Another country to tick off our list. Sailing into the Incheon was our first glimpse of sailing into smog. According to our guide for the day Matt, not our pollution but a consequence of being so close to China. Korea was the reason for the delays in embarkation in Sydney. Each of our Apass (cruise card) photos had to be carefully taken to please Korean immigration. Now in Korea, delays were just as bad. They staggered the face to face in the Vista lounge but someone forgot to tell the Korean Officials to be on time!! As the line snake around the ship once immigration started it flowed quite steadily. The drive into Seoul was approximately one and a half hours. Those not wanting to go all the way could use the organised Shuttle service that took you into Incheon’s city centre for a cost of $8 each way.
Our aim was to be at the Gyeongbokgung Palace by 10 am for the changing of Guards Ceremony. We arrived just as the guard started their dress rehearsal in the outer grounds which meant we could get some great close up photos far from the maddening crowds inside. Once inside the gates, it was a different story. Throughout the change, there was a commentary in both Korean and English on what was taking place. The pageantry, sounds and bright colours were amazing, the people vying for vantage points with total disregard for anyone around them was not. Many carried umbrellas to protect themselves from the hot sun, but they doubled as dangerous weapons as they cut past you especially as the points were at eye level. I had many a deleted photo when at the last minute someone would step into your carefully lined up shot. Matt was not only our guide but our personal photographer and took lots of great photos of us all which as soon as we have decent internet we can download.
After the ceremony, we had the opportunity to take photos with the guards and just like those that protect the Queen they stand motion and expressionless. The palace itself is ornate and beautifully restored and you could say a small version of China’s Forbidden City. Its array of winged roof buildings, spacious courtyards, graceful pavilions and serene gardens takes you back to the days of Old Korea. We found many young girls and even their mothers dressed in their colourful and vibrant traditional costumes wandering around taking photo’s of themselves with the wonderful backdrops. Now here I am thinking I am really hip with my bright pink selfie stick…. In Korea, you can get a selfie tripod!! With lots of smiles and giggles, the young girls were happy for us to take their photo and in return, many of them would take ours. Many would strategically place themselves so our group would be in the background of their photos.
From the palace, we went for a traditional Ginseng Chicken soup lunch. The restaurant was full of locals with lots of chatting and clattering of eating utensils. Take one whole chicken, stuff it with sticky rice, boil in water with a chunk of Ginseng, a date and serve with finely sliced green onions. It was missing a little flavour but maybe the accompaniments on the table were meant to be added to the soup as the pungent chilli garlic cloves were a little overpowering when eaten straight.
We then strolled up the street and entered the laneways of Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, which date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Many houses also double as tea rooms, shops and guest houses. Young volunteers stand outside many of the houses with signs asking people to be quiet as they walk up and down the streets….
Our next stop was Insadong,
Antique Street a pedestrian walk, lined with stores and market stalls selling
everything from souvenirs, toys, antiques and ice-cream in very unusual cones.
We watched with fascination as one vendor turned one very solid looking toffee
into fine strands of taffy resembling fairy floss. With a filling of
crushed nuts he rolled a handful set of strands into a very tasty looking treat.
Hope the box in the fridge makes it home!
But like all good
things our day was coming to an end and we needed to hit the road back to
Incheon port and just like every country that we have visited in Asia, it is
the traffic that is unpredictable.With all safely back
onboard, lines were dropped and off to China we sailed
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| Welcoming committee on the dock |
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| Amazing Contrast of old an new |
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| Wedding Photo's .... every country has them! |
After the ceremony, we had the opportunity to take photos with the guards and just like those that protect the Queen they stand motion and expressionless. The palace itself is ornate and beautifully restored and you could say a small version of China’s Forbidden City. Its array of winged roof buildings, spacious courtyards, graceful pavilions and serene gardens takes you back to the days of Old Korea. We found many young girls and even their mothers dressed in their colourful and vibrant traditional costumes wandering around taking photo’s of themselves with the wonderful backdrops. Now here I am thinking I am really hip with my bright pink selfie stick…. In Korea, you can get a selfie tripod!! With lots of smiles and giggles, the young girls were happy for us to take their photo and in return, many of them would take ours. Many would strategically place themselves so our group would be in the background of their photos.
From the palace, we went for a traditional Ginseng Chicken soup lunch. The restaurant was full of locals with lots of chatting and clattering of eating utensils. Take one whole chicken, stuff it with sticky rice, boil in water with a chunk of Ginseng, a date and serve with finely sliced green onions. It was missing a little flavour but maybe the accompaniments on the table were meant to be added to the soup as the pungent chilli garlic cloves were a little overpowering when eaten straight.
We then strolled up the street and entered the laneways of Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, which date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Many houses also double as tea rooms, shops and guest houses. Young volunteers stand outside many of the houses with signs asking people to be quiet as they walk up and down the streets….
Our next stop was Insadong,
Antique Street a pedestrian walk, lined with stores and market stalls selling
everything from souvenirs, toys, antiques and ice-cream in very unusual cones.
We watched with fascination as one vendor turned one very solid looking toffee
into fine strands of taffy resembling fairy floss. With a filling of
crushed nuts he rolled a handful set of strands into a very tasty looking treat.
Hope the box in the fridge makes it home!
But like all good
things our day was coming to an end and we needed to hit the road back to
Incheon port and just like every country that we have visited in Asia, it is
the traffic that is unpredictable.With all safely back
onboard, lines were dropped and off to China we sailedAnd so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun
Princess.
Tour Company : This is Korea
Website : www.thisiskorea1.com
Tour Company : This is Korea
Website : www.thisiskorea1.com
Loving you blog - so glad it is all going well! R and A xxx
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