Going around the island (1)

So we started in Geohang, which is where my apartment is. Linde (library teacher), Nadia (co-workers), and me. Nadia was kind enough to offer to take my around and show some tourist attraction spots.

So first we stopped at the waterfall, being winter, it was dry and open and the water flow was net very strong as it doesn't rain in winter. But is was still beautiful. We had a good hike up a little road with a steep incline. Stopping along the way to just take in the beauty of this Korean forest.

Along the way there are these little benches or picnic area. So in summer people will just take a small hike and have a picnic next to the river.

What i enjoyed the most of this little walk into the forest is that it is so quite, calm and safe. There is something spiritual in the air and you immediately stand in awe of this amazing silence. just outside the city.

Still something that gets me confused sometimes is driving on the opposite side of the road from that in South Africa. And so the steering wheel is also on the left side of the car. Most Korean cars is automatic and not all the Korean drivers can drive with gears.

But driving around the island you pass a lot of little dams. And what surprised me the most was that everything was so clean and open for anyone to enjoy. And everywhere along the road there are these little Korean benches where you can have picnics.

So from the waterfall our next stop would be the very famous Windy Hill. A big tourist attraction on the island.

 Coming in to the little town, I was amazed by the colour of the sea. It was a light blue. Not dark like our south african waters. It was gorgeous. The visibility of the water was so clear. You can see some rocks deep into the water. The little harbour was not that clean, like most harbours.

Then we got a parking spot and getting out the car I felt the freezing wind for the first time...(WINDY hill!!!)

So windhill is a little hill in the south of Geoje-do where for some reason there is always wind. It is famous for this holland windmill. It is a very tourist friendly spot witk little walk routes up into the forest or all along the cliff.

Windyhill is also a  very popular spot for Korean couple or familys just to walk around or see the sights. It was very cold on the hill. I think i was wearing 3 tops and i could still feel the cold.

 Nadia. She is probably one of the most fun Koreans if met so far. Always game to go do something, smiling the whole time.
Now these ropes are to keep people on these little routes. But being a tourist, Nadia decided i didnt have abide to these rules for some reason. So she asked me am i scared of heights. So i knew somehow this was not going to turn out good.
But being myself i said "ofcourse not". She asked me to follow her and so i did. We went to the edge of one of the cliffs, jumped over the ropes and climbed down these rocks, down to the water.

 It was beautiful. Scary. But beautiful. The waves (rather small) would break on these rocks. The vis of the water was just amazing. Standing on the edge looking down you could see sea stars and clamps. I was just amazing.

 Nadia had to go right to the edge of this rocky area, making me very nervous. And decided to take a photo. So linde decided to do it aswell. Now Im very scared but can not look like a scared idiot infront of my co-workers so finally went up to the edge.And had my own photo taken just to proof it.

Sona experience

Got ask randomly if i want to go to the sona with a friend. He (being a guy) has to go to the gents sona and I (being a girl) has to go to the womens sona. As it was end of december it was totally freezing and the idee of sitting in a hot tub convinced me easily. So not knowing what to expected really got my keys and stuff and we were on our way.

Got my towel (i thought it was a little small) and some funny pink robe type of thing and there i go. Went up one flight of stairs and just saw steam. Got real excited. It was only when i took of my shoes (typical korea) that i found a very big sona and pool and hot tub, full of naked women.

Now i know the more you think about it, this should be normal for me. But me (being very shy) did not expect to walk in to this. Women walking aroun as if it is the most natural thing in the world. Blow drying their hair (naked) talking to their nabour in the tub (naked) teacher seening one of her students (naked!!!)

I have never before put on my shoes so fast and just ran out of there. Like literally ran...
So i found out that nudity in public just isnt for me.
hahaha what a sight

Christmas day

Had a very intresting Christmas day so far. Except for the fact that i am very close to tears because i miss my family very much, i had the great opportunity of going to a christian church in Okpo, korea. Very excited i kinda dressed up a bit knowing that people was going to look. And they did. Thanks to my great friend and boss grace(most beautiful korean women)  we were a bit late so when we entered church it was stacked woth people. I nearly sat on her lap just to get some space.
Intresting thou was that mr hu her husband did not join us for church. He parked the van and i geuss thats were he stayed...

Just like south african churches you get a plamfet when you go into church...In solid korean so could not read it but i take it, it contains the songs and information. The church was beautiful. Big. High sealings. And a big chior. Thay sang christmas song in korean but it had the same tune as the english version so it kinda sound amazing to hear it in korean.

The service was about an hour long and the pastor was full of jokes with the occasional amen out of the crowd.

At the end of the service i shook a few peoples hands and exchanged a couple of 'merry christmas'. This has to be said the koreans are either very intrested in you as a person or the will just ignore you. But mostly they are sicerly intrested in you and always greet with a smile or a sligt nod of their heads.

We had a christmas lunch at a resturant. It looks like in all the korean movies. You sit down on the floor (after you took your shoes of at the door ofcourse) and then you bbq your own meat...
Great fun. Having coffee later on today and then i should probably start doing some prep work for the coming weekend.

To everyone reading this post hope you have a merry christmas filled with love and joy...and appreciate the family you have around you, not everyone has that this christmas...

Christmas eve

So this will be my first post since comming to Korea. Its been such an intresting experience. Ive been here for about month now. Been missing home now and then, missing my friends so much but the thrill of each new day keeps me hooked to korea.

Tonight is xmas eve in Geoje-do an island south of busan.

Its a very busy night out even though its feezin outside. Christmas is not celebrated as much here. Feels a bit silly to think tonight is christmas. No big fuss is made about is. You will see the occasional christmas tree in shop and the occasional carol but other than that it is just a normal weekend.

Going the church tomorro with Grace Choi (boss) and here family. Looking forward to it as the service will only be in korean. Afterwards having some huge burgers at the lemon table.

The monday its just back to work again...

Wished i could have a braai and swim and my family and friends around me, bu christmas in korea doesnt sound to bad....

Merry christmas...