Day two of the Luna New Year trip saw us leaving Phoenix Park and going to Bangdong valley in Inji. But not before braving the naked Koreans and stares in the jinjibang (Korean Spa/sauna).

Being typically prudish westerners we went to the jinjibarn wearing our swimming costumes. Inside there were three pools; the fist was a warm 40 degrees, the second a hot 45 degrees and the third a decidedly cold 1 degree. Sitting in the first and second was amazing, it was like having a hot bath for the first time in six months. The cold pool however was a different matter. It was a case of getting in as quickly as possible, then seeing how long you can stand the cold water.

After lounging in the pools we went and inspected the two saunas. The first, we discovered, was more a steam room than a sauna. Whilst the second was a traditional sauna. The sauna had a large window at one end with fantastic views overlooking the snowy hills, it was very relaxing – just what the doctor ordered after a stressful night. That was until the NAKED Koreans decided the sauna was the ideal place to do their STRETCHES! – And they weren’t pert young Koreans, they were demonstrations of how far south everything can go!! As the display began we sat for a bit not knowing where to look then scurried for the exit before it became too graphic!

After the jinjibang we packed up and went back to the bus to begin the next leg of our journey. Assuming most people would, as usual, be late we went to grab some lunch (microwaveable soup) before boarding. However for once we were almost last on to the bus (the last was Reena – no surprise there) and the were no spare seats, so we had to double up with randoms. It would have been ideal opportunity to meet and chat some new people, but I ended up sat next the the ‘complaining’ American mentioned in yesterdays post. He turned out to be a nice enough guy, worked for a public school in Seoul and had a much more free reign over his classes than I can even envisage. He had some fantastic ideas about using drama to teach English and about setting up email writing schemes with American schools.

During the journey to Bangdong we stopped twice, once to climb some steps to the top of Korea’s fifth highest mountain (I have no idea what it was called!) and once to get some alcohol for the evening. There were no shops near where we were staying – it was very secluded, so much so that there would be only us there.

Our hostel was amazing. We stayed in fake mud hut type chalets in traditional ondol style rooms. Outside there was a BBQ and camp fire area set up with gardens around it over looking a, very empty, lake.

Whilst the rooms were being decided the people from last night suggested we share with them again. As politely as possible we said: “NO WAY” and secured a room with Rebbecca and two other girls, one English the other Canadian.

We were told in the morning that the rooms are pointed in orangey yellow colours because they are supposed to relieve you hangover!

Once we had been given our room we had some free time, but after the events of last night we used it to get some sleep.

We awoke from our sleep just in time to get dressed and head outside for the BBQ and camp fire. The BBQ was samgipsal served with lettuce leaves, red pepper paste, rice and some delicious mushroom soup.

Once dinner was over the drinking began and it didn’t take long to loosen up and begin chatting to new people.

Around 12:30am the drinking games began, but having run out of alcohol Emily and I watched for a bit then retired to our beds.

Stand by for more from Luna new year, including a dip in a very cold lake!

Bye for now.

* Posted by j150vsc on 28/02/2007.