Lotte Folk Museum and Lotte World

So another slow start to the day as we needed to touch base with our post adoption social worker who happily informed us that the guest house was very busy over the next two weeks - which we had already worked out based on the number of families that we have already seen here. We are not 100% sure of when or if we will get to meet with Mrs Kim but we know that we have Kim's foster mother booked in for Friday afternoon and they are still trying to organise Han's (although it is very likely that we will not get to see her this trip). We will be also get to view the boys files on Friday afternoon as well.

So after organising things with the agency we headed to the subway and off to Jamsil to the folk museum at Lotte. For Ian and I it was our forth visit, and the second for the boys, but we all still loved it. The museum has incredible dioramas and models of Korean history and culture. Our journey through the museum was slowed at times as we had to let groups of kindergarten children pass us with lots of waving and Hello's and Hi's as they did!

We spent lunch watching the ice skaters at the rink - little girls having their figure skating lessons, boys having their speed skating lessons and young couples out on a date. Fun to watch - with lots of giggles as you watch the tough men trying to impress their girls -- by falling over!

After lunch we went to Lotte World - a theme park like Disneyland but much smaller. The three boys went on the scary rides and I happily held the bags and waited! I went on one ride - which the boys thought was very mild - and screamed the whole way! The boys loved the Spin Drop - a huge tower that drops to the ground!

Finally a yummy tea at Hongik - bean sprout and pork stir fried at the table with noodles, as well as the usual extras of kimchi, rice and lots of water for Ian and Kim! Then back home to collapse - well for me and Kim at least - Ian is in the kitchen working and Han is in the hall tricking!!!

Just tripping around Seoul.

Lazy start to the morning. No need to rush which allowed us to have some much needed rest from the long day of travel yesterday. We headed off to the city this morning via the subway which I love. So efficient, clean and easy to navigate. There is a new subway entrance now which is closer to the agency due to a new subway line that was being built the last time we were here.

We wandered around Seoul - past Deoksugung Palace, City Hall and up to Gwanghwamum Square and then along Cheonggyecheon Stream. We ended up at Tapkol Park and Insadong for a yummy lunch and a bit of browsing at the shops.

After lunch we went to a new musical called Bipap - fantastic beat boxing and B-boy dancing. It was a great show - and given we discovered where we could get cheap tickets for all the shows we are looking forward to seeing even more.

We headed up to Hongik University tonight - an area we have never investigated before. It reminded me of Las Vegas - lots of lights, restaurants, shops and people everywhere. A great way to end the day. Back at the agency now - exhausted and it is only day 2.

Not sure what tomorrow will bring - we may have some things to do at the agency, so we will wait and see what the day brings us.

The journey begins.

Up super early this morning. We had a taxi booked for 4.30am and a flight to Sydney at 6.00am. Qantas does a very smooth system to move you from the domestic terminal to the international airport so our transfer was great. As per usual I was stopped to do the bomb residue test in Melbourne and then a full body scan at security in Sydney.

The flight to Seoul was uneventful - very easy. Lots of yummy food - bibimbap for lunch! The boys travelled well and managed to amuse themselves for the 10 hr plus flight. 

Arrived safely in Seoul. Managed to get an wifi dongle for the family -$8.00 a day for 4 devices with unlimited downloads. Found the place to buy T-money which is like a MYKI and then navigated the airport railroad to Hongik.

Now at the agency - all booked in. There has been a mix up with our rooms but we will get that sorted on Monday when the post adoption service is here. So a long day but a great start.

Hot and humid. At 10.00pm - I think it is about 20 degrees.

No photos today.....too tired to post any.

Less than 12 hrs to go....

So we have finally reached the big event. In less than 12 hours we will be at the airport to begin our next big adventure. We have a 6.00 am flight to Sydney - so a nasty 4.30 am taxi call! Then onto our Asiana Air flight to Seoul.

The weather in Seoul is looking pretty good - they have just started Autumn, so we are looking at lovely sunny days and temperatures somewhere in the mid 20's.

Really looking forward to the journey now!

In 2 weeks time we will be in Korea - our next exciting family adventure. We are really looking forward to travelling back to some familiar places and to exploring new paths not yet travelled.

Ian and I spent yesterday afternoon planning out some of the things that we will do, but to be honest this trip is far less structured than previous family adventures.

We will be staying at the agency again and look forward to spending time with Mrs Kim, the post adoption workers, seeing the boys' foster mothers, viewing the boys' files and of course - cuddling the babies in the hospital.

We have three days booked in Busan - and will travel on the bullet train to get there. Also on our plans - palaces, temples, markets, Everland, musical theatre performances, Tae Kwon Do exhibitions, fortress walls, Hanok villages, food........the list goes on!

Now we just have to get through two weeks of work and school and then the adventure begins.