Geumjung Mountain Fortress and Seokbulsa Temple

While in Busan, Alex and I headed out to do some hiking. We had read about about the massive Geumjung Mountain Fortress and it's expanse of hiking trails. We sought out Seokbulsa Temple, which we had read had beautiful rock carvings into the mountain where it was nestled. We went on Buddha's birthday which we thought might be an extra special (or busy) time to see the marvel.

Getting to Seokbulsa Temple:

We took the gondola up which apparently saved us 45 minutes to an hour of hiking. It was $7 roundtrip and we enjoyed the view. Once at the top we began hiking to the South Gate. In Koren, South Gate is 남문, so look for signs for 남문. When the path splits without a sign, take the path on the left. It will lead you to the picture featured below:

Once you find yourself and the foot volley courts shown here, follow that girl to get to the Seokbulsa Temple. Then turn left at the next path.

You'll then come to this sign, a kilometer or two from the foot volley courts. Follow this couple down the rock "stairs." When you get to a road, take a right. The road will get crazy steep but you can do it. You'll be at the entrance to the temple in less than 30 minutes.

Seokbulsa Temple in Busa, Korea

The stone carvings were absolutely stunning for their detail. The scale of them and their location made it all the more...spiritual. I really don't understand how they did it. The outdoor prayer area was surrounded by 7 or 8 enormous statues carved into the mountain itself. 

It was hazy, but the view from Seokbulsa Temple was incredible.

The clockwise swastika is apparently a Buddhist symbol for good fortune used long before the Nazi's.

 The South Gate of Geumjung Mountain Fortress:

Defending The Realm

note: All photos were shot with my 50mm lens (hence the lack of better landscapes).

Machu Picchu

After 5 days of hiking, we had finally made it. Machu Picchu. With our legs numb and our energy completely depleted, we made one final climb to the top of Huayna Picchu, which translates young man. This green rock mountain carved with thousands of stairs is the famous peak you see in the above picture. It was our final summit of our 37.5 mile (60.5 km) journey across various terrains. Visitors up Huayna Picchu are restricted to 400 per day so we had to sign up ahead of time. This last push earned us an amazing view of the ancient Machu Picchu city carved into the side of the mountain of the same name.

Selfie from the tip top of Huayna Picchu! We made it!

The dangerous climb down from the top of Huayna Picchu. Cuidado!

Where's Jacob? This perspective is pretty crazy. Jacob is maybe 50 feet below but all around is a virtual straight drop of over 1,000 feet!

The Coca plant. Alive and well. 

This was a temple where they didn't use any mortar. All of the stones fit perfectly into place. The corner of this temple has begun to sink into the ground. 

Did the Incas have lasers? The precision of their rock carvings are absolutely astonishing. 

A rock carving in the shape of Huayna Picchu in the foreground of Huayna Picchu

The famous sun dial. We heard it was damaged during the shooting of a beer commercial. Since then, they no longer allow massive corporate film crews. 

Trains an hiking are the only two ways into Aguas Calientes, the city at the base of Machu Picchu. 

Bolivian Desert Day 2

Sunrise across the Salt Flat

Green Lagoon

Our somewhat disgruntled guide. 

This crazy guy was biking across this never ending cold and baron landscape. Respect. 

Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree)

The Red Lagoon

Our hostel for the night by the Red Lagoon. Fairly primitive and very cold at night. At least we had wine to warm us up.