Deoksugung Palace (2)

Here are some more shots of the wonderful Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. I don't remember the details of each building.

Here are a couple of photos looking in - clearly it's a ceremonial building of some kind.

Everything is decorated and well-kept.

Looking more closely brings out more detail.

And even more.

Our World Tuesday

Deoksugung Palace (1)

After Japan, we spent a few days in Seoul, South Korea, visiting friends, family, and of course various sights around the city.

According to Wikipedia, Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

It became a royal residence in 1592, after other palaces were destroyed.

Restoration work is ongoing, and it's a must-see sight.

The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, in the middle of this huge city.

I'll show more of this grand palace next week.

Our World Tuesday

South Korean Dancers

Tina's PicStory theme this week is happiness. From a preserved South Korean village, here are dancers after a wedding ceremony, which I think perfectly illustrates the theme.

It's the last of my photos from a 1998 trip to South Korea, and I'm also linking it to Our World Tuesday. And I'm happy to notice that Vintage Weekly is back, so please visit there for more old photos.

Korean Dam

Here's a small dam at the preserved village we visited in South Korea back in 1998.

It's for Vintage Weekly as well as Our World Tuesday.

Vintage Toilet

For this week's Vintage Weekly entry, here's a vintage toilet in a preserved South Korean village, taken from a scanned 1998 print.

I'll keep my modern American toilet, thank you!

Old South Korean Village

When we were in South Korea back in 1998, we visited a preserved village. Here is the first of a series of photos from it, an old mill.

It's my Vintage Weekly entry.

South Korean Countryside

Here's a photo I took on a train between Busan and Seoul of the lovely countryside in South Korea.

It's a scanned print from 1998 so I'm linking it to Vintage Weekly. And I'm also linking it to the new Scenic Weekends meme, since Scenic Sunday seems to be going away.

Kyongju Palace (3)

Here's the final photo I have from a palace in Kyongju, South Korea - I've been showing other parts of the palace the last couple of Saturdays.

It's a vintage 1998 photo for Vintage Weekly.

Kyongju Palace (2)

For Vintage Weekly, here's another photo from a palace in Kyongju, South Korea, from a 1998 trip there.

You will probably notice a slowdown in my posting for a while as I don't have the time to devote to blogging right now. But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere, and I'll keep posting even if it's only once or twice a week.

Kyongju Palace

Continuing with photos from Kyongju, South Korea, here is the first of a series from a palace.

My wife is visible in this photo! And it's for Vintage Weekly.

South Korean Bell

This week's Vintage Weekly post is the famous Bell of King Seongdeok in Kyongju (Gyeongju), South Korea. Don't read the text after the photo if you're squeamish.

The legend (which may not be true) is that when the bell was initially cast it made no sound when struck. A monk dreamed that if a child was thrown into the metal as the bell was recast, the bell would ring. So this was done, and the bell now rings with the most beautiful tones (although it's no longer rung due to its age and condition).

Kyongju, South Korea

I'm going back to South Korea for this 1998 Vintage Weekly photo, to the city of Kyongju or Gyeongju, as Tina's PicStory theme this week is K. This is a burial mound, kings were buried in these many centuries ago.

The people give some sense of the size of the mound.

Temple Turtle

I wish I could remember the story behind this turtle in a South Korean Buddhist temple, but I don't.

But it's still my Vintage Weekly post for the week.

Temple Front

This week's Vintage Weekly entry shows the front of the temple I've been showing for the last couple of weeks. I like the contrast between the modern road and cars and the classic temple.

And it's definitely a vacation photo, which matches Tina's PicStory this week.

Temple Eaves

For Vintage Weekly, here's a close-up of the eaves under a temple roof. This is scanned from a 1998 print.

Rainy South Korean Temple

I think one of the themes that's arising from my one trip to South Korea back in 1998 is rain. Here's another rainy photo from a temple.

It's my Vintage Weekly shot.

Pagoda

This week I'm starting another series of photos taken in a Buddhist temple in South Korea back in 1998. First is this huge pagoda on a rainy day.

More old photos can be seen at Vintage Weekly.

More South Korean Seas

Here's another photo taken near Busan, South Korea, of a lighthouse. On a clear day you're supposed to be able to see Japan from here, but we certainly didn't!

Vintage Weekly is the place to see more old scans like this.

Busan Sea

For Vintage Weekly, here's a cloudy photo of the sea near Busan, South Korea, taken during a 1998 vacation (this is a scanned print).

Despite the clouds I thought the scenery was nothing short of stunning.

Busan Market

For Vintage Weekly, here's a fish market in Busan, South Korea, scanned from a print taken in 1998.

I hope you're enjoying these photos of South Korea as I've got lots more to post.