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.  

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.