Seoul and Mountain climbing

This is proving to be much more difficult that I initially thought. A weekly blog takes commitment, and without people actually inquiring about the happenings of my time here, I don’t think I could keep them up. So continue to push me, because I know in the end it will definitaly be worth the time and effort.
It’s been about three weeks since my last blog and there is much to write about! First off, I’ve received my first paycheque! Although its not a full pay, it’s about 2/3rds at has at least given me a little padding in my account. I have made a trip to Seoul, I’ve scaled a large mountain, I’ve used outdoor batting cages, I’ve taken a ride on the high speed KTX train across Korea, and I’ve begun to really understand the illogic nature of this country…which always isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just different

A couple weeks ago I made my first trip to Seoul; the home of the ’88 summer Games. It started with a ninety nine minute train ride; a trip that would otherwise take 4 or 5 hours ina car. The train has a top speed of about 305 km/h.

The funny thing about this train is how quiet you have to be. It’s literally like a library in there. The ride begins with a 5 minute video about how disrupting others through speech is disrespectful and unkind. You must sit there and be as quiet as possible, whispering to others as you fly through Korea’s countryside. If you talk, you’ll be sternly warned to keep quiet. Once we arrived in Seoul we checked out a market. Roots of all kind are so popular here. Ginseng, ginger, radish; it’s all preserved and is sacred here. There are hundreds of shops selling this stuff. After everyone arrived in Seoul we checked out the National folk museum of Korea. With 2010 being the year of the Tiger they expectedly had a Tiger exhibit showing called, “Tiger, from myth to legend” The exhibit was honestly a little lame, small, and didn’t have much information. The night however was a different story. We checked out Dongdaemun market which is incredible. I believe it’s the largest market in Korea? I could be wrong, however it’s regarded as a shoppers paradise and people pilgrammage from a far to this fashion mecca. There’s literally thousands of shops and store selling everything from super cheap yet impressive knock offs to extremely expensive designer wear. I picked up a knock off Diesel shirt for about 8 bucks Canadian. The haggling nature of these places is very different than North America. You name your price and just work it as low as you can; they are desperate and it’s not uncommon to walk away with an item 70-80% off their asking price. The next day a couple of us went down to Itaewon which is the foreign capital of Korea. I’m telling you Koreans are the minority here. It’s a little grungy and dirty but there are foreigners from all over the world here. This is where Rocky Mountain Tavern is located (a canadian inspired bar owned and operated by Canucks) along with numerous other restuarants and shops. We went for lunch at a place called the flying pan which was great. They offered amazing salads, gourmet sandwhiches with their own freshly baked bread. After that we borded the KTX and returned back to Daegu

A few days ago I had one of my best days in Korea yet. Thanks to our organizer Justin, we arranged a daytrip out to mountain about 50minutes outside Daegu. We packed some water, kimbap (rice packed with seaweed), and set out for some hiking. I think, at least a few of us, were in for a surprise. We arrived at the base of the mountain and I was at least immediately shocked at the intense incline. I was wondering why Justin suggested we bring crampons and a hiking stick. Within a few minuets I became aware this wasn’t hiking but mountaineering. We progressed from dry dirt and rock near the bottom to fairly heavy snow and ice near the top. The day itself was absolutely perfect. About 15C and not a cloud in the sky. The climb and subsequent descent took about 5 hours. The grade was very steep and at some points I was concerned I was gonna take a dive, especially on the way down. At some points I decided to just get down, slide, and hope for the best. Once we reached the summit it was about 800 meters high. We were met with just incredible views of Korea. There were beautiful Magpies soaring below us…it was serene. On the wayup we stopped in at a Buddhist temple where many monks were chanting and praying. The artwork on the temples are extremely impressive. They must take months or even years to paint. The atmosphere is so relaxing and peaceful. The entire day was a very rewarding experience.

So that has been my few weeks. Teaching is also going pretty well. All my classes have changed which I wasn’t happy about, but I will just adapt and do my best. I’ll try and keep up with these blogs a little more frequently so the entries aren’t as long.

Source: http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South-Korea/Daegu/blog-477360.html

Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center located in Clark Philippines. Reasons given include good selection of fine vintage as well as affordable wines for everyday drinking also. This wine shop also has a beautiful roof deck lawn which serves as a nice venue for outdoor alfresco dining, cocktail parties and small functions and events. There are five large wine cellars that contain some of the world’s finest wines and rare vintages as well as wines that are excellent value that every wine shoppers love to discover. This wine shop in Clark is frequently visited not only by local residents but also tourists arriving in the Philippines looking to pick up a few bottles of good wine that are not normally available in their home town.

Subic is well known for diving, the sea and water sports that come with the territory. However one thing that Subic is not famous for is dining options. For years, visitors to Subic have complained about the quality of the restaurants and dining establishments but it is only until recently that travelers to Subic discovered the best restaurant to wine and dine, even for visitors with families and children. Now most residents of Subic and also Tarlac and Baguio know of this wine shop in Clark as the best place to buy wines in the Philippines and certainly the best wine shop in Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com