Korean exercise equipment (par course)

In the 1970s they built a parcourse (or is it par course?) at the San Leandro Marina. We went there quite often. In fact, I think my mom went there virtually every day for several years. Perhaps they built these all over the USA at the time. I haven’t seen many since, but maybe they are still being built. Basically, they are outdoor exercise equipment.

In South Korea, outdoor exercise equipment is ubiquitous. You can’t find a park or riverbank without them. I have even seen indoor gym equipment (bench press bench with barbell locked by a metal cable to the ground) outdoors in Korea. This time of year they don’t seem to be getting a lot of use (due to the heat and humidity), but I’m guessing they wouldn’t be there if they weren’t well used the rest of the year. Or maybe the manufacturer just has some special relations with someone in the government.

Posted on August 9th, 2013 under Korea. Tags: gwangju, May 18 Memorial Park 5.18 기념공원, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600. Comments Off on Remember the “parcourse”?

Gosapo Beach and Haseom Island – South Korea

During certain tides, the East China Sea (or maybe this is the Yellow Sea? I’m not sure where one ends and the other begins) will part between this beach and the island in the distance. During those brief periods you can walk out to the island. I think they call it something in Korean dealing with Moses. The rest of the time, you need to rent a tube to get out there or just swim.

Posted on August 8th, 2013 under Korea. Tags: East China Sea, Gosapo Beach, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600. Comments Off on Gosapo Beach (고사포해변)

Jikso Falls (직소폭포)

Previously, I showed you the panorama as you approach Jikso Falls. Today’s photo is of the view from where we ate our lunch.

Posted on August 7th, 2013 under Korea. Tags: jikso falls, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, waterfalls. Comments Off on Closer view of Jikso Falls

The monument in memory of Korean victims of A bomb – Hiroshima, Japan

Since I’m in Korea for the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, I thought I’d share a photo of the memorial you can find in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park of the Korean victims. Nobody knows exactly how many Koreans were killed or injured by the bomb, but estimates put the total between 20,000 and 40,000 people. The monument features a pillar on a large turtle. The top is a crown of sorts with two dragons listing the names of over 2,500 Koreans who are known to have been killed when the A Bomb exploded. The inscription on the monument reads, “Souls of the dead ride to heaven on the backs of turtles.” I have seen several similar turtle monuments in Korea so this must be a somewhat common tombstone or memorial of some kind in Korea.

Posted on August 6th, 2013 under Japan, Korea. Tags: hiroshima, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, 広島平和記念資料館 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Comments: 2

Kim Jae-Hyun (김재현) steals second

As I mentioned elsewhere, I went to Busan, in part, to check out Sajik Baseball Stadium (사직야구장). I saw the SK Wyverns take on the Lotte Giants. To be perfectly honest, I was a bit disappointed.

Wiki calls Sajik Baseball Stadium the “mecca for Korean baseball”, but I find the games in Gwanju at Mudeung Baseball Stadium (RIP in 2013) to be much more fun. Everyone is closer to the field. The seats are closer together. The people are friendlier, and even though there aren’t nearly as many fans in attendance, they somehow sound louder. New ballparks with all of their frills just can’t capture that old ballpark feel.

The KIA Tigers fans are all anxiously awaiting the opening of their new stadium for next season, but they may be losing something, something magical, in the move from their old digs.

Posted on August 5th, 2013 under Korea. Tags: baseball, busan, Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, Nikon D600, sajik baseball stadium, sports photography. Comments Off on Called safe