Incheon, and the "cool" city of Seoul,Korea

Although we were docked in Incheon, there was
really not a lot of separation between that area
and Seoul.  Seoul (proper) has over
11 million people, but the satelitte cities surrounding
it are highly populated as well .
There were so many bridges, and they are all nicely
decorated.  Also, there were some really long bridges!

Korea has about 23 parks,  and
there is an emphasis on the outdoors.
This shows in the fact that the parks
represent about 6% of the Nation's
habitable area.

As we were approaching the center of
Seoul, it was amazing to see the
areas that had been developed in order
to decentralize the city.  Only about 20-30% of Korea
is habitable due to the mountainous
nature of the country.  About 80% of the population
live in Urban areas, so they are building
planned communities with green areas and
advanced technology, including the use of
Solar and wind energy where possible.
  This is to cut the pollution
and spread the population out.

The ship was dwarfed by the whole area of
industry where we were docked in the port of Incheon.
  Lots of
action and noise during the day.

Although Incheon  is a mere 24 kilometres away from
Seoul,  the trip in by bus took about 1 and 1/2 half hours, due
to the heavy traffic.
 Loved  these old antiques and the old bell which we saw
in the market in Incheon.  If only they could talk.

The market in Incheon.

The bus into Seoul dropped us off in front of City Hall in Seoul and it
was a national commemoration day for the students lost in the capsized
ferry accident.  It was quite emotional to see some of the images
that were displayed, including an area where the pictures of each
student were displayed.  These are the Deoksu Palace guards
taking part in the ceremonies.

The whole downtown area was filled with yellow banners and flowers.  Each yellow banner had the name of a student on it.  They were everywhere.

Five little birds in a row.  Such symmetry.

There was a large central area dedicated to the
lost students, and also a whole area
where people could sign their names
and gather together.

Very tough to see some of the emotion in people
leaving messages.  Mine is top left.

Another row of
yellow banners with
the name of a
student on each one.

The tents in the center of Seoul commemorating
the students.

This is such a high-rise city!

Very interesting buildings and modern
architecture.

Some of the art
on the landings between
floors in the store.

Shinsegae- an amazing department store.

This is the women's washroom in Shinsegae.
Incredible.

Each floor had a different kind of art
display.  This one was so beautiful.

The art in the entrance to the women's washroom.

Just a quick look at the kind of displays
this store had for each section.

The central stair case in Shinsegae.

The food floor in this store was absolutely huge.  Each
section was different and the displays
were out of this world.

The "Food Court" in the Food hall.  There were
noodle bars, sushi bars, Dim Sung, and many
more!

Somehow the traffic manages to separate out,
but the streets are wide, and it is a challenge
crossing the streets sometimes!

This is so "Seoul".  The modern, and the markets, all combined
together in this amazing city.
Such contrasts.

A mini Trafalger Square, complete with pigeons!

Motor bikes and buses, and
of course Hyundi's and Kias.
A good range of Audi's and
Ferrari's as well.

Even the underground entrances are well
done!

Such a mix of architecture and design, and it makes for an interesting
skyline from almost any vantage point!

Heading into the city.......

You can always find a little
coffee retreat.
Lots of them here.

The palace at the end of the main street in Seoul.  It is right
up against the mountain.

Our bus driver was Formula One worthy.  It is each man (car, bus etc...) for himself!
We thought our driver had a pedal stuck to his shoe, and glued to the floor!
And we think we have traffic issues????

Somehow it all works.  Love it!

Yet another amazing sunset.  I was out on the deck of the apartment
for this one, in the industrial area where we had docked in Incheon.  We left there
at midnight, on our way to Dalian, China.  Bye bye Korea!

An Anglican church smack in the middle of Seoul.   Religion here
is a mix of Confucius followers, Buddism, and Christianity, and
there were a lot of traditional looking churches.