Ulleungdo - Day 1

Keeping up with our annual Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving is the closest equivalent) tradition, Katrina and I went to another island this year. We left Friday night around midnight and arrived early Saturday to watch the sunrise in Gangwondo. Unfortunately, it wasn't that sunny. Afterwards, we hopped on a ferry and took a two and a half hour ride to Ulleungdo, a tiny island off the east coast of Korea (see map). It is very close to the highly contested Dokdo Island and a few of our travel companions made the trip to Dokdo.

Anyway, on the first day, due to the rain, outdoor activities weren't really feasible. So, we decided to take the island bus tour. It was a nice idea. We got to see a lot of the famous rock formations on the island and had a nice time. The island itself reminded me a lot of Hawaii, only smaller. A little foreshadowing... Day 2 included a hike, cable car, and the Yaksu Park; Day 3 was a wonderful island hike. Here are a few pictures from the first day:

(The beach slightly after sunrise)


(The place we attempted to watch the sunrise on a cloudy day)


(A little park we found)


(Interesting sculpture I found in the park - not quite sure of the meaning)


(Tiny temple we found in Gangwondo)


(First picture I took from the island... if you blow it up, you might be able to see the rain)


(One of the many interesting rock formations we saw. This is the woman's rock.)


(Me standing in front of the MAN'S rock)


(Katrina in front of the WOMAN'S rock. I guess we know who has the power in Korean culture. DISCLAIMER: We were told about the man and woman rocks by our tour guide.)


(One of the places we got off the bus for a quick 10 minute hike. Great view during our mini-hike.)


(View from our mini-hike)


(Katrina at the top of the spiral staircase)


(Traditional House we stopped at during our bus tour - those are rocks on the roof)


(Katrina inside the house.)


(Straw house in the same location)


(Me with some of the interesting rocks behind me)


(Most of the group on the bus)


(Nice panorama shot)


(Ferry we took while on the bus tour. This is not the one we took to the island.)


(Sweet bridge, but it was closed. Not quite sure what was happening with the bridge... but it was a great picture.)