Cynthia and Dhina, both friends and coworkers in the Tech Department from school, asked whether I would be interested in going for a Sunday afternoon drive. I suggested we head to Daecheong Ho (lake) located in the mountains that surround Daejon, about a 20 minute drive from my apartment in Jeonmin-dong.
What a beautiful day for a drive and then hike around this man-made reservoir. Apparently Daecheong Ho is the third largest lake in the country with a circumference of 80 km, holding a mere 1.5 billion tonnes of water and extending into three counties. A plentiful source of water for our city and surrounding communities.Many trails allow visitors access to great views of the area, some touring the lake itself while others extend into the surrounding mountains. One such trail passes a Buddhist temple, one of an estimated 900 temples in South Korea. Even if you don't hike to the temple you can still hear bells ringing at various times during their ritual practices.
Seems like most Koreans like to get out of the city to walk and enjoy a slice of nature. It's amazing how crowded parking lots get at destinations such as Daecheong Ho. Of course where there are people, as is my experience traveling around South Korea, there are vendors selling everything from food to music to toys that amuse kids of all ages.
