Jeongseon Auraji Rail Bike

This was a scenic part of the family’s South Korea trip. And it was truly beautiful!

The scenery doesn’t come easy though.. You got to work for it!

A short introduction about this place. This abandoned train track was converted into a place for rail biking, which simply means biking along a railway. There are 2-person or 4-person bikes for one to choose from. And the average speed for the bike is about 10-30km per hour. This is regardless of how hard one pedals. My brother and I tried this. After sometime, there will be no resistance on the pedals and the bike just basically rolls on its own.

Trains that have now been transformed to be part of the attraction. Where the fun begins!

We got the 4-persons bike. However, this did not mean that all 4 pple pedal the bike. Only the 2 people sitting behind do the pedalling.

A stream that we passed.

Tunnel ahead

With my cam buddy, I was able to take a shot of myself during the trip.

A crescent!

And like all railway tracks, here is a crossing! Its fully functional and there was a van which had to stop for us to cross first.

And even a railroad switch!

And our destination!

This was just where the bus parked to take us to our next attraction. An interesting board I found near the exit. Match my jacket!

The photos does not do justice to the scenery. Well, it was challenging having to pedal and take photos at the same time. I wanted to take in the wonderful sights not just through my camera, but through my own eyes. I was not amazed just with what I saw, but what I heard as well. You hear the stream, the birds, and sometimes just nothing. Nature at its best.

The official website mentioned that there is a free ride by train back to the starting point. I didn’t get the chance to do that though. The difference I think would have just been the comfort. Will definitely be back if I have the chance.

Stay tuned for more Ivy’s tales!

 

The Muppets

Just came back from The Muppets special screening and I loved it!

I admit I am one of the guilty ones that almost forgot all about them. And I would like to thank the people who brought them back onto the big screen.

A must watch if you have once been the kid who catches The Muppets special every Christmas!

What’s your number?

Was lazing in bed this morning, and letting my mind wonder. Somehow, the storyline of What’s your number came to my mind.

The movie is about a girl looking for true love as her bio-clock starts ticking, and she realises the number of partners she had was above the national average. The story continues as she tracks down her ex-lovers, so that she would not exceed the national average and escape the fate of being alone for the rest of her life. The plot is well, rather far-fetched for reality, but what left a deep impression in my mind is how the female lead successfully portrayed a character who often compromises and change herself to impress someone or to live up to others’ expectation. And when not being yourself bags you a rich man and envy from everyone around you, is losing yourself worth it all?

The movie ended of course with the female lead making the right choices and choosing being herself and eventually finding the love of her life. So I wondered how many times when I am making choices, I did it because of what I wanted, and not the expectations of others. And when I had to make compromise, can I continue to live with it and were they worth it?

At the end of the day, I am satisfied with my current state. Hoping things will be better and brighter in certain aspects, but some decisions and choices might have to be changed… I am not in a hurry though since the current state is still bearable.

An unexpected ‘spring-cleaning’ of my state of mind.

South Korea – Teddy Bear Museum Part 2

As mentioned from the last post, before I was able finally freed from the Safari, there are some heroes I would like to thank for their help. And I really mean heroes.

Bat-Bear

Spider-Bear

Super-Bear!

And some friendly giants

A surprise guest, the Da Vinci Bear

Da Vinci Bear

By the time I left, it was dusk.

And that marks the end of my adventure at the Tesuem.

South Korea – Teddy Bear Museum

During our annual Leow family vacation to Jeju, South Korea, the local guide gave us a choice to either visit the Teddy Bear Museum, or an interactive Teddy Bear Safari. From his brief introduction, the Teddy Bear Museum had all the history and contained displays of various bears from around the world. They are all in display cases and basically just for viewing. In the Safari, the bears are larger then life, and we get to take photos with the display. Furthermore, I can tell that the idea was sold once he mentioned the free gift everyone gets at the end of the tour! Very generous!

Once entering, I literally took the wheel and began on the Safari adventure with the bears!

Shortly into the adventure, I lost my vehicle when Count Teddy stopped in front of my car!

I narrowly escaped his attack, by hiding in the Safari Gift Shop with the help of the wonderful shopkeeper.

I knew I couldn’t hide forever and had to look for the nearest exit. The shopkeeper directed me the route to the nearest exit, but I soon found myself underwater.

I didn’t stop even though I saw the little bear-maid and her followers!

It was a beautiful sight and for a moment I forgot I was on the run! When I finally emerged, I was greeted by the Teseum band! Being out of danger is definitely a good reason to start singing.

I think my crooning attracted some bear’s attention…. *blush*

You know what they say about happy endings… And there is no better way to say it with Shrek and Fiona (bear version, with Bear in Boots) and some of the most well-known fairy tales. See if you can tell which tales they are depicting.

Bear-lice in Wonderland

Bear-lliver's travels

Bear and the Beanstalk

Count Teddy was no longer in sight, fortunately. I think I shook him off. Now, I really need to find that exit and get out of here… Who can help me??

Stay tuned for my next post to know what more there is to come.