Changdeokgung Palace
My hostel was across the road to one of Seoul’s palaces … Changdeokgung … it was the most recommended one.
While the palace was first built in the 1400s, what we see today was rebuilt in the 1600s (due to fire) and some bits were added in the 1800s. It was interesting to see the different styles … some quite similar to Chinese, with use of gree and red … but others much more understated (dark wood and paper).
My visit included the king’s Secret Garden which was very nicely wooded and dotted with pavilions and bodies of water.
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- Main gate of Changdeokgung Palace.
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- The throne room at Changdeokgung.
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- Roof viewed straight up.
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- Part of Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden.
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- Changdeokgung’s Secret Palace … water’s not the nicest.
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- Part of Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden.
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- Astrological or timekeeping device.
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- Lotuses.
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- With Syaidah, Suraya and our guide.
Old Town (a relative term)
It was hot and my remaining interest only allowed me wander around the old area called Bukchon Hanok. These areas used to house the noblemen and many are now guesthouses. Unfortunately, they are few and far between, located between plain ugly concrete blocks.
I look forward to my stay in one of these guesthouses at the end of my Korean experience.
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- At Buchon Hanok Village.
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- Old noble’s house.
The infamous Korean protest
I had a close call with a tame version of those infamous Korean protests! I think it might have been a Christian movement as there was some churchy music played at some stage. Despite being quite tame, there were lots of cops but no riot gear. I think most people have seen on TV how bad union protests can get in Korea with water cannons, tear gas etc.
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- Demonstration; very tame by Korean standards.
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- Cops swarming around like flies.
Flying to Jeju
Soon after that, I made my way to Gimpo airport in good time for my 2010 flight on Asiana Airlines to Jeju. Air tickets in South Korea are very reasonably priced, perhaps to compete with the trains, even though a land journey isn’t possible for my route. Fares are also seem to be fixed at one flat price rather than dynamic multi-tiered depending on supply and demand.
I arrived at Jeju just over an hour later but it was late by the time I settled into the YEHA Guesthouse’s dormitory room.