Mt. "Ok Now I'm Freaking Out" Namsan

Last weekend we hiked/climbed/I tried not to pee my pants Mt. Namsan. This mountain is definitely not the highest in Korea, but a fellow blogger describes Namsan best, "It might look gentle from the side, but up close Namsan's got enough steep valleys, twisting peaks and craggy boulders to give any hiker a run for their money." Oh how I wish I would have seen this post before we went. :) 


Namsan is a pretty cool mountain to hike, it has tons of remains from the Silla period, Buddhist art, "80 carved reliefs and 60 stone pagodas." All of these created around 1300 years ago. So instead of just hiking for the sake of it and great views, you get treats along the way.


Our hike to the first stopping point wasn't too bad. If we weren't trying to race a family of Koreans to the top I bet it would have been more enjoyable and leisurely. :) Once we arrived to Chilbulam, a famous ancient Silla carving, we took a rest and had the pleasure of drinking tea with a monk. She spoke some english so that was nice and we got to enjoy the beautiful views while we chatted. And then the lovely day took a turn for the worst...


Ok hear me out, I am no experienced climber. Not even close. So perhaps, well let's just say positively, when someone more experienced in the climbing department reads this post, they may call me a number of names relating to "big baby, sissy, namby-pamby...you get my drift. But I pretty much have never been so terrified of slipping and tumbling off the side of a mountain in my life.  After stopping at Chilbulam, the forest and dirt/some rocky trails that led us up to that point turned into a rocky hellish ascent. No dirt. No beautiful surrounding forest. Just rocks, tinier rocks which make you slide and slip and oh, then some cliff. Wait, I forgot to mention is rained the night before. :) Getting up was a doozy and I can't even tell you about getting back down. We made it out alive so now I have the privilege of sharing our photos with you and am all the more thankful I get to do so. 

On another note, Kindergarten Open House was this Friday. The kids worked really hard and put on several performances for their parents. Photos and video below. 

At Chilbulam.

Where we drank tea with the monk.

Chilbulam

Chilbulam

Smiling, he doesn't know what lies ahead... ;)

Chilbulam

Brendan, "Oh hey, let's go up there." Lia, "Uhhh."

Description of the image below.

This is where the climb took us.

I was soo happy to be back down here. STAIRS!! 

6 Whole Months

Not so long ago, I wrote a blog entitled "One Whole Month" and look where we are already kiddies, not just one, but six big ones. I know, I know, we can't believe it either. Guess it's true what they say about time going by faster as you grow. Errr..was that what they said happens to time when you move across the world for a year? :) Anyway, seems as though the last few posts have been dedicated to our luxurious lives of festivals and jet setting...boat setting? Japan's so close we took a boat. ;) So this post is dedicated to every day life and no side trips on the weekends. Lame I know, try not to doze off. I kid, I kid.

P.S. We really really really really miss you. No, seriously.

We went to the beach last weekend. The weather was perfect. This is near Yeongduk, about a 30 minute bus ride.

After we were finished frolicking in the sun, we went to eat crab. Behind Brendan are zillions of crab restaurants. When you walk down the street, there are at least 2 people from each restaurant standing outside trying to call you in to eat their crab. The strip is literally nothing but crab restaurants.

We loved all these fishing boats. These people are hustlerssss. 

What's that??

Yum.

The following is a tribute to Sally and Smile's love. These are two of my kinders  (who also happen to be my favorite kids in the entire school, shh don't tell.) (Smile is still a tyrant but he grew on me, dammit.) There were plenty more adorable photos I could have posted of these two, but let's be real here, anymore and you would have died of cuteness smothering. I really somehow wish I could contact them 20 years from now to see if they're still going strong..

These were taken while dancing. 

Ok seriously try not to smile while viewing this preciousness. 

Look, he pissed her off already...

Toto, I Don't Think We're In Korea Anymore

I'd like to start this post by congratulating the Whittaker family on the birth of Sonia Caroline. She is beautiful and I can not wait to meet her. Give her a giant kiss for me. I love you guys.

We went to Japan this weekend and it was so wonderful. We did and saw so many things and had a blast the whole time. We stayed in Fukuoka, which is in southern Japan.  We got the best of both worlds as the area was beautiful, lush and green with a large, clean city encompassing the landscape. There were also canals and water everywhere. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We visited gardens, shrines, the Fukuoka Tower, a robot land, an island, a zoo, arcades, great restaurants and explored till we dropped. I'll tell our story with the photos this time. 

Sushi go round right after we arrived.

The sushi passes you by on a belt. You choose what you want right from the belt. 

Our favorite Japanese taxi. 

This was a crazy adult arcade/casino. There were tons of weird games and it was so loud in there you had to yell to talk to the person right next to you. The guy with the sunglasses offered me a bite of whatever was in his hand after I took the photo. 

Our hotel room. Very nice. But very Japan-size. :)

Rakusuien Park- a Japanese garden and tea room. The tea rooms were so pint sized. It was like we were in a lovely Japanese doll house. 

Look at those coy fish. That guy wanted a treat. 

So many! I like them. 

In Rakusuien Park.

I can't remember the name of this Temple but it was so colorful and cool.

People ring those as they pray.

Inside worship place.

Brendan really liked this one lion. 

Thirsty?

So pretty.

That little guy was hilarious.

Canal city. About a 5 minute walk from our hotel. This place was huge and full of cool places. 

Inside canal city. Brendan likes this guy. 

Toy floor. 

Kushida Shrine. This place was awesome. Wait until you see what's past those gates. :) 

Suntory Boss is the boss of them all, but I'm sure you already knew that. 

The shrines and temples were so elaborate and colorful. 

He' my favorite. 

It was hard to get a clear picture of this because there is a net wall between us and these guys. 

Walking around the city. 

It's Suntory Time!!

Before dinner. Canal city. 

These are everywhere. Picking where to go for dinner. 

Nakasu, one of the "largest entertainment districts" in western Japan. The night after this we went across the water for a drink. Wait until you see our view :)

Fukuoka tower to peep some good views. 

Fukuoka Tower. 

And again. 

Ont he way to Roboland. 

Roboland.