Seoul II - Buddha's Birthday

The big man himself!!

We headed to Seoul last weekend to take in some sights, et pour observer ce qui se passait pour la fete du Buddha. A busy weekend, mais on s'est beaucoup amuser. Seoul est une ville d'environ 15 millions habitants, and man did it feel that large!! Will write notes throughout the picture display...sorry, lots of photos.

The south gate of what used to be the fortress. Auparavant, les rues voisinantes la contournait completement. In the last few years they have cut one of the roads off, which makes it easier to access it. They were changing the guards as we approached.

Market madness

Fountain near City Hall

Entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Eat your heart out, Forbidden City!!! None of the buildings are original structures. It was first completed in 1395, but the Japanese either burned it down or tore it down at various points in time during their occupation of the Korean peninsula. The last original structure, the only one not torn don by the Japanese, was the main gate at the entrance of the palace. It has been taken down recently and they are in the process of restoring it. The pictures do not do it justice, they are doing a remarkable job restoring it.





Behind us is the Honeymoon suite, where the king would spend some quality time with his many concubines.


Even the monks have their digital cameras...

An old temple that was so well decorated with many a lantern. Les photos donnent une petite impression, mais croyez nous, l'effet durant la soiree avec les lanternes illuminees etait fantastique.

The usual suspects, again, with our friend Adam...or Gibbs...



Earning a living

A small parade on the Sunday.

One of many Buddhist organization tents, this one was the Tibetan.

Super busy shopping district, I believe called Myeongdong.

Recycling, anyone?