[JKT to KOR]Blue House(청와대)

*** Your memories make your destiny ***

 

[06.Oct.22~16.Oct.22] #Blue House 청와대

During our trip to South Korea in the Fall of 2022, we visited Korea Blue House, or Chongwadae.

Korea Blue House was a former presidential compound. It was opened to public since 10th May 2022, and currently become a famous public retreat where visitors can enjoy cultural architecture, hiking trails, and sometimes, art performances.

It was a long public day in South Korea when we visited, so we made a reservation several days before. On the day of our visit, the weather was perfect – clear blue sky, with pops of cotton candy clouds here and there. It was sunny but chill enough to wear your favorite quilted jacket.

We took a bus to reach Korea Blue House, on which the passengers were mainly families with little children. Upon entering the compound, we were surprised at how crammed it was with people.

 

It was around 10 AM but people filled every nook and cranny of the compound.

First, we approached the main building which is a two-storey structure with the famous blue tiles as its roof. We were herded into the building together with lines of visitors. We could not even stop more than 10 seconds to take pictures, before making people behind us glared at us with obvious annoyance.

 

The main hall of the building was decorated with chandeliers and copper engraving.

Most of the room was covered in soft and thick carpet. We visited rooms to receive official guests, President’s private working office, First Lady’s working office, a collection of photographs of all former South Korea presidents, dining room, and large halls serving various purposes.

Design interior was not excessively posh, but it was elegant and beaming with quiet dignity. It was most definitely uniquely South Korean as well. Since it was jammed packed with people inside the building, we were relieved when we finally seen every single room and then shoved outside.

 

We were again in the middle of a beautiful park with large pine trees and majestic Bugeoksan Mountain as a backdrop of the scenery. The shrubberies and bonsai like trees were so well maintained.

On the benches, senior visitors seemed absorbed in the beauty and calmness of the park, while quietly sipping hot tea from their flasks.

At last, we visited the “servant” compound. We were not sure, if “servant” is an appropriate term to use. However, in these smaller building, there were kitchens, multi-purpose warehouses and rooms, and this was where most of the household chores were housed.

 

Our visit was brief, only because there were so many people around and our energy were quickly drained. On the way to the bus station, we happened to find a street vendor selling hot & aromatic roasted chestnut. We bought a paper bag full of +/- 15 large chestnuts. We ate it by a small park nearby, an it was such a great closure to our short adventure. 😊