Typically my Buddha’s birthday celebration amounts to a trip to Insadong to take in the parade and festivities. This year though a spontaneous decision to join my friends Sonia, Renzo, Peter, Paul, Theresa, Lisa, Dele, Keith, Mekhale, Charles, and Lucia on a 3 day getaway proved to be the best decision ever, especially Yeosu Beach!
Buddha Holiday Getaway Day 1 part 2 – Yeosu Beach
KICK ASS KOREAreason 24
Once our meal concluded we decided to enjoy the evening by heading to the coastline. Only a scant two hours away Yeosu Beach won out as our destination. The city of Yeosu is part of the Yeosu peninsula which has over 317 islands. Thanks to the ocean climate the area maintains cool summers and mild winters. It’s a popular beach and resort area. Though the section of the beach we chose to explore wasn’t really the sandy layabout and sun tan kind of beach. It was more of a lets dig around in the muck for shellfish kind of place.
Just the same the spot we found was atmospheric and haunting. A few locals were out digging earnestly. A few kids were doing the same closer to shore. Huge transport ships bobbed in the water a fair distance away. A dilapidated old hotel with a flickering neon red sign stood atop a nearby hillside overlooking the beach. It was very Bates motel.
We soaked in the surroundings and snapped pictures. I’ve read that the rest of Yeosu has much better beaches with resorts, hotels, and tons of restaurants, but for us the little spot we found did the trick. Clouds clung to the nearby hilltops as the sun set. We thought about checking out some of the nearby islands, but ultimately grumbling stomachs won out and we left in search of dinner.
Some of the highlights of a trip to Yeosu include the following but we, alas, could not see many of them.
Dolsan bridge (돌산대교) is a huge bridge with multicolored lights. It’s surrounded by seafood places and has a great view of the harbor and city. We drove across it twice, but it wasn’t lit up for some reason.
Hyangiram Hermitage (향일암)
Replica turtle ship(거북선) It’s a replica of the famous Turtle Ship that can be found in the War Memorial in Seoul. I wanted to see it, but we didn’t make it. Luckily though its right by the bridge!.
Odong island (오동도) Considered one of the most beautiful islands of Korea.
Jasan Park (자산공원) For fantastic views and city vistas!
Manseongri Black Sand Beach(만성리): This is the beach we should have hit instead. It’s Korea’s only black sand beach and one of the most popular in Yeosu. I will definitely make a return trip to see it.
Yeosu will also be the host city for the 2012 World Expo. So Maybe I’ll return then!
The Good:
Plenty of character and great scenic views. The coming world expo!
The Bad:
among the dock we spotted an unholy army of some kind of sea centipedes.
The Weird:
The thick carpeting of dead starfish. cry.
Prices:
free!
Website:
Here are some Hotel, motel, and other options for lodging. Naver, Bellagio, 모사금해수욕장, The Ocean Resort, Tiffany Hotel,
Directions:
