The cherry blossom season has been unfolding gently in Seoul. There were some rainy days when it was too cold to enjoy a hanami stroll (hanami is the Japanese word for flower viewing). But by the middle of the week this week, the flowers were just everywhere, and the sun was spending more time pouring through clouds than being hidden by them. Consequently, I got out and took a lot of photos.
Two places where I spent a happy time in the blossoms were Seokchon Lake near Lotte Tower, and the river walk in Wyrie, near where Hailie lives.
Seokchon lake is a manmade lake and a popular walking destination for people in the area. The ornamental cherry trees are beautiful in the spring covered with blossoms, but also fantastic in the fall when their leaves turn the color of fire.
You can see the other side of the lake in these photos and the way the trees on the other side look like a pink cloud along the water. It was a lovely Tuesday (April 2) when I snapped these. My favorite view though, from this lake, is the next one:
Lotte Tower is so iconic. I guess last year the trees blossomed at a time when the rain was coming down heavily every day, and after a couple of storms, the blossoms were all gone. So everyone is eager for some pleasant hanami this year. The pathway around this lake was wall-to-wall people.
On the 4th of April, I rounded up several friends to go walking in Wyrie, which is the new town right next to the school. Hailie gave us a ride to her apartment and we walked with her dog, Kylie, along the river walk through the town. This was a lot less crowded and a lot more pleasant.
One advantage to fewer people is that you can spend more time crafting a photo. Also the trees in Wyrie were more accessible (lower to the ground, younger, fewer obstacles between the pedestrian and the blossom) so the detail of the flowers is much better. And there was a nice variety of species as well.
These did not have much of a scent. But every now and then we would encounter one that smelled heavenly. I am told that these ornamentals will produce small, inedible fruits (unless you are a bird, then the fruit is edible). However, we saw no bees around. That seems incredible to me given the abundance of flowers we saw.
Sometimes I think my whole life has been a long hanami. I go to some extraordinary lengths to see pretty blossoms. They are so happifying.
These were some delicious-smelling trees.
Sarah, me, Hailie, and Nimmi on a bridge over the river in Wyrie. We had a great time flower-gazing.
I am hoping to check out one more flower-laden place next week. It might be too late to see it in full bloom by then, but watching the blossoms fall off the trees is also something I am excited to see. Cherry blossom snow...
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