Around Korea By Bus In Two Weeks, Part 3

Here is the third and final part of my travel itinerary for my 2005 visit. For more information on buses, click here.

2 Nov – Wednesday
In Gwangju but it's all business - sent off emails and changed travellers’ cheques in bank; then walked to the Gwangju bus terminal to head towards Naejangsan. Would you believe it? Traffic jams in the provinces. Long stream of tour buses and cars all clogging up narrow countryside lane leading to entrance of Naejangsan Park. But non-drivers could get busy with their cameras even before reaching the park as the maple trees flanking the lane were already looking very photogenic in their autumn finery.

Very noisy though with all the honking of tour buses and excited chatter of groups of walkers who were about to start their walks or who had just finished their walks and were celebrating in the various restaurants. Found a place to stay in the Happy Days minbak near the main tourist village here, far from the hustle and bustle.

3 Nov – Thursday
Full day of walking in the Naejangsan National Park. Mountains, a cable car ride, trees, temples, streams, waterfalls, pavilions - what more could I ask for? There's even a "bridge of love"! For more on Naejangsan,  click here.

4 Nov – Friday
Boarded a bus to Jongeup and then changed buses for Seonunsan; lucky to be allowed an informal temple stay at Dosolam, about an hour's walk away from Seonunsan's main temple. Stunning autumn foliage here. Though there aren't as many maple trees as in Naejangsan, the colours are really rich and the fallen leaves have created a Persian carpet of sorts on the ground.

5 Nov – Saturday
Explored area around Dosolam at Seonunsan Provincial Park; surprised to stumble upon two spots used for the outdoor shooting of scenes for the popular MBC drama, Jewel in the Palace or Daejanggeum.

The first was a cave and the second,  a cliff - both related to death scenes in the drama series.
Also had the privilege of having tea with some seonims in a nearby hermitage.

6 Nov – Sunday
Seonim persuaded the driver of a private chartered bus of local tourists to let me join them as it was bound for Seoul. But there were a few unexpected stopovers.
First, the bus carrying Buddhist devotees stopped by the beautiful temple at Geumsansa. The three-tiered temple is particularly stunning in winter but I was glad to see Geumsan-sa in autumn anyway.

Next, surprise - I got to revisit Naejangsan but sadly the overnight rain had turned the maple trees into sodden dismal damsels in distress unlike the splendid show-offs from a few days earlier. What a difference a few days make - timing is everything.

On the way back to Seoul, we were entertained with karaoke on board. Even the driver took part.
Spent my last night in a Silloam Sauna, a jjimjilbang or public bathhouse with sauna and other facilities near Seoul Station.

7 Nov – Monday
Boarded bus near Seoul Station to get to the Incheon International Airport and spend a fair bit of time shopping in the supermarket in the basement and checking out the Cultural Experience Corner before my flight home.

Earlier Postings:
Around Korea By Bus in Two Weeks, Part 1
Around Korea By Bus in Two Weeks, Part 2

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=824869&nearBy=food&
http://saunasinkorea.blogspot.com/2010/03/seoul-ktx-station-silloam-sauna-jjimjil.html
http://www.silloamsauna.com/site_en/main/main.asp
http://www.silloamsauna.com/site_en/sub1/sub1_05.asp
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=626600