Excursion to ShinJeju (New Jeju) (25.March.'12)

Yay, I get to explore a bit of my city!

Let's go and see what's around.

My favorite chain from back in 천안 (Cheonan). The food is just as good, the environment is a little different, but still nice.

This is the bus stop near Han's Deli.

The entrance to a shopping promenade.

Just in case you wanted to know where you are and how to get somewhere.

Part of the Grand Hotel with Paradise Casino right beside it. You see the casino advertised on just about all the cabs in the city.

"The Shilla" Duty Free shopping.

Maybe I'll be brave enough to enter one day . . . just to see stuff I wouldn't be able to buy even if I wanted to.

The ever helpful red "you are here" circle.

Good thing I can read Korean (too bad I can't understand everything I do read).

Yeah, this place belongs to Korea, but you can see a strong Japanese presence on this street.

Apparently there are 4 different goddesses in this island.

Here's one.

(too bad the description is only in Korean)

Here's another.

Another testimony of the strong Chinese/Taiwanese presence in this city.

One of these days, I'd like to visit here; just for the sheer heck of it.

Who knows? They might have free samples or something.

I came to a park that's just a block away from the tea museum.

The typical exercise equipment you can find in any Korean park.

Ah, trees ... (from the pagoda)

Now down the steep stairs.

I wonder how this works . . .

Check out the plaque (the English part)

Now the train (with the description from the previous picture).

Walking up the promenade, I come across this place.

This "Royal Resort Shopping" looked more like a run-down flee market. No wonder hardly anyone was there.

I think you can rent bikes!

Yet to be confirmed.

Behold, the only dress I've seen in Korea that I like and makes sense to me.

Yeah, I don't understand Korean fashion.

Nice to see a pharmacy that caters to pets as well!

Ooooo, must visit this Indian restaurant . . . .

Random bird heads made of wood.

Reason behind them is still a mystery to me.

Ah, now this is near the sea. The plaque below gives a better description of what this is.

Did that help?

The Seaside Art Center.

The sea (literally across the street from the Seaside Art Center).

I was very happy.

Huh?

I never knew there was a store dedicated to selling only fire hydrances and "exit" signs.

Well, now I know.

My current apartment

Okay, back!

I'll show you a few pictures of my current apartment and a few other random stuff I saw this week.

At Emart (the Korean "Walmart"/"Interspar")

This is how some kids learn how to use chopsticks.

The basic layout at the seafood/meats department.

It is similar to an outdoor traditional market, in that you get to sample some stuff.

Good idea if you ask me.

You can see the statue of this lady everywhere in 제주 (Jeju).

It's not just the glass: these crabs are HUGE!!!!

A patient employee waiting for more scavengers to devour her free samples of fish.

Now the door to my current apartment.

Behold, how businesses advertise their services.

Living room.

There's a TV but I've never turned it on.

Kitchen

Another part of the kitchen that looks into a bedroom.

Said bedroom (which turned into my dining room. It's the only room with a table.)

The door.

Yeap, you're supposed to leave your shoes at the door.

Master (my) bedroom.

2 wardrobes

(too bad I can't go to Narnia in either one)

washing machine out on the balcony.

continuation of said balcony.

Some of the stuff are from previous tennants.

Bathroom.

the kind that makes me feel like a giant. I can't see my head on the mirror when I stand straight (only up to my collar bone).

So yeah, this is my current apartment. I've just been informed that I'll move April 3rd to another that's within a 2-min. walk from the insitute. I'm currently a 15-min. walk away. The new apartment will be much more convenient, but I will miss the walk to and from the institute.

Hi everyone; so sorry for taking so long. It's REALLY busy over here--but it's also fun.^^

Let me show you around the institute for a bit:

The playground beside the institute.

Oh yeah, the institute is behind the playground (from this angle).

The Jeju SDA Institute (from the side)

Classical look at a water fountain.

The main entrance

The signs

another angle

Just 1 block away: The Jeju Supreme Court

btw: in the basement, there's an all-you-can-eat restaurant. For 3,500 Won ($3.08/2.32 Euros) you can eat as much as you can--although, the menu is very limited. There's a calendar with each day's menu beside the entrance, so you can decide when to come.

One of the nearby grocery stores.

The fruits and vegetables are not as cheap as Emart or LotteMart, but the quality is better.

Taking a walk and I saw this sign.

Sorry, random.

At the entrance of the fire station.

A nearby Buddhist temple.

I haven't gone inside, but I'm curious. It's about 1km from my home.

Random discovery at a local Emart: Swedish cookies.

I wonder if they really are Swedish . . .

Inside a public bus.

I saw something here that I haven't seen in any other bus in Korea:

a trash bin.

The nearest bus stop to my apartment.

For those who've spent enough time in Korea, I'm sure you see something that you hardly ever see anywhere (answer: the trash bin. They're everywhere! It's wonderful!). This is one thing that reminds me that even though I'm in Korea, I'm not in "Korea."

If you have any questions, leave a comment.