the Matiz meets Jeju: Drying Out and Soaking it Up

After a night of being drenched and sent to the car to catch some zzz's, the Harrington's took their time getting their act together in the morning, enjoying donuts and coffee (for Melissa) while waiting for the sun to do it's work on drying out tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags.

By the time caffeine was coursing though Melissa's veins, all important items had dried out sufficiently and the Harrington's opted to move forward with their plan to approach Hallasan, Korea's tallest mountain peak coming in somewhere over 6,000 feet. Taking into account their location and later-than-prescribed-starting time, the couple decided to go with the shortest of the four trails and began putting along in the Matiz, ready to tackle this island's volcano.

As the Harrington's approached the trail head they were re-introduced to the slow and steady pitter patter of raindrops that had thwarted their sleeping arrangements the night prior. Committed to the climb, Mike continued forth and opted to go for the top regardless of less than ideal weather. Melissa, however, with her distaste of being sopping wet and considering the needs of her pup which was forbidden on the trail regardless of weather took the day to sit, relax, read and charge phones and Kindles while sipping hot cups of honey citrus tea.

Harringtons in Korea: Students, Temples and Bamboo Rice

As Wednesday rolled around the Harrington clan began to feel a stronger sense of grace from at least one of the work institutions and after making a guest appearance at Samcheon Elementary School, the visiting Harringtons were honored to have a tour guide, in the form of Melissa Harrington, join them for exploring a nearby National Park. Their visit to the elementary school was highlighted by shy students shouting out their hellos and asking about favorite foods, actors and hobbies. They also had the pleasure of meeting the Vice Principal and a couple Korean teachers who best exemplified Korean hospitality.

After a few cups of tea, tangerines and other snacks the Harrington's made their way to City Hall Station by bus in order to head to the National Cemetary Sub station and catch the 107 for Gyreongsan (National Park) and Donghaksa (Temple) where the crew would spend the afternoon enjoying the great landscape of South Korea.

After enjoying an afternoon of meandering and snacking (lightly) on some chestnuts (this day there were strict rule regarding snacks as the planned dinner was known to be quite large and hearty as readers will soon see) the group boarded the 107 and made their way back to 519 Galma for a touch of rest before reuniting with Mike and making their way to Mannyeong-dong to enjoy a wide range of Korean fair and the spectacularly sticky and earthy bamboo rice.

Near Seoranam Church the bamboo rice restaurant offers an introduction to a number of Korean dishes including an amazing take on Japchae, numerous raw fish dishes and equally numerous fermented dishes. The meal is concluded with each diners choice of either rice steamed in a partial shoot of bamboo (which you can take as a souvenier and use to plant some flowers or hold your pens and pencils) or steamed in a large leaf - either option is equally earthy, delicious and a pleasant variant of the 'everyday' rice one is accustomed to in Korea.

The meal was further enjoyed as one of Melissa's co-teachers, Nam Hwa Sook and her daughter, Park Young-ah, joined the Harrington's and shared the evening discussing travels abroad, cultural quirks and breaking down the various dishes set out on the table. As each member of the clan worked those last few bites of rice into their mouths they were secretly grateful for the harsh rules regarding snacks that day and all rested well that evening with overstuffed bellies.

Return to Songrisan National Park

Although the couple recently visited this national park, a return trip was in order for three reasons:

1. Fall Leaves
2. An escape from studying
3. And to enjoy the company of a sweet family the Harrington's met while sipping on Korean wine

So it was, on a chilly November Saturday - after all-night no-rae-banging, the couple rolled out of bed, loaded the car and made their way to Songrisan National Park.

The day was enjoyed hiking, snacking on fantastic bread and cheese, being entertained by the darling 1 year old Sasha, chatting about hiking ventures back home in the states and washing it all down with some BBQ duck and makgeoli.

Ahh...Fall, quickly on it's way out.

Fresh Eats and a 108 Ft. Tall Buddha

A polite suggestion and a three day weekend lead to the Harrington's enjoying yet another road trip, enjoying a Subway sandwich and touring the temple grounds of Song-ni-san National Park. Having caught wind of a nearby Subway shop on Thursday night, the Harrington's began daydreaming about the delight which is found in fresh baked bread, southwest chipotle sauce and the simplicity of 'eating fresh'. Four days later, they had found directions, called up the Dickerson-Bradford's and loaded up the car en route to Cheongju on October 3, a national holiday in honor of the foundation of Korea (a story which involves lots of garlic, bears, tigers and the son of a god - which is best saved for a later date when all the details are worked out) and set about finding Dream Plus near Cheongju's bus terminal. The building was easier to find than expected and the crew need only wait until 10:30 a.m. before they were able to order their foot-long subs which would later be enjoyed in the crisp, clean October air at the foot of one of South Korea's National Parks.

Continuing on, the couple enjoyed the beauty that is Korea's countryside on the windy roads leading to Songnisan National Park. Known for it's gigantic Golden Buddha built in 1993 and an ancient 5-story wooden Pagoda, Songnisan has numerous visitors throughout the year and a holiday weekend only increased the amount of visitors making the trip. Regardless, the sites were beautiful, the day perfect and the meal prior to wandering the grounds absolutely fantastic! While Korean food does much to please the taste buds of the Harrington duo, not much can beat the satisfaction of a hearty and delicious sandwich which Subway so perfectly provides.

Getting There (Subway): Get to Cheongju's Bus Terminal, either one, whether by bus or car or taxi and look for the Dream Plus building (pictured in the first collage, top left) . It is between the Bus Terminals, near Lotte Mart and a number of nice cafes and restaurants. Subway is on the first floor and opens at 10:30.

Getting There (National Park): Not sure. Most parks have a bus that will go into them. By car you can take National Road 25 from Cheongju or the Expressway 3. Out of Daejeon, take the Expressway or National Road 37. You should see many signs for 속리산. Southern entrance provides views of temple grounds and large Buddha whereas entering on the northern side will provide for less congested hiking opportunities and more picturesque scenes which the Harrington's have now placed on their 'to-do list'.

Seoraksan is for the Manly: A Photo Entry

On July 8th, Mike Harrington loaded a bus with some dudes. The crew made their way up north to the famed mountain range of South Korea known as Soeraksan. As the main reporter for The Harrington Times was not present for the Seoraksan excursion (due to a lack of manliness), the trip must be presented as a tale told by photographs since it so happens the primary photographer of The Harrington Times is manly (beastly, really) and captured the event well through the lens.

Dear Readers, enjoy, Seoraksan!









P.S. The excursion included a day on the beach near Sokcho. Hense the last collage of photos.

Hiking Wolchulsan - 월출산: Rising Moon Mountain

On Saturday, January 15th the Harrington's found themselves waking long before dawn for the second time in the New Year. Similar to their first pre-sunrise waking, the Harrington's were rolling out of bed to experience a day of hiking. However, this time, the hike would exceed 1.5 hours and be in the company of 7 Korean Elementary School teachers as opposed to Guest English Teachers. This trip would also take the Harrington's 3 hours south of Daejeon to Wolchulsan National Park for a one night-two day trip showcasing a number of 'first time experiences'.

As the car ride began, heads bobbed and soon the Harrington's were dozing off, trying to catch some Zzzzz's before a hike which would likely take the group straight-up more than one mountain side (as is common in Korea). A few Zzzzz's into the trip, all trekkers unloaded the cars and sat down for some morning Ramen and Kimbap before continuing south.

Within a few hours of leaving Daejeon, the sun had risen, the trekkers had unloaded their belongings and the big hike was about to commence! In the company of two sweet Korean women and 5 humorous Korean men, the Harrington's began an enjoyable (at times gruelling) hike on Wolchul Mountain. As is common when hiking Korea, the trekkers found themselves walking up many stairways and steep, slippery slopes occassionally blasted by cold mountain air but always enjoying a gorgeous scene before, behind or surrounding them.

Highlights of the hike included: