Seoul, Sunday April 19

Sunday was hectic. First we met Stuart and Cherie at the subway at 8am. We travelled an hour to the Youido Full Gospel Church- apparently the largest church. We had headphones for English translation. Interesting , unusual and worth the trip.
After Western style coffee we made our way home for another take- out lunch that Stuart and Cherie went and bought. Then we made our way to Gangnam. This is a very alive place with heaps of shopping and entertainment. This is where we posed for a photo on the footpath and sent it in an an e-mail from the touch screen.









We went to Stuart and Cherie's church service at 2pm.
At 5pm we made it a long way across town to have dinner with Cherie's extended family. The dinner went well and they were very friendly. and welcoming. Lots of smiles and nods and an occasional translation by Cherie (in Korean, for all) or Stuart (in Japanese, for Cherie's father). It was at a traditional Korean restaurant, where we sat on the floor. The Lamonts found it harder to sit there than the Kangs! The meal went well. It was a very special time.

After the meal, we said our goodbyes and Cherie's brother and friend drove us in two cars to the Techno Mart, to do a spot of lap- top shopping!
Cameron and Stuart were getting prices and specs to buy Stuart and Cherie a lap top.
Time then to make our way back home by train. Stuart and Cherie stayed with us a little longer, then headed back on the train to their homes... more than an hour away. It was a very full and memorable day.

Seoul, Saturday April 18

Saturday started off at a leisurely pace at our apartment. We washed clothes and e-mailed etc. Then the pace picked up when Stuart and Cherie met us about 1pm. That morning they had been to the photographer's to choose the wedding photos for their special album. They were pleased with their photos. They have the whole set of them to keep, as well. Some more will be taken on the day, so they will have a wonderful collection by then.

Stuart and Cherie introduced us to the trains and buses. We visited the Palace with many others! The weekends are quite busy at tourist places. We joined the Japanese language guided tour as it was too long to wait for the English one! Stuart translated where appropriate. Interpretive signs were written in English, so we got the drift.


The subway. The doors to the right are glass and open when the train arrives.


Near the palace ,we had lunch at a fancy cafe that makes almost everything ( sweet and savoury dishes) out of rice. Very tasty!



At the palace entrance






Beautiful azaleas in the palace grounds. Azaleas grow very well in Seoul.


The palace grounds are extensive and quite close to downtown Seoul.


From a road side stall we ate fish- shaped sweet pancakes filled with red bean.



Then we went to Insadong. Great shopping area. Stuart bought us honey sweets to try. The honey was spun into very fine noodles and mixed with nuts. A bit like fairy floss I suppose.


We decided we wouldn't try these! I think it was silk worm lavae. Didn't stick around to ask!

We came back to our apartment for dinner. having Cherie with us was great. She rang up and ordered take- away, which was sort of Chinese and Korean food combined. It was lovely. It was delivered to our door on large plastic serving plates. After the meal we put the dirty dishes in a plastic bag, outside the door and they came back later to collect them.





After dinner, Cherie guided us back down to the main street to take a bus up to the Namsan Tower to look at the view of Seoul. Crowds of people at about 9:00pm. Great view of the lights and the red neon crosses sprinkled across the city, denoting the Christian churches.

What a day! We fiited in a lot of things. We fell into bed.

Seoul...... just walking around

April 17
We have walked a fair bit today. Just getting our bearings and enjoying the different scene here.
We've seen the top and bottom end of the shopping experience......upmarket dept stores adjacent to haphazard street stalls. Shoe shining booths line many streets. Some food is unrecognisable, but we've seen plenty that we could attempt to eat.
Not seen one maccas in our travels as yet, which has surprised us!
However plenty of donut shops, bakeries, coffee shops and a few fast food chicken outlets. Lots of cars. A fair few people , but not overwhelming. We have to remind ourselves to look left, right left and then right, left, right.... and then run for our lives. People in cars and motorbikes do amazing things!
Going out again in the early evening to check out more interesting places and to look for an evening meal we all like!
We found a good place to eat dinner, thanks to Stuart's suggestions. It was only a few minutes' walk from our apartment. Cameron and I both had a sort of an omelette/crepe filled with tasty rice and veges and sauce. Richard had a bowl of rice with strips of beef and several veges. It had the usual spicy accompaniments eg kimchi, an unrecognisable yellow fruit cut into even slices and very short,wide noodles that looked like tofu.
We found a bakery and bought a few pastries for dessert. We also found a supermarket down a narrow street, a little bigger than the usual convenience stores. it was a challenge buying the things without the language, but we made it using pointing, a little bowing, smiling and some thumbs up signs!!!

Arrrived in Korea!

At Han Suites

Richard, Cameron and I have arrived safely in Seoul, after a great flight. The plane was about half full, so plenty of room around us. We had 6 seats for the three of us. Our driver met us at the arrivals with a special English sign.
He drove us quite swiftly to our lovely apartment, in the heart of Seoul. That trip took an hour, with little holdups and the traffic heading out of Seoul was pretty amazing to watch. We travelled on and passed over several multi- laned roads and long bridges over waterways and the river. Very interesting to sit back and be driven! Glad we didn't try to hire a a car!!!!
Stuart and Cherie were waiting for us at the Han Suites. It was fantastic to see them. It all feels a bit unreal that we are way up here on the top half of the world!
They found us a little barbecue place where we cooked the pork at the table and wrapped it up in fresh lettuce leaves with all sorts of sauces and veges. Very tasty. Our advice is stay away from the wasabi ( looked like avocado paste), but all else was OK.
Stuart and Cherie had bought us food supplies to start us on our adventure. They had found a French bakery and bought us a lovely cake to celebrate our arrival.
Cherie brought my special wedding outfit to try and it fits! We emptied half our bags to give them all the things we'd brought from home!
All in all, a wonderful first day!




Our tasty barbecued pork meal with spicy trimmings.


Celebration cake. Complete with little party fire crackers and candles.

Off to Korea

We are packing our bags!
We drive to Sydney on Wednesday night, April 15.
The next morning we fly out to Seoul and arrive there early in the evening.
We are staying at Han Suites www.hansuites.com
The wedding will be held on Saturday April 25 at 4pm.
The following evening, we will have to say goodbye to Stuart and Cherie Lamont!
We arrive in Sydney on the morning of April 27. We have the rest of the day to drive home.

Stuart and Cherie's wedding invitation

Here is the wedding invitation:







Stuart and Cherie wrote us an English insert, which is helpful:



Here is the link to the place where they are holding the wedding ceremony and reception:
http://www.kdwedding.co.kr/
The wedding ceremony is in the Ruby Hall and the reception is in the Banquet room

Where did February and March go?

Excuses...
I have been busy at school. Not a spare minute until now to update this blog!
I have a great year3 class and a wonderful teaching partner, but it's hectic. No time for a social life.
Two weeks to go of this term and then it's Easter.
After Easter, Cameron, Rick and me will be jetting off to Seoul for the big wedding! Stuart and Cherie are getting married in Seoul on April 25.
Much excitement and anticipation!
Rick and I have bought new suitcases ready for the big trip. Our passports are all in order. I have bought my low black shoes to wear with my special outfit, called a"hanbok". The men have their suits ready. We fly out on April 16 and we return on April27. It's not long now!



Aren't they lovely suitcases?



I checked with our Korean experts as to whether these shoes were suitable. They got the tick of approval. Pity about the legs! Glad the hanbok is full length!

The tale of some lovely nieces and others......

We have recently welcomed back Lyndal and Nick from their one-year adventure in London. They came back just in time for Amy and Gavin's wedding.


Miriam , Amy, Janelle, Lyndal and Sylvia at the wedding.


Cameron and Nick at Amy and Gavin's wedding.


Lyndal looked beautiful as the matron of honour and Bruce was telling Gavin that he doesn't have to worry if it rains , because the roof of his sports car is backin place.




We have farewelled Avril, who is spending a year in Connecticut.


Goodbye Avril.


Deirdre and Pa at the airport, farewelling Avril


Pa and Paul at the airport

.
Ma and Sarah at the airport.



We have celebrated with Amy and Gavin , as they were married in style on March 14.


Amy looked beautiful , as did Sylvia. Gavin scrubbed up very well.


Cameron and cousin Emma

Breaking news...
James and Sarah have announced their engagement today - 28th March, 2009


Matt, Miriam and newly- engaged Sarah

Newly- engaged James, on the right

Stuart is in Seoul

We have heard from Stuart and all is going well in Seoul so far. Cherie was overjoyed to see him and her family have welcomed him warmly. It is freezing cold there!
He has an orientation day at his job on Saturday 3 Jan and then he starts on Monday. His accommodation is good and the boss is very friendly and welcoming. Cherie and Stuart will go ahead and make wedding plans. They hope to be married in Seoul on April 25, 2009! We hope to join them in Seoul for the wedding.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On Christmas Eve, the Lamonts and the Canberra Frazers had dinner together. We missed Lyndal and Nick being with us. They spent Christmas in New York.
On Christmas Day we went to church here in Canberra and then drove to Sydney for dinner. We packed up Stuart completely from Canberra , as he had just got word that he would be leaving for Seoul sometime after Christmas.

Christmas Eve in Canberra...





Christmas in Sydney...









So the four of us travelled with the trailer to Sydney. We had a great family get together and delicious food at Deirdre's house. Paul and Jeni weren't with us as they were visiting Jeni's family in Melbourne. Paul and Jeni kindly offered for us to stay over night in their lovely apartment with an ocean view. That was very pleasant indeed!
We also missed seeing family from London, Ballarat, Wollongong and Gunnedah. We welcomed Sarah Elizabeth and missed being able to introduce Cherie.

The following day was Boxing Day. We had a beautiful brunch with the extended family at cousin Anne's house, before Rick and I took off to Newcastle to see Philip Lamont. The next day, Tom and Angela Lamont joined us and we had a great time catching up over an Italian lunch. We also toured the John Hunter Hospital, where Philip is working.


We returned to Sydney and had breakfast with Andrew at the Lugarno Deli.

Happy New Year ! Hope 2009 is a great year for you!

Stuart has safely arrived in Seoul, Sth Korea. His flight left Sydney at 9:30am on New year's Eve.
He called to say he had arrived safely and he and Cherie were travelling from Seoul airport(at about 10:30pm our time) . He said he was on the way to see the school where he'll be teaching English. Following that he was going to be taken to his accommodation. It was great that he could go earlier than expected. Cherie was very excited too. Initially it was going to be February.