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Oryukdo: Korea’s Beautiful Islands
The 5 to 6 islets off the coast of Busan are collectively known as Oryukdo (오룍도 literally meaning 5-6 islands in Korean). The name of these islands stems from the fact that you can see the 6th island depending on the tides.These well-known islands were formed by volcanic rock along the coast, and are about a 45 minute bus ride from Gwangalli Beach area. These beautiful islands are stunning, the tiny pieces of land standing proudly in the crystal blue water and have become home for both a marine sanctuary and geopark. When you visit you’ll most likely see local fishermen out on boats or along the rocky coast, and even…
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Checking off the Bucket List: Gamcheon Culture Village
Before I even came to Korea, Gamcheon Culture Village was on my list. Although my initial plans for a dream trip with friends fell through due to Covid, I finally got to check it off my list after moving to Korea during a solo trip. I was particularly excited to see the book stairs and try the rose gelato, I used There She Goes Again handy dandy map because I almost walked by both locations since everything was so tucked away. The village was formed in the 1920s when refugees from the Korean War relocated to the mountain village where houses are stacked beside each other tightly. By the mid…
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Experiencing a Capsule Hotel
On the beachfront of Gwangalli beach is Hotel1. Inside you’ll find its hallways lined with bunks stacked on top of each other in a scene that feels like you’d find in a boat. You may be familiar with capsule hotels, but all I really knew is that they were little rooms in a hotel that afforded cheaper lodging for travelers on a budget. Capsule, or pod hotels, originated in Japan with the first one opening in 1979. They are organized in tight quarters usually the size of just a bed and closed with a curtain or door depending on the facilities. The hotel will have a shared bathroom and usually…
being authentic in a filtered world
