Mundong Waterfall - Geoje

A few days ago I decided to take time to pay a visit to the Mundong Waterfall. Let me start off by saying that I enjoy waterfalls, almost everything about them makes me happy. There are two main reasons for this, first, I like water and almost everything to do with water. Swimming for example, is kind of fun sometimes; showering is another water activity that I can be convinced to do. Second if it has water in it's name I will probably like it look at watermelons, watercolors, waterfronts, watermarks, waterwings, waterskiing, waterfalls. Nothing in that list is has a negative vibe to it, they are all things that I would feel perfectly comfortable talking about in front of my mother.

Now for the waterfall, from the first time I opened the tourist map I knew that I must see, even if it was the last thing I did in Korea. As it turned out, it almost was, but that is a story for another day. A few months ago I made a weak attempt at reaching the falls but I had wisely decided that we didn't need a map. We ended up completely missing the exit and going on a much longer and more adventurous ride than we had planned. Since the first trip I had seen the sign for the falls, it was much closer than I expected it to be but I lacked the time to go and explore them.

To get there it is pretty simple, just take the main road south through Gohyeon(BangBang Street) till you see a big blue building with large pictures on it to your right. About 100 meters from there you will see, on your left, a sign and the turn off for Mundong Waterfall. Depending on the lights it should take less than 10 minutes from the harbor. Parking is 5000 won for the day(I think), I went with Annabelle and so parking was free.

The path leading to the falls starts across from the parking booth, to my surprise it was paved all the way the the falls. In addition to that it was not very long or steep and it was tree covered, making it a gentle, easy, relaxing walk.

The path follows the stream, crossing over once or twice, allowing you to watch the water as it plays through the rocks on it's gravity powered journey to it's resting place. You will also get to witness the rare phenomenon of Korean's participating what some people call leisure time. There are many small platforms all along the stream for picnics, camping, barbecues, naps or anything else you can find to do on them.

As I said earlier it is a fairly leisurely walk, but I forgot to mention how safe it was all thanks to CCTV. Every 50 meters or so there was a stand in the forest beside the path with a camera facing down the path in two directions. Fantastic...

The falls themselves are about a 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot depending on the pace of your amble. The pace of your amble also determines the amount of breath that is taken away by the falls, if you amble at 15 km/h the falls will take much more breath away than if you amble at 3 km/h. Let's just say for the amount of effort needed, it is pretty alright.

Having taken the "classic" picture that looked just like the signs, minus some water, I wondered if there was more to it. I spied a path off to the left of the "classic picture of mundong falls bridge" leading upwards and because one of the best things I have heard of is up(Ever heard of heaven?) I started in that direction. The path forks after 100 meters or so, I can't comment on what is to the left but the right path crosses the stream about 25 meters above the falls. This is what it looks like from the top.

Again well worth the walk. Having seen the top I made my way back to the bottom of the falls and to immerse my self in the cleansing waters before I started the long gruelling hike down.

According to me, Mundong Waterfall is a fantastic way to make use of time, be it 15 minutes or 15 hours, and I would recommend to everyone coming to Geoje. After all, what is better than seeing water fall? Being able to tell someone else that you saw falling water...

Research

After half a year of thorough research* I have found that the average person uses approximately 1 roll of toilet paper per month. Coincidentally I am almost finished my sixth roll since arriving in Korea, I guess I am average after all...

*(Research many not be as thorough as implied)

Night Hike

This past weekend I needed some time away after work on Friday so after Skyping over supper and seeing that I haven't been overly active in the last few weeks I decided to go for a night hike. I chose to climb the mountain behind my old place, mainly because I could ride my motorcycle half way up...

I bought new batteries for my headlamp as it was overcast and headed out. I found my way to where the trail crossed the road with little problem but after climbing a few yards I knew that it was going to be a bit of a challenge. Both the climb and then finding my way back down.

I made it to where the trail comes out of the trees and on to the rock with hardly a rest and plenty of perspiration. This was not the top but it was as far as I would go as there were many trails branching every which way. This would ensure that I did not end up following a different trail down where it would deposite me on the other side of the mountain.

I found a swell place on the edge of a cliff, with an overhang to relax and take in the evening view.

As I suspected I did lose the path on the way down but I knew I was going in the general direction so I kept going. I ended up following a rocky river bed to the road where Annabelle was waiting for me.

I stopped by the harbour on my way home and took a picture so that you can see what it looks like.

Monsoons, Typhoons, Korea and More

Everything You need to Know About Monsoons, and Typhoons in Korea

As you know I am not very in the know when it comes to weather savvyness(or is it ie?). The main mix up I have is between monsoons, typhoons, and just plain rain. But I finally decided that this was the week to change all of that. As a result I have spent about 5 minutes studying up on my weather and found out some fascinating things.

Did you know that the rains that we experienced lately are classified as monsoon rains? I didn't, that is until this week but it is in fact, fact. I heard it with my own ears this past week and wikipedia confirms it. Monsoons, as wikipedia so simply puts it, are seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea. Like I said, simple. What's more is that the rumor going around is that the monsoon season is over for the year, so this information will no longer help anyone in Korea this year. I hope you have a good memory...

On to typhoons which is much more relevant as the rumors are spreading the fact that the typhoon season will be upon us shortly. A typhoons is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the Northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. I may be wrong but it sounds similar to a small hurricane, just that it forms in a different part of the world. August is prime time for these although they usually form so far south of Korea that by the time they hit there is not very much damage, just a few days of wind and rain.

Again I spent a whole 5 minutes studying this(or I might have over heard it, I can't remember), so if I am wrong feel free to let me know.

MORE!

Now for the more I promised you in the title. Surfing in Korea! A typhoon passed by Japan earlier this week and made some fine waves at one of the beaches on the island. A friend went to surf them but the "lifeguards"(two people in plain clothes with whistles) didn't think it was safe so they were not happy.

The waves were really nice and it would have been great even just to body surf but right after I pulled up, seeing I was white one of the lifeguards came up to me, made, "X" with his hands letting me know that there would be no going in the water today.

From what I have heard since from Koreans is that for the most part Koreans don't know how to swim. Unlike North America, they don't have swimming lessons for kids, at the beach the kids don't even go deep enough to get their chins wet. Thus their reaction when people display interest in swimming in slightly excited waters.

Brain Freeze in a Box

First off, I am not trying to make a play with the title about the mental activity of my students in our cuboid of a classroom(although that would have been clever).

No, for the past few months I have been teaching an extra class for a couple of kids and only now am I seeing the fruit(or in this case, cream) of my labour. The class is an extra for kids already in the school whose parents want them to get a jump start on life.

Now if you know anything about Korean education you will be thinking to yourself, "Silly Doug, most Korean parents are crazy enough(about education) and want their kids to get a sometimes unhealthy jump on life. They start them as young as 18 months and by 48 months old some of them are going to school 8 hours a day. Some one should tell them that their kids could get a similar if not better jump on life simply by having a good attitude or paying attention in class."

To that I say, "You are right, Korean parents are crazy(about education), and about that jump on life, yes, they could otherwise get simply by having a good attitude or paying attention in class. I secretly agree with you but remember, those are your words not mine. If they bring trouble I will be sure to let them know where to go and how to get there... to find you(of course). This class is simply an additional jump on that initial jump start of their life."

The extra class has been even parts conversation, reading and book work with a little bit of fun mixed in for good measure. The thing that makes this it special is that the kids already have great attitudes about learning. Unlike many of my other students, these kids enjoy learning new things and they actually try to remember it and use it. This makes it more rewarding as well as much easier to teach.

This week it got a little bit more rewarding, one of those moms brought me an ice cream cake. It is pretty much the coolest thing any parent has ever brought me. It makes me wonder why I ever said no to signing a 10 year contract. Well almost...

Sites Which Is?

These sign are much close to me house. So far me perfected grammar have not rub off on this here sign...

Rice Field Update #2

Here is another update on "the" rice field. I still do not know any more about the process but I did walk around the field and saw that they had an interesting drainage system that transfered water from one field to the next.

Renovations

When I moved in to my new apartment three months ago, there was a house here. Now something else will take it's place.

Samsung Hotel Buffet - Geoje

This week I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the Samsung Hotel for their Patio Barbecue Buffet. I went with the other teachers from the school and from what they said it was about a 50,000($50) meal. I know what you are probably thinking, Doug that money could have been used to feed starving children in Africa. To that I say, yes, it probably could have, but it's too late now, what's done is done.

I do have an excuse though because I didn't pay for the meal. The parents of some of our students got together and bought them for the teachers as a thank-you. It would have been a shame not to use them...

First off, this is by far the nicest place that I have eaten in Korea, comfortable chairs, relaxed atmosphere, and space. Coming from a culture where most things are quite crowded out of necessity it was nice to have some space between your table and the next. Adding to the experience the restaurant has big windows and a great patio that overlooks a small park area and the harbour. Another huge thing I noticed was the noise, there was almost none. It is set back from the city in a way that there are no through roads, this results in the absence of noise from the normal hustle and bustle of traffic.

To the food: the selection was quite good, there were a few different salads, soups, breads, and veggie dishes, a couple of cold meat dishes as well as a number of hot meat dishes. Also quite a bit of sea food, the usual option of raw or cooked salmon, shrimp and then a number of different kinds of shell fish. My favorite, for the novelty of it, were the small conch shells. 

Outside on the patio was the barbecue station cooking up a number(7) of different types of meat, all tasting quite delicious. There were other things like cooked potatoes and kebabs as well. Then there was the dessert, while nothing to compare with western treats, there was a good selection numbering around two handfuls and it was all quite edible. 

All in all it was a fine meal and well worth the price I paid. But if I was paying for it myself, there probably would not be a next time. While the food was delicious and the atmosphere was very comfortable, I would find it hard to justify paying 50,000 won. Especially seeing as it is 1/6th of what I lived on for the past month. That being said, if it is in your price range I would highly recommend it for two reasons. First the food it serves is fantastic, second it offers a peace seldom found in Korea.

Decals Placed!

It is now just over a week since I placed Annabelle's decals upon her and let me tell you, they look fantastic! Taking pictures in the parking garage where she is stored simply would not do them the justice that they deserve. Only the best would do. The best, fittingly so, happened to be found on the road leading up the mountain I used to hike. That was before I met Annabelle. Going there together with Annabelle brought some closure. I'll stop typing now so you can look at the pictures.

Big thanks for the decals!

Modernity

From the side this looked like just a plain, old napkin dispenser, but thanks to a subtle sticker on the front I could see that this was not my grandfathers napkin dispenser. The first give-away was that my grandfather used a handkerchief, the second was that this was much too modern...

Such Great Heights

The other night was another beauty so I climbed something and took a camera. Can't say much more but here are a few pictures.

Can you spot my apartment?

Night Ride

Here in Korea we have officially entered the rainy season. Some say it is the typhoons, others say it is the monsoons, while still others just say it is raining. I prefer to use the exotic word typhoon or monsoon to describe it as I back home I am stuck with just calling it rain. Whatever it is, it started at the end of June and I am told will continue until some time in August, as such I am trying to make the most of the time when it does happen to be dry.

This past Friday was one of those days. It had been drizzling on and off for the better part of the work day and cleared up just as I was getting off work. I did a few things around the house and then left for a late supper at the neighborhood pizza place with a few friends. The fellowship was good and by the time we parted ways I had my mind set on bed. That was until, upon my return I noticed that the roads had been drying nicely.

I had been looking for an opportunity to re-ride a great section of road on the north of the island and this seemed to be that perfect opportunity. It was late enough that the roads would be clear of the traffic that normally pokes along and dark enough to make the corners interesting.

I should note here that there is very little variation in the marking of a corner in Korea, there is an arrow in the direction of the turn in the road but very little indication of how tight that corner really is.

I set out at half past eleven with Annabelle and everything about it was beautiful. A quarter of the moon was high in the sky, a thin fog was rising from the road, exploding when hit by the headlight, and wide open roads calling for a wide open throttle. Then there was the smell. It smelled of life! On top of all that Annabelle filled my ears with sweet nothings as the miles rolled away. Bliss!

The road that I took led me over the Busan-Geoje link bridge which I have always wanted to photograph at night. I found a place to turn off in to a nearby village and relaxed under the bridge for a while as I had a snack. Unfortunately the lights that illuminate the towers had already gone to bed by the time I arrived, perhaps I will come a little earlier next time.

My camera said it looked like this but I insist that it looked quite a bit better.

The next day turned out nice as well so I went for a ride in the afternoon and ended up with a sunburn on the tops of my hands and arms. Well worth it as it has been raining ever since and the forecast calls for rain through till next Monday.

Stay tuned for new pictures of Annabelle. She is looking fine(r) thanks to her new decals!

Egg in a Hole

This past week I made egg in a hole for breakfast for the first time in Korea. For those who don't know what egg in a hole is. You take a piece of bread, cut a hole in the center, and put in on a hot frying pan. Next you crack an egg in to the hole and viola, egg in a hole. While it is nothing special it is a change from plain old fried eggs.

My egg in a hole however was a bit different. You see I had been given a couple of donuts the night before but had not had the desire to eat plain donuts so I didn't. Then in the morning when I was wondering what to eat for breakfast I remembered the donuts and egg in a hole and wondered if it might just work.

As you can see there was much more egg than hole and the holes were quite deep so the middle was still just the right amount of gooey. The sweet of the donut was balance out nicely by the salty of the eggs creating near perfect harmony. The only thing that would have made it better is if I had bacon to wrap around it...