EPISODE 8: EXPLORING THE SOUTH EAST

We had just bought a car, so first things first: take a trip to part of the island you've never been to before with friends. We went to an estuary (Soessokak Estuary, to be precise), and it was amazing. Then, off to Pyoseon Beach, which is the flattest, longest, strangest beach I have ever seen. Finally, the search for dinner in Seogwipo.

SUPER CUTE WIFE. Also the water really is the same color as the cross bones on her shirt. Also, note the clear-bottomed kayaks in the background!

This guy was my friend, but Hannah wouldn't let me hold him. 

 This river that drops down into the ocean was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.  The rock formations were so smooth.

This offer to help was turned down. Rightly so. Hannah: always willing to help while completely forgetting the other person's feelings. (Hannah's response: but... but... the rocks were really slippery and he was wearing flip-flops!)

Our friend Don climbing his way out of the the canyon like a boss.

Lauren doing the one rock balance beam.

From Soesokkak, on to Pyoseon Beach!
Don the fisherman just went up to the edge of the water to let the fish know what up.

That's Lauren walking on Pyoseon, which looks like salt flats at low tide.
I mean, the sand goes back for like, a half mile. 

Oh, sure, fine, run through my....  Actually, it's cool; this looks awesome.

Don's tongue twin, the turban shell.

Sand, meet volcanic rock. Volcanic rock, meet sand dune. 

It looks like a desert. It doesn't look like Don has water. It's game over, man.

Soooo the whole beach (the whole square mile of it) was covered  (or maybe I should say littered) with these sand balls. We found out that they're from when the crabs dig their holes. So walking on the beach was a weird feeling on your feet. Also, the thought of all that crab spit to make those balls... best not to think about it.

These are the local sand pipers. They are uber cute.

Camo Crab! I see you.

From there, back to Seogwipo to find some food.
It's a normal street till you realize that there's a giant mountain behind that cloud... Hallasan! It truly is a beautiful place.

At first glance, I thought... SAD HOCKEY.  Then, I realized, ohhhh, they're hitting dreidels with whips.  Seems fun. Maybe this is the beginning of CROSSFIRE!!!!!!! (Bad early 90's game where spin-y bits would fight while you shoot BBs at them. Horrible game. Great commercial, though.)

More Mount Hallasan telling us how puny our pitiful manmade structures are.

There are tons of these pedestrian streets with shops and restaurants in all the big cities we have been in.
They are awesome. We ended up in a hairtail fish place, which--while not vegetarian-friendly--was heartily enjoyed by the fish eaters among us.

It was good to see something about Boston... Butt...