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Korea 220505n: Seoul night scenes

A major street in Gangnam district, Seoul.

#2: We bump into a Google Bus, and soon got ourselves a pair of Google T-shirts. :-)

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Korea 220505m: Hwaseong Fortress

Built 1794-1796 by King Jeongjo, it was one of the five fortresses built to protect Seoul. The fortress design and construction have strong Chinese influence. The length of the wall is some 5.5km and it encircles the old Suwon. For more information on Hwaseong Fortress see:
http://www.hwasong.henny-savenije.pe.kr/

The Hwaseong was dedicated to Jeongjo's father, Crown Prince Sado, who was punished to die in a rice chest by his father King Yeongjo, the 21st king of the Joseon Dynasty. Young Jeongjo must be one confused kid! Upon Sado's death, Jeongjo became crown prince and eventually replaced his grandfather to become the 22nd king of the dynasty.

Jeongjo had wanted to shift the capital from Seoul to Suwon, but when he died in 1800, the idea was scuttled.

#1: The wall goes around old Suwon for 5.5km. Skyline of modern Suwon as a backdrop.

#4: A major gate. Note the size.

#3: Another major gate. Reminds me of the other great old walled city - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

#2: Well-tended path makes the wall a favourite for the local joggers.

#5: Here the wall crosses a river. Scenic setting, and the river is still very clean. There are ladies cleaning vegies down there!

Korea 220505l: Suwon

After seeing the happy Canadian-Korean couple off at Namsan, we decide to travel to Suwon, a city south of Seoul, made famous by the recent 2002 World Cup Soccer. It takes one hour to reach Suwon Station, first on subway, then a transfer to a Korean Rail train somewhere along the way. We come here to pay tribute to King Jeongjo, one of Korea's greatest leaders (and some say, the smartest of the lot). He ruled 1777-1800 as the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

It is drizzling when we exit Suwon Station, and the sight that greets us is very similar to KL - chaotic traffic with buses and cabs picking up and leaving passengers all over the place. After giving up on catching the right bus to take us to the famed World Heritage List-ed Hwaseong Fortress, we hail a cab and manage to get the driver to get us to the visitors' complex.

#1: The Hwaseong Palace and visitors' complex.

#2: Skyline of modern Suwon, a centre for hi-tech electronics now. Samsung Electonics is here. 

#3: That's King Jeongjo himself, on a pedestal overlooking his beloved city.

#4: King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty. Arguably the smartest of them all.

Korea 220505k: The finale

To close the ceremony, the newly-minted husband and the wife face each other again. More chantings, and then the show ends.

Wishing the Canadian-Korean couple (wherever you are now, Sir/Ma'am) a very joyful life together! And thanks for 'inviting' us to the occasion. :-)

#2: I have no clue why the best man is there, but he is smiling all the time.

#1: Facing each other again as the finale. 

#3: Peering at her proud parents, I suppose.

Korea 220505j: The couple

After the tea ceremony, they both stand up and face the crowd. The lady now covers just half her face, the bottom half lah. I think they are considered married at this point.

#1: Acknowledging the crowd. 

#2: Now she covers just half her face. 

Korea 220505i: The bride, unveiled

To drink tea offered by the groom's side, she has to expose her face. And what a pretty bride she is.

#1: Business is conducted under the table, literally.

#2: I like the red dots on the cheeks.

Korea 220505h: The tea ceremony

They sit down and face each other, but the lady remains veiled. The groom's maids proceed to pour tea into little golden cups. Meanwhile the Master-of-Ceremony keeps on chanting, in Korean, of course.

#1: Both sit down and face each other under the table.  

Korea 220505g: The face-off

The bride and the groom (each with a pair of maids) take up position on either side of the Master-of-Ceremony. Both face the ceremonial table, and the rite starts. Is this getting exciting or what!?

#1: The groom takes his position to the left of the Master-of-Ceremony, facing the ceremonial table. Flanked by two 'groomsmaids', I guess.