Gyeongju Winter Break

Alex and I headed south for a few day getaway during our winter break. We took the KTX, a train that travels 190 mph, to Gyeongju in the Southeast of the Korean peninsula. Gyeongju is the oldest city in South Korea and the small city was riddled with tombs of kings and ancient carvings of Buddha.

Leaving breadcrumbs

A Buddha on Namsan built between the 8th or 9th century.

Stopping to admire the view near the peak of Namsan

Alex descends Namsan using a rope in front of one of many headless Buddha stone reliefs. 

One the many tombs scattered throughout Gyeongju. This one is right in front of our motel. 

Alex in heaven. We tried the Gyeongju specialty Sam Bap which is a meal of side dishes (ban chan). We were served 29 unlimited side dishes for 12,000 won per person. I was underwhelmed. Many of the dishes were fermented and I found them inedible. The 12-14 dishes that were "good" were the ones I've had before and were nothing special.  This just wasn't for me. For me, ban chan are side dishes that come free with a real meal in Korea. 

The oldest astrological observatory in East Asia

Reflection breaking through the ice.  

Anapji Pond, Gyeongju, South Korea 

We tried the famous bean bread pastry of Gyeongju at this staple locale that has been in business since 1935. They were good, but nothing special and ovepriced. They were 800 won for a quarter sized cube of red bean filled bread. At Namdaemun market in Seoul I get a hot fresh bean bun that's 10 times the size for 1,000 won. Maybe I just don't get it. 

The tombs by our motel at night. 

Bulguksa Temple

This architectural feat of a building is an inverse of a pagoda. It is completely hollow in the middle. Sadly this was the best angle I could get at is as we were waiting for a bus in 10 degree weather that I couldn't afford to miss. 

Seokguram Grotto. Inside this cave was one of the most intricate stone carvings I've even seen. The whole grotto was filled with beautiful stonework of columns and carvings with a massive Buddha as a centerpiece. Sadly, there was no photography inside.  

Our 2nd night back at our N Motel (a love motel), we were given a free upgrade to a deluxe room. This was one of the nicest rooms I've ever stayed in. For only $34 a night, it was a massive room with a huge flatscreen, 6 piece sound system, a computer, a king size bed, hot and cold water dispenser, a fridge, a jacuzzi tub for two, a shower with a steam setting, and a separate room with a high tech toilet. I was in heaven. 

An amazing jacuzzi tub in possibly the best bathroom I've seen.

This high tech toilet is common around Korea, however they are not always functioning. This was an interesting first for me. 

As tempting as it was to lounge in our super fancy room all morning until our train, we rushed out to the historic, traditional Korean village of Yangdong. This 500 year old village is a World Heritage site. It was neat to see a sprawling group of both clay and straw roofed houses still occupied by descendants of the original families.