Advertisement
Published: October 2nd 2008
Edit Blog Post
Finnaly time to add an entry. Im feeling very comfortable and at home in Korea. Although I cant speak a great deal of Korean, being able to read and write Hangul has made life easier and sorting out bus and train timetables no problem. I was glad to get out of seoul and it has forced me to use Korean as not as much English is spoken. Spent a few days in Soraksan hiking, which apart from discovering I have the wrong power adapter meaning Im unable to charge my SLR camera batteries or mobile phone, and also dropping my SLR onto cement (only damaged the UV filter phew), it is so far the highlight of my trip. Hiked to the top of Ulsanbawi, which was a 3.5km uphill hike, followed by approx 810 staircase, which was more like a ladder it was so steep. Ontop it was so windy I didnt dare stand up for fear I'd be blown off the rock, but the view was spetacular and it gives a top of the world sensation. Nearly lost the lense cap as it fell from my bag and stopped on the edge of the cliff. Had to hold onto the
guard rail with one arm and lean out to retrieve it, quite scarring given the wind. Then hiked up to Geumganggul cave, which is situated on a cliff face and was a 40mins 1km climb straight up on yet another stair case but was worth it. There was a small temple in the cave and I followed a monk up, who makes the treck each afternoon. I will have very strong calves and thighs by the end of my trip!!! I then hiked to Biryong waterfall, by this satged it was on dusk and was beautifull. All up I hiked about 19km in the day.
Next was Gangneung and I visited Ojukheon, where Yulgok and his mother was born. Yulgok could read by age 3 and won 1st prize in the state exam for government officals at age 13. Also visited Geumgangsa in Odaesan park where I met a young Korean guy and Lebanese guy and hiked with them to Guryong waterfall and back. The water is soooo clear. The trees are still green but there are a few trees where the leaves are starting to change colour. The batteris on my camera finally died so i bought a
new little Olympus digital camera and discovered that it comes with a battery charger that fits my DSLR camera batteries, YAY.
Next was onto Samchok and Hwanseondonggul cave where I met a young Korean couple. the wife is an English teacher and the husband is learning english. Neither have ever spoken to and english person so they practice thier english on me while I practise my Korean on them. The cave is one of the largest in Asia and is massive with a river and waterfalls and great caverns. After a 2km walk in the cave the couple take me to dinner. The pork Korean dish was very hot, by also very nice. Also had a soup with tofu in it, which was very salty and I wasnt so fond of it but thought I shoud be polite and eat it anyway. It was not till I got towards bottom of bowel I discover anchovies and little crabs eeeewwww.
It was then onto Andong for a few days and the mask festival. WOW. Very colourfull and amazing, alot of fun. I tried a Bulgokki dish which had beef, glass noodles, shitaki mushrooms and onion in a broth, which
you cook on a gas stove. My god it was good. Hope I can find this dish in Australia. I also visited Dosan Suwon confusian acadamy set up by Toygye. My trip to Juwangsan was a comedy of errors as I had to catch a bus to Choseong and then to Juwangsan. I ended up on the wrong bus which stopped at Jinbu befor the driver told me I was on the worng bus. Not to worry I could catch a bus from Jinbu to Choseong, only 15km away. Got to Choseong when a bus pulled up with Seoul-Andong-Juwangsan I asked the driver Juwangsan? he nodded yes so I got on and ended up back a Jinbu where I discovered again wrong bus. So caught bus back to Choseong, which went thru to Juwangsan. I hiked up mnt Juwangsan and visited 3 waterfalls, which were spectacular. The hike was not as arduous as Soraksan, and it was cool day witha nice refreshing breeze at the top of the hike. There is more colour in the tress as the leaves are changing, I will enjoy seeing in Autum and watching the leaves change colour.
Am now in Gyeongju with a
visit to Bulguksa and Sokkuram tomorrow, which I have been hanging out to see since planning the whole trip. Havn't been able to download photos from camera yet, but with around 600 so far, will take some sorting thru anyway. Then off to Cheonan, Buyo and Busan for more festivals.
Miss you all.
Amie
Advertisement
Tot: 0.15s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 5; qc: 45; dbt: 0.1151s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb