Frozen Han River (part 6): Frozen in Styles

As usual, I made a compilation of pictures taken during today's crazy trip to the the Floating island at Banpo bridge in Han River. Who would've thought that an impromptu short trip would be this cool and cold^^. Going straight after work! Instead of going home, why not satisfy the curiosity of what Han river would look like.....in the stillness of white surface.

Frozen Han River (part 5): Keep On Swimming or Strolling

Han river could be so inviting for some..to plunge themselves into..especially during summer...and that's why..this particular lifebuoy was set up in the designated places...where accidents such as drownings are prone to occur.

Okay..I kept on strolling along the riverbank...and found some dried tall grasses...dancing to the incoming winds..../ It's not much..but at least..this was the vegetation I could see along the road...

See? No one's there. I was a bit ...well...confused myself..as to why I ended up being there. Not that I didn't remember it, it's just that I was thinking of going home instead of wandering further away from the spot where I came from. That means...I had to walk..much farther..to reach the bus stop. But, they..that's a part of the journey...of exploring Han river during winter.

Some apartments are being constructed. I just simply cannot imagine how much they'd cost. I mean..just look at them, they are all facing the river..which according to Fengshui..it's one of the ways to blend harmoniously with nature...to get some luck in return. *oh, well.

again...a self portrait..of my shadow...

...Got enough of freezing myself to the bones...and it's time for me to go home.....by bus. Not by subway..since the latter would require me to walk...and walk...before reaching the station.

So, the only possible way for me to go home faster..was by taking a bus from UNDER the bridge. Yep...the brigde has an elevated road and the one beneath it. It's Banpo bridge....

Saw this read ball....frozen in time...and snow..

Banpo Bridge...reflected onto the surface of the river. Oh, I spotted some ducks live under the bridge..and that's pretty amazing considering the cold weather and freezing water they live at. gee....but, that's the mystery of nature. 

*been a great 2-hour journey to the river bank near Banpo bridge*

Floating Island Near Banpo Bridge That Did Not.....

 ..did not work!! at all. yes, we came all the way to Banpo bridge to see the so-called and supposedly famous Banpo bridge fountaion show..only to find that the show was CANCELED!!

sigh. 

good thing ..that...there was this floating island....nearby.^^ 

the brightly lit floating market over Han River became one of the main attractions. 

so, we had no much time left to enjoy before all lights went out.^^ 

This is the Banpo Bridge fountain that did NOT work that night. oh, swell.^^ 

let just call it the night...^^ 

back to the floating island...on which cafes, exhibition, and other cultural halls are set up. 

We did not enter the halls, just being at the door steps leading to the island.

It's late already...and a bit cold and windy.... 

couples...families...and friends...took turn to take a moment or two..to take pictures. 

Freya..and her Dad. 

and Eyra, too. 

A Kebab vendor was spotted selling kebab right under the bridge. what a cool way to end the trip.

He was shouting 'halal' halal halal halal...so...tante Yuni dared herself to approach the seller..

and bought two kebabs. 

As for us, we're waiting for the bus to arrive. 

A cool way..to stand in the middle of a street under the Banpo Bridge.

^^

What a night.

A 2.6 km walk to Banpo Bridge

It was late in the evening, yet the sun had yet to set. It's summer and the sun sets at almost 8 p.m. But that day, it was a bit foggy and cloudy that we could not see the sun set. Yet, we surely knew that it was not even yet magrib or dusk, yet. 

We arrived at Dongjak station line 4 to start the journey that we never expected.

The station was right next to the river bank that as soon as got off the subway, we could see the riverbank and we stepped right onto it. See the grey buildings over there. It was Seoul from afar. Surely we WERE still in Seoul, but a different part of Seoul. 

Actually we were supposed to get off the Seoul Bus Terminal station, but we were misled by misleading information as to where we were supposed to get off. Anyhow, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. To reach the Banpo bridge (the destination that we were supposed to reach), we never expected that we had to walk for another 2.6 km!!!!!

Ok, the blessing number one: we could see another huge bridge and we were walking right underneath it.

We might as well use the chance to take the picture of it. 

I think it a bit eerie. Well, this is just exactly what it looked like when were there. The underneath seemed like another world apart. I can't believe it myself that it was right underneath the bustling city of Seoul. A very interestingly captured moment, right?

Freya, too, got a chance to take a snapshot there. Well, I did seize the moment so as no other people were visible but her. Nice view, I think.

It was another spot on our way to Banpo bridge. On our way there, we stopped to admire the landscape. Nice to go somewhere with my fellow friend, Wawan and his wife, mbak Ulfa, who always love to take a stroll everywhere we go around Seoul. 

We finally got into the destination: Banpo bridge. This building is a floating island in Hangang. Yes, it is a man-made island on Hangang^^. Amusement park, theater, museum, digital and media art center, cafes, and public spaces are available there.

Banpo Bridge's View

Some of the views that we took while visiting the Banpo bridge--famous for its nightly view of Seoul with its colorful water-show.

Who would not want to spend an hour or two right on the river bank like this?

A ferry was visible beyond. It was about to go underneath the bridge. I think going underneath the bridge while the water-show is on kind of enhances the experience of Seoul night-viewing experience.


Strikingly different colors of water spurted from the bridge was the result of -- I think-- a computerized arrangement of water-show. The reflection of colorful 'water-fall' on the surface of the river at night gave a somewhat a 

Banpo Bridge over Hangang

Banpo Bridge over Han River in Seoul

The reason why we came there was simple: as what other folks have been raving about: it has a nightly show of dancing water fall or sort of.

Would not expect that lots of people would just turn out to be there. 

                                               

The colorful displays of waterfall in sync with the background music were OK. 

With the loud speakers all round the viewing points, the water fall show was enhanced by the music.

However, I'd hope that it would showcase more & more spirit  of youngsters.

 
Lots of poeple were flocking into this place..and most of them were foreigners. Funny, eh?