EAST SEA!

Heading to the East Sea, I made my way to the Seoul Bus Station to enjoy the remaining part of my four day weekend! No school till Wednesday..... an adventure awaits!  Taking an Express Bus three hours to the East of Seoul to explore Sokcho Beach and Mt. Seoraksan was the plan for the long weekend. 

Not a bad ride for the next three hours! 
Very comfy with large reclining seats and  leg lifts.  

My very colorful and castle looking hotel for the next two nights!
Great location... Next door to the bus station and only a 3 minute walk to the beach!

It was a rainy Sunday (very relaxing I might add) and so my first stop after getting settled in to the hotel was to take a walk around the city, but first, I had to check out the beach!

 

  

  

The Fish Market at Abai Village where you can find
Red Snow Crab and Dried Squid!

Abai Village was formed by the refugees of  the Korean War who had left their hometown of North Korea. 60 percent of the villagers are from Hamgyeong-do, North Korea (now called Cheongho-dong - meaning 'grandfather').

 City of Sokcho!

 

 

The Expo Symbol Tower

Next day, Monday was beautiful and a perfect day for a hike to Mt. Seoraksan. This time I had brand new shoes and was ready to go! With a lunch packed, plenty of water, snacks, and even a small bottle of  'rice wine' to celebrate IF I made it to the top. I was anticipating and looking forward to a nice and slow climb taking my time to the top.

Often considered the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, Seoraksan is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea and the third highest mountain in all of South Korea!

Seated bronze Buddha Statue just at the foot of the mountain. 

The rocky trail leading to Ulsambawi Rock. 
My walking stick sure came in handy.

Heundeulbawi Rock. Yes, I had a photo bomber but decided to just go with it!

Wonderful little shrines tucked away. This one was near the Sinheungsa Temple where we could hear the sounds of the prayers the Buddhist monk was chanting. 

650m in height and is made up of six peaks. Ulsambawi Rock is a massive rock formation and is believed to have 5 stone pots containing rainwater that are thousands of years old. I didn't see them. Maybe next time.... 

Yes, almost there!

The stairway leading to the top.

The climb was intense. This time, my legs weren't the issue, it was catching my breath! Steep steps and so many of them! The best part of climbing a hike is not only the beauty of getting to the top but also the trading of stories with people you meet along the way. There was a couple from Canada that were living in South Korea too! An elementary teacher and a Taekwondo instructor both living in Gangnam just outside of Seoul. It was fun hearing about their experience at their schools on our resting stops along the way. 

It took me 2 and 1/2 hours to get here..... (Ok, maybe it was 3 but who's keeping track! Ha!) 
What a breath of fresh air!

You would not believe how windy it was up here. Gusts of wind
actually felt pretty good once I got to the top! They gave out large medals for those 
who made it to the top. I decided I didn't need to add any weight to my trip down.... 

Just over this mountain range is North Korea. Sokcho is located in the far Northeastern part of South Korea lying North of the 38th parallel and used to belong to North Korea from 1945 until the end of the Korean War when the dividing lines changed. Many of the Sokcho population have relatives in North Korea. 

To reflect on this, I decided this was where I would have my picnic lunch and a toast with my 'rice wine' to celebrate not only making it to the top but the freedom we enjoy. What a great feeling. By the way, if you're curious about whether there is internet service on the mountain, well, yes there is. Just ask Keelie and Hayden who got to experience the mountain with me via Facetime! Ha! 

While on the way down, and listening to the Doobie Brothers on my Ipod (great music to listen to at this point in my journey... Listen To the Music really hit the spot), I noticed the defeated look on so many people's faces that were trying to make it to the top.... I decided to give encouragement to the people on their way up. It's wonderful how just my giving the universal 'thumbs up' sign with a "Good job!" can make people smile! And the children that were so exhausted they wanted to give up.... they got an extra "You can do it!" from me with a nice 'thank you so much' nod from their parents. 

Taking in a moment of meditation and enjoying the view. 

My favorite thing to do includes traveling and taking pictures along the way... Can you tell? 

After my long walk, I decided to give myself a treat at the end of the day at the Cheoksan Foot Bath. This is from the hot springs at Cheoksan Village right next to the Botanical gardens. 

Bulgogi with Rice! I had really worked up an appetite! 

My last day here, I was out the door at 4:45 so that I could get a glimpse of this majestic sunrise on the East Sea! I think these pictures speak for themselves.  As the Eagles say, "I've got a Peaceful, Easy Feeling!" 

After a beautiful sunrise, I didn't think it could get much better.... But then there were the waterfalls! Oh, my! 

Peaceful walk through the forest

Yukdam Waterfall

                              Biryong Waterfall

I arrived at this spot at 7:30 in the morning... no one was here and I felt like I had the whole world to myself! I thank God everyday for my blessings and this one was no exception. Words can't describe the feeling this place gives to you until you experience it yourself. Amazing!

                         This Cable Car takes you 670 meters up to Gwongeumseong Fortress. 

Gwongeumseong Fortress - The story goes that when the Mongolian invasion broke out in 1254, people of the 41 year dynasty took refuge here. They evacuated their families and headed into the mountain and built a fortress to guard against their enemies. 

A VERY difficult climb to the top on a windy day!!!! I chose to watch. :) And, it was now time for this adventure to end. 

Back down the mountain I went......