Gyeongju 경주 Trip - Part 1

( 불국사 Bulguksa )

Day 1 
3/1/2012 @ KTX & 경주

We were given a four day weekend for Independence Movement Day. It fell pleasantly on a Thursday, so they gave us the following friday off, thus creating a FOUR DAY WEEKEND. JC, Katrina, Drew, Chelsea and I planned a little excursion to Gyeongju. We actually did very little planning and just bought tickets. We worked out all the details once we got there.

( Chelsea on the KTX )

( Katrina & JC on the KTX )

( Drew, drinking a "secret" rum & coke )

[worst rum ever]

( YAY! We made it! )

When we arrived at the train station in Gyeongju, we swung by a tourist information stand, where they helped up make a reservation for a pension. We actually ended up finding an extremely great one, called JY Pension. It was very pleasant, and on top of the high-quality conditions, the couple that owned it was quite friendly. They drove us in and out of town multiple times.

( Pension garden )

( Living room )

( Entrance & bathrooms )

( Kitchen )

엑스포공원 Expo Park

This looked like it was going to be pretty cool, but unfortunately it was closed. We stopped by and took some pictures. Katrina then convinced us that it was a good idea to sneak in and take a look. We got whistled at.

( The main building )

( Katrina made it in, )

( and so did Chelsea. I made it too, but the whistle blew while I was squeezing through. )

( We got busted. HA! )

석굴암 Seokguram

We took a bus ride up the mountain to this temple and opted out of the 2 hour hike up the mountain. The ride up was fine, but the ride down left us all feeling a little queazy. It was a bit of a trek around the top of the mountain, but it was worth a look. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures in the grotto.

( Bell building )

( Ladies, selling chestnuts. )

( Drew )

( Myself )

( Chelsea )

( Fountain )

( Temple complex )

( Photo of the grotto from google )

( One More )

불국사 Bulguksa 

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Korea. It was pretty fun to walk around. Sadly, we didn't have lots of time, because they were about the close. We still did a nice run around in the temple and took lots of pictures.

( A bridge on the way in to the temple )

( Bamboo and temple buildings )

( Entrance guardian )

( Guardian demon )

( I'm on a bridge! )

( Courtyard )

( Shrine )

( Another courtyard with a shrine )

( Rock stacks )

( Another bridge )

( Turtle )

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