Naesosa temple

Well, I got back a few hours ago from the temple stay at Naesosa temple, Byeonsan Peninsula National Park in Jeollabuk-do. It wasn't quite what I expected but the hiking we did was absolutely amazing. The meditation in the morning, the sound of the cicada bugs calling out all around, wow... incredible. Here are some pictures and a video.

This is the link to the video where you can hear all the sounds of the forest:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2530181671

This is at a beach before reaching the temple. We walked around a bit, it was very nice and hot.

Here I am, hiking I had to take the top of the uniform off because it was so hot and humid that I couldn't do it anymore. The scenery here was phenomenal!

Me, Jody and DM posing and taking more picture.

In the forest. The hiking trail was so well managed and organized. It was really a pleasure to hike it.

Canada day party in Seoul

Even though it was rainy, the food was good, the beer was cheap ($2.5 per Moosehead bottle) and the company was great.


And here the party begins.


Nice pose :)


Raffle tickets for Air Canada flight to Vancouver.

Some Canadians got in the true spirit of the event.


Tug of war, East vs. West

And here starts the mud fun.

Rafting and Bungee jumping with Adventure Korea

Well, here's a super trip, rafting in a not so wild river, but still very beautiful. The highlight of the trip was the bungee jumping... wow, amazing experience. Enjoy the pictures.

The rafting group.

Warm up

Our boat.

Raft train :)

Taking a break on one of the beaches.

Swimming, body rafting, horsing around :)

Raft sliding, wheeeeeee :)

Bungee bridge, 54 meters high.

The jumpers.

Nervous smile before the plunge.

Can you see me kicking my legs, waving my arms, if this were a video you could hear me screaming at the top of my deep voice... hahahaha, oh what a site.

Oi bar in Hang-ik

Well, this was an absolutely amazing bar, I will update the information later, I just want to put some pictures up here.

This is the entrance. It all looks like a white cave.

The bar and then these weird things on the floor where you can sit. Also, to the far side are some stairs where people were sitting and watching the dancers.

There were a bunch of these little cubicles where you could sit with friends and just relax.

That's me, oh it's such a Korean pose :P.

Lantern Festival (May 20)

After a loooong break from blogging, here we go again :)
So, on Sunday was the Lotus Lantern Festival, which is a celebration leading up to May 24th, which is Buddhas Birthday (National Holiday yaaaay). On Sunday during the day in Insadong there are booths everywhere with Buddhist nicknacks, paintings, lantern making, clothes, >jewelry, information, workshops and a whole bunch of other things. In the evening when it starts to get darker, a bit further there is a parade as well. There were huge floats with Buddha lanterns, elephants, lotus flowers and many depictions of moments in Buddhas life. It was huuuge and very beautiful. Here are some pictures from there :)


I made this, isn't it beautiful??


These monks were chanting and had a very interesting dance.


Beautiful colourful Buddhist painting.


A bunch of kids were skipping rope together in the middle of the street. I almost wanted to join in, it looked like a lot of fun.


The steps up to the temple. That colourful ceiling you see is made up of many many lanterns.


This is what the ceiling looks like close up.


Jody and me.


This is the more Buddhist area of the city.


This is a really nice picture :).


Don't we look alike?? I thought so :D




The temple, overflowing with people praying and tourists taking pictures.


Insadong, me and my new shirt. The first of many more to come :)


A big poster of Buddha on the street where the parade went by.


Sitting on the street, watching the lanterns go by. So nice :)

I say socks!!

Welcome to the land of Socks and Sandals. As you all know me, I love to wear socks with sandals and flipflops... can't stand going without socks and feel my sweaty feet in a hot summer day slipping in my sandals. In Canada, socks and sandals is almost a taboo topic, hahahaha, but here, oh wow!!! Here it's different. Everyone does it, everyone wears socks and sandals. Hahahah!!! It's great.

Public Toilets

Did you know that many of the public toilets, you know in the stalls in the washrooms in subway stations or in malls and such, are like them Turkish toilets. Yup, a hole in the ground, not the nice and fancy sit down-be comfy-bring a book and relax-kind. I was quite shocked when I first saw that. I don't have a picture of one, but not to worry, I will take one next time I have my camera with me and you will definitely get to see it :).

Teachers Day

So, today was Teachers Day. It was great, the kids brought lots of cake, and I got some cute presents and letters and flowers too. Here are some pictures from today.
It was also someones birthday and we had some more cake and took a nice group picture with the little kids and the other kinder teacher.

My presents all layed out nicely :)
A really cute card from one of the little kids. He even drew a picture of himself on the back. Awwwww :D