Seoraksan National Park
A few weeks ago (sorry, I'm a bit behind) my co-worker Sara and I enjoyed a 3 day weekend trip to Seoraksan National Park, which is located in the top NE corner of South Korea.
The mountains were ridiculously beautiful, and I hadn't realized how badly I needed a vacation until we got there. We took a night bus up there (7 1/2 hours) and arrived at our little minbak around 6:30am. A minbak is a cheap hotel where you sleep on a mat on the floor (usually heated). Our minbak was family owned, but the family was not at home! Horror! We knocked on the doors, we called their phone...nothing. We're desperate for sleep at this point and then - we find an open room. We debate - hm, should we?? I'm starting to see strange things, so we decide to write a note to the owners. Sara has more Korean skills than
I, and, armed with a phrasebook, we proceed to write one of the worst letters ever. The translation was something akin to: "Dear owner man. Handphone many. No! Up room now. To be sleepy. Really! Okay? Sorry!" Ha. We'd just settled down on the mats when they gave us a call back - be there in 10! Sara and I quickly threw everything back in the corner, and raced down to the front steps to grab the note and pretend nothing had happened. Success! Good thing, since that was NOT our room.
Afer a few hours sleep, we went into the park and did a 4k hike to Biryong Waterfalls. It was very peaceful, and we both brought a book to sit on the rocks and relax. That night we played a few mean games of Travel Scrabble and raided a nearby convenience store for food.
The next morning we woke up early and went back in to the park. First we explored a small temple with a humongous statue
of Buddha. There were dozens of hanging lanterns since it was Buddha's birthday, and there were many worshipers paying homage. It was a beautiful sight. Then we made an attempt at Ulsan Bawi, a more strenuous hike that promised great views. Bawi means rock. According to legend, when the gods made Seoraksan, every part of Korea sent rocks to be included. Ulsan was late, and by the time it arrived, there was no more space, so it perched itself on top of the mountain. Nice little story. On the way up we explored a cave temple, which was maybe 40 feet across, built inside the side of the mountain. At the time, there was a ceremony being conducted by a few monks that was very interesting to watch.
The hike itself got a little tough towards the end, climbing over boulders and the like. Then, the last part - 800 steps! Ugh. Burning calf muscles. There were so many people hiking that sometimes we had to wait to wiggle around a particularly tight corner. We make it to the top and then - it starts raining. Ahh. Luckily the view was as good as predicted. We spent a few minutes gazing around, but inclement weather prompted a speedy retreat. There was a little girl at the top who was NOT happy with her daddy at the moment. He had to carry her back down. We stayed behind them so that we could go slow too - so many Koreans like to run down the mountainside and it stresses me out to have them on my heels! On the way down we came across another temple to explore. The mountainside is dotted with little temples.
We went in to town for some pizza. It was much needed after that hike. Another relaxing evening. Woke early again for our last morning in the park. We attempted to go up a cable car, but apparently you had to reserve a spot hours in advance and we didn't have the time. Instead, harumphed, bought some ice cream, went down to the river, found a nice big boulder, and sunned ourselves and read to our heart's content. Not a bad way to spend the day, I'll tell you. Finally, with much sighs, we dragged ourselves away to the bus station and headed for home. Such a beautiful, lovely trip.
The mountains were ridiculously beautiful, and I hadn't realized how badly I needed a vacation until we got there. We took a night bus up there (7 1/2 hours) and arrived at our little minbak around 6:30am. A minbak is a cheap hotel where you sleep on a mat on the floor (usually heated). Our minbak was family owned, but the family was not at home! Horror! We knocked on the doors, we called their phone...nothing. We're desperate for sleep at this point and then - we find an open room. We debate - hm, should we?? I'm starting to see strange things, so we decide to write a note to the owners. Sara has more Korean skills than
I, and, armed with a phrasebook, we proceed to write one of the worst letters ever. The translation was something akin to: "Dear owner man. Handphone many. No! Up room now. To be sleepy. Really! Okay? Sorry!" Ha. We'd just settled down on the mats when they gave us a call back - be there in 10! Sara and I quickly threw everything back in the corner, and raced down to the front steps to grab the note and pretend nothing had happened. Success! Good thing, since that was NOT our room.Afer a few hours sleep, we went into the park and did a 4k hike to Biryong Waterfalls. It was very peaceful, and we both brought a book to sit on the rocks and relax. That night we played a few mean games of Travel Scrabble and raided a nearby convenience store for food.
The next morning we woke up early and went back in to the park. First we explored a small temple with a humongous statue
of Buddha. There were dozens of hanging lanterns since it was Buddha's birthday, and there were many worshipers paying homage. It was a beautiful sight. Then we made an attempt at Ulsan Bawi, a more strenuous hike that promised great views. Bawi means rock. According to legend, when the gods made Seoraksan, every part of Korea sent rocks to be included. Ulsan was late, and by the time it arrived, there was no more space, so it perched itself on top of the mountain. Nice little story. On the way up we explored a cave temple, which was maybe 40 feet across, built inside the side of the mountain. At the time, there was a ceremony being conducted by a few monks that was very interesting to watch.The hike itself got a little tough towards the end, climbing over boulders and the like. Then, the last part - 800 steps! Ugh. Burning calf muscles. There were so many people hiking that sometimes we had to wait to wiggle around a particularly tight corner. We make it to the top and then - it starts raining. Ahh. Luckily the view was as good as predicted. We spent a few minutes gazing around, but inclement weather prompted a speedy retreat. There was a little girl at the top who was NOT happy with her daddy at the moment. He had to carry her back down. We stayed behind them so that we could go slow too - so many Koreans like to run down the mountainside and it stresses me out to have them on my heels! On the way down we came across another temple to explore. The mountainside is dotted with little temples.
We went in to town for some pizza. It was much needed after that hike. Another relaxing evening. Woke early again for our last morning in the park. We attempted to go up a cable car, but apparently you had to reserve a spot hours in advance and we didn't have the time. Instead, harumphed, bought some ice cream, went down to the river, found a nice big boulder, and sunned ourselves and read to our heart's content. Not a bad way to spend the day, I'll tell you. Finally, with much sighs, we dragged ourselves away to the bus station and headed for home. Such a beautiful, lovely trip.
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