An awfully big adventure

Saturday dawned and I didn't think it would rain too much - so I headed off for the Big Walk.

First the local bus, then a walk about a kilometre to the Bus Station and an hour on the intercity bus to Busan. Then it was get the subway/train and then locate another bus to Beomeosa Temple. The first pic is from a display - to give you an idea of the size of the complex/number of buildings etc.

Sorry if some of the photos are a bit washed out - I only discovered after I got home that I had the camera on the wrong setting (duh!)

Then I headed up the hill - saw this cat and after I had taken its photo and talked to it - it decided I must be good for food or something and followed me meowing...
I liked this hiker - carrying his shopping bag too
There were lots of people out walking - which is very handy for checking that one is on the right track. After a big uphill trek - finally reached the South Gate of this fortress.
There isn't an actual fortress per se - just a long wall - a little like a mini version of the Great Wall of China.

So then it was a big walk along to the East Gate and the North Gate - about 2 hours. Somewhere along the way, after the track dropped down into the trees I realised it was getting quite misty, then moist, then wet, then raining...and my Goretex jacket back in NZ.

The easiest solution was to use my umbrella - which was good but felt weird as it's not a NZ sort of thing. Eventually it eased and, instead of just heading back via the cable car, I decided to continue to what was probably going to be the best bit of the trip. By now the sun was out and when I heard the cracks of thunder I thought/hoped it was from the last rain and passing by...

That was pretty stupid but I managed to arrive at this place (Seokbulsa Temple) just as the next downpour was starting. This was a pretty small place compared to the earlier temple - but it was stunning. Lonely Planet describes it as a "hermitage carved into rock. Two massive boulders stretching 40m in height jut out from the mountainside to form a U-shaped enclave with three rock facings that is now a place of worship. Inside the enclave, enormous Buddhist images have been meticulously etched into stone"


I took these pics then it seriously bucketed down - so I put my camera away and sheltered for about 45mins...and finally, as it eased off, I headed back to find the cable car

I was told by an American I met near the South Gate that it is often a lot clearer than this - but yesterday was not one for great view shots.

From the bottom of the cable car I walked back to find the Changwon bus...then another walk to my local bus and home. I wore my pedometer - approx 25km for the day.