Spring Waltz in Seoul 2012 – Day 5

09^th April 2012

*RRrrrinnnggggGG…….*

The alarm went off @ 5.30am. Feeling tired, we were so unwilling to wake up but we have a bus to catch @ 8.30am.

Dragging ourselves up, we are going for a one-day tour to Mount Sorak.

Breakfast @ Lotteria

We had burgers for breakfast!!! We tried their local taste – bulgolgi burger and spicy chicken burger. I had hot chocolate since there was no black tea available and you know what, their hot chocolate is delicious.

Lotteria

Burgers

설악산Mount Sorak (雪嶽山)

The journey from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho Bus Terminal took 2 hours. We have some good 2 hours to catch up on our lost sleep. Upon arrival, we went to the tourist information which is just besides the ticketing to make some enquiries before heading to Mount Sorak.

Express Bus

That's how the bus looks like.

Lunch @ E-Mart

Yes, we are eating again. We are not sure what we can get @ Mount Sorak so we thought it’s better to settle our lunch first.

E-Mart Foodcourt

E-mart Foodcourt

Chicken cutlet and omelette rice

Dumpling soup with rice cakes

Now we have to take the public bus service no. 7 or 7-1 and alight at the last bus-stop. With information given from my sister’s friend who experienced some difficulties locating the right bus-stop to alight when returning, we were told to look out for prominent landmarks. Her friend used the mosque-like looking motel as her guide and after looking around; it was indeed the easiest recognized building. On the other hand, the bus do have announcement on the upcoming bus-stop and clearly indicate “Sokcho Express Bus Terminal”, therefore don’t worry.

Tip : Please remember to buy your return bus ticket once you arrive to avoid the possibility of bus tickets being sold out.

Sokcho Express Bus Terminal

The scenery is honestly very attractive but the burning sun is turning me away. Anyway, we still make our way up Gwongeumseong Fortress by cable car.

On our way to Mount Sorak National Park

Nice nice

The old cable car

Cable Car Station

Map of Mount Sorak

This is how long each trip takes if you are interested.

The melting ice is making the walk difficult and my useless shoe is slowly getting soaked. *AAaarrggghhHHH…..*

Mount Sorak 

Mount Sorak

Mount Sorak

The remaining snow that makes the pathway slippery. 

Mount Sorak 

Finally we are here. This is the proof that we reached Gwongeumseong Fortress. 

These hikers are adventurous. 

Beautiful from all angles 

Gwongeumseong Fortress 

Rocky mountain 

Cable car

I think it is still worth the effort to make the journey uphill or upmountain?? The view is really nice.

Sogongwon Park and Valley of a Thousand Buddhas

There is this big big Buddha statue in the park. Wow……!! It is known as the Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa. However, it’s not as big as the Buddha we saw in Kamakura, Japan. This is the second big Buddha Statue we saw till now. We have yet to visit the Big Buddha in Hong Kong, Lantau Island and we are definitely going to see it one day.

Mount Sorak  

Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa 

Donations 

Sogongwon Park 

Sogongwon Park 

Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa

By the park was this beautiful stream that my sister named it “The mini Taroko Gorge of Korea”. 

Valley 

Rock valley 

Rock Valley 

Rock Valley 

What does it means?

After spending 3 – 4 hours in Mount Sorak, we started to make our way back to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Ha….. yes, the mosque-like motel is really a great help. 

Mount Sorak Bus-stop 

Public Bus

We slept the full 2 hours ride back to Seoul. When we arrived, the blister on my foot was “complaining” and it hurts so badly that I was literally limping. We tried many ways to ease the pain but nothing helps. I guess Pris must be very worried looking at me limping.

We had a quick dinner in명인만두 [Myeong-in Mandu] and headed back to our apartment. 

Myeong-in Mandu & side dishes 

The restaurant 

Mandu soup 

Ddeobokki

By the time we reached the apartment, my blister was like “A blister over blister”. OUCH!!!! I took photo of it but I think it’s too disgusting to show it. *Sobs sobs*

Hope I will have a better ‘foot’ day tomorrow.

Night view from our room 

Night view of Dongdaemun