Down by the river

Platforms for eating. Bamboo "cushions" are provided, people take their shoes off and sit and the staff bring out their food on a small table, and a BBQ is on top with gas to heat/cook the food.

I had been up on the mountain overlooking this area of the river, but until yesterday I had never walked there. It is on the far end of the Hanok Village, and easy to walk to, though I could have made it easier if I had gone directly through the village, but I had looked on the map and thought the easier way was along the highway.

In any case, I found it without difficulty. It was very hot - and probably not the best time to go for a long walk, but it was picture perfect weather.

There are restaurants and several Jeonju Cultural places, but I did not see much inside. I think they were performance centres. Very attractive place overlooking the river. Along the edge of the river there were a number of restaurants and they had a large outdoor covered area for eating. Many folk were sitting there eating on the platforms.

It was quite a peaceful place, and I walked under the bridge tothe Jeonju Nature Ecological Museum.

This was very interesting as it showed the damage humans have done to the ecology. There are two floors - the lower one tells the story of the river/stream, and showed photos of the river in the past which was full of fish and other native species. People used to sit on the edge of the river, and use the water to help cook their meals on fires which they lit. Hundreds of people would be there. There would have been no running water in their little houses. In due course though the river was polluted and with bridge building and roadways the ecology was damaged.

However, it is thought that the river is almost back to normal - there are some fish called shiries that only live in pristine waters, and they are alive and well in the river. I did notice as I walked along the river that the water was crystal clear.

In the upper level of the museum there were many examples of alternative power - wind power, sun energy and so forth. It is a place where students visit to study the environment.

More photos from my walk

Wild irises in flower near the river.

A wander in the village

In the Jeonju Hanok Village there are many photo opportunities especially in spring as the azaleas and other flowers are in bloom. There is so much to see - I've been there three times already and still there is more to see, so I plan to get back.

It was the old part of town, and is being revamped to make it a tourist haven. This little street has cafes and shops along its length and a great water feature. At one point there is a stone water fountain where the water trickles down into the "river" that winds its way along the footpath. The water is only a few inches deep but it is quite a feature.




At various points along the way is a point on the pavement that says something like "take photo from here" which gives any budding photographer an idea where to stand to get a good photograph of the feature - which may be the water wheel above, a statue, or other place of interest.

There is much construction work going on and still much to do - and of course people live here as well as work here. The shop keepers are great - and many try their English skills with me. I've been given tea in shops, and taken from one shop to another by one of the shop keepers and even when I don't spend any money. Their courtesy is impressive.

Another O's Place

We discovered that there are three places in the region called "O's Place" and now I have been to two of them. This one also had a view over a lake - not quite as picturesque, but then it is more natural - no huge bridge span to spoil the view.

It was a Tuesday when we went there, and the car park and roads were overflowing with traffic taking people to O's Place. And why not. Not only was there the gallery of Lee joowon's work, but a fabulous restaurant which was overflowing. I'd guess that the restaurant is far more financially lucrative than the gallery.

The gallery featured some amazing artwork - described as "acrylic on rice paper" and again the gallery was spectacular.

We spent quite a bit of time there - just wandering around admiring it all, before wandering back through the spectacular gardens to the car and the return journey to Jeonju.

A night to remember (1)

Last night's adventure is one I will always remember. After class finished two of my students, Daniel and Susan (husband and wife) and a teacher from Kids Club (which is a Hagwon or private school), set off on an amazing adventure. We were going to a "restaurant for dinner."

Daniel is often my "driver" and he's great. Loves his new car - with plastic applied to keep it pristine, and he has a speed camera warning device on the dashboard as well as a GPS and as he is also a musician (and teacher of Chinese at kindergarten) he always has wonderful music playing on his car radio.

A ride in Daniel's car is always special!

But this was a night to remember.





We drove out another part of the city which I hadn't seen - a rather new looking area, and we (the visitors) were awed at the number of golf shops - row after row of them. Koreans do love golf, but it is hard to imagine that so many golf shops would manage to so survive! But they must!

Past the city we found ourselves on a motorway, heading south of Jeonju. We passed acres of farm lands on either side of the motorway which always travelled high above the lands. Rice paddies, plastic domed "hot houses" and acres of vegetables.

The motorway was excellent and instead of taking us over the many hills, we drove through - there are many great well lit tunnels here in Korea - and kept on. The journey must have taken 40 minutes or so, and we were a little curious about going so far for a restaurant when there were millions behind us in the city and few out here in the country.

It was nearly 7 pm and the sun was setting and the red crosses on top of the many churches stood out in the country.

Susan did tell the story as we neared our destination that her aunt had been married at this place. When we stopped we could see that we were at a place that differed so much from any other Korean place or restaurant. There was no doubt that it was to be a place to remember.

There was little parking but Daniel parked the precious car on the footpath, and we girls headed through the gate to be overwhelmed by the sight before us. The restaurant building was to our right, and to the left almost clinging to a cliff was a condominium - rows of holiday apartments that also shared the spectacular view over a lake, which serves as a water storage area. (I noted that here too the water is so much lower than its high point.)

Also we commented on the new bridge that is being built across the water - rather destroying the view. Korea is building an amazing number of bridges, tunnels and motorways, and sadly this does destroy some of the spectacular scenery.

There was a lawned area ringed by rocks, a wooden raised platform which is the venue for many weddings which gives the spectacular view behind.

We stood and look, and clicked with our cameras before venturing inside.

In a way it is a stark building - all cement but great form with a huge door, huge glass windows overlooking the lawns with the spectacular view. Inside and to the right is a gallery, which featured black and white art works - acrylic on silk paper. The floor was polished cement, the walls white and many dark timber beams featured in the high ceiling.

Susan asked a man if we could go upstairs. This is a two bedroomed apartment, which is often where the wedding couple spend their first days together as man and wife. As it appeared that it would not be possible to view, we made our way into the restaurant. That was unlike anything we had seen in Korea. It was spectacular and I hope the photos give some indication of what it was like.

I'm a bit confused about the owner of the complex. The artist appears to be Lee joowon, and it might be that the artist is also called "O" - hence the place is called O's Place. I'm sure the artist is a female - but I'm yet to determine that. A search on the internet reveals some information, but not all I was hoping to find.

The food was Italian. Susan and Daniel ordered - though there was discussion between us and soon a huge bowl was placed in front of me - (see photo). And it was delightfully delicious. As we were struggling to see the bottom of the bowl, the pizza arrived!

I had eaten most of my (only) slice of pizza, a lady walked past and Susan left the table and had a conversation with her. Then she motioned to Ronelle and I - we were to be shown around the rooms upstairs.

More progress today

Today was quiet a big day for me. Usually I work on Tuesday nights - but this week did not have to, so I planned to go to Jeonju Hanok Village - an old historical area that is being lovingly restored as a tourist site.

I had been before - at least briefly to a restaurant there. But I'd not had a chance to look around, and I know that I will have to do it again. There really is so much to see.

I planned to go alone - I am happiest wandering at my own pace, choosing to go and look at things. And so it was that I was taken right to the centre of the Hanok by my "host" in Korea, and I set off on my own. He was worried for me - but I assured him I'd phone if I had any concerns.

And off I set.

I visited little shops, made a few purchases, and a few decisions to return with more money at some stage - and an interpreter to help me with purchases - and generally wandered around. Surprisingly there was quite a bit of English - so it made it easier to comprehend the history of this place.

One extra ordinary place is the huge Catholic Cathedral. Hard to believe that this is here in downtown Jeonju. It has an interesting history too.

The top photo gives the story of the history of the area. It is called the Church of the Martyrs, because on September 17th, 1801, the founder of the Catholic Church in the area, and other leaders were executed there.

It is quite extra ordinary to see this traditional Catholic Church in the midst of traditional Korean architecture.

The picture at the bottom is from a doll shop - all the dolls are fashioned iwht paper made from mulberry wood. I watched in awe as an artists created incredible detail on the face of one of her dolls.