South Korea
South Korea
A 3-months journey in South Korea: starting from a baduk class (better known as the japanese go) at the Kings Baduk Center to the travel in a extremely resourceful country with splendid people.
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Together with Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram (석굴암) Grotto was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. It was first constructed by Prime Minister Kim Dae Seong in 751, the 10th year of the Silla King Gyeongdeok. The layout of the grotto shows a rectangular antechamber and a round main hall. Bonjonbul (본존불) or a Buddah statue seated in the main chamber is one of the most brilliant pieces of the cultural heritage in terms of its religious artistry. The lotus pedestal of Bonjonbul is made with white granite and it's 1.34 meter tall, while the statue is 3.48 meters in height. It's possible to see the statue from behind a thick safety glass, which is removed only one day a year on Buddah's birthday. It's possible to reach Seokguram Grotto by bus (every hour from Bulguksa's main parking) or up the hill by foot, but I recommend to walk on the path on the way down.
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The Buddhist Bulguksa Temple (불국사) is certainly one of the most representative treasure of the Gyeongju area: in fact it's classified Historic and Scenic Site No.1 in South Korea. It's located in Toham Mountain (토함산), South-East very close to Gyeongju. The temple was built under King Gyeongdeok of Silla (경덕왕) in 751 and finished after his death in 771. Important cultural properties are Seokgatap (Sakyamuni Pagoda, 석가탑) and Dabotap (다보탑) stone pagodas, Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge, 연화교), Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge, 청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교) bridges, Anyangmun gate (Peace Enhancing Gate, 안양문), the seated gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha (아미타불) statue enshrined in the Geungnakjeon hall (Hall of Supreme Bliss, 극락전) and the seated gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha statue enshrined in the Birojeon (비로전) hall. I really recommend to visit this area, it's really nice and the atmosphere is amazing. The Buddhist Bulguksa Temple (불국사) is certainly one of the most representative treasure of the Gyeongju area: in fact it's classified Historic and Scenic Site No.1 in South Korea. It's located in Toham Mountain (토함산), South-East very close to Gyeongju. The temple was built under King Gyeongdeok of Silla (경덕왕) in 751 and finished after his death in 771. Important cultural properties are Seokgatap (Sakyamuni Pagoda, 석가탑) and Dabotap (다보탑) stone pagodas, Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge, 연화교), Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge, 청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교) bridges, Anyangmun gate (Peace Enhancing Gate, 안양문), the seated gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha (아미타불) statue enshrined in the Geungnakjeon hall (Hall of Supreme Bliss, 극락전) and the seated gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha statue enshrined in the Birojeon (비로전) hall. I really recommend to visit this area, it's really nice and the atmosphere is amazing. Last Updated (Saturday, 31 October 2009 13:24)
Gyeongju (경주), in the South-East of the Korean peninsula, is considered one of the most beautiful cities and a museum without walls. In fact, it was the capital of the ancient unified Silla Kingdom from mid-7th century to late 9th century, and at that time the population was probably over one million, 3-4 times more than now. The Gyeongju Historic Areas (경주 역사유적 지구) are a World Heritage site by 2000. We arrived with a fast train from Andong (where at the station a guy mistook me for an Iraqi), and we walked around the train station area for a while; as soon as we went on patrol the area, we decided to go to eat in a restaurant in a market. For the night we had a very nice surprise at the motel... Check the pictures and you'll see: this can only happen in Korea! Gyeongju (경주), in the South-East of the Korean peninsula, is considered one of the most beautiful cities and a museum without walls. In fact, it was the capital of the ancient unified Silla Kingdom from mid-7th century to late 9th century, and at that time the population was probably over one million, 3-4 times more than now. The Gyeongju Historic Areas (경주 역사유적 지구) are a World Heritage site by 2000. We arrived with a fast train from Andong (where at the station a guy mistook me for an Iraqi), and we walked around the train station area for a while; as soon as we went on patrol the area, we decided to go to eat in a restaurant in a market. For the night we had a very nice surprise at the motel... Check the pictures and you'll see: this can only happen in Korea! Last Updated (Saturday, 31 October 2009 13:17)
Sebastian is on the the two students from Germany: he is quite young even if he's really tall, maybe it's because he eats a lot of chocolate. Anyway he's studying really hard at KBC, and he improved a lot since the beginning. He is very hell-bent on finding a way to becoming a professional player, and I'm sure he will do his best. Last Updated (Tuesday, 22 September 2009 09:56)
I had a nice talk with Vorawat (but everybody call him "Him"), he is a good guy: he is the strongest player of the three students from Thailand and he's the best one also in English. He always helped us to relate to the other Thais, and he is famous at KBC (and he will be famous worldwide) for the strange sounds he can utter. He will continue to study at KBC, he got the scholarship so we will heard of him a lot in the future! Last Updated (Tuesday, 22 September 2009 09:55)
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