SAFFIRE RESORT. TASMANIA

Web: www.saffire-freycinet.com.au
Location: Coles Bay, Island of Tasmania, south of mainland of Australia; on the east coast of Tasmania overlooking Great Oyster Bay, the Hazards Mountain, and the Freycinet Peninsula

Photos
www.archdaily.com

WESTERN HALF SIDE OF THE ISLAND OF JEJU

Click on it for a better view

Web: http://jejulife.net and http://www.jejuweekly.com
Location: The western half side of the Island of Jeju from the western shore to 99 or 1139 highway (also known as 1100 Road ), South of the Korean Peninsula
Getting there:
* Daily direct flights from South Korean Peninsula / Japan / China with Korean Air, Asiana Air.
* Daily direct flight from South Korean Peninsula with Jeju Air and Jin Air
* Ferries from southern coastal cities of South Korea.
Getting around:
Car rental - only leased to those with a Korean license or an international driving license
Taxi - outside of the major cities, they are rarely seen
Bus - download the route schedule and information:
* http://www.jeju.go.kr/contents/index.php?mid=040502
* http://www.jeju.go.kr/etc/jejusibus(2009.9.7).htm
Tips:
1. At Jeju Airport, to go the Tourist Information Desk to learn about the local bus system, lodging options and its reservations, and pick up some  local maps.
2. If you don't speak Korean, I would advise to pick up a language guide book.
3. The summer is the peak tourist season. To avoid the crowds, I recommend visiting during late May and September into early October. The weather is still great for hanging out at the beaches.
4. If for some reason the bus you have been waiting for never arrives, then I suggest hitch-hiking. But use this method as a last option. Overall, Koreans are friendly to and intrigue by foreigners. Show the map to the driver where you need to go or to the nearest bus station.
5. For affordable accommodations, I recommend to stay at pensions, which is like a motel/inn usually with a small kitchenette or min-bauks, which is like a motel with a home-stay feel. Pensions are typically nicer than min-bauks.
6. Jeju(do = island) makes an ideal getaway for a few days during your visit on the mainland of South Korea. Not to get overwhelm during your visit, I have decided to only highlight the western half of the island for you to leisurely enjoy your island experience.

Map of the west half side of the island

* To learn about  public Shamen rituals and ceremonies held at various dates and locations throughout the island, read this article:http://jejulife.net/2008/11/11/jejus-shamans/ and then contact the writer: Brian Miller baraka49@yahoo.com to learn about the the upcoming events.

* Beach information: http://jejulife.net

Jeju(si = City ) Area
Sarabong Park
Located on the northern shore, east of the city with the best view of the sunset
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=212

Iho Tewoo Beach
West of the airport and also open during at nights
Info:http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=184

Dongmun Traditional Market

Lodging
1. Yeha Guesthouse
Web: www.yehaguesthouse.com
Conveniently located a block away from 1132 highway, 5min walk from Intercity Bus Terminal, and 5 mins drive away from the airport. It offers multi-language service: English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean.

2. Hotel Wind & Sand
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

3. Neulson Parktel
5 minute drive from the airport.
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

4. Nepadory (condo style min-bauk )
5 minute walk to Iho Beach
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr
Web: www.nepadory.co.kr (Korean)

5. Hotel Hite


Aewol and  Aewol-eup Cities
Ollie Resort and Spa
About 20-25 minutes drive west along the coast from the airport in Aewol
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=396
A luxurious resort on the coast overlooking the Pacific

Jeju Polaris Pension
Out on the country side in Aewol-eup
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2442796086&v=info
Web: www.jejupolaris.com (Korean)

Hallim City Area ( West Coast )
Hyeopjae Beach
Info: www.visitkorea.or.kr
A beautiful beach with turquoise blue water and white sandy beach located south of Hallim City center.

Geumleung Beach
South of Hyeopjea Beach and just as beautiful with turquoise water
Info: Info: http://english.tour2jeju.net

Biyando
An island just off the shore in-between Hyeopjae and Geumleung Beaches
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=211

Hallim Park
Botantical garden, cave, etc.
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=329

Spirited Garden Bunjae Park
An impressive bansai park created with a labor of love by one man, Mr. Sung Bum Young

Olle Nature Walking Trails
Trail routes 14 and 14-1
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Lodging
1. Jeju Hyuang Namu Min-bauk
Info: http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=351446

2. Sky Hotel
Right on Hyeopjae Beach
Info: http://english.tour2jeju.net/main/view.php?idno=10201&menu_id=33

3. Hae Jo Dae Pension
Located right on Hyeopjae Beach with a great view from your room. When you get off the bus, you will notice this place right away.
Info: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk

4. Sam-seong Min-bauk
Adjacent to Hallim Park
Info:http://english.tour2jeju.net/main/view.php?idno=10204&menu_id=35

Jeoji Village Area ( Southeast from Hallim City )

Jeoji Orium or also known as Dakmoreu Orium
A beautiful wilderness area perfect for two hours of hike
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com

Olli Nature Walking Trail
Trail route 13
Info:

Jeoji Art Village


Daejeong City Area ( Southwest Coast )
Sangbang Cave Buddhist Temple
A natural cave that has been transformed into a temple
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Dan(san = mountain)
Hidden behind more famous Sangbangsan (Mountain)
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=104

Sangbangsan Hot Spring Spa
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=427

Hwasan Beach 
A beautiful view of the sunset behind the Sangbansan Mountain and it's not crowded.

Ollie Nature Walking Trails
Trail route 9
Info:


Lodging
1. Equus Motel
Near by major tourist attractions and on Ollie Nature Trail Route 9
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=899655

2. Silver Star Hotel

Jung-mun Area ( where 1100 Road / 99 Baun deadends on the south )

Map of Jungmun Complex

* This is the area to stay if you are looking for the 5-star luxury hotel experience.
* Web:http://www.yeomiji.or.kr/eng/content/eng_tourguide005.jsp

Jusangjeoli
An unusual hexagonal rock formation created by an erosion of the ocean, wind, and waves.

Cheonjeyeon(pokpo = waterfall)
Quite an impressive site to see after a heavy rain.

Yeomiji Botantical Garden
The best botantical garden on the island
Web: http://www.yeomiji.or.kr/eng/content/eng_introduce001.jsp

Yakcheonsa Buddhist Temple
Although built recently in 1987 (entirely out of wood), it is still an impressive site to see. Climb to the 3rd floor to see 18,000 tiny Buddha figurines.
Info: http://jejulife.net/2008/07/16/yakcheon-temple-jeju-south-korea/

Ollie Nature Walking Trails

Lodging
1. Haila Pension
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=351753
Web: www.hailapension.co.kr (Korean)

2. Gold Beach Pension
Info: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr
Web: www.goldbeach.co.kr (Korean)

3. Dream House Pension
Map: http://www.tripadvisor.com

4. Geckos Pension
Located north of the city out in the countryside.
Map: http://www.tripadvisor.com
Info: http://english.triptokorea.com

Mount Halla Area ( center of the island )
Seogwipo Forest Resort Area
A few kilometers southwest base of Mount Halla off of 1100 Road / 99 Baun
* Offers over-night accommodation and pension stay

Mount Halla Hiking Trails
Web: http://www.hallasan.go.kr/english/
 Trails on the west side:
1. Eorimok Trail: http://jejulife.net/2008/12/03/climbing-the-eorimok-trail/
2. Yeongsil Trail: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=286
*  Chonja-am Temple: http://jejulife.net

Yeon-dong,  located south of the Airport off of northern 99/1139 Highway.
Love Land
A quirky and over-the-top sex themed park with sculptures in various positions
Info: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=277

Lodging
1. December Hotel

2. Diamond Hotel


Photos:
http://m.wikitravel.org/en/Jeju
http://www.kspp.orghttp://www.worldmapfinder.com

STORM KING ART CENTER. LOWER HUDSON VALLEY

A 500 acre park with a collection of more than 100 sculptures crafted by renowned artists from around the world.

Location: In the lower Hudson Valley, an hour north of New York City, NY.
Web: www.stormking.org

Photos:
By Dale Lawrence and Gina Di Ponio
* This post was originally Gina Di Ponio's idea.

HAKKA EARTH BUILDINGS. YONGDING COUNTY

Ancient Fujian Toulou Buildings also known as Hakka Earth Buildings in Hakka villages scattered along the mountain side of the Fujian Province in southwest of China.

Information: www.chinatouronline.com
Tours: http://www.weekend-china.com/chinaattractions/attraction_484.shtml
How to get there:
Regular buses: (CNY 43; three hours) run from the long-distance bus station in Xiamen to the main collection of earth buildings centred on Zhencheng Lou. Buses return to Xiamen at 7.30pm, 12.30pm and 2.45pm. The earth buildings are scattered across throughout and the best way to see a selection is to hire a driver for the day (Y400 per day).
Railway:  K298/K299 From Xiamen to Yongding; CNY 40

Lodging:
Zhenchenglou Earth Building Hostel
Location: Hakka Earth Building Folk Custom Cultural Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding County 364100

Fuyulou Changdi Earth Building Hostel
Location: Hakka Earth Building Folk Custom Cultural Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding County 364100
* A basic accommodation.
* English speaking employees
* Some rooms offer the internet service, but expect the speed to be slow.
* 60-100 yuan per night
* Shared bathroom facilities
* Reservation recommended.  Arrange via travel agency in China.

Yanxianglou Earth Building Hostel
Location: No.847-01 Xinnan Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding County 364100
* A basic accommodation with an outdoor bathroom.
* No English spoken by the owners.
* Quiet and peaceful.  Bring a book in case you get bored in the evenings.

Chuxi Earth Building Hostel
Location: Chuxi Earth Building, Chuxi Village, Xiayang Town, Yongding County 364100




Photos
http://www.chinatouronline.com
http://agraphiablog.blogspot.com