Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

I took these pictures a few years ago when I was living about an hour south of Seoul. Usually when I went to Seoul, I was looking for English language books or good foreign food, but did visit a few interesting places. I'd love to go back to see the things I missed.

Hyangwongeong Pavilion with the museum in the background

Gyeongbokgung Palace was originally built in 1394. It's been nearly demolished and rebuilt twice. They are still rebuilding it now. It was only about a third done when I went. There were originally over 300 buildings. It must have been a huge complex.

One of the inner buildings

 

A small gate

Gwanghwamun - the main gate into the Palace

The city is built up right to the palace walls on the south, so you can see the skyscrapers. I think the other three directions are greener. Apparently since I've taken this picture, they moved the entire gate 14 meters south. I had wanted to go back right before I left, but it was blocked off, so I was lucky I went when I did.

Corner of one of the buildings

I like how every bit of wood was painted, even the parts most people wouldn't be looking at. 

My feeling is this was taken somewhere on the western side of the complex, but unfortunately I don't remember where.

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To get there: Take Line 3 and get off at Gyeongbokgung station. You could also get off at Gwanghwamun station on Line 5. It's only a few blocks away, and depending on where you are coming from, it might save you from transferring and going another 3 stops. I think the Kyobo bookstore (which had a decent English section) is right by Gwanghwamun station.

Gyeongbokgung - Korean Tourism Org 

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Lanterns in South Korea

Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul, South Korea, near the COEX building.
This was for a holiday. I'm not sure which one, but I believe the lanterns are lotus blossoms.

Also at Bongeunsa Temple.

Gunpo, South Korea. This town is between Anyang and Suwon, south of Seoul. Admittedly the lanterns are pretty small, but I thought the flowers looked beautiful so I'm including it anyway.

This is in the art mall off of Insadong, a street in Seoul. There are a lot of art galleries and tea shops in the area. It's pretty crowded and touristy, but I think it's worth a visit (and I'm not a big fan of galleries).

At the top of the mall in the last picture, looking towards the street. I believe this was the day of Lotus Lantern Festival. If you are in May, definitely try to see the parade. The date varies because it's based on the lunar calendar, but it's on or near Buddha's Birthday.

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Hong Kong

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Nova Scotia coast

Just outside of Chester

The ocean was incredibly still.

Aspotogan

This is in Northwest Cove, just up the road from Aspotogan.

I liked the colorful buildings and boats.

This was near Peggy's Cove

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Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

 

Lunenburg Harbor 

Lunenburg Academy.

This is a public elementary school. I would be pretty intimidated going to school here, I think. Certainly a lot more impressive than my elementary school.

 

I wish I had gotten another picture of this church during the day. It looks much smaller in the picture for some reason, it's pretty large in real life.

The downtown area. There are cuter streets, but I didn't get any photos of them.

A lot of the buildings are very colorful.

By the harbor

Old warehouse

Lunenburg is one of the big tourist destinations in Nova Scotia, but on a rainy day in September, it wasn't crowded at all. Unfortuntely I wasn't feeling that well, so I didn't get a chance to explore. There are some beautiful areas nearby, of which I'll post photos later.

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Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia

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Cape Porpoise, Maine

In June I drove through Cape Porpoise. I lived there when I was in elementary school, but I haven't been back very often since then.

I think this is Goat Island lighthouse.

I was surprised by the amount of fishing boats. I thought of it as kind of a wealthy community.

A monument to the fishermen.

A restaurant across the parking lot. I'm pretty sure it's a seafood place.

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