#folksytravel Archives • Page 27 of 51 • Folksy Travel by Bill Smale

May 28, 2023May 28, 2023

Jeju Island has been a desired destination for 40 years. Finally i land here to find it very developed, with a lot of scenic views and a very welcoming atmosphere in this semi autonomous part of Korea. If you visit i highly recommend renting a car. Buses are few or far between especially the journeys to opposite sides of the island.

After lemonade everything else becomes an “ade”

The south side of Jeju has some nice waterfalls

This is a volcanic island so expect scenery similar to the big island of Hawaii

A fighter against the Japanese Imperial Army

Have you ever seen this excellent a portrait of an honest chicken?

May 20, 2023May 20, 2023

Gwangju – Korea (another break from Europe)

The photo above would indicate that Gwangju is a town of ancient automobiles, but actually, it is very much a university town. We thought the most interesting part of the area would be the bamboo forest, so that’s where we went.

This forest is often used for television and movie production

Bears, real or fake, enjoy being in this forest

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023

Gyoengju – Korea (a break from Europe)

This city is one of the most important cities in Korean culture. It is the birthplace of the Kim family. Several stories passed by me. One is the Silla king had a phoenix lay a golden egg in front of him and a baby popped out. Kim in Korean, Chinese and Japanese means GOLD! In my travels here, once 45 years ago, the streets had no golden eggs laying around but I am sure there were many Kims.

This is an astrological observatory built in the 7th century. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheomseongdae)

people do these rock towers for good luck

there are many dozens of these tombs around the city. they look like large mounds

the almost ccompletely rebuilt “traditional town” (model) with the walking bridge on the right

a school for manga and animation creation, a huge Korean export

an excavation site around a former castle

May 18, 2023May 18, 2023

Mainz – Germany

The visit to Mainz would never be considered as having “happened” if you did not visit Gutenberg’s museum and also had a photo taken with the “printer” himself, even if he is a pretty “hard” fellow to get to know. I think he is now Bronze. From here you can take a vineyard and wine tasting trip on the Rhine or visit Wiesbaden, another beautiful place with an iconic Old Town.

we stayed across from the Jewish cemetery. many gravestones have been disfigured or destroyed.

St. Stephen’s church where Chagall created some of the stained glass windows.

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

Frankfurt- Day 2

If your smart phone is kaput you might need this guy

This woman is blowing the garbage and leaves away from her place into the street and to other peoples’ property. It seems to be the thing to do in Germany.

Is this where Rapunzel let down her hair?

The old town is definitely one of the top attractions

This walking bridge has some beautiful views

I wish I had the guts to dress like this

Why does this statue have a protective net around it? Look at the next photo.

This shows Frankfurt is a financial center

I wondered where that kids phrase came from

Locks with love letters is definitely the thing

Transportation is really great in this city

Is this the great grandfather of the Cornell cafeteria?

May 14, 2023May 14, 2023

Frankfurt Day 1

I found in Frankfurt it’s good to have a sense of humor. Our first day here was filled mostly with shopping for necessities Such as shoes which I did not have since I have been a beach bum for the last three years. My long trousers were completely worn out so I needed a new pair. Included in the shopping list was a SIM card and fixing my brothers ring which broke a few days ago. The city is very much a financial center so it has some drabness to it but today we are going to look for some interesting buildings and scenery. Some of the food takes me back to my childhood since my mother made a lot of German recipes. Now it’s time to go and walk around.

Near the airport in Bangkok, we found Khao Soi, the Chiang Mai version, so decided to stop for the flavor.

Outside the hotel, in front of the main station.

This is an inexpensive place to go shopping, very middle class.

Vespas come in all sizes. All of them were for sale.

This German idea of Asian food includes foods from different places in east and Southeast Asia. The addition of chop Suey obviously indicates some US influence.

Exactly why I came to this shopping center

Of course we need some delicious bread for Breakfast

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023

Seoul – first stop

what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you first step off the plane in Seoul? For me, it’s food! But that’s because I’ve been eating Korean food since 1976 and very religiously. Kimchi was something I always kept in my refrigerator for at least three portions a week. But this city has really a lot to offer in terms of modernization and things of interest. Koreans have a tremendous sense of their own history and culture so going around the city you’ll find many parks and places where they are trying to restore some of the very old historical buildings. You also find many people including foreigners dressing in traditional Korean outfits (HanBok) to visit those traditional castles and temples. But my first impressions of Seoul were, The transportation is excellent and everything else in the city reminds me so much of Tokyo. This is a very clean, organized, and easy to get around city.