Lonely Planet – South Korea

Ian Wright starts his amazing journey of South Korea in the Capital Seoul. After finding a place to stay, he takes in the delights of the Kyongdong market with a hired guide. Still in Seul Ian tries his hand at Tae Kwon-Do with the national team of Korea, and gets to train with the Womans Olympic team. After taking in the nightlife of Seoul, Ian heads north to the North – South Korean Boarder to experience Military power at it most dramatic at the DMZ.

Once out of the busseling city of seoul, ian ventures south to Jinbu, where he seeks solace, and serenity with the Buddah. In the hills of Jinbu is Woljeongsa temple, one of the oldes temples in Korea, dating back to 545 AD.
The village of Hahoe, to the south of Korea is a genuine six hundred year old working village, and ian has a sneaky look into this ancient way of life. It is back into the mountains again, as surrounding Ha Hoe it is possible to visit a remote monastry wher you can see monks practicing martial arts.

After being streached by the monks, Ian travels to Busan the Russian Town of the south East Coast. Here he visits the extreamly fresh Chagalch’l Fish market, and has a breakfast of a different kind. From Busan it is possible to take a ferry ride to the Korean primary holiday destination Cheju Island. Cheaju Island is famous for one traditional group of people, The Haenyo, these women free dive for fresh fish and sealife everyday. Korea is a metropolis of culture, from ancient to the modern, it’s all to be found here.