Thursday, March 31, 2011

Worldwide Korea Blogger Ajosshi

Blue House

Thanks to KOCIS I am now an official "Worldwide Korea Blogger" for The Korea Blog. I'm still not quite sure exactly what this means, but they treated a group of us to a lovely day out this week culminating with a tour round the grounds of the Blue House (청와대).

Blue House

After a brief meeting and the presentation of some rather spiffy looking certificates, we were ushered along to the Cheongwadae Sarangchae Museum and into the Charim restaurant. KOCIS had spared no expense and provided us with a choice between bulgogi or bibimbap. Knowing that I had to stroll around the presidential palatial grounds later on, I decided on the meatier option.

Blue House

For 12,000 won (though free for us lucky few) you get a beautifully presented bulgogi, with a rather minimalist selection of side dishes.

Blue House

The food was well cooked and had a little bit of a chili kick to it. Certainly a pleasant place to lunch at if you're in the area.

Blue House

Next it was off into the museum itself for a little exploration.

Blue House

Not quite sure if this was one of those robot English teachers. However, I would like to point out that I did not touch the robot. I promise... there was no touching involved.

Blue House

Most of the bloggers took the opportunity to have their photo taken with President Lee and the First Lady (see my previous post for my stunning portrait).

Blue House

Some even deigned to sit in the chair of office (disclaimer: probably not actual chair of office, but certainly an office chair of sorts).

Blue House

This was the best photo in the whole building... possibly the best photo of Obama ever taken...

Blue House

For those wishing to imagine themselves as last year's politicians, they even have a mock G20 summit room.

Blue House

After all the museum frolics it was off on a special bus accompanied by special agent Kim all the way to the Blue House.

Blue House

If you fancy taking the tour you must book well in advance and remember to bring your passport. The security screening is reminiscent of a polite airport and as we entered we were fortunate enough to be given to wonderful Cheongwadae tea cups. Unfortunately, I prefer to sip my tea from mugs decorated with the sinister drawings of Ralph Steadman (nothing like a casino full of lizard people to brighten up your morning cup of tea).

Blue House HDR

After a rather amusing video (including shots of President Lee cycling) we were taken on the rather brief, but interesting tour of the grounds. We were warned that pictures could only be taken at certain times and only of certain things. I accidentally took this picture of the tree that Lee Myung Bak planted when he was inaugurated. I didn't mean to, I promise, my finger sort of slipped and happened to press a button on my camera...

Blue House HDR

The tour was made more interesting by the hordes of older Koreans that accompanied us. Not content with pushing to the front and talking over the guide, several of the older ladies were seen to be scampering on to forbidden fields and pathways and had to be shooed back into line by the secret service. If this tour was one of your first tastes of Korea, then you might get a rather skewed impression of the locals. The ugly side of ajumma culture comes out in large tour groups.

Blue House HDR

We weren't allowed too close to the Blue House, I would have liked to get a little closer and take some more interesting shots, alas, security was fairly tight and time was pressing.

Blue House HDR

Still, a tour of the Blue House should be on everyone's list when staying in Korea. It's a chance to see where the rich and powerful make decisions and you get to meet some very personable secret service agents.

At the end of our excursion the good people of KOCIS were generous to provide us with goodie bags (stuffed with a book, cd, business card holder and usb dongle thing). Not a bad haul for the Worldwide Korea Bloggers and all in all a very enjoyable day.

Much thanks to The Korea Blog, KOCIS and all those who had a hand in organizing the day...

Blue House HDR

And finally the obligatory group shot.

Back row - Asif, Roger and Francesco.
Middle row - Ana, Belinda, Alex, Yelena, Eleonora, Jordi and Kimberly.
Front row - Myself, Jennie and Joanna.

Chris in South Korea and the Qi Ranger were also there, but couldn't make the tour.

More photos of the day can be found here.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A View Of The Blue House

Blue House HDR

The closest I could get to the Blue House without being taken down by the secret service...

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Me and President Lee

Me and President Lee

Just back from The Blue House... President Lee says hello... More to follow.

Buns For Sale

Mannequin Bum

Some of the shop displays near Ewha Women's University are raunchier than others...

Monday, March 28, 2011

An Unexpected Chinese Treat

Hawthorn Cakes

Sometimes the food gods smile upon me when I least expect it. I spotted a friend of mine munching on a pack of Hawthorn cakes (though I used to know them as Haw Flakes). I asked her how she obtained these delights and she told me that I Chinese friend had brought a a fair few packs over to Korea, she then proceeded to hand me five of those sacred little packets. My luck was well and truly in that day...

Hawthorn Cakes

If you've never had these odd little Chinese sweets then be prepared for a rather strange taste sensation. Made from the berries of the Chinese hawthorn tree, these thin mini-discs of sweet/sour goodness are incredibly addictive once you get a taste for them. I'm not quite sure when I first tried them, but I have happy memories of Saturday afternoons going out for Chinese food with my parents, then popping into the little grocers next door and picking up ten packs of these sweets. A childhood addiction that hasn't been sated for many years, tasting these flakes again brings a happiness to my taste buds.

I've never seen them for sale in Korea, but if any of you, my dear readers, know where I might get my hands on them then please do drop me a line. I have a craving for more Haw Flakes...

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Neon Crab

Neon Crab

Some restaurants get a little more excited than others about their pickled crabs... Seen near Incheon station.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Cutest Firefighter Ever...

Cutest Firefighter Ever

Seen in Chungmuro subway station, possibly the cutest Korean firefighter you'll ever see.

One question though, does anyone know what the stick thing with the eyes in the bottom right hand corner is meant to be?

Friday, March 25, 2011

"Please Sir, Spare A Penny."

Homeless Doll

I admire some mannequin displays, others make me feel just a little sad. Won't somebody help this poor child in Itaewon?

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Tigers!

Tigers!

Prowling the streets of Chinatown in Incheon, beware these fearsome beasties!

Tigers!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Free Pizza and Vegetarian Heaven

Sometimes it pays to be adventurous...

Tour De Table

Walking round Hannam-dong, looking for a late lunch, I spied a leaflet on a lampost offering a "free thin pizza" with lunch (or 10% off at dinner). It was for Tour de table, a place I hadn't heard of, but if there was going to be free food involved then I figured it might be worth a try.

Tour De Table

This cute looking "dining space" is filled with cartoon cats and quite comfy chairs. It feels a little bit cool, a little bit edgy and the staff are very welcoming.

Tour De Table

The lunch menu is quite small offering three noodle options, three rice options, one pizza and one pasta, but they all come in at 10,000 won or less. I went for the 가지덥밥 (Aubergines on rice) for 7,000 won on the recommendation of the waiter and also handed him my free pizza coupon (torn from the lampost leaflet).

Tour De Table

Both dishes arrived at the same time and it was at this point that I realized that a free pizza might be better shared with an extra dining companion. No matter, my stomach enjoys a challenge and after my first bite of both dishes I knew I would be licking my plates clean.

Tour De Table

The 가지덥밥 was a glorious mess of soft, sweet aubergine pieces with onion, peppers and spring onion covered in a beautiful, slightly spicy soy sauce. Vegetarian heaven on a plate, this is something I'll be coming back for on a regular basis.

Tour De Table

The free thin pizza turned out to be no joke. This gorgeous gorgonzola, bacon, mushroom and truffle honey pizza normally goes for 7,000 won, but I had it all to myself for nothing. The combination of strong cheese with salty bacon and the truffle honey works wonderfully and I devoured all of the stinky sweet goodness.

Tour De Table

If you happen to be in Hannam-dong, then I highly recommend a visit to this excellent dining establishment. To get there head down to the big junction in front of Hannam bridge and look behind the Richensia apartment building. You'll find Tour de table on the second floor, just look out for the cartoon cats (서울시 용산구 한남동 68-20 2F). You can call them on 02 792 5758. Look out for leaflets on lamposts and you may just find yourself with a free pizza...

Raise The Red Lanterns

Raise The Red Lanterns

Seen in Incheon's Chinatown...

Raise The Red Lanterns

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The 음 and 양 of 된장찌개

The 음 and 양 of 됀장찌개

음양 is what you may know as yin and yang. This is my own fermented soybean interpretation...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Two Loaves Are Better Than One

Bread!

Last Monday my wife was back on her baking spree and produced two beautiful loaves of white bread.

Bread!

There's nothing quite like homemade bread dipped in award winning Corsican extra virgin olive oil... Sinfully good.

Flowery Melons

Flowery Melon

Seen at an art opening in Incheon, these flowery watermelons look both appetizing and artistic...

Flowery Melon

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Portraits Of A Ringmaster

More DVD shots here, this time of the Ringmaster...


Five Fools DVD Shoot

Finishing touches.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Waiting backstage.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Ventriloquist's dummy.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Preparing to shoot.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Boyband profile shot...

Portraits Of A Clown

When filming our DVD last month we had a lot of free time in between scenes and so out came the camera to capture the different faces of our clown...

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Passive.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Agressive.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Happy.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Sad.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Surprised.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Cute.

Five Fools DVD Shoot

Weary.