Day 10 -16th Dec- Seoul, South Korea (final day)

Today was the last day in South Korea, Seoul and therefore, we woke exceptionally early and took the subway to Changdeokgung.

To preserve Changdeokgung, only guided tours were allowed. We waited till 1100 for the tour, together was a group of Singaporeans. :P

Changdeokgung was built in the 5th year (1405) of the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty, as a separate palace of Gyeongbokgung, the original main palace of the dynasty. Located to the east of Gyeongbokgung, it has also been called Donggwol, the east palace.
昌德宫建于朝鲜王朝第三代王--太宗时期，意味让发扬“德”道，流传后世，是当时所建的五大宫廷中至今保存最为完整的一座宫院。

昌德宫敦化门
An overview.
DADDY.
仁政殿与其它地方的正殿不同之处，在于其屋脊的花纹形状十分独特。这是当时日本为了把朝鲜王室的等级降一级而绘上的花纹，因此在其它的屋脊上是无法看到的。以日月五岳图为背景的宣政殿，有着现存宫殿之中唯一的青瓦殿角，十分显眼。^^

Autumn. I finally got a feel of the pictures I saw in wall papers. The feeling was great. The sun, the wind and the re-freshing air.
The pavilion and Yan Yan. :)

The pavilion and Mummy.
The secret garden view 1 -秘苑. Well-known for its beauty.

The secret garden view 2 -秘苑. This is a place where the king goes for fishing and where he celebrates with his scholars.

A view on the other side of the secret garden.
The place where the queen rest and get a clear view od the Secret Garden.

My favourite place in Changdeokgung. Just look at this picture. It is just beyond any description. ^^ ^^

Path leading to the exit in Changdeokgung. Beautiful! I really really loved it.

A tiny dining place located at one rural corner near Changdeokgung.

This was also where I saw real "KOREAN MAN". ^^

The food here is sumptuous. :P
Outside the History Muesum.

Daddy, the king and Mummy, the queen.
Me and Mummy.

After we visited the Korea History of Museum, it was around 1500. We took a subway back to our station and logically went to ticket office to refund for my T-money card. As I tried my best to explain to the staff about the refund, all I received was the word "No, no and no". I turned helpless and found myself bumping into the information/control room. Inside was a fat and tall young policeman. Realising his English ability, I pointed at my card and said "into money". He acted smart and tried to show that he understood me I supposed; and directed me to the "3S" convenient shop outside the subway. To my anger, the guy there was more "disabled" and could only smile at me and shake his head.

With the hope that I could get some information back at the counter in my hotel, we left the shop without much argument. The hotel manager was kind and more intelligent, he tried his best to listen to my whole story but sadly, he did not really know much about the card.

The following is our conversation.
Manager : Could you repeat what you say to my staff just now?

Hiu Yan: I want to refund my card. Convert it back to money. Money.

Manager: Where did you purchase your card?

Hiu Yan: Subway station, near our hotel.

Manager: Bring card, back, employer, ask.

Hiu Yan: I have tried asking them but they showed me a big cross and said No.

(Manager looked helpless and started smiling)

Manager: Take back card, your country, Souvenior.

Hiu Yan: OKay... ... Thank you so much.

I did not want to drag this meaningless conversation. I laughed from the bottom of my heart. This is Korea. Korea.

We took a taxi to the airport after that. Yup and because of that, I was severely critisized by my mother after that. The reason - taxi fare was too expensive and could get into a traffic jam. Until now, she did not realised the inconvenience of taking the bus. Daddy and her would frown. Yet, I did not try to reason myself. I knew she could never understand. After all, money was at sake.

A shot at Incheon Airport, Seoul.