Seoul, Korea: Changdeokgung Palace

This is palace was built during the Chosun Dynasty and is a World Heritage Site. You know me and my desires to see World Heritage Sites. This palace is one of the oldest palaces in Seoul (building began in 1405).

I couldn't get enough of the details in this palace. I can't imagine how long it took just to paint the tiles on the ceiling.

 

 There are many areas to see, but of course you can't see everything.

This is just the beginning of my photographs of this palace. I will show more in the next few posts. I took some panorama shots that turned out nicely, but I can't fit them on this blog. I also have a tumblr blog (victoriainjapan.tumblr.com) where I post daily photos. Over time you will see the panoramic photographs here.

Seoul, Korea: Dinner and Dessert

My friend took me to this nice restaurant in Gangnam. It is known for their chicken dish that we ate that night.

Before I go any further I am going to say this, I am terrible at Korean. I had the hardest time pronouncing names, reading names, remembering names. This said I have to admit that I can not remember the name of this restaurant or the dish that we ate. You may blame this on pure laziness, but I blame it on my ability to remember names, places, dishes after hearing it a couple times. I have to see it and say it numerous times before I can commit it to memory. The ONLY reason I remember some of the neighborhoods that I visited is because I had been staring at the names for so long before my trip and then I kept hearing them during my trip. All the food and restaurants that my friend introduced me to were all new to me. So, I'm sorry that I can't give you exact details, but everything that I ate are common Korean dishes. I know this because I asked that we eat only Korean food, because hey I'm in Korea and I want to eat traditional dishes that haven't been altered to suit the taste buds of the country I am in i.e. Americanized Chinese food.

 My lovely friend Hye Sung who was such a sport with my inability to speak Korean. To give her credit she did try to teach me the correct way of saying the names, but I don't think I came even close to pronouncing them right.

 Here is the chicken dish that I was telling you about above. It reminded me of Teriyaki chicken that has been simmered for a long time. The chicken just fell off the bone and the vegetables and potatoes soaked up the sauce....Yum!

Cafe Jubilee in Itaewon. This place has the best Hot Chocolate! You can choose how dark you want your hot chocolate or you can get a mint or raspberry flavored one. I had the Hot mint chocolate one.

I really wanted to try one of their chocolates, but there were too many options and I was already drinking a chocolate drink. Chocolate overload!

These chocolates were cute! They had them packaged like lipsticks. 

Enjoying our hot chocolate by the window. The atmosphere of the cafe was very relaxed.  I wish I had time to go back one more time before I left, but maybe on my next visit.

Here is their web address in case you are interested in finding their location for your trip to Seoul!

Happy Hot Chocolate Drinking!

Seoul, Korea: Gangnam and Itaewon

I guess if you live in Korea you have to just get used to the freezing wind and snow in winter. Otherwise, you won't be able to be as happy as this couple is.
(Gangnam)

 Usually I prefer to stay home where it is warm on a cold snowy evening like this, but I had to explore the city a bit since I was only there for a few days. I have to say I was surprised by how many women were wearing high heels in this weather! It was a little slippery and there are hills in the area with tiles that can be dangerous, but they seemed to manage it somewhat....or they just grabbed onto their boyfriends for support.
 (Gangnam)

This was after the storm had passed, so we went out for a drink. I had a chance to visit a bar called Glam. The interior had a very sophisticated cool about it that I immediately felt under dressed in my winter wear, but oh well. I still had a great time people watching and enjoyed a nice Bellini.
 (Itaewon)

In this area there are a wide variety of bars to choose from. It is a good place to go if you are interested in experiencing the night life. This isn't the only area with a night life, but it is one of them.
(Itaewon)

Rows of bars and clubs.
(Itaewon)

 

An outdoor bar turned into an indoor one with just some plastic covers and heaters...plus a hot cocktail would warm you up.
(Itaewon)

Fresh From Seoul, Korea

I just returned from a weekend trip to Seoul, Korea! Watch out for photos of the places I visited and the many different kinds of food that I had a chance to try.


I just have to say Thank you! to my friend Hye Sung who took the time to show me around and introduce me to a wide range of Korean food. She made sure that I had a great time and that I experienced all parts of the Korean culture!

This was a wood pillar in a shopping area. Many people had written or drawn on this pillar. I don't know what it all says, but I liked it anyway.

Nagoya, Japan: Takashimaya Exhibition- Hokkaido

About twice a year in Nagoya we are lucky enough to have a Hokkaido Exhibit. This one was in October at the Takashimaya Department store. The other one is at the Mitsukoshi Department store, unfortunately I can not remember when they have their exhibit. I want to say in February, but I guess I will have to wait and see!

It is always packed with people buying delicious food from Hokkaido. Very fresh fish, crab and many other varieities of delectables. If you happen to be in Nagoya when this food fair is going on make sure you go! of course, make sure you buy some food to eat!

A variety of Fish Roe, or Mentaiko, some are spicy! I like to eat it with rice or made into a Mentaiko pasta! Yum!

At this fair you can always find live crab! Usually they are huge, like this guy!

My happy treat from the Hokkaido food fair, Fresh scallops, and fresh sea urchin on rice! I'm getting hungry from just looking at this! I know this isn't everyones idea of great food, but even if this isn't there are plenty of other options to try. They offer plenty of sweets from Hokkaido, potato chips covered in Dark chocolate anyone?

Kyoto, Japan: Leaving Daigoji

There are so many huge trees that you know have been here for so long. They are beautifully trimmed with lots of gentle care.

At the end of your visit you will probably be hungry like we were. There are some snack shops close to the entrance. At the snack shop next to the parking lot, you can order a coffee and cake set. A perfect way to give yourself a little more energy for the ride back. This cake isn't made at the shop, most likely, but it was still delicous.

Kyoto, Japan: Sanboin's Garden

We were able to walk behind Sanboin and see the buildings that the monks live, eat and pray in. We couldn't go inside, but that's a no brainer since it is their home. It would be a little unusual to let total strangers to walk through your home whenever they want.

This is the entrance to the garden. Just standing here we could hear some monks praying. There is a very calming atmosphere in this area.

 The garden isn't very big, but it is big enough. When you are inside the garden everything is very hushed. You can hear the trickle of the water running through the little river in the garden.

I really liked standing in this spot, because all around me I could see beautiful images. The trees, the wall, the stones, the ground...very relaxing. It is very difficult to feel stress in this garden.