#peregrineation

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Let’s break it down again with Mod Yue --

The value of this project for me is that I learned to express my idea to my partner, corporate to each other, and finish work on time. The most valuable skills I learned is how to create a blog and make it aesthetically pleasing. I also felt that I developed my English skill by making Peregrine-ation. Unfortunately, time is a luxury and we often don’t have time to create frequent posts.

I would not consider our project as a success or a failure, but somewhere in between; we’ve made progress on this blog and gained followers and achieved our goals. We spent time on finding unusual place and gathering information. However, we got 16 followers -- we appreciate you guys greatly, but it didn’t meet our goals for this project. That’s why I consider our project an in between.

In our project, my job was to find the unusual places and discuss with my partner; from there we choose which places we like best. After that, I usually do the rough draft and pictures, in which then Mod Mono will do the editing, paraphrasing and final posting. I think I work best with peers, because we can share our ideas and come up different ways to solve a problem.

Safe travels!

-Mod Yue

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It’s that time - we gotta look back and see how we’re doing. So let’s get into the gritty stuff before we head on into Austria.

As far as we’ve tracked, we haven’t gotten any suggestions for countries yet. We know that this is because we’re not too well-known yet and that’s okay; considering that Mod Mono has spent over a year working on their personal blog and only now it’s starting to pick up with followers, we expect that we won’t be making any serious traction for a while now. 

However, we’d like to thank several blogs for helping us signal boost a bit, including @onearmedrice , @4therecordblog and @pleasepleasepleaseme! Thank you so much for keeping us motivated :D But all of y’all are beautiful beans and we’re so glad to have you on board!

Now that we’ve flown through Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and now heading into Austria, we’d love to know: where do you wanna go?

Thanks!

-mod yue & mod mono

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PSA: It is highly inadvisable that you visit this destination. Gonjiam Hospital is closed to the public and locals severely discourage entering the building.

This post is more of a “food for thought”.

-mod yue & mod mono

They say ghosts don’t exist, and then the Gongjiam Psychiatric Hospital comes along.

Gongjiam Psychiatric Hospital has been labeled South Korea’s most haunted hospital in the world, with speculations that insane doctors abused and tortured their patients to the patients themselves turning on the staff. Whatever it was, this asylum has quite a dark history and it shows on the stained walls.

Back in 1995, Gonjiam was a full house; thousands of patients were interned here and it ran “sucessfully”. A year later, the hospital was suddenly shut down due to rumors that the warden had been believed to avoid governmental investigation in the United States; a conspiratorial coincidence is that patients started to inexplicably drop like flies around the same time. Locals claim that the owner of Gonjiam was clinically insane and committed acts of inhumane treatment to his wards.

Even with these speculations, a confirmed fact of the downfall of Gonjiam is actually much tamer; economic downturns, sewage disposal complications and unsanitary conditions inevitably shut down the hospital. However, others are still convinced that horrifying atrocities may have gone down here - and we have yet to know if they’re right.

There are thousands of shattered pieces of glass that still remain to this day probably left by psychiatric patients 15 years ago. Some rooms have  old cartoon books, examination tables, and mad scribblings on the walls. The whitecoats still hang on their hooks, giving off an odd feeling as if the doctor left the office yesterday. Molded sticky notes posted on rotting desks claim that those who evacuated the area are lucky to be alive. 

No one knows what was going on in patients’ or the staff’s minds at the time. The history of Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital remains a mystery.

The Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is located in 광주시 (Gwangju), 경기도 (Gyeonggi-do), South Korea, and certainly has every feature and element that would rival any horror movie’s abandoned insane asylum. 

Although the locals do not encourage tourists to explore Gonjiam, over a thousand people break in to see this disturbing area. At the end of the day, all people find in the ruins of the hospital are rusted scalpels and the ghostly screams of its ill victims.

-mod yue & mod mono

[x] [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

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˭̡̞(◞⁎˃ᆺ˂)◞*✰

Want to travel through time and space? Then take a peek into the underground world of 만장굴 (Manjanggul Cave) will give you a cosmic experience.

The Manjanggul lava tubes are located in 덕천리 (Gimnyeong-ri), 구좌읍 (Gujwaeup), 제주시(Jeju City). Created by Geomunoreum volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago, lava flowed and melted away the rock, forming the deep abyss-like cave that became a beloved Korean monument.

As the first cave built to be a natural monument, 만장굴 is about 23 miles in breadth and 30 miles in height, having a grand total of 13,422 meter in length. The inside of the tunnel sustains a temperature of 1℃ 1 to 21℃, sustaining a comfortable atmosphere. There are also have living animals such as bats, which makes travelers have a magical feeling, and it is also valuable for researchers.

There are three entrances into 만장굴 , and they can be categorized by public favoritism:

Entrance #2 [above] is the one most open to the public and most commonly used, however #3 is the one with the most active cave life.

Between entrances #1 and #2, there is a lower level main tube where most 만장굴 wildlife can be found.

Based in Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, the Manjanggul Lava Tube has the greatest number of living creatures, such as the Jeju cave-spider and bent-wing bats. This anomaly has created the largest colony of bats confirmed to be living in Korea so far, finalizing at a total of over 30,000.

Stone Turtle [above] is one of the most fantastic rock formations in 만장굴 and also one of the largest known lava columns in the world. It stretches at 24 ft. tall and is shaped like a turtle, while others have claimed it is shaped like Jeju Island.

To get here, you must take a 30 minute bus ride from Jeju City and tickets are 2,000 won (adults). Minors are 1,000 won, but seniors over the age of 65 and children under 7 have free admission (with proof of identification). Groups are considered 10 or more people, and group tickets are 1,600 (adults) and 800 won for children. The disabled (and one companion) are also free of charge.

Pack a small backpack and comfortable shoes, as to walk through all of the cave is a total of 40-50 minutes. Water often drips from the ceiling and it is chilly inside 만장굴, so bringing a jacket is advised. Restrooms are available on-site, but it is recommended to go before leaving for the cave.

만장굴 closes the first Wednesday of every month, and its operating hours are from 9 AM to 6PM (last admission is 5:10 PM).

Natural landscape can appeal to the finer feelings of mankind and relaxes the stressed soul and mind, making 만장굴 one of the most fantastic travel areas in Korea.

Travel far,

-mod yue & mod mono

[x] [x] [x] [x]  

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The Ghibli Museum is a museum which, as hinted by its name, displays work by Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli.  It is located in 井の頭恩賜公園 (Inokashira Park) in between 三鷹市 (Mitaka) and 武蔵野市 (Musashino).

This museum opened at October 1, 2001. It is actually planned since 1998 and  construction started in March 2000. The Ghibli Museum was designed by world-renowned director 宮崎 駿 (Miyazaki Hayao). It’s divided into three main areas: the children’s museum, 

the technology display, 

and the fine arts section.

It is described as a "portal to a storybook world." In Ghibli Museum, there have reading room and bookstore, which called Tri Hawks, it is filled with books recommended by Hayao Miyazaki.

If you’re feeling a bit famished by all your exploring, take a peek inside the Straw Hat Cafe.

It’s the only sit-down restaurant in the museum, so make sure to reserve a seat early! They have quality Ghibli-themed food as well that is sure to please.

it’s adorable amiright

Alright, if you still aren’t convinced you want to go...

They design a different pattern for each of their coffees. are you kidding me.

If you’re in love with this montage of childhood reminiscence, let’s figure out how to get there!

Tickets to the Ghibli Museum are time and date specified (as in you’d buy a ticket for 8 AM on August 9th, and it’s recommended to get there half an hour earlier in advance). When buying, make sure to buy them at konbini (convenience/Lawsons) stores from a Loppi vending machine. They look a bit like ATMs, if you’ve never used one before. If you aren’t fluent in Japanese, they do have instructions in English (nice dodge there Rosetta Stone). If you can’t access the English directions, contact a Japanese-speaking friend or a hotel manager to help you. Or, the easier route.

The museum opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM and is closed on Tuesdays, so make sure to prioritize where and when you want to go. Getting taxis in Tokyo is pretty much impossible and driving there is discouraged, so make sure to either take a bus or a train!

Note if taking the train: Take the JR Chuo Main Line (starts at the 御茶ノ水駅  (Ochanomizu Station) from 新宿駅 (Shinjuku Station), which can be reached from most places in Tokyo by travelling on 山手線 (the Yamanote Line). Most large stations will have maps in both Japanese and English. 

Note if taking the bus: When coming out of the train station, move towards the bus stands nearby and slightly to the left. Buy or show the ticket to the attendee and wait for the Ghibli bus, which is the one below.

Going to the museum fills you with a rush of nostalgia and glee, the feeling that you’ve returned to your childhood. Let it take your spirit away and hug a Totoro, because this might just be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Safe travels!

-mod mono & mod yue

[x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

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ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

For people who are planning to travel Northeastern Japan, 田代島にゃんこ共和国 (Tashirojima Nyanko Republic) should be considered as a go-to destination.

The Land of the Rising Sun’s 田代浜 (Tashirojima) is to the north of  網地島 (Aji Island), a lone haven for felines and people alike. 

The population is quite small but nothing compared to the primary residents: cats. On 田代浜, cats have been thought to represent luck and good fortune. The locals don’t treat them as “pets”, as it is deemed inappropriate and unlucky. 

When visiting, be sure to check out the 猫神社 (Nekojinja), the cat shrine that’s sure to grant you good fortune!

There is also a cute cat-house style resort decoration dubbed “Manga Island”, which combined Japanese comics with their feline friends. 

The best route to 田代浜 is to take the 網地島ライン (Ajishima Line) bus from 石巻駅  (Ishinomaki Station); this will bring you to the front of 網地島ライン Terminal. It takes approximately one hour to reach the island and you can purchase your ticket on board. There are only three departures a day so don’t forget to check the information center for a timetable and details! 

Have fun and experience new wonders!

Sources: [x] [x] [x] [x]

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[above: Horizons, Neil Dawson]

These sculptures catch your attention? Visit New Zealand’s astonishing Gibbs Farm, created by businessman Alan Gibbs (visitors can only come by appointment, however!)

Every individual sculpture has been created by a single unique artist, varying from the works of Zhan Wang and Leon van den Eijkel to Daniel Buren. The commissioned pieces were added to Gibbs’ 700 acre art appreciation park. 

The spindling trees and winding hills frame every statued wonder perfectly, painting the eloquence of art and nature together in a marveling blend. Every couple feet is a new little something to admire, a gigantic monument of beauty to gasp at.

The hills are waiting. Go see something phenomenal.

-mod mono

Sources: [x] [x] [x]

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Where do you wanna go?

We have a couple countries in mind that we can cover (considering we’re still researching some chill spots in Japan and Poland), but which country would you like us to look into?

-mod mono, mod yue