Gyeongju - Day One

This past weekend I headed to Gyeongju, the most historic city/town in South Korea, with eleven of my foreign friends. We just wanted a weekend away from Incheon, since we don't get many long weekends or holidays this year. Nicole planned the trip weeks ago because she hadn't been to Gyeongju and wanted to go, so she invited a bunch of us and this past weekend was the weekend we all agreed to go and could all make it. Nicole, Mike L., Andrea, Mike K., Naz, Duncan, Holly, and myself all headed up on the Friday night because we are public school teachers and wanted all day Saturday to tour around. The bus ride to Gyeongju was 5 hours and as soon as we arrived we headed to the hostel to unload or bags and then we picked up some snacks and drinks from the convenience store across the street and had some drinks at the hostel. Saturday was an early start for the six of us who decided to rent bikes for the day. It only cost us 7,000 won to rent the bikes for the day, so we did. We wanted to bike to Bulguksa temple, the oldest and most historical temple in South Korea. We loaded up on some food and water for the ride and headed on our way. Just as we started on our way it decided to rain, however, we got lucky and the rain cleared up instantly and lead to a beautiful day for bike riding. We weren't even an hour into the trek and we were already asking for directions. We asked about 4 different groups of Koreans and they all led us in different directions. Eventually, we pulled over, for the millionth time, and turned around and headed in a different direction.

I got bored with getting lost and stopping all the time to check the map, so I took pictures to pass the time. At least the view was pretty decent.

This eventually led us to the library where a very nice foreign man told us the correct way to go and even mentioned biking by the lake because the view was beautiful. We finally made it to the lake about an hour or so later, at this point my ass was in so much pain I could hardly stand it. It was nice to get off the bike, take a rest and enjoy some lunch.

Here is a view of the lake from our picnic spot. It was such a beautiful day!! Duncan, Nicole, and the two Mike's enjoying their packed lunches. I would like to introduce you to the 'Beast on Wheels,' no explanation is necessary.

When we finished lunch we continued on our way. I was less than thrilled because my ass was in so much pain and we still had to get to the temple and then back to the bike rental shop. We passed by the Gyeongju Cultural Expo and one building had the outline of one the famous temples in it.

This is the building at the Cultural Expo with the temple outlined into it. Probably one of the coolest buildings I've seen in Korea. There were many rice fields we passed during our bike ride. There were amazing and really added to the culture of Gyeongju.

When we finally made it to the temple I was relieved and very excited to get off the bike. We left Duncan and Mike behind at one point because Duncan got a flat tire. They eventually met up with us after we finished touring the temple. The temple was beautiful and still decorated with lanterns celebrating Buddha's birthday at the beginning of May. Plus, spring is such a beautiful time of year in Korea, so it's easier to enjoy things.

My shirt happen to match the lanterns on display at the temple. A beautiful statue in the center of the main temple. I really liked this pond and the beauty it provided, so a picture, with me was necessary. The surrounding temple area was just too beautiful not to enjoy. The sun was shining, the air was fresh and the company was good.

When we finished the temple it was time for the long trek home and I was not looking forward to it. However, the path we took back was far quicker than the one we took to the temple. I think GOD was on my side because Naz ended up getting a flat tire, so he couldn't bike back. I gave him my bike to use to go back and I got a ride with the bike shop man who came to pick the bike up. It really was a blessing in disguise. Once I got back to the hostel I took a shower, changed and waited for everyone to get ready to head out for dinner. At this point, Nick, Carolina, Chris and Nick joined us. We ate dinner at a samgyeopsal restaurant and then everyone except, Naz, Holly, Duncan and I headed to the sauna for a few hours. After ward, everyone drank on the roof of the hostel, while we played drinking games and then we headed to the 'best' nightclub in Gyeongju down the street from our hostel. It was not that great, but we got to dance. Most of us turned in around 3:00 a.m.