Shawna's Notebook: Korea 2015 Travelogue Day 2

Today's itinerary includes Changdeokgung, Insadong and Hongdae.

This morning, we went on a guided tour in Changdeokgung and the secret garden within. The tour for the palace is free and you can join or leave the tour group as and when you like. Although we joined the english tour, we had so much difficulty understanding the guide's korgrish (Korean + English). She was so soft that unless you are standing right in front of her, you won't be able to hear what she was saying. Making it worse, she didn't show any expression when she spoke. Maybe it was too cold.

The palace building is beautiful with intricate and detailed woodcrafts and paintings. The place looks very well maintained and clean. Wire net are used to deter birds from roosting in the eaves of the buildings.

Those small figurines on the roof are supposed to be able to ward off evil spirits. They are always in odd numbers and 9 is the max number to have and it is usually placed on the most important buildings.

These are markers so officials of different rankings knew where to stand during assembly time. It's all in chinese characters, the guide explained that before the Korean language was created, Korea used the chinese language and because very few knew it so only the rich could afford teachers to learn the language and they are also the ones who will become scholars and officials.

Weather looks warm and sunny but it was actually chilling cold. The tour guide said it is already beginning of spring and is much warmer. If this is considered warm, I can't imagine how cold it is in Jan.

During the reign of the last King, he used cars thus he has this car porch built.

This was our guide for the secret garden. Much better english (but still needs to listen very attentively) and more humorous.

It was so cold, the pond was frozen.

Apparently, the king named this gate "fish water gate" to show his desire to be closer to his citizens, just like how fish and water goes together.

Again, to show his love for his country. This king built a pond in the shape of his country. The guide said that the park looks gloomy now cos it's the end of winter season. The most beautiful time to visit is during Autumn but it's also the peak season and the park is usually very very crowded.

After a long morning walk in the palace ground, we continued to Insadong, which is within walking distance. Next stop, lunch! We saw a poster with images of such gorgeous looking bibimbap, we ended up here. Jeonju Traditional bibimbap shop.

After a most satisfying meal, we carried on roaming around Insadong.

Then this caught my attention. Hot stone roasted sliced octopus. Very chewy and makes a nice snack.

Each cup cost KRW3000

We didn't do much shopping. After roaming the street for a while, we ended up in a tea house.

Our fav is the jujube tea which is so fragrant. The other tea.. can't remember what it was, well... the taste was forgettable. The snacks.. we quite like the flower shaped honey cookie, Yakgwa, tho it's a little too sweet. The banana look-a-like snack is a roasted rice cake. Chewy, kinda bland so you dip it in the honey before eating. The experience wasn't too impressive. Perhaps next time, we will try another tea house.

So... from this blog, it may seems like we are eating non-stop but in fact, we didn't. Cos in between meals, we had to walk/travel to the eateries at different places. There were actually lots of walking involved. Just saying...

Next, dinner.. or was it supper? Anyway, it's Chimaek time! We had it at Rooftop Moonlight in Hondae. This place is actually below ground level, wonder why it's called "Rooftop moonlight".