Weekend Photos ~ Uljin

Hello, I'm back from our extended weekend trip to Uljin. I took the KTX train from Seoul to Daejeon and from Daejeon we drove for about four and a half hours to Ujlin/Baekam Hot Springs.

Korea is 80% mountainous so we passed through several tunnels. One tunnel drive lasted for over a minute at 90 km/hr!

About 30 minutes outside of Daejeon I saw this. Turns out its just a bridge under construction. My mistake ~

Enjoying a Korean brunch at our hotel. We stayed at an LG Chem employee hotel because Choi won a lottery for a free weekend stay. The food was also really cheap since I think the main purpose of this hotel is for company retreats and not for making any substantial revenue.

Driving along the East Sea coast.

My first time being by the ocean since last year's trip to Sokcho & Gangneung.

We went to Mangyangjeong Beach near Uljin, which I'd totally recommend. It's the only beach in Korea (or maybe it was one of only a few) where you don't have to spend money to reserve your spot on the beach. Most places you have to pay for an umbrella (around $15), but here you do not! And it wasn't crowded at all. There were a few ocean-side pop-up restaurants and a convenience store with basic things. I'll take this beach over Busan's Haeundae Beach any day!

After the sky started to turn a little overcast in the late afternoon, we packed up our things and headed to Seongnyugul Cave. This limestone cave is over 250 million years old! Japan invaded the cave in 1592 and trapped and killed about 500 Koreans here. The place has apparently suffered lots of damage in its past but has been restored for public viewing. I do not recommend overweight people to  visit this cave because sometimes one has to fit through super tight and awkward spaces, similar to playing on a kid-size playground.

Another shot of the limestone formations.

Celebrating our one-year anniversary with steak and wine back at the hotel.This was my first time eating steak in Korea! After dinner we enjoyed the hot springs at the hotel and watched the Olympics! It was a big weekend for Korea vs. Japan. (Korea won football!)

For our last stop in Uljin we went to Wolsongjeong, a temple/public area right off the beach! We walked by a mini-forest on our way from the parking lot.

I think I've visited 50 Buddhist temples in my life now. They all blend together. It's common for travelers to say they are "all temple-d out." I feel that way now.

The ocean access at Wolsongjeong is incredible! There were only 5 other people. Serenity~~

Take me back!

Goodbye Uljin. Bound for Gyeongju.

Weekend Photos

It was an unpleasantly hot weekend - 95 degrees with little relief in the evening. Originally we were going to go hiking with some friends but, thankfully the men decided that wouldn't be a good idea in this weather. So... we met our friends for lunch (sushi!) and coffee. I heard about this Powwow gig going on through Art&Seoul and decided we should go check it out.

Powwow event in Noksapyeong

In between bands...

There was a 40 minute break between bands so we walked to Itaewon to get our Noodle Box fix - one of Choi's favorite places to eat.

We ordered the pad thai with a side of spring rolls. (Mi Goreung is also good)

On Sunday, we both needed to get a lot of work done after church and went to SOO:P COFFEE FLOWER near City Hall.

It was a really nice cafe, with quiet French music playing while we worked.

I ordered the chicken tomato sandwich.

Then we ordered the bingsu for dessert. It may look like a cup of shaved ice to you, but underneath is milk,sweet peas, rice cakes, and syrup ~ yum!

This week is my last week of teaching at my current school. I'll be on vacation for the next two weeks and then transfer to an elementary school! Choi and I are headed down south this weekend to Woonjin, a coastal place about 7 hours south of Seoul. Will post pictures^^

A Morning in Seorae French Village

I had been meaning to check out this French area in Seoul for a while now and finally had time and weather on my side last weekend, so I decided to head there Saturday morning.



Like any good neighborhood in Seoul, stylish cafes were in abundance.







A school warning sign in Korean and French.



An actual French school in Seoul. The building looks really cool - I wish I could speak French..



Korean apartment-style parking.



A good supply of cheese at an international mart only a stone's throw away from the main street in Seorae.



This Paris Croissant had a superb selection!





A picture from a cafe terrace on the main street in Seorae. The neighborhood definitely feels a bit more upscale and European-esque (especially with the trees) than a typical Korean neighborhood but didn't really give off too much of a French vibe.



French stickers on a sidewalk.



Seorae is perfect if you want to casually explore a low-key but nice neighborhood. There were lots of pasta and wine places around so come in the afternoon & stay for dinner!

--Ashley