Last Sunday, Paolo and myself headed off on our journey to Sokcho on the east coast. Enjoyable and interesting drive. Our itinerary brought us around the Seoul area; a web of expressways! Then we continued through a very mountainous area with many, many tunnels. One can only marvel at how the Koreans built such a fantastic road system, bearing in mind that 70% of the country is mountain territory. We took some smaller roads as well which brought quite breathtaking scenery.
We stayed two nights in a condo in Sokcho; a state of the art place. Two-bedroomed apartment, living and dining area and kitchen. Fabulous views from the balcony. These condos (cheaper than hotels) are really something. They have great facilities: supermarket, restaurants, bars, spa, Internet cafe, billiards room, etc., and they all seem to have a very big separate area for water sports.
Another feature that amused me was "singing rooms"; an area of about ten rooms able to accommodate about twelve people for their own karaoke entertainment. Well used too!
On Monday we had a long and most enjoyable day visiting local attractions. We went to the Serokan Mountains and took a cable car up. Then there was quite a long and very steep climb to the foot of the mountain peak. Paolo loves hill and mountain climbing. It was quite foggy and cloudy so the longer views were not that great. After getting the cable car down we browsed around the Buddhist temple area. There's a magnificent "sitting" Buddha of enormous proportions.
We spent a long time in an area of the Seroksan National Reserve. There was a most beautiful long walk between two mountains; walking alongside clear mountain streams, all the area beautifully planted, bridges occasionally to bring you to the other side. This was an idyllic place; clean, pure air; sunshine; quiet and calm; only the sound of trickling and flowing clear water. The beauty of Creation!
I have to say that the Koreans have put great work into developing and caring for their natural attractions. They are spotlessly kept.
Later in the afternoon we3 visited the Naksansa Temple area. A quite fascinating place, located at the lower end of a mountain, overlooking the sea. Full of different Buddhist temples (a small one was built in 671AD); beautiful views and perspectives.
All I can say is that Korea is a most beautiful country. Monday last was a long day, but hugely enjoyable with so much beauty to be experienced and marvelled at.
My friend Paolo is a most generous and good host to me. I am looked after so well and so thoughtfully. He's very good company. He's also very energetic and adventurous, so we get to fit a lot of things into each day.
Wonderful!
