SamCheok Weekend 8/13-8/15 [Part 1]

The town of SamCheok is a very interesting place.  It's main points are the highlights of our weekend there.  A railbike excursion, Haesindang Park (google it you will laugh!), Hwanseongul Cave and SamCheok Beach.  Add 10 other people and we had a very entertaining, sweaty, hot, dirty and fun weekend.



Day 1-Saturday
Saturday morning about 6:30am we meet at the bus terminal to take the bus to SamCheok.  This is about a 4 hour bus ride from Daejeon.  We all climb aboard and begin our journey.  About half way through we stop at the busiest rest stop we have ever been to in our life.  It is about the size of the rest stop on the turnpike in Florida and it's parking lot is about the same size but there are literally about 1,000 people there eating, sleeping in their cars, wandering around and standing in line for the toilet.  Also, we have never seen the line as long to use the ladies restroom.  Surprisingly, the line moves super fast and it's not as bad as it seems.  The driver said we had about 30 minutes until we depart but in reality that is about 15.  Nothing like trying to potty, eat and make it back to a bus in 15 minutes when you didn't know it was going to be 15 minutes. 

Upon arrival in SamCheok we got off the bus and jumped in a taxi to take us to our first stop of the day: Railbiking!  It is exactly what it sounds like.  This excursion cost only 10$ per person and for all of that you get to ride a rail bike 5.4km through pine tree groves, ride along the beach, ride through 3 caves and have a small pit stop to have a beverage and take a few pictures.

beautiful view along the railbike trail

View along the railbike excursion

Outside of one of the 3 tunnels

View from inside one of the three tunnels

After our rail biking we took another cab to Haesindang (Haitian-dang) Park.  This park is on the sea as well and is very interesting.   We will not post pictures here so if you would like to see the pictures post a comment and we will email you the link; but, a warning first: if you offend easily you may not wish to view.  The story behind this park: Once upon a time there was a virgin girl (of course) of the village who was in a boat and died.  The fish stopped coming to this village because of this girl.  The men of the village were very upset because they did not have work and could not feed their families.  One day a man relieved himself in the sea and oh what happened?  The fish came back!  Ever since then the male part has been celebrated in this spot and there is a park to prove it. 

At the end of this day everyone was pleasantly tired and sweaty.  It was a good day.