첨성대 Cheomseongdae Observatory > Gyeongju, South Korea > Day 04 (6) - 2014 October 11 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

The next place is Cheomseongdae Observatory which located right next of the Royal Tomb of King Naemul.

Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheomseongdae
- http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264256

Address:
839-1, Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeonsangbuk-do
경북 경주시 인왕동 839-1

Directions:

• Start at the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. From the terminal bus stop take Bus 70. Get off at Daereung-won Tumuli Park. The observatory is 3 minutes away on foot. Bus arrives at 7-min intervals.
• Start at the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal bus stop. Take Bus 10 or 11 and get off at Wolseong-dong office (Daereung-won Tumuli Park). TThe observatory is 5 minutes away on foot.

Admissions Fee: Free

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962.

Cheomseongdae was built in a cylinder shape with stones 30cm in diameter. 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels. Roughly 4.16m up from the bottom there is a 1㎡ square entrance and a space to hang a ladder under it. The inside is filled with soil up to the 12th level, and the 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th levels all have long rocks hanging on two areas, shaped as the Chinese letter '井' (jeong).

It stands 9.17m high and the base stone on each side measures 5.35m. The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by the observation of stars. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard of deciding directions, north, south, east and west. The 362 stones used to build Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year.

It's a heritage monument. If you didn't know the history, then probably you won't understand what is this. Just look like a monument in the middle of the park. I think it's unique.

So many people come here and enjoy the festival. We buy some streetfood like Tteokbuki and BBQ. It's yummy. And there's dance competition too in there.

Some place nearby are Anapji Pond, Tumuli Park, but the sun has already set. So we decided to end the trip for today.

해운대해수욕장 Haeundae Beach > Busan, South Korea > Day 03 (5) - 2014 October 10 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

해운대해수욕장 Haeundae Beach located at Haeundae District. Exit 5 from Haeundae Station, and walk about 5-10 minutes.

If you ever went to beach in Indonesia (such as Bali and Lombok), you will think that the beach at Busan is a common beach.

But it's so crowded. Many people went there to enjoy the wind and the beach. Located in the middle of high building, and the white sand, make people feel comfortable to just sit and enjoy the scene.

Hotel nearby Haeundae Beach, if you wants to stay near the beach, you can choose this hotel

The pigeon on the white sands

A child happily play in the beach

Enjoy the scene while relax

The sun is gonna set soon

We decided to stay here and enjoy this beach till night and enjoy the sunset. Because it will took some time to travel to another place.

감천문화마을 Gamcheon Culture Village > Busan, South Korea > Day 03 (1) - 2014 October 10 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Woke up a little bit late today, to pay the time of sleep of yesterday. We start our journey at 09:00. Our first destination is 감천문화마을 Gamcheon Culture Village.

Gamcheon Culture Village or also known as Santorini on the South Sea, or Taeguekdo Village. The village is a panorama of endless rows of low-rise cubicle homes climbing up the steep hillsides from the sea below, their cheerful blue, yellow and pink hues a delight to the eye. Narrow stone and concrete alleyways wind their way through the homes, yielding something new at every turn.

From Elysee Motel Busan, go to Nampo Metro Station, ride subway to 도성/土城 Toseong Metro Station (orange line), go exit 6, then you will see intersection, turn right and walk until you meet hospital. The bus stop to Gamcheon is in front of the hospital. Ride bus no 2 / 2-2 to 감천문화마을 Gamcheon Culture Village, and stop right in front of Gamcheon Elementary School.

The main entrance of Gamcheon Culture Village right across the school.

Gamcheon Culture Village

this statue right in the corner of main entrance

You can collect stamp about this village, buy the map in the information or art shop. It cost W2000.

W2000 Guiding Map, the stamp book inside this map

Use this course as your destination to looking around the village

The stamp that I collected

1st free postcard from collect stamp

2nd free postcard from collect stamp

We use the direction in the map, so we know where we heading. And it's useful, because we know where to go.

 We spent almost 3 hours in there.

Camera House near Borobudur Temple > Magelang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Near Borobudur Temple, there's an unique house. Why is it unique? Because, it's form like Camera. People called it Camera House. The owner of this house is a painter. He said, that he build this house for gallery.

The Camera House located near Borobudur Temple. It's not inside the area. many people thought that it located inside the temple area, but it's not. After you pass Borobudur Temple entrance, you will pass Manohara Hotel, then just go to Amanjiwo Hotel direction and after you pass a big soccer field, you will see this house.

beautiful lotus flower

me and my friend shadow

Culinary :: Indische Koffie > Yogyakarta ~ Special District of Yogyakarta ~ Indonesia

Today, I went to Yogya with my friends. And we decided to eat lunch at Indische Koffie.

Located : Jl Jend. A. Yani No. 6 Benteng Vredeburg Ngupasan Gondomanan Yogyakarta Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Phone: +62274580004), the cafe was inside Benteng Vredeburg, near Malioboro Street. It closed on Monday.

See:
- http://www.yogyes.com/id/places/738/
- http://travel.detik.com/read/2012/02/23/140400/1848999/1025/nostalgia-tempo-dulu-di-indische-koffie-yogyakarta

It's been a long time I want to come here. Finally, there's a chance.
The cafe itself was ordinary, only the building looks like ancient house / fortress. For those who love history, would like to come here and enjoy the building.

They serve western food.

The price is standard cafe. Not too expensive.

The Grand Palace Bangkok (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (1) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Today, our first visit place is The Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones:
- The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha;
- the Middle Court, which is where the most important residential and state buildings are;
- the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts.

Getting there?
One of the easiest, and most pleasurable, ways is taking the BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, located a top Sathorn “Central” Pier. From there, take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Chang Pier, and then it’s a short walk to the Grand Palace’s main entrance.

Opening hours: daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm except during special royal ceremonies.

Entrance fee is 500 Baht.
It's inclusive of access to :
> Wat Phra Kaeo,
> The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile, which are located within the Grand Palace compound,
> Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.
Additional 100 Baht for a rental personal audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin.

So this is why I suggest you came here first then the other's palace. Because the ticket is inclusive. Don't forget to take a brochure about grand palace based on your language.

Visitors are required to dress appropriately. These following clothes are strictly not allowed as outer garments for both ladies and gentlemen:
>>> Shorts
>>> Mini-Skirts
>>> Short Skirts
>>> Tight Fitting Trousers
>>> See-Through Shirts and Blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers
>>> Sleeveless Shirts or Vests
>>> Sandals (without ankle or heel straps)
>>> Rolled-up-sleeved shirts
>>> Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
>>> Wind-Cheaters
>>> Pajamas
>>> Fisherman Trousers

Credit:
- http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Grand-Palace--52
- http://www.grandpalacebangkok.com/

We parked the car a little far from Grand Palace, and the usual Parking Car already full. So we parked the car at a building car parking. It's near Khao Shan Road. Then we ride Tuk-Tuk. It cost 50-60 Baht from there to Grand Palace.

When I came here, it's Queen's Birthday. So there's a ceremony party inside the Grand Palace. But the tourists still can enter the site.

And when I came here, there's so many people. Just imagine, only when you want to entering the entrance, you have to queue almost 45 minutes. Too many people come here. And we can't took a good picture with many people surround.

The Grand Palace, view from Wat Arun

Outer Court of Grand Palace

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall, middle court of Grand Palace

When I visit this palace, There's a ceremony party for Queen's Birthday in this building. So many important people come to celebrate.

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Halll