Geumsansa & Moaksan Provincial Park

After Naejangsan, we got back in the car, which did fabulously on this trip if you don't count that the A/C didn't work, and drove about an hour or so north to Geumsana & Moaksan Provincial Park. The Mountain is named Mt. Moaksan and the temple is called Geumsana. Yet another frustrating adventure, but we eventually found where we needed to go. On our way up to the temple, we ran into the information station which had an English speaking guide from Vietnam. She gave us a brief history of the temple (most of it was destroyed under the Japanese invasion and all but one building burnt down mysteriously in 1988) and also told us to come back to the area for the best festival in Korea. The first picture is of Maitreya Hall which was built in 1635. It is one of Korea's national treasures. We then started to head up the mountain and caught up with the guide we met earlier along with another guide that was Korean and also spoke Japanese. We were told to visit the love tree because it was so romantic and so we did. Basically it was two trees that shared the same branch. It was kind of funny just looking at it, but I don't know if it was really getting off the path for. We didn't have enough time to get to the top, but we did our best. Yet again the straight up the mountain path wrecked havoc on our legs. On our way down we stopped at a drink vending machine and drank a can of what seemed like white grape juice with some kind of cut up fruit or hard chewy jelly squares in the drink. It was surprising to have solids in a drink, but was pretty good. We hadn't really decided what to do as far as sleeping, so we went to a youth hostel in the town. They didn't really speak English, and we don't really speak Korea, but we ended up with a small room for two, with a bathroom. It was clean, only about $30, and the bed was Korean style, which means on the floor. Kind of like sleeping on three thin sleeping bags. We also had A/C in the room and a small t.v., so not too bad. We then went to try and find some dinner. We went to one of the local places, and with the use of our phrase book, Ben asked what they recommended and we ate that. What came up first was about 7 little plates with various vegetables and a bowl of soup. Of the veggies we knew kimchi, green beans, spinach and that's about it. We of course of tried everything and most of it was ok. We then got bibimbap with mountain veggies. It was really good and really spicy. Maybe too spicy for Ben. Afterwards we got some watermelon and coffee. All for $7 each.