Gyeongju
14.06.2010 - 15.06.2010
View
South Korea
on Michael C's travel map.
Arrived yesterday. As the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom, there are lots of huge grave mounds around the town, which itself is pretty small. Spent yesterday exploring the mounds, the oldest observatory in the Far East (nothing much), and what remained of a palace (the ice storage room).
Today took a bus out to Bulguksa Temple complex, which is in the Silla style, as well as the famous grotto above it. Then continued and hiked up to the peak of the mountain/large hill, from which you could see the mist-wrapped hills of the surrounding area. Got good practice saying/replying "Anyang haseayo" to passing hikers.
On the way back I popped off the bus and visited the Gyeongju National Museum, which houses a lot of the Silla relics dug up or found in the area.
Dinner was the most satisfying dinner I have had yet here: basically yesterday's dinner (lots of cold side dishes with rice and leafy greens) plus bulgogi, thinly-sliced beef sauteed in a soy sauce. Walked off some of the food going through the hill tombs I haven't yet visited in town, then head back to the hostel with lightning and distant rumblings overhead.
Tomorrow I'll head to Daegu, to pop across to the province below (Gyeongsangnam-do) for the temple Haeinsa.
Posted by Michael C 15.06.2010 18:19
:-)
Yay!
16.06.2010 by Bekah