• Ulsan, Korea: Seongnamsa Temple
    Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도)

    See The Beauty of Seoknamsa Temple in Ulsan

    Seoknamsa Temple (석남사-울산) sits on the southern side of the Gaji mountain range in Ulsan, Korea and is one of the four major Buddhist temples of the Gajisan Provincial Park. Taking a break from our mountainside camping site on Munboksan Mountain recently, we went to this beautiful Korean temple in Ulsan to see something nearby. It was easily accessible and just gorgeous. Take a trip outside of Ulsan, Korea and see what you can see! (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will get a percentage of the transaction at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!) Basic Info Address:…

  • Family Travel Friendly (가족 여행 프렌들리)

    Animal Fun For Everyone at Zoolung Zoolung

    Looking for things to do in Seoul with kids?  We are always on the hunt for great places to take kids that are clean, kid-friendly, and allow her to experience and learn something. Zoolung Zoolung (주렁주렁) is one of those places just made for the child in all of us and definitely geared toward the children we have tag along with us. Looking for a petting zoo in Korea? A place for your kids to learn about animals and maybe feed a few? This is where to go. What To Know Before You Go: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if…

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Gyeongbokgung Palace: A Step By Step Guide To Missing The Crowds + A Map

    Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) is one of the top attractions in Seoul, Korea and as a must-see destination for travelers and locals alike, always holds a prominent place on any Seoul itinerary. With millions of visitors each year, it’s no wonder that this historic site is often filled with tour groups. But with the right plan, you can explore this iconic palace, enjoy its beauty, and even avoid the crowds. Get ready to learn everything about Gyeongbokgung Palace from how to get there, what to expect, and tips for a peaceful, photo-worthy experience. Looking for some specific information? Skip around: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on…

  • Nanji Water Playground, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험),  Family Travel Friendly (가족 여행 프렌들리)

    Cheap Infinity Pool In Seoul: Take Your Kids This Summer

    Are you ready to get outside and go swimming this summer in Seoul? The Nanji Water Playground (난지한강물놀이장) is probably the cheapest infinity pool in Seoul, Korea or anywhere else for that matter. And on top of that, it’s family friendly! If you want a great Han Riverside pool for kids, this is great. Let’s get swimming this summer in Seoul. There are quite a few awesome pools that sit along the Han River, but this is the only one, that I’m aware of, that is set up to emulate a beach slope heading out and then stops just short of the Han River. It’s picturesque, it’s fun, and it…

  • Kumbakyeon: gilded pouches, Bukchon, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험),  Family Travel Friendly (가족 여행 프렌들리)

    What To Do In Bukchon: Gold Leaf Printing Experience

    If you’re visiting the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, Korea and looking for something to do in Bukchon, try visiting Kumbakyeon (금박연) a Hanok house with a unique experience. Decorate a something simple like a bookmark or something more intricate and learn about the history of gilding, or gold leafing in Korea. There are beautiful Hanboks in history with these intricate details. Make your own! Have a great experience in Bukchon Hanok Village: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will get a percentage of the transaction at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!) How To Get There…

  • American Passport
    Life In Korea (한국의 삶)

    Time Flies & A Passport Says Goodbye

    Time flies. That’s it. Time just flies. Ten years ago, about this time I was sitting in front of a camera in a photo shop to get some passport photos so that I could then head to the post office and mail in my documents to receive a passport. I’d had one previously which I’d used to travel to Europe a couple of times with my family and with my senior class, but I needed a new one to start my adventures in Asia. I had gotten a job in Seoul, Korea and I was getting all the odds and ends wrapped up and making appointments to get the things…

  • Gwangjang Market, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험),  Food In Korea (푸드 인 코리아)

    Gwangjang Market: How To Get There & What To Eat

    Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is one of the largest traditional markets in Korea and was even featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table. If you’re in the city for any amount of time and looking for one of the best places to eat in Seoul, this is a must visit. Gwangjang traditional market is a well known market for fabric and Hanboks, but it’s also known for eats eats eats and it’s not just visited by tourists, but locals frequent Gwangjang Market, too. The market is one of my top recommendations for tourists, visitors, friends, and family when it comes to where to eat in Seoul. I just love it… and here’s why……

  • Nanji Hangang Park (난지한강공원생태습지원), Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Nanji Ecological Park: Finding Solitude in Seoul

    A couple summers back, Jae-oo and I headed to the Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park and enjoyed the sights in the rather quiet surroundings on the banks of the Han River. At the time, I didn’t even realize we had our own ecological park right down the street near the Nanji Hangang Park (난지한강공원생태습지원). The Han River Parks have been reinvigorated over the past decade and each park is different and offers something different to enjoy. If you want a peaceful place to visit, rent some bikes and head here. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…

  • The Soul of Seoul Tours: The S(e)oul Derby
    Events In Korea (한국의 행사)

    The Soul of Seoul Tours: The S(e)oul Derby Recap

    On July 17th, fourteen teams came together to set the pace and win that race… if they could. The weather wasn’t superb, but the drizzle gave everyone a little push to move and groove and get indoors that much sooner. The teams included expat teachers, Koreans, service people and families looking to do something a little different with their Saturday afternoon. The premise of the event was that The Soul of Seoul Tours would give out a list of scavenger hunt clues which included things like finding someone walking around in a Hanbok, piling into a phone booth, making funny faces, hunting for kimbap and a host of other cultural, quirky and…

  • Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    The Cutest Thing in Hongdae: The Hello Kitty Cafe

    Hello Kitty is one of those characters that everyone knows of even if they’ve never seen the actual show. The cute and lovable Japanese character that was created in 1974 has grown to proportions that creator Yuko Yamaguchi likely never imagined. There’s a cafe in Hongdae that has the most fun pop-ups and this is one of them. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) Basic Info The Hello Kitty Cafe is no longer in Hongdae, but this building is still run by Sanrio and is now…

  • KMF Korea, Itaewon, Seoul, Korea
    Life In Korea (한국의 삶)

    KMF Korea Providing Self Defense Classes in Seoul

    I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with Gideon Roth the regional director and foreign representative for Krav Maga Federation Korea, the only official Wingate Institute accredited Krav Maga school in Asia. With fourteen years of experience in Krav Maga, he is the most experienced instructor in Korea and he wants to spread the word that he has self-defense classes for you. Learn more about Krav Maga in Seoul and the self-defense classes they offer: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) Basic Info Address:…

  • Jeongdongjin Beach, Gangneung, Korea
    Gangwon-do (강원도)

    Jeongdongjin Beach: The Most Beautiful Beach In Gangneung

    Jeongdongjin is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Gangneung area of Korea. While everyone else is hanging out on Gyeongpo Beach just north, this gorgeous beach is quiet but epic especially considering the giant and quirky Sun Cruise Ship, oh wait it’s a resort in the shape of a cruise ship, that towers above the the seaside here. When looking for beaches on the east coast of Korea, don’t miss this one. Here’s what to expect when you get to Jeongdongjin Beach (정동진해변). Get ready to see more in Gangneung starting with the Jeongdongjin area: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on…

  • Gangwon-do (강원도)

    Gangneung’s Sungeut Beach in Gangneung is Quiet and Ideal

    The beaches on the northeastern shores of Korea always stun me. The white sands and the emerald blue clear waters that lap against the shore are so dreamy. It’s a wonder that anyone lives in a city NOT on a coast in Korea when the kind of beauty that exists in Gangneung is out there. We took three days and went out to Sungeut Beach (순긋해변). It’s a bit smaller than the other popular beaches in the vicinity and doesn’t offer the numerous cafes and restaurants of the areas surrounding, but that meant it was perfect for our first trip to the coast of the season. Gangneung is a popular…

  • Aqua Planet Ilsan, Ilsan, Korea
    Family Travel Friendly (가족 여행 프렌들리),  Gyeonggi-do (경기도)

    Aqua Planet: Sea Life, A Petting Zoo & More

    Aqua Planet (아쿠아플라넷) is a aquarium brand you can find all over South Korea. We first visited the Aqua Planet in Ilsan, Korea, but you can find them in Gwanggyo, the 63 Building on Yeouido Island in Seoul, Jeju, and Yeosu. I had initially expected this to be just an aquarium, meaning sea life, sea creatures and the like, but was pleasantly surprised to find birds, a petting zoo with farm animals and just so much more. If you have kids in Korea and want to introduce them to sea life, Aqua Planet in Korea is a great place to go. There are a number of amazing aquariums in Korea,…

  • Sheraton Grande Walkerhill OTB Horse Racing Lounge, Seoul, Korea, blogger group
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    The OTB Lounge in Walkerhill Has Hit Its Stride

    A new no-limit off track betting lounge run by the Korea Racing Association (KRA), was recently opened in the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, Korea and boy is it chic. This lounge specifically caters to foreign customers and allows them to bet more than the maximum per race bet limits that are enforced at the race courses and at other existing OTBs. This is one of thirty-two OTBs that are operated around Korea in addition to the actual race courses in Seoul, Busan and Jeju. Not only is the lounge chic, but the hotel itself is beautiful so you could make a weekend of it, and have a grand…

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