Exploring Gyeongbokgung with a pro camera man!

It's officially the first day of Ben's tour in Seoul and given that he is such an enthusiast in photography, what better place to show him around than Gyeongbokgung?

Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395, and was the main seat of government activitt of the Joseon Dynasty, which rules Korea with Seoul as capital city during the years 1329 - 1910. Though its been through tumultuous times during the Japanese invasion, it was being well-restored since 1990. It consists of official quarters like the palace throne, reception hall and living and resting quarters like the king's and queen's residences.

It;s no guess this is the place where most Korean drama filming takes place. The grandest of all the palaces in Seoul and 1 that's not to be missed. It is a huge palace and will probably take 2-3 hours to cover, comfortably.

Directions:
Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line 3, Exit 5, follow the sign boards from there.

You can't miss this front shot of the entrance cause its a pretty awesome sight. It faces the main road, actually. So while standing in front of the palace, one may feel like a clash of times... 






Shot of what faces the entrance of the palace.

As with most palaces, there is always a palce-guard changing ceremony every few hours. So be sure to check from the website visitkorea website to affirm the timing and not miss them.






Palaces also almost always have a majestic mountain in the background - for scenic reasons. I guess mountain-gazing must be one of the greatest hobby for kings then..
Frankly, who would mind having a mountain-view even in modern times like this?

Only professional lenses will be able to capture such great shots!

The photos in this post were all captured b Ben (cause I was too lazy to take ANY pictures). And I realized I have no close up shots of the interior of the palace like the king / queen's residence, the throne and etc.

I am just gonna spam this posts with great scenic pictures from the "lens of a pro".

I wondered if ice-skating was gonna be a feasible idea on this frozen pond?

Clear blue skies that Singapore is short of.

Here are some really random shots of what could be a servant's quarter? 

We completely missed out the living quarters of the officials, king and queens and here we are taking random shots of the servants quarters...

To close this post, here is a last shot of myself - snacking on a gimbap! 

Seriously, it's the last few days of my trip and I am really gonna just roam around the streets, enjoying each moment instead of being a trigger-happy tourist!

Namsan Tower

Myeongdong Station, Line 4, Exit 4

Namsan Tower is definitely a tourist attraction. It has won more points since Korean Drama "Boys Over Flower" shot 1 of their dating scenes there. Pictures posted here are a mixture of photos which I've taken while visiting the tower in Springtime and Winter.

I must say that it is still one of the best places to go on a date even though it is highly commercialized.

If you refer to the below map, you can easily make your way from Myeongdong station to Namsan Tower.
You will see that i have boxed up the area in pink (that's the Myeondong district).

1. Take the elevator (it's really funny that the elevator just appears from no where, you will understand when you see it) to the Cable Car station that will bring you to Namsan
2. Take the Cable Car (you get to admire the scenery on your way up)
3. Once you get there, you can choose to just hangout or take the elevator to the top of the tower.

 

 Walking towards the elevator!

Consider this as a marker to spot the elevator.

 This is the elevator that will take you up to the Namsan Cable Car Centre

 If time permits, do stop by this Ton Kat-Su dining place for food. It's got really good reviews.

 

 The popular Coffee machine from Boys over Flower..

 

Shot from the platform whilst waiting for the cable car to come

 

 

So u can start exploring once you alight from the cable car....

These photos were taken from the previous trip (in spring time), hence the green scenery and bright sunlight.

These are what you call the "love locks" where couples visiting lock promises, vows, messages etc to each other. It's totally over-populated!

(Again) These photos were taken from the previous trip. 

This is the view if you were to ascend to the top of the tower.I would suggest you do that only in springtime or autumn when the skies are clear and trees are blooming.

Random shot of the viewing gallery

4,600 km away from home sweet home!

Back to winter-time! In fact, i mush prefer the night scenery of Namsan. It feels so romantic and enchanting.

 Though the weather was really cold - looking at the lighted city just gives me a super warm feeling.

I shall finish this post with this awesome picture of the night scenery in Seoul, from Namsan, taken on one fateful night in Winter, Jan, 2011.

Visiting Seoul Forest

Ttukseom Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 8

I am back in action again after being down for the entire month of January! And this month - it's my goal to comb wherever possible areas in Seoul before my departure this month end!

It seems too soon to be true - how can I leave just as the flowers begin to bloom in Spring? (Torn between wanting to meet my family ASAP and wanting to spend more incredible moments here...)

So, being a nature-lover, we agreed to head to Seoul Forest.

"Just as London has Hyde Park, Seoul has Seoul Forest. On the wide range of land which can embrace 15 football fields, there are 5 theme parks with 420,000 trees and various wild animals" 

Quoted from Seoul's Best 100

(At least London calls it "Hyde Park" and not "London Park".. aw...)

It was a Thursday when we went to Seoul Forest - and it was empty. Almost.

Possibly because it was too cold to be hanging out "in the open"?

Look at my huge earmuffs?

Absolute serenity at this melancholic-looking empty lane with withered trees.

I would love to take a seat at one of those benches and just read all day. But it is just.too.cold!

Enough of the depressing introduction. All the 420,000 tress have withered! 

 

I am going to be back in Autumn!

Since it was soooo empty, what better thing to do than taking fun shots!

In fact this compilation of photos is one of my favourite because it's so candid. Not like the usual *victory* hand sign shots where we just position ourselves in front of the camera and say "twist"!

Absolutely looking like a photo-bomber!

 I don't need to go to a trick-eye museum to do crazy things! Sorry Mr Tortoise.

And if you are wondering, these shots were all self-taken - we conveniently positioned the camera in a timer-mode and the effects were good!

Hardly ANY NGs here.

See what I mean by being accustomed to the glorious *victory* sign whenever you are taking a normal photo?

There you go again - *victoriously*!

Bird's eye shot from the top of the playground!

 My boyfriend is a block-head. Literally.

Spiderman!

Seeing this bicycle shop makes me feel like this place isn't so deserted after all. There must be peak periods where families hang out and have fun! Just not in winter.

Going to Seoul Forest was indeed therapeutic for me, especially after having been cooped at home for the longest time!