Songwhangsa Temple

Hi I am finally back weeks later to finish blogging about our trip with Pauline. On our last day in the village we tried to go to Songwhangsa Temple which is one of the three jewel temples in Korea. It was snowing and the mountainous road was closed so we turned back when the driving got treacherous and headed to the hot springs. We spent a lovely afternoon in the warm water and then tried the temple in the morning before we had to leave to go home. We made it and it was worth it - so beautiful.
We even got to hear the bell being rung. What a lovely sound - John recorded it and will be able to use it in his work.
Amazing icicles hanging from the temple walls.
Olive got kind of sad and cold but perked up when Netta carried her out. Netta was quite a trouper as the going was a bit icy and steep.
This is the river that we walked by on the way up to the temple. So amazingly beautiful.
This huge stone was remarkable. Netta is in for scale. (I wish I could figure out how to turn these photos - sorry)
Olive feeling better.
Lots of lovely, white, fresh snow.
Detail of paintings on the main temple hall. Inside were large golden statues of the buddha - lovely.
Netta and Olive "feeding" the statue.
It was hard to leave this beautiful, peaceful place but the rental car was due back so off we went.
Here are a few more images:



Here are some shots of tunnels from our drive home- Korea is so mountainous that there are lots of tunnels to drive through. They entertained the kids on the long drive - especially with Pauline counting when we went in and when we went out.

That is the end of our trip with Pauline - she left the next day - we still miss having her here. It was a great visit - thanks Pauline!