Renata's Sadhana

Сеул с высоты: за панорамными видами корейской столицы обычно отправляют на башню N Seoul Tower или головокружительно высокую Sky Observatory, но есть менее футуристическое, более медитативное и близкое к природе место – павильон Пальгакчон (북악팔각정) на горе Бугаксан. Находящийся на высоте 342 м над уровнем моря "восьмиугольный" (так переводится название) павильон был официально признан культурным наследием Кореи в 1989 году. В далёком 15 веке здесь располагался буддийский храм Вонгагкса, а в 19 веке по проекту англичанина Джона Маклеви Брауна этот пришедший в запустение участок на склоне горы преобразовали в парк. Пальгакчон был отстроен в 1897 году. Теперь в нём находятся ресторан и кафе, откуда можно наблюдать за прекрасным в любое время года и дня Сеулом. Обновлённый парк получил название Bugak Skyway, и летом здесь хорошо гулять среди цветов. Адрес: 267, Bugaksan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울 성북구 북악산로 267 Source: Телеграм канал "Корея для туриста"

 

Useful tips for planning a trip to South Korea 

The Ultimate Japan Travel Bucket List 1. Onsen Onsen are natural hot springs known for their relaxing and therapeutic effects. All over the country, you can find onsen towns with a good selection of bathhouses, private and public, outdoor and indoor, where you can soak for an hour or so to rid your body of muscle and joint pains and other ailments. 2. Ryokan Ryokan are inns that offer traditional Japanese-style accommodations. They feature rooms with tatami mats and sliding paper doors, and guests sleep on the floor on futons. They also typically serve kaiseki, or traditional Japanese multi-course meals, for dinner. If experiencing something that is traditionally Japanese is at the top of your must-do list, booking at least a night at a ryokan is the way to go. 3. Ramen Ramen is a popular Japanese food that you can enjoy wherever you are in Japan. It is available at ramen shops, family restaurants, and even convenience stores, and comes in different varieties per region. Its main soup ...

Before your trip to Japan, it is important to know basic etiquette and common social rules and norms to avoid any trouble and offending the locals. Below are some cultural faux pas that you should avoid to make your time in Japan stress-free and fun: Do not litter. If you cannot find a trash can nearby, keep your sandwich wrappers, empty soda cans, and other trash in your bag. Do not just leave them on a park bench or on the train seat. Take them with you, and get rid of them when you find a trash can. At department stores, train stations, and tourist attractions, there are garbage bins for burnable, non-burnable, and bottles and cans where you can throw your trash. Do not use your phone or talk loudly in trains. Trains in Japan are usually quiet, even when packed. They have signs that tell passengers to keep their phones on silent mode while on board. On the Shinkansen, if you really have to make a phonecall, you should go to the area by the toilets or between the train cars so as not...

GreetingsHello [Konnichiwa] Hi [Yo] To be used with close friends onlyWelcome [Youkoso] How are you? [O-genki desu ka?] Good morning [Ohayou gozaimasu] Good afternoon [Kon’nichiwa] Good evening [Konbanwa] Good night [Oyasumi] Goodbye! (informal) [Ja ne!] Ja ne is informal, more like ‘see you’. Goodbye! (formal) [Sayounara ]is ‘good bye’ in a formal way. See you tomorrow! [Mata ashitane!] What is your name? [Anatano namae wa nan desu ka?] My name is ___ [Watashi no namae wa ___ desu] Congratulations! [Omedetou!] Happy birthday! [Tanjoubi omedetou!] Good luck!/Do your best! [Ganbatte!] CourtesyYes [Hai] No [Iie] Please [Onegai shimasu] Sorry [Sumimasen] This is the sorry you use when bumping into people, rather than a heartfelt apology. Thank you [Arigatou gozaimasu] You’re welcome [Doo itashimashite] I do not speak Japanese [Nihongo ga hanasemasen] I do not understand [Wakarimasen] Are you okay? [Daijobu desu ka?] Yes, I am okay [Hai, daijobu desu] Numbers and Counting 1 [ichi] 2 [ni] 3...

1. Make sure you carry enough cash since credit cards aren’t that common Cash may be almost dead in some western societies, but Japan is still a cash-orientated society so always carry plenty of Japanese yen with you when shopping, dining and visiting attractions. Credit/debit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but rarely elsewhere.  You can use plastic to draw cash from ATMs at the Post Office or 7-Eleven convenience stores. It’s a good idea to bring some Japanese yen with you. Alternatively, change money at a foreign exchange desk, although you will have no control over unfavourable exchange rates and fees. 2. Learn some basic Japanese phrases to help you on your way Although some English is spoken and signs are in English in popular tourist areas, it is helpful (and courteous!) to learn some basic Japanese phrases. Hello – konnichiwa Yes – hai No – lie Thank you – arigatou gozaimasu I don’t understand – wakarimasen Can you help me? – tasukete kuremasuka? ...

Osaka to Hakone The simplest and quickest way to travel between Osaka and Hakone is to take the shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station and then change to the local Hakone Tozan Line for Hakone-Yumoto Station. Staying @ Yumoto Fujiya Hotel Taking the Shinkansen The Hikari shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station runs directly to Odawara Station in 2 hours and 19 minutes . An unreserved seat on this train costs 12,100 yen. At Odawara Station you can then change to the Hakone Tozan Line which will take you to Hakone-Yumoto Station in around 15 minutes for 310 yen.  Altogether the journey time is around 3 hours and the full fare is 12,410 yen.  In addition to the Hikari service there are other shinkansen services from Shin-Osaka, but these will require a transfer on the way. Also be aware that the Hikari shinkansen is covered by the Japan Rail Pass , but the Nozomi service is not. The Hakone Tozan Line is a private railway and so is not covered by the Japan ...

Collingwood Children's Farm (Abbotsford) Chesterfield Farm (Scoresby) Myuna Farm (Doveton) Bundoora Park Children's Farm (Bundoora) The Big Goose Adventure Park and Animal Farm (Moorooduc) The Funky Farm (Hastings) Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard (Balnarring) Animal Land Childrens Farm (Diggers Rest) Caldermeade Farm (Caldermeade) Edendale Community Environment Farm (Eltham) Green Olive at Red Hill (Main Ridge) Churchill Island Heritage Farm (Phillip Island) The Big Bouquet Gerbera and Alpaca Farm (Healesville) Living Legends (Greenvale) Animals 2 U , Barn Buddies Mobile Farm , Farmer Darryl's Mobile Animal Farm , Fun Farm 2 U (Various Locations)

My Maps Itinerary Tokyo Skytree Topping off at 2,080 feet, the Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower (that's tower, not building) in the world. From the broadcast tower’s 360-degree observation decks, the whole city—its striking skyscrapers and neon intersections—looks like a magical circuit board. Teamlab Planets With teamLab's Planets, the art collective teamLab has created an endlessly Instagrammable, sumptuous, and surreal collection of installations dedicated to multi-sensory digital art. Dubbed “body-immersive” displays, the seven large-scale artworks are connected by maze-like, dark corridors that lead to wide-open, dazzling spaces. Senso-ji temple The atmosphere alone here is one for the bucket list. Senso-ji, the temple itself, is at the end of the shopping street, while a recently renovated five-story pagoda stands to the left (ranking in as the second tallest pagoda in Japan). Japanese visitors flutter around a large cauldron in front of the temple where incense burned ...

My Maps Google Kyoto Explore a world of temples. There are more than 1600 temples in Kyoto.  Bamboo Forest Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Fushimi Inari Gates OMAMORI >>> Fushimi Inari-taisha Gion District Kyoto Onsen Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple) - #1 SPOT during the Sakura Season Also known as the Silver Pavilion , the Ginkakuji is a Zen temple located along the eastern part of Kyoto in Higashiyama. The villa was modeled after the Kinkakuji, and built as the retirement home of Ashikaga Yoshimasa. After Yoshimasa’s death, the residence was converted into a Zen temple in 1490. Kinkakuji (‘Golden Pavilion’) Drop by the zen garden when you visit the Golden Palace This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most calming zen garden in my opinion. Ryoanji means the “Temple of the Dragon at Peace”. It became internationally famous after Queen Elizabeth visited the temple in the ’70s. This zen garden has 15 rocks placed in a rectangular area but mysteriously you cannot see all 1...

My Maps Google Day 1-3 SEOUL Bongeunsa Temple Taste your way through the street markets of downtown Seoul Explore the traditional alleyways of Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong’s alleyways with your guide Take in the changing of the guard ceremony at the must-see Gyeongbokgung palace Learn about the troubled history between the two Koreas at the border between North and South Korea on a DMZ tour Head to N Seoul Tower to take in the glistening night view over the city Bugaksan Mountain Day 4-5 SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK Hike various trails through the mountains and enjoy the view from the summit Take in the natural beauty of Biryong and Towangseong waterfalls Ride the Seoraksan cable car to explore the centuries-old Gwongeumseong Fortress Day 6-7 ANDONG Stop off at Naksansa temple and gain an insight into Korean Buddhism while taking in the ocean views Naksansa temple Take a step back in time and stay in a traditional hanok house, in the peace and quiet of Hahoe Folk Village Sample tradit...