Seoul - Day 3

We woke up bright and bush eyed to go to Gyeongbokgung Palace - just in time for the Chinese language tours. This palace was originally built in 1395, burnt and rebuilt in 1867. During the Japanese invasion, it was dismantled or burnt. Currently, it is estimated that only 40% of the palace has been re-constructed since then. Talk about bad feng shui?

 

We managed to also make it in time to see the changing of the guards at the palace.





Since it was Summer, hot and sweaty, by the time the changing of the guards completed. We were relieved and trying to make a getaway to the sheltered entrance.




In terms of meeting expectations, one of my colleagues correctly summed it up, "Back in the past, Korea was also a part of China. In a way to be expected, you should never have a province whose palace is even more lavish than Beijing" Architecturally, a lot of elements and buildings were very similar - except for the small innovations that was built in with the Korean ingenuity.


The mini statues on the roof tops here - depict the characters from Journey to the West.



The family troop was hungry again after the palace tour. Off we went to a local Korea market that i had researched - Gwangjang market.


If anything, i felt that my elders really enjoyed visiting this local slice of life better than any cultural village. The market showcased local produce, street food, clothing at reasonable prices & this was definitely off the beaten road - since we didn't spot any tourist for miles in the afternoon.

Blood sausage with glutinous rice.

Cold Noodles on a hot summer day

Makolli (Rice wine) to keep us company.



Hot crispy pancakes made from scratch. Yes, that is fresh soy beans to be made into flour for the pancakes.






And after a short rest, we finished the night at Myeodong for shopping.