[Korea] Busan Familiarity Tour 2012

Thanks to Korea Brand Communicator (by Presidential Council of Nation Branding) and Busan Convention & Visitors Bureau for sponsoring the Busan Familiarity Tour which was on July 2-4, 2012. 

On the first day , we went to Nampodong. We visited the BIFF (Busan International Film Festival - changed to PIFF) in Nampodong, the new location for PIFF is the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City. Then we found the Patbingsu Alley, which is a unique place and lifestyle of Busan. 

We continued to Bosu-dong Book Alley, where I wanted to visit long time ago. The book alley has long history even before the Korean war. 

View of the Book Alley in Bosu-dong.

Next to the book alley, we could see mural painting on the way in the village.

Mural painting on one of the house in the village.

Mural painting on one of house wall and the scenery behind.

 Next destination on that day was Busan Tower. Even I have visited the tower many times, I always amazed with the scenery of Busan I could see from the tower. You can see mountain, building, bridge, sea...and get the image of Busan city.

Busan city from Busan Tower

Next on our list was Taejongdae and Yeongdo Deungdae Visit by boat. Many seagulls were following our boat while we were on the boat to Taejeongdae lighthouse. What an experience!

Jagalchi Market was also on the list and we went there for dinner. The market was very happening and people were friendly to us. One of the seller showed us how to cut and slice the fish. He even gave us bonus!

Fish seller at Jagalchi Market

The first day was perfectly done by experiencing Busan Night Tour. We went up to Hwangnyeonsan Mountain to see the breathtaking nigt scenery of Busan. I never know that place before and it was an awesome place to have a glance of Busan at Night. Another place for Busan Night tour was Haeundae Marine City. Haeundae beach looked geourgeous, didn't it?

Geourgeous Haeundae

On second day of tour we were guided to see Nurimaru, BEXCO (with its new auditorium and the new building), Busan Cinema Center, Shinsegae Department Store, Yacht Tour, UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea, and Haedongyeonggungsa Temple.

Busan Cinema Center is a place I like to visit again. The cinema was designed elegantly, as you can see in the picture below. I would love to try watching movie in the cinema.

One of the cinema in Busan Cinema Center

Ice skating ring in Shinsegae Department Store

Last day tour was done by having cultural experiences in Gijang Culture and Etiquette School (Hanbok experience and learning Samulnori), making makgeolli in Geumjeongsansong and meeting with Vice Major of Busan City.

My most unforgettable experience on the tour was the yacht tour. My first time to be on a yacht and touring to see the beautiful view of Haeundae and Gwangalli from the sea. We were served with snacks, fruits, bread, wine, and also BBQ! I did fishing, too.

The yacht experience program is offered to public and private charter program. It can be used or small-sized conventions such as meeting, presentation or even wedding proposal! Uh-hm...sound interesting? Come and enjoy it, only in Busan!

Me, enjoying yacht tour with Haeundae as the background ^^

[Korea] Yeosu Expo 2012 - Atlantic Ocean Joint Pavilion (West)

My second visit to joint pavilion is to Atlantic Ocean Joint Pavilion, the west pavilion. It has another one, the east pavilion. Each pavilion has 15 countries participated in the exhibition. 

The West pavilion consists of Tajikistan, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Commonwealth of Dominica, Armenia, Guyana, Suriname, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Paraguay, Guatemala and Colombia. That's a lot, right! I learnt about some new countries I haven't heard before.

I love how the pavilion was designed. Each country booth presented their country info and details. It exhibit tales of the Atlantic Ocean so clearly and lively. Each participating country's booth features their culture, too. You can see dolls, traditional costumes, art and crafts, accessories, and many more. 

One that I really like is the culture of Paraguay, which is a combination of culture of colonial Spanish and indigenous Guarani,  as shown in the fabric of embroidered lace Nanduti. It usually has geometrical patterns and shows the high skill of craftsmanship. 

Big size of Nanduti is exhibited on the ceiling. When the guide asked us to look up, all of us were amazed!

Nicaragua coffee and volcano stone from Commonwealth of Dominica

The culture shops in this pavilion are located in the area just before the exit of the pavilion. They offer awesome stuffs such as scarf, bag, accessories, hat or even musical instruments. Check it out. 

 The lady on the picture was making earrings from colorful stones. I couldn't stand looking at those gorgeous color of stones in the form of accessories...:) They are pretty.

Joint pavilion was a very happening place to visit. Make sure you see it on your visit to Expo!

PS. Don't forget to stamp your Expo Passport. Commonwealth of Dominica stamp is cute with the whale and palm trees, while Suriname stamp is cute with the tortoise. But I love Panama stamp the most!

[Korea] Yeosu Expo 2012 - Indian Ocean Joint Pavilion

There are lots of international pavilions to visit at the Expo 2012. I just walked where my feet lead me to find any pavilion to visit. Certain countries had long queue on the entrance door. It might be because of many people wanted to see certain attractions offered in the pavilions, or because the countries are big and famous ones, or because of the exhibition systems in the pavilions divided into rooms with limited number of visitors in each time. 

I then quickly decided to visit the joint-pavilion after visiting some individual country's pavilions. There are four joint-pavilions in the Expo:
1. Atlantic Ocean Joint Pavilion - West
2. Atlantic Ocean Joint Pavilion - East
3. Indian Ocean Joint Pavilion
4. Pacific Ocean Joint Pavilion

My first visit is to Indian Ocean Joint Pavilion. As you can see on the picture above, it consists of Nepal, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Yemen, Uganda, Sudan, Eritrea, Maldives, Kenya and Seychelles.
Any country name that is new for you?

The Indian Ocean Joint Pavilion

The Culture Shops in the Pavilion

 I found that even though the pavilion consists of many countries and their exhibition booths are not that big as the individual country pavilion, the atmosphere in the pavilion is so vivid and enthusiastic. Besides the main theme of the exhibition, you can easily find culture shops in almost every booth, selling their traditional art and crafts to visitors.

Hand-painting

I found a long line of kids waiting for having heena hand-painting cost about 2,000 won. They looked so proud of their hand-painted.

Visitor was trying a bracelet [left] and two men were sitting on traditional chairs [right]

Stamp Corner

Oh, before I forget, the most interesting thing in this pavilion was the countries stamps for my Expo Passport. Since it has many countries in a pavilion, you can find each country's stamps in the corner of each country's booth, and they have different and unique stamps for each country! 


I was happy...and satisfied :)

[Korea] Yeosu Expo 2012 - 10 Tips for You!

After visiting Yeosu Expo 2012 for two days, I tried to evaluate my journey and thought about what people should prepare or do in Yeosu Expo. I wrote down the list based on my experience and opinion hoping that you can read it before you come to Yeosu for a better trip :)

1. Prepare your transportation to and from Yeosu. 
Many people make their trip to Yeosu Expo and you should plan how to go to Yeosu and how to go from there. Whether you want to use train, bus, flight or ferry to and from Yeosu, you better purchase your tickets long before the visit date to secure seats for you, especially if you go in groups.

The Expo Gate near KTX Station 

I almost didn't get a KTX ticket from Seoul to Yeosu because all tickets were sold out. I almost had to took Mugunghwa Train which would took longer journey than KTX and had to wake up too early to board the train. Luckily, our tour guide managed to get one for me :)

More info: Transportation



2. Get yourself a map of Yeosu Expo
The expo area is huge! In order to be able to plan your visit to the Expo, I suggest you have an Expo map or brochure with you. You can see the overall pavilions and decide which one you want to see. The map will also help you to find direction to your next destination. Map is available at the Information Desk of the Expo.


More info: Expo Map

Expo Map

International Pavilion Map

3. Long queue for Lunch or Dinner?
There are many restaurants in the Expo but the queue can be very long on lunch or dinner time. I saw some people brought their own meal and had their lunch on the bench. It would save them time to see more exhibition. So, the choices are: 1) try avoid lunch or dinner time if you don't want to wait for a long time, 2) take-away food (ex. hot-dog, burgers), 3) bring your own meal, 4) join the queue ^^

More info: Restaurant

Queue at restaurant

4. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes!
It is summer and it can be hot all day long or rainy whole day, so being casual will be more comfortable and make sure you wear your comfortable shoes because you may walk a lot on the Expo.

5. Weather forecast:  rainy day or sunny day?
I would suggest you to check the weather forecast one day before you go to Expo to know whether it will be hot day or rainy day. Then be prepared with umbrella or raincoat if it is rain, or sunglasses and hat if it is hot. However, Thea and Anna checked the forecast before we went to Expo, it was supposed to be no rain, but it was raining all day long. Anyway, you can buy umbrella, raincoat or hat in the stores in Expo depends on your needs.

Expo on rainy day

6. Bring your children to Expo?
I saw many family with children came to Expo. Expo provides many attractions, performances and exhibition which are good for children. However, for young children or babies, you may have to prepare baby carriage so that they can sleep or take a rest well enough while they are in the Expo.

7. Which pavilion to see?
You are offered with many options of pavilions range from International Pavilion, Corporate Pavilion, Aquarium, etc. If you want to see all of the pavilions, you may have to stay for few days in Yeosu. One day is just not enough. However, if you only come for one-day visit, I suggest you see the official website of Yeosu Expo to read the Expo Preview so you can decide which one you want to see.

More info: Expo Preview

Many interesting pavilions to see

8. Main performances not to be missed out.
As you click the link below for Cultural and Art Events, you will find many performances to see. Big-O Show is the main performance in the Expo but I missed it out :( Make sure you see the show! Also, every weekend, there are K-Pop performances for Expo Pop Festival.

More info: Cultural and Art Events

Expo Pop Festival - That was Rain on the stage!

9. Enjoy countries performances!
In International Pavilion, some countries offer  their traditional culture performances in the pavilion or outside their country pavilion building. Enjoy seeing the performances, and you will see the richness of world culture!

10. Buy yourself a Yeosu Expo Passport.
When we entered the Expo gate, Suzy said that she wanted to buy an Expo passport at the souvenir shop and collect stamps from each pavilion. We bought the passports, too :) It turned to be a very exciting thing I had in Expo, which made me enthusiast to visit pavilions and look for their unique stamps. The passport is the record of pavilions I ever visited and my treasured souvenir.^^

Expo Passport and Stamp Corner

Hope you have a pleasant visit to Yeosu Expo 2012, as I did.

PS. If you have visited the Expo and have some more tips to add, please write comment below. It would help other visitors. Thank you :)
-Dita-

VALENTINE WINTER SNOW!

Busan adalah kota yang letaknya di bagian selatan Korea Selatan, jadi kalau musim dingin, beda sekali dengan Seoul, di Busan jarang sekali ada salju. Kalau pun turun salju, mungkin hanya satu atau dua kali, itupun juga sebentar saja. Tapi musim dingin yang lalu, yaitu awal tahun ini, di luar dugaan salju turun tepat pada hari Valentine! Ya, hari Valentine, 14 Februari 2011. Wow, jadinya ‘Valentine Winter Snow’!



Hari itu sebenarnya ada acara wisuda di kampus, malamnya kami ada janji makan malam bersama orang-orang Korea. Karena salju turun sedemikian dahsyat, bahkan kata teman Korea kami, ini paling dahsyat selama dia tinggal di Busan, lalu lintas berhenti total. Di jalan-jalan, mobil ditinggalkan begitu saja oleh pemiliknya karena jalanan terlalu licin. 



Dari dalam kamar kami melihat tumpukan salju menutupi jalan, mobil, pohon dan atap rumah. Ingin sekali keluar dan membuat bonek salju. Kapan lagi nih bisa buat boneka salju. Tapi Joshua masih kecil dan tidak bisa lama-lama berada di luar. Akhirnya kami balut Joshua dengan pakaian dan selimut yang tebal, keluar rumah, berfoto-foto, membuat boneka salju (pakai hiasan bando, pita, dan biji pala, hehe). Semua hanya dalam waktu 15 menit! Dingin sekali di luar. Benar-benar pengalaman yang tidak terlupakan.



Semoga winter kali ini, ada ‘White Christmas’ persis tanggal 25 Desember 2011.

[Korea] Shinsegae - Ice Skating Ring

Do you want to spend your time with family indoor? The Ice skating ring in Shinsegae Department Store in Busan can be one of your choices.

Shinsegae is a very big super mall, and in the mall you can find a nice ice skating ring, next to the shopping area and cozy food court. While your kids are enjoying skating, you can join them also or waiting in the food court while keeping an eye to your family.

Shinsegae Centum City is a wildly popular attraction in Busan that is home to an excellent indoor ice rink with a capacity of 500 visitors. This state-of-the-art ice rink is operated under natural light during the day and under spectacular, romantic lighting at night. The ice rink is a great place for visitors of all ages and has a variety of facilities for the comfort of its guests. Those needing a break from skating can head on up to Food Park or Snack Corner to look out over the ice and munch on food from around the world. Other facilities at the rink include the Culture Hall, customer lounges, and customer service center. (www.visitkorea.or.kr)

Operating Hours

10:30 - 22:00 (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday-Sunday) 10:30 - 20:00 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Are you ready to skate?

Some pictures were taken from visitkorea.or.kr

[Korea] Monet to Warhol - Busan Modern Museum of Art

Monet to Warhol Exhibition 

(Materpieces from the Saint-Etienne Museum of Modern Art)

is still open till 11 December, 2011.

Place: Busan Museum of Modern Art, Haeundae

Entrance fee: 11,000 won

I couldn't take pictures inside the exhibition, though. Before you enter the entrance gate at 3rd floor, the exhibitor offers you audio device so you can hear the explanations about certain artworks with audio sign next to the artworks.

I saw a guide accompanied and explained a group of pregnant mothers touring through the exhibition halls. I guess guide is available for group visitor, but you better check it first if you would like to do so. 

  

The exhibition was divided into 4 big exhibition rooms and 2 small ones.

The rooms & themes were divided into :

1. Modernism / Avant Garde / Informal

2. Pop Art / Nouveau Realism

3. Minimalism / Arte Povera

4. Contemporary

Artworks: 

A total of 112 works of arts by Monet, Picasso, Joan Miro, Fernand Leger, Jean Dubuffet,

Gilbert and George, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, Stellar, Lichtenstein, Yves Klein, Yves Tanguy,

and so on.

Apparently, looking at the poster below, it has an education program by directly making arts projects, too. For more information, visit the website below:

http://www.busanmoma.org/main/

[Korea] Busan Museum of Modern Art

I had been waited for a long time for a visit to Busan Museum of Modern Art. I have visited many places near the museum such as Shinsegae (based on Guiness book of world records in 2009, it is the world largest department store), Bexco, Olympic Sports Center, Busan e-FM office, etc but not this museum.

There is an exhibition going on in this museum and it made me wanted to pay a visit this time. It is 'Monet to Warhol' art exhibition. One day I saw an announcement in the University Arts Department bulletin board. It was mentioned that whoever wants to go to the exhibition can apply to the assistant. 

I applied and found that my Prof would go there with us. Visiting the museum is free but to see the sppecial exhibition, the ticket fee is 11,000 won. I got a free ticket from Prof! Thanks a lot, Prof. Finally, I can visit the museum and visit the exhibition, too!

I really like the arts shop in the museum. The shop really sells many artistic things. Look at the umbrella hanging in front of the shop. The designs are special ones, you would not find anything like this in another shop. The price is between 34,000 - 38,000 won.

Notebooks and sketch books with famous paintings as its covers. 

On the basement floor, we can find Kids Museum. There is a special program for kids where they learn to see and feel through hearing sounds. Confused? You have to visit the museum to have a real experience. 

Translation of the Korean words:

Hello!

My name is "Listening by eyes, Seeing by ears"

Even though you close your eyes, you can see through the 'sound'

Even though you close your ears, you can listen through the 'speaker and cable'

(Don't touch me!)

Race + Family Park? Is it a good one?

We went to a Race Park in Busan on my birthday. We went there not because of celebrating my birthday, but our church (Korea-Indonesia Church - Ebenhaezer) has a tradition for having sunday service outside to celebrate Indonesia Independence Day. The day the members decided to go was luckily my birthday, too. 

We had gone to Haeundae in the last two years consecutively. This year we wanted to go to another place, so we went to this place. I didn't realized that we would go to a race park because we were told the park name in Korea. I just didn't get it. 

After we arrived in the park, I remembered that some times ago, there was a field trip to this park after visiting Renault-Samsung Car Factory held by the language center where I studied. I didn't join the field trip on that day, but saw pictures from friends' facebook.

The park initially offers people horse race and you know what I mean with this race. You put your money and bet. If your choice wins the race, you will get money depends on how much money you use to bet. 

The park is designed nicely and facilitated with many attractions for family. It was summer time when we went there, so an additional big plastic swimming pool was installed there for kids to enjoy. You can also find water fountain, bicycle rental, convenient stores, gazebos, and many more! Beside that, you also can visit horse health center to learn more about horse. 

The park is extremely big and clean. The entrance fee is very very very affordable for such a good park like that. Moreover, you don't need to pay for using any attractions, bicycles, tricycles, etc inside the park. I thought that it will attract many people come to the park. Operating such a big race park where many people come to play and bet, the operator will get many revenue and won't be bankrupt for giving free bicycle rental or other free facilities. 

It was Sunday when we came to the park. Therefore, there were many people came. Some people went to bet and see races, some others were having family time with their loved ones. It was obvious to see that while parents were busy betting on race, children  were playing in the park. 

San and I were sad to see it. 

We don't agree on the activities of racing and betting, but we love the park. Combining race park and family park in one place is really not a good idea for us. Children learn from their parents. Even if parents don't teach them to love gambling, bringing children to the park while parents gamble will let children learn by seeing what their parents do. They will grow up with the thought that gambling is fine, nothing wrong with it. They learn from what they see, and it is so dangerous!

As what I said above, we love the park. Joshua saw many kids were riding bicycles and I wanted to let him try. We rented a small size bicycle, still a bit too big for him though. He was so excited riding his bicycle. He even didn't let me hold the steer, he wanted to hold it by himself! 

As you can see, he was still too small for the bike, his feet couldn't reach the pedal ^^

It is too bad that the family park is combined with the race park.
Anyway, it is my personal point of view.