On March 2nd, I embarked on my longest journey so far – a journey that took me through…
Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Busan, Seogwipo and Seoul
Towns and villages visited: Gimpo and Paju
UNESCO sites visited: 2/16
Something about South Korea had always fascinated me. I’m not sure exactly why – I wasn’t ever really into K-pop or Korean culture, but one of my best school friends was a huge fan, and I think she planted the seed of curiosity early on. So when I set out to travel around Asia for 3,5 months in 2016, South Korea was a must-see on my itinerary.
Just two nights before my planned ferry ride to South Korea, two earthquakes hit near where I was staying in Japan. Thankfully, I had a ferry booked for the next morning to Busan – my safe haven in South Korea. After two sleepless nights, I had to be shaken awake when we finally docked! 😅
I hadn’t planned much for South Korea except to find some peace after the unsettling experience in Japan. On a whim, I decided to leave Busan early the next morning and fly to Jeju Island, which truly felt like paradise. Over four days, I explored its unique natural wonders: walking through lava tubes, hiking to waterfalls, searching for sea stacks, and climbing Mt. Hallasan – South Korea’s highest mountain. On the summit, I met a wonderful new friend, who I’ve since visited in Oklahoma!
After Jeju, I flew to Seoul, the vibrant capital. Instead of ticking off typical tourist sights, I spent most of my time climbing mountains within the city limits – a refreshing way to experience Seoul’s energy. And before leaving the country, I got a glimpse of North Korea at the DMZ, rounding off an unforgettable South Korean adventure.