Ulsan, South Korea. We did not know anything about it before 2 nights ago. Even after some research, all we really knew was there was a beach and what seemed to be a fun park or nature trail to explore near it that seemed to have a bridge you could cross to see some rock islands. Little did we know what beauty awaited us…

Welcome to Daewangam Park!

So, last night we checked into an excessive hotel room. The 2 story room was equipped with a projection screen set-up with surround sound,  a 62 inch flat screen tv,  private pool, grill, multiple couch chairs, 2 computers, a steam shower room, and a piano. Apparently we got the “party room”. Sadly the beds were the most uncomfortable that we had the entire trip.

The boys had their time pretending to swim in the pool before we turned in for the night. After some restless sleep. We took our time before checking out, grabbing coffee and heading to the Daewangam Park just up the street. We had done a little research to know there was a bridge that you could walk over to see some rock structures off the coast which was interesting enough.

We arrived at the park to find an awesome dragon playground that the boys just couldn’t pull themselves away from. We gave them their time to play while Tim took off on a run to explore the area and point us in the right direction when playtime was up.

30 minutes later I got a call telling me to head down the main path and Tim would meet up with us there before walking over the bridge to see the rocks. So we followed the path and made it all the way to the bridge before I received a text:

15 min later when once Tim arrived, we made our way across the bridge. It was beautiful unlike anything I have seen in person before…

After the kids dragged us back to the playground for a bit, we made our way to a lunch place across from the beach. It was delicious, which is crazy for me, Kristin, to say because it included octopus! I can officially say I have eaten octopus! Proud moment passed and we spent the afternoon playing in the sand; well the boys did anyways. There was a breeze so I sat bundled under a blanket listening to my audiobook while the boys played and Tim did none-other than go on another run!

After running, Tim found a motel room for us to shower and clean-up before heading back to Seoul.  The conversation and ensuing negotiations for a 2hr motel room, where more than comical.  Tim's broken Korean to the hotel manager: "room, short time please?" The manager proceeded to bring out a tissue box with an escort advertisement on it implying a call the number on the box.  "Anyo! Anyo!(NO!NO!)" Tim proclaimed. He then he said in his embarrassingly limited Korean, "wife. baby. shower".  Somehow they understood with some creative hand gestures. A price was negotiated and we had our 5th hotel room of our 4 night, 5 day vacation before heading back to Seoul.