South Korea: Seoul Museum of Art

One of the many free-entrance museums that you can find in Seoul.

South Korea: Seoul: Folk Miniature Museum

Folk Museum, is a miniature of old villages and a total package that shows Korean history. I must commend this place as they were very good in creating those miniatures as the details are so intricate. The place is so huge, a lot of things to see, I think we had it for an hour and a half and ended like an ‘overload’ of miniatures and history in mind – but the artistry in this place is so amazing! Wow!

South Korea: Jeju: O’sulloc Museum

The O’sulloc Museum, located on Jeju-do Island near Seogwangdawon. The “o” in “o’sulloc”, means to appreciate and enjoy, and it also stands for the origin of sulloc, only sulloc, and of sulloc tea. [Source]

O´sulloc Tea House
Seoul-si Jung-gu Myeongdong2-ga 33-1
Website: www.osulloc.co.kr
Date Visited: 2011 November

2016 July: South Korea: Suncheon: Ppurigipeunnamu Museum

Ppurigipeunnamu Museum (순천시립 뿌리깊은나무 박물관)

Founded by Suncheon City, Ppurigipeunnamu Museum displays the collections of Han Chang-gi, the founder of two renowned magazines in Korea. The collections range from the relics of the Bronze Age to those of modern times. Through the museum, visitors can catch a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of Korea’s ancestors. [Reference]

2016 July: South Korea: Daejeon: Currency Museum

Going to this place is just a side trip in preparation for my temple stay.

The Currency Museum of Korea is the first museum in Korea to be dedicated solely to modern and ancient currencies. The museum (est. 1988) is operated by the Mint Corporation of Korea as part of its non-profit public services and is open to visitors free of charge with a view of increasing public knowledge of the nation’s currency. The museum features a total of 120,000 pieces including: coins currently in use both in Korea and overseas; coins from modern times (from the Late Joseon Dynasty until today); 80 types of commemorative coins; 88 types of ‘special money’; postage stamps, and other materials. [Reference]

Currency Museum of Korea (화폐박물관)
80-67, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (accessible by Bus# 604)
대전 유성구 과학로 80-67 (가정동) 
Admission: Free; Stay/Duration: 1-2 hrs
Visitor's Information 

First section is the Coin Gallery, where they showed how first coins were minted.  

South Korea: Jeju: Haenyeo Museum

Destination: Haenyeo Museum
Location: Jeju-si Gujwa-eup Hado-ri 3204-1
Date Visited: 2011 November

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. [Reference]

I first knew about the Jeju Women Divers from an episode shown in Travel Living (TLC) and Arirang channels. It is their type of work to be able to send their children to school. They dive without gears and can stay for 1-2 minutes underwater.
Most Jeju haenyeo work under water to a depth of 10 meters without the aid of any modern breathing apparatus, although some are capable of diving to twice depth. They hold their breath for about one minute, although some are able to remain underwater for as much as two minutes. When surfacing to breathe, they cling to a life buoy known locally as a taewak in order to take a brief rest before the next dive.

We have not seen an actual diver in the area, but having this museum gives a tribute to them and this simply shows how proud they are for their locals.

Other Museums in South Korea: 

• 2016 Daejeon: Currency Museum 
• 2016 Suncheon: Ppurigipeunnamu Museum 
• 2011 Jeju: Haenyeo Museum (Women Divers) 
• 2011 Jeju: O’sulloc Museum
• 2011 Jeju: Teddy Bear Museum  
• 2011 Seoul: Folk Miniature Museum 

Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	Hallim Park O'sulloc Museum Chonjiyeon Falls Saeyeong-gyo Yakheonsa Temple Jusangjeolli Cliff Teddy Bear Museum	Take out from McDo Lunch on Tour	Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 2	Seongsan Ilchulbong Seongeup Folk Village Haenyeo Museum Gimnyeong Maze Park Manjanggul Cave	Paris Baguette Lunch at Seongeup	Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3	Joongang Cathedral Flight to Gimpo Airport Four Seasons House	Coffee Prince Restaurant	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4	BCJ Garden, Paju Gwanghwamun Square Cheonggyecheon Stream	Coffine Gurunaru	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5	Bukchon Hanok Village	Angel in Us Coffee	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Teddy Bear Museum

Teddy Bear Museum
Location: Seogwipo-si Saekdal-dong 2889 (Jungmun Tourist Complex), Jeju
Website: http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/
Entrance Fee: 8000krw = 320php, 2011
Date Visited: November 2011

At the end of the tour, our guide (Zin) allowed that I can be dropped off at Teddy Bear Museum. The one in Jeju is the actual location place of Princess Hours, but I’d say that I appreciate more the one in Namsan Tower than this museum in Jeju.

The Birth of Teddy Bear: “Teddy Bear” was named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. The story begins in November 1902 when Pres. Roosevelt was bear-hunting in the state of Mississippi.
There are 3 galleries at this museum.

First, The History: Teddy Bear takes a journey in time. Ride the time machine with Teddy Bear Marty and learn the history of the past hundred years. Enjoy the quirky combination of history and teddy Bear charm.

2011 June: South Korea: Leaving Nami & Visiting Namsan Tower

Travel Date: June 22, 2011

Destination: Namsan Tower

We started early, since we know that we will have a lot of stops along Central White Pine Tree Lane due to our heavy bags. First ferry leaving from Nami Wharf is at 8.30am, but we missed it. The boat immediately left without passengers, so we tried to catch the next one.

We met Chae, a Korean painter working in New York for years. He painted 2 rooms (105 and 107) in Nami Hotel. He was is good enough to accommodate our taxi fare going from Family Mart (ferry wharf) going to Gapyeong Station. It took us around less than 2 hours before we reached Seoul Station.

During that long discussion with him, we knew a lot on he’s travelling. He is proud that Korea’s season is so distinct compared to other countries. The 3 month cut between Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall is so clear based on experience. He is also a climber in Himalayas and a frequent visitor in Nepal.

[Read more about Nami Island]

We missed breakfast and had lunch (grilled beef with seaweeds) in a Korean Restaurant, upper level of Seoul Station.

Zaza Backpackers (http://zazabackpackers.com/) in uphill area of Myeongdong is our 3rd guesthouse for this trip. This place does not accept more than 2 months advance reservation. They are attentive in answering my inquiries in mail, but due to some conflicts in their building permit with the Korean government, we had multiple reservation issues with them. It is almost 10-15minutes away from the train station. However, we were not able to find any lift or escalator on that station, thus, it is hard if you have heavy luggage.

The place is clean and the room is well lighted with windows. The bed is soft with clean pillows and sheets. Air-conditioner is working well. The television has no English channel. They also have hair dryer.

Since they will provide the pass code for the digital door lock, it looks like you are not secured from them. One time, we were watching tv and somebody unlock our door, so we requested the owner that we change our pass code, where we are the only ones who know it (even the owner does not know it during the rest of our stay. Then we shared it upon our checkout).

The common room has 2 computer units with internet connection. They have a phone which can be used for international calls, but Philippines is not included. They also provide maps and guides for tourists.

Hangers, adaptor and doormat are available upon request. Too bad that there are no slots for hangers, they do not have cabinet as well. They do not provide toiletries and big towels. There is no elevator, so you have to carry your luggage if you are staying on the upper floor.

Late afternoon, we started walking on the upper area of the street to find the Cable Car Station. We bought the one-way ticket worth 6000 won (240php), and the trip lasted for less than 3 minutes. The combo ticket for Teddy Bear Museum and Viewing Deck is 14000 won (560php). We had a late merienda in Twosome Place.

The Teddy Bear Museum (http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/) has 2 exhibit halls - The Past: Historical Seoul. Closed last Nov 2013.

The Present: Today’s Seoul

The bears used in Goong (Princess Hours) are in this Museum (Although, the actual location shoot of Princess Janelle and the Queen was in Teddy Bear Museum Jeju). There are also several special Joon Bears, inspired by Bae Yong Joon’s drama series: Winter Sonata and The Story of the First King's Four Gods.

Due to bad weather, there is a zero visibility in the Observation Deck. We took photos of the Manila prints. The stamps available in the shop is on package to a postcard that is not related to Namsan Tower, so we did not bother to send one.

We took Yellow Bus 02 going back to Myeongdong.