Wednesday, July 20, 2011

South Korea: The exotic potpourri

Many think of South Korea as a country that is still neck deep in its old school thinking and emphasis on religion. However, nothing could be farther from the truth, as the country has today evolved into a complex entity that is both difficult to comprehend and extremely exciting. True, Confucianism still has its roots deeply entrenched into the culture, but that does not stop the natives from being as forward thinking as they can be. In fact, the country is so active on the forward thinking front that everybody always seems to be in a hurry to do things. Seoul is the leader of this kind of an approach, and the energy seems to run within the very air of the country, wherever one goes.

There are very few tourists who visit the countryside, which is a blessing for the select few who wish to do so. Picturesque mountains, tranquil temples, fishing villages, rice paddies and numerous hiking trails await one who treads the road not taken. For the rest, there’s a lot to explore in the cities as well!

Jejudo: Suprisingly, Jejudo has been compared to the likes of the best, to the tune of Hawaii, Disneyland and the Mediterranean! The volcanic island is today one of the most interesting places to visit for tourists who have travelled to Japan in search for a unique experience. There is a heady concoction of cactuses, circus shows, sandy beaches, casinos, palm trees, orange trees, scuba diving opportunities and golf courses, to name a few! In short, it’s Japan’s holiday and honeymoon destination; where South Korea’s highest mountain, Hallasan, features a national park with different ecological zones with the roe deer and azalea flower blooming in May. The spectacular volcanic crater, Ilchulbong, is located towards the east, and Udo Island has black lava cliffs and white coral-sand beach. Towards the southeast coast lie the eroded cliffs at Yongmeori, along with Sanbangsan, a sheer-sided rock that is considered as a spiritual mountain with a grotto temple and water with healing powers. The world’s longest lava tube exists at Manjanggul, along with the regular villages, sculpture parks, museums and Asian-style gardens! There are also quite a lot of festivals and events happening round the year, like marathons, triathlons and iron-man contests, with the summers being a special treat, as concerts and movies are screened/organised on the beaches. Accommodation options include world class resorts, motels or the minbak, while one can eat to his/her heart’s content at

Busan: This city has a visibly absent cosmopolitan feel, but that might be the case also because it is mostly known for raw fish and its harsh dialect. However, the city is also pretty edgy, and the concrete jungle seems to do little to highlight that facet, but international travellers are always admired and respected, so it’s a pretty decent place to explore another kind of Japan.

Matrix international sim cards are the ideal communication partner while one is in South Korea, as they provide flawless network coverage, along with great calling rates on every international call.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

South Korea: The exotic treasure-house

It is really hard to describe South Korea in words, so there's really no point trying! Let's just say that this complicated country is as innocent as a blooming flower, and as determined as a ruthless industrialist. The many faces of South Korea never fail to astound people who have seen it evolving over the years, but for the unsuspecting tourist, this can be too much to handle! Agreed, the social relations are certainly grounded in Confucianism, but the country on the whole is a very futuristic place that has come to terms with its past in the most interesting manner. There is an insatiable need to hurry things up, particularly when it comes to technology, much to the delight of the rest of the world who relish South East Asian goods like truffle pastries!

There isn't exactly any plan other than going ahead, in whichever direction one might find suitable to excel in! There are virtually endless possibilities that can be explored, with Seoul certainly being the place to be in this regard! The energy is so contagious that it can catch on within a couple of days, and it doesn't go even after one has returned to his/her home country. There are very few tourists who visit the countryside, which is actually a great thing for the select few who are genuinely interested in finding out more about this fascinating country from its roots. There are tranquil temples, scores of rice paddy fields, breathtaking mountain views and numerous hiking trails that can be used to get up, close and personal with nature.

Busan: The port city that is known for its rather picking dialect and raw fish is pretty upmarket in more ways than one could fathom. The very soul of Busan is the driving force behind the energy that seemingly flows through its pulse. True, there is a lot of activity that might not exactly make sense to people, but that is all adding on to the charm of being here! The people have an initial apprehension against tourists, but once they drop their guard, it's amazing how overtly hospitable they can be!

Seoul: The story of Seoul is that of the Phoenix, for the city has seemingly been revived from the carnage of the Korean War. The local population prefers calling the 600 year old capital as the 'miracle on the Han', but even as Seoul's soul tries hard to transform from its concrete entrusted roots into a more softer and people centric destination, the enigma is only unfolding. The city is currently in the process of donning the mantle of the World Design Capital, and has quite the few interesting projects like the Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park, by star-architect Zaha Hadid, not to mention the new City Hall that is more eco-friendly than ever.

While in South Korea, one should trust Matrix international SIM cards to provide the best communication network with the most economical international calling rates for affordable and quality service.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Going Abroad- Don't Forget to Get an International Roaming SIM

In this global communication era where people usually travel from one place to another, remaining connected is the main necessity of each one of us. Millions of people from around the world travel each year for various purposes such as business, leisure, recreationalor educational. If you are planning to move overseas for any of these purposes, you need to stay in touch with your family and friends. Calling is certainly one of the most comfortable mediums of being in touch with each other. If you use your home mobile phone abroad, you will end up spending a fortune as international roaming charges are very expensive. So if you are going abroad, don't forget to get an international roaming SIM card which is also known as global roaming SIM card.

Earlier, people making a trip abroad were never able to make international calls so easily. Hefty amount associated with international calls always avoided the people to make calls to their near and dear ones. If they were making any international call, the duration of the call was always kept in mind to get rid of excessive expenses. Now the time has changed. You can make use of global roaming SIM cards to make calls at reasonable rates to your loved ones. These cards have proved to be the most appreciated way of communication and that too at affordable rates. There are number of offers provided by different service providers on these global SIM cards so that you can have fun while making international calls.

International roaming cards are the cost effective media for the people moving in a foreign country. It is definitely one of the best means of efficient communication universally. Global SIM cards are dynamic and compelling means of communication. It serves according to your need. If you are travelling to more than one country, you can avoid excessive roaming charges with International roaming SIM cards. You get the opportunity to stay in touch whilst you travel without spending a fortune in roaming charges. An international roaming SIM card is inexpensive as compared to other options available for international calling. This card will not cost you much upfront and, once you have one, you will save up to 60% on your mobile bill. I am pretty confident that you would love to keep your money in your own pocket.

By using a global roaming SIM card, you can keep track of your expenditure. Most International SIM cards are prepaid so you know exactly how much money you are spending. If you take an international SIM card, you won't get a nasty global roaming phone bill when you get home. Moreover, an international SIM card makes it easy and convenient to keep in touch with those back home. It is not always easy to get a calling card or access to a landline whilst you are travelling abroad. A global roaming SIM card is undoubtedly an economical and trouble-free way to stay connected with your friends, family and colleagues.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

South Korea: The 'Seoul' of Asia

Most essentially one of the most fascinating countries having a far more complex culture than one can understand, South Korea, despite its citizens being devout followers of Confucianism, is a country that is always on the path to progress owing to a fastidious methodology in almost everything. South Korea is a place of endless possibilities, and has a vibrant energy running in its atmosphere that is too hard to resist, and even if one does so, it soon catches up!

Seoraksan National Park: This spectacle is open from two hours before sunrise and shut down two hours before sunset. One of the most beautiful sights on the Korean peninsula, there are oddly shaped rock formations accompanying dense forests and hot springs, with temples from the glorious Shilla era adding to the magic and beauty of the park. The Seoraksan National Park has been designated as a Biosphere Protection Site. The Snowy Crags Mountain in the vicinity is another marvellous site, along with the Sinheungsa Temple. There are also some really nice beaches nearby for relaxation. Unfortunately, the 100 year rain in the summer of 2006 washed down many hiking trails at the park. However, the peak season between July and August still has thousands of tourists flocking to this tiny Korean location. The mid October leaf changing show is another source of attraction for tourists, as the prices of hotel accommodation double during these times.

Gyeongju: Popularly known as the 'museum without walls', the city of Gyeongju has more rock carvings, tombs, temples, ruins of palaces, Buddhist statues and castles than any other destination in South Korea. The Tumuli (grass-covered burial mounds) are the most easily accessible of the sights, and also make for an interesting visit. Going down the memory lane, when Julius Caesar was overpowering Gaul, Gyeongju was the capital of the Shilla dynasty, and continued to remain so for the next 1000 years. Under the reign of King Munmu in the 7th century AD, the neighbouring kingdoms of Goguryeo and Baekje were overtaken, reuslting in Gyeongju attaining the stature of the capital of the entire peninsula. At one point in time, the population of the city was close to one
million, but post the downfall of the empire, everything came back to square one. The revival phase, so to speak, came during the early 20th century, with the dictator Park Chung-Hee leading the 'brigade', an effort that is still continuing to revive the city and bring it back to its past glories. The outlying districts of Gyeongju are quite another part of history and culture that must be experienced in order to know the destination in all its essence. Tourists are advised to take 3-4 days out exclusively for covering the huge expanse of 1323 sq kms.

A visit to a country as exotic as South Korea certainly gives many experiences and moments one wants to share with his/her loved ones over the phone, and Matrix sim cards, offering savings up to 80%, give a reliable and economical option to talk with friends or family anywhere in the world.

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