Indonesia -- Day 15 Woot !! Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

If you have a long layover in Seoul Incheon Airport then you can take one to the layover tours offered by Freedom and Hana Tours.  Usually you need a minimum of two people and the 1/2 day tour is approx $40 USD/CAD.

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

The Yonggungsa Temple is located on the northeastern slopes of Baekunsan Mountain.  From the Official Site of Korea Tourism:

During the Silla Dynasty (about 1,300 years ago) the temple was named ‘Baekunsa’ by King Munmu, in reference to the temple’s mountain home. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was the temporary residence of Heungseon Daewongun (1820~1898, a politician and father of King Gojong), who stayed at the temple for 10 years praying for his son to ascend to the throne. When his son was finally crowned king, Heungseon Daewongun re-built the temple and changed the name to Yonggungsa. 

The temple consists of various buildings such as Gwaneumjeon (re-constructed by Heungseon Daewongun), Yosachae (home of the monks), Chilseonggak, and Yonghwanggak. In Yosachae, the writings of Heuseon Daewongun are hung on the wall and recently, an 11 meter-high statue of Maitreya was put in place. In front of the temple are two 1,300 year-old zelkova trees.

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

The colors and artwork surrounding the temple are gorgeous.  Again, not tacky or dated, but very beautiful and intricate.

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

If you would like to visit Korea, North OR South, then please 

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Yonggungsa, Incheon, Korea

Indonesia -- Day 15 Final Shopping in Ubud and ARMA Hotel

Most of these pictures are self explanatory.  Basically full photos of all the STUFF !!! you can buy at the Ubud Fundamental and Art Market.  You can't miss it.  Shop EARLY in the day to get the best deal and bargain HARD !!.  Your price should be around 1/4-1/2 of what the starting pricing was.  Of course, it also depends on what you can buy similar items for in your home place.

Ubud Market, Ubud, Bali

Jewelry at Ubud Market, Ubud, Bali

Ubud Market, Ubud, Bali

Wood Carvings at Ubud Market, Ubud, Bali

After my last minute run into town to grab some more jewelry, I came back to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast and get everything ready for checkout.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

These photos were taken around the ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa in the early morning. The hotel is just so gorgeous !! I can't describe it fully.  In the warmth and quiet of the morning sunrise it was beautifully serene.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

The stream running through the grounds and leading to the rice fields.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

The bridge over the lily pond to the theatre breakfast room.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

The lily ponds with the rice fields in the background

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

The door frame of my room.  Aren't the carvings and colors fantastic?

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

View from my balcony at the ARMA Hotel.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

The artwork in my room at the ARMA Hotel.

ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

My room at the ARMA.

The view from my balcony at the ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

If you would like to visit Bali or Ubud or stay at the ARMA Bali  Resort

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount

Market deals at ARMA Resort Hotel and Spa, Ubud, Bali 

Indonesia -- Day 14 Last full day in Ubud

After doing some final bargaining in the market and taking in as many sights in Ubud as I could fit, I walked   back to the ARMA Resort Hotel.  Along the way I passed this tiny temple on the street with an elaborate celebration going on.

Ubud Temple Celebration, Bali

Ubud Temple Celebration, Bali

Ubud Temple Celebration, Bali

I love this boy on the chair ringing the chimes in time.

ARMA Resort Pool, Ubud, Bali

When I arrived back at the hotel and was walking to my room (overlooking the pool) this was the gorgeous sight that I passed.  Doesn't it just scream for you to jump in?  Unfortunately I didn't have time for that as I had to get ready and meet everyone in the lobby for our final and Goodbye dinner.

Jack and myself, Ubud 

Ubud Final Dinner 

This was my final dinner in Ubud.  Unfortunately I can't remember the restaurant for the life of me.  It was a combination of local dishes and satay with coconut rice.  Just amazing !!! and of course the ever present and deliciously COLD Bintang !!

Frog on my balcony at ARMA Hotel and Resort, Ubud, Bali

When we got back to the hotel, I noticed this little fella jumping in the dark.  So cute !! The sounds of all the frogs and other wildlife in the stillness of the night was so relaxing.

Lizard on my balcony ceiling at ARMA Hotel and Resort, Ubud, Bali

Apparently all my new friends were sorry to see me go as they came out in force this night.

Lizard on my balcony ceiling at ARMA Hotel and Resort, Ubud, Bali

A little late night lizard party?

Lizard on my balcony ceiling at ARMA Hotel and Resort, Ubud, Bali

If you would like to visit Bali or Ubud or stay at the ARMA Bali  Resort

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount

The curtains in my room, ARMA Resort Hotel , Ubud 

Isn't this teal and gray damask print amazing?

Indonesia -- Day 14 Ubud Palace, Bali

In the center of Ubud, right near the market is one of the original palaces,  Puri Saren Agung.  

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Again with the amazing stone work and carvings and doors to heaven.

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

The palace was Ubud's first hotel and still today accepts some homestay visitors.

Ubud Palace, Bali 

The grounds feature a lot of gold leaf carvings and are quite formal.

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Amazing details, not only in the carvings but in the paint work as well.

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

Ubud Palace, Bali 

If you would like to visit Bali or Ubud or stay at the ARMA Bali  Resort

contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote Code AANK for a special discount

Ubud Palace, Bali