Like clockwork

Spring never arrives with subtlety in Korea. The second week of April always finds Seoul exploding in colour, especially due to the blooming cherry blossoms. These days the cherry blossom festival in Yeouido is always a big draw for crowds (at least for people in southwestern Seoul), though in the early 20th century, Changgyeonggung Palace - turned into Changgyeongwon park and zoo by the Japanese - was the place to go:

From Seoul Through Pictures Vol. 2

Here are a few photos taken over the past few years of mostly cherry blossoms (within a few hundred meters of my house, unless stated otherwise):

2006.04.08

The above shot is my only one of cherry blossoms on Yeouido. It was taken while driving by on the Olympic Expressway while heading out on this trip.

2001.03.25

Taken near Wolchulsan in Jeollanam-do, on my second trip into the countryside.

2002.04.07 (or 4.14)

The two photos above were taken in Gangneung, near Gyeongpodae and Gangneung's lake.

2007.04.11

2009.04.12

2009.04.12

The two photos above were taken south of Gimpo Airport, on the border between Seoul and Bucheon.

2008.04.14

The above photo was taken near Banghwa Station.

2008.04.06

Forsythia and azaleas on Gaehwasan.

2008.04.14

2008.04.08

2009.04.08

2007.04.12

2008.04.11

2005.04.11

2005.04.11

The shot above isn't so spectacular, but a cropped version of it did serve as the header of this blog for a few years.

2009.04.07 (벚꽃 or 불꽃?)

2009.04.07