Asian Adventure - Last Day In Korea, 10 May 2019

The 10th May is our last day in South Korea. Darrell's flight to Singapore and Australia departs early tomorrow morning with our scheduled flight to Siem Reap leaving at 7.15pm. It's going to be a long day, so all of us want to make the most of the time we have left.

Suffering with a hangover Darrell and I got up at midday, the first time we had actually slept in during this vacation. My Aunt was spending the day in the Demilitarized Zone, between North and South Korea, leaving Darrell and I a precious few hours together before his departure.

We decided to go for a walk in Namsan National Park, not far from our hotel. We spent time chatting about the future and discussing just where our lives our at the moment. Neither of us were sure about the direction we are heading in, especially when we are living so far apart. Darrell's Mother continues to confound her Doctors and is remarkably stable considering her Cancer diagnosis. At the moment we will both continue to do what is best for our respective families. We were able to confirm our intentions to see each other once again in October, when Darrell flies to the UK, but for now we would just enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park; nothing stressful or taxing, just a chilled day in beautiful surroundings, the like of which we will probably never see again.

Namsan Park was glimmering in the heat of the day, the sun shining intensely. A group of young Korean boys were practicing Tiquando on a stage erected in the entrance to this popular tourist destination. The numerous waterfalls and features, that were situated all over this oriental landscape were a welcome respite from the heat of the day. Sitting, talking, reminiscing about times both good and bad, in a setting so picturesque and breathtaking added an extra dimension to our conversation. When you are in the company of such resplendency, your problems don't seem so bad after all!

A short walk from the National Park, towards Myeongdong we visited another cat cafe, popular here in Korea. Darrell and I have always had a love of cats, so it was appropriate that we should spend another hour or so surrounded by more feline friends. The cats here were far more active than they were at the 'Hello Cat Cafe,' we had visited earlier in the week. It was clear this space was designed to cater for the needs of cats, and not those who were coming to visit. There were plenty of toys and apparatus to mimic a more natural environment and the resident cats seemed happy and relaxed.

We both sat down at a table in the corner, with a cold cup of lemon juice and waited for the cats to come over. These animals really are the best medicine, when you are feeling down and stressed. With Darrell returning home and Aunt Trisha and I boarding yet another flight, my anxiety levels were high. Enjoying time away from the busy city of Seoul, protected from the pollution, imposing buildings and  thronging crowds is a tonic; you can see why so many people enjoy these wonderfully welcoming places and understand why they are so sought after. This has been the most memorable aspect of my time in South Korea, a memory I will cherish for ever!

In the evening my Aunt treated us both to a meal at Calice Italian Bistro, once again in Myeongdong. The restaurant was at the bottom of a large five star hotel and was tastefully furnished, overlooking the main strip. The large bi-fold doors at the front of the building were open, letting in a soothing gentle breeze, perfect for cooling down after the blisteringly hot day. First impressions were good, as we sat at our table, waiting to be served. Aunt Trisha was wearing a brooch that Darrel's Mother had given her as a present, which went perfectly with her outfit. The ambience was impeccable, for our last day in Korea.

We were served by a young Korean girl, who was clearly on her first day at the restaurant and seemed to be rather nervous, calling over her bosses several times, to check her order. She was however polite, like every other Korean we had encountered. The Chef and owner spoke perfect English and recommended different dishes for us to try. I chose beef with Spinach and truffles; not the biggest of portions, but it tasted fantastic.

Once again we took the time to talk about what lies ahead and we were all hopeful for the future. It is difficult having to traverse the globe in order to see your partner, but it does make for a more interesting life. We have both been able to see places that we would have never visited under normal circumstances and met some wonderful characters on our journey. Korea has been an eye opener for all of us, but more so for me, because I actually liked the place and enjoyed every aspect of my time here. When we first arrived, I thought Seoul would be just like every other city we have seen before, but actually it was a lot more than that. The cultural explosion that greeted us was unforgettable, I have been so impressed by every detail of life here. The architecture, art and food have all been out of this World. Both Darrell and I agreed to return to this less explored part of the planet again one day, but until then we can at least take the memories of an exceptional, extraordinary and evocative five day expedition home with us, memories that will never fade, enduring impressions, like time itself!

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