An yong hi hasayo

As I reflect on my three weeks in South Korea, I have to thank my friend Seungju who patiently helped me learn some basic Korean before my trip. It made a huge difference — not so much in Seoul — but everywhere else.

Mokpo’s Dalseong Park

It was easy to get lost in this park because trails led everywhere. Most were written in both Korean and English and gave the distance to the next highlight, but often it was hard to choose which way to go first.

Treasures of Dalseong Park

Amidst the lush vegetation of Mokpo’s Dalseong Park, I climbed stone steps onto temple grounds.

Climbing Yudalsan Mountain

Mokpo’s peak may have been only 228 metres above sea level, but the journey was packed with natural beauty. Balancing boulders, native forests and the sound of birds kept me climbing one step after another.

Yellow Sea island

The ferry left Yeongsan River Estuary on a two and a half hour journey to Hong-do Island, west from Mokpo. I planned to take the boat tour around the island, but by the time the ferry docked at Hong-do Island pier, I felt squeamish.

A rock face with a story

South Korea’s southern town, Mokpo, was surrounded by sea on three sides. I walked a block from my hotel and couldn’t resist steps that rose to the top of Gatbawi Seacliff. Yeongsangang River lay dotted with boats and fringed with high rise, but I was in for a bigger surprize when I reached the boardwalk below.