Jeju Glass Castle

This is a theme park showcasing glass art in a large garden and an exhibition hall. There are six themed model parks featuring more than two hundred and fifty models.

There is a glass maze through which we had to walk carefully and a jewellery tunnel.

Cinderella’s pumpkin coach was also there, made of glass.

The above is a glass pyramid.

Jack’s beanstalk goes right up to the ceiling of the exhibition hall.Note the hen and the golden eggs at the foot of the beanstalk.

Beautiful glass flowers and glass trees beside a lake strike wonder into you as you behold the creative art displayed before your eyes.

Glass art master pieces by internationally renowned artists from Europe and Japan are also on display in this colorful glass wonderland.

The few photographs here do not do justice to the hundreds of glass models on display but I hope this is just a teaser to whet your desire to visit this lovely glass park.

Rail Biking in Yang Pyung, Korea

Have you ever tried rail biking? It is a new leisure sport where 4 riders pedal in tandem along a railway. The back two riders are seated on a higher level while the two in front are on a lower level.

To save energy, we were told that the front bikers should pedal up to a count of 30 after which the back bikers continue for another thirty counts. Then the front bikers take over once more.

It was an exhilarating experience, pedaling as fast as we could while counting and we curved round the railway line as it made its way through the scenic countryside.

When a tunnel loomed in the distance, I was wondering how we would see in the dark.

However, it was prettily lit by artificial, lighted trees and we breezed through effortlessly.

When we came to the end, there was a roundtable on the rail track and our bikes were turned around by the guy who had gone ahead of us in a little bubble car with the word ‘Police’ on its side.

When all of us ( 5 sets of bikes ) arrived, the little car gave us a push back to the beginning where we had pedaled from. This way we were not overtired.

This was truly a most enjoyable outing for me, my significant other and my lovely daughter. Nothing can beat the feeling of the cold wind streaming into your face as you pedal along, savoring the beautiful vistas along the way. God is truly great, creating such a beautiful world for us to appreciate and enjoy.

From Seoul, we flew to Jeju Island, known as the Honeymoon Island, which lies to the south of the Korean Peninsula. The crowds of tourists are like ants swarming all over the arrival hall in Kimpo airport and one can see lines of tour buses waiting to pick up their guests. Our first stop was the National Folklore Museum with its great halls filled with relics and artifacts spanning 5000 years.

Above is a tableau of an ancient wedding ceremony.

Our next stop was the Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1394 by the first King of the Joseon Dynasty.

We managed to catch a glimpse of the Blue House, the official residence of the Korean President, which was in the same vicinity.

Colorful Dancing Fountains

Perdana Park @Hone Place is a lovely park built for the enjoyment of the public. It has a jogging track, a small lake and a children’s playground. What makes it unique is its musical fountains that come on at night.

It can be rather warm in the day as the trees are not mature enough to provide sufficient shade. Early morning is a good time to walk or jog.Before the break of day, there aren’t that many people to crowd your space as you make your way around the man-made lake. However in the evening, when the sea breezes start to blow, it is a very pleasant place.

At night the park is lit so that joggers can continue their exercise.

There are four small restaurants at the moment which provide different kinds of food at reasonable prices. One can either dine inside to enjoy the air-conditioning or sit outside al fresco, enjoying the breeze. Many folks come in the evenings to watch the fountains rather than to have their meals.

When the fountains begin to play and dance to the music of Strauss waltzes, marches and popular local medleys, they are a sight to watch.

Their movements and color changes make one spell-bound and tourists are brought here to enjoy the display.

I myself enjoyed the creative choreography of the fountains swaying, twirling, dipping and shooting upwards in arcs and cascading gently.

The sound of the water is most soothing and the effect is almost hypnotic.Watching the fountains dance to the strains of the Beautiful Blue Danube waltz brought back memories of Budapest and the Danube cruise.