Go back to More Hanoi.
Go back to Vietnam.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.
But first we had a 14 hour layover in Seoul. This was intentional – I mean if you’re going to have 5 hours at an airport, might as well make it 14 and go out and do something. We had prearranged a city tour guide named Heather. She was there at Incheon in the predawn hours along with her driver, Mr. Noh (to which Shirley immediately inquired whether there was also a Mrs. Yes lurking somewhere). Seoul itself is a nice if a bit cold city (and not just simply in the early December weather sense) though we were looking longingly at the granite faces and domes lying just beyond the skyscrapers. We’ll be back. Also, the highlight was hanging out with Heather (well, that and the food) who is quite the entertaining character in addition to being an informative guide. Back at Incheon airport in the early evening and a relatively painless hop home where we were reunited with my Mom and Benny.
Photos
Bukchon Hanok Village in the predawn hours (Dec. 2018).
Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul (Nov. 2018).
After Bukchon Hanok Village, we hiked down for some coffee (Nov. 2018).
Heather checking out an prematurely blooming tree (Dec. 2018).
Views of Seoul in the early morning (Dec. 2018).
A random street in Seoul (Dec. 2018).
War Memorial Of Korea (Dec. 2018).
Shirley and Heather at the War Memorial (Nov. 2018).
War Memorial Of Korea (Dec. 2018).
War Memorial Of Korea (Dec. 2018).
N Seoul Tower (Dec. 2018).
Love lock or some such bullshit display at the observation deck atop Nam Peak in Seoul (Nov. 2018).
Views of Seoul from the summit of Nam Peak (Dec. 2018).
More views of the city from top of Namsan (Dec. 2018).
At the park atop Nam Peak (Dec. 2018).
Top of Namsan (Dec. 2018).
N Seoul Tower atop Namsan (Nov. 2018).
Remnants of fall colors (Dec. 2018).
Hiking down from Namsan (Dec. 2018).
Downtown Seoul (Dec. 2018).
More downtown Seoul sights (Dec. 2018).
A street market in downtown Seoul (Dec. 2018).
At the outdoor market (Dec. 2018).
More market sights (Dec. 2018).
In search of a bathroom (Dec. 2018).
Food portion of the market (Dec. 2018).
Seoul City Hall (Dec. 2018).
Some street vendor desert (Dec. 2018).
Cheonggyecheon Park (Dec. 2018).
Cheonggyecheon is a linear, 10 km long, park cutting through downtown Seoul. Site of a restored creek (Dec. 2018).
Cheonggyecheon Park – a little sterile; too light on the vegetation (Dec. 2018).
Food was fantastic of course (Dec. 2018).
Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds (Dec. 2018).
Gyeongbokgung Palace ground (Dec. 2018).
Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds. Apparently dressing up is a thing for teenage girls (Dec. 2018).
Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds (Dec. 2018).
Heather and Shirley on the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds (Dec. 2018).
Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds (Dec. 2018).
More people playing dress up (Dec. 2018).
OK, time to go home. On the Incheon bound train (Dec. 2018).
Go back to Vietnam.