Winter snow boots ~~ 스노우 부츠

After several weeks of debating with myself on what pair of boots would do the job of keeping my feet warm as well as being comfortable and strong enough to be hiking boots, I've finally bought a pair of winter boots. They are called Sporto Gracie lace-up boots in grey suede.

According to the description of my boots, Sporto is an award-winning brand who've been in the business for around 125 years. It's funny because I've done plenty of research on boots, and I never read about these brands until I found them on eBay. These boots are made of waterproof suede material. Inside is a Thermolite footbed. More importantly, the sole is a non-skid rubber outsole so that I won't be slipping constantly on slippery ice. I bought these boots for under a hundred dollars. That's a pretty good deal for a pair of snow boots packed with all that gear to protect your feet from the bitter winter cold. Plus, I'll also be using these shoes for when I will be hiking to places. I've never actually owned a pair of snow-worthy boots. All of my boots are just the normal suede boots that shouldn't get wet.


I also saw another pair of absolutely cute ankle boots of the same brand. These are called Sporto Katie lace-up winter ankle boots. I was tempted to buy these but many factors stopped me. First of all, they are of a beautiful white colour, so if I got them dirty then that would be very annoying. Second, they are ankle boots so that would leave my calves freezing to death. But like I said, these boots are absolutely adorable. I'm certain that they would still do a more-than-worthy job of keeping your feet warm.

Taebaek 태백

Taebaek is associated with the mountain range called Taebaek Mountains (태백산맥). This large mountain range stretches from North Korea adjacent to Pyongyang all the way down to Ulsan. People say that the Taebaek mountains are synonymous with that of the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the Himalayas in Asia. I don't think any mountain range can overcome the beauty and grandness of the Andes. But I think that any mountain range in itself is already an amazing must-see destination.

This image has got to be photoshopped in some ways.

I cam across Taebaek in my guidebook on Korea. During the winter seasons, they hold ice sculpture festivals with various large sculptures. They also have igloo restaurants. I'm not exactly sure if it is as picturesque as I imagine it to be. I think I get excited the minute I read something related to snow and festivals. It sure looks really pretty though. I recall seeing picture of my grandparents' travels in China, and they went to an ice sculpture festival. They took plenty of beautiful pictures standing next to these amazing sculptures that it was hard to believe they were even carved in the first place.

Coats galore

Asos mixed check cape, $132.20 AU.

Winter flared dress coat, $69.00.

~

To buy or not to buy...

Muju 무주

Two hours south of one and a half hours west of Daegu. There is this heavenly mountain range that looks stunning in pictures during winter. Muju is most popular for its annual fireflies festival. There is also the popular Muju ski resort. Apparently, it's one of the most tourist-populated areas in Korean. :o

Still~such a beautiful place. 

눈 내리는게 좋아해

와~ 미인 이시네요.

^^

Cherry Blossoms 벚꽃

Cherry blossoms are my favourite kind of flower. They capture the idea of ephemeral nature. Even though cherry blossoms can be found in many parts of the world, I believe cherry blossoms exude that oriental symbolism of nature and tranquility. They are absolutely beautiful when they are in full bloom.

Himeji Castle, Japan

During my exchange, the university I studied at had a very famous quad where cherry blossoms bloomed during spring. It brings many tourists even from interstate! I count myself extremely lucky to have had the pleasure to walk through these cherry blossoms every day to get to class. I always relaxed on the grass beneath a cherry blossom with my friends, and we always took time to appreciate the amazing array of cherry blossoms surrounding us.

I hope to continue enjoying my fondness and love of cherry blossoms when I travel to South Korea this Christmas. From what I've read, it seems that there are cherry blossoms blooming during the winter season, particularly around February.


I've found a blog by two English teachers in Daegu who talk about cherry blossoms - but this is during March! Oh no....
Blog: http://prglobal.org/ROK/march-march-marc/2011/

More snow 눈을!

I have found a beautiful array of pictures of various locations during winter in Korea.

They are beautiful and it inspires me to practice my photography skills so that I may be able to capture pictures as beautiful as those I see on the internet.

Bon appetit!

I had the opportunity to experience seeing and feeling snow for the first time in Mount Rainier, Seattle, when I did my exchange program. It was an amazing feeling. I wonder to myself if, based on these pictures, the snow in Korea is really that beautiful and so pure-like.

It's astounding how beautiful a view these cameras have captured.

Source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AK/AK_EN_1_6_6_1.jsp?sel=1&num=10

South Korea in winter

If I can witness a winter in Korea as beautiful as this image captures it, I think I will have found a piece of heaven.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qwertt555/3755328939/