South Korea

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Busan

I arrived into Busan over the sea from Japan. After a very quick pass through immigration and customs, I found the way to my hostel, running into a helpful Canadian guy living in Korea and teaching English along the way. It turned out I was staying in one of the "party areas" of Busan, and in a small and friendly hostel with some cool people, so I enjoyed the nightlife. By day, I took in the sea, a temple and got a birds eye view from the Busan Tower. I couldn't say Busan was overall pretty - though it had its nice areas - but I certainly enjoyed the atmosphere. I also had a great introduction to Korean food there - so delicious.

Approaching Busan by boat	Approaching Busan by boat	Busan port, seen from a boat
Busan port, seen from a boat	Busan port, seen from a boat	Busan port, seen from a boat
Gwang-an Bridge over the sea	Gwang-an Bridge over the sea	Gwang-an Bridge over the sea
Gwang-an Bridge over the sea	Appartment blocks by the sea	Gwang-an Bridge over the sea
Looking towards Gwang-an Beach	Looking towards Gwang-an Beach	Looking towards Gwang-an Beach
Biggest flower pot ever?	Biggest flower pot ever?	Flagpole supports on the approach to Beomeosa Temple
Flagpole supports on the approach to Beomeosa Temple	Crowds in front of a gate at Beomeosa Temple	Gate at Beomeosa Temple
Gate at Beomeosa Temple	Decoration inside a gate at Beomeosa Temple	Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple	Small statues at Beomeosa Temple	Small statue at Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple	Looking other the rooves of buildings at Beomeosa Temple	Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple	Beomeosa Temple	Beomeosa Temple
Protector at Beomeosa Temple	Decoration inside a gate at Beomeosa Temple	Decoration inside a gate at Beomeosa Temple
Stone pagoda at Beomeosa Temple	Stone pagoda at Beomeosa Temple	Stone pagoda at Beomeosa Temple
Flagpole supports on the approach to Beomeosa Temple	Flagpole supports on the approach to Beomeosa Temple	Carving on the approach to Beomeosa Temple
Well, this is one way to distract traffic...	Musical instruments museum below Busan tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower	View from Busan Tower
View from Busan Tower	Looking down on a temple from Busan Tower	Busan Tower
In the park by the Busan Tower	Approach to Busan tower and musical instruments museum	Statue of Admiral Yi
Statue of Admiral Yi	Clock in the park by Busan Tower	In the park by Busan Tower
In the park by Busan Tower	Shopping street in central Busan	Busan railway station

Gyeongju

Gyeongju is in many senses Korea's cultural capital. The capital city under the days of the Shilla Dynasty, Gyeongju has masses of historical sites spread out around the city center. Somewhat unfortunately, I hit the city for a couple of days of bad weather, so I really didn't see it at its best. That did mean that I had an incentive to take my time in the Gyeongju National Museum though, which actually turned out to be a great place to spend some time - combined with the really well done audio guide, it was really very enjoyable. Most of the things I visited were pretty central, and despite the rain and a couple having some construction work ongoing, I still got a sense of the history of a very advanced civilization. Gyeongju is surely high on my list of places that deserve more time, in better weather.

Tumuli in Neseo-dong area	Tumuli in Neseo-dong area	In Wolseong Park
Stone pagoda at Statue at Gyeongju National Museum	Main building of Gyeongju National Museum	Statue at Gyeongju National Museum
Statue at Gyeongju National Museum	Statue at Gyeongju National Museum	Stone pagodas at Statue at Gyeongju National Museum
Pagoda holding the Emille Bell	Emille Bell	Decoration on the Emille Bell
Decoration on the Emille Bell	Emille Bell	In Wolseong Park
In the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park
In the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park	Pond in the Tumuli Park
Pond in the Tumuli Park	Pond in the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park
In the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park	In the Tumuli Park
In Wolseong Park	Remains of foundations in Wolseong Park	Remains of foundations in Wolseong Park
Wolseong Park	Remains of foundations in Wolseong Park	One of the few remaining bits where Banwolseong castle once stood
Flowers in Wolseong Park	Wolseong Park	Cheomseongdae (oldest astrological observatory in the far east)
Cheomseongdae (oldest astrological observatory in the far east)	Flowers in Wolseong Park	Flowers in Wolseong Park
Flowers in Wolseong Park	Flowers in Wolseong Park	Flowers in Wolseong Park
Flowers in Wolseong Park	Flowers in Wolseong Park	Flowers in Wolseong Park
Anapji Pond	Anapji Pond	Anapji Pond
Reconstructed building by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed building by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed building by Anapji Pond
Anapji Pond	Anapji Pond	Anapji Pond
Reconstructed buildings by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed building by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed buildings by Anapji Pond
Reconstructed buildings by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed buildings by Anapji Pond	Reconstructed building by Anapji Pond
Hundreds of willows	Medical center in central Gyeongju	Decoration on medical center door

Seoul

Seoul, the capital of Korea, is quite something. In one glimpse, it's possible to take in dynastic history and the modern tower blocks of one of Asia's most powerful economies. The city spreads out over a huge area, and has a metro network covering a lot of it. And yet, despite all of that, I could still walk between a lot of the central parts in a reasonable amount of time and take in a lot of the sights. Like everywhere else that I'd been, the food was excellent. I was very happy to have various Korean friends I made through the Perl community showing me around, introducing me to places I'd likely not have seen otherwise and picking out some great restaurants to visit. All in all, Seoul was a great place to hang out for a while: great people, great food, and plenty of interesting things to visit.

Lion on Gwanghwamun Plaza	Looking towards Gwanghwamun Plaza	Looking towards Gwanghwamun Plaza
On Gwanghwamun Plaza	On Gwanghwamun Plaza	On Gwanghwamun Plaza
Lion on Gwanghwamun Plaza	A series of slabs showing Korean history on Gwanghwamun Plaza	Statue of a soldier from the Korean War
Gate on the historical city wall	Me by a gate on the historical city wall	Decoration on a gate on the historical city wall
Looking over north east Seoul	Church in north east Seoul	Looking over north east Seoul
View towards central Seoul	View towards central Seoul	View towards central Seoul
Park in north east Seoul	View towards central Seoul	Statue of a soldier from the Korean War
Seoul World Cup Stadium	Seoul World Cup Stadium	Park near Seoul World Cup Stadium
Seoul World Cup Stadium	N Seoul Tower	N Seoul Tower
Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower
Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower
Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower	Night view from N Seoul Tower
Night view from N Seoul Tower	N Seoul Tower	N Seoul Tower
Western-style hotel building in central Seoul	Church in central seoul	Grounds of Jongmyo Shrine
Administrative buildings at Jongmyu Shrine	Administrative buildings at Jongmyu Shrine	Administrative buildings at Jongmyu Shrine
Administrative buildings at Jongmyu Shrine	Administrative buildings at Jongmyu Shrine	Pond at Jongmyo Shrine
Pond at Jongmyo Shrine	Museum showing ritual vessels at Jongmyo Shrine	Museum showing ritual vessels at Jongmyo Shrine
Museum showing ritual vessels at Jongmyo Shrine	Wall around Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Wall around Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine
Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine
Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine
Jeongjeon hall at Jongmyu Shrine	Gate to Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine	Gate to Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine
Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine	Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine	Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine
Gate to Yeongyeonjeon Hall at Jongmym Shrine	Statue of Uiam Son Byeong-Hui	Tapgol Park
Ten Story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple	Ten Story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple	Pagoda in Tapgol Park
Along Jongno Street	Bigak Pavilion	Bigak Pavilion
Bigak Pavilion	Sculpture on Bigak Pavilion	Sculpture on Bigak Pavilion
Changing of the garud outside Gyeongbokgung Palace	Changing of the garud outside Gyeongbokgung Palace	Sculpture on bridge at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Geunjeongmun gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Incense burner inside of Geunjeongjeon Hall
Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall	Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall	Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall
Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall	An old incense burner with modern Seoul in the background	Impressive ceiling decoration in Geunjeongjeon Hall
Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall	Building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Building at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Inside unknown building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Inside unknown building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Gangnyeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Inside Gangnyeongjeon Hall	Inside Gangnyeongjeon Hall
Cieling of Gangnyeongjeon Hall	Inside Gangnyeongjeon Hall	Buildings at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace	Jagyeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Inside Jagyeongjeon Hall	Jagyeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Pagoda at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Reflection of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
Building at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Jibokjae (Library) at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Decoration on a staircase outside Jibokjae
Decoration on a staircase outside Jibokjae	Jibokjae	Jibokjae
Jibokjae	Jibokjae at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Jibokjae at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Pagoda and Chwihyanggyo bridge at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
Pagoda at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Hyangwonjeong Pavilion	Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Moat around Gyeongbokgung Palace	Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace	Main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace	Main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace
Myeongjeongjeon Hall at Changgyeonggung Palace	Myeongjeongjeon Hall at Changgyeonggung Palace	Myeongjeongjeon Hall at Changgyeonggung Palace
Inside Myeongjeongjeon Hall	Inside Myeongjeongjeon Hall	Munjeongjeon Hall at Changgyeonggung Palace
Inside Munjeongjeon Hall	Inside Munjeongjeon Hall	Inside Munjeongjeon Hall
Building at Changgyeonggung Palace	Building at Changgyeonggung Palace	Stone pagoda at Changgyeonggung Palace
Building at Changgyeonggung Palace	Building at Changgyeonggung Palace	Building at Changgyeonggung Palace
In the grounds of Changgyeonggung Palace	Sun dial at Changgyeonggung Palace	Taesil at Changgyeonggung Palace
In the grounds of Changgyeonggung Palace	Chundangji Ponds at Changgyeonggung Palace	Chundangji Ponds at Changgyeonggung Palace
Greenhouse at Changgyeonggung Palace	Greenhouse at Changgyeonggung Palace	Chundangji Ponds at Changgyeonggung Palace
Tree at Changgyeonggung Palace	Main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace	In the grounds of Changgyeonggung Palace
Myeong-dong Cathedral seen through a sea of consumerism	Myeong-dong Cathedral seen through a sea of consumerism	Myeong-dong Cathedral
Myeong-dong Cathedral	Myeong-dong Cathedral	Statue in front of Myeong-dong Cathedral
Myeong-dong Cathedral	View from Myeong-dong Cathedral entrance	The national museum
Train crosses the Han River	Bridge over the Han River	Bridge over the Han River
Looking over the Han River	One of the many streams that feed the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River
View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River
View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River
View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River	View from bridge over the Han River
View from bridge over the Han River

Yong-in

A Korean friend very kindly took me on a day-trip from Seoul to his home town of Yong-in, location of a Korean Folk Museum. It was a great insight to the way Koreans lived in the past, taking in regional differences, as well as the differences between rich and poor. It was especially good going around it with a Korean friend, who explained to me many more things than I would have got from having visited alone. I also very much enjoyed visiting a restaurant near the museum, where we had a wonderful barbecue pork lunch. Korean food...it's so awesome.

Totem poles	Totem poles	Cow hauling a corn grinder
Chillis drying in the sun	Historical normal-person's house	Collection of old containers
Part of a house a richer family would have lived in	Part of a house a richer family would have lived in	Outdoor stove
Outdoor stove	Chillis drying in the sun	Historical kitchen
Inside a historical house	Historical house	Entrance to a shrine
Shrine	Shrine	Decoration on shrine entrance
Historical house	Sail boat on the river	River
Traditional Korena dancers	Tightrope walker	Tightrope walker
Tightrope walker	Tightrope walker	Tightrope walker
Mayor's complex	Vegetables growing, with scarecrow	Prayers hanging from trees