My magpie gene – the uncontrollable weakness to stare at or buy all things bright, shiny and sparkling – was temporarily satiated by the 8th Seoul Fireworks Festival held last night. Yeouido Island was the ideal location. Despite the crowds (this is Seoul we’re talking about after…
While on holiday on Jeju Island, I couldn’t resist the chance to visit Udo Island for a day trip. This smaller island is named after its shape (it resembles a sleeping cow) and is located on the east coast of Jeju, only a 15-minute ferry ride away, which only cost KRW…
The ‘Island of the gods’ is an appropriate name for Jeju – the largest island located off the southern tip of South Korea. The island is mostly made up of fertile igneous rock, which came about from a volcanic eruption. The subtropical climate cultivates luscious vegetation…
This is post is about the second two of our roadtrip to Gyeongju, here is Gyeongju: The Gorgeous (Part 1). On Sunday morning we rented bicycles so as to explore the city at our leisure. Our first stop was Tumuli Park where we explored the…
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty in Korea for over one thousand years (57 BC – 935 AD). It’s not surprising that it’s called the ‘museum without walls’ as it houses a wealth of ancient artifacts and natural treasures. It is one of the…
For over two hours we watched as gleeful faces, young and old, walked by waving brightly lit lanterns and twirling to the beat of Korean drums. The intricately decorated lantern floats, which were illuminated from within, came in a variety of themes, shapes, colours and sizes.…
N Seoul Tower is the South Korean equivalent of the Eiffel Tower and possibly one of the most romantic place in Seoul by night. The rails of the viewing deck are clad in hundreds of multi-coloured padlocks, which are engraved with lovers’ inscriptions. So many have…
[This post was updated in February 2019] One of the first things you’ll learn about me can be summarised in this very simple mathematical equation: Me + butterflies = heaven! Let me explain: in Polish motyl means butterfly and my surname just so happens to be Motylska. So,…
Hadong is renowned for being the first tea plantation in South Korea. It remains popular among locals and tourists foreigners because it’s one of the few tea plantations where tea is still prepared by hand rather than mechanically. Hence the reason why Hadong’s green tea is…
Cheonggye Temple is quietly nestled on Cheonggye san (‘san’ meaning mountain in Korean), which is 618 metres high. The 20-minute walk up a fairly steep road runs parallel to a stream. Cheonggye mountain is blessed with beautiful geographical features and it was no surprise to see many visitors ascending…
Hwaseong Fortress enfolds Suwon CBD in its arms. The fortress extends 5.74 kilometres and encloses 1.3 square kilometres. It was built in the late eighteenth century to protect the capital of Gyeonggi Province, which is where Seoul is located. It took two and a half years or 700,000 man hours…
Bongeunsa Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple that was founded in 794AD by monk Yeon-hoe, who was the highest ranking monk of the Silla dynasty at the time. Nowadays, its location seems quite incongruous among the surrounding high-rise buildings of Gangnam, which tower above it. It is directly opposite COEX Mall…
I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace so many times during my two years in South Korea that I’ve lost county. Yet each visit brought with it some new insight into Korean culture and its proud people. The palace is synonymous with Seoul and arguably South Korea; it’s…