Museums

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In keeping with the idea this was a cultural visit rather than a holiday, wet days offered an opportunity to go and see some museums whilst also exploring other neighbourhoods. This post briefly covers museums visited. I don't try and provided huge detail because that's all available on line for those interested. Rather I touch on some small or other notable points that caught my attention for whatever reason. Palaces Museum Having ventured out in spite of what turned out to be 3 days of pretty constant rain, The Palaces Museum, adjacent to Gyeongbokgung, was my first museum stop.  Sadly an entire floor of permanent exhibits was closed. However, amongst other things, I came across an excellent digital immersive rendition of a very famous exploratory narrative from the 16th Century, captured in a folding screen landscape painting of the 19th Century.  Follow the link to look at the picture more closely. Of interest, although I may be making a connection that doesn't exist, ...
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Ready, Steady, Go

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Catch the Flight

Perfect timing. The taxi to take me to the station auto messaged me at precisely the time I shut down Captivating the King at the end of Episode 8. I just needed to grab my bags and lock up. The train left on time; two changes; and arrived on time at Heathrow T2. A relaxing cup of tea before I could drop off my hold baggage; a short browse of sunglasses with no outcome; and then a leg stretching transfer to the departure gates and access to the lounge. There is no question that the latter provides a welcome opt out from the shopping and consuming of the departure side concourse, especially if you've allowed as much time as I did to benefit from it.














The Flight

So this part was self indulgent - however, my carbon offset from home appliance repairs (did you know that a laptop repair vice replacement = a return flight from Heathrow to Rome?) and running sailing courses in what seemed like constant gales in the Solent over the winter months - and I felt my Korean reward deserved an 'all in' approach. I rather failed to capture the experience but taking photos seemed just a bit too intrusive. The main meal was BiBimbap, which I've become quite good at making myself, but I did enjoy two excellent Korean movies. Concrete Utopia and Brave Citizen. The first is Lord of the flies for adults, in a post natural disaster Seoul, exploring 'normal' behaviour. Brave citizen sees the delightfully quirky Shin Hye-sun play a supply teacher sorting out a school's bullying problem.









The Arrival (at Incheon) and transfer to downtown Seoul

Also went like clockwork. Immigration, health declaration and passport / Korea Travel Authorisation check, baggage collection, pick up my SIM card and T Money (public transport) card, hop on the bus. Naver maps proved every bit as good as Google maps (which doesn't work well in Korea), providing walking times between points and precise times of arrival of the bus. Not rocket science in this day and age but nice to have started getting the hang of it.

Mini Hanok - Bukchon Village

Found it easily, walking past plenty of popular and good looking eateries, but I suspect things are a little on the pricier side given the location. I bomb burst bags in the Hanok and, rather than trying to capture what it looks like, which I can do later, went for a brisk walk to load up the T Money card and get a couple of night shots of nearby attractions. This I did, before heading back to the Hanok for a Ramen, via a convenience store for a beer and Soju.  And then (now) hopefully catch up on some sleep.



Comments

  1. Sophie Jenkin18 April 2024 at 08:05

    great post! like the short, multiple chapter with headings structure, and what perfect timing with the taxi! very good omen for what seems like a perfectly organised trip. Inspiring me to do my own organisation

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  2. Conrad18 April 2024 at 08:12

    Agree with Sophie - a great blog, even if I didn't understand some of it (like 'bomb burst' and 'Ramen') and it read really well. Dad

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    Replies
    1. Sophie Jenkin23 April 2024 at 12:34

      ooh grandaddy if you haven't tried ramen you may be in for a treat! Its a very easy dish to make and often eaten by university students due to this. A noodle soup of various flavours to which you can add all the veggies and other toppings - like an egg, or some meat for example - as you like.

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    2. Alastair Jenkin, 알라스트3 May 2024 at 12:50

      Sophie is absolutely right - simple and tasty and dressed up according to taste. I recently thanked Louis for introducing me to a Gourmet Spicy version available from Sainsbury's that is as 'hot' as the spicy variants in Korea. Convenience store owners and everyday restauranteurs warn about the heat and I've gained lots of street cred along the way by enjoying them lots.

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