Calmness of the Morning Fog

South Korea Stage 2 – Tue 3rd Nov 2015 – Yangpyeong to Yeoju (55 Km)

Weather: 4⁰C min – 19⁰C max, HEAVY FOG!

Route PhotosAsin CafeYeoju VideoOSM MapTrip MapsGarmin
 

” The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city, on silent haunches, and then moves on “ ~ Carl Sandburg

How wonderful it is to wake up in the charming little South Korean village of Buyong-ri to the sound of a rooster crowing at daybreak! After an envigorating walk around the village I somehow managed to find my way back to the Hwajeong Hanok through the thick, dense fog that had enveloped the village overnight. Breakfast was awaiting me and what an amazing feast Jung-ja had prepared, the highlight being her own special omelette creation filled with fresh organic produce she had grown herself … and some more of her delicious and healthy persimmon leaf tea. Her husband Bong-gu joined us and we sat around the kitchen table in the lovely rustic kitchen, chatting together like life-long friends for at least an hour before I decided it was time to bid farewell and hit the road. My first experience of a South Korean homestay has been better than I could ever have dreamed of!

Although the fog was becoming even thicker I couldn’t resist stopping frequently to take photographs. The only problem was that I was becoming extremely cold as I rode along through the crisp, damp, morning air. Even the ski gloves I had purchased at a street market in Seoul were not enough to prevent my fingers becoming completely numb, and I was regretting I had not bought a balaclava to protect my ears as well.

A feature of the first 20 Km was the bike tunnels (at least a dozen of them) cutting through the hills to ensure that the bike paths remained perfectly flat all the way. Then as I was approaching the town of Ansin I stopped at a fascinating little café, where I wrapped my icy fingers around a large mug of great cappuccino dusted with cinnamon. I was so impressed with the décor that I took lots of photos, but unfortunately I have no way of sharing with you the jasmine-like, fragrance of the various white flowering shrubs scattered around the café, nor can I share with you the calming piano music playing gently in the background.

There were many points of interest along the route today, with a surprise or visual delight greeting me around nearly every corner. When I mentioned to Bong-gu last night that I was really enjoying the autumn colours of South Korea he told me that the maple trees were not nearly as good as previous years because of the drought they have been experiencing over the last couple of months. However, I think you will agree that the maple trees I photographed in the Yangpyeong gardens are still quite spectacular.

One thing that did intrigue me today was the number of trees adorned with little South Korean flags. I guess it is much easier to be so patriotic if you live in a mono cultured country.

The forecast for the next few days is for clear, sunny, slightly warmer, days, but even foggy days like today are enjoyable when you are riding on such wonderful bike paths in such a beautiful country.