An elated Seoul tourist.
Kyle at the main entrance to the Palace Complex with the essential Asian peace signs. Say kimchi!!
Gong - buck - what?
The Gyeongbokgung complex is a bit larger than 1 sq mile, and is filled with brightly colored buildings and beautiful green space. Many of the original wooden buildings have all been rebuilt, and were once spaces for greeting kings, hosting grand banquets, and living, royalty style.
450 years ago, there were 330 buildings with nearly 6,000 rooms. Not shabby. Here's how it looks today:
Geunjeongjeon - the main palace where kings were crowned, sat on their throne, and business when down.
Gyeonghoeru Pavillion - state banquets were held on this island. (Korean ladies pull off this pose much better.)
Hanging out amongst the living quarters.
The king and queen had separate living quarters. It was suposedly because the king would receive late night government interuptions, but then again, his quarters were surrounded by the concubines' rooms, so you choose your own interpretation. At its height, the palace had over 3,000 staff; over 140 of those to serve the royal family. I only have Kyle to serve me. hmpf.
doors into a residential building; little dude on the corner of the building.
Come and knock on my door; building detail
monkeying around
A Brief History: Build...Destroy. Rebuild...Destroy. Rebuild...
Back in the 16th Century, this large palace complex was in the height of its glory until the Japanese invaded and burnt it all down. In the 1860s, Korean royalty began rebuilding it. History repeated itself, and the Japanese invaded again in 1911, and again destroyed the place.
WWII calmed the Japanese down a bit, and there's been huge efforts to rebuild the site again, supposedly finishing this year. There's no doubt it's a beautiful place, and definitely worth reconstructing.
My 3 favorite views of Gyeongbokgung:
Hyangwonjeong - ornamental pond fantastic-ness.
Tradition contrasting with modernity.
My classic mental picture of South Korea, sun setting over mountain tops.
We're silly and adventurous, computer geeks and yoga peeps.
June 02, 2009
irine
you guys seem to be having so much happiness together!!!
i really want to see lee min ho, boys over flowers cast!!!
^^v
so tell me how is life there??? is there any vacancy for indonesian teacher?
please add me in fb irineivone_2712@yahoo.com
^^v
my website is www.irinchan82.blog.com
June 02, 2009
DADDIO
June 04, 2009
Bessie
June 04, 2009
Linda
June 09, 2009
Dad
(BTW, just got a postcard you sent from Argentina! hope the mail service is better in SK)
June 12, 2009
Rose P.