Last Day in South Korea At Suwon Palace

Midst in the old city lies the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace. Nicely renovated and with beautiful displays of the daily life on the king’s court of an old dynasty. It’s an educational place, not only for day visitors, but also for school classes. So i met a friendly teacher with her pupils, explaining the sundial on a very accurate model in an inner court. After a little chat i stepped outside the palace, where people gathered on a big square and let fly kites in the evening sky. A beautiful, calm atmosphere surrounded me for a last glimpse of these friendly and peaceful folks.

South Korea: Uam Historical Park

At the outskirt of Daejeon lies a hidden gem: The Uam Historical Park.

Uam Historical Park, situated in the eastern part of Daejeon, is both a cultural heritage site and a park. It was once the place where Uam Song Siyeol (1607-1689), a scholar and government official during the Joseon dynasty, conducted his research and educational activities. The traditional houses established during his time and the relics left by Song Siyeol are still preserved, and visitors can view these artifacts at the historic museum. The park also features a pond within its premises.

South Korea: Busan Gamcheon Culture Village

The last highlight on our Busan day tour was the bustling and colorful Gamcheon Culture Village.

Peter, our guide, grow up in this neighborhood. So, he could lead us trough small alleys and knows all the short cuts to the interesting points and views. Meanwhile on the main routes the tourists were queueing up for a specific „instagrammable“ picture. Instead of lining up, i rather had a coffee myself.

The tour ended at Songdo Bay with its Cloud Bridge. A beautiful place to have a few minutes more with these nice and funny participants of this day tour.

Taiwan: The cherry blossoms of Fort Zeelandia

There’s an important historical place outside of Tainan, called Fort Zeelandia. It’s the place where Dutch people arrived and build their first trading outpost on Taiwan.

Beside a museum and a tower with nice view, there’s also a beautiful garden with cherry trees. It’s just the right time of year to enjoy the cherry blossoms here.

Taiwan: Burning Money In The Temple

Maybe you noticed these stacks of yellow papers in my prior posts. Well, these are ‚paper money‘ what get burned for the ancestors and family members who passed away, to ensure they have the financial fundings for a comfortable afterlife.

While i visited the City Temple in Tainan, i found myself in the backyard in a nice garden. I noticed a huge chimney. Getting closer to inspect it, i became a witness how people enlightened stacks of these paper money and let it burn in big flames, providing a comfortable time for their people in afterlife.

Taiwan: Tainan Puji Temple Impressions

There was a Puji Temple just around the block. It wasn’t the biggest and most important, but beautiful set in the neighborhood and colorful decorated with many lanterns.

When i found it, it was pretty busy with worshipper and priests. The smell of incenses and the atmosphere with the dimmed lantern lights gave me quite an impression…

Taiwan: Arriving In Tainan

It was late afternoon when i arrived Tainan, in southern Taiwan. But it’s never too late to go out for a stroll in the neighborhood.

Much to see explore, as i found out soon. Around and inside the temples were still lots of lanterns, since the final festivities about Chinese New Year weren’t over yet. In one of the temple two nice, young ladies explaining me, how they interact with their gods and asking questions. It works with throwing two crescent-shaped wooden parts. Depending how the lie, the gods are willing to listen to their questions. Next step is to choose one of the providing sticks, which have numbers what leads to a certain box in a cupboard, where finally is a piece of paper with the answer to your initial question. Maybe.

They also told me about the various gods and goddesses in the different niches of the temple. There’s one who helps to find your soulmate, another one brings luck for women wants get pregnant, or students pray for their exams. On the wall were the proof of success, when it worked. Not so far from catholicism, where various Saints get these tasks done, i thought for myself.

Outside of the temple a sudden strong rain started. It makes the colorful lanterns reflect on the street, giving a new, friendly atmosphere. A small snack on my way home and some juicy strawberries for dessert. The first day in Tainan ended nicely.

Winter In Turkey: Ephesus

Winter in Turkey impressions #14: Ephesus surprised me not only with its sheer size and the huge roman theatre, but also with some incredibly well kept mosaics and wall paintings in some excavated houses. Lucky i arrived early, because i spent way much more time than estimated before. It was so amting to roam trough these contemporary witnesses from so many eras and history.

Winter In Turkey: Derinkuyu

Winter in Turkey impressions #10: Derinkuyu is famous for its underground city. My camping neighbor told me about it. And since it started to snow i gladly took his invitation for the ride there in his comfortable heated van. Beside exploring this fascinating underground city, it was also nice having a nice pal to talk to.

Finland – Lapland – Rovaniemi

Long way up north. The weather wasn’t really welcoming, but this way I just cruised across Finland from south up to Rovaniemi.

The Arktikum in Rovaniemi is a museum which explains life and culture on the arctic circle in a interesting and wonderful way. One shouldn’t miss it when up here.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Santa Claus Village just bit north of the town. It’s a tourist trap, no question about that. Next to restaurants, hotel and souvenir shop, there’s also to meet Santa Claus himself. ‚Free Entrance!‘ a sign told me. I found it ridiculous to queue up for a photo with the white bearded, old man in red dress. So I skipped the line and went straight to the souvenir shop, located just after the room where Santa Claus awaited his visitors. There, the young cashier explained me, I wouldn’t be allowed to make a selfie with him anyway, but could buy a photo from the shop, starting prices from €30.

I stepped out from Santa Claus house, passed the famous Santa Claus Post Office and just stepped over the line of the Arctic Circle. Finally i made it to the ‚real north‘!

And with this i made it definitely also to Lapland, the land of reindeers. Along the way i spotted some of these majestic, but shy animals. Still mid-summer, the long daylight allowed me to drive till late, stopping for observing some reindeers and to cook a midnight meal before finally get some rest.