Korea - Day 4

With Eva and Geoff gone, I had the day to myself. Well almost, I had to fly back to Japan in the afternoon so I spent the morning visiting another palace to have another look at Korean architecture. However I arrived just in time to see a re-enactment of the Changing of the War Guard.



The Band Arrives

 

Standing Guard

 

The Ceremonial Drum

 

Captain Of The Guard

 

Flag Bearers Leave the Palace



Korea - Day 3

It was a short trip for Geoff and Eva. They had to catch a flight to Mongolia this afternoon so we spent the morning touring the back streets around our hostel.



Back Streets of Seoul



Korean Delivery Vehicles

Insa-Dong - Seoul


Insa-Dong is one of Korea's famous market streets. It's not so busy in the mornings but comes alive after dark.


Geoff and Eva - Insa-Dong


Geoff and Eva debate whether to buy some strange fruit or not.



Bolts of Material for sale - Insa-Dong


More merchandise for sale in Insa-Dong

Korea - Day 2

On the second day the three of us visited the DMZ. Perhaps not the best idea since only a couple of months before, a South Korean warship sank and the South strongly suspects foul play from the North.

I had been here before but took a cheaper tour that didn't visit Panmunjeom where we get a real close look at the north Koreans and get a chance to step across the "line".



Joint Security Area

There is a lot of security around here and many areas are off limits for photographs, but this was one area we could take photos. Three South Koreans stand guard with one North Korean watching us from the other side.



ROK Soldier Stands Guard - Joint Security Area


We had two ROK soldiers taking care of us while we were in the conference room that straddles the border between the two countries. For a brief moment we could stand on the North Korean side.



Plaque for the Axe Murder Incident - DMZ


A plaque commemorating the loss of two American Officers killed in the infamous Axe Murder Incident.



Statue of a pioneer - Korean War Memorial


Later that day we visited the War Memorial of Korea to get a greater appreciation of Korea's military history in general and the Korean War in particular.



A statue of brotherhood - Korean War Memorial



Korea - Day 1

My brother and his wife Eva started their 6 month travel through Asia today. Their first stop was Korea and since it's a short flight from Japan I thought I would join them for a few days. Actually, They have to fly All the way from Australia so they won't arrive until late tonight so I got a few extra hours to look around Seoul.

I've been here several times before but this is the first time I had a dSLR and wide angle lenses. I met another solo traveller at the backpackers we were staying at and we headed off to the nearby Chang-Deok Palace for a look at Korean architecture.




Chang-Deok Palace Parade Ground




Korean Architecture




King's Residence - Chang-Deok Palace




Eaves - Chang-Deok Palace

Korean architecture appears so much more colourful than typical Japanese architecture.




Sundial - Chang-Deok Palace




Padlock - Cheng-Deok Palace