[Gripster]

So I had the good fortune to visit Seoul recently and thought I'd share these pics with you.

1) One of the many Royal Palaces dotted around the city. This one is Gyongbokgung "Shining Happiness" I think.



2) This is the Samsung tower in downtown Seoul. This building is sometimes described as looking like a UFO landed on it...



3) Just a street scene. What struck me was that although this appeared to be a pedestrianized street, it didn't stop taxis flying through here at crazy speeds.



4) View from the top of Seoul Tower. This city just sprawls and sprawls. 11 million people in central Seoul, 23 million in the greater Seoul area.



5) Men's bathroom in Seoul Tower. The best view I've ever had whilst relieving myself... The ceramic things are urinals.



6) One hella spicy soup. South Korea has some amazing cuisine. Cheap, tasty, spicy and kim chee with everything.



7) Seoul's Southgate. It literally is in the middle of the street. The expression of the moped passenger is priceless. She has no helmet on wet pavement on the back of a scooter amongst speeding buses, taxi's and still manages to crack a smile.



8) One of the speedy buses I was talking about.



9) Seodaemun Prison. This place was used by the Japanese to crush opposition to colonial rule during their brutal rule over Korea. There is a solemn uneasy feeling here that's hard to describe. Some unspeakable cruelties occurred here and the building doesn't let you forget it.



10) Old world meets new world. As with other parts of Asia, Korea has a wonderful mix of old and new. This park housed some ancient royal tombs, but was right in the middle of the business district.



11) DMZ / North Korea. A tourist looks out over North Korea. This the nearest most of us will ever get to North Korea until the political situation changes. The North/South summit occurred while I was there and brings some hope.



12) Park scene



13) Korean School Boy.



14) Seoul Tower. Pictures 4 and 5 were taken here.



15) 63 Building. This is the tallest building in Seoul, but the name is something of a misnomer - There are only 60 floors. The other three are underground.



----

Mostly taken with a Canon 40D and EF-S IS 17-55mm, EF-S 10-22 or 70-200 f/4L. And may be a couple with an SD850.

[nmulax]

Nice pics


funny that you mention the bathroom.
Here's a photo of the bathroom at Felix, the restaurant/bar at the top of the Penninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. Definitely the best view I've ever had from the urinal. Amazing to see the city lights at night.

[RichP]

Very nice pictures. I went Korea and Japan 2 years ago, and by the time I got to Korea I was burned out to take any more pictures!

Beautiful Photos!

[leejoobin]

Awesome.
I hope you enjoyed it while you were there.
Haven't been there forever.

[TurboFan]

wow. wow. wow. I don't quite know what to say.

Amazing photography. Thank you for sharing. I feel like I just went to Seoul.

The motion shots are very sharp and well done. Excellent!

[mach330]

where are the pix of the hotties man?...nice pix nonetheless.

[ksfrogman]

Looks like a very clean city. The last and only time I was there was back in 1975. I don't remember it being so nice.

[Etnies]

Excellent pics, thanks for posting.

[scooby9]

Where are the pics of the Korean babes?

[asdflkijd]

the city has sure changed a lot..
thanks for sharing,

[ska///235i]

I love the last pic

[knight]

but, at most korean places i've been to, i've notice that they always used metal chopsticks or bowls even...do anyone know why?

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by knight

but, at most korean places i've been to, i've notice that they always used metal chopsticks or bowls even...do anyone know why?

The tour guide said that it started with Korean Royalty and dignitaries who used metal to make sure they weren't poisoned. But who knows...

[knight]

Originally Posted by Gripster

The tour guide said that it started with Korean Royalty and dignitaries who used metal to make sure they weren't poisoned. But who knows...

ah, very interesting...doesn't sound surprising either.

cool, thanks for the info

[ianbiz]

I almost want to get just to view the architecture and ot take a piss lol

[BMdblU]

Love the 4th picture.. Looks like a beautiful place

[imaznumkay]

Originally Posted by Gripster

The tour guide said that it started with Korean Royalty and dignitaries who used metal to make sure they weren't poisoned. But who knows...

+1
and yea, i dont think most people know in the states, but wooden chopsticks (cheap ones u find in chinese restaurants, etc) leaves tiny specks of splinters in your food it might not be as big as to harm our bodies but its pretty interesting haha


btw, beautiful pictures! did you visit Gangnam district in seoul by any chance? there are many apartment buildings which look stunning.

[BMW F22]

great pictures!

note to self: visit Seoul some day.

[ROYGEN]

awesome pics.

[smellthebeans]

GREAT PEOPLE
GREAT FOOD
GREAT COUNTRY

[Munich_Menace]

nice shots, I thought Korea was a third world country

[mpimping]

Originally Posted by Munich_Menace

nice shots, I thought Korea was a third world country

north korea is, south korea has a lot of poor people but is developed...