So this morning we are going on a hiking adventure.
This could be a great idea because we have blue skies or it could be an awful idea because
it is only two degrees outside and we don't have winter clothes.
Hey come on, we're from Canada.
We've been like outside in minus twenty, minus thirty weather before.
Even minus forty in Quebec City so I think we'll be just fine.
It is a little chilly to start off but we're exploring a part of Seoul (서울) we've never
been to before.
We've never really been to the north of Seoul (서울) and we've never done a serious hike
in Seoul so we're really excited to be going off to Bukhansan Mountain (북한산국립공원)
today.
Bukhansan (북한산).
And we're going to reach it by metro right now.
And our metro is here so let's run.
Alright, so we are transferring from line number two, the green line, to line number
one, the blue line, and that is going to take us to our final stop.
So let's do this.
Alright, so we have arrived at the station.
This is Dobongsan (도봉산).
And we're actually doing it the shortest loop we can find.
I think it is supposed to take an hour and a half.
So we had to travel pretty far north to do less walking.
Yeah, there is a number.
There is a number of different routes and we're starting off with one of what is considered
to be the easier hikes.
So we'll see how that goes and if it goes well then maybe we'll try another more challenging
one in the spring.
Or maybe not.
Haha.
So what do we have to do before we can hike up the mountain?
Um, we're going to get me some pancakes because I'm already grumpy and cold and dreading this
so I need food to warm me up.
And what are those pancakes called?
Hotteok (호떡).
And they are filled with honey and cinnamon and they're going to be good.
So give me some money.
Give me some money.
My pancake.
Pancake.
All is well in the world.
Here is your wallet.
Thanks for paying.
Okay, take a bite.
Mmmm.
That is good.
I'm good to go.
This is the biggest leaf I have ever seen in my life.
It is like bigger than my face.
This is three times my face.
Go hide again.
Where did she go?
Either I've shrunk or this guy is really big.
Not sure.
So if you've come totally unprepared and you don't have walking sticks, hiking shoes or
any of the right clothing they have a whole bunch of shops right at the entrance of the
National Park (국립공원) so you can do some last minute shopping.
We should probably be doing it but I think we're just going to wing it and go with like
jeans and canvas slippers and we'll see how it goes.
Sam looks like Father Christmas back in the 70's all dressed up.
And why is that Audrey?
Because of your glasses.
I'm going to throw those in the garbage.
No, you're not.
These are classic glasses.
This is like part of my identity.
Anyways, we're just about to go up Bukhansan National Park (북한산국립공원) and
what is fascinating about this park here is that it is seventy eight kilometers wide and
there is a number of different hiking paths.
Actually if you look over here you can see lots to choose from.
Different paths and it shows you the kilometers and the distance it should take in terms of
hours.
How much time it should take.
Yeah.
And so yeah there is a lot to choose from.
We're doing an easy route today.
Yes, and what does Bukhansan (북한산) mean?
It means the mountain north of the Han River.
Ah, there we go.
Alright, let's get started.
Let's do this.
So one thing that has really surprised me is that this is a fully paved path.
We're not walking on dirt trails.
I was not expecting that.
Alright a change of plans again.
Yeah, again.
Haha.
Last time I swear.
So we were thinking of doing this one.
Jaunbong (자운봉).
But it turns out it is intermediate advanced with expert portions.
Originally we were going to do Uiam (우이암) anyways.
So we've found where we want to go and that is the way we're going.
And we're noticing most people are going that way so it must be popular for a reason.
Alright-y.
And it is a bit further than we thought.
It is 2.6 kilometers.
When we thought it was a lot closer.
So at least we'll be getting our exercise.
Yeah, we're going to earn our lunch today.
Update from the hike.
So something we didn't necessarily anticipate is how many cool Buddhist temples we'd be
passing by.
And already it has been a lot and we've just started our hike so we're hoping to see some
more.
And there is also lots of little rest stops where people are just hanging out and enjoying
a drink by the river.
The trail is really well developed and there has been a lot of thought put in to it.
Especially with consideration to the hikers and their needs.
So time for another update.
I think we're getting a little closer to the peak of our hike as we're starting to get
some really nice views of the other side of the mountain.
So we only have two hundred more meters to go but these are likely going to be the steepest.
Let's get at it.
And we're also seeing a lot of mountain kitties nearby temples and also just on random sections
of the trail.
So what do you think?
We're almost there.
Oh man, we've been crawling like on our hands and knees to get up here.
Like that last stretch was really rough.
Yeah.
But the views.
Spectacular.
The views are insane up here.
Yes.
And it has been an easy climb for the most part.
Just the last little section.
I wouldn't even describe it as difficult just a
little more challenging.
Yes.
Onward.
Well, well look who made it to the top.
We made it.
That was quite the hike.
Yes.
Yeah.
It started off like ridiculously easy.
Super easy with like paved paths.
Yeah.
And then by the end of it we were like scrambling over rocks.
Scrambling over rocks using the cord to help pull us up.
Yeah.
So we earned it at the end.
So I think that deserves a high five.
Woo hoo.
And now it is back down.
What are you doing?
I'm sliding because I don't have proper shoes.
Because someone is wearing my shoes.
So we've finished the hike.
Now we're down at ground level and we're starving.
So we're going for the quintessential Korean meal that you always have when you hike.
Which is pajeon (파전) haemul pajeon (해물파전) the seafood Korean pancake.
So we're just waiting for that to be prepared.
We also ordered Sundubu Jjigae one of our favorite jjiges so we're going to warm up
have some really nice hearty food.
Oh, we also ordered makgeoli (막걸리) too which is the traditional Korean alcohol.
So we've got some good things coming our way.
Makgeoli (막걸리) has never tasted so good.
And now it is time for the main event.
Yeah, the moment we've been waiting for the Haemul pajeon (해물파전) is here.
Take a look at it.
Now this is some of the thickest haemul pajeon (해물파전) I've ever seen.
It looks awesome.
It looks like they've cooked it really well.
Nice and crispy so I'm just going to dunk it into the sauce here and try it.
Oh, getting messy over there.
Oh man, that is the real deal.
Haemul pajeon (해물파전) done well is cooked really crispy and they did a great
job of that.
Lots of ingredients.
I'm tasting the.
Have to chew it a bit here.
I'm tasting the Pa (파) which is the green onion and I'm also tasting a lot of the Haemul
(해물) which is the seafood so it is great.
And for dessert we're going in for.
We had to get a little more food for the road so we got one more Hotteok (호떡) and this
one is a lot different from the one I had in the morning.
This one is actually fried.
The other one looked a bit healthier.
This one is like fatter greasier.
This is the real deal.
The real greasy deal.
Oh yes.
Try it.
It has pine nuts.
Try it for us.
Mmmmm.
So what do you think?
Look at that.
It tastes like Christmas.
It is Christmas.
It is Christmas in a cup here in Seoul, Korea.
Well, that is that.
We completed the hike, we ate bellies full.
We're feeling happy.
Okay before we go on I have to just like wax on about how good that Haemul Pajeon (해물파전)
was.
That was that might have been in one of the top three I've ever had and I've had that.
Ever!
And I've had that so many times in so many different restaurants.
They nailed that.
Like it was so good.
That was good.
Thoughts on the hike?
Thoughts on the hike I thought it was a great hike I can see why they would label it as
a beginners hike in terms of the actual path.
It is not difficult.
Actually at the end we ended up going the wrong way that is why we were sliding down
on our butts.
We got off the trail.
That is what happened.
Yeah, we kind of went rogue for a bit.
Yeah.
But in terms of the hike would you say a return trip it is about a three hour journey?
It took us three hours.
It took us about three hours.
We stopped to take photos, we did a lot of video, we did a lot of other things so yeah
I mean you could probably do it a little bit faster than us but it is more I would say
it is more like a full day trip because when you're coming in from let's say anywhere in
the downtown area of Seoul (서울) it is going to take you probably about an hour to
get here.
An hour to get back and then you factor in a three hour hike and then if you're going
to have a meal like what we did.
Then you're looking at more of a full day outing.
And one more thing I want to mention to is I'm really impressed by the I don't want to
call them the elderly population.
I think the mature Koreans who were hiking.
There was some people who were owning that trail.
They were passing us, they were really fit.
They had like their hiking gear on and I was very impressed by that.
So yeah, yeah.
Okay, more videos from Korea soon.
Every Monday.
Bye.