Niagara Falls

On my way home from Toronto, I decided to stop at Niagara Falls for a few hours.  It's been a while since I've been there and it was a great experience.  I would like to see the falls at night and a little more sun would have been nice.  I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy nature best when there are no people around.  And while there weren't that many, there were still a few.  Regardless, I still had a great time and I am glad I stopped.  Here are a few of the photos:

(I ended up parking in some garden lot and this was the few as I approached the falls)

 (Not quite sure what this was used for back in the day, but it looked like fun)

 (The old power building, I believe)

 (The view as I got closer to the falls - that's snow in the foreground)

 (It was a little misty and at one point there was a rainbow)

 (I forget what this building was, but I believe this was also a power building nestled into the valley below the falls)

(Had to get one shot with me and the falls)

(Still a little misty, and overcast)

(The Skylon Tower in the background)

 (A little icy below the falls)

(You always hear how much better the Canadian side is and I think it's solely because of the view.  There weren't many places from the US side where you could get a great view of both falls.)

(A nice young woman took this photo for me after I took one of her and her two friends)

(O' Canada)

 (The falls with a little view of the city in the background)

(The US Falls)

(These next few shots were taken below the falls.  The time I was there, this was the closest you could get.  The Maid of the Mist wasn't running and even on the Journey Behind the Falls, this was the only view...)

(A shot of the Rainbow Bridge)

(Some more mist)

 (The lower observation deck was closed because of the snow and ice)

(This is a shot of the US Falls)

(Here's the tunnel that leads to directly behind the fall)

(And here was my view - I could hear the falls outside, I just couldn't see it)

(A final shot as I was getting ready to leave)

 (The power from the falls has actually moved the fall back quite a few feet, yards, meters.  Imagine taking a barrel over this...)

Han River Cruise (At Night) Part II

Thursday during summer vacation, myself, Katrina, and Spenser all went to the Han in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Rainbow Bridge from the river.  However, sadly, we came up a bit short as the tour we took didn't go far enough down the river to reach Banpo Bridge.  Nevertheless, it was a pleasant experience and one I rather enjoyed. I would recommend taking the Hangang Cruise if you get a chance.  It was only 11,000 won or about $10.  I am going to miss the prices in Korea, that's for sure.  Anyway, have a look and see for yourself.

(A few Koreans standing outside GS25 watching the Olympics - judo I think)

(Two more new buildings going up - I will say, the economy in Korea appears to be booming.  Whether or not it actually is, well, I couldn't say.  I'm not an economy expert...)

(The sun setting over the park along the Han)

(A slightly different view)

(The 63 Building, so aptly name due to the fact there are 63 floors.  It's pretty famous in Korea.)

 

(An older lady selling some goods, some goods that light up)

(Getting to be nightime)

(My beautiful girlfriend)

(Another night shot of a bridge)

(Myself on the boat with the city behind me)

(Katrina posing for a picture)

(Sweet bridge)

(Another sweet bridge)

(Same bridge with the 63 building in the background.  It's the tallest one in the picture.)

(Under the same bridge)

(Different bridge)

(A few of the buildings along the water)

(The National Assembly building - the place where the Korean Legislative Body meets)

(A cute shot of the couple)

(My buddy Spenser came along - 63 Building again in the background)

(O' Captain, my captain for the evening)

Date Day - Hongdae and Rainbow Bridge

Last Saturday Katrina and I went on a date.  We ended up going to Hongdae, at some delicious foods and went for a stroll around Hongdae.  After that we headed to Banpo Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge.  It's special because, at least I believe, it is the longest fountain bridge in Korea.  This was one of the last things to do before I leave Korea and I was happy that Katrina and I were able to make it out there.  It is definitely something worth seeing.  Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

 (The sign says it all)

(Some graffiti in Hongdae)

 

 (A little more...)

(Some more graffiti)

(Katrina with the Tree of Life)

 

 (A little different view)

(You feeling OK?)

 

(Bathroom in Hongdae)

 

 (This was just a fun store we went into with some rainbow banners hanging from the ceiling)

 (Divine)

(Katrina at the Rainbow Bridge)

 

 (View of the Banpo Bridge from a distance)

 (The show begins while it is still light outside)

 (Date Day Couple)

(Getting a little darker out and you can start to see the lights a little bit)

 

(Yep)

 

(One of my favorite pictures from the day)

 

(Another nice photo)

 

 (Tried to get the reflection in the water)

(Black and white shot of the bridge while the fountain is off)

 

(Sadly, while it was romantic, there were also several people around taking photos)

 

 (A bit of the rainbow colors)

(Perhaps my favorite shot of the evening.  I think here you can really see the rainbow colors.)

 (Different view)

 (Again, a little more of the rainbow colors)

 (Interesting building)

 (Skyline past the Han River)

(Another view of the skyline as we walked back to the subway station)