Days 18-20 - Jeonju to Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park

It was a long six hour drive back up toward Seoul and then due east and then north to Sokcho to visit Seoraksan National Park.  The drive was quiet and fast, on modern highways.  The traffic was almost non-existent until we got close to Seoul and then dissipated as we headed eastward.  We reached the coast midday and checked into a very nice four star hotel at the base of the mountain.  The rest of the day was restful as we enjoyed the serenity of the location and a nice western style dinner that night.  The hotel upgraded us to suites.  It has an English theme with the double decker bus outside.  Inside each floor is decorated in a different motif.  The restaurant is called Abbey Road and is full of Beatles memorabilia.

In the morning we got a later start and took the cable car up to the top of the mountain.  Wow, what amazing views.  And I though all along those Asian silk paintings were modern art.  These mountains truly do exist.

 The cable car is the longest freely suspended cable with no center supports.  It swings a lot in the wind.  Yikes.

 The views from the top were outstanding.

 The giant bronze Buddha at the nearby temple was HUGE.

 For lunch we drove to the seacoast and found a great restaurant at the harbor.

 The rest of the day was nap time and dinner in town.  Tomorrow we head back to Seoul and the end of our road trip.