Jeju Island’s Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

As I relive my trip through these posts, I’m forever thankful that my three weeks in South Korea were back in October/November last year before our world changed. I’m following the situation in Korea as much as my own country, and marvel at Korea’s latest adaptation I heard on CBC news this morning — Seoul set up a drive-in movie (remember those?) that sold out in ten minutes!

Seoul Forest

This large reserve had an eye on children because attractions such as the insect pavilion and feeding spotted deer had hoards of excited children at these sites.

Yeouido Park

Amidst shimmering highrise buildings and the constant hum of traffic sat a rectangular oasis of calm — Yeouido Park. I planned to avoid Seoul’s tourist meccas that fine morning and picked the perfect location.

National Palace Museum of Korea

Although all signage within Gyeongbokgung Palace was also in English, to gain a deeper sense of how the royal family ruled, I recommend a visit to the National Palace Museum of Korea located just outside the palace grounds.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

On the outskirts of Bukchon Hanok Village was Gyeonbokgung Palace. On my visit to the country’s capital eleven years ago, I’d toured two of the six palaces in Seoul and found the architecture and layout similar. This complex however, seemed larger and without a map, I wandered it’s many buildings that felt like I was moving through a maze.

Bukchon Hanok Village

I hiked past Seoul crowds up to Samcheong Park with a view of the city between lush vegetation. But it was the early architecture I came to see, so I turned back to face the tourist buses and hoards roaming the streets to spot those tasteful houses from the past. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Incheon’s Japanese past

On my way back from Australia, I stayed in Incheon rather than Seoul. It was closer to the airport and turned out to be a good move. The town was a walkable size with a lush park and history connected to the Japanese and Chinese.

Seoul’s Changdeokgung Palace

I was close to done with palaces, but the final one was worth the visit.

Changdeokgung Palace secreted one surprise after another. I turned corners and artistic buildings crystalized. Even the walls surrounding palace structures were impressive. Unlike Deoksugung Palace, I accompanied a guide. There was no choice!

Mt Inwangsan’s Zen Rocks’ power

I climbed Mt Inwangsan to the Zen Rocks where a woman gestured before the boulders in prayer. This was where those who couldn’t conceive came in the hope the Zen Rocks would answer their need.

Seoul’s Bongeunsa Temple

While people prayed before a Buddha statue in Bongeunsa Temple, I tiptoed around until I came across lanterns. Devotees pinned a prayer to the bottom of  lanterns that swayed in the breeze in the hope their prayer would be fulfilled.