South Korean Island Hopping

This past weekend we traveled to our second and third islands in South Korea. Geoje Island is the country's second largest island and we also went to the small, private island of Oedo. Our first stop was to the historic Park of Geojedo Prisoner of War Camp. The historical significance of the exact spot where Chinese and North Korean soldiers were held as prisoners of war was brought to light as we learned about the uprisings of the prisoners and a lot of information about the history of the Korean War. The other item of significance that comes to the forefront of one's observations when visiting this spot is a glimpse into what it must be like to have experienced the division of the Koreas during the early 1950's.

 Major Role Players During the Korean War and Entrance

'625' Memorial (war began on June 25th, 1950)

 A Small portion of the Diorama of Pow Camp

Fountain Square with flags of 16 nations involved in the conflict

We stayed at a hostel on Geoje Island and the views of the pebble beach and surrounding area were breathtaking...

 The hostel we stayed at is across the bay on the right side of these pictures

View from hostel

Finally, we traveled to Oedo island. This island contains an amazing botanical garden nearly as large as the island itself. Plants from all over world cover the landscape and it is truly a 'paradise' of Korea. We took a ferry from Geoje to Oedo.

 Ferry Ride

 View of sea from opposite of port-side of the island

Ferry Ride with Koreans feeding the seagulls (who knows why they do this)

 Many plants are all uniquely trimmed

 One of eight houses on the island

 Courtyard

Great view of much of the botanical garden

3000 species of plants from all over the world are planted

 Tree shaped like a bird head

On the way home we stopped at some point on Geoje Island. Just a couple of pictures.

 Boat on a pebble beach

Cherry blossoms bloom for about a week this time of year in South Korea and Japan.

These can be seen in almost every corner of South Korea

Hyangiram Hermitage -- Dolsan Island

This weekend, we had Friday, March 1st off from work in observance of Independence Declaration Day (a Korean holiday). We went to Dolsan Island and specifically to the Hyangiram Hermitage in the southernmost part of the island because we heard that it was a beautiful area and a nice temple. It made for a solid day trip and I think Wikitravel describes it best:

Hyangiram Hermitage (향일암). A beautiful temple-like hermitage with views of the sea and the scattered islands that make up Yeosu Peninsula. The hermitage itself is located up the sides of a cliff and the entire complex is connected by a series of very thin trails winding their way through tight caves and under twisted evergreen foliage. Rather claustrophobic, but unique making it one of Yeosu's must-see attractions. The symbol of the hermitage is the turtle, after the distinctive natural hexagonal pattern on the rocks resembling a turtle's shell. In accordance with this, the monks have crafted a veritable army of adorable little stone turtles large enough to perhaps take down Yeosu itself, should they so desire. Lies in a corner of the islands designated as a national park. (http://wikitravel.org/en/Yeosu)

Here are our videos and pictures from our day trip there: