The Stophers Come to Korea: Suwon

Ric's mum and dad, Ali and Alan, arrived here on April 18th, after taking the indirect route to Korea via London, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and Russia! They put our adventures to shame and took the trans-Siberian express through Russia, taking a leisurely three weeks to get here.

They stayed with us for three weeks, during which Ric's brother, Jeremy, also joined the party. 

Jeremy, Ali, Korean character, Ric and Alan

Unfortunately we had to work throughout the weeks they were here, but we did manage to fit in some fun weekend excursions. 

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Although Ric and I have visited the fortress before, neither of us had completed the full 6km walk along its walls, so it seemed like a good place for Ali and Alan to stretch their legs after three weeks of sitting on numerous trains in the middle of Siberia. We picked a beautiful spring day for it too, with the flowers blossoming and sun shining warm and bright.

The walls provide a great views of Suwon. Below is a huge Roman-Catholic church that looks rather out of place next to the fortress and the low level traditional housing.

It took us about two hours to walk the entire walls, stopping occasionally to eat ice cream, take photos and get harassed by Korean youths who were excited to see a two generations of western people hanging out together. 

Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon, with Jenny Burns

After a hectic and muddy Saturday I left Ric behind and took the train 30 minutes north to Suwon to visit Jenny Burns.

Jenny at the bottom of the steps (that disappear into the trees)
No further pictures were taken of us because we were so gross.

We went to Hwaseong Fortress and climbed what felt like 3000 steps, stopping half way to shelter from a crazy storm. The fortress is really impressive; the walk of the walls if 7km long and that's after/if you survive the steps! Needless to say we didn't walk the entire length as by the time we reached the top we'd both sweated away a third of our body weight! Along the walls there are plenty of ornate huts and temples and the view of Suwon from the top is stunning, even in the smog and the clouds. There's even a giant bell that you can ring by banging it with a huge wood log. The fortress circles the city centre but is pretty difficult to spot from street level due to all the high rise buildings, from the top however you can how it's just nestled in with among all the apartment blocks and shops.

Interesting Grandad fact provided by Burns herself: the fortress was built by King Jeongjo in honour of his father who had been murdered by his Grandfather!

Suwon skyline.

Large bell.

Temple

Suwon.

The fortress was nice and it was even nicer to catch up with Jenny and share our teaching tales and travel plans. Hopefully being seeing more of her soon!