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.

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: C'est La Vie

What's exciting on this is that, I'm not aware on this place.  But it so happened that I'm lost and reached a Protestant Church grounds when I accidentally saw a billboard with filming location site of Love Rain, KBS 2012.

C'lest La Vie ("Such is Life")

Location: 244, Dongsan-dong, Daegu, South Korea (Banwoldang Station Exit 18)

2016 July: South Korea: Flavors of Daegu

Ricco Papa  

Location: (near Herb Hillz) Dalseong-gun, Daegu 

Food: pork steak, 10500 KRW (420 PHP)

Personal Preference: 10 out of 10, I missed rice and an English menu.  I love the salad and fruits.

2016 July: South Korea: Flavors of Gyeongju

Silla Ssambap
Food: Korean table d'hote with rice wrapped in vegetables (traditional Silla dining) @ 11,000krw (440php, 2016)
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10
Too many for one serving.  They don't offer less serving.

2016 July: South Korea: Never had a hearty experience yet? Visit South Korea!

My two weeks, was a tummy filled trip at all.  Thank you to all the foreign travelers whom I met on this trip, especially to the locals who have extended their hand in helping me all the way to make it a memorable one. 

4th day: Daegu: I’m in the protestant Church grounds when I accidentally saw a billboard with filming location site of Love Rain. I met students from Seoul who were able to help me order tea from ajumma at C’est la vie cafe.  I even got additional candies together with saranghae sign from ajumma before leaving the place.

5th day: Daegu: I did received candies from unnie (a korean wife with his Australian husband, roaming around Bisuel Mountain with their son and mother-in-law).  Thanks for interpreting the words from group of ajummas.