Then I spot this dynamic duo. I swear the one on the right is trying to tell me something while the other is grinning away.
... and all the kimchis (plus other vegies jeruk) you can eat!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Korea 200505a: Gyeongju Market
After a good night's sleep, I check out of the hotel (yes, I'm a 'premium backpacker': I do carry a backpack and use public transportation or walk - I don't hitchhike, by the way - but when it comes to sleeping, I'd like a comfy place and am willing to pay for the privilege).
I decide to first check out the market. Markets are always interesting places, and sure enough this one does not disappoint me!
As I peer over the red basin (middle pic), I'm somehow reminded of kari kepala ikan. :-)
Korea 190505j: An ancient Astronomical Observatory
As I head back towards my hotel after a long tiring afternoon walk, I pass by this famous Silla relic called the Cheomseongdae - An Astronomical Observatory.
It's impressive resume says it is:
- a stone tower well known as the oldest existing astral observatory in Asia, constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-Deok (632-647 AD)
- designated as National Treasure #31
- about 9 meters in height and looks like a round bottle
- made by laying 27 stones in a neat pile on the square foundation stone and by putting a square stone on the piles like a lid and has a window 1 meter in length and height toward the south
- etc, etc.
This architecture is "highly valued for the beauty of an elegant curve and the exquisite harmony between a square and a circle."
The funny thing is that after saying all those great stuff, nobody actually knows how it works. Could well be a brick kiln to me!
Korea 190505i: Gyeongju National Museum
This highly-rated museum exhibits relics of the Silla Dynasty, meaning the junks you see here are at least 1,000 yrs old. Not bad for a 400 won entrance fee (that's only US$0.40)!
Korea 190505h: The red bike
At the bottom of the hill, I spot this bike. Reminds me of the friendly kampung posmen on his red bike when I was a small kid.
And beyond the bike, a rather busy signpost. You just don't know where to start. Well, I'm off to Anapji next, then a visit to the well-regarded museum. :-)
Korea 190505g: Ice Store
What do you do when you do not have a fridge, but wish to enjoy a cool iced drink on hot summer days? You build an ice store, to keep ice/snow collected in winter! Pure Korean technology, vintage 18th century.
Korea 190505f: Gyerim Forest
After spending much time admiring the royal mounds in the hot sun, I enter the Gyerim Forest, and come face to face with a bunch of old geezers sitting in the shade. I have no friggin' clue what they are doing and how they got the chairs. It is in the middle of nowhere!
Korea 190505d: The Silla Tombs
The main reason I come to Gyeongju, 370km from Seoul, is its cultural heritage. The place is like Athen is for Greece and Rome is for Italy. It is the capital of the Silla Kingdom, founded before the birth of Prophet Isa, and lasted for a thousand years. There were then two other ancient Korean kingdoms, which Silla conquered in 676 AD, thus unifying the Korean peninsula.
The Koreans claim it was they who exported culture and technology to Japan. But they were influenced by the Chinese who regarded the Korean peninsula as part of China too. Which is still apparent in modern day politics (there's a mural I saw at Tian'anmen Square which showed Koreans as Chinese). The Koreans must be very cunning people to be able to handle two aggressive neighbours - China and Japan.
The town is littered with small rounded 'hills' which are actually tombs of the Silla royals. A large patch of the town containing the historical sites has been entered into the Unesco World Heritage List (http://whc.unesco.org/), and is a major tourist attraction.
Korea 190505c: Gyeongju Park Tourist Hotel
It may look a tad tacky, but it's a very cosy place. An old hotel, quite comfy, with free broadband internet via a PC in the lobby. But what the heck, it's within walking distance of the ancient stuff I'm after.
I go shopping for some foodstuff and after half an hour of rest in the room, I'm off for a walkabout.
