Koraen - 2nd day - Great Palace and great fellowship dinner.

After the full korean breakfast with Hyeyoon and her mum, we went out together to catch the bus and subway. Hyeyoon had a lot of worry, and a lot of concern, so she send me to the subway where I can take the direct train to GyeungbukGong, then only she went to her University to attending class.

It was amaze to see the splendor of GeungbukGong, the largest and oldest palace in Seoul. 1st was the GuangHuaMun, which is the front gate of GeungbukGong. The Royal Guardian of the palace standing in front , very serious, not even a movement for few hours. A lot of tourist taking picture with them, yet they never move, never smile, just standing there looking around with their static head.

I am blessed, as it was just the right time for chinese language tour to the palace, my tour guide is a Korean whitch can speak chinese very well, Miss Kim. She told us about the history of the palace, design of the palace, and introduce us some of the great emperior in Korean History. I found it was interesting, without the explanation, the tour in GeungbukGong will be just a sight seeing without leaning anything. The design of the building in palace is a great knowledge, which they actually have this knowledge 600 years ago. It is very difficult to explain the architecture work over here, to know more, ask me and i'll tell the story with the picture tgther.

The scenery inside GeungbukGong is comparable to its hsitorical value. I was told by Ms.Kim that this is the best season to visit, as the trees and leaves just start to change the color, full with yellow and red.

In fact, you will found that there are a lot of similarity between the ancient culture between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. All using the 12 horoscope, have the same tales of " journey to west", using "si xiang ba gua", believing the same ancient creature of Dragon, there are still much more alike...

After GeungbukGong, I walked to Insa-Dong, which is told by my friend is a worth place to visit. I was initiall thought that it will be a cave or something like that, but it is actually a cultural street with a lot of commercial activities. I have my lunch there, eating korean Ramen, but the taste was very similar to Malaysia curry maggi mee. hahaha....finally found some food having malaysian taste. I am not a shopperholic, so Inso-Dong is not a place for me.

Take another walk to ChangedeokGung, it is good, but not as great as GyeungbukGung. In fact, all the palace in Korea look similar, with same design, just having different history. I would suggest people to go just GyeungbukGung, others palace had loosen their splendor if you had been to GyeungbukGung. There is a Secret Garden at Changedeok Gung, but I decide not to go in, as my leg start to get tired. I just take a rest at the road side, and eating some Korean street food. I dont know what it's call, but it taste good.

Last, went to DongdauMun, which is the biggest wholesales market in Seoul. They have a lot of thing to sale over there, and the compartment is very clear. Shoes street, fashion street, cosmetic street, food street, utilities street.....is very clear and very easy to find the thing you want, and it is cheap compare to others place. In others word, it is like Chi Cheong Kai in KL or pasar malam. For ladies, you can found a lot of cosmetic and skin care product over here, in very reasonable price.

We had a good gathering at Gang Nam, which told by David, it is the entertainment city of Seoul. There are a lot of people at night, a lot of pub, bar, disco, restaurant, game station...all you can name it. This is the first time for Dennis to have a gathering together after they come back to Korea, and he said I made tham together. We went to have some very good Korean 3 layer pork barbeque, which is a very popular korean food, and then went to a bar to have some drink. You must try So-Ju in Korea, it taste perfect with the pork together.

It was a tiring day, yet a lot of happening as well. I had a very good time with those old friend in Canada, and it was great to see them again. Sharing about cultural different, story in canada, and our story back in home.