So, I just had the best weekend that I have had since moving to Korea. The bad thing about it is that it was so good because I actually felt like I wasn't in Korea for the first time. Not that I am hating on Korea- but it was just nice to actually feel like I was going somewhere else for a few days. Gail, Jennifer and I decided to treat ourselves to a weekend in Sokcho. Since we had Friday off (Memorial Day), we left on Friday mid-morning and took the bus to the East coast. It was about 3 hours total in travel time. Not too bad. We arrived in Sokcho around 3 o'clock and proceeded to go directly to our hotel.
Now, our last experience with a hotel was not so great. We had gotten a hotel for one night in a neighboring town just to get out of the dorm a couple of weekends ago. The internet is the birthplace of exaggeration and lies. The hotel wasn't a dump or anything, but we were quite disappointed. So- we were really holding our breaths on this one. We had paid a bit more, so we really wanted to get our money's worth. We were NOT disappointed! The Hotel Maremons was great! It was lovely from the moment we arrived. A seaside view, sauna, feather pillows, the works! YIPEE! First, we crossed the street to the Sunrise Park, where people go to see the sun rise on Korea. It was great just to be near the sea. Next, we went to the "lake" (I would say lagoon) in the center of town and walked around for awhile. Since we were close to dinner and sunset, we decided to just go for a wander and catch a movie. (Sex and the City- I can't explain how happy I was to see this- I'm such a fan) and then hit up a dive for some chicken.
Saturday we woke up to catch the sunrise at 5:00 am, but it was too hazy so we went back to sleep. We got up for the breakfast at 8:30 and WOW. Eggs, sausage, french toast, CHEESE, fruit, croissants...I could go on and on. I know all of this food sounds pretty normal to you, but it was BEYOND delicacy to us. After gorging ourselves until 10:00 am, we hit the beach. We were so fortunate to have a beautiful, sunny day. The high was around 75 and of course, it was breezy. We stayed in the sun until about 3, then went back to take advantage of the sauna. Funny story.
So, in Korea, saunas are quite common. They are also completely nude. So, the three of us come strolling in with our bathing suits still on. No go. You go in naked, or not at all. There were maybe 7 other women in there (and 4 kids)...and we really wanted to hit the hot tub...and we are all friends....so we did it. I know that all over the world, this is common. But for 2 Americans and a Brit, it was quite humorous. Anyway, once we dropped the towels, we enjoyed the hot tubs, warm tubs and cool bath. The dry sauna room was cooking at 82 CELSIUS and the wet sauna room was 91 CELSIUS!! We managed 5 mins. in the dry and maybe 2 in the wet. I don't know how that is enjoyable for anyone.
Anyway, that night, we went down to the port to see all the fresh catches for sale. You can pick your fish out of a tank. Then, they throw it on the ground and knock it in the head with an aluminum baseball bat. Then, it's yours. Yuck. I do enjoy sushi though, and we tried to find a restaurant that served sushi along with something else for Gail (who doesn't eat seafood). No luck. So, we walked back to the hotel and went to the Japanese restaurant there for sashimi. It was delicious. Not quite as fresh (since the hotel is 2 blocks away from the port) but still good. Then we decided just to stay in the hotel lounge for the evening and relax.
Sunday morning we were back at the breakfast buffet, ready to eat for the day. We checked out at 10 and went to catch a showing of Kung Fu Panda. We missed the beginning by 20 mins. so we decided to head back home. Good thing we started back when we did. We missed the 11 o'clock bus by 5 minutes. So we caught the 12:30. That bus decided to take the "scenic route" back through the mountains. It was beautiful, but added an hour to our trip. We finally got back home around 5 pm...with the cloud of Monday doom hanging over our heads.
It was a great weekend, and we all can't wait to go back. The other funny thing about the beach is that Korean people do not like to get tan AT ALL! (it is a sign of wealth to not be in the sun as poorer people work in the fields) Anyway, us foreigners were the only ones in bathing suits on the beach. The Koreans wear long sleeves and pants! Some were even in jackets! Under umbrellas! I am sure we looked like we were from another planet (as usual).
So far, this week has been OK. We have 7th grade boys this week. They are quite smart, but their behavior is a bit trying at times. I am almost halfway through, so I am guessing I will survive. Thanks for the emails and keep them coming! Enjoy the pics!!
PS- my camera arrived- so I am back in business!! YEAH!!
Now, our last experience with a hotel was not so great. We had gotten a hotel for one night in a neighboring town just to get out of the dorm a couple of weekends ago. The internet is the birthplace of exaggeration and lies. The hotel wasn't a dump or anything, but we were quite disappointed. So- we were really holding our breaths on this one. We had paid a bit more, so we really wanted to get our money's worth. We were NOT disappointed! The Hotel Maremons was great! It was lovely from the moment we arrived. A seaside view, sauna, feather pillows, the works! YIPEE! First, we crossed the street to the Sunrise Park, where people go to see the sun rise on Korea. It was great just to be near the sea. Next, we went to the "lake" (I would say lagoon) in the center of town and walked around for awhile. Since we were close to dinner and sunset, we decided to just go for a wander and catch a movie. (Sex and the City- I can't explain how happy I was to see this- I'm such a fan) and then hit up a dive for some chicken.
Saturday we woke up to catch the sunrise at 5:00 am, but it was too hazy so we went back to sleep. We got up for the breakfast at 8:30 and WOW. Eggs, sausage, french toast, CHEESE, fruit, croissants...I could go on and on. I know all of this food sounds pretty normal to you, but it was BEYOND delicacy to us. After gorging ourselves until 10:00 am, we hit the beach. We were so fortunate to have a beautiful, sunny day. The high was around 75 and of course, it was breezy. We stayed in the sun until about 3, then went back to take advantage of the sauna. Funny story.
So, in Korea, saunas are quite common. They are also completely nude. So, the three of us come strolling in with our bathing suits still on. No go. You go in naked, or not at all. There were maybe 7 other women in there (and 4 kids)...and we really wanted to hit the hot tub...and we are all friends....so we did it. I know that all over the world, this is common. But for 2 Americans and a Brit, it was quite humorous. Anyway, once we dropped the towels, we enjoyed the hot tubs, warm tubs and cool bath. The dry sauna room was cooking at 82 CELSIUS and the wet sauna room was 91 CELSIUS!! We managed 5 mins. in the dry and maybe 2 in the wet. I don't know how that is enjoyable for anyone.
Anyway, that night, we went down to the port to see all the fresh catches for sale. You can pick your fish out of a tank. Then, they throw it on the ground and knock it in the head with an aluminum baseball bat. Then, it's yours. Yuck. I do enjoy sushi though, and we tried to find a restaurant that served sushi along with something else for Gail (who doesn't eat seafood). No luck. So, we walked back to the hotel and went to the Japanese restaurant there for sashimi. It was delicious. Not quite as fresh (since the hotel is 2 blocks away from the port) but still good. Then we decided just to stay in the hotel lounge for the evening and relax.
Sunday morning we were back at the breakfast buffet, ready to eat for the day. We checked out at 10 and went to catch a showing of Kung Fu Panda. We missed the beginning by 20 mins. so we decided to head back home. Good thing we started back when we did. We missed the 11 o'clock bus by 5 minutes. So we caught the 12:30. That bus decided to take the "scenic route" back through the mountains. It was beautiful, but added an hour to our trip. We finally got back home around 5 pm...with the cloud of Monday doom hanging over our heads.
It was a great weekend, and we all can't wait to go back. The other funny thing about the beach is that Korean people do not like to get tan AT ALL! (it is a sign of wealth to not be in the sun as poorer people work in the fields) Anyway, us foreigners were the only ones in bathing suits on the beach. The Koreans wear long sleeves and pants! Some were even in jackets! Under umbrellas! I am sure we looked like we were from another planet (as usual).
So far, this week has been OK. We have 7th grade boys this week. They are quite smart, but their behavior is a bit trying at times. I am almost halfway through, so I am guessing I will survive. Thanks for the emails and keep them coming! Enjoy the pics!!
PS- my camera arrived- so I am back in business!! YEAH!!
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