Fairly close to where I’m staying (Haeundae) is Gwangandaegyo Bridge. It’s known as the “Diamond Bridge” because it glitters at night. I’d read that the best place to see the bridge was from Gwangalli Beach. After finishing my hike in Daecheon Park, I walked to the bus stop. I saw a small convenience shop that … Continue reading / view photos Exuberance on Gwangalli Beach
Author: Praful
Hiking in Daecheon Park
Yesterday, I went into a bakery. There are many here and they sell mostly cakes. The bread is sweet and usually has milk. But there was some wholemeal/sourdough type bread. It was exceptionally good and may have been the best bread I’ve had on this trip. Today, I went back and got some more. After … Continue reading / view photos Hiking in Daecheon Park
Train to Busan
I left Seoul today but will return. My friend from Hong Kong told me that there’s a film about a train to Busan that features zombies. I left the Seoul hostel on time to catch one of several buses for the 10-minute journey to the station. However, there was a lot of traffic, and no … Continue reading / view photos Train to Busan
Bukchon Hanok Village
A hanok is a traditional Korean house. Bukchon, an area of Seoul, had a whole village full of them. I went to a two-room museum which described the transition from the older to the newer hanok — and one man’s attempt to keep traditional Korean culture alive against the threat of “Japanisation”, which the occupying … Continue reading / view photos Bukchon Hanok Village
Ikseondong, Insadong, and Myeongdong
After visiting two palaces, I wanted to see two districts known for their character. Ikseondong has lots of small alley ways with cute shops. I enjoyed getting lost in the maze of restaurants and shops. Insadong struck me as the creative quarter. There were antique shops but a lot of newer art shops and galleries … Continue reading / view photos Ikseondong, Insadong, and Myeongdong
Palace day
The are five palaces in Seoul and I went to two of them today: Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 as the backup palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Being in the east, it balanced the primary palace (Gyeongbokgung), which was in the west. Changdeokgung was destroyed by fire during the Japanese … Continue reading / view photos Palace day
Late arrival in Seoul
Sailing then taking the train from Macao to Hong Kong airport was smooth and so was the flight to Seoul. This was my first time in South Korea — another first. I’d not been to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macao either. I’d stayed connected with someone I briefly met in Taipei. He arrived in Seoul … Continue reading / view photos Late arrival in Seoul
Morpheus and Golden Reel
When I arrived in Macao, I saw some interesting architecture on the bus journey to the city centre. Today I took a bus to that side of Macao. It’s full of modern buildings and a light railway. There are plenty of casinos, just as there are in the centre. My first port of call is … Continue reading / view photos Morpheus and Golden Reel
Guia Lighthouse, A-Ma Temple, and Moorish Barracks
Adjacent to my hotel was Guia Park and rising on a hill was the Guia Lighthouse. The park had a circuit and fitness machines. Lots of people, young and old, were out exercising. I traipsed up the hill to the lighthouse. There was a panoramic view across the city. All the buses here seem to … Continue reading / view photos Guia Lighthouse, A-Ma Temple, and Moorish Barracks
Library, ruins, and Guardians of the Galaxy
I was intending to take it easy in Macao. Life moved at a slower pace than Hong Kong. For my first full day, I headed for the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library. Built in the 19th century, it was bought by a wealthy Hong Kong businessman in 1918. When he died, he donated the building … Continue reading / view photos Library, ruins, and Guardians of the Galaxy