VIETNAM 2007

Left Brisbane on Valentines Day for 3 weeks in Vietnam. Very comfy flight on Malaysian Airlines ovenighting

The airline put us up in a "transit hotel" so we were not expecting much - what a surprise the Pan Pacific turned out to be. Huge room and amazing buffet breakfast from Asian to hash browns - yum!

Morning flight to Saigon checking in to the Ha Hien Hotel recommended by Em and Gwil who stayed here last year. The beds keep getting bigger and at $35US a night a little gem.

It is TET (Vietnamese New Year) but we didn't realise what a big deal it was going to be - the city is covered in flowers and potted trees. The traffic is hilarious with billions of small motor bikes scooting by precariously balancing huge pot plants. The main street in the city centre is closed with beautiful displays.

The girls parade in their traditional dress and crafts on display.

The food is fantastic - had a memorable meal at Restaurant Hoi An in Saigon. Very traditional and the presentation of the dishes unbelievable.

Cross dressing?

We were fascinated by the number of young couples who dressed the same!! Why?
Often it was just a shirt, but for some it was the entire outfit including shoes and hairstyles, and mobile phones!!

Poseokjeong Pavilion

In this bower, which is an annex of the Silla Kingdom's royal palace, the kings hosted banquets and other entertainment, passing cups around the stone water course which is in the shape of an abalone.

The beach Korean style

BONGGIL BEACH
The sand is quite stoney, and there is virtually no evidence of swimming costumes. They actually bathe up to the knees, fully clothed, then sit under umbrellas in sweltering heat with even more clothing on. We were hot and flustered, just looking at them









This setting was made from upturned beer crates with a board on top and even a little table set on that under a canopy. The heat was really intense on this day but no-one was deterred.
Air- con was sounding more desirable the longer we were there, which wasn't long, as we quickly made a bee line back to the car.

However this setting didn't prepare us for what we saw when we got to Haeundae Beach in Busan, which is the 2nd largest city in South Korea. Over a million people pack the beach on weekends and holidays (which happened to be when we were there!!) And not a grain of sand is left uncovered!!!!!

The mass of sponsored umbrellas as far as the eye could see. Everyone here also used a rubber inflatable ring to wallow in the water. Not much room for air to circulate between the umbrellas, but everyone was having a jolly good time and were well set up in family groups with plenty food and drink.






Oh my goodness!!! A rare shot of swim suits.

I think if the beach ever got like this in Australia you would stay home.











The brollies and bathers came right up to the street, where you could get your floatie reinflated or get a mat to put on the sand. It appeared all the accompaniments were hired as I don't know how you would ever get all the gear to the beach if you had to bring it by bus. It's a pity it was a hazy day as it doesn't give a true picture of the number of people present.

Gyeongju arts and fun

The mascots for Gyeongju...more cutsie kids!!!



































Food at the market

A traditional theatre performance

These duck boats can be hired on the lake, and are great fun to paddle around

Gyeongju

Gyeongju is an ancient city with a splendid history. It is referred to as a museum without walls, because of the tombs and historic relics you can see throughout the city and surrounding areas.
We were approached at the station by a taxi driver who offered to take us to our hotel at Bomun Lake. On the way he suggested that the next day he drove us around to see the sites..this was a godsend after seeing how expensive and limited the tours were going to be. He was also able to get to many places the groups couldn't go, and he was lots of fun....getting out of the car at every location to show us "in-fo-mate-shun". The first day was so good we got him back for a second day...great value.

At Seokgulam temple


















Bulguksa Buddhist priest One of many temples in the grounds.

Tumuli Park with one of 23 funeral mounds
where kings were buried

Cheomseongdae Observatory

The oldest existing astronomical observatory in the orient.

Suwon

We arrived in Suwon in the midst of a typhoon, with torrential rain, very inadequate umbrellas, and equally inappropriate leather shoes which are very difficult to keep dry when travelling. Despite this we battled on.
Andy came over on our first night and took us to explore the back alleys near our hotel to find a traditional Korean restaurant…Bingo!!!!! What a find. A wonderful Suwon BBQ ribs establishment. An abundance of food was delivered to our table which had a BBQ built into it, and we dined on pickled veggies, pork, chicken and other delicacies which one wrapped on lettuce and sesame leaves.
The next day was no better weather wise, but as we had come this far we were not going to be deterred by the downpour, and headed to the tourist office to book onto a Suwon tour. As we were the only ones there it didn’t look promising at first, but fortunately a young Canadian girl arrived so the three of us with a delightful english-speaking guide and driver, set out in a huge bus to see the sights.
The main attraction is the Hwaseong Fortress which has been listed by UNESCO.
It was begun by king Jeongjo (1776-1800) in honour of his deceased father.

Enveloping an area of 130ha of Suwon city in a huge ellipse, the fortress wall runs 5.7km.















After the fortress we had a walk around the set of the most famous soapie in Korea…. the Korean version of “Neighbours”.

Street scene













The market place

Modern Seoul

Modern architecture outside the Co-ex Mall











On rainy days when entering a major store you insert your umbrella in a machine which slips a plastic sleeve around it, avoiding water being dripped throughout the store. Upon leaving an attendant removes it for you. (Can't see that happening at home!!)





The presentation and quality of food in the supermarkets at Galleria and Hyundai department stores was like nothing we have ever seen before. Everything was beautifully packaged, and the staff immaculately dressed. Staff outnumbered customers going out of their way to meet, greet, explain, serve, demonstrate, etc, etc. Just wonderful.




Paw-paws dressed to the nines!!!!
























The symbol for the Police, at Insadong, shows the love of cartoon like characters















This ancient gate is now the centre of a roundabout
near Namdaemun Markets

Gyeonbokgeung Palace

As Andrew is still working this week we are having a few days in Seoul to play tourists. We caught a cab and headed off to Itaewon to check out the tailors that had been recommended to us. Had measurements taken by the "best shirt maker" in Seoul, only to find he had a lot of competition in that area as we walked down the main street, and found that every one of the tailors had given himself that title.
More shops beckoned in Myeong-dong, a much more western part of the city. It was here we discovered "Paris Baguette" recommended by Andy..what a find...wish they were back home, but my waistline wouldn't cope very well. It is full of the most delicious looking rolls, pastries cakes, breads etc Yum!!!! We only had a coffee...what a waste!!
It was in this area I managed to get my glasses replaced for a fraction of the price back home!!

About now we felt the need for a cultural experience that didn't involve food. Many official sites are closed on Monday but not Gyeonbokgeung Palace. From the second we entered it was a wonderful spectacle. This palace was established in 1395 as the residence for the founder of the Josean dynasty. Photos do not convey the scale of the buildings which are spread over a huge area, and are nestled beside skyscrapers right in the city.









Heungryemun gate...entry to Geunjeonjeon

Gyunghoeru This pavilion was the best feast place in the Joseon Era, and nobody except kings could walk around here. It is built in a lake, with access via a bridge.

This is one of many ornate gateways that link each of the courtyards.

The National Folk Museum of Korea is also located in the palace grounds. This is a must see!! The displays illustrate the history, lifestyle and lifecycle of the Korean people, covering housing, farming, dress, food, implements, music, rituals and ceremonies.

South Korea - July 2006

After 6.5 hours flying toBali, 4 hours on the ground, and another 6.5 hours on to South Korea we were not feeling bright and cheerful when we landed at Incheon at 8.30 am on Sunday, July 23. However from then on it has been fantastic. Seoul would have to be the best kept tourist secret, as there aren't many tourists here that we have seen. On checking into our hotel, Fraser Suites, we were upgraded to a 3 bedroom apartment, with stunning views over central Seoul, and high speed internet access in our study!!!!!


Andy arrived not long after this and we went exploring this area, Insadong, which is full of art galleries, craft shops and wonderful traditional Korean restaurants up every little alley.








We ended up at a tiny authentic restaurant for lunch, with Andy ordering in Korean, thank goodness as none of the menu was in English....not unusual in fact, so we were grateful that he was there. It was fantastic to see him after 6 months and to catch up on his activities.


After lunch he took us to see the Cheonggyecheon Stream which was the original water supply for Seoul six hundred years ago and it has recently been restored making it a beautiful place for the locals to relax, and then we walked on to Dongdaemun Markets. Not what we were expecting as I have never wanted to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with Mickey Mouse or any of his mates!!, but the locals seem to love him.











We ate at another traditional pancake restaurant that evening, so by the time we leave we are hoping to have tried every different style of Korean delicacy.