Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Island Adventure

We recently had a fantastic 3 day weekend at some islands not far from Incheon.  First we met up with Paul and Cecil in Ulwangi-do for some shellfish, fireworks, and drinks.  The next morning John woke up early and went on a solo trek around the island where he had quite an adventure including razor-wire, big dogs, bouldering, and ending with an ascent up his target mountain. Next, the four of us went out for some food and then we parted ways with Cecil and Paul.  Our next destination was Muii-do, a small island off of Ulwangi-do.  It's famous for it's tidal pools that occur each day at low tide, and we got there just in time.  Digging was unnecessary as there were so many creepy, crawling critters right on the surface.  We saw hermit crabs, snails, fish, crabs, and some other unidentified living creatures.  It was the most natural life we've see in one place since our arrival in Korea.  We ended the trip with some Korean style sushi and of course some soju.  We had a great trip even if our company on Muii-do was a little 'crabby' at times!

The view from out hotel

Hotel again

Preparing for some shell fish


Pajon! It's kinda like a Korean pizza.

Side dishes

Our cheesy unmelted sauce with some scallops and a giant muscle

Silkworm larva 1  (beondegi)

2

3

4   Despite the face, it was better than the first time I tried em. 

Cecil going for some oysters

Jennifer experimenting with the same

Failed experiment

These girls be buggin

Where our shellfish lived before we grilled them up

Pet this and it squirts


Hi Paul

Good night Paul

Ceramics


The rice fields



The furniture at a little restaurant that we stopped at for some more pajon and some makkoli





The tidal pool

Gettin down and dirty

Lovin life

A critter hotel


A little crabby if you ask me

Families that forage together, stay together




Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Chinatown, Wolmido, and the Suwon Fortress

We spent this weekend a little closer to home and found out that it can be just as fun as Seoul. We started off with some Chinese food in Chinatown where we also got some great tea.  From there we took a ride down to the shore for some Korean style beach fun and boardwalk.  We hiked up to an observatory to see some awesome views of our city and even played some boardwalk games. (Jennifer would like to add that she got a prize on her first shot. ^^) After walking till our feet hurt we made our way home to get ready for the next day.

Up and out real early, we took a bus to Suwon, a city of over 2 million about 70 miles south of Incheon.  The guide book lists only one attraction in this city worth seeing and that happened to be our destination.  We got to see some real old palace buildings and the wall that protected the 18th century city. The famous Suwon Fortress was worth the trip.


The main entrance to Chinatown





Black Noodles, a famous "Chinese" dish here

Cute little dumpling




No idea, this was the first thing we say in Wolmido


Some kind of fried rice snack

Lost in translation?








Hot Dog!



This was on the side of a building.  Add a caption here :)

Typical Korean beach snacks, octopus tentacle anyone?


John shot a little toy like 15 times to no avail

Jennifer... one shot, one kill :)






Inside the living quarters of a palace servant




fermenting some kim-chi, well not anymore...



The oldest building we've seen in Korea.  Built in the late 1700's to pay homage to a King's father. 





Awesome little ones

Even the trees take medication