August 2011 - August 2014
Jirisan (지리산)– South Korea: November 2013
Living in South Korea and meeting a number of animals, going on hikes across mountain ranges, and enjoying all types of sports.
Korean Animals
Jindo - Mokpo South Korea, 2012
Family dog - South Korea, 2014
Cranes and Birds: Paju Rice Paddy, South Korea
비둘기 - Pigeons: Han River South Korea
비둘기 - Pigeons: Han River South Korea
비둘기 - Pigeons: Han River South Korea
The I Love Puppy Cafe - Ilsan South Korea, 2013
The I Love Puppy Cafe - Ilsan South Korea, 2013
A chicken at a traditional wedding (mock) ceremony
South Korea has very little wildlife, with most fauna being either domesticated or city animals. Much of South Korea’s wildlife, not readily observed, live along the North/South Korean border. However, city animals such as pigeons, dogs and cats are common throughout South Korea. The Korean government protects the Jindo dog, considered to be the national dog of South Korea. This dog originates on Jindo (진도), an island off the Southwest corner of the Korean peninsula. The reputation of dogs in South Korea is mixed, with Koreans favoring small dogs over large dogs due to space limitations – most Korean homes are small apartments. Although many people do own pets, those without pets access the dog and cat cafes that are found throughout Seoul. These cafes, a Japanese import, provide a city dweller with the opportunity to play with and perhaps even adopt either a dog or a cat. In nice weather, families also enjoy taking a boat ride down the Han River (한강), while feeding pigeons that fly above.
Hiking in South Korea
Boseong Green Tea Fields (보성 녹차밭) - South Korea: Oct 2011
Seoraksan (설악산) - South Korea: Nov 2012
Seoraksan (설악산) - South Korea: Nov 2012
Seoraksan (설악산) - South Korea: Nov 2012
Daedun Mountain Bridge (대둔산 구름다리) - South Korea: April 2013
Daedun Mountain Bridge (대둔산 구름다리) - South Korea: April 2013
Jirisan (지리산) - South Korea: Nov 2013
Jirisan (지리산) - South Korea: Nov 2013
Simhak mountain (심학산) - Paju, South Korea: 2013
South Korea, with a very mountainous landscape, offers wonderful hiking opportunities. Bukhansan (북한산), located just outside of Seoul, is a popular day-trip for Seoulites. Due to the small size of the peninsula, hiking opportunities farther outside of Seoul provide year-round access. Two other popular hiking destinations are Seoraksan (설악산) in the east and Hallasan (한라산) on Jeju island. Hiking in South Korea can be a lifelong passion, and oftentimes elderly men and women out-hike the younger generation. Also, regardless of the difficulty of the hiking route, Koreans enjoy outfitting in bright-colored hiking gear and high-quality hiking equipment, such as hiking poles, water bottles, and knap sacks, along with appropriate hats, coats, vests, pants and footwear.
Sports in South Korea
Taekwondo (태권도) - Mokpo, South Korea: Nov 2011
Taekwondo (태권도) - Mokpo, South Korea: Nov 2011
Taekwondo (태권도) - Mokpo, South Korea: Nov 2011
Soccer (축구) - Gwangju, South Korea: May 2012
Hiking (등산) Bukhansan - Seoul, South Korea: Oct 2013
Hiking (등산) Bukhansan - Seoul, South Korea: Oct 2013
Many Korean children learn Taekwondo (태권도), Korea’s traditional martial arts activity. However, baseball and soccer have developed as the most popular spectator sports in South Korea, with both sports having a large following throughout the country.
Until next time,
ㅅ_ㅅ