We took the train around 10 am. The journey was only an hour and it was nice to travel through the countryside. It looks so different to the countryside in Korea. The train was pretty busy, but it is the school holidays. We popped into the tourist information centre to grab some leaflets, we still really didn't really know what we wanted to see or do. As we were getting our bearing and figuring out which way we had to head to reach the city centre, we saw a red hop-on hop-off tour bus. We bought some tickets, they were bloody expensive, but lasted for 24 hours, so it would be a good deal if you were there again the next morning. You can tell I'm not used to travelling in Europe, everything is so bloody ... read more

When I moved to Hwaseong, three years ago, I didn't think that there were any sights to see in the area. However I do a piece of work with my students, where they have to describe a famous attraction in the local area. Thanks to my students mentioning Yungneung and Geolleung, the royal tombs. I did a bit of research and found out that they were pretty close along with Yongjusa Temple to where I live. I was going to visit yesterday, but the weather was crappy. Luckily I got a gorgeous day today. I took the bus, you can get either the 34 or 34-1. The journey took about 40 minutes and definitely went through serial killer territory. Hwaseong's claim to fame is a serial killer roamed the area between 1986 and 1991, murdering 10 ... read more

As my Merscation continued, I needed stuff to do that was local and cheap. The arboretum in Osan had been on my to visit list for quite a while, so now seemed the perfect time and it was a beautiful summer's day. The gardens are easily accessible by subway, I took line one to Osan Dae/Osan University station. The Arboretum is about a five minute walk out of exit two. I, then, walked through the car park and a small plant covered tunnel and arrived at the ticket box. I paid my entrance fee, which was a bargainous 1,500 won and after showing the lovely ticket checker my ticket was free to roam the gardens. Mulhyanggi means water fragrance, and is a little oasis of green in Gyeonggi-do. The gardens are massive, I certainly didn't expected ... read more

I was up at the crack of dawn, not long after five am. I dressed and went to the kitchen to pick up my supplies, and knock an energy drink back. I headed out to the bus stop, which was on the main street in front of the hostel, very convenient. I got there just before 6 am, and there were already a lot of people waiting for it, hikers and other people. I was wondering why the other people were up and about so early, I am definitely not a morning person, so struggle to see why people would get up so early if not for a special reason. The bus came not long after 6 am. The bus originates at the bus station and where I got on at City Hall was the second ... read more

Thank you MERS! I got to start my long weekend a day earlier! I flew from Gimpo around lunchtime and landed in Jeju an hour later. The flight was a little turbulent. The views were gorgeous as we headed south and I could see all the islands that are dotted around the south coast. I took the bus from the airport to my hostel. It didn't take too long, maybe half an hour. I got checked in, got some info booklets and maps and planned what to do with my day. I had spotted a palace, when I had been on the bus, so decided to head there, as it's ages since I had been to one. I obviously thought that the palace was much further away, as I was surprised we got there so quickly. ... read more