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On the
first week of November we took a trip to Naejangsan National Park to see the bright
colourful leaves on the trees. Coming from South Africa, where we don’t see too
much of a dramatic change in autumn, I was really excited. My Korean rough
guide book had also rated an autumn trip to Naejangsan as one of the top 25
things to do in Korea, and luckily it is relatively close to Jeonju.
Unfortunately the weekend we planned to go was miserable, rainy and foggy, but
we still decided to go as we thought the crowds would less (not true by the
way). The temperatures have dropped a lot here already in Korea and it has been
rather chilly.
To get
there we had to catch a bus to Jeongeup which takes about an hour and then a 40
minute city bus to the National Park. Luckily
we managed to squeeze ourselves onto the bus as it was absolutely packed and definitely
not the most pleasant trip standing on top of people the whole way. We had an
eventful trip there as when we got to Jeongeup and were waiting for the next
bus, we spotted a small little puppy running in the road and avoiding cars. Of
course we rushed to pick him up while everyone watched and did nothing. The
puppy, a Jindo, must have been about 10 weeks and was cold and lost. We spent
the next hour trying to find his home with no one being interested in helping
us except for some people who wanted to try claim him. One thing that always
breaks my heart in Korea, is the treatment of animals and Dean and I would have
taken him home in a flash if it were not for the exorbitant cost to send him to
South Africa. Luckily we eventually found his home, where we spotted some more
puppies and he must have wondered off through the open gate. No one even noticed.
Once we
got to the park we had to wind our way up to the actual entrance past the
colourful stalls selling some strange things, blaring music and dancing ajummas.
I don’t think we were quite prepared for the chaos and thousands of people.
Literally there were thousands and thousands of people. I guess like all
outdoor or “natural” activities, we should have expected it. The entrance cost
to the park is 3000won. From there we walked up through the park to a lake and
a temple, taking in the amazing colours. They really were beautiful and
impressive. There is an option to catch a cable car to the top of one of the
peaks, but there was a really long line and because of the mist we didn’t think
it would be worth it.
Despite the hordes of people, a trip to Naejangsan was definitely worth it. The colours and sites were breath taking and unlike anything I have ever seen. Although the sky wasn’t blue, the mistiness gave a somewhat magical feel and I am glad we decided to go.
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