Korea
- Daegu (13 Jun 2009)
- Daegu Day2 (14 Jun 2009)
- Dotseom (20 Jun 2009)
- 창원시 (5 Jul 2009)
- 경주 Gyeongju (8 Aug 2009)
- Korean Independence Day (15 Aug 2009)
- 서울 Seoul (16 Aug 2009)
- 진해 Jinhae (26 Sep 2009)
- Rural Masan (11 Oct 2009)
- Classroom Korean (14 Oct 2009)
- Uirimsa Valley (18 Oct 2009)
- 전주 Jeonju (14 Nov 2009)
- 태종대 Taejongdae (6 Dec 2009)
- 남해 Namhae (12 Dec 2009)
- (7 Jan 2010)
- 구미 Gumi (16 Jan 2010)
- 무주 Muju (23 Jan 2010)
- 순천 Suncheon (30 Jan 2010)
- 팔용산 Paryongsan (6 Feb 2010)
- 통영 Tongyeong (20 Feb 2010)
- 충주 Chungju (20 Mar 2010)
- 거제 Geoje (28 Mar 2010)
- 광주 Gwangju (3 Apr 2010)
- 창덕궁 Changdeokgung (25 Apr 2010)
- 부산 Busan (31 May 2010)
Another lake with a board walk, but this one has attracted many Korean families with their children.
Even more open green space in Changwon. I like having the mountains in
the background, but the whole city, like almost all Korean valleys, is completely flat.
The main entrance to this small palace. All palaces feature
this artifical stream we must cross for a ritual cleansing before entering the palace.
There were a couple automated ticketing machines available at ChangDeokGung Palace, in
Seoul, but this sign above them clearly dictates in English "For Korean Nationals Only"... Now, really, why couldn't it read
"Only in Korean Language"? And then why couldn't they add some common internation languages (primarily English and Japanese)?
It's just so Korean to make foreigners feel unwelcome...
The 흥녜문 HeungNyeMun, the second inner south gate to 경복궁
GyeongBokGung (Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven), the main palace of the Kings of the Joseon Dynasty before the Japanese
Invasions of the 1590's.
The main stone courtyard in front of 근정전 Geunjeongjeon, the
large throne hall where the King formally accepted audiences. The original building was burned down during the Japanese
Invasions of the 1590's and this building was built in 1867 during the reconstruction.
The start of the 청계천 CheonggyeCheon stream running through
downtown Seoul. Water is pumped to here and the stream starts with a waterfall. As you can see, it also proves to be quite
popular among locals looking to escape the heat.
흥인지문 Heunginjimun, the east gate of the fortress wall
which surrounded Seoul. It is also refered to as 東大門 동대문 Dongdaemun (East Big Gate).
대한문 Daehanmun, the main gate entrance to 덕수궁 Deoksugung
Palace. The gate had been located in the middle of the busy street running between the palace and Seoul City Hall,
but has been moved as the street's been widened.
The main throne hall of 덕수궁 Deoksugung Palace with the
King's (er, "emperor") residence behind in neo-Greco-Roman architechture.
Looking our from near the top of the mountain
at the end of 의림사 Uirimsa Valley, looking southeast. From here you can see 진동면 Jindong-myeon, 저도교 Jeodo Bridge
in 구복리 Gubok-ri, and even out across the sea to 거제시 Geoje.
Cheomseongdae, the oldest stone astronomical observatory in East Asia,
built during the reign of Silla Queen Seondeok (r. 632~647).
객사 Gaeksa, an old Buddist Temple in the center of Jeonju.
Actually part of the central shopping district, the temple draws a crowd of teenagers who are there just hanging
out.
풍남문 Pungnammun, the last remaining gate from the fortress
that protected the city during the 조선 Joseon Dynasty
Koreans love getting their picture taken by this large tree in
these beautiful autumn colors.
The main road through 전주한옥마을 Jeonju Hanok Traditional Village. (Notice the
lack of spaces between the Korean words.) It's a little tourist area with various street vendors and a few museums.
It's a nice place for a little stroll.
Looking north from 공주성 Gongjuseong (Gongju Fortress) across
the river to the newer part of the city.
Trying to be like a real city, they put changing color lights
on this bridge over the river in 무주 Muju.
A close look at the stream at the entrance to the palace.
Crossing over the stream before entering the inner palace is to symbolically cleanse visitors before they meet the
King.
대구타워 Daegu Tower, or alternatively 우방타워 Ubang Tower, a tall
tourist attraction providing a view over the city. Many Korean and Japanese cities feature such point-less
structures.
Cheomseongdae, the oldest stone astronomical observatory in East Asia,
built during the reign of Silla Queen Seondeok (r. 632~647).