Travel attractions not to miss in Korea in March,The Gwangyang Maehwa Flower Festival(광양 매화축제)

Ah! I have been hungry for spring. I'm waiting for the spring scent. After passing long and tedious winter, it doesn't not allow for me to stay inside and push me the south area to meet blooming Spring. Plum is a flower that conveys the first spring news after passing through cold winter in Korea. It is a flower that has been loved by Koreans for a long time because it is a regular material of literature in the past. These days, it has received a lot of love in a very good natural fermented foods.

I went out early in the morning to go to the plum village. The plum blossom festival of HongSsangRi Farm (홍쌍리 청매실농원) is held each year on March,duration 8th Mar~17th Mar 2019, in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province which is in the southern end and can be  reached from Seoul for three and a half hours by bus. It was a long time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, but I felt the spring feeling when I looked out of the window with excitement. Even so, I managed to get forty winks  for a while, so I felt like it was not hard for me to ride the bus. The parking lot was packed with lots of cars and tour buses from nationwide. There was already in festive mood with each tent sold various local foods as well as with flocked Springtime picnickers of March who are longing for Spring. I have heard that plum blossom grows in popular in the country of South Korea, China, Japan located in East Asia.

PLUM BLOSSOM

It is expressed come along with the modifier called 'plum in snow ' because the tree flowers in between late winter and early spring and sometimes it covered with late snow. It has been cultivated from long ago as an ornamental tree in the garden of the upper class and expressed in many literary works and works of art with pure, bright and deep floral scents, as a symbol of expressing elegance, purity, innocence, longing and hope metaphorically in Korea. 

Plum Blossom and Birds

My heart was felt calmness and warmness by softly light beige-colored sands and my nose was tickled gentle breeze of the Seomjin river when I stood on the sightseeing deck and looked away down the lower side. So, looking at the river and its soft colored sand, I recognized why the river appeared in so many literary works.  The old tiled houses and the thatched house built in many places within the farm add to the feeling of plum blossom village. It seemed like a white snow field.

Earthenware pots are fermenting the fruit of plum

 The fruits harvested around the beginning of June have so strong sour taste that it is not easy for us to eat right away as the type of fruit. After process of the fermentation usually, they are eaten in the form of alcohol, tea, concentrate, pickled dishes. Thanks to the trends of wellness, explosive popularity rose for last few decades. This is a necessity for each household. Most families in Korea use the fruit of this plum in June to ferment and make plum concentrate. In particular, there is no natural food that exceeds the digestibility of this concentrate.

I know that the plum village here is used as a venue for TV dramas. Especially, the scene of the moonlit night in which the plum blossom was full was so beautiful. I thought the reason is quite understandable. I could not deny that it is the best place for romantic atmosphere. Springtime in Korea is not so long. Please hurry before the spring is over. Come on! 

The Hidden Gem must to go in Seoul, Science Donga Astronomical Observatory(과학동아 천문대)

How romantic it is to see the stars at night with the loving persons!

This was the special experience for me to awake my intellectual instinct. You are able to so shortly realize that science is intriguing, exciting and interesting live study. What a surprisingly, there is an Astronomical Observatory in the Seoul Metropolitan center. ‘In the heart of downtown Seoul’. Compared with that general astronomical observatory is situated in the mountain, the location of this one inside bustling Seoul city is the best of best merit point.

As the reason of my laziness, I mean those kinds of observatory are too far to get there from the city, I put in a request for an observation program of full moon and some stars without any hesitation. I had thought that it should be located at the deep and clean environment such as mountain. To be frank with me, I was not great hopes to this observation. However it didn’t take a long time to find out that it was an utterly groundless concern.

Before observation, We got some beneficial lesson in this room

High quality, fluent, profitable, simple terms and proper images were provided for the time being around two hours experience. What is more, science commentator made us smile so often. If I learned the science with like as these kinds of lesson, I might be as a  scientist now. After taking a lesson, we went to up to the rooftop where we could experience to handle telescope and observe the celestial bodies (heavenly bodies). There were several telescopes for the observation of moon and stars. I saw the Sirius, the brightest star except the Sun in the Earth night sky, and understood the meaning of ‘like the shining stars’ (like as diamond).

building shown on the rooftop

moon captured by mobile phone through connected telescope

I took a photo of the full moon clearly through connected telescope. How amazing it was! In Planetarium which was equipped with dome screen of 8 meters and high resolution digital projector, I could enjoy the virtual observation of constellation (star sign) and the visual image of moon and space exploration. At that time I seemed to being an astronaut. In the circular dome observatory rotating ceiling 360 degrees and 7 meters in diameter, we saw the Jupiter having Galilean moons (the largest of the four moons of Jupiter and discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610).

inside the Planetarium,you will see the video image on the lying the chair

Circular Observatory Dome with the full moon on the sky

It was observed at the outside. To be thanks, they prepared the blanket in advance. So we could did experience more warm and comfortable. Let me briefly explain you the lesson what I got in the class.

the solar system

In Korea, we have good feeling to the moon as compared with the western countries having negative feeling. In the past we believed that rabbit lived in there and prayed for ones’ wishes looking up to it on a full moon night. Although everybody knows that there is no more rabbit in the moon, we still pray for their wishes on a special full moon night. The Moon is in synchronous rotation with the Earth, always showing the same face with its near side marked by dark volcanic maria. Scientists defined that ‘Impact Crater’ is approximately circular depression in the surface at a planet, moon or other solid body in the solar system and formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body with the surface. To be interesting, the craters are named after according to some rules. In case of the Moon, it is from the scientist’s name. In case of the Mercury, from artist’s one. In case of the Venus, from women’s name. Very interesting.

The Moon

The Moon surface

The Moon Craters names such as Armstrong,Aldrin,Collins-Crews of Apollo11

The Mercury Craters names such as Beethoven,Goya,Liszt-Artists

This is the picture of the Eugene M. Shoemaker, geologist, who spent much of his later years searching for and finding unnoticed or undiscovered impact craters around the world, and Barringer Crater in Arizona State, USA.

The Doctor Eugene Shoemaker and the Barringer Crater

This is the typical appearance of Meteor Crater and he set a theory about the formation and relation with the planets of crater and it is now widely accepted as scientific fact. He wanted to go the moon and he became only the one person who had been gone to after his death by the Lunar Prospector space probe loading his some of ashes in a capsule in 1999. This observatory is operated by Donga Science Co.Ltd., It is a company publishing ‘Donga Science’ and ‘Children Science Donga’ which is the leading monthly science magazine boasting 22 years biweekly. They have many kinds of observation programs. Ongoing program, program for adult and on a special day programs are undergoing. They proceed the program regrettably only in Korean (video images are given in English). However whatever it is, I would like to recommend to try about this program.

How to get there; their web site...click here !!

 address – 109 chungparo (Najin Electronics World building on 7^th floor),

 yongsan-gu Seoul(용산구 청파로109 나진전자 빌딩 7층) 

 Tel, +82-2-6749-2000 Fax +82-2-3148-0789

 I recommend to use taxi from the near subway station( line1 Yongsan st.용산역 exit #3 or line4 Shinyongsan st.신용산역 exit #5) because it is not easy to get there on foot from the subway stations. It is far within 5 minutes by tax.

The Gwangjang Market in Seoul, South Korea (광장시장)

I go to the shopping mart and fills up with full of various life necessities into large cart, and then make a payment with a credit card at the cash register nicely. I put goods in my car and leave the mart. We have become accustomed to so fast in this shopping culture. However, whenever I visit traditional markets, the vividness and vitality of life what I was not able to be felt in the big marts leads me with the feeling something like a strong magnet attracts my heart. I wonder if this Gwangjang market, which is loved by all generations in its own color, is the case of typical local market within hustling and bustling Seoul. 

A market famous for Bindaetteok(빈대떡,mung bean pancakes), gimbap and beef tartare bibimbap. Was this market simply famous for its food?

drug gimbap(마약 김밥), named after cause it is so delicious that people keep eating continuously

You can easily meet people carrying cameras and capturing the full of real market in this place. The world is changing rapidly and even though everything is convenient and has good quality, ironically the value of the traditional market is getting to aware again by the people who miss the nostalgia for our old customs and want to put such an image on the camera. The cheaper and more affordable meals that fit the taste of young people also made a big contribution as icing on the cake. As listening to the story of the typical pancake food corner in this market, it is said the recipe of pancake in the past as well as now is the same, especially from the twenties come to visit the market, the market is particularly revitalized by them and this pancake quickly went viral and became a famous food standing in line to eat.

Bindaetteok(빈대떡,mung bean pancakes), 

This food place inside market started as a zone to sell foods for fabric traders at night and retailers who pick up things at dawn, and most of all, while starting to be loved by twenties and became a place to be loved by twenties as well as all the generation. Let's take a look at the history of this place over 100 years (opened in 1905). In the early days, rice, grains, and fruits and vegetables were sold mainly. After the Korean War, it maintained its name from hand to mouth. After they changed into the main selling items as professional fabric wholesale and retail for Hanbok (traditional clothes of Korea), it hit a new peak from the end of the 1950s to 1970s.

However, western clothes became so more popular and the demand for Hanbok decreased that the role as a mecca of Hanbok market had been shrunk in large portion. it resulted in gradually to walk the path of decline. In Korea, Hanbok is still a necessity for major events such as weddings. Although it is not like the old days, here still plays the same role as the mecca of Hanbok market, which is mainly composed of hanbok, textile, related accessories, bedclothes and goods for traditional ceremony to pay respect to the (bride)groom's family by the newly-wedded couple right after their wedding.

Korean traditional pillows, pouches

For this reason, beautiful hanbok and its related products could easily be seen than other markets. On the 2^nd floor, there are many kinds of traditional souvenir goods for tourist.

Korean traditional jewel boxes made of mother-of-pearl

Korean traditional dolls

I always love to go to the market. Whenever I look around the market fully filled with generous sense, fresh high quality of agricultural and marine products and affordable price, I always get many bags which fresh things were put in it in my both hands. The scent of life comes along also.

I went out to the market hoping to be a place that I loved for a long time. We lost so much of precious life stories as we changed rapidly during short past decades, didn't we?

The Namisum Island(Naminara Republic;남이섬), the essential Date course for lovers

‘Islet’, the fantastic and romantic meaning of this word might be supposed to derive from the ‘isolation’.

To ride on the ship gave me the another time for my heart flutter. In spite of taking in short 5 or 6 minutes, I felt a little scare as well as fresh new experience for me to see that the ship goes and makes some ice-breaking sound through the thin ice layer on the river. At a glance the visitors, one third of them was foreign ones. They talked each other with their languages. I thought for a while what charms lead to them in this small island.

the other choice to go the island by Zip-wire, two dots in the sky mean two people
This island was originally small mountaintop where was a small peanut farm and used to be submerged when floods occurred each year. It was perfectly became a tiny half-moon shaped island by the rising water of North Hangang river as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in 1944. In 1965 Byeongdo Min bought this island and planted various thousands of trees in here in order to change the peanut farm into forest.

However it has not been long since this island got to be a like this kind of harmony place of nature, art and culture. When I look back about here this was the recreation area of membership training for college students and businessman, site for the day trippers, families, seminars and outdoor life for the public during so long time from 1960s till 2001. It is located in enough to approach here within 2 hours from Seoul by public transportation. Needless to say at that time there was not moderate area to recreate on their weekend with their colleagues at work, friends, families and other purposes. And thus here was always crowded with people on the every weekend, occupied by bustling sound all day and getting dirty due to the trashes spreading all over the island. In 2001, a professional CEO Woohyun Kang, majored in graphic design, a fairy tale writer, President of a design company until 2000, was scouted for management for this island. He became to eliminate the image of the playground where visitors just play and drink and re-composed into the eco-friendly and new cultural space.

The recycling artwork

Artwork in front of front desk in the small boutique hotel (Junggwanru 정관루)

And also he decorated it with the artworks by using abandoned wastes being accumulated during the previous time. With his great efforts and staffs served for this island we are able to contact various recycling, eco-friendly art objects being laid in spread all over and enjoy at the cultural space like as performance stage, UNICEF Hall, Song museum, Andersen hall, Yu Qing Cheng clay art exhibition, Raison Gallery, ‘Winter sonata’ photo gallery and so on.

It was reborn from the playground into attractions must to go to the all the generation, especially it became an essential date course for young lovers. Here is famous for filming location of ‘Winter Sonata’ with the theme of fantastic romanticism of first love which brings back a touch of nostalgia lady viewers of all ages. It aired on 2002 through KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), staring by Bae Yongjoon and Choi jiwoo, had created a boom of Hanllyu phenomenon to abroad (Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippine etc.).

K-drama, Winter Sonata

However the most charming point of here maybe the nature itself. Towering giant Dawn Redwood path, Ginkgo trees, White pine trees, White birch trees, Korean nut pine lane were waiting me with their own scent.

bike rental area

The corner selling Korean style steamed bread(Hoppang 호빵)

In the grassy area ostriches who were not kind a little to visitors, rabbits, squirrels, ducks and peacocks were running around the field. There were various kinds of riding thing such as sky bike, UNICEF train, electric bicycle, electric car for tour course and bike.

Please take off your shoes

There was small boutique hotel, Junggwanru(정관루), decorated with artist work, and several villas for accommodations. This island has been loved so much since K-drama fever. However the people working and loving this island was worry about that this islet would be end just with the photo zones. They really has tried steadily let make here the cultural attraction containing beautiful image and arts. They did eager to create here into as the fresh charming for culture as well as fairy tale world to the people.

In 2006, here was reborn as Naminara Republic, imaginary country, with more comprehensive setting for cultural projects of international events and arts through such as Int’l Children’s Book Festival, with cooperation together with writers and international organizations such as UNICEF and UNESCO. It is keep on going forward and renewing day by day as before. All people who visit here make story their own.

They have happy retirement policy that people can work until they are 80 years old if they want. ***Namisum island is registered in namsanmyeon Chuncheon city of administrative district, but is located closely to Gapyeong station(가평역) on the line of Gyeongchun train. Recently it is more easily access to this station within just one hour by ITX-cheongchun train from Yongsan station(용산역) in Seoul(via Cheongnyangni station 청량리역). There are also many kinds of transportation resource like as shuttle bus, bus tours, intercity bus service and so on. You can get more detail information on their official website click here !!!. If you want to stay at their hotel, you would better to send e-mail of them or call. You can get the address and phone number at their Q&A.