South Korea 2024

  One of the most fun ways to explore Seoul and experience its culture is by wearing a hanbok while visiting its palaces, not to mention that wearing a hanbok gets you free admission! Finding a store that rents handbooks is easy; there are pockets of stores around the palace entrances, or you can book one on Klook. I chose Hanok Hanbok, not on Klook, because the outfits in the pictures appeared prettier and higher quality.  You select your outfit (your skirt and top are chosen separately), and they help you get dressed. My rental included a hairdo, which I didn’t use, so we were in and out in 30 minutes.   There are five remaining royal palaces in Seoul, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace.   Their architecture, from the Joseon Dynasty, gives you a small glimpse into the history of the city.   Rather than begin by visiting a palace, to avoid the crowds it gets, we start...

  Our non-stop drive from Gyeongju to Suwon to return the car would be 3 hrs and 20 minutes; however, I had other plans in mind. I insisted we make a pit stop at Daedunsan Provincial Park. The pictures on the web were irresistible!  We’ve come all this way to Korea, we are taking the 2-hour detour.  Supposedly I lied to Chris about what we were doing.  I said no hiking, just a cable car to the top.  When traveling, I’ve mastered the art of exaggeration (the Webber tribe knows not to believe me when I say something is “10-minutes”).  Ok, fine, we are walking uphill .   For those not inclined to hike, the 5-minute cable car ride offers easy access up to the short trail leading to the bridges.   “Walking” up the steep rocky steps after you get off the cable car.   Known as the “cloud bridge,” Geumgang suspension bridge is 165 feet long and hangs 432 feet above the rocky terrain below.   Yikes, look at that 45 ° ladder! ...