Mihwangsa Temple Stay

                                                             South Korea April 2015 

                                                         “Seoul-Mihwangsa Temple”

                             

    Have you ever wondered why we are here?  What is the purpose of “Life”? What should we do to fulfill our deep true self? How should we live, or spend our life to the utmost? Constantly reflect our thought to these questions is one of life essentials.

    Traveling to South Korea and having a chance to stay in Mihwangsa Temple has awakened my inner self to a revelation of the ultimate truth in life. Although a high technology that South Korea has been presenting to the world, but on the contrary, I found the charming of it in an unknown part of South Korea -“Temple Stay”.

    We signed up 2-day-1-night program at Mihwangsa temple, considered as one of the most beautiful temples in South Korea. The temple is in the southern-most of the mainland and surrounded by Dalmasan Mountain and the ocean. It has one of the best temple stay programs recommended by the temple stay management organization. The temple staffs are helpful and very friendly, especially Jajae (an English translator). The room is clean and tidy with a heater on cold nights.

    It was a great soul-searching experience: for connecting our mind and body, for looking deeper and deeper inside ourselves and beyond the mind, for having wisdom and courage to see the real essence in life. A delightful memory of chanting and meditating with the monks early morning in the main Buddha hall still lingered in our mind. We are glad we joined this program.

Sunshine after the Rain at Mihwangsa Temple

The Main Buddha Hall

Morning Chanting in the Main Buddha Hall
(picture from Templestay korea)

Hiking to the Peak of Dharma Mountain

The Peak of Dharma Mountain

Nice and Clean Bedroom

Mihwangsa Temple Stay Information:

• Immerse yourself with a general information of a temple stay on facebook at (templestay korea).
• Check out the availability and make a reservation at (en.templestay.com). If you wish to stay longer, contact the temple staff (Jajae) directly via dalmaom@hanmail.net or Tel no. 061-533-3521.
• We traveled from Seoul to Mihwangsa Temple by bus(5 hours). Starting from Seoul Central City Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Subway) to Haenam.
• Jajae (a very nice english speaking temple staff) picked us up at Haenam Bus Terminal. Contact via email: dalmaom@hanmail.net.

• Mihwangsa Schedule;

12.30-3.00Pm: Arrive to Mihwangsa Temple
3.30Pm-4.00Pm: Registration

5.00Pm: Temple stay orientation

6.00Pm: Dinner

7.00Pm: Evening chanting (Yebul)

7.30Pm: Tea Meditation & Dharma Sharing

10.00Pm:Lights out and noble silence

4.00Am: Wake-up bell by Moktak

4.20Am: Morning chanting (Yebul)

5.00Am: Sitting meditation (Jhawsun)

6.30Am: Breakfast

7.30Am: Working Meditation (Oolyeok)

8.30Am: Individual practice or personal time

11.30Am:Lunch

12.00Pm:Individual practice or personal time

• -   Interesting activity near the temple: 

Hike to the peak of Dalmasan mountain (Approximately 1 hour 30 minute-1.4Km), you can see the Mihwangsa temple and the sea on three sides. Prepare hiking boots, trekking poles, water, energy boosting snacks, and a jacket on cool weather.

•  Restaurants we Love in Seoul

1. Seocho Sariwon (the best BBQ)

136, Seoun-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul +82-2-3474-5005

(Quite difficult to find so better go by taxi)

-We love Yangnyeom-galbi (marinated and grilled beef ribs in soy sauce)

-The restaurant’s Gimji is one of the best ever tried.

Yangnyeom-Galbi

2. Tosokchon

5 jahamun-ro 5-gil,jongno-gu,Seoul +82-2-737-7444

- The best Ginseng Chicken Soup in Seoul.

Ginseng Chicken Soup

3. Galleria’s Gourmet 494

-Located in the basement of Galleria Department Store.

- We love Burger at “Brooklyn Burger Joint”

4. Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki

-5, Dasan-ro 35-gil,Jung-gu,Seoul +82-2-2232

-Make sure you go to the right shop as there are many similar shops around as well as similar picture of the famous old lady along the way.

Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki

Chiwoonjung Hanok Boutique Hotel

Hanok Traditional Hotel at Chiwoonjung

                                     ---- Annyeonghi Gaseyo ----
                             -_-'

  

My Favorite Restaurants in PARIS

Paris May 2014 

When it comes to "Food", who wouldn't love PARIS. On this journey, my mission is to find good restaurants and pastry shops in Paris. Well, we did find many delicious places. And I'm happy to share my favorite restaurants , and other delicious places with you.

The food of these restaurants is so good that you can feel "Love & Care" in their dishes. It's an honest cooking that I feel joy and appreciated every times I found these places. The good news is most of these restaurants on my guide list are incredibly inexpensive, comparing to what we get.

Moreover, I have also included the shops for food ingredients supplies, kitchen and Baking equipments especially for those who are interested in cooking. Some of these places are Julia Child's favorite shops, written in her book. 

** Thank you "Mom" for being my perfect companion on this trip**

My guide to Restaurants & Pastry shops in Paris:

• Restaurants

1. Le Comptoir (Relais de Saint-Germain)

• 9 Carrefour de L'Odéon. tel: 01 44 27 07 97. 
• Bistro of Chef Yves Camdeborde. Chef of "Bistronomy"
• Metro: Odéon
• Love: Fish, Squid, and beef dishes are very fresh and perfectly cooked. Ask for their recommendation. "Plat du jour" on board changes daily.
• Lunch, served a la carte menu. Dinner, served prix fixe menu.
• We went 3 days in a row. It's that GOOD!

  2. L'Avant Comptoir 

• 3 Carrefour de L'Odéon, 75006 Paris.
• Chef Yves Camdeborde hors d'oeuvres bar.
• Metro: Odéon
• A standing bar with small delicious dishes.
• Love: creme de mouilles et foie gras, double citron foie gras macarons, Artichaut vinaigrette, Artichoke & Ham Waffle, Piment Jelly & Blood sausage macaron, Seared foie gras & Red Pepper skewer.

  3. Les Cocottes de Christian Constant

• 135 Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris.
• tel: +33 1 47 53 73 34
• Metro: Ecole militaire
• Love: Langoustin ravioli, Beef bourguigon, Potatoes stuffed with pigs feet. Scallop dishes.

  4. Septime

• 80,rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris.
• tel: 01 43 67 38 29 
• Book well in advance on their website: septime-charonne.fr (open 3 weeks ahead) , or by phone: 01 43 67 38 29 (from 10am-12pm, and 5.30-7.30pm)
• Metro: Charonne
• Chef Bertrand Grebaut presents a modern French cooking with best seasonal ingredients.

  5. Frenchie

• 5-6 rue du nil, 75002 Paris. Tel:+33 1 40 39 96 19.
• Metro: Sentier
• A fixed price menu can be seen on their website (frenchie-restaurant.com)
• make a reservation well in advance online at frenchie-restaurant.com (open 2 and a half months ahead), or by phone: +33 (0) 1 40 39 96 19 (Mon-Fr 3-7pm).  

  6. Bistrot Paul Bert

• 18 rue Paul Bert, Paris. closed on Sunday.
• a very popular, french comfort food bistro.
• Make a reservation at +33 1 43 72 24 01.
• Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny

  7. Breizh Cafe

• 109 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris. Tel: +33 1 42 72 13 77.
• Metro: Filles du Calvaire.
• one of the finest crepe and galette in Paris.

• Sweet Shops

 1. Pierre Hermé

• 72 rue Bonaparte,75006 Paris. *there are many stores in paris, check out their website for your nearest location.

 2. Ladurée 

          Check the nearest location on their website.

 3. Poilâne

• 8 rue du Cherche-Midi,6th arrondisement.
• Metro: Saint-Sulpice
• Tel: +33 1 45 48 42 59.
• Famous for their tasty sourdough bread.

 4. Berthillon

• 31 rue Saint-Louise en I'lle.
• One of the best ice cream & sorbet shops in Paris.
• Metro: Pont Marie

 5. Grom

• 81 rue de Sein, 75006 Paris.
• one of the best ice cream shops in Paris.
• Metro: Odeon

• Shops for Kitchen & Baking equipments

 1. E.Dehillerin

• 18-20 rue Coquilliere,Paris. 
• Tel: 33 1 42 36 53 13
• 190-year-old kitchenware supply store.
• Metro: Etienne Marcel

 2. Mora

• 13 rue Montmatre,75001 Paris.
• Tel: 01 45 08 19 24
• Metro: Les Halles
• provides kitchen & Baking equipments

 3. G.Detou

• 58 rue Tiquetonne, Paris.
• Tel: +33 1 42 36 54 67
• Metro: Etienne Marcel
• Grocery store specializes in baking products. E.g. Valrhona Chocolate, nuts, candied fruits. 

Le Comptoir Restaurant

Squid and Risotto in squid ink sauce
Le Comptoir

  Steak with Red Wine Sauce
  Le Comptoir

Tuna Fish with Vegetables
Le Comptoir

Fish and Vegetables
Le Comptoir

Steak with Red Wine Sauce
Le Comptoir

Squid with mixed vegetable
Fresh and Tasty, Le Comptoir

stuffed Calamari with a Squid Ink Sauce
Le Comptoir

Menus hanging on the ceiling at L'Avant Comptoir

 Foie Gras soup
L'Avant Comptoir

Double Citron Foie Gras Macarons>>Love!
L'Avant Comptoir

Artichoke & Ham
L'Avant Comptoir

Salmon Croquette
L'Avant Comptoir

Les Cocottes de Christian Constant

Delicious Langoustin Ravioli
Les Cocottes

Bisque Soup
Les Cocottes

Potato Stuffed with Pigs Feet

Pierre Hermé

Pierre Hermé

Ladurée at Champ Elysee

Ladurée at Champ Elysee

Poilâne at 6th arrondisement

Best Sourdough Bread at Poilâne

Berthillon Ice Cream Shop

Delicious Sorbet at Berthillon

Grom Gelato shop

G.Detou Grocery Shop

Mora, Kitchen and Baking Equipment Shop

Last Day with Chef Yves Camdeborde

Hope you love these places as we do.

Have a great time in Paris.

Au Revoir!!

                                                                     

The Himalayan Mountains Trekking in Nepal

Nepal October 2013

Trekking Area: Annapurna Panorama

Namaste!

Trekking through the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal is our "Once in a lifetime" adventure destination. Never taken any adventurous trips before, we decided to add a new perspective of untouched experiences into the facet of our lives.(and we are glad we did it).

We had been trekking along the Annapurna Circuit for five days in early October, encountered with every weather conditions you can imagine. On the first 3 days we had such a blessing weather. The sky was open with a clear view of Annapurna Panorama, and a colorful and blossom flowers along the route. On the last 2 days, it had been raining with cloud and thick fog. Ironically, we found it was a blessing as well because every situations we experienced while raining had given us "A Completed Trekking Experience".

The journey was tougher than we had imagined. The longest day we trekked approximately 16 Kms for 7 hours. Countless steep rock steps (asending and descending) were what we had to conquer every days. Slippery rock steps, soft mud, and leeches were unavoidable on the rainy days. Still, we had to keep walking and walking tirelessly. All physical comforts we once had at home were unknown on the trek. The bathroom (on the lucky day with hot water from the solar power), and toilets are shared, no electricity for personal purposes, no TV, no radio, and no other connections to the world.

However, Despite all the difficulties and physical exhaustion on the trek, we have found a "peaceful silence" in our mind. Our lighter and clearer mind consequences from focusing our mind on every breaths and in every steps. Our physical pains are now gone, leaving us with beautiful memories on this meaningful journey. In the end, it's all WORTH it! Certainly, once is not enough and we aim for higher on our next trip!

Our Itinerary:

• We flew from Bangkok-Kathmandu (duration 3.30 hours)
• From Kathmandu to Pokhara (the second largest city of Nepal) 30 minutes by plane or 5-6 hours by private bus.
• From Pokhara to Nayapul (1.5 hours drive)
• We trekked from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga/Ulleri (overnight at tea house).
• Trek to Ghorepani
• Hike to Poon hill, trek back to Ghorepani, then trek to Tadapani.
• Trek down to Chomorong, and Jhinu.
• Trek to Syaulibazzar, and then to Nayapul.
• Drive back to Pokhara.

Credit all pictures to my lovely husband.

A Clear Mountain View in Pokhara

Trekking from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga

Clear Sky with Blossom Flower along the Route

Resting and Relaxing the Muscle

Poon Hill

Our Porter, a Silent Companion

Thick Fog on the Rainy Day

Slippery Steep Rock Steps 

Last Day at Last

Boat Trip in Phewa Lake

Early Morning at Phewa Lake in Pokhara

** Suggestions **

• Prepare in advance a few months before with suitable physical training.
• Invest in good quality waterproof hiking shoes. (Find from your country, the nepali one are not good quality).
• Other clothes and hiking supplies can be easily found in Kathmandu (Thamel), and Pokhara. (Most items are cheaper than buying in Thailand) e.g. Headlamp, trekking poles.
• Be prepared for unexpected weather. prepare clothes for every weather conditions, light jacket, and a jacket suitable for zero degree, sleeping bag (as the blanket is not provided in some tea house), good quality waterproof clothes.
• Prepare well on medicine.
• Prepare for the protection of leeches on the rainy day.
• Bring some foods to boost your energy during the day. E.g. energy bars, dried fruits.
• For photographer, prepare the battery back up as there is no electricity provided in the room. However, it can be charged at the common area with money charged.

** Recommendations **

• Recommended Nepali folk song: Resham Firiri.
• Recommended Restaurants: 

    -Kathmandu: 1. Fire and Ice Pizzeria (Italian foods)

                2. OR2K(Vegetarian food)

    -Pokhara:   1. Moon Dance Restaurant 

               (We love Chicken tikka,and chicken tikka masala)