Yeosu

A few weeks back, Denis & I had the chance to visit some friends in Yeosu. Our hosts, Kristy & Amanda, gave us a quick tour of a small portion of Yeosu. We then made it over to Dolsan Island to capture the photos below.

Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) is considered one of the first (if not the first) ironclad warships in the world. The dragon's head was used for a multitude of purposes. It not only emitted fumes as a smokescreen, but it had a gunport to fire cannons and could be used to ram the sides of warships. This particular ship was rebuilt according to historical findings.

Check out the spiked armor covering the top of this ship. That could be a deterrent to jumping aboard. Admiral Lee Soon-Shin replica in the forefront.
Dolsan Bridge

Dolsan Bridge seen from the top of this island park.

Dolsan Island monument of some sort.

City of Jinju

Months ago, I visited a friend in the town of Jinju. Once again, I didn't have a digital camera. Since my initial visit, I've had the chance to take a couple photos that you'll see first. The other pictures have been "found".

Jinju Fortress Gate picture from www.redbrick.dcu.ie/ ~melmoth/RTW/korea.html

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival.

Here's my attempt at capturing the floats or "lanterns".

Nightime view of the Namgang Lantern Festival. As history books tell, the Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion) of 1592 was a suffering period for Korea. It was during this time that General Kim Si-Min floated lamplights & torches down the river to send military signals to loyal troops & other support forces outside the castle. These lanterns were used for various communication purposes. Soldiers inside the castle were even able to use the lantern as a means of expressing their safety to their families. Thank you for this picture www.biznetkorea.co.kr.

This picture is overlooking the Namgang River toward the Jinjuseong Castle. Photo compliments of www.newsworld.co.kr/ cont/0503/70.htm.

Wolchulsan National Park

Like the DMZ, I made this trip months ago. This pictorial pseudo-blog is really becoming my diary of sorts. So, I decided to "borrow" some additional pictures for this posting. My appreciation is extended to home.no.net/mariannh/ Korea/korea.html for the first two photos & http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~melmoth/RTW/korea.html for the later two.

I was unable to gather any additional pictures of Wolchulsan. It's unfortunate, because it was a very beautiful park.

This bridge was narrow as you can see here. My friend Adrienne & I ended up crossing this a couple times on a crowded day.

While Wolchulsan National Park is the smallest park in S. Korea, it quickly rises above the fields below. It took about 8 hours to hike from one end to the other.

Fairly impressive suspension bridge.

This canyon floor is much lower than pictured here!

DMZ- Demilitarization Zone Near Seoul

The DMZ is a strip of land that stretches across the Korean Peninsula. It serves as a buffer zone between North Korea & South Korea. Technically, these two countries are still at war.

I do have some pictures of me at the DMZ, but none are digital. I've had to borrow these pictures, but kindly provide the credit to http://debrisson.free.fr/dmz3.html for the next two pictures. The last three pictures have been borrowed from http://members.iinet.net.au/~dehere/archives/00000035.html, & I greatly thank them all. As you leave Seoul, these outposts appear more frequently. Long-range artillery are also seen on the southern side of the DMZ.

A series of tunnels from N. Korea were discovered leading under the DMZ. I believe four have been discoverd, the last being found in 1990. Each one has been blown through granite & all lead to S. Korea. When the first tunnel was discovered, it had electricity, railways and paths for vehicles. While difficult to see, this ride on tracks takes you deep into the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Yes, you're required to wear helmets & need them for the low ceiling! When you're inside the tunnel, it provides you an idea of what it has taken to create these.

This is Dorasan Train Station next to the DMZ. It may have opened since I've visited, for a strict trial run to N. Korea. These guards are positioned for picture taking & most of us tourists line up for a photo. Yes, I have the physical picture in my room.

Pictures can only be taken from behind a line not shown here. However, these pay scopes allow you to peak at N. Korea.

The town of Panmunjom is shown here in the distance. Other than this town, the DMZ is devoid of humans and their machinery. I should mention there is still a large number of landmines that exist in the Demilitarization Zone.

Jogyesan Provincial Park & Songgwangsa Temple

I give many thanks to Marian Goodenough for introducing me to Kristy, our fearless tour guide through this park. Denis & I met up with Kristy & her friend, Amanda, for a beautiful hike near Suncheon. We were all lucky to capture many of the leaves still changing colors.

I've done nothing to alter the color in this photo. In fact, I have yet to do so on any picture. I only hope you enjoy all my pictures in their raw form.

Isn't that a darn good smile?

Kristy, Amanda, & Denis provide a friendly welcome on the paved beginning of Jogyesan Provincial Park.

A pathway to Songgwangsa over leaf covered water.

One of the many Songgwangsa shrines.

This cabbage patch will most likely be used for Kimchi.

A smaller temple hidden much higher than Songgwangsa.

Work Halloween Party

Halloween isn't celebrated as a Korean holiday, but each year our school throws a big party for the students. We prepared all week setting up for the fiesta!

The best decorated room went to Amanda & I. Although, I am partial to black lights & was the only one that voted.

Amanda, Taunya, & I take a break on the roof before the students go Halloween crazy. I suppose we're all in character here. Isn't Amanda's hair downright sexy!?!?

I'm guessing at one time, you have all played this game. It was pretty fun to watch them get so excited over the many games.

Taunya in control of telling their fortune. She was incredible!

Amanda & I get the opportunity to display our costumes.

Walking home in my "jail bird" outfit produced some looks on the streets of Busan. I guess I'm still in character next to the stairs of the subway.

Janggu- Traditional Korean Drum

Once again, this Buddhist organization is incredibly kind to teach us about traditional Korean culture.

I'm studying intensely in order to rip it up when the drum lessons are completed. I believe the bright glare in the background could be coming from my freshly shaved hair style.

After we showed the instructors what we were capable of, they performed a small show for us.

We then had the opportunity to see a traditional Korean dance. While it was a beautiful performance, she briefly mentioned that the grass was difficult to dance upon. I have yet to expericence it, but was informed it's presented more gracefully on a smooth floor. It could then be choreographed with an eloquence as the dance is meant to be.

This day happened to be the temple's annual dedication to when the it was built. Throughout the weekend, they were offering many different activities to do. At this table, we all took a good swing at the rice cake mound. We pounded the rice cake until it was the right consistency for shaping & eating.

Free food for all!


Friendly Koreans we met at Hongbeopsa. Doesn't it look as though I'm some random guy who just jumped into the pic?