My last few days in Korea...

We really enjoyed our time in Seoul. It was sad to leave because it really became, 'home' to us. Below are a few pics of our Villa and the catacombs that made up our neighborhood. We finally went UP the Seoul Tower! Our norm was to hike up, get Lemon Ice, take in the view and descend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_Seoul_Tower - we lived at the base of it.

Our Villa is the top floor (both sets of windows) on the right.

Best view in Seoul!

It's a long flight no matter how you spin it.

My favorite Manduguk (Mandu Soup) place...what I would do for a bowl now!

Saipan, Micronesia

After Tokyo we went to Saipan for serious R & R. Fastest airport EVER. We were the last passengers on the plane and were in the cab in 5 minutes...physically in the hotel in 10 (ahh I love an island thats only 5 miles wide & 12 miles long). We loved Saipan (although we had to make a hotel switch b/c I made a slight error, ha! I have a very understanding husband). By far the best snorkeling ever.

Tokyo Tower

I was so pumped to see real Geisha's (not really but traditional costume!). Confirmed: Those wooden shoes are hard to walk in.

Walking to Sumo

Each flag represents a wrestler. I need to re-confirm w/ Vince but I believe 'Basho' which goes on only a few times a year (Tokyo, Okinawa etc.) around Japan is held for 18 days straight. Each day they have the oppty to win a significant amount of money (I think we discussed up to 85k if the pros won each match each day).

Fuji!

Mt Fuji is incredible! It's simply perfect and always seems to look like a painting. We understand now why there are so many paintings of this magnificent mountain.

Japan's Swiss Alps

Hakone

We traveled to Mt. Fuji via bus from Tokyo (about 1.5 hrs) and went up to the 4th station. Next stop was the village of Hakone (known for their hot springs) where we hopped on a boat that took us across the lake (which is really a crater). Headed up the cable car to see the lake, Fuji, Shinto Temple & to see how close we were to the Pacific ocean on 2 sides.

Vending Machine II

We actually ordered lunch out of a vending machine at 'Finger Hut' which was a diner like... take on soups and noodles.

Vending machines galore!

They have vending machines for everything...

Hotel in Tokyo

Our lil room :) The location was perfect!

Sumo Match :)

The men are insanely BIG. They throw a salt to clear the spirits and the idea is to get the other person out of the circle or to force one of their body parts to the floor. At the end of the match they squat and get paid. What you can't see is how they waddle into the arena and roll themselves on a soft squishy mat to sit on until its their turn. lol VERY interesting.

Sumo!

We were there about 5 hrs...ie we have a lot of 'cheek' on video ;) They start w/ the rookies and progress to the one's that make the big $. This was the intro to the 'pros'.