Today's Itinerary:
Day 6, 9/14 (Thu): Gyeongju - Andong - Wonju - Pyeongchang (B,L,D) After breakfast, visit Andong Hahoe Village, home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan and well-known for its traditional houses. Next, visit Hanji Theme Park where you can get a chance to experience the Hanji-making (paper) process. Transfer to Pyeongchang and check in at the hotel. Lunch and dinner will be served en route at local restaurants. Accommodation: InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort or Similar (5-Star)
Today is primarily a travel day with two stops along the way to see traditional houses and how paper is made out of the bark of a mulberry tree.
Andong Hahoe Village
Andong, is a city twice as big in area as Seoul, but with only 110,000 people. There is acUS Airbase close by. We do not see the jets but we hear them taking off. On the south east side of the city there is a World Heritage Site surrounded by an S shaped river, the Nakdong. The village originated by the residents of the Ryu family and their descendants for 600 years.
The World Heritage Committee only needs one of 10 criterion to qualify a site. Hahoe village meets 4 of the 10 criterion.
* a typical example of a clan village which shows authenticity and perfection.
* an outstanding example of building and architectural landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history.
* an outstanding example of traditional human settlement which is representative of human interaction with the environment, and
* association with living taditions, beliefs, artistic and literary works of outstanding universal value.
We wander around soaking in the village history as we go.
 |
| Walking on a levy that protects the village from flooding river. |
 |
| Sixty-three straw roofed houses |
 |
| Nakdong River |
 |
| Sunflowers higher than an elephant's eye |
 |
| Whimsical wooden statues - reminds us of New Caledonia |
 |
| Old Korea Houses & Traditions, Modern Hyundai Truck |
 |
| Fifty tiled-roof houses |
 |
| Men's Office, Work Building |
 |
| Only king and temples have painted color adornments, all other buildings are plain. |
 |
| Ryu Family Home - The Higher the Front Door, the higher the status of the resident |
 |
| Seoae Ryu Seong Ryong (1541-1607) was a prominent prime minister. |
 |
| Wishing Statue and Tree - We wish for Peace. |
 |
| Our Traveling Companions |
 |
| More cute school children. Children are so well behaved, 1 teacher 25 children |
After our tour, we eat lunch in a local restaurant within the Heritage area, and then Russ and I have time to visit the World Mask Museum.
We see masks from all over the world, but the ones we like best are the ones we recognize from our journey across the south Pacific, Malakula Island in Vanuatu,
and New Caledonia.
There were of course many other wonderful masks.
 |
| This was a captivating three dimensional painting. Russ gets the boot! |
Wonju
Back in the Bus we leave Andong and head to Wonju, where we visit the Hanji (paper making) center. Koreans invented a method of stripping the bark from mulberry trees and through numerous steps (much more complicated than rice paper), a very strong paper is made, that is said to last 1,000 years.under certain conditions. A Buddhist scroll made from this bark has been found and dated from 1,000 years ago.
 |
| Diorama of Korean method of making Mulberry paper. |
 |
| Princess carriage made out off strong light weight paper. |
 |
| Paper infused with oil is water repellent |
The process has been refined over the years and is used in making lightweight boxes, armor, and lamps, clothing, scarves, and other works of art. The Shoji sliding doors we have installed at our condominium at Donner Lake are made with mulberry paper. Thank you Korea.
We work with some of the paper in the studio, decorating paper boxes,
and then watch a paper-making demonstration : Here is the short version
and then try our hand at making a sheet of paper.
 |
| Our seven year old traveling companion listens to instructions. |
 |
| Madison dips the tray in the gelatinous pulp |
It is a fun hands-on experience. The gift shop is filled with interesting ways the paper is used.
We do not leave Hanji until 5:30.
It takes another hour to drive to Pyeongchang , site for 2018 Winter Olympics. Most of our journey seems to be underground as we zip through the mountains in long, well-lit, mesmerizing tunnels. Before reaching our hotel, the Intercontinental, we stop for a pork belly BBQ. Between the restaurant and the hotel we spot the construction of the stadium for opening & closing ceremonies.
By the time we reach the hotel, it is 8:00 pm and dark. Cool fresh mountain air is welcomed after several warm, humid days. We are ready to call it a day. Tomorrow is the last day of our Discover Korea Tour. The week has flown by. By tomorrow night we will be back in Seoul.
No comments:
Post a Comment