South Korea 2024

When you program your destination into your Korea car’s GPS, it tells you the total cost of tolls for the trip and to “check the balance of your hi pass account.” The car has a slot that stores the hi pass card and includes a button that says the card’s balance - in Korean. Before we started our drive, it was simple to load more at 7-11.   We were on our way to Gyeongju by way of Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. The drive took about two hours and in hindsight, I wish we left a little earlier. We’ve been pretty spoiled so far by having almost everywhere mostly to ourselves and by 10:30am, Korea’s most famous temple had enough people to detract from the experience.   Bulguksa Temple (free, open 9am) and nearby Seokguram Grotto (free) – together form a UNESCO religious complex from the 8th century. Some would argue it is the best temple complex in Korea.     Pond at Bulguksa Temple When I asked the temple's information desk how to get to the  Seokg...

  As the second largest city in Korea, Busan is a sprawling city. Our hotel was at the opposite end of Haeundae Beach in Nampo-dong. Smack in the middle of the highest concentration of top sights in Busan, there is plenty to eat, see, and do. The area oozes character! Our plan of attack was to walk/run to all the main sites.   If you’ve looked into visiting Busan then you already know Gаmсhеоn Сulturе Vіllаgе is currently the most popular thing to do. The formerly abandoned Korean War refugee hillside has been turned into colorful houses and whimsical street art. Viewpoints offer spectacular views of the village itself and the Bay of Busan.   One of the best things to do in Gаmсhеоn Сulturе Vіllаgе is to wander and explore the narrow and winding alleys of colorful houses, quirky shops, and cozy cafes. I like the vibe here! But the public toilets are the only ones I have come across that do not provide toilet paper.   I think the best viewpoint in Gаmсhеоn...

  Driving the majority of Korea’s length made it overly apparent that Korea is a mountainous country, with around two thirds of it being mountains and uplands.  After a long five-hour drive along the coast from Sokcho to Busan, what we really needed was a peaceful, calming temple. Next to the Lotte World theme park, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a far cry from rejuvenating on a summer’s afternoon.  If you are looking for a serene temple atmosphere, try going when it opens at 5am.   Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, situated on rocks overlooking the ocean, is a modern temple built upon the foundational grounds of a historic temple site.   From the pagoda statue near the entrance to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, you can turn right or left.   If you want the stunning view first, go left.   Descending down the 108 stairs, which are symbolic of the 108 temptations found in Buddhism, you'll pass the turnoff for the rocks overlooking the viewpoint.   Then m...