For many of us, winter is best viewed from the comfort of our nice warm homes. Plummeting temperatures make even short walks to the bus stop or subway station into epic adventures .
Hwaeom Temple, located in Gurye, South Jeolla Province, is arguably one of the most beautiful temples in Korea. The temple was first established in 544 and enjoys a long history filled with destruction, reconstruction and renovations. It is filled with officially designated Treasures and National Treasures and it is unsurprisingly one of Dale Quarrington’s favorite temples. According to him, “It’s not every day that you’re in awe of a building or even a stone structure, but it’s not every day that you visit Hwaeom Temple.
One of the most beautiful sights in summer are the swarms of butterflies gracing the fields of flowers found throughout Korea. Like a kaleidoscope of color, they flit about bringing joy and wonder to all who view them. To many they are symbols of transformation and the cycle of life. In Korea they symbolize prosperity and contentment. They are generally associated with light and beauty but they also have a dark side - one filled with ugliness and contradiction.