Friday, May 28, 2010

Korea! Folk Museum






One of favorite parts of the whole trip was going to the Korean Folk Museum, where we saw how life was in traditional Korean villages, with hands-on craft- and food-making activities, performances, and so forth. It was very interesting and relaxing and capped off and great trip.

Korea! Seoul






We had a great time in Seoul. We went to the national palace with the folk center and palace museum, saw the traditional changing of the guards and took in the sights and shopping of the big city.

Korea! On base






After China, we spent 3 days in Korea with my sister and her family. They showed us a great time and took to the various places around base including the fish doctor, with fish that come and eat the dead skin off your feet. After you get past the yeck factor, it's actually pretty cool. We also enjoyed a traditional Korean BBQ, dress-up for the kids and a food market with all sorts of interesting things to try.

China! Olympic Sites





We had to go and check out the Bird's Nest and Water Cube on our way out of town. Simply amazing!

China! Around town






What a great place! Beijing is a huge city with a little bit of everything in it, but we enjoyed being there.

China! Summer Palace






On our last day in China, we enjoyed the Emporer's Summer Palace. A little less crowded, but very beautiful and interesting.

Friday, May 7, 2010

China! Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square






The Forbidden Palace really is amazing--and huge! We couldn't believe how many palaces and thrones and gates and ornate decorations that just kept coming as we worked our way through. Quite grand and majestic the entire way through. It was definitely the busiest, most crowded place we visited, and Kaitlyn got lots of looks and comments about her red hair, even with her hat on. Tianamen Square is pretty incredible too, mainly by the sheer size of it all and a overwhelming sense of all the history that's taken place there.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

China! The Great Wall






We excursioned out to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. It is admittedly pretty touristy now, but was still amazing to see and we had fun climbing a steep section and then looking out as the wall extended past the horizon on both directions.

China! Temple of Heaven and Ming Tombs






We had a great time on our trip to China and Korea. Kaitlyn came along with us and we saw some amazing things and had a lot of fun together. Here's some pictures from the Temple of Heaven and the Ming Tombs!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Spring Pictures 2010






We made our annual trek to Temple Square for our spring pictures, and once again were blown away by the beauty of Temple Square at the peak of Tulip Season. It is truly something to behold.