Recapping a hectic month
Trip Start
Oct 19, 2008
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18
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Trip End
Feb 22, 2009
Seoul, Korea Rep.
Friday, January 16, 2009
After our escapades on NYE we took it upon ourselves to get out and about on Friday and tour the other side of the river. First of all we went up to the mountains to a fortress wall that used to protect Seoul City. It's obviously quite a popular spot with the oldies because they were out in force enjoying the opportunity to do a little bit of hiking. To get to this place we had to change metro lines a couple of times and then successfully take the right exit at the station (of which there are plenty) and then get onto a bus for a 15 minute ride up the mountain - AND WE DID IT! After we'd done our exploring of the fortress walls we then headed off to have a look at some burial mounds.... um what can I say, it was a wee bit of a disappointment but I guess you get that. The highlight of my day was definitely the opportunity to visit Seoul Olympic Park, amongst the sporting facilities you get to see a number of sculptures gifted to Seoul during the Olympics, the Olympic flame which is still burning there and an Olympic Museum. The park is massive and the place still has an incredible vibe about it. Hmmm maybe that's how I'll feel when I at London 2012 for Judo!
We've also taken the opportunity to visit one of the local palaces and get some more piccies, although they aren't as spectacular in winter as they are in their full autumnal colour.
We've been skiing a few times, at two resorts, Yong Pyeong and High 1. We've managed to get screwed over by a Korean Tour company - Note for everyone SEOUL CITY TOURS SUCKS!!! However we were able to use our newly acquired knowledge of the private bus lines to make our way to a new ski resort ourselves and hire our own equipment and successfully spend the day on the slopes. I'm not sure I count as a ski bunny yet but I can get my way down a mountain without too many incidents and I'm really enjoying it now.
We've also visited the DMZ which is an eerie experience, going through military checkpoints is kind of scary and it's amazing to be at the border of a country where this is hostility still (and which seems to be increasing even further).
The temperatures really dropped this week - in fact it hit -12 degrees on the 12th - our 7th wedding anniversary. We decided to visit Seoul Zoo that day which was a bit sad, most of the animals were in really small, really sad displays but there were some highlights, including the most kitsch seal and dolphin show we'd ever seen which was entirely in Korean and some lion cubs. The zoo only cost $3 for entry so we didn't expect anything big but it was all very dated and quite sad.
Yesterday we woke up to snow, the whole city was blanketed in white and it was still snowing for a little while so we got to experience the magic of failing snow. We of course took the opportunity to throw snowballs at each other and got some strange looks from the locals who obviously don't get very excited by snow. We also took the opportunity to visit Lotteworld - the world's largest indoor amusement park (it seems all the children in Seoul also thought yesterday would be a great day to visit the park as well and there were very looonnng lines for the rides) although we did make it on to a really good roller coaster and I even kept my eyes open for the whole ride. We revisited Seoul Tower at sunset to add our lock to the massive collection of locks added to the walls by couples, it was a nice way to end the day.
We ventured out to visit the local Sizzlers for dinner (just like home but with a heap of extras that we don't get - worth the trip!) and while we were walking to the restaurant we came across a park filled with ice sculptures. It's amazing what you come across in this city.
It's now 4 weeks until I get home and I am really looking forward to getting back to my real world. Sadly I have to do the next few weeks on my own until my replacement arrives for a weeks training but given I've already made it through three months I should be able to do this last part standing on my head. Take care all and I can't wait to catch up with you when I arrive home.
