Mulhyanggi Arboretum

Last Thursday Tristan and I ventured out to a beautiful arboretum with the photography club that I'm a part of here.  There are several members that are experienced photogs, so I was really excited to get their input and advice on all sorts of things!  I love my camera, but I really need to get it off auto mode and learn how to use all the different features and know what all the different terms mean. 

We all met up at the train station and took the subway to Osan-si and walked a short distance to the arboretum.  This was Tristan's first "train" ride since we've been in Korea, though it wasn't as thrilling as I thought it might be for him as I forgot that he has taken it several times in Chicago and at several airports.  Oh well - it was a fun experience nonetheless.

Tristan and Michael waiting for the train 

Here it comes! 

They had some beautiful plants and flowers there, and I really want to go back when even more things are in bloom!  Right now all the cherry blossom and magnolia trees are in bloom, and the azaelias were beginning to bloom as well.

Not that I'm a botanical expert by any means, but I had no idea there was more than one kind of magnolia tree, or that they came in such beautiful colors!

I'm thinking we might head back for Tristan's 5 year old pictures in June.

Cherry blossom tree - they have the prettiest light pink flowers!

Love these orchids.

We had a really fun day, and beautiful weather for our adventure too - something that is quite iffy these days in Korea!  I really enjoyed playing around with my camera and trying to learn the ins and outs of shutter speeds and ISO.  I also learned about NOT putting your main subjet matter in the center of the photo - something I always did because I didn't want there to be a question about what I was taking a picture of.  Turns out that with the right focal point, your subject matter can be anywhere in the picture.  I look forward to learning a lot more from these ladies!

63 Sky Art

After visiting the aquarium, we stopped and grabbed a bite to eat, and then headed up to the 60th floor to 63 Sky Art.  They had some Chinese artists on display, but what we really enjoyed was the view of the nighttime skyline of Seoul.

N Seoul Tower 

This city goes on forever! 

Looking down from 60 floors up

Here is some of the art that was on display.  I have no idea what any of it is about, but it's interesting nonetheless.

They also had a neat hallway that lit up and changed colors.

One of the many bridges that crosses the Han River, and one of the major thoroughfares in Seoul - as you can see, it's bumper to bumper traffic, even at 9:00 at night.

They even had art in the bathroom! 

Seoul is beautiful when it is all lit up.



63 Sea World

During our weekend mini-vacation in Seoul, not only did we brave the Cherry Blossom Festival, but we ventured back to Yeouido Island to tour the 63 building.  We took our time getting up and moving Sunday morning and went to do some shopping on post and let the kids swim before heading back over to the craziness of the area. 

First on our to see list at the 63 building was 63 Sea World - after all, we all love aquariums!

My darling husband, always ready for play!

It is said that if you look this turtle in the eye and make a wish, it will come true.

It was dinner time, and this particular penguin thought Grace's hand looked appetizing.

I, on the other hand, thought this crab looked appetizing!

Cow fish

A couple of unicorn fish for my precious princess who loves unicorns and thinks that they come in all shapes and sizes and live all over - guess she's somewhat right!

These pictures are somewhat hard to see, but we saw a neat seal show too.  This one was under water, unlike most of what we have seen in the States.

Swinging 

On a see-saw

Playing a little basketball - Tristan thought he should play for Kentucky.

Swimming through hoops

These are "doctor fish" - they are used to eat the dead skin off of burn victims and patients with poorly healing wounds

If you look closely you can see them nibbling on Grace's fingers.  I've heard they also use these fish for pedicures.  It was a kind of tickling sensation, but I still had a hard time wrapping my mind around a critter eating away at my skin.  Better than leeches or maggots, I suppose...

This guy just looked "crabby"!

Up next:  63 Sky Art and a view from atop the 63 building.