Gyeongju - Andong - Wonju - Pyeongchang , WTRD 11, September 14, 2017

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.

All is Well With the Worrall Travel R's in Pyeongchang.

Busan - Ulsan - Gyeongju, WTRD 10, September 13, 2017

Youngsters Explore Nature in the Park

Today's Itinerary:

Day 5, 9/13 (Wed): Busan - Ulsan - Gyeongju (B,L,D) After breakfast, visit Ulgi Park, littered with rocks carved into interesting shapes by the wind and ocean. Next, explore Bulguksa Temple, the representative relic designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in Gyeongju. Explore to Gyeongju National Museum, Tumuli Park, and Cheomseongdae Observatory. After check in at the hotel, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Gyeongju Hilton Hotel or Similar (5-Star)  

Beautiful Busan

There is not a cloud in the sky this morning as we say good morning and good-bye to Busan. Both sea and sky are blue.  Where the sea meets the sand, the water is smooth and flat. People walk along the pathway eating up the morning sun before it becomes hot and sticky.

We board our bus at 8:30 am and are on our way to our first destination.  It is hard to believe that we are now more than half way on our tour and only have three days left.

Picturesque Ulsan - Ulgi Park

First Light House 1906

Second Light House 1994

Ulgi Park, recently renamed Daewangam Park, was originally built by the Japanese in the 1906. It was the first lighthouse built in Korea.  The second lighthouse was built in 1994.  Both are built on hill above a rocky prominence that extends into the sea.

The rock formations are picturesque during the day, but were deadly at night, hence the need for lighthouses.  

The blue green water is an abundant source of sea cucumbers, abalone, and urchins, depending on the season.

Divers search for sea creatures.

Fisher people have production camps set up on the water's edge.

The park attracts teachers and their students of all ages who are learning about and interacting with nature.

After our hike to the lighthouses, we traveled past the Hyundai factory production and shipping facility.  We wish we would have had time to tour the facility where they produce 2,800 cars a day! 

The parking lot for new cars is 3 kilometers long.

Several carriers are loading simultaneously.

We arrive at a quaint Korean guest house in the middle of a rice field for lunch.

and then we are on our way to Gyeongju, to see the Bulgaska Temple, Gyeongju National Museum, and Obeservatory.

Gyeongju

Bulgaska Temple

Another lovely temple.  Just when we think we have seen the biggest, most active, most artistic temple there is to see, there is yet another one.  Russ is getting temple fatigue and refused to wear long pants or take off his shoes to go into another temple.  This one was quite large and built on a stone platform.  Very impressive.

Lotus Lantern Donations

Gyeongju National Museum

Flying Horse Emblem

Kingly Remains

Tumuli Park

Young couple in traditional dress pose for photos.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

The Cheomseongdae (means stargazing in Korea) is the oldest astrological observatory in Gyeongju, and perhaps the world.

 

The observatory is situated in Silla just a few hundred meters from Silla Royal Kingdom Tombs.  Little observers come here too.

It's been an active day with lots to see and do with little driving time in between stops. Usually, I can edit photos and blog while we drive, but hardly had a chance to do so today and frankly am too tired tonight write much.  Nevertheless, it was a great day.

All is Well With the Worrall Travel R's in Gyeongju, South Korea