South Korea with Iris

I hope you like the art because today's post is dedicated to Korean art. Today I will show you an exceptional exhibition I really wanted to see. And I will tell you how much effort I put into visiting it! Intro I am sure you have heard about the Korean company Samsung. Probably, you have heard that the company's chairman passed away 2 years ago. After his death, a significant part of his art collection was donated to the Korean government. And now part of this collection is exhibited in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) located in Seoul. Peach Blossom Spring, 1922 (Lee Sang Beom) How to visit the exhibition The entrance to the exhibition of the Lee Kun Hee collection is free of charge. However, there is another problem. A queue. People come to the museum before it opens and stand in line. The waiting queue for the ticket usually takes around 2 hours. And even when you get your tickets, it is not the right time to celebrate, because there is another 1-2-h

I believe I can touch the sky... that is what I exactly felt when I was on the 123rd floor of the Seoul Sky. I am the type of person who is afraid of heights but runs first to the top to enjoy the view. Weird? Yes, it is, but it is true. I remember when I was in Cambodia, I was exploring each temple, and of course, I was climbing to the top, but then crawling down with shaking hands and feet.  Today I want to show you Seoul from a height of around 500 meters. So, our destination is Seoul Sky which is located in Jamsil station in Seoul, South Korea. About Seoul Sky Before starting our journey, let me briefly tell you about the tower itself. Seoul Sky is an observatory which is located at the top of the Lotte World Tower. There are 123 stories in the tower, and it is the 5th tallest building in the world. Its' height is 555 meters.  It is the only place in Seoul where you can have a 360-degree view of Seoul city.  The observatory was opened in 2017. Floor guide The journey to the Seo

May 8th, 2022 Today is May 8th, and today is Buddha's Birthday. Each year the date is different because it determines by the Lunar Calendar. But the interesting fact is that   this year   Buddha's birthday is on the same day as Parent's Day   in Korea. And, in many other countries, today is Mother's Day! So, I want to wish all the best to all parents and mothers in the world! Please, be healthy, be happy, and be with us! I didn't plan to write that post, but many people asked me about Buddha's birthday, and why people celebrate it on such large scales. I already showed you lanterns in the Bongensa temple, but I still didn't edit the video from the Lantern parade. But I will show you a couple of videos from the Lantern concert.  You can find more videos on the  playlist . And I will try to finish the video from the Lantern Parade as soon as possible. About the holiday Buddha's Birthday is an official holiday that was established to commemorate the birth o

I think around 5-10 years ago I wasn't a big fan of museums or history. I don't mean that it wasn't interesting to me at all, but I wouldn't run to the museum when I can go to the park or somewhere else.  But now whenever I see a museum that I haven't visited yet, I add it to my wish list! Even if it is a very small museum with a couple of exhibitions I can spend there at least an hour. Why? What I am doing there? The answer is easy.  I am learning history! Today I want to take you to the Seoul City Wall Museum, and before entering the museum, let me briefly tell you about Seoul City Wall. Intro The old name of Seoul was Hanyang, and that is why in the Korean language that museum is called Hanyang City Wall Museum. There was a wall around the city, and that wall was protecting the city from enemies.  Of course, most parts of the wall were ruined during the wars and stayed in history. So, today it is a part of tourist attractions. Hanyang city was selected as the cap

Each season is unique. Each season has a different beauty. I like spring and autumn because in those seasons the weather is perfect for outdoor activities, like visiting festivals or exhibitions in the open area.  I think I missed a lot of such festivals, such crowded places during the last 2-3 years and everyone knows the main reason for it. Yesterday I showed you the  Lantern Festival  which is still going on here, but it will be over tomorrow, because tomorrow is the Buddha's Birthday, and after it, all lanterns will be demolished. Today I want to share with you another beautiful spring festival that used to be every year here but had to be cancelled the last 2 years in a row. It is an International Flower Exhibition in Goyang city, South Korea. The festival was very short, I think less than a week. And I was worrying that I won't be able to visit it.  First of all, I want to stay it wasn't as awesome as I expected. But considering the current world situation, I think th

  This year is the 2566th Birthday of Buddha . And after 3 years, I guess, South Korea holds a very big, cheerful, and stunning celebration. Every year there was a lantern festival that starts before the Buddha's birthday in South Korea. And the whole country is decorated with thousands or maybe millions of lanterns.  Some of you may say  'I am not a Buddhist, so it's not for me' . I am not a Buddhist too. But I think it doesn't matter which religion you belong to. The thing that matters is what is inside you, your soul, your feelings. I like the Buddha's Birthday because of the peaceful atmosphere that it brings, because of its vibes, and because of all the beauty, it shows.  Due to COVID-19, we didn't have big performances for Buddha's birthday, but this year we celebrate Buddha's birthday almost for a month! And today I will show the smallest piece of it. A week ago there was a lantern parade and later performance in Seoul . But I think I should d