Gyeongju City Tour Bus (part 5): 석굴암 Seokguram

Now we're walking up the hill towards the Seokguram: one of the must-visit Budha statues in Korea, or Gyeongju in particular. 

What a trail indeed. For those who're not that young-at-heart, discretion is advised. 

Never wear any high heels, lest you'd tire yourself down.^-^

Okay, what is it actually, this Seokguram? It's built in the 8th century..so I learned. It's actually a religious complex or let's call it a hermitage. 

Along the way..we're greeted with nothing but trees: which was a great thing..considering the fact that it's hot. so..the oxygen-filled trail was exactly what I needed. 

Yeach....we finally arrived to the top...only to find that we got to climb more stairs...

Okay more facts: Seokguram is actually a monumental statute of the Sakyamuni(?) Budha. Dubbed to be one of the masterpieces of East Asian Buddhist art. 

We're going up again, Eyra....Are you ready? 

Not long....we reached the top and approaching the exact place where the statue was placed. 

We needed to go inside the temple..to see the statue...

but...too bad...no cameras were allowed.

Of course, I got one:) *sneaky, Suray*** But..I won't upload it here... 

But, let me get it straight...this statue of Buddha was made of granite and overlooking the East sea. People flocked to see this...and though it's not that huge as I'd imagined before..and I am sure many others would have done the same......okay..I was here. 

The site was designated as the National Treasure in Korea and heavily guarded. Monitoring was strict, that's why. CCTV keeps on recording the ins and outs of the people.  

The lanterns hung on the front yard of the hermitage.  

The statue was kept inside the building up there... 

Let's wash our feet and hands...in this well. 

Should you drink this, you'll be pretty if you taste the water 'sweet'! Oh, c'mon.

But..that's just for the sake fun of it. 

and the other way around...and that's how we ended our journey there.

Gyeongju City Tour Bus (part 4): 안압지 Anapji Pond

Now let me get this straight. Do I need to walk all the way down the long lane..with barely no trees to the hall beyond? and I got to walk for about 40 minutes, should I want to enjoy the whole area?

The answer is YES.

But..then..I reluctantly did what I had prepared for: I'd rather stay put..and enjoy the pond from afar. So, my pictures do not show the intricate pictures that I should've taken. 

But..I learned a thing or two about the place, though.

It's built in the 7th Century. It was created to serve as a royal exotic garden. Some say..that exotic animals, too, were brought in. (hmmm I wonder what those must have been).

Just when I thought that these were the 'original' buildings, it turned out that they were the restored version thanks to the historical records informing how they must've looked like back then (after being left in ruins). 

We were taking (again and again) some shelter under the tree.^^

I love the traditional pattern, representative of Shilla. I think I saw most of this design every where I went to around Gyeongju. 

See? It's simple, yet...it's simply Shilla. Wait..or is it the modern invention? 

Oh, Anapji pond was also dubbed as the detached palace of Shilla royal family. It's located right in the Anapji pond. yes..a pond with beautiful pond...that I did not have a chance to see.:( 

Freya and her auntie were walking around the detached palace in Anapji pond.

Later when I asked her what it was all about: "Oh...gosh..it's so hot"

Once again, I should've come to Gyeongju during Autumn or Spring.^^

Lotte World KOrea part 3

  

Then I was transported back in time to get myself immersed into the miniatures of the glories delved in the hearts of Korea's past Kingdoms: Goguryo, Gaya, Shilla, and Joseon Dinasty. Gosh, I should have made some notes while taking the pictures. 

So, I got myself mixed up as to which one is Shilla and which one belongs to which Dinasty. 

Gosh...my mistake. They look the same, but they were not actually. When I was there I could see the difference but then.. I got myself overwhelmed by the sheer intricate designs of the miniature that...I forgot to take notes. Oh well, at least the pictures pretty much sum up the journey back in time that I took while visiting the museum of Korea's Past Dynasties.

Anyway, the museum trip did at least give me an insight into the Korea's glories and pride in each episode of its bygone Kingdoms. 

* Tip: When you visit this museum, better take note of the details, you will be surprised as to how intricate the minions (or how I called them) inside those miniature did tell stories through their visages.