Changgyeong Palace - living in

It is easy to forget that the Changgyeong Palace (there are a number of different spellings) was actually a palace that was lived in. 

There are rooms for the King and the Queen to live in.

For what I saw there was a European influence - the writing cabinet AND the Asian influence - the mother of pearl furniture.

This is similar to the Chinpracha House in Phuket Old Town.

Changdeokgung Palace - Huijeongdang front porch

This is the porch that I believe leads to the Queen's residence.

Huijeongdang front porch at Changdeokgung palace in Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace - Deajojeon Queen's residence.

The King and Queen lived in Changdeok Palace but they each had separate residences.

this is Daejo-jeon Hall

Deajojeon (or Daejo-jeon) is a building that has none of the ostentation that the previous buildings had - but we were unable to enter inside BUT still beautiful - how often does the roof get painted?

Deajojeon, residence of the queen, Changdeokgung in Seoul

Changdeok Palace - Injeongjeon Palace

Injeongjeon Palace was a large building with two sets of Ranking Stones in front and was reached by walking through a specific gate - which can be seen in the photograph above.

"Injeongjeon Palace is also known as the Throne Room which was used for holding the most formal of state events such as audiences with ministers, coronation ceremonies and receptions of foreign envoys.  This hall may be smaller than it's Gyeongbok Palace counterpart but it is suitably dignified for it's function."

Text from their brochure

There is only one room inside, despite it looking like there are two floors, and there is the throne room inside which I would imagine would have looked stunning originally. I have to admit that the ceiling needs a little clean - but a wonderful place to visit.

On returning to Thailand I did find a website which allows you to investigate Cangdeok Palace and have a 360 degree view - here it is below.

Injeongjeon (throne hall), Changdeokgung in Seoul


Interior of the Injeongjeon (the throne hall), Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul

Changdeok Palace - Donhwamun Gate

Donhwamun gate is the entrance to this magnificent cultural site. 


"The Donhwamun (Hanja: 敦化門) is main entrance to the Changdeokgung palace. When it was first built, there was a white granite substructure, on the top of which a two-storied gate building was erected. This is a typical structure of the entrance to our palace that was transmitted from the Three Kingdoms period. Unfortunately, now, the substructure has disappeared; only the two-storied building remains. This is quite different from the structure of the Gwanghwamun, the main entrance to the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which was erected on the structure with three open arches on the ground.

As one may observe, the Donhwamun is elegant but simple because it was built as an entrance to a separate palace of the Changdeokgung palace.

The Donhwamun was set on fire by the Japanese invaders, but it was reconstructed as it had been by King Seonjo in 1607. It's the oldest entrance to remain in Seoul. Only the threshold of the entrance was reconstructed so that an automobile could pass through it easily."
Text from Deviant Art

Adults: 3,000 Won -  Child: 1,500 Won

Changdeok Palace

Wonderful.


This is certainly a MUST if you visit Seoul.

Changdeok Palace is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and I would agree. If you are interested in UNESCO and sites in Eastern Asia please visit UNESCO's site.

"In the early 15th century, the King Taejong ordered the construction of a new palace at an auspicious site. A Bureau of Palace Construction was set up to create the complex, consisting of a number of official and residential buildings set in a garden that was cleverly adapted to the uneven topography of the 58-ha site. The result is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape."

UNESCO text

We arrived at 8 am in the morning and the area was deserted - Changdeok Palace did not open until 9 am - this gave me the opportunity to wander around it, I did not mind waiting. Changdeok Palace complex is bigger than I had imagined and I could not give it the respect that it deserves in one single post, so I will separate them individually.

Galbi or Kalbi - "delicious"

On entering this restaurant I was immediately worried - what was next.

The table settings were immaculate and the slabs of meat were slabs - a pair of scissors were also available to cut them...  Here goes nothing - have a look...


"Gabi - delicious..."

I was surprised and then contented myself for the next 30 minute to eating the meat and barbecued garlic - there were more vegetables and herbs available to accompany the meat but it was not necessary.


I would have this one again.

Putting on traditional Korean dress

The time that we had in this establishment - adjacent to the Kimichi making was minimal so it was all a little bit chaotic, but it was all just a bit of fun for us all.

Jemma was 'adopted' by two of the young girls from the coach who proceeded to dress her. This was lovely to see and take some photographs.

When Chuen was ready they had group photographs and then Jemma had a little tea party with another little girl on the coach - simple fun.

Learn how to make Kimchi

Well this was certainly different.  We were all ushered into a small room where we were given plastic gloves and an apron.  We stood around the room (well I took photographs) in front of a large plate with a blob of red mixture and some cabbage.

We were there to make kimchi – this is a Korean dish and the main ingredient is feremented Napa Cabbage.  We were then told that the red stuff was a mixture of different spices but I have to admit that I did not pay attention.

Jemma and Chuen mixed the substances together on the tray and emptied it into a plastic bag and hey presto – Kimchi…

No I did not eat it!

 

Osam Bulgogi

We drove some way and turned down a road which looked like it was leading to a Residential Area - past a field of drying fish (more about that later).

The restaurant was very busy and looked more like a cabin - but we entered into a busy room where all of the diners were sitting cross legged on the floor - I liked the selection of shoes which were there.


We sat there and I watched what was prepared for us.

Osam Bulgogi!


Now I did have difficulty googling this dish - everything was written in Thai.  The dish which was prepared for us was on a Korean style cooking bowl and the ingredients of what was in the dish was virtually indistinguishable - initially I thought that it was seafood but as I looked closer I was unable to guarantee what it was.


After browsing the Internet I believe that I have found the ingredients

I ate the seaweed and rice with Jemma (again)...

Seafood Steampot

After the cold of the Sereksan National Park it was welcoming to enter into the restaurant to have dinner.


BUT what was I supposed to be eating?

The temperature difference was so large that the camera steamed up!  I rushed downstairs to buy some food which was edible - chocolate...

Dak galbi

I carefully entered into this restaurant for lunch – I believe that it is referred 

to as Dak galbi?

What is Dak galbi?

I can only tell you that it was a pile of white cabbage...

with something else in...

I did not know what it actually was until we returned back to Phuket - this is a description from www.ask.com

South Korean dish generally made by stir-fryingmarinated diced chicken in a gochujang (chili pepper paste) based sauce, and sliced cabbage, sweet potato, scallions, onions and tteok (rice cake) together on a hot plate. It is a local specialty food for the city ofChuncheon, Gangwon Province, where dak galbioriginates. Because of its origin, the dish is also calledChuncheon dak galbi.


This was not a dish that I found tasty but very bland and so did not each much - I looked at the bits to add to the pile of white cabbage - I think that there might have been onion BUT sweet potatoes and a rice cake?

I would never choose this dish again BUT Jemma did like the seaweed.

  

Nami Island

A late flight on the 9^th of March and we arrived early in the morning on Saturday the 10^th.  This meant that the first place that we visited was Nami Island.

Nami Island was named after General Nami – a notable figure in Korean history who died at the age of 26 but fought courageously, but I found very little information which was consistent about this figure...

Nami Island was an island that was reached by a ferry.  The island had a number of places to visit and was apparently a ‘Republic’.  We took a ride on a ‘Sky Bike’ – which meant that it was raised and you peddled yourself.  We crossed over the bridge that was used in a Korean film – ‘Winter Sonata’ for a kiss on a bridge.

There were 2 ostriches?  There was a lovely tree lane called Gingko Tree lane and it looks familiar – apparently there are woods called ‘Lover’s Woods’ as well!

Coffees were taken whilst Jemma looked at a squirrel running up the trees – and they had really bushy tails, not like Thai squirrels! Then we were approached by what I think was a representation of Pre-historic man, chasing Jemma.

We waited near a statue in the water / ice called a Namimaid – we got back on the ferry and returned to the coach.