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.  

2016 July: South Korea: 4 Stops while in Daejeon

4 Stops while in Daejeon

It was just a short 6 hrs stay on the city, so was able to visit few places only.  I headed here in preparation for my temple stay in Songni-san.

Hanbat Arboretum
169, Dunsan-daero, Seo-gu, Daejeon
대전광역시 서구 둔산대로 169 (만년동)
http://www.daejeon.go.kr/gar/index.do

The Hanbat Arboretum, linked with the Government Complex-Daejeon and Science Park, is the largest manmade urban arboretum. This venue serves multiple purposes: to act as a reservoir of genetically diverse foliage, an eco learning center for students, and a recreational area where people can relax and pass the time in the peaceful embrace of nature. [Reference]

South Korea: Daegu: Keimyung University Daemyeong Campus

Before heading to Daegu for 3 days stay, I was not aware about this school.  I just learned about the campus from one of the flyers in the Tourism Office of Daegu.  I thought I was over and done with Love Rain after visiting Four Season's House and Jade Garden.  But then again, apart from C'est La Vie, there's Keimyung University Daemyeong campus in Daegu.

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: Dodong-Seowon Confucian Academy, Biseul Mountain

Have some rest from the bustling transfers across the trains and buses and join an English theme tour by Daegu City Tours.  Tours available from the flyers are not confirmed unless they receive enough participants request for that day.  In my case, the Yangnyeongsi tourism office was very helpful in this one, they were able to connect me to the tour office and get my contact details for them to confirm if te tour will pursue the next day.  In the afternoon, I was able to received a call and they confirmed Biseul over Pangolsan, which I believe is also due to weather forecast. 

So to continue, there were 2 pick-up points from Daegu, they will confirm which one is better for you to go.  You gotta pay 5000krw to the guide upon boarding.  We have changed out itinerary a bit as agreed to all the passengers, so we skipped Daegu National Science Museum.  Instead bought our packed lunch at the Express Stop, drop by Dodong-Seowon Confucian Academy, then took the electric car to head to the top of Biseul Mountain or Biseulsan (which is normally excluded in a regular themed tours).  The driver said that taking the electric car will cost too much time and we will not make it, thus we have decided to skip the science museum.

2016 July: South Korea: Things to do in Daegu

Daegu is one of the six metropolitan (first level) cities of South Korea, located in North Gyeongsang Province.  It has 2 subway lanes,1 monorail and multiple bus routes to access the city.

Day 1

• Enjoy the multitude of cafes to choose from  in Dong Daegu KTX
• Visit the restaurants in Jungangno (e.g. C'est La Vie, Flavors of Daegu)
• Walk around Banwoldang to Daegu
• Visit the churches and appreciate the architecture
• Experience Love Rain's 1970's student life in Daemyeong-dong campus Keimyung University (from Namsan station, monorail)   

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Seokguram Grotto, Silla Arts and Science Museum

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is accessible by bus from Bulguksa Temple.  I've seen this sculpture initially from watching Arirang.  

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (불국사)
Location: 385, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
경상북도 경주시 불국로 385 (진현동)
www.bulguksa.or.kr
Fee (Adult): 5,000 won 

Accessible by Bus No. 10 or 11 from Gyeongju Intercity / Express Bus Terminal, the trip lasted for almost an hour and with the help of maps.google, I was able to reach the site.   

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju National Museum

The Gyeongju National Museum displays a permanent collection of some of the Silla Kingdom's most valuable treasures. Divided into the Archeology Hall, Art Hall, Wolji Hall, and Special Exhibition Hall, the museum displays over 3,000 pieces. Some must-sees include the The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok the Great (Seongdeokdaewangsinjong , National Treasure No. 29) and the 2nd floor Art Hall, which contains Buddhist art from the Silla Period as well as an intricate model of the nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple. [visitkorea.or.kr]

Location: 186, Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
경상북도 경주시 일정로 186 (인왕동)
http://gyeongju.museum.go.kr/html/en/index.html
Open: 09:00-18:00 (Saturday / National Holidays: 09:00-19:00)
Saturdays March-December: 09:00-21:00

Admission: Free (but must get free ticket before entering)

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae

I got a book "The Road Less Traveled" which are more of comparison between places.  By then, I was intrigue in an entry there:  "Gyeongju vs Kyoto - Japan's ancient capital has been spoiled, but the pride of Korea is still full of treasures".

Perhaps, because Kyoto already established the places to see.  Although, there are temples are also secured from the tourists.  But in Gyeongju, there are still multiple untouched tombs and some are still under exploration, a place known as "Gyeongju Historical Sites".  Gyeongju, previously capital of the Silla Dynasty, lives by its name "museum without walls".  Roaming around by bus, you'll see hills left and right of the road as tombs of the royals from Korea's history.

2016 July: South Korea: Busan: Seomyeon Catholic Church

Seomyeon Catholic Church
Bujeon 1-dong 417-4 Busan Busanjin-gu (Seomyeon station, Exit 9) 
Services in English (Sundays, 4 p.m.)

2016 July: South Korea: Suncheon: Maegok-dong Church

Maegok-dong Church
Location: Maegok-dong Suncheon Jeollanam-don
Sunday Mass: 6:30, 10:00, 19:30 

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: Gyesan Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes

Gyesan Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes
계산동 성당
Location: 10, Seoseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea (Banwoldang station, Exit 18)
Mass Schedule

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Seongdong Catholic Church

Seongdong Catholic Church (in downtown Gyeongju)

Time:  English mass every 2nd Sunday of the month @ 2:00 pm

Bible Sharing @ 1:00-2:00pm

2016 July: South Korea: Flavors of Busan

Queen's Brown

Location: Seomyeon station, Exit 4

Food: Mozzarella Tomato Panini, 8500 KRW (340 PHP)

Personal Preference: 8 out of 10, average price.  This is a place where locals chill with bingsu.

2016 July: South Korea: Flavors of Suncheon

Im Ssu Han, Italian Trattoria
Fusion of Korean-Italian restaurant in Hyangdong Culture Street
Food: spicy chicken rice, 9500 KRW (380 PHP)
Personal Preference: 10 out of 10, again I miss the rice.  I like the artisan's place.