Jongmyo, Changgyeonggung, and The World High-Wire Championships

Today we're back in Seoul visiting a shrine and one of the main palaces. The shrine is called Jongmyo and it houses the 'spirit tablets' of the Joseon Dynasty Kings and Queens. It is said that their spirits reside inside these tablets.




This building is where the tablets lay. It was really massive - can you see Shawna in the picture? (click on it to blow it up)



The next group of pictures are from Changgyeonggung!! Originally built by King Sejong (who is on the back of the 10 000 Won bill, invented the modern Korean writing system, and happens to be buried in our little town of Yeoju).Through the palace woods you can see Seoul tower watching over the city.


All those years of school really paid off - I forgot my watch but Shawna was able to tell the time with this sundial - we would have missed the bus if it wasn't for her valiant effort.





Here is the Great King Sejong's throne room. The painting on the wall behind his throne is also behind his mug on the 10 000 won bill - as you can see in the following photo. We wouldn't have even noticed but we were eavesdropping on a tour group and saw their guide showing the bill to them.



RANDOM SHOT OF SD AND A SQUID - Just to see if you're still paying attention!



Later that afternoon, we went in search of a "World High-Wire Competition" we heard about. After some serious walking, and coming close to giving-up, we found it!!


It was quite the unique experience - I've never seen anything quite like it in my life. The 'walkers' were up on scaffolding waiting to for their turn. Their destination was all the way across the Han River!! It took the guy we watched about 45 minutes to make it. He stopped a few times and sat on the wire (safety boats waiting in the river below) but eventually made it across.


I took a lot of video footage of the High-Wire event that I will be able to string together someday. It's really difficult to imagine the distance based on these photos.


Well - we considered ourselves lucky to have found and witnessed the event and went happily on our way back to Yeoju on the bus.


Next post: Shawna's Birthday - Clubbing in Seoul and Chilling in Everland!!

Gyeongju

Welcome to Gyeongju -- South - South Korea!!! Our first stop in this historical city (known as an "outdoor museum") was at Bulguksa. One of Korea's largest, and most-famous Buddhist temples. It was a beautiful day and was Buddha's birthday weekend so it was the perfect time to visit Bulguksa.


A long and winding walk up a steep hill gets you to the entrance of the temple. Once you enter the gate you are faced with some awe-inspiring scenery to get you into the tranquil mood that is desired.


Just be wary of the guards at the gate - they don't exactly look friendly!!



We were happy to see that the lotus lanterns were still up the day after Buddha's birthday. (they did begin to take them down later that afternoon)





Sorry for the lack of interior photos but it was prohibited. This is still a practicing temple so they didn't want any photos taken to respect the privacy of the Buddhists.


Shawna peeking inside. . . at the Golden Seated Buddha


There were millions of these little rock formations behind one of the buildings - they looked kind of like Inuksuit.




Later that afternoon we went to see the Tombs of Gyeongju. They built huge mounds around the tombs of important people. There are still many standing today in Gyeongju.



We were able to go inside one of the tombs - after a long wait in the hot sun. These tombs were home to millions of artifacts. Like the Egyptians, they buried many precious items for the deceased to take with them to the next world. Most of the original buried treasure was taken by "Tomb Raiders" and the Koreans are still working hard to collect all the items for museum displays.



Here's some kids respecting the tomb . . .



It's very likely to see couples or families dressed alike in Korea these days. Matching clothes is a really popular thing to do right now. (Shawna is trying to convince me to buy a set "couples shirts".) This is a random photo for the afternoon but we couldn't resist taking it when we saw what was written on this family's shirts. Take a close look at the black and yellow ones . . . What??



Here's a famous observatory in Gyeongju. It is called Cheomseongdae and was built in the 7th century. Its the oldest known observatory in Asia. It has 12 blocks for its base and 365 blocks composing the tower. Interesting . . .


Here's Shawna standing in the "Kim Forest" where the orginal Gyeongju Kim was found and named.



A stop for dinner - 20 bucks got us some Soju and about 50 different dishes!!


Our final destination in Gyeongju was Anapji Pond. An artificial pond constructed in the 7th century as part of the Silla Palace. It was really incredible to see it at night.




This was really the highlight of our trip to Gyeongju. I'm sure we'll be back here again before we leave South Korea.






I was mesmerized by the Bamboo forests and now I just have to go see the big ones in Jeolla Province. Maybe next long weekend!!

Goin' South to DAEGU

Our day in 'Colorful Daegu' began with a chance meeting with a friend from Yeoju. We were extremely lucky to meet Eun-Hye that morning because she grew up in Daegu and graciously offered to tour us around Daegu for the day. Our first stop was the Medicine Market.


Once again, as luck might have it, there was a Medicine Festival happening in Daegu that week!! Shawna decided to try the foot massage mats - she was not impressed!! It was very painful.


There were very few foreigners at the festival so we were treated a bit like celebrities. There were camera men asking us to pose for the Daegu newspaper. Below, you can see Shawna about to make her Korean television debut. They were filming her participating in a medicine wrapping lesson. I told them I was her agent but they refused to cough up the Won.


Mmmm . . . looks good . . .


Some serious Ginseng that day - we had ginseng candy, ginseng tea, and ginseng soap, and I even saw some deep-fried ginseng. The Scots would be proud!!


Here is the tea we had. It was some seriously potent stuff!! I could see in to the future for a short while - it was really hazy though. I could see: Shawna playing the drums at night . . . does that make sense??? The visions soon went away



Hana, Dul, Set, . . .KIMCHI!!


We visited the blow-up organ bouncy rooms for kids - how could we not??


The inside of your heart should look like this . . .


A little historical medicine cermony complete with guards, medicine men, soldiers, and delivery-boy on a scooter.


Daegu was full of the 'old meets new' spaces. Here, we saw a few skaters infront of an old city gate.


Eat your heart out "Louvre".


Daegu - gaming and shopping at night - really busy.


Shawna playing drums in the arcade. I feel like I've been here before . . .



Here's some bar in Daegu - we went in for the "Billibow". Billiards and Bowling together at last.


We were awfully tired and had a long day ahead of us in Gyeongju, so we headed off to our Hotel for the night. I present to you . . .Shangri-La . . .




See you in Gyeongju!!

!!!SPECIAL EDITION!!! Happy Mother's Day !!!SPECIAL EDITION!!!

Dear mother's . . . we hope you enjoy this video we made especially for you!!!! (If you're not our mother - feel free to watch this anyway. . . )




Have a Happy Mother's Day!!

With Love,

Jon and Shawna