Quite the Special Day

Deborah Kade
6 hours ago
6 min read

It was quite the special day!!!! The whole day felt like we were part of a fantasy world. I was able to see the bamboo forest where one of my favorite Kdramas, The King: Eternal Monarch, was filmed. I was surrounded by the beauty of the cherry blossoms which made me quite emotional. We experienced the stillness and spirit of a temple. Finally, Young shared a favorite traditional tea house with us.

Our driver knows how much I have enjoyed looking at the cherry blossoms. Instead of driving on the highway, he drove on "country roads".

This poem expresses my feelings about seeing the cherry blossoms. I was overwhelmed again today as I stood and took pictures of the blossoms I had longed to see.

In the heart of spring, the whispers flow,

Underneath the skies where soft breezes blow,

Korean cherry blossoms, a delicate sight,

Petals like silk, in the morning light.

Pink clouds adorning the paths that they line,

Each flower a promise, a moment divine,

Beneath ancient branches, where lovers once met,

Time stands still here, in nature's duet.

Their fragrance a melody, sweet and serene,

Echoing whispers of places unseen,

As the world awakens, their beauty unfolds,

A story of springtime, in hues of pure gold.

In the dance of the petals, life's fleeting embrace,

Korean cherry blossoms, a moment in grace,

So let us cherish the bloom and its glow,

For in every petal, the heart learns to grow.

Moon Tan Road Cherry Blossom Path is a scenic coastal walkway famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. It'd perfect for a relaxing stroll with ocean views and soft pink petals lining the path.

Amidst the mountains, where the rivers gleam,

Korean cherry blossoms weave a dream,

Their blush like the dawn, a soft, tender hue,

Heralding spring in a world fresh and new.

With branches adorned, they sway in the breeze,

A symphony whispers through the rustling trees,

In parks and in valleys, a breathtaking show,

Nature's confetti, where love starts to grow.

As petals descend like soft, fragrant rain,

They carpet the earth, a delicate chain,

Each flower a reminder of beauty and light,

Of fleeting moments that spark joy and delight.

Underneath the blossoms, stories unfold,

Of laughter and wishes, of hearts daring bold,

In the soft pink embrace, we gather and dream,

Korean cherry blossoms—a timeless theme.

The temple by the sea in Busan is called Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. It is a stunning Buddhist temple located on the coast, known for its picturesque views of the ocean and its unique architectural features.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Dragon Palace Temple by the Sea, is a unique seaside Buddhist temple set dramatically on rocky cliffs. Its name reflects its oceanfront location and mythical symbolism, and it offers stunning views along with a peaceful atmosphere shaped by the sound of waves.

There are12 zodiac animal deities. Can you can find the animal of your birth year? I'm a hare while Michael is a monkey.

The 12 gods protect the land in 12 directions, block the invasion of evil spirits, and act as fairy godmothers that wish for the five blessings.

"Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb attraction offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shore line as most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong during the Goryeo dynasty."

"The temple was destroyed during the Imjin War, then rebuilt by Monk Ungang of Tongdosa Temple in the early 1930s. In 1974, Monk Jeongam became the abbot of the monastery with the duty to restore of the temple. During his 100-day prayer, he had a dream of Aalokitesvara Bodhisattva ascending to the heavens on a dragon's back, which became the origin of the temple's name."

The temple received its name from a dream of Buddhist Monk Jeongam whom Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva ascended on the back of a dragon by the coast. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is hung over the edge of the land, where the sea meets the mountain like a piece of painting.

Write your wishes on the golden leaf.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c4e320_879ac78dbf8643f7b992d27cbfa83609/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

This is the Japanese buddha because it has hair.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c4e320_eafa044468834d5789faee924faaa187/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Isn't this a unique reflection?

We had lunch at Oh Ga Da

Yummy

The bibs saved us from dirtying our clothes.

Michael and An had Jajangmyeon: Noodles in a rich black bean sauce, savory and slightly sweet. Whenever I saw people in the Kdramas eating this, I was very skeptical. I was wrong!!! Oh, my! This was so tasty,

I ate Seafood Udon: Thick noodles in a light, flavorful broth with fresh seafood.. The homemade noodles were made with chives which made the noodles green. The dish had clams, shrimp, and calamari.

Young ordered Seafood Jjamppong: A spicy, hearty noodle soup packed with seafood and vegetables.

We all shared Tangsuyuk: Crispy sweet-and-sour pork, crunchy on the outside and tender inside.

Side Dishes

Danmuji: Pickled yellow radish, crisp and slightly sweet.

Raw onions: Fresh slices that add a sharp, refreshing bite.

Chili soy sauce: A savory dipping sauce with a spicy kick.

Chunjang (black bean paste): A deep, salty-sweet paste often enjoyed with onions.

Along the way to the bamboo forest we saw women preparing the field to plant rice.

The bamboo forest featured in "The King: Eternal Monarch" is Ahopsan Forest, located in Gijang-gun, Busan. This privately owned, 400-year-old forest is famous for its dense, towering bamboo stalks and has been used to film numerous historical and fantasy Korean dramas and movies.

Ahopsan Forest (Nine-Mountain Forest) is a quiet, lush forest known for its bamboo groves and natural beauty. The name comes from the nine surrounding peaks, making it an ideal place to slow down and enjoy nature.

The manager stopped to talk with us. He explained, for these bamboo, there is a green section and a golden section. The leaves only sprout out from the green section.

Shiitake mushrooms are growing here. Shiitake mushrooms grow on the decaying wood of trees that are most commonly found in the warm, moist areas.

Shiitake mushroom is called pyogo beoseo in Korean. Known for their earthy flavor and chewy texture, these mushrooms are a staple in Korean cuisine, often used in side dishes (banchan) like pyogo beoseot bokkeum (stir-fried), in hot-pot, or dried for broths.

Pyogo mushrooms were so named because of their strong aroma.

They are one of the most popular mushrooms to consume worldwide. They are thick, large, light brown mushrooms with large gilled caps. The mushrooms are sold fresh or dried.

Dried pyogo mushrooms are more aromatic and have a solid, resilient texture so Koreans usually use the dried form. In temple food, pyogo mushrooms are a great substitute for meat.

Fresh Shiitake mushrooms will stay fresher for longer when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Before using, make sure to remove dirt by wiping them with a damp, clean cloth.

Dried Shiitake or Pyogo Beoseot can be kept in the pantry for many months up to a year as long as the pantry is kept relatively dry and not too hot.

Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of non-meat protein B vitamins, folate, vitamin D, and various minerals.

It has been found that mushrooms contain chemicals that can help lower cholesterol and potentially inhibit the growth of tumors. Polysaccharidesn, called lentinan in shiitake mushrooms may have an anticancer effect, but not enough research has been done to fully support the claim.

They are used in traditional herbal medicine to boost overall health and longevity, inflammation, and circulation.

Cherry blossoms against the cloudy sky. These were not taken as black and white photos.

Wild herbs growing along the roadway.

The bamboo forest

Did you know that Busan is home to the filming locations of the popular Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch?

The drama is about traveling through time between two parallel worlds. It is a love story between Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea and detective Jeong Tae-eul of the Republic of Korea. The two meet accidentally through the door of parallel worlds, and they fall in love over time.

The most commonly featured place throughout the drama is the bamboo forest. It is the place that Emperor Lee Gon accidentally discovers the “door of dimensions”. Ahopsan Forest literally meaning "Nine Mountain Forest" is located in Gijang-gun. It has a long 400 year history.

Ahopsan Forest is also privately owned.

The most remarkable thing about this location is the towering bamboo trees that form a large forest. When you raise your head, you will notice that the bamboo leaves sway in the breeze like ocean waves.

Black bamboo Growing up to 35 feet tall by 2 inches wide, it forms clumps of slender arching canes which turn black after two or three seasons.

Perfect for creating an exotic privacy screen, adding texture to a garden, or as a striking focal point, Black Bamboo is a showstopper.

Cafe Noknok is a charming hanok-style café featuring a gallery space (Yedang) and a beautiful garden. It’s a peaceful spot with a traditional atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.