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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A Weekend to remember

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This weekend accommodation change was to provide a high rise experience and a connection between Hanok living and 5 days on the road. I'd booked the Saturday to attend a random music festival at the Olympic Park, both for a festival experience and an Olympic Park visit as well as it being within good walking distance of where we were staying.

Lovesome Festival 2024

We were super fortunate with the Saturday weather which was warm and sunny. We met up with an EK colleague (Audrey, a French woman living and working largely in Saudi, with a K drama passion even stronger than mine and a recently gained love of golf); and she very generously bought us all ground seats.
















I've included a range of pictures which kind of capture the experience: the impeccably well behaved crowds, where each group pitched a regulation area per person (1.2m x 1.2m per person), kept their rubbish to themselves, were considerate as they moved between the ever decreasing gaps, removed their shoes before getting on their picnic rugs, and pitching cardboard ground table and chair variants for those who had pre ordered; and some of the sets from the inside dome and the outside stage. Soaking up the atmosphere as well as appreciating the live performances was, well, simply put, fun. Some of the lineup were definitely on my radar as K drama soundtrack performers, and that added to the overall appreciation of the festival.














We were torn between staying to the end and watching the evening spectacle, or shifting a few kilometres to a Han River park for a drone show. Too many riches! En route, we decided it might be worth trying to rent bikes using the Seoul City provided equivalent of Boris Bikes. Well, the app proved interesting, and only Manu managed to rent, but then she exceeded the rental time, so was locked out for future rentals until she could pay the surcharge, Audrey incurred a charge but couldn't release a bike, and I couldn't get past the technology. Anyway, we made it to the drone show, and then called it a night.















GoTo Mall, Han River Ride, Bibimbap

Sunday was completely unscheduled, and Manu felt it was worth trying to get to a 2km line of underground ladies wear, the GoTo Mall, as recommended by Audrey, for some cost effective shopping. But first we decided to go the the nearest tourist information centre to get some help in paying Manu's bike surcharge. I, in turn, succeeded in renting a bike, so rode ahead whilst Manu walked. At the Tourist information Office I experimented with temporarily locking the bike, whilst the very helpful staff eventually persuaded the bike control office to scrap Manu's surcharge, only a few pence, since no one could overcome the non Korean bank card difficulties. That was good, but I then also needed their help to overcome an inability to unlock the temporary lock! Another call to Bike central and things were resolved, including valuable feedback that the app wasn't very foreigner friendly. 

Bikes safely parked, we subwayed to two hours of shopping, and then, feeling a bit more confident, cycled back about 8km along the Han River, to a Bibimbap place for supper. You might wonder why that was a big deal. Well, Manu had been pining for some for some days, I'd promised to make it happen, but it wasn't quite as common as expected. However, whilst Manu shopped I'd found a great recommend from 90 Day Korean (one of my language learning resources) which located a place near to our highrise apartment. Another full and eventful day.




Comments

  1. Conrad7 May 2024 at 16:08

    Sorting out a bike surcharge in Korean was masterly. Dad

    ReplyDelete
  2. Manu8 May 2024 at 08:13

    Awaiting the next instalments....xx

    ReplyDelete

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