A TOUR OF KOREA IN 5 DAYS - PART 4

(This blog is a continuation of our 5-day tour organized by Korea Tourism Organization as part of the Korea-ASEAN Tourism Partnership Program). It happened last October 29- November 2, 2012).


DAY 2

I woke up the next day excited to see what's for breakfast.  I always look forward to a hotel breakfast specially when it is a buffet one. Just choosing the food you will put on your plate is a big task! Hyundai Hotel has a good minimalist restaurant when I saw it from the lobby and I was glad we stayed in this hotel. I love minimalism.

Such a lovely breakfast we had!

After a quick check-out, we immediately moved to Hyundai Heavy Industries, one of the biggest ship construction companies in the world. Its ship manufacturing facility in Ulsan City is the largest shipyard in the world. I was excited as it is quite difficult to have a look in this complex unless one gets the approval of the company. Indeed, it was quite huge as it extends across two and a half miles along the coast of Bay in Ulsan and covers an area of 1,780 acres. It is strategically located such that its shipyard can be easily accessed from and to the open sea.

We were first led to its museum to let us appreciate more the history of HHI. A 6-minute AVP was first shown to us summarizing what Hyundai Heavy Industries do.  Called Asan Memorial Hall,  it features the history and memorabilia of the company specifically higlighting the life story of its founder, Mr. Asan, Ju-Young Chung. It was an inspiring story from being a simple worker to one of the world's biggest shipmaker. He lived until the 80s after inspiring Koreans, to include North Koreans. He even ran for Korea presidency but lost. His life is literally shown here to include a showcase of his working shoes which he used for more than a decade. He was known for his frugality but considered his employees as family. His life story is detailed more in this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chung_Ju-yung. I really love success stories and he inspired everyone of us to do better and never be fazed by poverty or challenges.

 

I managed to squeeze in a shot before we were reminded that taking pictures is not allowed during the mobile tour.

HHI was constructed in 1972 and was commissioned in 1974. From 1972 to 2011, HHI  has delivered more than 1,686 vessels to 268 ship-owners in 48 countries. Today, it commands around 16% of the world ship manufacturing market.

Photo taken from their website

Ulsan shipyard has nine large-scale dry docks with six Goliath cranes. This allows HHI to manufacture any type of ship of any size, we were told by the English-speaking guide who rode on our coaster. It was a mobile tour as we cannot finish it if we walk.  Different ships of various construction stage were shown to us. I would have loved to take photos but it was not allowed. I was just contented seeing it from my coaster window and could only imagine the immense technology used in building these ships.

After almost an hour tour, I happened to know that the shipyard employs more than  50, 000 people and it contains more than 50 restaurants inside its facility. And that many Filipinos work there! Truly remarkable!

We then moved on to Hyundai Motors, the automobile manufacturing facility of Hyundai.  We were ushered to their showroom lobby where we enjoyed taking pictures of some of their showcased cars. After which, we were called in to a few minutes of AVP.

A one-hour tour of their production line followed. I could not help but be amazed by how fast a car can be made!  As Hyundai Motor's main production facility, the Ulsan Plant sits on a 5,050,000 square meter site and is equipped with five independent plants that employ over 34,000 personnel to produce an average of 6,000 vehicles a day. It has even  its own port where up to three, 50,000-ton ships can anchor simultaneously. Thinking of its enovironment, it also maintains 590,000 trees as part of its landscape and state-of-the-art-facilities.

Again, picture-taking was not allowed when inside the facility. I was amazed by the thousands of cars lined up ready for shipment to different parts of the world. They were like car toys ready for my taking.  It was the biggest number of cars parked in one space I have ever seen! How we all wished we can take home some cars!  We were so appreciative though when our kind tour guide from Hyundai Motors gave us a replica of Hyundai's first manufactured car called the Pony. It was enough I guess, lol!

Our Hyundai personnel tour guide. Good thing she speaks
good and clear English.

After more than an hour of a moving tour using our coaster, we moved to a restaurant for our Bulgogi lunch (marinated beef) course meal. I love Bulgogi since I first tasted it in a basement resto in Seoul near Seoul City Hall. I did not know then that Bulgogi can be cooked different ways, lol! And that we were visiting one of the largest restaurants I have ever visited called Maris!

 

After a very hearty meal, we moved on to Gyeongju to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto.  The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex. It lies four kilometers east of the temple on Mt. Tohamsan in Gyoengju, South Korea . It is classified as National Treasure No. 24 by the South Korean government and is located at 994, Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsanbuk-do. The grotto overlooks the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and rests 750 meters above sea level. In 1962, it was designated the 24th national treasure of Korea. In 1995, Seokguram was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Bulguksa Temple. It exemplifies some of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world.

The Seokguram Grotto where Buddha is housed.

The design of the grotto

Pic borrowed from Wikipedia

 

It was by far one of the most touching temples I have visited as I have personally seen it upclose. I have seen other Buddhas bigger than this in Japan but this one seems to emanate a different aura as it is nestled in a carefully designed temple. People really line up to say their prayers and you could see monks doing their religious activities. By far, one of the best temples I have visited. I also happen to have a picture with a monk!

Whew, time to park. I will continue on with my blog next time I get time! Still have to finish other tasks - my homework in Hangeul language! See you!