Doorknob

National Treasure #23

Walking around the Bulguk-sa Temple compound in Gyeongju city, I noticed some bushes with interestingly shaped leaves. They reminded me of a certain herb so I set about taking some shots. The Indonesian delegate who happened to walk past said, "Apa lagi di gambar ni, masa di Bruney ngga ada daunan sih?" (loosely translated - "What are you taking pictures of now? Don't they have leaves in Brunei?") I don't know about you but I found that rather funny.

What do they remind you of?

Through the treasured stairs

Come Rain or Shine

When I took this pic I was reminded of that guy who kept posting up pics of ladies with umbrellas hehe Did you know parasols are different from umbrellas such that parasols are meant to protect from the sun whereas umbrellas are to protect from the rain? I've noticed that we in Brunei, although we have 2 seasons - rainy and rainier - hardly use or buy umbrellas. Most just decide to divert and visit establishments with basement parking when it starts to rain, and if they really have to, choose to use free umbrellas and help advertise their bank/car/insurance agent. I for one dislike using brollies especially the small collapsible types as I've experienced that satellite effect one time too many.

Korean Parasols

Gyeong Ju Sit-tee

What is this you may ask.

A miniature valley of some sort?

Public Toilets?

Those humps, ladies and gents, are tombs or burial mounds found in Tumuli Park in the city of Gyeong-ju, capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom. Located in the south eastern corner of South Korea, it took us a long and tiring 6 hours, with washroom stops, to get there by road. The tombs are assumed to be those of kings and court officials and this particular one belongs to King Michu.

Beautiful greenery

If you could stomach the long ride there but tombs aren't your cup of tea, do visit anyway as the sights and scenes are spectacular. The tree lined paths and beautiful grassy mounds make gorgeous photos.

Trees grown in paths or paths built around trees?

Sulloc Cha

Did you know that Green tea has been used as traditional medicine in areas such as India, China, Japan and Thailand for over 5000 years? It is said that drinking green tea can have positive effects on the five vital organs, especially the heart. This includes easing the effects of alcohol, curing blotchiness, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function.

Fields of Green

Green Tea

Black Rocks

Located south of the island, the Jeju Jusangjeoli is one of nature's many wonders. The hexagonal seaside rocks were formed by volcanic magma that have been exposed and eroded by the ocean, waves, and wind over time. As you can see, it appears as if someone stacked a pile of hexagonal crystals on the seashore. It was really windy day when we visited so the waves looked really spectacular as they hit the rocks.

Land Dolphins

Care for a swim?

Piled Hexagons

Waves

Seven Nymphs

The Seonimgyo Bridge is a red arch bridge on Jeju Island looking over Cheonjeyeon Waterfall. The bridge has seven nymphs carved on both sides, symbolizing the Korean legend of the descent of seven beautiful nymphs from heaven at night. The Seonimgyo Bridge has 100 guard rails and 34 stone lanterns which light up at night.

Red & White

Peaceful Falls

Lonely Creek

Drama Set

The following photos were taken at the Seopjikoji, a southern district in Jeju Island, Korea. The Seopjikoji is home to the "All In House" which is Korea's first drama memorial hall dedicated to the Korean drama "All In". The church-like architecture is a perfect example of the "devil in disguise" as it actually houses a casino where visitors can play against a casino dealer, and those who collect twenty chips win a special souvenir. FYI, we only took pictures and didn't visit the casino :P

Very Foggy Day, can hardly see the lighthouse

Rocks

Church

Casino

Jeju Folk Village

Here are a couple of shots taken at the Jeju Folk Village. Did you know that traditionally, the people in the village raised black skinned pigs and kept them under their "toilet" to feed on human waste?

The Toilet Cleaner

Water Collection

Mode of transportation

Famous for 3 things

We spent the weekend in Jeju, an island located south of Korea. It was a tiring but satisfying weekend full of photo ops. Did you know that unlike the rest of Korea, Jeju has a milder, tropical climate and is covered with lush greenery? The island is also famous as a location for shooting Korean dramas and has received many many visitors, including Japanese tourists, for that reason alone.

One of Jeju's Guardians

Green

Stingy

Did you know that Samsung paid their designers USD 6 million to design their blue logo? I could've designed that for much less!

Samsung fm

Splash of Colours

Wish You Were Here

Hold My Hand
And Take A Walk With Me

Yin & Yang

Did you know that the Korean Flag is called the Taegeukgi, and the centre of the flag is called the taegeuk, whereby the red portion signifies yang, or heaven and blue signifies yin, or earth?

Flying in the wind