Seoul, South Korea

Monday, April 1, 2019        Seoul, South Korea

The Millennium arrived in Incheon, South Korea at 7:00am; however, we were not on our way until 10:00am due to the immigration procedures. The customs officers boarded the ship and started the process about 8:00am. We had breakfast in our room and waited for our group (6) to be called which occurred about 9:30am. Then we left the ship and took a shuttle bus into the city of Incheon about a half an hour away. 

From there we found the Dongincheon metro station about a 10-15 minute walk away. After getting our tickets we boarded a metro line 1 that took us on an hour ride into Seoul. 

While on the metro we made friends with some Mexican cruisers who, like us, had planned to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace.  

We got off the metro at the City Hall stop and proceeded to walk to the historic palace about an hour away.  

                We were swallowed up by the tall buildings that surrounded us in downtown Seoul. 

                                      Significant signs of homeless were all about the area.

There was a lot of military presence in Seoul....so close to North Korea.

We passed through several remains of old Korean/Chinese architecture  structures that popped up amongst the skyscrapers. 

                       After passing down a cobbler street....lots of hand made shoe shops...

                we enjoyed a stop for coffee with the group. The signs of spring were welcomed.

                                                                     Hot chestnuts for salel!

This was a modern part of the city.

                   Then  we headed to the I.Seoul.U sign, an iconic area to have snap shots taken. 

                                                       Our little group had a kodak moment!

We passed the statues of two great historic men of Korea, King Sejong the Great and admiral Lee Sunshin. 

We passed the American Embassy with young Korean guards posted outside its gates. It was unbelievable how many military men and women were out and about in the city….this indicated the military strength if needed against the North Koreans. We passed a large shopping mall, but continued on till we got to the Palace arriving just as the guards were changing. Drums pounded as the soldiers marched in. 

This palace is unique in that your ticket covers the cost of a suit of clothing from the 17^th century.

The costumes made the area come alive.

They adorned the visitors with hair pieces, hat, purses...it was really special. We just stood back and took it all in.

The Mexican couple we were touring with today....aren't they cute.

It was really fantastic to see so many dressed in the costumes of the era of the time that the Gyeongbokgung Palace was in use. It was a photographers dream to see so many different outfits and so many foreigners….from all over the world. Half of our group chose to dress up. They looked amazing. 

                                                              The Emperor's Throne

We spent a couple of hours wandering around the grounds and then headed back about 3:00pm….taking the purple line for several stops  to the blue number 1 line back into Incheon….around and hour and half ride. We boarded the shuttle bus at 5:00pm….whew….the last bus was scheduled for 5:30pm….We made it back to the ship at 5:30pm. What a day! It is always invigorating to travel on our own so far from the ship and make it back on time. It always calls for a mini-celebration upon returning!