It was beautiful morning in the autumn . The
temperature was minus 1 degree Celsius. Three layers of clothing plus
thick socks, boots and gloves should be
used if you didn't want to get cold . Actually,
the temperature was not too cold, but the strong wind blew, made the cold as infiltrated to
the bone. Nevertheless, my husband and I felt very excited.
The hotel was located in the area of Mount Seorak, South Korea. My
husband, ( I call him Akang) and I lulled by the beautiful scenery outside the hotel. There was a form of a replica "Stone
Henge" with the mountains background.
We took pictures as much as we
can with
variety of poses. I just wanted to capture every beauty in this place. I
never being bored constantly staring at this beautiful natural view.
A friendly-looking Caucasian woman was passing near us.
"Are you newly married couple?
"She asked me.
"Yes, we are, Mam ... hahaha ...
We've just got married for 16 years." I said with a laugh.
She chuckled.
"Congratulation! Have a wonderful
honeymoon for both of you. "She said as she left.
"Thank you." I waved to her.
The trip from the hotel to the
Seoraksan National Park took only a few minutes. This area is a nature reserve
in 1982 designated as Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO. Mount Seorak is the 3rd highest mountain in
South Korea after Halla Mountain and Mount Jiri. The peak height of mount
Seorak is 1708 m, composed of granite
and gneiss which is formed the rocky mountains.
Don't ever miss Seoraksan National Park when you visit South Korea. This place is really beautiful!
Since get down from the bus, I
never stopped exclaiming cheerfully seeing
leafy trees with variety color : red, yellow, yellowish-green, brown, and green with the beautiful mountain in the
background and also the clear blue sky. The scenery was plentiful
of color.
From the entrance, we kept walking on the wide pedestrian while enjoying the atmosphere.
Not far from the gate, on the right side of the road, we saw a giant Buddha
statue or the Grand Bronze Buddha called” Tongil Daebul”. Unlike the sleeping
Buddha statue which was located in
Thailand, this Buddha statue was in a sitting position.
On the crossroads, there was a bridge
stretching over white rocky river. It was dramatic landscape with the
magnificent mountains as the background. It looked like a painting, a
natural amazing divine painting. Allahu akbar!
We continued our journey to get to the
temple Sinheungsa. There were some
beautiful corners of the old temple that were very interesting as the
object image.
After having a short rest and drinking delicious hot tea, we walked to the cable car terminal. We sat on the bench
waiting to go up to Gwongeumseong Fortress. When entering into the cable car,
we deliberately sought position on the edge section so that we could freely enjoy
the view of the park from above.
The cable car moved slowly . Then our
eyes was spoiled by the amazing natural scenery. Down there, on the left side, I
saw the winding road between the trees. The winding road crosses the river bank
that the water was receding. White stones
scattered on the riverbed. The higher cable car took us, the more the river with white stones
looked like a snow-covered. Far away on the right
side, the upstream of
the river seemed like the point
that linking bluish-green mountain ranges.
The more we moved upward, on the
right side of the river , I saw clustered trees with colorful leaves. The trees
that grew on the slopes and cliffs covered the mountain looked like a thick
draped rug . On the higher level , the trees were increasingly rare, and the view was changed into the gray rocky mountain wall with jagged shape. There was a crack
between the rock serrations where the sun peek, shining with golden light . Bright blue sky completed the
stunning natural painting. I felt that
my heart jumped up, wanting to
shout admiration. Masha Allah ...
When we arrived at the bridge which was the cable car station, we rushed down. Here we also enjoy beautiful scenery. There was yard bounded by blue fence where tourists could enjoy the scenery from
the height . They could sit there, relaxing, and enjoyed the
drinks and cakes that sold in caffe.
Then there was a path to climb to the
top of the stairs. The stairs led to the top, to an uphill road on the side of the mountain slopes.
We chose not to climb to the top. We
just sat down and took many pictures
around the platform.
But when I looked up , a small road on
the slopes of the mountain caught my attention.
" Let's go there, Akang ! I
think it will be nice. " I exclaimed.
Akang nodded.
We walked hand in hand up the stairs of
rubber coated material. Soon we arrived at the small road, I was amazed at its beauty.
The road was winding and uphill. On
the left side, there was a wooden fence that restricted the path of a steep
cliff. In the right , there was rock wall and clustered trees. Too bad we
didn't have time to climb up to the top.
"Pose there , honey. I'll take
your pictures!" Exclaimed Akang pointing to a stone in my right side.
Camera caught my pictures many times.
Then we sat on the stone. The natural
silence hug us , bringing a peaceful
ambience.
I turn to look Akang, then gave him the sweetest smile I had ever had.
"Why do you smile?" He asked.
"I just wanna say thank you for
bringing me here. "
"Well. Actually I want to be here
with Angelina Jolie. But since she was busy shooting, I was forced to bring
you. "Akang chuckled.
I pinched his arm with exasperation.
He always had a way of teasing me . But I could not deny, how grateful I was being here.
I lookedat the beautiful valley down
there, sharpening my senses. I breathe
in the fresh air, listening to the sounds of nature. The friction foliage, rustle of wind and the cold
that I let caress my skin.
I instilled this feeling on
memory in my brain cells, so I
could bring this feeling back, if someday
I missed this place.
