Another big sightseeing day – and today in bright sunshine and nice spring temperatures – just the right thing for a day of palaces.

I arrived at Gyeongbokgung, the palace of shining happiness just when it opened; I had my usual look around before making it into the Korean Folk museum. With yet another palace in walking distance, the next stop was a given – Changdeokgung, the palace of illustrious virtue, where I made it just in time for the English language tour around the palace.

After my visit to the palaces, I walked into the quarter of Insadong, famous for its traditional architecture and arts – and also including the heart of Buddhist life in Seoul, the Jogysa shrine. Finally a walk along Cheonggye stream brought me back downtown … back to my favorite area around Namdaemun Market and Myeong-dong.