KTX, Bibimbap - Jeonju!

Jeonju - approx. 211km south from Seoul - well known for the famous Korean dish 'Bibimbap' as well as others:) Father had a work appoinment there, so I took the opportunity to visit it. We took the express train called 'KTX' taking just under 2hours only from centre of Seoul.
I visited Jeonju Hanok Villege - a historical area containing old, narrow streets, temples,and many traditional Korean houses called 'Hanok'.  Beautiful. I hope to live in a Hanok in the future..

Seoul

Decided to finish this leg of trip at Beijing.  Realised that China requires a separate, a much longer trip altogether. Cannot afford it on this occasion - budget wise as well as time..15 day visa just is not enough..

A shame but flew into Seoul from there rather than using the train and boat - for a couple of reasons..fatigue and impatience (1day+half vs 2hours) just in time for Korean mid-Autumn celebrations..
But...Overland-only trip..almost...so close..arrrgghh..

Incredible how quickly the last two months and a half went by.  I wish I could carry on!

Now back to reality; although not without excitement, since Korea is also unfamiliar. Planning to explore it - a new mini trip.. to the places I haven't seen; which there are many!

 

Last day in Beijing

Scorpians - taste like shrimps.. Silk worms - taste also a bit like shrimps..no biggy.

The Bird's nest

24/7, eating, drinking - this city does not stop

One night; Romain, Luca and I braved a restaurant on a street, famous for spicy food - this one was full of locals; with numerous half naked sweaty men walking out passed us after their meals - the restaurant's speciality was river-caught lobster-looking shellfish, very very very very spicy..

It was a bit like this - the waiter brought us gloves when we asked for napkins, he brought us matches when we asked for a bowl... Managed to point at dishes other people were eating and ordered..Tasty.

River lobster(?) The hottest food I've ever tasted! - plastic gloves are neccessity not to burn your fingers..

Red hot street

They do not do 'large' here - only 'XXXXXX large'

Everything is more, bigger and greater; people, watermelons, walls and places!

Imperial stamp on bricks at Ming tomb, palaces..

tall children are expensive..

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

Beijing Hutongs

Staying at a courtyard hotel in historical area, north of the Forbidden City - Hutong - array of narrow streets full of small shops, reastaurants, and plenty of scooters and bicycles.  Such charming area. Happy!

nearby Qianhai lake

Nailou - yogurt/rice? pudding - everyone's eating it on the street! YUM!!

Through Gobi desert then Beijing - 02.09.11

30 hour train to Beijing from Ulan Bator through Gobi desert.. The train stopped for a long time at the border for passport control and of course the bogie changing for the Chinese gauge.. Reunited with Romain and Luca.

The landscape swiftly changed entering China - trees and uneven ground eventually mountains.. - stunning! Spotted the Great Wall on the wake of the morning. BEIJING!

Spot the Great Wall