Exploring Gongju and Buyeo: A Day of Hiking, History, and Serenity
After an early morning hike, we headed back to Gongju city!
The plan after the hike was to explore the historical sites of Gongju that we missed yesterday.
We had lunch at Gomgol, a restaurant right next to Kongju National University High School. It would have been great to get Ji-woong's recommendation for a local pick, but oh well!
Even the main gate of Kongju National University High School looks impressive.
Right next to it is the Poet Na Tae-joo's Literature Hall!
It's a museum dedicated to the poet Na Tae-joo.
I didn't know he was from Gongju. It was recently opened on the site of the poet's former home.
Inside, the poet's collection, illustrated poems, and the video screening room were all great, but the building itself, shaped like a book and overlooking the old downtown of Gongju, was such a wonderful space!
(Next time, I'll come on a day other than a holiday to visit the Jeil Church and the Christian Museum too.)
We saw Pulkkot Na Tae-joo Street and the cute Jimmyeosu (guardian animal statues) in charge of Gongju's flowerpots and trash cans! lol
We moved towards Gongsanseong Fortress and sampled Gongju chestnut bread at a cafe.
Then, we took a city bus to the terminal.
The bus arrived about 40 minutes late. I should have waited patiently like a true Chungcheong-do native, but I couldn't resist and called to inquire after only 30 minutes. Oops.
We arrived in Buyeo after an hour's drive!
Originally, I was going to head straight to the jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) from the terminal, but I couldn't pass by Jeongnimsa Temple Site, which I saw on the way.
Since we were already here, we decided to take a look.
Wow...
Even more beautiful and weighty up close.
Without needing to explain anything, just standing here makes you want to recite virtues like humility, harmony, and restraint.
I'm glad I came to Baekje.
I went to the jjimjilbang, but...
Apparently, the jjimjilbang in Buyeo only operates the sauna since COVID; the jjimjilbang itself is closed...
It was a setback in the plan, but I took a hot shower to wash away the joys and hardships of the hike and the journey.
And stayed at a hotel near Jeongnimsa Temple Site.
Watched Oppenheimer on OCN almost to the end.
They said it was the first time it was broadcast on a general programming channel lol.
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