Sunday, December 11, 2011

King Munmu and Bomunho

 Our Volv near Donghae just outside of Kyongju.
 Kyongju has lot of cool things to see but one of our favorites is the remains of the temple of king Munmu.  He was a Shilla king who was obsessed with protecting his country from invaders.  He told his people that after he died he would become a sea dragon to protect the shore.  So his fortress had under ground water passageways to the sea so that he could come and go as he pleased in dragon form.  His remains are in a golden box out on a small group of rocks off the coast.
 Over time the fortress disappeared.  The two gigantic pagodas were moved to a different location and then brought back in pieces after the Korean war.  Now the rest of the grounds are being excavated for preservation.  I first came to this place in 1999 and it still remains one of my favorite spots in Korea.
 I love this picture of Addy running.  I hope I can talk her out of ever cutting her hair :).
 In the parking lot of the pagodas there is shop where the wife of a master potter sells some really cool pottery.  We pick up something every time we visit.  She threw in some cool necklaces for the kids.
 This is Korea!!!




 Our rock star children.
 Next... on to Bomun Lake in Kyongju.  We love to rent the little 4-wheelers there.
 Logan was big enough this year to ride his own.  He even gave Addy a ride.
Sadie loved cruising as well.