밤빛

I like to take a walk in Samcheong-dong at night for a reason; the light emanating from the shops along the street is alluring. The place never fails to impress me and that's why I keep going back whenever I'm in Seoul. However, there was one thing that constantly gave me headache - taking pictures of light at night. They are either overexposed or underexposed.

Bikes are part of shop frontage, not mean of transportation

The door is wide open to welcome you

Shoes under spotlight. Totally can't miss them.

I like the contrast of bright shop and dark street

The iconic building of Samcheong-dong

My attention was drawn from the street into the shop by the light.

추억쟁이

Visiting Kyunghee campus is a like a "pilgrimage" for me. Afterall, it's the place where most of my memories of Korea were made. Although many years have elapsed since I completed my study, my affection for the place has not waned. While the campus has not changed much, one of my 단골집 (frequently visited eating house) in Hoegi-dong has since changed hand. Feeling a sense of loss was inevitable but at least I could still have cheese 'galbi' rice as comfort.

Those familiar buildings, fountain and trees

Those stone lions, warm sunshine and spring spirit

A touch of Europe in one of the Hoegi-dong's alleys which I frequently used as shortcut

My favourite Omurice house has been taken over by Sulbing, sad.

The chicken steak house was under renovation. I couldn't have my favourite chicken steak set.

Fortunately, there was cheese "galbi" rice to relieve my nostalgia pang

제이드 가든의 봄

The cherry blossom season was over but I was not a bit disappointed. One flower doesn't make spring. You also cannot stop spring from coming by removing all the flowers.

My first destination in spring was Jade Garden, located five train stops before Chuncheon Station on the Gyeongchun line (경춘선). The train ride to Gulbongsan Station (굴봉산역) from Sangbong Station (상봉역) took about an hour. Sangbong Station is the main station in Seoul where you can change to the Gyeongchun line.

The Jade Garden's shuttle bus stop is located just outside Gulbongsan Station. Although there is a bus schedule but the operator is quite dynamic in their transport arrangement. So long as a queue builds up at the stop, the shuttle bus will operate outside its scheduled timing to move the crowd quickly. Private vehicles may also be activated to ferry visitors.

The shuttle bus ride took less than 10 minutes. After purchasing an entrance ticket for 8,500won, I was ready to explore the little "European garden" in the forest of Chuncheon. Jade Garden is not as big as the Garden of Morning Calm but is big enough to give you good workout. From the entrance to the end, you will move from low to high ground. Two hours are probably enough to have a good look of the garden.

The entrance of Jade Garden with its European-styled facade

I think the most beautiful part of the garden is the entrance area

Gardeners tending the lawn at the Italian Garden. It would be nice if the water fountains were working

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Moving on to higher ground. More and more greenery come into my view.

The freshness of spring is best felt by talking a walk in a garden

A reminder that cherry blossom season is all but over

The Water Garden

Cottage Garden - mid-point rest area. Drinks and snacks are sold at the little "cottage"

Waterfall Garden

Picnic in the garden

Exploring the Rhododendron Garden but the flowers were only starting to bloom

Moving on to higher and higher ground where air is much fresher and view better.

Classy daffodils lining the hill slope

Sunberry - snack and blue berry bar at Wedding Garden. The last rest place before turning back

Closed? It can't be, I need a ice-blended mocha. Sunlight was plentiful and I was perspiring despite the cool air

On the return route. Resting beside the water fountain in the Cottage Garden

Mid-noon sun beaming down strongly on a cloudless day

Posters of four not-so-recent dramas and movies which have used Jade Garden as filming site

On my way to exit the garden

How to get there?

To get to Jade Garden, take the Gyeongchun line train (above) from Sangbong to Gulbongsan Station and then take the Jade Garden's shuttle bus.

Gulbongsan Station, not a very busy station

Shuttle bus leaving Gulbongsan Station for Jade Garden

Shuttle Bus Operating Time. The 1st column shows the departure time from Jade Garden. The 2nd column, the departure time from Gulbongsan Station. Note: during weekday, bus does not depart at 12:45pm from the station. It will only depart at that timing during weekend and public holiday. Also important to note, the bus operating time will vary according to situation. 

빙수의 천국

The "bingsu culture" in Korea has made some good evolutionary changes in the last few years. It used to be red bean bingsu or yogurt bingsu, but these days there are much more choices to choose from. Flavours like injeolmi (인절미), chocolate, strawberry, mango, blueberry and cheesecake are making bingsu much more appealing than ever. However, bingsu indulgence doesn't come cheap, it's average price 10,000won. What I like about Korea's bingsu is they don't just look nice, I always got a sense of satisfaction after every round because of the generous amount of fruits chunks and cheesecake added. Some also comes with calorie-loaded goodness like ice cream or sherbet topping. Personally, bingsu by Cafe Droptop is top in my list and Sulbing is second. Also worth a mention is bingsu by Twosome Place, it comes with a slice of nice cheesecake and a free cup of americano.

자몽베리 빙수 Grapefruit Berry Cake (Twosome Place)

팥빙수 Red Bean Sherbet (Dal.komm Coffee)

베리베리 아이스탑 Very Berry Icetop (Cafe Droptop)

블루베리 치즈설빙 Blueberry Cheesecake (Sulbing)

프리미엄 망고코코설빙 Premium Mango Coco (Sulbing)

프리미엄 생딸기설빙 Premium Fresh Strawberry (Sulbing)

유쾌한 이별

When I came it was spring, when I left it's summer. While, it's not really summer yet but the weather was not quite different from it for the last one week. I lost count the number of times I visited Korea. What I intend to do during my stay changes over time. Compare to my earlier trips, I am no longer one who will wake up early in the morning and come back late at night just so that I could cover as many places as possible. These days, I slept to my heart's content and returned to accommodation early. Sightseeing is no longer important, living life is. I am quite satisfied just enjoying the cool weather during spring.

철쭉꽃 피는 오월

Rhododendrons are blooming. People are everywhere enjoying the gift of spring. How did I miss so much when studying in Korea?

It's a holiday today but the street demonstrators were not resting. I found myself caught inside the ring fence set up by the riot police around Anguk to obstruct the planned march to the Blue House. Caught in such situation, my advice is to stay calm and follow the locals to get out.

꿈꾸는 삶

Are you dreaming today?
Dream of being out at a garden during spring, surrounded by plentiful sunshine, beautiful flowers and vast greenery. You won't feel like going home.

우연한 만남

At Garosugil (가로수길) a Korean came up and asked about my camera. We ended up chatting for a while after he found out a foreigner was speaking Korean to him. It has been a long time since I spoke Korean. As usual, the same old questions pop up like how do you know how to speak Korean and what do you like about Korea. I discovered my answer on what I like about Korea changes from time to time. I probably don't know the answer, 그냥.

Another reason why you should visit Garosugil these days - Line Friends Cafe & Store

초여름

The day temperature at Daegu reached 27 degrees today, it is expected to hit 30 tomorrow. Daegu is living up to its reputation as the warmest city in Korea.

Clear blue sky and a lot of sunshine today

해가 떴다

The sun rises as usual today like any other day but the difference is I witnessed it. How many beautiful things slipped past us while we are busy working to put food on table. The sun has risen, look like it's going to be a sunny day. What is the little change you are going to make today?