Mar 30, 2013 - Tyrol in the East

Drove 3.5 hours to Mount Seoraksan, a Tyrolean-style mountain resort originally built for the GI's in the 1950's. Granite mountains tower like ragged teeth all round, the air is fresh, clean and exhilerating. There are mounds of remaining snow although all the paths are clear - precipitation is forecast for tonight. I shared a seafood potato pancake with Ruth at lunchtime: uninspiring but helped with chili sauce and garlic and soy sauce. We took the cable car to the top of the near by summit - along with all the Korean tourists - and...

Nov 1, 2009 - Misty Mountain Hop

It started raining towards the end of my day out yesterday, and hasn't stopped since! I have dried out quite a lot from today's tromping in the rain, but as I write this before I go home, I still have soaking wet feet and feel cold for almost the first time on this trip. I had a fantastic day though in the Seoraksan National Park, about an hour north of here. If it wasn't due to carry on raining, than I would blow out the rest of my plans for this week and just stay hiking in Seoraksan, it is that attractive. It has the shreds of mist...

Aug 7, 2004 - Carrying an ugly dragon lamp across Seoul, switching bus stations - seven subway stops apart.

"As human a little story as paper could well carry" -James Joyce Seoul is a crowded city, people everywhere, people going in your direction, others against you and others following no apparent logic seem to be heading towards the wall (secret portal?). A sea of people with its ebbs and flows. All somehow controlled by the full moon peeking out as the sun completes its fall from our horizon. I had to explain 'tacky' to Sandra who was travelling with me as I curse my large and cumbursome purchase which was the whim of a spontanious inquiry...