So, S. had his spring break this week and a friend of his and his girlfriend offered to take us on vacation. We ended up going to Gyeongju and Andong. I'm debating on whether or not to make this one long post or break it up - we had the digital camera along and took LOTS of photos. O. even got into the action by taking some photos of his own of "this beautiful trip."
"A beautiful headrest"
First up was Bulguksa Temple, an amazing lunch, then Seokguran Grotto. Beautiful indeed.
Built in 751 by the Prime Minister Kim Dae-seong.
Dabotap Pagoda - actually found on the back of the 10 won coin. You can see one of the four original stone lions that adorned the pagoda - after the Japanese occupation, three went missing. One evidently is in the London Museum. Should something like that be returned?
Seokgatap Pagoda right across from the other one.
2007 was the year of the pig, considered to be especially lucky. You can rub the bronze pig at the temple for good luck. O. could have stayed here all day. We got him a small one as a souvenir.
"Let's just stay here a little longer."
Each stone represents a wish. I wish you could have a sense of how many towers there were - the pictures just don't do it justice.
The view as we left the temple.
On the way to the temple from the parking lot, there are vendors selling souvenirs and snacks - including from right to left: roasted chestnuts, bundigie (silkworm larvae - cannot get past the smell to actually try them. Our Korean friends said they were good, but we have yet to see them actually eat them.), and small snail-like shells.
Had to have the food picture! For $27.50, we ordered spicy tofu soup, marinated beef that you cook table side, and bebimbap - mixed vegetables and egg over rice, and a platter of spicy panfried mountain roots similar to gingseng, but not as strong tasting. As you see, they also threw in a large seafood/green onion pancake, acorn jelly salad, korean miso/tofu soup, and tons of extra vegetable side dishes. Mmmmm.
It's taking forever to get through all the photos - so I'll do a part two tomorrow! See you then!
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