So how much are bananas in Korea?

With the devastating price of bananas in Australia, we thought we would let you know that yet another perk of living in and visiting Korea (hint, hint) is the abundance of yummy bananas at low prices. Here is a sample of bananas we purchased today from a street-side vendor.

Sixteen bananas for 2,000 won (A$2.75)!

The two faces of Gyeongju

For the Chuseok long weekend we stepped back to 57 BC and explored Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. Despite the fact that most of the Silla relics were destroyed during the Japanese occupation (and purposeful cultural destruction) of Korea, some areas of Gyeongju definitely evoke a sense of Korea's rich history.

One of the highlights of exploring old Gyeongju was Bulguksa, a world heritage listed Silla temple terraced on a mountainside. A couple of stone pagodas that escaped Japanese destruction still stand as originally constructed over 1400 years ago.

An imposing shamanist deity guards the entrance to Bulguksa

Bulguksa

Seokgatap- one of the stone pagodas that exist in their original state

Me at Bulguksa

Another of the impressive sites of Gyeongju are the sea of Tumuli, the grass covered burial mounds of Silla royalty, that rise above the low-rise buildings of Gyeongju residents. These enormous mounds, serving a similar purpose to the Egyptian pyramids, are tombs in which Silla kings and queens are buried with their earthly possessions.

Trent and Denise in the main Tumuli park in Gyeongju

Denise dwarfed by a tumulus

As we discovered, there is another side to Gyeongju- the new resort area around Bomun Lake, where our hotel was located. Some of the lakeside development is in keeping with the historic feel of Gyeongju and other elements are not- most notably the 100's of motorised four-wheelers and motorbikes that are hired out by anyone between the age of about 5 and 60! We couldn't resist the temptation to join the local hoons and Trent and I hired a four-wheeler and beat the odds to emerge unscathed from the heavily-trafficked bike paths.

A beautiful pond and pagoda in a park near our hotel

Bomun lakeside

Light and sound show at one of the luxury hotels

Trent and Denise on our afternoon ride around the lake

Reflection of a pagoda in a lily pond

The crazy riders of Gyeongju- a definite hazard to pedestrians!

The fantastically efficient train system of South Korea enabled us to leave Gyeongju on the same day that we had to return to work after the Chuseok break. For most of the trip we took a speedy (up to 300kms/hr) ride on the KTX. Smoother and more comfortable than most planes I've taken.

Denise and me on the KTX

Chuseok

Chuseok (Thanksgiving) is a 3-day holiday during which families get together to make and eat Songpyeon (rice cakes) and visit and tend to their ancestor's tombs. This year Chuseok fell Thursday-Saturday, so we were lucky enough to received two days off work. To celebrate Chuseok, the principal of our academy presented each of the teachers with gift packs of olive oil and coffee.

If you have a craving for coffee or olive oil, come visit us in Korea!

A journey to Jeju

Yes, we are still here! Sorry, for taking so long between blog entries. We've been busy playing travel guides for Trent's Mum, who has just left after a 10 day stay. During her time here we visited Jeju Island, the most Southern part of Korea. The island is home to South Korea's tallest mountain- Hallasan, a volcanic peak that takes up much of the island's centre. We stayed at Seogwipo, a southern port town with a rugged shoreline, home to a number of spectacular waterfalls.

Just in case she forgot what we looked like!

Denise and Trent at Cheonjiyeon waterfall

Riverscape around Cheonjiyeon waterfall

Jeongbang waterfall- we are told that it is the only waterfall in Asia to fall directly into the ocean

We arrived in Seogwipo during the Chilshimni Festival and stumbled across a community event, which we initial thought was a diving competition staring the famous women divers of Jeju island. These women, who are mostly over 60 years of age, are famed for their ability to dive to depths of 20 metres without diving apparatus. They began doing this to feed their families seafood during hard times on the land. We sat thought speeches by local dignitaries and watched in anticipation as these women suited up and the crowed started cheering for their favourite teams. We then had to laugh when the women, instead of plunging to the depths of the ocean floor, used their baskets as kickboards and had a 10metre sprint race!

Jeju women divers/kick boarders suit up as local officials open the event

Halla Mountain (Hallasan) is an extinct volcano that is 2000m tall and commands most of the inner portion of Jeju island. In Autumn it is covered in the warm tones of turning leaves and made for an exhilarating (if sometimes steep and uneven) climb. Here are some snaps from the day.

Autumn foliage frames a scene of rugged volcanic peaks

Trent's mum negotiating a path of volcanic rocks

After a steep 2 hour climb we were pleasantly surprised by the flat boardwalk that awaited us at the top, above the clouds

Looking down on Jeju's landscape, dotted with volcanic craters