Happy Birthday Raswan!

I had to get up early today and do an errand in Hongdae.  Aftwards, I met up with Kevin and Shaun at the Hamilton Pool around 10am when it opened.  I arrived at the pool at 10:07am and there were at least ten other people there!  Kevin wanted to come to the pool during the week because he says the weekends are packed.  I can’t imagine what that would look like, since most empty spaces were full by noon.  Reardon joined us around noon.

The pool at 10:30am - nice and quiet.

The pool around 1:00pm.  Click on the photo to see the large size of this panorama.

These guys were interesting.  Three tan Korean guys with lots of tatoos, wearing thongs!  G-strings.  Banana hammocks.  Whatever you want to call them, it’s not right in any language.  It makes a Speedo look like a padded bra - theres nothing left to the imagination with thongs!  My small point and shoot camera couldn’t zoom so well, since they were on the other side of the pool.  So, these are the best pictures I got.

In this picture, it looks like the guy on the right is naked.  No, his ass was just hungry and decided to nibble on that thong he was wearing.

All in all, with it being my first time there, I had fun at the pool.  Kevin also brought yummy sandwiches to share.  This is Reardon thanking him by delicately putting sunscreen on his back.

Haha… I kid.  Below is a video I took at the pool, to give you a better feel of the place.  My toes make a cameo.

Matt, of Where the Hell is Matt? is back with a new video.  It’s only 5 days old, but already has 2.2 million views.  Pay attention to the 1:50 where he’s dancing at the DMZ.  At the 2:45 mark Matt’s dancing in front of Namdaemun gate (where he was late).  Twelve days later, the gate was burned down by an arsonist.  [Make sure to read about Operation Paul Bunyan, halfway down the entry.  Quite interesting.]

Watching this video makes me happy, and miss traveling.

Summer is here and its getting hotter and hotter.  On the weekends, I’d like to be at a pool.  I’ve been looking online, trying to find outdoor pools in the Gyeonggi-do area.  This is what I’ve found so far.  Does anyone know of other options?

Carribean Bay
An indoor and outdoor swimming pool located in Everland based on the Central American Carribean Sea of the 17th century. It has an artificial beach and several water attractions. There are also two cafes where you can eat and drink. It is open all year and you don’t have to bring money inside the pool area because all purchases can be made with a barcode hand-ring which you receive upon entry. More information on Carribean Bay and how to get there by public transportation.

• If anyone gets a chance to go to Ocean World in Gangwon-do, don’t hesitate to go.  It’s similar to Carribean Bay, has been open one year, and is lots of FUN!

Lotte World Swimming Pool
Within the sports facilities, Lotte World offers a mega-size swimming pool with lots of other attractions. The swimming pool itself is located under a clear glass dome which makes you feel being outside. They also provide a sauna and a King Cobra Slide. It is open all year round but the prices vary for low season and high season. If you like to swim, take a sauna and use the slide it is better to buy a so called “Free Pass” which gives acces to these facilities without paying upon entry. You can also buy a combined ticket for swimming pool and sauna.
Lotte World Swimming Pool information.

Hangang Parks
Along the banks of the “Han River”, which flows through Seoul, are 13 parks with all kinds of outdoor facilities. The parks are named after the districts they are in and in the following districts you can find large-sized outdoor swimming pools: Mangwon, Yeoido, Ichon, Jamwon, Ttukseom, Jamsil and Gwangnaru. Open hours: 9:00 am. - 8:00 pm. On particularly hot night, the pools stay open until 10pm.  Fees: children (4-12 years) 3,000 won, teenagers (13-18 years) 4,000 won and adults 5,000 won. Parking is available but the charges vary from park to park. For information call: 02-3780-0777

• I blogged about about the Yeoido Pool last year.
• How to get there by public transportation.
• Get there early!  The Yeoido pool has a capacity of 3,400, so image trying to find space to set out your towel.

The Sheraton Walker Hill opens its outdoor pool to non-members during the summer. For more info call 02-453-0121.

• I called the hotel and the person who answered didn’t speak much English.  The only information I got was that it cost 60,000 won for adults to use the outdoor pool.  There was also a “gold membership” option for 85,000 won.  She didn’t say if this included a buffet lunch, which I’ve sometimes heard rumors about.

Hotel Seoul Kyoyuk Munhwa Hoekwan

Furnished with the exciting Wave pool, High-slides and various kinds of Adult pools, separate Children pools and Running water pools, it is Korea’s biggest outdoor pool which will cool the steaming summer heat right down.

Open season: June 26th ~ August 22nd

Open hours

- 09:30~17:30 (Weekdays) / - 08:30~17:30 (Weekends and July 17th ~ August 15th)

Open hours

- tel) 82-2-526-9641 - email) sports@mail.temf.co.kr

• This doesn’t look bad, especially since there are lounge chairs, lots of room, and located in Yangjae, closer to where I live.  I can’t tell where this is, in relation to the Yangjae Costco.  Now, I’ve got to find out how much this place costs.

Hamilton Hotel Swimming Pool

• This hotel is located in Itaewon.  I heard this place is more of a pool party atmosphere - young people drinking and sunbathing, trying not to get caught checking each other out.  Get there early if you want a lounge chair.

• Open from May 24th to early September
• Hours: 10:00 - 6:00 pm
• Rates:  Weekday: 12,000 won; Weekend and holidays: 15,000 won
• Optional:  Locker: 1000 won, Towel: 2000 won, Lounge chair: 10,000 won
• Telephone inquiries: 82-2-6393-1247

What in the heck is that supposed to mean?  Maybe she meant, It’s Whorish?  You’re looking at the album cover of Lee Hyo-ri’s third album, which is set to be released in July.

I don’t know about you, but it looks like a first year design student thought up this concept.  Somebody was a little too happy with the Photoshop brushes, wheren’t they?  Hey, what are some ways to make this a cool hip-hop album?  I know!  Let’s throw in the words “U Go Girl” and “Blaze Up.”  Cause I’m sure that’s something Rihanna would have on her album.

Hey, I’m not totally hating on her.  She’s got a great body and is beautiful, but… It’s Hyorish?  The name is almost as bad as her first hit, “Just One Ten Minutes.”  English speakers were cringing everywhere.

Here’s a teaser video for her album.