Since all my photographs were lost in transfer... and are still being located.....

Melancholy..thinking of the vending machines, the most uncanny plastic food displays and the colour orange..

Very busy 13 days in Japan!  Itinerary included, from the very first centre of Japan; Nara, the long running successor; Kyoto, of course; Tokyo; with lavish temples of Nikko and bountiful Osaka in between.

These are the ones in my possession at the moment..

so I begin with the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno in Tokyo; by Le Corbusier.

NMWA - blt.1959 - the only Le Corbusier's work in Asia? We saw the likeness in Kyoto - Kyoto Kaikan Hall - just found out that its architect was an apprentice of Le Corbusier's: Kunio Maekawa - photos unavailable at the moment.....arrgghh!

nope, not a tower...probably the thinest building I've ever seen..

coffee with a hint of green tea - wouldn't call it coffee..but rather nice!

A little break from Korea to visit a neighbour

On the way back

Along the coast and through the mountains back to Seoul - at one point we were at 1000km above sea level!

View of the East Sea..

Cafe..endearing

All fits perfectly..amazing

The story, I'm sure, is a very simple one..

Today's menu - apples. Tomorrow - red crab

Early start the next day for some apple shopping.. Juicy pickings.

The story, I'm sure, is a straightforward one..

Cannot be missed when passing through east coast

Towards the countryside - Guinsa, Andong..

Guinsa - The headquarters of Korean Buddism, surrounded by mountains within a valley, a big population of monks live here.  Extensive, colourful architecture of multi-storey temples and 'apartments for monks. What unique arrangement...climbing up the mountain..

Arriving in Andong - where grandparents place is... lots of childhood memories.. a bit run down but still so charming

Fruit picking!

 

View from opposite the road - Andong river

Hoping to renovate..and perhaps build something here..one day..

Seoul's Palace #03 - the largest of the five 'Gyeongbokgung'

Gyeongbokgung - The main palace of the big five. Beautiful place, especially in Autumn. The best time to visit these palaces by far! and to Korea - bright colours, clear sky and tasty food in abundance!

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion - important state banquets were held here

Colours galore

Onggi(jangdok) - traditional clay storage pots. Absolute genius at keeping the most essential goods such as chilly paste, soy sauce and kimchi! And they are handsome.

This is a new thing in In-sa dong. 'poo-bread'..weird Koreans!..but tasty indeed if you can over the name and the shape..