It was a steep climb up log stairs and along well-used paths. Along the way were the ubiquitous exercise stations and a few resting platforms like the one below. We also found some stone piles, to which we added a couple of pebbles.
At the top there is a small pavilion with a great (although hazy) view of the Han River and southern Seoul.
The hike was worth it for the view, and some exercise. After coming down from the mountain we walked back over to our neighbourhood to treat ourselves to a BBQ roasted chicken at the "Chicken Hof". We've had take-out chicken from here once before. It was great! They roast them over a wood fire in a rottisery BBQ just ouside the restaurant (you can see it in the right of the photo on the left below). The small chickens are stuffed with rice, garlic, jejubes (the fruit, not the candy) and some other flavourings. They have tables set up on the sidewalk and street in front of the Hof. The chicken is served up whole, but cut up a little bit, and comes with a side of pickled radish (no kimchi though!?). You then just dig in with your chopsticks and fingers. Mmmm good! Oh ya, there is a mug of beer each for Mom and Dad and some water for the girls.
You might be wondering about the word "hof". Yes it is German and in Korea is used to imply a bar or restaurant serving beer. Kind of like a German beer garden? They usually serve chicken too. You may have also noticed the swastika symbols in the upstairs windows. These have nothing to do with German history, but are in fact ancient Buddhist symbols and indicate that there is a Buddhist temple upstairs above the Hof. Odd perhaps, but not surprising. Small temples and their swastikas are everywhere here.
You might be wondering about the word "hof". Yes it is German and in Korea is used to imply a bar or restaurant serving beer. Kind of like a German beer garden? They usually serve chicken too. You may have also noticed the swastika symbols in the upstairs windows. These have nothing to do with German history, but are in fact ancient Buddhist symbols and indicate that there is a Buddhist temple upstairs above the Hof. Odd perhaps, but not surprising. Small temples and their swastikas are everywhere here.
After our tasty meal we walked down to the river to watch the water and lights show at the nearby Banpo Bridge. It was quite a show. The moon was almost full and a couple tour boats cruised under the bridge, through the "rainbow waterfall".
As we walked up to the subway station we heard loud booms and saw fireworks in the distance. It was the 4th of July, so the fireworks were coming from the American Army base in Yongsan. Watching this was kind of weird considering North Korea was commemorating this day with "fireworks" of its own (test firing a bunch of missles out into the ocean).
As we walked up to the subway station we heard loud booms and saw fireworks in the distance. It was the 4th of July, so the fireworks were coming from the American Army base in Yongsan. Watching this was kind of weird considering North Korea was commemorating this day with "fireworks" of its own (test firing a bunch of missles out into the ocean).
Sunday we took the girls bike riding at Hangang riverside park at Oksu. We missed going on Friday because it was raining. We had surprises for the girls after dinner. They both got new CAMERAS! This Wednesday we are going to CHINA for a 2 week tour, so we bought Jin a new camera for her birthday (she'll turn 7 while we are in China) and one for Lili so she can take pictures of her birth-country. Now we can all take pictures!
Here are a coupe of their first pictures:
Pretty good, eh? Will have to make sure I credit the photographer in our future posts.
Well that's all for now. Got to get ready for our big trip. Will write more about it before we go and hopefully will be able to post as we travel.
All the best,
Derek, Deb, Jin and Lili
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