A weekend in Seoraksan and Oseak
06:01 Thu 30th Mar 2006 (GMT +9 Seoul)
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Pictures relating to this entry can be viewed here
I finally got away on another Adventure Korea weekend trip (the first for the year) after just about missing the bus while waiting for Dee. To her credit she didn't know how to use her cell-phone correctly and the alarm didn't go off - but all was fine.
The adventure started the the standard hour ride on a bus made for small people, not legs like mine, followed by a great lunch at an all-you-can-eat (make yourself) bibimbap (rice and vege dish) restaurant. Then it was off on one of Seokjins crazy adventures up a huge rock in Seoraksan National Park. Ulsanbawi (the peaks name) proved to be a very interesting little hike. As we climbed higher and higher the wind got stronger and stronger, to the point where we wondered if we would even reach the top of the rock. To give you some idea of what hiking up a rock here in Korea is like imagine more than 800 stairs going straight up the side of something you would only see Tom Cruise hanging off on "Mission Impossible". These words don't exist here in Korea.
The walk up was definitely worth it, although a little hazy. From the top the view back down the valley was truly unbelievable. It never ceases to amaze how far humans can walk in just a few hours. With our hike and token photos out of the road we headed to the Oseak Valley where 90 foreigners proceeded to take over the tiny area with only a few restaurants to service our partying needs.
Day two saw most people waking up slightly worse from wear after a big night. Seokjin had us up at 7am for a morning walk. The day was simply gorgeous. Warm, sunny and most importantly clear. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, enjoying the fresh air, peace and quiet and soaking in a traditional sauna. (The way all weekends here need to be spent)
All in all good times were had be all and I'm looking forward to the next weekend away in a couple of weeks to Busan. Hopefully diving with sharks will be on the cards.
