Getting Out of the Bukchon Village (part 1)

Yep, now we're already off-the radar from the famous old-laden village (Bukchon)..and stepped again into the 'real' Seoul as many know of. 

Boutiques and restaurants....classy or in-style... 

are familiar facades of what Seoul streets may look like (commonly).

and this is what we encountered as we stepped out of the Bukchon village (above this very street!) 

cars lined up..wait...it's not lining up..in fact this particular alley is blocked since it is one of the ways leading to the Blue House (presidential palace) 

now..we're continuing our journey finding the subway station.

across the street we started to notice that

'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas':) 

mm....nice neighborhood, I thought to myself. 

with lots of cafes and restaurants even on a narrow-stair alley like this one. 

(* I wonder what my kids were thinking when I dragged them out to this area...they're not even home from school yet)^^ 

another enticing-stair that tries to lure its customers...

Gyeongbokgung Palacee: Winter 2012

I’ve been here (let’s see....countless times), but that was the first time that I took my family for a visit there. This Jeoseon dinasty heritage is one of the must-visit places for anyone visiting Seoul. We come from Jogjakarta, one of the few remaining Sultanates within the country. So, I pretty much know what gung or palace means for its people. But, this time...no one lives in Gyeongbokgung, for the Jeoseon dynasty has reached its final years during the reign of Japanese occupation in Korea.

Being there is like being zapped into a traditionally best kept secrets that Seoul has; simply because this magnificent palace complex is located right in the heart of the city, in the Gwanghwamun area, where major business companies as well as...the Blue House, the presidential palace, is located. This means...that visiting this place is a unique experience in itself.

Should you go there, make sure that around 1 pm you have arrived there, for we can see the daily royal ceremony of the change of guards. Guards guarding the palace are changed on half-day basis (if I am not mistaken). So, this is one of the major attractions that Gyeongbokgung has to offer for its visitors.

We were lucky to be able to see it live. Most of all, visitors are permitted to take pictures with the seemingly-not-to-be-distracted guards....who just let anyone take their pictures with them. A bit funny, actually. But, this is what attracts most of people to go there and take a look.

Then....^^we could see the huge complex of the palace where the throne and its amenities are laid there intact. We could see how life must have been or could have been back then in the Jeoseon Dynasty.
* When we visited, it was a bit cold...and windy since it was still Winter^^ but....this amplified the experiences we had there.