[23.11.2011] Day 3 part 2

So naturally being guys, the next conclusion we had after walking around looking at exhibits were to go and EAT and shop around. We decided to go try this place Times Square in Seoul. This place was easily connected by the train and we went. 

 

As usual with us, after we had lunch we had coffee.. again.. hehe

Steve Jobs?

High On Life!

After dinner the boys decided to call it a day as it was really starting to get cold.. BUT.. I had a better idea! hehe.. As I had to take the train to my backpackers north of the river, I decided to make a detour... As you guys remember from my earlier post I said i'd show you guys something amazing... Check out the Cheonggycheon at NIGHT and at the front of it!.. 

But that time it was about 9-10 at night and the temperature was dropping. Also at that moment in time, there were protests in Seoul due to the Free Trade Agreement that was going to be signed with the US. The area was very near the US Embassy, so the area was teaming with riot police... I really pitied them that day standing in formation and tactical gear (not winter clothing mind you) waiting and praying nothing happens I guess.

Anyhow back to the area... The place is truly lovely.. At night with the lights on it was spectacular... I heard that if its near Christmass, the area will be filled with Christmas decorations and lights and the tree.. 

Where the water starts.. 

The green orbish thingy is a wishing well.. throw a coin!

Dont forget that nearby this area there is a lot of other sites to see.. But hell I was freezing and if I remember correctly I had started losing senses in my fingers hehe and I still had to catch another train back to the Backpackers... (Note: Last train is somewhere around 11)

The Admiral

The famous turtle ship

Behind this statue there is a tunnel heading down to the train station and you can buy tickets to JUMP! here with proper discounts summore!

Thats it for day 3! :D

[23.11.2011] Korea Trip Day 3 Part 1

So on to the next day.... I woke up to this temperature!

 And that's not the end of it, I believe the temperature above did not capture the possibility of windchill and also the temperature dropping that night...

Anyhow as promissed with  the bros, we met up and decided to go to the War Memorial of Korea.. I've been to a few war museums in the past like the ones in Ho Chi Minh and the one in Hanoi.. But this one was less propaganda-ish (I quote less) and more well taken care off.. This museum also showcases more predominantly on the Korean war and also on the previous wars that have come across the South Korean soil. 

Outside of the museum, you can find the items above (i dont know what their called.. effigies? ) 

Anyhow when you  enter you find yourself here

That is the main entrance of the memorial and when I was there they were paying tribute to the recent  torpedo attack on one of their Navy Vessel by the North Koreans. They showcased the events and also the members of their military that perished. 

Afterwards we headed into the area featuring the busts of the heroes of the Korean War. Some were due to the heroic acts of some of the soldiers like jumping on a live grenade to protect the other members. 

This area had a small enclave at the end where there was a sort of everlasting water feature which just poured water and made small peaceful watery noises which were meant as a memorial for the war if I remember correctly.

Afterwards the memorial proceeded to show the many different weapons used for the different wars that had been waged in Korea...

This is unique.. A korean artillery using arrows shot from rockets.. 

In the middle of it all, there was this boat which is the highlight and might of the Korean Military as it was then which was the Turtle Boat..

Turtle Boat

Turtle Boat

This boat was basically the battleship of the east at that time. It had spikes on the roof to prevent any unwanted stowaways.. and it had cannons to help it fight. You will find that this boat is found in many of their areas and they are very proud of this boat and what it signified.

After we were through with the inside of the memorial, we left to check out the outside of the memorial. There it showcased the other modern equipments... As we left to go outside we noticed that the wee bit chillier than before and the wind was driving us all mad freezing. There were some kids though who were soo cute I had to take some pics of them.. They seemed all warm... 

Not the kids

Anyhow, here's the pics of the equipment shown outside... 

Hiding away from the wind

Lastly.. here's a video of us there! I will show you something amazing in the next post..  :D