Korea: Temples at Bulguksa, fresh crab and joining a Korean party (Day 15)

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Today we woke up very early coz it's soo warm during the day and we wanted to profit of the morning coolness.
Before 8 o'clock we were walking in Bulguksa temple complex; what an enchanting place this is especially this early in the morning when it's so quiet that you only hear the birds singing.
Bulguksa is the temple complex of the ancient Korean capital Gyeongju. 
We couldn't stop taking photos especially coz all the lanterns of Buddha's Bday celebration were still there: so colourful.

children's drawings

Next stop after visiting Bulguksa was the Seokguram grotto. When we arrived at the parking there was a big bell which we could clam after paying 1000 Won/person. Of course we did, so much fun to make noise.

After a pleasant walk through the forest and spotting a squirrel (the only wildlife we saw in Korea until now), we arrived at the cave with the large granite buddha. However, coz of all the tourists a glass wall had been placed in front, which was a pitty. 

different techniques ....

As we didn't have breakfast, we had an early lunch at Gampo, a small fishing town famous for it's crabs. Peter had found this info in the Lonely Planet. Great idea coz the crab was lovely. As we didn't wanna sit on the floor inside the restaurant coz that's sooo uncomfy, the owner put us on chairs in front of the restaurant. Yeah, I know horrible Europeans ...., oh well it was very comfy ^-^

Gampo

After lunch we visited the National Museum of Gyeongju, which is large and tells the story of the ancient kingdom of Silla, of Korea and of Buddhism. To be honest we expected more.

In the evening we had dinner at a Japanese noodles restaurant. Shortly after we sat down a large party arrived, which happened to be the Election Committee of Gyeongju. After dinner we were invited to join them for 'ritual drinks the Korean way'. This means you have to empty your glass filled with Korean rice wine and beer in one gulp, and afterwards kiss eachother on the mouth.

Strange habbit but lots of fun!

the Judge toasting