봄놀이

The sky was cheery. The flowers were blooming beautifully. Birds, just out of their winter slumber, were feeding leisurely on the lawn. A group of students, waving placards and banners, joined in the 'spring celebrations'. There was no disturbance or disorderliness. The students' presence added a pinch of excitement to the joyous atmosphere. They left satisfied after being seen and heard. I took a deep breath. The air of freedom was light and refreshing.

동작대교

Cafes are everywhere in Seoul. You can even find them on top of a bridge. Dongjak Bridge (동작대교, 銅雀大橋) has two cafes where you can have a cuppa while enjoying view of clouds or sunset. The two cafes, Cloud Cafe and Sunset Cafe, are separated by an expressway and subway track. To get there, take subway line 4 and alight at Dongjak Station and then exit by Exit 1.

The two cafes, which are mirror images of one another, are 'perched' 8-storey high above Hangang park, on both sides of the bridge. The cafes are served by elevator. Level 1 is park level, 2 is bridge level and 3 is cafe level.

Dongjak Bridge (동작대교, 銅雀大橋)

Remaining of the evening glow slowly fading into darkness

Darkness finally descended at Hangang

Sunset Cafe (노을 카페)

Cloud Cafe on the opposite side of expressway

Cloud Cafe (구름 카페)

걷기, 찍기, 올리기

I walk, I shoot, I post. That was my favourite past time in Korea. I have not shoot a picture for a long time. By the way, my camera died on me several months ago, probably due to extended period of neglect. I don't think it has regrets; it has served its due purpose - record my sojourn in Korea.

지금

가장 비싼 금이 뭔지 아세요?

가장 비싼 금은 황금도 백금도 아니고 지금입니다.

[Translation]

What is the most expensive 'metal'?

It is neither gold nor platinum, it is 'present'.

As the price of gold continues to shoot through the roof and beyond the reach of many people, fret not! we are still in possession of something more worthy, more precious. What we will be or not be, our regrets, our success, the day when dream comes true, depend on our present and not past. Alas, present is a capital, though in great abundance is badly under-utilised.

Sitting and doing nothing at a quiet seaside during spring

Wasting time away in a cafe during a free afternoon

해당화

贴梗海棠 (Chaenomeles speciosa)

春天里，不止要赏樱花，也要赏赏海棠花。

北宋文人苏东坡因为不忍心海棠的娇艳妩媚被月光遗弃，所以愿意在夜深人静的时候点起蜡烛继续照亮它的明艳红妆。他在《海棠》诗里如此写到：

“东风袅袅泛崇光，香雾空蒙月转廊。
只恐夜深花睡去，故烧高烛照红妆。”

明代“风流才子”唐伯虎在他所画的《海棠美人图》上提了这么一首诗：
“褪尽东风满面妆，可怜蝶粉与蜂狂。
自今意思谁能说，一片春心付海棠。”

男人要称得上风流就必须先懂得女人心。唐伯虎以此诗来比喻女人藏起来的心事就好比海棠无法散发香味一样，惹得蜂蝶不知如何是好。

现代文学家张爱玲人生有三恨：一恨海棠无香，二恨鲥鱼多刺，三恨红楼梦未完。

当代女作家冰心在她的散文《一日的春光》里有这么一段写到他对海棠无香的看法：

“东坡恨海棠无香，我却以为若是香得不妙，宁可无香。我的院里栽了几棵丁香和珍珠梅，夏天还有玉簪，秋天还有菊花，栽后都很后悔。因为这些花香，都使我头痛，不能折来养在屋里。所以有香的花中，我只爱兰花、桂花、香豆花和玫瑰，无香的花中，海棠要算我最喜欢的了。”

海棠在中国深受文人墨客的青睐，最主要的原因是因为在它出众的姿色之中嗅不到任何的脂粉味。如果你能接受海棠无香，或许你也会明白为什么真爱无言。

韩国也有海棠花，可是韩国的海棠花(Rosa rugosa)不是中国人所熟知的海棠花。 韩国的海棠花不止比中国的大，而且还有香味。尽管如此，中国或韩国的海棠花，如同玫瑰和苹果，都属蔷薇科。说到底还是一家人。

해당화 (Rosa rugosa)

4월 첫날

Hi everyone, I am back in Korea. Spring is in the air although the morning air is still chilly. It feels so much like home-coming to see familiar sights like Gyeongbok Palace once again. I can't wait to see the cherry blossoms soon.

Walking down Hyoja-ro (효자로, 孝子路) beside Gyeongbok Palace

The enchanting Gwanghwamun at night

I hope you do realise that it is April Fools' Day today :)