Saturday, October 8, 2011

World Famous San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo is among the most famous zoo in the world due to its extensive research on animals, abundance species in the zoo compound, home to 2 giant pandas, polar bears and Skyfari which is a cable car to look the thru the zoo from the sky. This was featured in Madagascar animation movie where a group of animals thinking that they were in San Diego Zoo in California. Being located in San Diego, this zoon don't suffer much of weather change as this area is always hot and dry. Even during winter, the temperature seldom drop below 10 C. Initially, I was thinking whether I want to go to the zoo as the entrance fee is quite steep. At USD40 for a daily pass, it was my most expensive entrance fee for my USA trip. However considering the huge number of animals that they have and the ability to view the giant pandas in action, I finally decided to enter the zoo. Plus, there not many zoo in the world which have cable car on top of the zoo. Anyway, I am quite satisfied with the animal display here as all the animals were well breed and almost 75% open concept. On the giraffe display, the animal is so near to the visitor. As a rule of thumb, please allow three hours to visit this zoo.


San Diego Zoo.

My ticket.

Koala bear.

Llama.

Lion.

Fossil sample.



Skyfari cable car. You can take as many times that you want and its included in your entrance ticket.

Bus around the zoo. Its included in your entrance ticket.

Polar bear.

Red panda.

The cute giant panda.

Giraffe.

Me with panda souvenir.

Address:
Balboa Park, San Diego, California, USA

Transport:
Take the trolley to City college station. Then take bus route 7 to Balboa Park. The zoo is located within Balboa Park area. Press the bell when approaching the zoo.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Teddy Bear Museum @ Seoul, South Korea

The Teddy Bear Museum N Seoul Tower shows exhibits the history of Seoul from past to present through the use of teddy bears. It is an amusing and innovative way for visitors to see how Seoul has changed and developed over time both as the capital of Korea and as an international city. Teddy bears are posed in scenes recreating historic events as well as various aspects of Seoul life. The museum is divided into two parts, past Korean and present Korean. You will start with the past and slowly walk into the present modernization of Korean.

Korean history were told via the positioning & the costume of the teddy bears. Its a very well done museum which helps children especially to understand Korean history.

Entrance fee: 8,000 won for adult. You can get a cheaper package with N Seoul tower at 14,000 Won.


Get the ticket from N Seoul Tower ticket booth. The museum is just located below the tower.

Beginning of Seoul. Plantation era.

Mining era.

Soldier bear.

Peasant bear.



Discovery era. Korean emphasis on education. Jiphyeonjeon at the time of establishment.


War.

Trading era.



Korean palace.

Bear teacher teaching other bear.

Bear couples.

Me with the 3 bears.

Starting with the modern era of Korea.



Korean becoming more trendy.

Happy bear during present modern days. The present appearance of Daehangno.

Famous Nanta cooking show. This show has been shown on US broadway before and it hold a record for the longest show and still continue until today. You don't need to understand Korean to watch the show as it just like "Mr Bean" concept and no speech involved. Just action.

High end shopping district in Cheongdam-dong.

Security body guard of President at Blue House.

Rocker Korean bear.

Address: 1-3 Yongsandong 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Coordinate/GPS: 37.551246,126.988024

Directions:
The easiest way to get here is to take Seoul metro to Chungmuro Station (Subway Line 3 or 4), Exit 2. Then take Bus 2 (08:00-24:00/5min intervals) or Bus 5 (07:30-23:50/15min intervals) to N Seoul Tower.

Bryant Park @ New York

There many parks in New York which is worth to visit. One of them is Bryant Park which is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. The existence of a number of parks, makes New York City a good place to visit and its good for the residence to seek relaxation.


People with office attire can just sleep on the park.

Me on Bryant Park.

Nice building view from the park. You can see Empire State Building from here.

Great place for afternoon relaxation for near by office workers.

Good place for leisure.

How to come?
42 St-Bryant Park MTA subway station.
Coordinate/GPS: 40.754198,-73.984555