We would be traveling to what is considered Korea's most popular national park and riding a cable car to the top of Mt. Seoraksan which is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range (often referred to as the Alps of Asia) according to our travel brochure.
We would be leaving the Ramada Inn after another sumptuous breakfast.
The elevators here gave us a chuckle. One elevator went to Even floors and the other one went to Odd floors. It caused a bit of confusion at first.
We were told that the colors would be spectacular.
Sigh...
It would have been if there had been a bit of sun.
Unfortunately, it rained just about the entire time.
More information from Lara:
We would be leaving the Ramada Inn after another sumptuous breakfast.
The elevators here gave us a chuckle. One elevator went to Even floors and the other one went to Odd floors. It caused a bit of confusion at first.
We were told that the colors would be spectacular.
Sigh...
It would have been if there had been a bit of sun.
Unfortunately, it rained just about the entire time.
More information from Lara:
- Yin (even) is woman.
- Yang (odd) is man.
- Earth is yin and female.
- Pagodas are yang and male.
- Buddhist monks wear gray because it is a neutral color.
- In Buddhism, the lotus represents how man like the lotus can rise above mud and adversity to bloom and grow beautifully.
- Buddhist monks take three months for seclusion where they can study and create.
- 50% of Koreans are open to any religion.
- This Buddha is supposed to be the ideal image for a man. Close lipped and big ears (according to Lara).
Art and I took a moment for gratitude.
Sinheungsa Temple
held the wooden Amitabha Buddhas.
And up we went on the cable car to almost the top of Mount Seoraksan.
We had to hike to get to the very top. It was cold, wet and very slippery, but we made it and none of us got hurt which is amazing since it was pretty dangerous.
Use your imagination and picture this on a sunny day.
We all deserved this huge hot lunch at Hwa-Ban Korean Restaurant and really enjoyed it. Squid sausage and bulgogi were wonderful!
Do you see the ubiquitous kim chee at the front?
Our last stop of the day was the Alpensia resort area where the 2018 Winter Olympics would be held.
Yes, that's me acting like a figure skater for my granddaughter who is a real figure skater.
Our long day ended with pork tonkatsu at a Japanese restaurant. We would be staying at the very fancy Alpensia Intercontinental Hotel. We imagined all the people who would be staying there to view the Olympics in 2018.
Have a very wonderful Thanksgiving, everybody!
I have been enjoying your trip so much, thanks for sharing it all with us! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteAll that sumptuous (and healthy) food. Too bad it rained on you, but the pictures are still wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving back to you. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Kay and Art.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks delicious, the weather can never be depended upon! Thanks for today's tour!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteThanks you for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteYou both are part of our thankfulness this Thanksgiving. Loving the journey with you.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing when you picture sun and color and instead you get rain and dark sky. Good for you for making the best of it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had taken more photos of the food when I was their! I did like almost all of it. Eating a moving squid leg while washing it down with hot Saki, was a bit of a change and more international.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing when you get to a peak and it's g=fogged in. This happened to me in Maui when I got up early and drove to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise and it was cloudy.
ReplyDeleteWonderful times. I love the foods you feature!
ReplyDelete