Day 23 ( Seoul Trip Day 1 )

hi everyone!! Haha.. it's me again blogging about my exchange in Busan! Today 12th Sep'08, Li Shi, Hui Lin, Karen and i are going to Seoul for holiday! Making use of the 4 days Chusok ( i.e. the thanksgiving day for the Koreans ), we've decided to explore Seoul, one of the world's largest city!! Taking the train from Busan Station: Waiting for the KTX train
The KTX train itself!! KTX means Korea Train Express, the South Korea's high-speed rail system! It can achieve an experimental top speed of 352.4 km/h.
Looking across at the other side of the platform:

Boarding the KTX
Taking a group photo in the train itself~
Breakfast for someone..
Hui Lin and Karen!

Li Shi and me!
Nice environment to be in..
On the way map!
Some pictures taken in the train itself:

Trolley with food and drinks available for purchase
The toilet in the KTX train! Huilin was like rather fascinated with something in the toilet itself..

Yup! It is this blue water in the flush system!
Taking a photo in the toilet itself..

-__________- "

Finally reached the destination ( i.e. the Seoul station ) after 3 hours!

Going to take the Metro Subway train in Seoul!
The ticketing machine itself.. user-friendly!
Rather similar system used in Busan

Tired from all the travelling!

Haha.. was a little lost in the beginning because we don't know the place well.. lucky we manage to find our way to the dormitory itself! Passing by a shop:
Didn't take a photo of the dormitory itself because we're shock.. no lock initially ( i.e. anyone can just enter the room ).. and no lock for the bathroom ( i.e. anyone can open the door and see u bath naked ).. haha.. anyway we manage to settle down fast and proceed with our plan cos we have tight schedule! Saw this statue in Gyeongbokgung station:

Group photo before the trip!
A restaurant just outside the Gyeongbokgung station

The Gyeongbok Palace! So beautiful!!
Another scenic view on the right of the Gyeongbok Palace! The guards changing ceremony:

haha.. free and easy photo taking session! We "bo chap" the guards and just take photos!
Welcome to the Historic Site No 117!! The guards themselves! Hmm.. they do seem serious in their acting!!
Just outside the palace before the purchase of the tickets!

History printed behind the ticket itself?!?!
Crossing the Heungryemum Gate:From this point onward, let the pictures do the talking!!Taking a photo with the Geunjeongmum This is the Yeongjegyo Bridge:Taking a photo with Li Shi at the Geunjeongmum Gate!Wow.. Entering the Geunjeongmum Gate is Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall. In front of Geunjeongjeon is a courtyard where state affairs were held. When seen from the south-east corner of the courtyard, Geunjeongjeon offers a breathing view with Mt. Bugaksan in the background!The Geunjeongjeon ( the throne hall ) Inside the Geunjeongjeon
Map of the Geunjeongjeon

Taking a picture at the roof of the Geunjeongjeon.. i can see dragons!
Carrying on moving:

Ah.. At the left is the Sajeongjeon Hall. This is the reception hall where the king received officials to discuss state affairs. To the east and west of Sajeongjeon Hall were Manchunjeon Hall and Cheonchujeon Hall, two auxillary buildings that had floor heating systems so that they could be used in winter. The three buildings together look like a king with two subjects. Taking a look at the Manchunjeon Hall first! The map itself:
Inside the Manchunjeon Hall

Cute lamp!
This is the Sajeongjeon Hall itself!
Angbuilgu, the hemispheric Sundial was one of the most widely used astronomical scientific devices. It's name was originated from its pot shaped feature facing the sky. It was invented in 1437, the 19th year of King Sejong's reign. There is a gnomon pointing towards the north as well as 7 vertical lines and 13 horizontal lines which indicate time and 24 seasons of the year respectively. These lines were inlaid with silver.

haha.. cute photo! taking a picture with the sundial!
The map of Sajeongjeon Hall:
Inside of the Sajeongjeon hall:
Left side:

Right side: Top view:
The Cheonchujeon Hall!!Just behind the Sajeongjeon vicinity:

Taking a photo and resting behind the Sajeongjeon hall!
Finally reach the Gangnyeongjeon! This is Gangnyeongjeon, the king's living area. At the rear is a beautiful terraced mound named Amisan, made up of long rectangular stones with four flower terraces on which stand decorated stonework and chumneys. Looking at the right:
The map of Gangnyeongjeon:

Looking inside Gangnyeongjeon:

Haha.. even small girl taking a picture of the king's living room!

Taking a group photo just outside Gangnyeongjeon! I think this is a pretty photo.. :)Li Shi is trying to show the height of the Gangnyeongjeon from the ground.. haha.. same as her height!
And the rest are just too high to fit in.. haha..
Behind the vicinity of Gangnyeongjeon:This building should be Gyotaejeon. Gyotaejeon was the Queen's main residence. In front of Gyotaekeon is the Gangnyeongjeon ( where we are just now! ).. Wait.. is this the Charlie's Angel walking towards the Gyotaejeon???

The map of Gyotaejeon:Inside the beautiful Gyotaejeon!

A photo at the Jagyeongjeon and vicinity + hot Hui Lin! Without Huilin = cool palace.. haha...
Walking just outside Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon!

Hmm.. did we walk pass Heumgyeonggak and Hamwonjeon without knowing? haha.. i think so!
Any idea what is this? This is Treasure No. 847, the Wind Observatory. In the past, a flag would be raised aloft to monitor wind direction and speed. The elegant legs and elaborately carved cloud design make this an outstanding piece of art..

There is a toilet nearby and guess what, Huilin went into the guys toilet!! Lucky i caught her in the action!!
Oh ya! We saw cute squirrels too!!

Opps! The Hamhwadang and Jipgyeongdang is under maintenance! Ah!! We found the Hyangwonjeong and Geoncheonggung! Geoncheonggung Palace was built to the north of the beautiful pond of Hyangwonjeong as a separate palace for King Gojong and his consort. This is a palace within a palace. Architecturally, it includes elements of both a house of a literati and a royal palace. It is here that Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by the Japanese in 1895. We love this nice place!

Haha.. Huilin was thinking of putting her leg down the pond and rest, but the big fishes wanted to bite her feet!
And this is the outside of Jibokjae.. hmm.. don't know why we cannot enter!
Walking along the perimeter of Jibokjae, we found the Taewonjeon!

Located in the northeast part of the palace, the most secluded place, these buildings were built for royal funerals and ancestral rites. Taewonjeon was originally built to enshrine the portrait of Taejo, the founder of Joseon, but was used as the Royal Coffin Hall and Royal Shrine to house ancestral tablets. Eh.. the girls are taking a photo just outside Taewonjeon?? lol..
Our next destination is the National Folk Museum!!

The three tigress!! And the strong mouse!! Qi Gong!!
compass?

Looking at some open-air Exhibition: The National Folk Museum is located on the grounds of Gyeongbok Palace, built during the Joseon period ( 1392 - 1910 ). What a nice scenery!

Hmm... manage to take a picture of the Stone mounds and the Jangseung ( a pair of wooden spirit posts representing the eartly and heavenly gods ), which were all commemorated during community rites for village welfare and bountiful harvests. The National Folk Museum itself!

We are straved and thirst!! and we have no choice but to grab an expensive sandwich!

Hmm.. actually i'm not suppose to take photos inside.. but still, let the picture do the talking!Chronology of Korea's Living History

Everyday life with poterries taking a photo outside the toilet's large mirror!
Taking a good rest!

haha.. Hui Lin trying out a game on display!
Some gifts in souvenir shop

Next, we're arrived at the National Palace Museum of Korea!! It houses a magnificant collection of art and objects from th palaces of Joseon, representing the majesty and dignity of the 500-year history of the Joseon Dynastry.

Another nice group photo!A closer look..

Next, we're on our way to Honggik University were the first shop of Coffe Prince can be found!
Are we lost? Nope! We've found a cute dog!
Walking along the street after we seek some directions..

Finally!! We've reached where we wanted!
The 1st shop of Coffee Prince is actually an old coffee shop that was remodeled for the drama. This inconspicuous coffee shop was packed with fans that flocked there to catch a glimpse of the production in process. Set to reopen after filming, both the exterior and interior have been totally overhauled in line with the film.
The entrance to the Shop of Coffee Prince!

Does it ring any memories?? :P The menu
Inside, visitors can find a painting by Han Yoo-joo as well as a number of props from the drama.
Enjoying every moment inside the Coffee house!

In order not to waste this trip, we ordered a cup of coffee each and try! ( eh.. except Li Shi who ordered peach tea! )

The signature of the Coffee Prince on the wall!
Drinking on and disfigured the star!And we finish every drop till the last!! The coffee is really nice!!

Taking individual shot of the frames!

NTU was here!!
Taking a photo just outside the Coffee Prince shop!Don't know what i'm doing...

Walking back for dinner!

Some shops around Hongik University:

The side dish for our dinner!Karen and I had this!
Li Shi had this for dinner:
And Hui Lin ate this Udon!

This is our last stop: Dongdaemum!! It's Korea's largest wholesale and retail shopping district. It as 26 shopping malls, 30000 specialty shops and 50000 manufacturers!!

Remember all the retail shops that u all saw just now? In fact they don't like people taking photos at what they're selling.. so be glad that i took it and show u! haha.. A little disappointed with the stuff selling there and the main shopping centre ( i.e. Dongdaemum itself ) is closed. Hmm.. will not be going back again, but anyway today is really a nice experience!! The best so far.. haha.. Food is rather expensive in Seoul, but we're all happy and contented.. In the end we all went back and drop dead.. haha.. too tired! Well do look forward for my next entry!!!