Photo diary from a cycling weekend in Gyeong-ju.
Korea's capital city during the ancient Silla Kingdom (7th-9th Century) holds much history and is covered with mystical cherry blossoms this time of year. The trees and blossoms combined with the traditional architecture made for endless photo ops.
We cycled a one lane country road between two mountains on Saturday. The scenery and scent was more country than expected. After the sun set we chowed down on some Gyeong-ju style bulgogi and tasty barley pancakes the area is famous for. On day two we took a route back into town that meandered through the rice paddies. The view was amazing because there wasn't a building over three stories in sight. ^^
Anapji Pond was illuminated and a night time tour of the area was straight out of a child's fantasy. The traditional buildings, water, trees, blossoms, reflections, and lighting creating a magical feel. We ended the night with some pink cotton candy from the street vendor and my mind was convinced after an hour strolling the mystical pond that we were special beings that buzzed around on two wheels under soft, pink trees, and ate wispy sweetness for energy.
On Sunday we rose early to see the famous Seokguram Grotto. Buddha was carved into the granite mountain overlooking the Sea of Japan in the 7oo's.
Bulguksa is a well know temple from the Silla period and is home to many national treasures. It is considered a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art from the Silla kingdom. I enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms setting over the traditional architecture and the stone wish pyramids the visitors built.
Tombs of valued rulers and scholars are scattered throughout the city. One King has a sweet spot nestled back into the woods we discovered on our ride back into town. The pine trees wiggle there way up to the sky and purple flowers dance below. About 100 meters into the enchanted forest is a large tomb. The best spot in Gyeong-ju, in my opinion, and this King only ruled for one year ^.~
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