South Korea 1993: Seoul - The Little Dragon...

"Never let your memories be greater than your dreams..." - Doug Ivester

(Self-tour in Seoul)

Seoul, South Korea

(12 - 18 July 1993)

After my Management Development Program in Manila, hubby flew to Manila and we flew to Seoul, Korea for a week holiday and visited attractions around Seoul.

Seoul’s many attractions and excellent transport links make it South Korea’s number one destination for foreign visitors and the logical place from which to embark on a tour of the country. The capital since 1394, it is a bustling, sophisticated commercial centre, which nevertheless retains numerous reminders of its rich heritage. Seoul’s greatest attractions are perhaps the royal residences, several of which are UNESCO-listed.

Changdokkung Palace is surrounded by the picturesque Secret Gardens, while the nearby Chongmyo Shrine, set in wooded grounds, contains the ancestral tablets of the Kings of the Yi Dynasty. A colourful Confucian ceremony takes place here annually on the first Sunday in May.

(One of the many tourist attractions)

(The War Museum at Seoul Tower)

(Visiting museums and art galleries)

The Museum of Modern Arts is within the grounds of Toksukung Palace, a former royal villa which presents an interesting contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers. Kyongbokkung Palace, the most impressive of the palaces, dates in part to 1394 and has within its grounds the excellent National Folk Museum and temporary displays of treasures from the fantastic collection of the National Museum of Korea, currently being reconstructed. Symbol of Seoul, the Great South Gate Namdaemun was the main gate in the city’s 15th-century defences. Pagoda Park or Tapkol Park commemorates the 1919 Korean Declaration of Independence.
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(Cultural Village next)

For fine city panoramas it is worth ascending Seoul Tower which sits atop landscaped Namsan Mountain in the heart of the city. The War Memorial and Museum on Yongsan-gu military base traces the history of conflict on the Korean Peninsular. Seoul is a great place to see performances of Korea’s vibrant performing arts. For those interested in finding a unique souvenir, the traditional shopping area of Insadong offers everything from antiques to calligraphy brushes.

(Taking a break at Lotte World)

(Heading back to the hotel)

Bargain hunters will enjoy the city’s huge markets such as the daily East Gate Dongdaemun Market, while for fashion shopping and nightlife the Itaewon district is the place to head for. Lotte World is a massive entertainment complex featuring everything from a major theme park to sports facilities and a luxury hotel.

After spending a week in Seoul, we flew back to Manila and spent a few days in the capital city of Philippines.

👈 2004: Madinah/Makkah, Saudi Arabia

2003: Manila, Philippines 👉

Philippines 1993: Manila - Where Asia wears a smile...

"Happiness makes you smile, sorrow can crush you..."

Manila, Philippines

(18 - 21 May1993)

I was in Manila for nearly two months attending a Leadership Development Program at Asian Institute of Management. Hubby came after the program and we spent a few days in Manila and later flew to Seoul, Korea for a week of relaxing holiday.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines is as different to the delicate white flower after which it was named as you can get. A sprawling metropolis, covering nearly 250,000 sq miles and home to approximately 10 million people, it is almost the antithesis of the rest of this laid back often breathtakingly beautiful archipelago country.

(Manila Hotel)

That's not to say Manila doesn't have its charm. A cultural melting pot where East meets West, where Spanish colonial churches stand side by side with Oriental mosques, where horse drawn carriages vie for road space with jeepneys and homes with no running water or electricity stand in the shadow of steel and glass uber-towers. The largest city in Southeast Asia, Manila is not for the feint hearted, its relentless bustle and notorious nightlife are both enthralling and draining, but if it's action you're looking for, prepare yourself to be spoilt rotten.

(Rizal Memorial)

Philippines 7000 islands that comprise the Philippines are the forgotten islands of South-East Asia. Off the main overland route and with a recent history of martial law and endemic corruption, the country has struggled to attract tourists in the numbers many of its southeast Asian neighbours have. Since the demise of the authoritarian Marcos regime, the Philippines has fared better; however, the last few years have sent the country's fortunes tumbling once again. The Philippines is the most disaster-prone country on earth. It named typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, garbage landslides and military action against Muslim insurgents as just some of the problems both locals and tourists have had to deal with.

(Rizal Memorial)

Despite these difficulties, most of the Philippines is laid back, stable and relatively safe. The country likes to promote itself as the place where 'Asia wears a smile' and the locals are, by and large, an exceptionally friendly and helpful bunch. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and English is widely spoken.

(One of the beautiful beaches)

👈 1993: Seoul, Korea

1992: Makkah, Saudi Arabia 👉