Days two: It was 11AM and also the time to check out of our nice hotel room. Johnny, Carlo and I Caught the airport bus just outside the terminal into Seoul. It took us around 70 minutes to get into Mapo-gu and it cost us 8,000 won ($7CAD). Most of the hostels in Korea varies from 10,000 won ($) for single room to 160,000 won ($) for family room. The Hongdae Guesthouse we have chosen in Mapo-gu cost us 20,000 won (approximately $17) per person per night. The guesthouse is very close to the subway and the limousine bus from Incheon International Airport to Seoul will drop you off right by the guesthouse which was perfect for us. Everything is well-furnished; it is almost a luxury hostel! Hongdae Guesthouse was run by a travel company which was located just next door which made it super convenient for the three of us and the rest of the tourists to find travel information.
After we dropped off our luggage at the guesthouse it was time to get picked up by the tour company (Korea tourism organization) off to our first destination in Seoul! Our itinerary looked like this:
Hotel → Pass by the Presidential Blue House → The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony → Gyeongbok Palace → The National Folk Museum → Jogye Buddhist Temple → Amethyst or Ginseng center → Lunch → Korean Folk Village → Hotel
Our tour cost us 96,000 won per person ($83 Cad) it was a day trip
First stop was the presidential Blue House also known as the Cheongwadae is the office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of Republic of Korea. The Blue House has been at its location since dynasty era (918-1392). The interior is very traditional Korean style with some modern elements. There is the guest house, press hall, and the secretariat buildings. The entire complex covers about 250, 000 m^2.
Our next stop was the event of changing loyal guard ceremony placed at the Gyeongbok Palace. Geumgun (royal guard) and Sumunjang (a gate guard) were in charge of the security of royal palace. There were opening and closing ceremonies in the royal palace during the Yi dynasty and the ceremony of changing shifts of gate guards is performed by combining three rituals into one. This daily event is held from 10am-4pm and it is a free of charge, we even got to take pictures with the actors wearing gate guard clothes.
After the seeing the changing of the guard we got to step into the Palace to enhance the culture of Korea. Gyeongbokgung also known as the Gyeongkok Palace was the largest out of five palaces that was built during the Joseon Dynasty in 1394. This was definitely the most amazing palace I have ever seen in my life! We took great pictures as well! Now I begin to wonder what is it like to be a princess during the Joseon Dynasty.
Our next stop was the National Folk Museum which was located on the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok Palace) in Jongno-gu, Seoul. National Folk Museum is a national museum of South Korea that is used to replica the historical objects to illustrate the folk history of Joseon Dynasty in 1910 to the Korean people.
We then headed off to the Jogye Buddhist Temple. Jogye Buddhist Temple was the first Buddhist temple was built here in the 14th century, while the present temple was constructed early 20th century. As soon as you walk into Jogyesa area, the atmosphere changes: the people are serene, the frenzy of the city is lacking completely, and you could well imagine being outside the city altogether. The complex of Jogyesa consists of several interesting constructions. There is the Seven Story Stone Pagoda, which was constructed in 1937 and holds a sarira which was taken to Korea in the early 20th century by a Sri Lankan monk. Then there are two noteworthy trees: a pine tree that is over 500 years old, and the so-called Chinese Scholar Tree which is more than 400 years old; both trees standing just outside the Great Hero Hall. Then there is Paradise Hall, a two-story bell pavilion holding a bell that is struck every morning and evening by Buddhist monks, as well as a meditation centre, a college building and a gift shop. After we left our shoes outside and entered the Great Hero Hall, it was completely packed. People were immersed in prayer, there were speeches, there was applause. My eyes directly caught the three golden images of Buddha: Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha and Bhaisaiya Buddha. The former was the original statue; the two others were added only in 2006. Since Sakyamuni is considered a hero by Buddhists, the hall is called Great Hero Hall. It actually is the largest one floor hall building in Korea. Once outside, a fine snow had started to fall on Seoul, but this could not distract the Buddhist Koreans to continue their prayer.
After sightseeing the phenomenal Temple, we went off to the Gingseng Centre! We chose the Ginseng Centre because we alreaedy booked another tour that includes the amethyst in Busan city.
According to ancient records ginseng was already used as a medicinal herb in Korea between 456-536 AD. At that time it was already considered a miraculous medicine. The light colored root is used to prepare the famous Ginseng. The ginseng plant has leaves with a circular pattern. The flowers are between yellow and green and the ginseng produces red berries. The age of the ginseng root is determined by the number of wrinkles around the plant's neck. The ginseng should be at least between 4 and 6 years old before it can be used. Herb specialists believe that ginseng can cure a wide range of illnesses. Ginseng is used as a natural way to combat many different diseases and to improve health in general. A lot of Asian people also believe that Ginseng is the best of all natural herbs. We had a tour through the factory and the history of Ginseng! We had a great time!
Lunch was on our own so we decided to use that 2 hour of time to really find something local, which we managed. Within half an hour, Johnny had found us something special, and most importantly, local! Traditionally, Korean families eat rice, soup, and three to four side dishes including the sine qua non, kimchi. From each person's left are arranged rice, soup, spoon, and chopsticks, while stews and side dishes are placed in the center to be shared by all members. Koreans use a spoon to eat rice, soup, and stews and chopsticks for rather dry side dishes, but spoon and chopsticks are not used simultaneously. Koreans also do not hold their bowls and plates while eating. When the meal is over, the spoon and chopsticks are placed back where they were. Koreans generally believe that sharing food from one bowl makes a relationship closer. Even though that was traditionally for dinner, Johnny, Carlo and I ate that for lunch! We ordered two of the same combination of their traditional dinner which included the, kimchi, spicy kimchi tofu soup, bean sprouts, fried potato glazed with honey, and sea-weed, BBQ short ribs, rice, seafood pancake, and a traditional birthday soup called the Ttok Kuk. We had a great time, especially after walking around for 4 hours, we really needed something to eat!
How they made the Ttok Kuk:
1. Boil 20 minutes in a medium pot water with beet, pheasant meat or meolchi fish.
2. Put ttok and bring to boil for 10 minutes. Over-cooking will cause ttok to lose its consistency.
3. Season with soy sauce.
4. Fry egg yolks and whites separately in a thin layer.
5. Chop fried eggs layers finely.
6. Cook minced beef with soy sauce in a saucepan.
7. Crush seaweed finely.
8. Serve ttokkuk with the chi-dan on top of it.
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