Damyang Bamboo Forest and Metasaquioa Road

Damyang Bamboo Forest

(Juknokwon)

Warning: photo heavy

It was a pretty weekend in Mokpo so we decided to go on a day trip to Damyang bamboo forest. This forest is located in Damyang which is about a 40 minute bus ride from Gwangju. We left around lunch time grabbing our usual lunch of Isacc toast at the bus terminal and headed off to Gwangju. After confirming the route at the information kiosk, we headed out to wait for the local bus no. 311. This bus is not direct and has multiple stops, but it will stop right in front of the forest. The bus ride took about 40 minutes.

The entrance to the forest has a cute water wheel and some pandas. The admission was 2000 won per person. After you enter you will follow the pathway around the forest. We went all the way around and it took about 2 hours on a hot summer day, with, multiple photo stops. There was quite a fair amount of people in most parts of the forest, granted we did go on a Saturday.

Everything was green! To be expected of course! There are different photo ops along the trail and also a souvenir/snack pavilion where I got to try the bamboo ice cream. This was very refreshing on the hot day, but tasted a lot like green tea to me. Still yummy, since I love green tea ice cream :).

After passing through multiple bamboo with initials on them, we decided to leave a mark of our own. I know, cheesy but hey once in a bamboo forest, carve your initials... Right? Lol.  Near the end of the trial there were more pandas. This time they were playing in the waterfall. Very cute in deed.

After the bamboo forest we decided to find our way to the Metasequoia road. This road is apperently very famous and very beautiful. Looking at the map, we thought it was just up the road across the river. Boy were we wrong! Well it was up the road and across the river, but it was a 30-45 minute walk from the bamboo forest. We stopped and asked multiple people and they just said to keep going. An alternative route is to rent bikes and ride the whole way or go by taxi. We finally made it after Alan spotted the line of trees in the distance - the only sign in English was about 50 meters from the entrance. 

Metasequoia Road

There is a 1000 won entrance fee for both sides of the road. It is divided by a parking lot and rest area. Keep your ticket so you can enter both sides! One side is significantly shorter and a lot less crowded. We followed the crown and walked down the path hugged by these gigantic trees, but it was to crowded to enjoy, so we headed back to the other side.

Orange Clash

After our very scenic walk we ended up at the rest stop at a restaurant called Orange Clash. The menu was the usual western mix of pasta, steak, and pizza. We had the cheese pizza and the Katsu steak. They were both delicious! It was starting to rain so we decided to head back. One of the problems we always run into when we travel to another city or tourist spot is the lack of transportation back to where we started. Our options were to walk back to the bamboo forest and wait for the bus, take a taxi from the rest area, or take a bus from the rest area. Since it was raining we decided to take the fast route and go by taxi....if there was one in sight. It took quite a while to find one, standing in the rain. The taxi took us to the Damyang bus terminal. From there we got on a 311 bus back to Gwangju. Success!

Tips and Recommendations:

Mokpo -> Damyang

Take a direct but to Gwangju, then local bus no. 311 to Juknokwon. You will catch the same bus on the way back either from the bamboo forest or the Damyang bus terminal. These buses run on ~15-20 minute intervals.

* Wear comfy shoes, and if you plan on biking appropriate attire.

* Bring your camera!

* Avoid crowds by going on a weekday, or early morning - if you plan on going during the festival weekend (which happens to be the World Bamboo Festival next year in June 2015) be prepared for A LOT of people!

Ultra Kora and 2 year anniversary!

It is the month of July! That means we only have three months left in Korea! It's a melancholy feeling that our adventure in this country will come to a close very soon, but we are very excited to go back to the USA. On to a recap of June! We experienced our first EDM concert outside of America, and it was pretty awesome! Here is a brief summary and some pros and cons that we noted.

Location: Seoul 

Venue: Olympic stadium

The location for Ultra Korea was smack dab in the middle of Seoul, the capital of Korea. It was set up at the Olympic Stadium which was a great venue. It was huge with four stages all spread out through out the stadium. A big difference from the concerts we've been to in America is that there are way more vendors in Korea. Not just food vendors but all sorts of sponsored vendors. Speaking of food, there were many options ranging from Korean food to Mexican, Turkish kebabs, and hot dogs. Drinks were mainly beer, vodka, and red bull, who were the official sponsors. Another plus for the concert goers was that a bottle of water didn't cost an arm and a leg (1000 won or $1). The venue was also on concrete and green grass, which were protected by these egg crate plastic things. No more kicking up dirt and having black gunk in your nose! That was a definite pro. 

Some cons right off the bat were the some what disorganized entrance lines. We had express GA passes which meant that we were able to go in the VIP line which was significantly shorter. Finding that line however was a different story. After asking three different team members, following two to end up right where we started, we finally found the entrance which was located in the middle of the GA lines. What?! I know, that was a nightmare.

Another con we soon figured out, was that there were no cash transactions. All transactions were made through Tmoney cards. If you're not familiar, Tmoney cards are like pre paid cash cards which are reloadable. Basically having a debit card without the hassle, and it can be used for several things (at convenience stores and public transportation to name a few). Well, no one told us that, nor was it advertised anywhere outside of the venue. We got through the gates, waited in line for drinks only to be turned away because we couldn't pay! Asking around, again no one knew where to get one. We finally found the reload station, but they don't sell the cards there, so we had to go next door and purchase the card, then go back in line to reload our card. Holy mama! That was a long ass process! After that, everything was easy, no cash to handle, just make sure you don't loose your card!

The one con that both Alan and I agreed that was at the top of our list was the atmosphere. Even though everyone was having a great time dancing and enjoying the music, there was no sense of community that we loved at all the other concerts. Everyone was in their own world, the lack of PLUR was slightly disappointing and a major set back. If you live in Korea, you will know what I'm talking about. Even though there were come disappointments, overall we had a blast! Jumping with the crowd at every possible drop (jumping is the only dance style known in this country to EDM). 

On the second day before heading to Ultra we went to the Galleria, one of our go to spots when we are in Seoul. Not only does it offer plenty of stores for some serious eye shopping, it has one of the best food courts ever! We had burgers and margaritas and then came back on Sunday to have another meal. Alan had the burger again and I opted for some sushi, but not just any sushi! I had salmon, tuna, uni and toro! Take that American food courts!

The Monday after Ultra was our two year anniversary! Omg it's been two years already? Time is flying fast. We celebrated by going to VIPs, a steakhouse chain in Korea after work. Alan also got me two dozen roses and a mint nano purse! I hope this is becoming a trend, he got me a green purse for our anniversary last year too, please see pictures below ;) Our meal was good, I had the tenderloin special, while Alan got the hot stone tenderloin that came with a safety paper fence, that almost caught on fire! Here's to many more adventures ;)