Skies and clear tide

On the last day of our adventure we headed back to the beach. As soon as we go to Samcheok, this was where we went, and it was where we took the trip to let it die. The hotels were all boarded up and empty, us the only ones reveling in the season they call off.

We built a sandcastle then stomped it down to rubble, walked out to the lifeguard tower. Could not stop staring at the sea-blue colour, our toes beneath the clearest tide. With the clock ticking to our exit, we hailed a cabby, sand covering all our feet.

Days and holidays

In the first week of June we decided to bear bad traffic and take the holiday Monday as an escape. We headed north, then east, out on the not so open road. Held books to our noses and ipods to our ears, the bus stood stagnant; a blood clot in the road.

Hours later we arrived at our destination, the night cooling off the day. Found an Italian diner on the street’s main drag, and relaxed with worst glass of wine. Walked lazily down the blocks around the hotel, ice cream in hand.

Out of the city and away from work, all the world was calm.

Precious little nature obsession

We opted out of the walk up the mountain, elected the easy decline. On the way down we ran into a waterfall, all whispers down the hill. We watched it crash its glowing milk, gleaming in the sun.

Over the do-not-enter signs we jumped from rock to rock, basking in the mist. A deep breath of wet air, we snuck up to its pool. A threesome of Korean hikers caught us trespassers, then let us go with a wave and smile.

We passed them and down the trail, TLC playing in our heads.

The cave

The bats hide from the string of fluorescent lights illuminating the cave. A cool wind blows out the entrance. We tug at our hoodie strings and walk across the gates of hell.

Down below the bridge, black nothingness. And so he reads: When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you.

Bats and aborted hikes

Strapped on shoes and sunglasses, were early to the rise. Left the city and headed to the caves. The whole bus ride, all we saw were bats. Bats on posters and fences, a bat museum, a bat with outstretched wings framing the arch over the road out of town.

Samcheok loves its caves. Call it the Korean rabbit hole. There are 55 caves in the area, and two open to explore. We bought our tickets and began the hike, but gave up at the foot of the monorail ride.

We forked over the ride admission, and got ready to get our Goonie on.