View of Ulsan

So from the highest point on the trail I walked, this is what Ulsan looks like to the north:

And this is some little pagoda that I zoomed into from the above picture (the clearing in the center).

When I finally got to the end of the trail, after wondering for half an hour if I was going to regret taking it, for fear of it getting me lost, I came out onto a street that runs into the huge Gongeoptap Rotary, which I've walked around several times. It's about a mile away from home, so not too far a walk to get back. Phew. I met a group of teenage boys on the way who were eager to practice their English. It's fun to talk to the kiddies.

More Hike Pics

This is the trail I was on, looking back from the first set of exercise equipment. After this, I was following a man and his two little daughters for a while. Kids are funny.



I took these next two pictures because I thought it was funny that even from what seemed like the middle of the woods, you can still see the urban jungle...



This one is a view of the south of Ulsan, from the highest point on my trail.

Long Hike

Beyond the monument was a road that I hadn't walked on yet, so I decided to go up there to see if there was anything interesting. I found some nice footroads and started up one. There were dozens of people walking around. It's kind of surprising to see so many people actually exercising and enjoying nature. Then after I was really awed by that whole experience, I happened upon one of the ridiculous aspects of Korean culture.

The trail I was on veered off into a little circle with a bunch of gym equipment. So halfway through your nice walk through the woods, you can hop on a stationary bicycle. Wow.






There was a guy using this thing while I was taking pictures of the other equipment. Haha. Later, I saw some weight lifting gear--benches and stuff, but my battery was running out, so no pics. You know what that stuff looks like.

Korean War Monument

Down the road from the clock is the Korean war monument. I didn't take any pictures of the museum inside, because I figured it wouldn't be allowed. You're not missing much, though--just typical war pictures, examples of uniforms and weapons, stuff like that. It's just a one-room deal.





In front of the little black rectangle is an altar, I guess. When I went on New Year's Day (Lunar), there was a pot with ashes in it, where a flame had been burning, but it was gone yesterday.


This is the back side of the monument.


This wall is behind the monument. The the left of the picture is some sort of flying chick playing a flute.

I took a lot of pictures.

This is the slightly smaller pond to the east of the first pond. It's cool because is has a series of big rock levels that you can walk across, which creates sort of a Greek theatre effect. I think it may be a structure for a manmade waterfall in the summer. We'll see. There are also a bunch of rock paths all around that side of the pond.





There are these little trams that take people around. I haven't tried to figure out if you have to pay for it yet. I imagine there's a nominal fee, since most of the park is free. I also haven't tried to figure out how to get on one. I'm not sure if there are stops, or if you just flag them down.


This is the big clock a bit down the road from the second pond. The symbol in the middle is a dragon with what I think is a Korean piece of fruit in its mouth. This is the symbol of Ulsan.


This plaque is across from the clock, but I don't know what it says. I just like that dragons.