Summer Getaway to Sokcho: Overcoming Fears and Embracing the Sea
This summer, the heat drove my daughter and me on a series of impromptu 'hotel-cations' – to the mountains, the city, even overseas. And this week, we ended up at the beach!
Our destination: the Lotte Resort Hotel in Sokcho.
This trip also represents a personal challenge: conquering my fear of long-distance highway driving. About five years ago, I was diagnosed with panic disorder, and since then, highway driving has felt overwhelming and impossible.
I even indulged in a brief obsession with camping vlogs, which inspired me to trade in my sedan for an SUV. But I haven't taken a long road trip since then.
My daughter and I left home at 6:30 AM on Saturday.
One of the best things about traveling by car is the freedom – no strict schedules, no stressing about packing the perfect suitcase.
The Seoul-Yangyang Expressway was already congested, with stop-and-go traffic.
Both the Gapyeong and Hongcheon rest stops were packed with people and cars, so much so that there was barely any parking.
There are so many tunnels on the way to the East Coast!
Apparently, there are over 50 tunnels, including the 11km-long 'Inje Tunnel,' said to be the longest in Korea.
I think if my panic disorder were still as severe as it once was, I wouldn't have been able to make this trip. Thankfully, I was able to get through easily.
Check-in wasn't until 3 PM, so after receiving our waiting number (12th in line), we had an early lunch at 'Sugi-ne,' a restaurant near the hotel, where we enjoyed a delicious 'Fish Stone Pot Set Menu.'
After our meal, we considered visiting the nearby beach, 'Oeongchi Port,' but the sun was too intense, so we skipped it.
Instead, we settled into 'A Twosome Place' with an iced latte, hot americano, and some salt bread. We lost track of time staring out at the East Sea.
With time still to spare before check-in, we went to the sauna on the hotel's B2 floor. I used to love going to saunas, but I think I stopped going after the start of the pandemic.
Finally, at 3 PM, we checked in.
Walking into our 8th-floor room and throwing open the curtains revealed a breathtaking view of the blue East Sea!
It was amazing.
After a quick rest, we shared an apple juice at the 1st-floor lounge cafe, then took a walk along the 'Badahyanggiro' trail, a long deck that leads from the hotel's swimming pool down to 'Oeongchi Beach.' We even dipped our toes in the sand and water!
For dinner at the 'The Gau' restaurant on the hotel's B1 floor, I had 'Beef Seaweed Soup,' while my daughter chose 'Abalone Rib Soup.' We enjoyed our meals and relaxed watching Netflix.
Tomorrow, we plan to check out early around 10 AM and then beeline to the swimming pool!
Tonight, I'll fall asleep dreaming happily with the East Sea.
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