Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron29]

Today I was on the Ganghwa island all day tour. I can say now this was one of the best tours on this first segment and I would recommend it. It does start with a long bus drive to the Peace Museum and lookout over North Korea. So pictures from the bus. first up the massive number of high rise apartments around Incheon.

 

 

 

Gradually giving way to agricultural land.

 

 

 

 

 

And through small towns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

Looking out to North Korea.

 

 

 

 

Finally at the car park.

 

 

But a fairly steep climb up to the Peace centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

First I walked around the Peace building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the entrance they had a special plaque of the contribution of the Australian forces in the Korean War.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the building are a series of photos of the salvage of a South Korean corvette which sank in 2010

with many Koreans feeling it was due to North Korean activity but there is a lot of controversy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Cheonan_sinking

 

 

 

 

 

 

And interesting sign on the elevators.

 

[drron29]

A display of North Korean Propaganda.

 

 

 

 

And a room for people to put their wish for reconciliation. Though most older Koreans don't want to see an united Korea.

 

 

 

A map of the island and it's surrounds.

 

At the top is North Korea. in the centre of the bottom of the map is Ganghwa Island and the tiny red dot of it in the middle of the picture is our position.

 

Views across to North Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

There was a little general store at ground level I thought they mave have some snacks. Nothing I would like. A big display of mushrooms.

 

I could have bought some choccie biscuits.

 

Another walk around outside waiting until we could return to the bus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The steep path down to the bus was lined by South Korea's National flower. but only 1 was flowering.

 

[drron29]

We now set off for the lunch menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is rice harvesting season.

 

Now to the restaurant for lunch. They appear to love their dogs.

 

 

 

Now there was a bit of a mix up as our guide had told the restaurant that we all wanted beef but some of us preferred pork. This totally confused the serving staff. As well each bowl of beef or platter of pork was meant to be shared by 2 people but if you were solo you got the same bowl just for yourself. Han't realised how many solo passengers were on this excursion. The servers became totall confused so I ende up with a serving of beef as well as a serving of pork.

 

 

There were sides.

 

 

plus self serve salad and pickles.

 

And you got 1 drink. So I had a local beer.

 

This is the restaurant taken as we walked back to the bus.

 

Other pics on the walk back.

 

.

[drron29]

Next a drive to a cultural village and an old Christian church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

glimpses of autumn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Old Korean buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steep and rough stairs with no railing presented a bit of a challenge.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Now to the church which started off as a Catholic church but is now an Anglican church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grave of the founder of the church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some old photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Our next stop was for coffe. A very interesting coffee place with an art gallery. Some traditional items.

 

And the actual coffee place done up as a movie studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolutely jumping and the coffee wasn't bad. You could also get some bakery items,

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn't brave enough to try the Horong sausage.

[drron29]

I now went outside to view their quirky collection with some lovely flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

More of this unusual collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then walked around the surrounding streets before getting back to the bus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Finally off to another market.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of large turnips.

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of varieties of kimchi.

 

As you can see they offered samples. who was I to refuse. I found out that this one was made with those turnips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Now to the outside market. How many chillies do you want?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I found out that I don't like black gingko.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The last of the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And more evidence of autumn.

 

A long drive back to the ship. Rice harvest was still happening.

 

 

 

 

And night lights of Incheon port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

That evening it was Indochine. the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are presented with some Naan and a hot and a mango chutney to start. As well a sample cocktail. The first 2 nights based on Midori.

 

 

My red wine,

 

Rojaan had the beef tataki ( no picture ) and I the exotic foie gras.

 

Rojaan then had the ribs and I the lemongrass beef. Both excellent.

 

 

Then desserts. Rojaan chose the rice pudding and I the creme brulee. After she had one mouthful of the rice pudding which was bland we swapped desserts.

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

6 minutes ago, drron29 said:

That evening it was Indochine. the menu.

 

Nice range of dining details and "food porn".  Appreciate the sharing.  Excellent summary from the Silversea background and details by their CEO and other top executives.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[drron29]

The next day we didn't want to spend an hour each way into Seoul for the all day tours. So a leisurely start with breakfast in Atlantide. Rojaan had a mushroom omelet and I eggs Benedict.

 

 

Some new flowers.

 

And back to Atlantide for lunch.

 

 

The wines.

 

Rojaan had the roasted leg of lamb and I the porcini stroganoff which was excellent.

 

 

Then we both had the apple strudel.

 

 

I decided to take the shuttle into town to do some mall walking instead of deck 11 laps as rain was threatening. However the shuttle didn't run over lunch so I had to wait until 2,30pm. So a couple of pics from the balcony.

 

 

fresh water being delivered.

[drron29]

The shuttle takes you to the Hyundai Mall. Mostly high end shops but a few local businesses as well. A good place for Mall walking and I easily got to my step count.

 

 

A name we have known on visits to the US.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They build several apartment blocks at the same time,

 

[drron29]

I walked around at the port as well. Unfortunately not a great sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

And we sail away.

 

 

 

From now on plenty of small fishing boats.

 

[mchell810]

I always love sailing under a bridge.  Nice photos.

[drron29]

Atlantide again. As you may have guessed it is our favourite venue for dinner. Indochine is OK for a couple of vists but Rojaan doesn't do spicy food so it is a limited menu for her. We also find the service their to be a notch lower.

We also don't think La Terrazza is great. We prefer a nonna's cooking which we can easily find at home. Kaiseki is better on the Muse than on the Moon and Dawn as it is a teppanyaki restaurant at night. We don't want to spend $80 a night that often. Silver note. Again we were not impressed when we did finally get there. La Dame no longer is that much better than the other restaurants now and not worth the upcharge.

So on to the menu.

 

 

Rojaan started with the duck and I the Mediterranean vegetable salad.

 

Then I had the brab and beer soup.

 

To finish Rojaan had the prawns and I the fillet. Both excellent.