Monday, April 21, 2008

4.20.08 kayak adventure to the Misan Valley....

Another nice Sunday out of the city and into the beautiful countryside of S.Korea. I am so happy to have the opportunity of traveling around and experiencing what this country has to offer....and what better way to do it than with a kayak. I am looking forward to every weekend and the chance to escape the city life.....a big YAHOO!! So....this Sunday's adventure took us to the Misan Valley, located about 2.5 hours east of Seoul.



Ahhhh.......a great view, NO APARTMENT BUILDINGS!!! Driving to meet up with 2 Korean kayakers...running a bit late and Luca and I got lost just outside of Seoul for about an 1hr. A bit confusing, since are map is not too detailed, however we are learning the area and will soon figure out the awkwardly designed Korean highway system.....



Asking directions at a petrol station.....the attendant was more knowledgeable than the previous pedestrians we asked!?!



Ahhh......we finally met up with the other two Kayakers....here's Luca and I with the paddler the call "Big Wave".....he was a bit unhappy at first, due to waiting on us.....but after we got some ice cream, the fun began!



Leaving Gyeonggi-Do and heading into Gang-Won-Do.....one of the more mountainous provinces of S.Korea......



YES....we are in the country....



Nice billboard....Rafting and MTB!!! A feeling of passion for the outdoors.....



Near the Blue Wave Canoe School.....noticed a person diggin' around in the river....at first, I thought a river crossing....hmmm....wonder what he/she is looking for??



Loading the truck and almost ready to head out to Misan Creek.....



LOW WATER.....in the beautiful Misan Valley.......I can only image during the rainy season...and I can hardly wait....!




Looking up stream...incredible blue sky......



6 out of 7 of us.....Captain Kim is taking the photo......he is the slalom kayak coach of S.Korea and there is "Big Wave" in the yellow drysuit ready for action.....



The 2 foreign water boys ready for kayaking........



break time.....definitely a scenic run.....low...but kayakable.....



Nice drop they call the "2nd Drop"



rocky beach.....with colorful plastic......



all's we need is more H2O .....I should have some action shots from the others....hopefully I will post them soon.....nice pink flowers littered the river banks.....



Will everything fit.....



Looks like a ceremony for a new kayak and gear......they are into the ceremonies here....and YES, that is an actual head of a PIG! This was a photograph on the wall...



After kayaking, Captain Kim prepared the Korean Style BBQ....very hungry and very delicious!



the night before I bought some Birra Moretti's (Italian beer) at the local GS 25 convenience store....time to relax and tell kayaking stories......



Under the tent....



Time to Eat!


A view of the kayaker's compound!



Slalom banner.....



more advertising.....



The car is packed and ready to head back to the city.....but not just yet....it's nice to hang out after paddling and enjoy the clean and crisp country mountain air....



Serious game of ping-pong....now is when I wish I took lessons from Rachel Northrup....



after dinner....more relaxing, a little beer and dried fish.....



Back to the city.....at least we have some nature in Bundang....nearby my place and a nice walk to Sunae station area...



pleasing to the eye.....

Well, that concludes Sunday's adventure.....Stay tuned for more of South Korea....it's an enjoyable place to live.....

1 comment:

Mandu said...

I see.. I didn't understand what you're talking about the Waterboy truck. There was that truck!!