Originally, we had planned to go with Jody and his family to Seoul Grand Park for a camping trip, but things came up at the last minute so we just ended up spending the day together. In fact it
turned out to be a really Fun and Amazing day!We met Jody at Noryangjin Fish Market, this was a special request from me as you can't find these kinds of wholesale and fresh seafood markets in Hong Kong or Canada or the US. (actually, I wanted to go on a fishing boat and catch my own fish, but I'm happy
with this too! hehe...)We walked around the market to have a look at what fishes/seafood we would like to eat, but with our inexperience we really needed Jody's expertise. Jen, it's just like in Family Outing when the family goes to the market in the morning to get food for breakfast! hahaha!
The bones from the fish were used to make maeuntang (spicy fish soup). Jody showed us how they make maeuntang and added in ramyun. When all the fish and vegetables in the soup was done, Jody added in rice to make juk (congee)! We had sooo much food! But it was so good!
above: photo by eve wu
Flounder KRW25,000Lettuce & condiments, Maeuntang and drinks in restaurant KRW 15,000
I think for a meal for 3, and the quality of the fish and meal, it was a very good value! (KRW40,000)
After lunch, we left and made our way to Gangnam (south of the Han river), this area is the new downtown and city centre. Houses in this area are usually more expensive and many large MNCs have moved their head office across to this area.
Jody brought us to the Korea National University of Arts and the Seoul Arts Centre to attend a concert that showcases Korean traditional music. At KRW 10,000 for a concert of high calibre, this was a very good deal! We arrived early and got our tickets then walked around the gugak museum (music museum).
above: in the gugak museum
below: the performance auditorium
below: the performance auditorium
To be truthful, I was nodding my head and ready to fall asleep during the first two 
performances as they were very very very slow, and the auditorium was very warm. Good thing the last three performances were much more lively and more interesting with dancing as well so it was quite enjoyable.The Seoul Arts Centre which presents many large scale productions such as dance, opera, concerts etc is shaped like the hats that scholars wore historically.
Last event of the day was to get to Yeouido for the fireworks. As part of the Hi Seoul Festival's closing ceremony, a fireworks display by China, Canada and Korea was done by the Han river. We decided to take the subway to Yeouido as we knew that the roads would be blocked. Never in a million years would I have imagined that Seoul's subways could be soooo packed!
I've never gone to see the fireworks in Hong Kong, and in Toronto, it was packed, but the crowds were not as big. The 3 of us got on the subway, but we were seriously squished in with everyone else, our faces were like a breath's away from each other.....
yummy fried chicken
When we finally made it to Yeouido, we picked up some fried chicken (another thing that I really wanted to try in Korea) and beer and then headed to the water to pick a spot to watch the fireworks. No later than having picked a spot between some parked cars, the fireworks started. First off was China, they did some really spectacular fireworks Big and Red!
China's firework display
Then Canada came, their display was more subdue and the music that accompanied was very slow.... not that great compared to China..... but I still liked some of the ones that were fired up.
above: some of my favourite shots of Canada's fireworks display
below: photo by eve wu
Lastly came Korea! They did an amazing job! They really put some thought into the design of the fireworks! The music was great and they even added laser lights to the display.
below: photo by eve wu
It's unfortunately that I can't put ALL the photos from the fireworks here, we were constantly taking photos trying to capture the spectacular sights, but these photos definitely don't do it justice.
above: more of Korea's fireworks display
oh, and the fried chicken was SOOOOO yummy! It didn't taste like frozen chicken (like those
that are from KFC or McDonalds), the crispy skin and the moist meat.... mmmm, and the beer! It was all perfect! Apparently fried chicken and beer is a really common meal in Korea, a lot of people go for beer and fried chicken after work with co-workers. Total steps walked: 13,138 steps
photos by eve wu
above: it's not a fire, it was fireworks from the side of the bridge, it was like a waterfallbelow: the crowd disperse after the fireworks
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