Last night, we had a lovely homemade meal, full of veggies, which was great. Washed down with some vino. It’s great to know exactly what we are eating. It just means that we are being more adventurous with the soft drinks we are buying and the sweet stuff.
Pete had decided that if he woke up early, he would go for a walk, out of the city.
I would have a lie in! Pete went for a walk to Bongnaeson Mountain, Bongnae, means a phoenix descending. The steep walk was helped with cool airblasters along the way. He kept me updated with regular photographs.
We had a lovely breakfast, consisting of alot of fresh tomatoes.
After that we decided to go on the Haeundae Blueline park, an experience ‘where the blue sky and sea breath’ – no idea what that means but it has a poetic sound to it. There were different options but we went on the beach train, as there was an option to stop along the way of the way back. It was only 4.8km in length.
The beach train was more or less as cute. Inside they just had long benches that faced the window, so everyone had a view of the sea, which was quite novel.
We stayed on the train to the last stop, Songjeong Station. A more traditional beach resort.
Keeping as hydrated as possible, I had a strawberry latte.
I had seen a sign by the waterfront about a temple, and it seemed to jog my memory from some of my research.
We are now very adapt at catching buses etc, so instead of walking the 2.5 km, we got a bus. When the bus arrived, I did a typical thing and fell into the bus, wriggling on all fours, laughing alot out of embarrassment, as people looked on expression less. I don’t know if that was worse, but after that an elderly lady gave up her seat for me. I felt quite ridiculous!
It was a steep walk to the temple, and I grumbled about why they couldn’t just builf them somewhere flat, always up a mountainside, somewhere steep!
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, often called the most beautiful temple in Korea, particularly due to its unique seaside location, is also quite a climb. I think the heat seems to amplify the gradient, and everything seems more arduous. The temple is one of the few Buddhist temples in South Korea situated on the coast, and although a bitof a slog, it offered stunning views.
There’s a legend that a Sea Goddess appeared in a dream and promised to bring happiness to the area if a temple was built there.
It’s believed that at least one wish will be granted at Haedong Yonggungsa,
Pete came over very spiritual!
A monk ( I think) was chanting inside the temple. Obviously we couldn’t take photos, but inside it was beautiful inside, with incongorous sacks of rice. Rice is seen as a symbol of devotion but also a request for a blessing. There were lots of places around the temple grounds to part with your money, so that ellusive wish is granted.
Inside the shop there were huge sacks of rice, for those desperate for their wish fulfilment. It woud be good to know what they do with the rice, give to the poor?
On the way out we saw a line of taxis, I don’t normally get taxis, but it is cheap here. The first taxi driver shouted at us alot, so we carried on. We got a taxi and it cost us about three pounds to get back to the station. This ensured no more falls, less sweating and more energy to do other things.
There was one part of the journey that was blocked off because of somehting that happened 40 years ago. Seems really odd that it is still shut off now.
A North Korean spy boat was sunk by South Korean forces in a clash in 1983. I wondered if the area had mines.
We stopped at the Haewol Skywalk. Haewol means ‘to meet the sun and the moon together , and enjoy the scenery’. A U shape that goes out to the sea, affording lovely views.
The central part was see through, so you could look far down below. I wasn’t a great fan of that! Pete went on it and I stayed a bit away, trying to look cool!
We went to the market again and got more provisions, I could get used to this!
Random Acts of Travelling 