Cafe culture, Jeju

Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea

In addition to the many, many restaurants to be found all over this lovely island, one can hardly throw a rock without hitting another "coffee and dessert" cafe, many with stunning views of the ocean. Tried another one today. Coffee was excellent, the cake less so. But it WAS interesting: green tea with red beans. I am so running out of time to try new treats.. 

K-movies!

Seattle, Washington

Just returned from three weeks in Asia which included two long-haul flights on Korean Air. Among the many things I enjoy about flying Korean Air is the selection of Korean movies on their entertainment system. I managed to watch four of them on this trip, and all were good. Listed below in order of preference (top to bottom):

1. In Our Prime (2022): about a North Korean mathematician who defects to South Korea and the school where he works as a security guard
2. Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013): a funny/sad prison drama about the wrongful imprisonment of a man with intellectual disabilities
3. Anchor (2022): thriller about a news anchor with a troubled childhood
4. Broker (2022): a sweet/sad comedy about two ill-fated "baby brokers" and the mother of baby they're trying to sell

See 'em all! But especially the first two--

Running out of time

Jeju City, South Korea

On my way home now via Jeju City and Seoul and running out of time to try new things. Pictured here is one of them: squid ink bread with sweet cream. No choice but to come back again to Korea soon! It's been a great week on Jeju--

Seeing what you understand -- and understanding what you see

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Spent my last day on Jeju exploring "Old" Seogwipo with my friend. One of the places she took me to was the Lee Jung-Seob Art Gallery. Although there is not much of his actual work on display at the gallery, it was really interesting to learn about his life and work. And to get to know his style. It was only later that day that I realized that re-creations of his work are all over Seogwipo. It's just that until I visited the gallery, I had no idea what I was looking at. Like so many things in life...

And not until I got home and unpacked the erasers I'd bought at the gallery did I finally recognize what the image on the erasers...

(See the same shape in the mural above?)

Brisk and beautiful

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Started out our morning walk down in the port of Seogwipo--which included a walk across this award-winning bridge. Alas, the walking path around the small island at the end of the walking bridge was closed for repairs. However, we DID get to see some of Jeju's famous women divers heading into the sea.

The weather was gorgeous, but cold. Getting into the water looked icy!

PS: That's Mount Halla in the background--

The Jeju "olle"

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Besides generally enjoying the scenery, food and weather of Jeju, walking the olle (or walking paths) has been a major highlight of being here. Most of Jeju's 20+ olle run along the island's coastline, and all have wonderful scenery. You can read more about the olle here. And the series of passport stamps (housed in these "horse-like" contraptions) one can acquire along the way, appealed to the dormant collector in me. It's a wonderful way to see the island--and meet folks, too!

"Books au pied":

• "The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See (a perfect read while on Jeju!)
• "Bangkok Wakes to Rain" by Pitchaya Sudbanthad

Starbucks: "Jeju only"!

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

The first irony is that the only reason I went to Starbucks was to find some black tea. After combing several food stores, I had been unable to find ANY black tea. Sure enough, Starbucks had a box of lovely (albeit overpriced) black tea for sale. Phew.

But then I noticed the pastries. Most of us can agree that Starbucks' pastries in the States taste like cardboard. But here was a totally new line up: Jeju Peanut Roll, Peanut Mugwort Rice Cake Scone, Jeju Cactus Chocolate Cake, Mugwort & Red Bean Cream Cake--and more! And each pastry had a small sign indicating that these are available on "Jeju Only."

I can report that the Peanut Mugwort Rice Cake Scone was so tasty that I went back two days later and ordered it again.

Jeju Starbucks' pastries: definitely worth a try!

Hiking Jeju's Mt. Halla

Hallasan, Jeju Island, South Korea

As we set out on the 8.8 km hike up Mt. Halla, I was pretty sure we wouldn't make it to the top. The illustrated maps of the trail, however, seemed to make it more doable. So, up and up and up we went. All the way to the very top,with lots of fantastic views along the way. 

And then came the REALLY tough part: coming down again. Oh, my knees! I am super glad we did this wonderful walk/hike, but I could barely walk for the next 4 days...

I went to the movies (!)

Seattle, Washington

I don't go to the movies often, but I have found myself longing to do so in recent weeks. Then the perfect confluence of events: I got my vaccine, my favorite theatre (Ark Lodge Cinema) re-opened, AND they were showing a movie that I have really wanted to see: Minari. It felt strange at first to take the leap, but it was FANTASTIC. Great movie, too!

The saga of the mink blanket (continued)

Seattle, Washington

I am happy to say that I am back on my bike and taking on the hills of Mercer Island once again. As I headed through Bellevue, I decided to stop in at Hmart to get some kim chee. And there it was: another mink blanket! Now we have THREE and there will be no more squabbling about who doesn't get one. Getting it home on my bike was ridiculous, but I did it!

The saga of the Korean-style mink blanket

Don't let it get away!

Seattle, Washington

Saturday, February 23, 2019

It started four and a half years ago at a tiny blanket shop in the city of Madaba, Jordan. We were newly arrived in Jordan and had been warned that the "cold" weather was coming and that we'd better get a decent blanket. In the heat of August and September, it seemed hard to imagine the cold, but at some point we headed into Madaba in search of a warm blanket. We ended up buying this huge, red, furry thing which, I learned, was manufactured in Korea--or by a Korean company in Jordan. 

That blanket kept us warm through surprisingly cold winters and when we moved home to Seattle, I decided to bring it home. Frank was truly surprised that I was going to bring this huge thing home, but I persisted.

Home at last

Over time "the big red blanket" became a coveted thing in our house and A declared she wanted one, too. So the hunt began. We looked in stores and online all over the Seattle region. No luck. It seems that these blankets are rather old-fashioned and no longer so popular in Korea and among Korean-Americans.

And then, today, I stopped in at my favorite H-Mart in Bellevue, and THERE it was: the blanket of our dreams. It was a challenge to get it home on my bike, but this blanket was NOT going to get away!

Transit bus

Incheon Airport, South Korea

Saturday, November 11, 2017

On the bus to our transit hotel for the night. (The Golden Tulip!) I had no idea bus interiors could be so crazy. What a light show!

Break time

Incheon Airport, South Korea

Saturday, November 11, 2017

While waiting for our transit hotel here in Incheon, A discovered the Airport Cleaning Robot, who, according to the sign, was "on break." Recharging, so to speak. We were only disappointed that we didn't get to see it in action...

Green tea lattes

Seattle, Washington
Thursday, February 11, 2016

I am sure that this is not news to anyone but me, but today I realized that green tea lattes are now to be found at Starbucks in the States. I treated myself to one at the airport today and was immediately transported down memory lane to our repeated trips through Incheon Airport in Seoul. Funny how a taste of something can make time and space fall away.

Bibimbap & green tea lattes

Incheon Airport, South Korea

Monday, April 2, 2012

Once again, I am spending a long, long layover at Incheon Airport. But, spacious and airy concourses and good food (which is not too unreasonably priced) have made it a pleasant enough time. Still, eight hours feels like more than enough time to wander around in this sleepy, dream-like trance.

Time to get home and back to "real life"--

Escaping the rain in Seoul

Seoul, South Korea

Thursday, June 30, 2011

With Seoul experiencing torrential downpours, we contemplated how we should pass the day indoors. Fortunately, the COEX Aquarium came to our rescue. It's not super fancy as aquariums go, but nice enough to pass a morning. And some fun exhibits for the kids...

I love this place

Incheon Airport, Korea
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I love Seoul's Incheon Airport. Great play places for kids. Reasonably priced food (well, some of it) and dress up for grown-ups, too.

Orchids growing in beds on the 2nd floor, and today's delight: daffodils blooming all over the place. It made my flower-starved heart glad...

Trees with coats

Seoul, South Korea

Friday, December 17, 2010

We are in Korea for 48 hours on our way to sun and fruit in Thailand. I was fascinated to see that the trees here in Seoul appear to be wearing cummerbunds made of straw. But just enough to keep their midriffs warm.

And then I saw several trees with full body coverage. Still not quite sure what the theory is, but it is awfully cute and very lovingly done...

Seoul confessions

Seoul, South Korea
Saturday, April 10, 2010

Here on this last day in Seoul, it's time to confess: we started every morning in Seoul at this place. I don't think I have EVER even been in a Dunkin' Donuts at home in the States.

But the coffee was 1/2 the price of Starbucks. And absolutely no donuts. Only bagels and coffee. I swear.

Palace #2

Seoul, South Korea

Friday, April 9, 2010

This afternoon, after the all-important nap, we headed out to see the more famous Changdeok Palace. This palace is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list, and it's full of beautiful architecture and beautiful gardens. The flowering trees and bushes are just starting to bloom now...

To visit this palace, you must follow a guided tour which departs at certain times throughout the days (tours in Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English), but it's still well worth the hassle of having to "time" your visit with one of the tours.

Don't miss it!