At Shingyongju station
At the station in Gyeongu
in the KTX where we received a message that In Gee Kim's daughter was born
Not completely sure where this is but could be in the main railway station at Seoul where we had lunch (bibimbap)
Translation service in taxis
Arrival at the guest house at Seoul National University
A lot of trees
Beautiful campus
This symbol formed itself from the random froth. Entropy permits this to happen but with very low probability.
An old Friend, Professor Dong Nyung Lee of Seoul National University. He told the story of the five, four and three fingers of the Chinese, Japanese and Korean dragons respectively. Of course, he also knows about texture!
This is where Dong Woo Suh used to work when he did his Ph.D. at Seoul National University
The desk in the corner was where he created great science
FIB/FEGSEM laboratory
FIB/FEGSEM laboratory
Scanning electron microscope
Nanoindenter, and this is Professor Hueng Nam Han who invited Harry to present a colloquim
The campus of Seoul National University
X-ray diffraction
R2D2
Building 21 opposite is where pharmaceuticals are studied, where Dong Woo's sister graduated
The art museum as we leave SNU
The main gate with the symbol of SNU
Veritas Mea Lux - the truth is my light
The Metro Station in Seoul
The gate to Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul
The number of visitors is restricted so Coffee!
Cuddly bear - what are the chances?
History
The Gate to the Palace
The giant wooded gates are held together by steel implements
The building is the office of the King. The ministers stand next to the stones. The stones are numbered, and rank towards No. 1 as the King's location is approached
The miniterial stones
The Chandeliers are a late addition from European influence
An ancient video camera
The buildings are all elevated to provide the 1500 years established underfloor heating system
The white material is paper, which is moistened, fixed and shrinks on drying to provide a perfect flat surface
Notice the lock
Underfloor heating system
Intricate wooden grill
These rocks were a source of admiration.
The Ondol heating system. The word means "warm stone".
A time piece. The lines to be used to read time depend on season. We are currently in March so the time here is 11.22 a.m.
These are the containers which kept water for fire safety. There never was a fire at this Palace
Bronze?
This is the beginning of a 90 minute walk through a part of the secret garden. The number of visitors is controlled and entrance is by reservation only. It is peaceful and serene.
The word Gazebo seems to have been derived by combining "gaze" and making it appear Latin by adding "bo". Gaze simply means to look with some longing.
Some of the trees are centuries old
The inscription is in Chinese because common people could not read such complex terms so the King used this to show that he is uncommon
There are many Gazebos where one can sit and contemplate bainite
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a gazebo is a small building, particularly in a garden with a view of the surrounding area
The shutters which form the walls of these Gazebos can be folded away
... to leave open walls
Another clock in the secret garden. This one may not be necessary since time does not matter in this place.
Some of the books are now in Japan and in the process of being returned
What are the chances of meeting someone from Darwin College, in the Secret Garden in Seoul.
Helen Robinson came and asked "Excuse me, are you from Darwin College?"
Helen was a student in Darwin and left in 2008 to return to Australia
Her work done in Cambridge has been published in the Lancet
It was a real joy and a remarkable concurrence of events that led to this encounter
Helen's return flight to Australia was on the following day.
Professor Dong Woo Suh and Helen.
The focus here should be on the copper roof
This pond is carved like the Korean Peninsula
Dong Woo, looking into the distance
Shows the progress of time
By amazing coincidence, met Helen Robinson from Darwin College in the Secret Garden
A carpet of leaves
This was our wonderful guide, who spoke perfect English and had a deep knowledge of history
The backpack.
This tree is about 750 years old
This tree is about 750 years old. In special ceremonies, small branches from this tree are used for incense.
In the soul of Seoul
Dong Woo is like Mathew - he has a big camera
Dinner
Vegetarian bibimbap
A large model of bibimbap
Incredible imagination
Another coffee stop
We left our mark at the Coffee Shop
At Insa Dong
This is Insa Dong, a cornucopia of shops selling crafts
Do not come here with money - it is a very tempting place
A river in Seoul, with stones arranged to crate turbulence and Fenshui. The flow is from right to left, and therefore against the gradient illustrated. A bit like uphill diffusion during spinodal decomposition.
An interesting bridge. Suspension bridge. Or is the suspension mainly decorative? The stream is Cheonggaechun.
The suspension mechanism is one I have not seen before
It is not necessary to have a big gap below the bridge so the suspension does not require tall towers
The wire rope appears to be stainless steel, but we did not have elementary tools available to check for magnetism or structure
Stainless steel
Students, explaining their case (protesting) against the costs of education.
These chocolates are made in England
This building surrounds the burnt gate to Seoul. This was the no. 1 National Treasure, caught fire two years ago, and is being meticulously restored
Abstract art everywhere
An incredibly imaginative sculptre
This is a special pure plum juice, which should be diluted, 70% water 30% juice. Courtesy of Jung Guensu's parents
It is a product of Gwangyang in South Korea. Cao Cao, the great general and the leader in ancient China, once was on a journey where his soldiers got thirsty and exhausted. He explained that over the hill ahead there would be a plum orchard, and he would let them to eat to their hearts content. The soldiers instantly thought about the plum and the sour taste of it. That made their mouths water, and they forgot their thirst.