Spring Break

With the girls week long spring break appraching we found ourselves scurrying to make some plans. We considered Seoul (too cold), Jeju island (no good flights available), and finally settled on taking a short two day trip to one of our favorite places in Korea- Gyeongju. We spent a bit of time there this fall, but wanted to go back again. The girls were so anxious for a vacation (ie hotel) we opted to spend two days there and overnight at the nice Hilton hotel. We got a great room package for a family suite, breakfast, and pool passes. The highlight for the girls was honestly the impending promise of the pool. They asked all day during our explorations if it was time to swim yet. I think we were highly spoiled in Barbados with the abundant swimming opportunities. . . . 

It was a great mini-vacation. We enjoyed the early signs of spring, the tiny flower blossoms and warming air. We enjoyed two temples, an park of ancient burial mounds, and the Anapji pond- which was once a royal palace. After a day of taking in the sights (and staving off requests for the pool) we headed to the hotel for some relaxation, food, and swimming.

Seokguram "The Grotto"

This is one of the oldest temples in Korea- dating back to 744, and one of the few that survived Japanese occupation rather unscathed, probably owing much to it's location high up in the mountains. It is a temple built from carved stones, piled in the shape of a dome, creating a cave feel.  In terms of photographs, you can't photograph the Buddha statue and temple itself. In terms of sights, this is truly one of the more magnificent ones. It is a beautiful, beautiful shrine. 

The building at the top of the picture is where the temple and Buddha are, hidden in the mountain side. 

Temples here often have spring water flowing, and it is believed to hold certain properties for luck, good health, etc. These are the water cups used to dip into the spring to drink.

Bunhwangsa Temple

Another famous Silla dynasty temple (AD 634). We first brought Emily here when she was about 18 months old. She ran through the courtyard trying to kiss all the Buddha statues she could find. 

Posing like a true Korean. V is for Victory.

A rather forgotten looking temple building.

This time it was Hannah giving out the Buddha love.

Imhaejeon Site (Anapji Pond)

Grounds of the Silla dynasty palace, including an excavated pond believed to have been dug by King Munmu and used to grow exotic plants and animals within the palace walls. At first glance this didn't impress us a ton. Turns out it's a diamond in the rough and is quite fascinating. They have marked off the excavated palace walls, and though not rebuilt, it is neat to see the scope of an ancient palace, to sense the grandeur it must have embodied. 

Queen of the world.

Super happy baby (as per the norm)!

Emily getting taste of fame. Check out the admiring public! And the cameras! I started to feel for the celebrities with all the paparazzi. . .  they followed us all over taking pictures of the kids. Seriously our kids draw so, so much attention here. . . . it's unreal. Today Emily was so into posing for them, they ate it up.

Hannah blowing a kiss to the group of students taking pictures behind me. There was a collective gasp of delight as she blew the kiss. Literally. The group of students loved it!

Checking out the early signs of spring- cherry blossom buds.

Finally pool time! The girls loved it. Except Madeline who barely tolerated to hated it. Check out the fashionable swim caps. You pretty much have to wear them everywhere here. 

Liking it a little more with Mama, who seems to make all well in little Madeline's world.