War Memorial Museum Korea

Personally, I hate war.
I feel war brings sadness, anger, frustration and suffering to affected people.
So, I was not really excited when suggestion was made to visit this museum just because it's free.
However, I tried to have an open mind and just follow the plan.

Once we entered huge museum compound, my first impression, it was peaceful.
Very large replica and symbolic of war was seen as we stepped in the main gate.
Softly played music of sad and patriotic sound was being aired in the outdoor compound can make a person to contemplate on so many things in this 20,000 square metres pleasant landscape.

Some visitors came in full suit, and some women in traditional Hanbok to gives respect.
Some old people, perhaps those experienced war was seen sitting at one of the many bench perhaps reminiscing old time.
A pleasant and peaceful place to take a stroll.

The famous two brother statue, symbolic between South and North Korea

As we went further inside, peaceful surrounding changed to excitement.
Previous war transportation, by this I mean aircrafts, a large ship in artificial waterfall, tanks, missile and other machinery was being displayed at the outdoor area.
They were huge and some, we can even go inside.
I even had to fight with small kids just to take some position for picture snapping worthy position.

The ship is interesting to visit to, as it's said to be the real ship that was involved in the war.
There's even 3D theatre where guest can understand story behind this ship.

In the middle, there is a main building built surrounded with artificial waterfall / pool.
Names of national heroes and soldiers killed in war were shown to show appreciation and respect.
War memorabilia, weapons, small transport and creative display is being shown in this large building.
What's strike my interest is Combat Experience Room where guest can experience combat situations right in the middle of battlefield and a 'mock' hall where figure replicas are being recreated on how people suffered during the war.

Indoor Display

Creative displayed in this war memorial would make anyone interested to visit. I am glad I visited this museum as it gives me sense of what Koreans have been through.

More Cherry Blossom

Our last cherry blossom in Yeouido was not successful.
It's been said that the festival will be prolonged for another week, so for those who wants to catch the festival, you may do so this week.

As for me, while it last, I am enjoying my cherry blossom moments along the street. It's everywhere : On my way to class, visiting my husband's office, nearby my house and etc.

It's simply stunning and I can't get enough of it.

Why must I be excited for this flowery tree?
It only blooms for a week and it's best during peak time.

Rows of beautiful cherry blossom trees line in pinkish snow white colours along the path.
It became more stunning when the wind blew, snow of petal will slowly fall which creates a romantic feeling.

Only some petals that fell.

Couldn't photograph heavier version.

2012 Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

Remember my post in 2011 for Yeouido Spring Flower festival?
This year, we went again on last Saturday.
Since we knew several things - whatnot to bring, we packed our picnic food and gear for this year festival.

As we reached there, not all flowers have bloom yet, how disappointed I was. However, this is the only weekend day that we are able to attend as it might fully bloom this Tuesday. Sure, there are few countable trees that bloomed, but it was not as picturesque as last year. However, streets performance and great weather made up for it. Although the weather is colder than previous year but we still had fun watching performance and took pictures.

One of few that blooms :-

When it does, people surround it to take pictures

Street performance that made up the festival :-

After much walking, we chose a picnic spot overlooking Han river.
View is simply stunning.

Hubby cooked picnic food

Yes to Kimbap

I've just finished watching Korean Drama "I'm sorry I love you" (I know I'm too late).
I want to write about the food part,where his twin seller sells by the roadside called Kimbap.

Kimbap is everywhere in Korea. You can find those at public area and most common Korean restaurant.
It's simple and easy to eat, as it's portable friendly - Some even brought along for picnic and even hiking.

For me, Kimbap taste like Japanese Futomaki without wasabi or soy sauce.
It's self contained of Korean rice and fillings wrapped in a large sheet of seaweed.
Sometime, it looks like lemang with fillings.

I've been trying to taste the Kimbap all these while.
The only and major problem that I face is that it comes with ham, at least.
Although there are variety of filling choices, sometime, some Korean doesn't understand ham is part of meat, even when I requested for vegetable Kimbap (yachae).

To cut short, yesterday as I was walking around in a large underground mall station, by the walk-way, there's this ajumma was preparing fresh kimbap in a clear window.

I see no meat at all at her station, observing each ingredients like a weird person.
I peeked and waited long enough in front of her and see what she's doing.
To be certain I wanted to ask her.

Ajumma : Ne..? (Yes?)

While showing at one pickle vegetable
Me : Muoyeyo? (What is this?)

Ajumma ignored me
After some few second

Me : Ajumma, Muoyeyo? (What is this?) 
Ajumma : Hangukmal? (Speak Korean?)
Me : Aniyo, yongo (No, English)

She sighed and shake her head to show no grumpily.
I plan to be determine this time.

Me : Ajumma, gogi issoyo? (Is there meat?)

Ajumma shakes her head grumpily then continue to ignore me.

Me : Ajumma, hange. (Aunty, one.)
Gogi obsoyo, Ham obsoyo. (No meat, no ham)

Then finally, she looked at me.

Ajumma : Hana? (Only one?)
Me : Olmayeyo? (How much?)
Ajumma : Twenty thousand won. - In english

At this time, i was suprised, USD 20 for a single long piece?
I nodded to proceed, just because I wanted it badly
When I wanted to pay, it is actually two thousand won = USD 2.
Funny as it seems, as I'm still not good in Korean language;
I finally consume happily my first ever Kimbap.

Bongeunsa Temple

Tucked in the middle of modern high rise building in Gangnam, this temple shows perfect illustration of Seoul modern meet traditional old world. Once we entered the temple surrounding, noises from hustling and bustling city were replaced by peaceful sound of bamboo and occasional wind bell chime.

Breathtaking

Inside this large temple ground, there are several smaller temple scattered. Each temple still serves its function as we saw prayers praying and chanting. Few monks were discovered walking around humbly.

We may not be an expert, somehow we spotted beautiful typical woodblock flower carving of traditional Korean architecture in most of the buildings within this hilly temple area. When we wander deeper, we saw stacked of stones arranged in triangle-like designs made by believers along the pathway.

What's interesting, this temple even offer few hours to days of temple stay program for anyone who wants to experience the traditional life of Buddhist monk.

Monk

Stack of stones

Large statue

Wandering in this area alone gave us peaceful retreat.

An oasis right in the middle of city centre, contradictory as it is.

National Museum Of Korea

Yesterday was crazy, it snowed with strong wind when the season is supposed to Spring soon, I tell you.
Our plan to do some romantic and sight seeing by cycling near Hangang river was cancelled and instead, we went to National Museum of Korea.

Postcard View Entrance

For culture and history enthusiast, this is a must visit to see top Korea's national treasure.
This modern and huge 3-storey glass building that can withstand 6.0 Richter scale earthquake would impress architecture aficionado. Inside, clean and sleek marble tiles creates sophisticated atmosphere which is hard to feel when visiting on weekend as to enter the museum is for free.

First floor is full of main history treasure, second floor is filled with donations treasure and third floor holds fine arts sculpture and other Asian treasures. A museum for all, there's even kids museum section inside this building.

Some must see treasures :

Ten Storey Pagoda

Pensive Boddhisatva

For nature lover, check out museum's park which has beautiful pond and Great Bell of Bosingak treasure for picturesque view.

Free Korean Class In Seoul

For those aware, I've delayed my Korean class for about a year, as I've been travelling to Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia. My previous Korean class in one of the university have been halted, and since now I'm back, I want to find some free classes to buck up back my Korean, and also somewhere nearer to my place.

Here are my list with link near Seoul area:-

Global Village (Please note each global village have different intake date and time)
- Seoul Global Center
- Itaewon Global Village
- Ichon Global Village
- Yeoksam Global Village
- Yeongdeungpo Global Village
- Yeonnam Global Village
- Seongbuk Global Village
- Seorae Global Village

Others
Kongbubang
Korean Foundation Cultural Center

As for me, I've been accepted to 1b level aka 1st beginner level.
Sigh, I'll never be good with language... Hwaiting!