13th May 2015, Wednesday

Last night we met a guy from France and talked about what he had seen and what he is planning to see.

We were pretty exhausted and decided to take our time this morning.  We made breakfast as bread and eggs are provided for us by the guesthouse.  I made scrambled eggs with toast.  During breakfast, we met a couple that just came in last night from Colorado.  They are going to some of the same places we are going to today.

We got ready and then went to Cheonmachong to see the tomb that are under those big hills that we think are hills but are tombs.   It was so interesting to see how people are buried with different relics like gold necklaces, crowns, earrings, rings, etc...  The person is buried with the relics in a coffin.  Then rocks are piled over and then the mud, and then grass!  It was very cold under the hills to see the tomb/coffin.

From there we took bus 10 to Bulguksa Temple.  We managed getting up the stairs and realized that we could get a tour in English!!!! In 10 minutes.  While we waited for the tour, we took pictures, of course, and found some pictures to take of kids and with kids.  I got pictures with the girls but it was on their phone camera :(   We weren't allowed to take pictures of most things, but zooming and discrete mode works wonders with a camera!!!!  I find a way.  There were some areas we got permission to take a picture. 

To give our body a rest, we took a bus to the next stop.  Weaving roads made Taz nauseous.  I just slept.  We got to our destination:  Seokguram Grotto.  We walked to the base of the hill.  We really wanted a tour, but waiting 30 minutes was not going to work.  So onward!  Up the hill we go, only to be let down because again no pictures were allowed.  I tried to take one but the glass structure protecting the Buddha would show reflections so the staff would know if someone was taking a picture.  :( :( And, they called us out on it (there were a few of us trying).

We decided to take the bus back to town; we were tired and wanted to rest our legs.  FYI before seeing these last two sites, we saw Gyeongju World and the Culture Expo Center from the outside.   We also bought souvenirs.

We came back thinking we may get the Korean version of Indian food but found this cute restaurant.  I had Ramen Noodles and I loved it!!!!!!  Mine was beef flavor with veggies!  I ateit with chopsticks! We walked through Sungdong Market and became a little obsessive over cute socks.  I also got a nice travel document organizer.  

We came back and just relaxed, updating photos, watching comedy shows and researching what we want to do tomorrow.

We are going to Kukkiwon and meeting up with Zoe again.  Danyang was 4 hours away, not enough time.  Folk museums would have worked but the bus/trains going there only leave at certain times, not giving us enough time to look around.  Eh, only another reason to come back to Seoul and check it out some more!