Modern Seoul

{I forgot to mention that we had we had a performance on board in Taiwan of two dragons and dancers.The dragons came among the audience.The following day on our group's return to the ship we were "attacked" by the two dragons as we were walking from the terminal.We had great fun with them.
Fri.Mar.18 we dock in Inchon.I took the "Grand Tour of Seoul"Some took the tour to the DMZ.The drive to Seoul was 1hr 10mins.The city is very wide and modern.We were warned about pollution but I didn't notice any air problem.The city has a population of 10 million,broad streets and skyscrapers.It was cold and overcast at first but sunny later.I was glad of a sweater under my jacket.

Strange monument

We went first to the National Museum of Korea,which has 3 floors with wide marble hallways.Even the restrooms were vast:all the washbasins were above the counter and each one had a soap dispenser beside it with a towel underneath to catch drips and the water flowed automatically when your hands were underneath the tap.I mention this because we went to a public restroom down steps on the street and it was exactly the same.The distance from the stalls to the washbasins was at least twice that of any other restroom I've seen.Vastness seems to be the word here.
We had a typical Korean lunch with beef and mushrooms cooking in a central vessel,high in the middle with sizzling oil around the sides and surrounded by small dishes of kim chee,crunchy vegetables,noodles,bean paste and sticky rice.beer and coke were included.
After lunch we visited a palace.

Entrance to palace

Not too much to see so two of us did'nt climb steps to the last building but sat on a bench and communed with nature--very restful.As we were leaving to join the group we were directed away from the main entrance where the changing of the guard was taking place.We had a great view.One group in bright yellow robes marched out banging drums and blowing trumpets followed by an armed contingent in bright red robes,although theirs looked more like uniforms.

Drum and bugle players

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Guarding the palace

Next to the palace an artist was tracing a design onto wood and then carving it out.he had several leaning against the wall.

Carvings on wood outside palace

Our last visit was to a market that sold everything and anything.Very interesting food items.We were the last of the groups to leave and we saw vendors setting up cooking stations where the people come from work and get a quick meal.We stopped at one where a young girl was putting batter in muffin-like pans on heat.When one side was done she flipped them and put a weight on top.two of us split one and it was filled with chopped nuts and honey.It was delicious,the batter was almost like a crepe but thicker.

Busy street market

Market

Tomorrow we dock in Tienjian and most of the world group will spend the night in the Shangri-La hotel in Beijing.

Seoul, South Korea