Seoul, South Korea - Tuesday & Wednesday, September 27 & 28, 2022

We flew from the Laos Airport on Tuesday, September 26 at 11:35 p.m and arrived at the Incheon Airport (located on an artificially created island) in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. South Korea time.  We met Koryh, our South Korea guide, and learned that we had to take a COVID test. We did and finally left the airport about 11:30 a.m.  The 1-1/2 hour drive to our hotel confirmed that we would postpone our scheduled sightseeing for that day until Wednesday. We slept for 3 hours and then sent out for dinner and saw a bit of Seoul.

Tuesday

Our hotel was right next door to Insadong-gil Street, a narrow street in the historic neighborhood in Jongnogu District

Lots of unique local craft shops, tourist shops, and restaurants.   Many of the alleys connected to the street also have shops & restaurants.  Great płace for people watching!

In the evening we went to the rooftop bar in the same complex that our hotel is located

Wednesday - a busy sightseeing day

Main Avenue in Seoul which leads to the Gyeongbojgung  Palace - lots of traffic!

 American Embassy on the left

Gyeongbokgung (means brilliance & fortune) Palace (from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) 

We were able to watch changing of the guards reenacted by the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation

With music too

Two Korean girls dressed in traditional Hanbak attire.  Many visitors to the Palace wear the traditional clothing and also on special occasions

Anne with all her Korean boyfriends dressed in traditional clothes

Numerous buildings in the complex for the King, Queen, and servants as well as reception, government and even birthing building for the Queen

Palace grounds were destroyed by fire when the Japan invaded Korea. Restored in 1867, damaged again during Japanese occupation from 1910-1945.  The project which restored the complex to its present state began in 1990.

Palace grounds reminded Anne of the Forbidden City in China

Floors in many of the buildings were heated with furnaces underneath and the chimneys were very attractive

  Chimneys built into tiered gardens

South Korean flag (yin & yang?)

Chungwadae (Blue Palace),  Presidents’ former office and residence - beautiful grounds 

View of Seoul from the grounds

Koryh cooking BBQ over charcoal for us at the table

Traditional Hanok village - summer vacation spot during the Joseon dynasty

Visiting Gwangjang Traditional Market

Koryh, our guide, selecting seed and nut treats

Interesting and fun płace to visit

 
Vendor cleaning hairtail fish for a customer

All kinds of  seafood to buy

Now for some new hotel freebies…..

Great hotel amenity!

Unusual emergency equipment (or death defying) in our room and also an emergency flashlight too!