Palaces in Seoul

In April when the weather started being nice again Steve and I headed out to all the places where we had been waiting all winter to see. Some things you should just see when it's green.

This is outside one of the smaller palaces in Seoul. This is the Deoksugung palace where the last emperor made his home. Within this palace you will also be able to see the museum of contemporary art and also a neoclassical palace.

The above picture shows the hunters returning from.....well I assume hunting.

Some big wig in Korea. I can't remember who because it's been a bit since we've been here.

The main throne room, side angle.

Us in front of a beautiful fountain, and in the distance the museum of modern art (I believe....)

The other side of the throne room......but can you spy what's different?

The throne.......the build up to this was far to much!

These are a few of technologies that the Korean people used. The thing to the far right is a clock. Water would pour out at a certain rate and measured to tell the time. In the middle is a large bell.

This is a long hallway that contains the soul plates of past emperors. These are kept here, with offerings to honour the past rulers.

This is the main area for the encloser above. It is enclosed like a palace but no kings ever lived here.
The soul plates view from the front.

These are some of the dishes that the offerings are placed in.

This is in a different palace. Above is the entrance way into the secret garden. This isn't some Disney movie, secret gardens existed....this one did to give the emperor a much needed rest from his harem. Poor guy.


The last emperor's family lived here up until about 30ish years ago.

This is a look into the secret garden.

The lily pond.

Places to grab a bit of shade.

This is actually the main area of the garden, but the garden itself is very large. You have to go on a tour to get into this palace. To many people were making off with "souvenirs" from the garden. We were only able to spend about 20minutes within the actual garden, but the rest of the tour was about an hour. You pay a lot to get on the tour but it is thoroughly enjoyable.

This is one of the first things you see when you get onto the tour. A large courtyard and tons of buildings.

This is the gate of eternity. They say that whoever passes under this gate will forever be young. So for all you sucks who haven't done that yet I'll be looking good at the reunion!!