Seoul, South Korea

An overnight flight took us from Jakarta, Indonesia (from the 3 on 3 world championships) to Seoul, South Korea.  The team and staff had an eight-hour lay-over, but we have several days planned in Seoul so the Marriott driver picked us up at the airport and transported us to the JW Marriott.  Floor 17 in this beautiful hotel will be our "home" for 2 nights.

We booked an afternoon tour to one of the palaces and a market.

Changdeokgung - one of Seoul's five royal palaces.
Completed in 1412

The old stone brige - 1405

This building was used only for very special events for
royalty - weddings, funerals, etc.

Inside the building 

Elaborate painted buildings

Statues to scare away evil.

In front of one of the gates to the grounds.

Namdaemun Market

One of the few rice cake shops still open

He was making a Korean candy

Pigs feet and knuckles

Raw seafood

One of the four city gates that were used when the
city was completely walled.

We had planned to eat out, but who needs to eat out when you can go to the executive lounge at JW Marriott?  Unlimited wine, salads, snacks, main entrees, desserts!  Yes, we do love this hotel.  Tired from a busy day and overnight flight we retired earlier than usual. Awwww......

Wednesday, October 2
We booked a tour for today to the DMZ - demilitarized zone.  After the Korean War (June 25, 1950 - 1953) South Korea and North Korea negotiated and then designated the DMZ 2 km away from the truce line on each side of the border.

ID check at unification bridge

at the DMZ area

The 3rd North Korea infiltration tunnel.
South Korea has found 4 tunnels that N. Korea has dug to
get to S Korea to infiltrate.
No photos allowed as we walked down into and through
the first section of the tunnel.

View into North Korea from the Dorasan Observatory

The sign says "End of separation, beginning of unification."

Yep, a hoop at the observation area.

Dorasan Rail Station
It connected N & S Korea but was closed in 2008
after an incident.

On the trip back to Seoul......

Rice fields

Entering back into Seoul

Amethysts Center
Yes, I indulged in a bracelet and ring

After our DMZ tour we happened on the Bongeunsa Temple, a Buddhist Temple and assorted buildings.  It is a 1200 year old temple located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.  Today, Bongeunsa is writing a new history for Korean Buddhism, establishing itself as the center of Buddhist practice.  Monks apply themselves to chanting, communal work and meditation.  

Gate of Suchness that leads us into the temple.

Dharma King Pavilion
It houses the Buddha, the king of the Dharma (teachings).

Main Buddha Hall, the heart of the temple.
Daily ceremonial services and prayers

Monks chanting

Another one of the many building in the temple

Great statue of Maitreya Buddha

In the bell pavilion there are four instruments
Here are the Dharma bell and cloud-shaped gong

And the Dharma drum and a wooden fish.
These 4 are struck just before services at dawn and in
 the evening with the intention of saving all beings in the universe.