The Traveling Hutchu's: Big Buddha... part 1

Over the first week of May we had our first set of teacher day off days and we maximized the time we had. Bear and I took the midnight bus North from Busan to Sokcho, our final destination being Seoraksan National Park. It took about 5.5 hours to get there but we were riding in the nicest coach buss we had every seen. We had huge, comfy seats and plenty of room to stretch out. Keep your shoes on while on a Korean but though or you'll get a scolding (I found out the hard way). We maintained an average speed of about 45 mph. I should say that is the only speed we went, which included freeways, residential areas and roundabouts. It was crazy. It seemed like the gas was controlled by a button; on or off. Bear turned on her hibernation skills and missed all the exciting darkness.
A nice Buddhist lady who's destination was near ours helped us find the correct busses and navigate some maps. Her plan was to meet her sister at a temple which could only be reached on foot.

We found the Seoraksan National Park Campground and pitched our tent. Its cost $4 a night for the two of us and included wonderful facilities.

Can you see Kent's head down in the lower left corner?

One of the 4 Guardians of Buddhism's heaven

Sinheungsa Temple

Delicate flowers that smelled like plumerias or jasmine.

We got to the Park, paid our fee (which in comparison to US park fees was a drop in the bucket), then passed a big Buddha. The huge Buddha is made of bronze and symbolizes the Buddhist presence in the mountains there. I was amazed by this enormous sculpture. The climb that day was peppered with some small and some large Buddhist Temples which put a spiritual mood into our minds. It was dreary and a bit wet at times but this only accentuated the magical, mystical day we were having.
As we drew nearer to our destination we were getting higher and higher in elevation. The clouds were beginning to envelope everything and at times we were in a pure white out. The end of this climb was met by yet another temple, which was nothing more then a cave in the side of an extremely steep rock wall. There was a women up there who apparently was doing some kind of internship in Buddhism. We were unclear as to how long she had lived up there but judging by the many sacks of rice it wasn't a weekend get away kinda deal. there was a small dwelling area built in as well with a window looking out from the mountain. Not many times in my life can compare to the feeling of serenity at the top of that climb looking our into the cloud that day.