seokguram grotto in the rain

we were due to leave gyeongju for seoul the next day, and we woke up to lashing rains. despite the terrible weather, we decided that we still wanted to make a trip to bulguksa temple and seokguram grotto because of the buddhist heritage of the temple (the three of us come from families who practice buddhism). with time running out against us, we decided to only visit seokguram grotto, where the sculpture of the buddha within the grotto is regarded as one of the most important pieces of buddhist art.

by the time we reached the top of the mountain, fog had rolled in and the rain had become worse. we could barely see the entrance to the grotto and we were walking in the wrong direction before a gust of wind blew some of the mists away (top photo). then we had to hike into the grotto, the path was a good 20 minutes walk and it was terribly muddy. needless to say, our feet were terribly miserable and cold but we soldiered on.

when we reached the grotto and finally entered in to view the buddha, i almost wept with joy and relief, an emotion that i have no idea how to express came over me. i couldn't help but feel that the cold, mud and lashing rains that we had to endure was a test of our faith. it may sound a little melodramatic but truly this was what i felt. (due to conservation reasons, no photography is allowed in the grotto.)

gyeongju randoms

randoms from our day in gyeongju.

tombs

scattered all over gyeongju are little green mounds as if there were giant moles at work in the region. really, these little mounds are tombs from the korean shilla dynasty where kings, queens and royal officials lay in peace within. parks and cycling routes have been built around these tombs, offering visitors the chance to visit the tombs of historical figures that they read in history books or historical dramas that they watch on television. in the tombs park, there is one tomb, cheonmachong, that is open and available for the public to walk in and visit, sort of like how pyramids in egypt have also been opened to the public. instead of being eerie, the chamber have actually been converted into a mini-museum, showcasing some of the glorious items that was buried with the king who once lay there.

spring blooms, part three

i am so in love with the colours of the flowers in gyeongju, they are so vibrant and so spring. i think i love it so much because there is no spring season in a tropical country like singapore, it makes me appreciate it all the more when i experience them overseas.

the weekend is here again, so so glad because i have lots of fun plans for it. tonight, my friends and i will be going to a pop-up restaurant in town called the naked finn. the physical restaurant is only due to open next year so i am excited to get a taste of it first. saturday, i will be hitting up public garden, the newest flea market in singapore, it's already getting lots of buzz and will be featuring lots of local indie businesses and crafters. gosh, i better make sure that my wallet is full to the brim!

spring blooms, part two

more spring blooms to brighten our thursdays. just one more day to friday and then the glorious weekend! i am very excited about my weekend plans.

historical monuments

gyeongju is one of my favourite places to visit. it's a smaller city and out in the countryside. honestly, i am not even sure if it qualifies as a city. it's quiet and seems rather shabby around the edges. however, when you get on a bike and cycle out, gyeongju is scattered with historic sites and monuments from the korean shilla dynasty. i love that we don't have to bother with buses and trains, but just simply cycle around and enjoy the simple life.

after a day's sightseeing, exploring the city centre is another surprise. from the outside, it doesn't seem like much. banks, everyday shops, convenience stores etc etc, but when you really walk in to the alleyways, a whole new world opens up! cafes and shops appear as if by magic! i wasn't expecting to buy anything in gyeongju but i ended the evening with a new bag. don't you just love surprise hauls like these?

because of the historical nature of gyeongju, i am adding in some notes to accompany the photos.

01. cheomseongdae, one of the oldest scientific installations on earth, built in the 7th century
02. seokbinggo, an ice house part of the wolseong fortress
03. emile bell in the distance, gyeongju national museum
04. detail, emile bell, gyeongju national museum
05. replica of seokgatap stone pagoda (from bulguksa)
06. detail, 10 won coin impression of dapotap
07. replica of dapotap stone pagoda (from bulguksa)
08. buddhist statue

i will probably visit gyeongju again the next time i go to korea. both times i went, both times i did not visit the exhibition halls of the gyeongju national museum to view the treasures they have excavated from the area!