Ross Franklin's Tales of Korea: 팔공산 Palgongsan Provincial Park

Well on Sunday I wanted to get out and do some hiking. I went upstairs and asked the new guy, Brent from South Dakota if he wanted join. Two guys that have pretty much no idea about the area or the language following the directions of a Rough Guide that was written 3 years ago. The makings of an adventurous Sunday in the mountains.

We (somehow) stumbled upon the bus stop for the express bus up to the park. It was standing room only which proved to be a work out while attempting to keep my balance on vinyl seats through mountain roads. An hour later we reached the Danghwasa Temple at the base of the mountain. Strolled around the area, then got lost. We found another bus stop and tried to ask directions to two older women. We understood that they were trying to tell us to get a taxi. So we started looking for a cab, but then they started motioning us down the hill. They would not let us stay! They kept motioning us down the hill, so we went. Eventually we found a cab and asked to go to the Gatbawi trail head. His taxi meter said 5,400, but he quickly deleted it and asked for 10,000. Jerk. The hike was awesome. It was super crowded, but a beautiful destination.

Afterwards we waited in a line that was about 100 yards long to get on a series of buses. The same story as before it was standing room only, but the roads were choked with traffic. Try keeping your balance on mountain roads with traffic driven by a man whose sobriety was questionable. Two hours later we made it to a bus stop that had a subway station. We took the empty subway to the downtown stop and stopped at Gorilla Burger. I got an awesome balsamic portabello sandwich. We then went to a Canadian bar and had a pale ale imported from Edmonton. Well, maybe more than one. Good day!

Here are pictures: