11 Oct 2012 - Travelling to Sokcho from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal

I made my peanut butter sandwich from the pantry. The itinerary for the day was a trip to Sokcho, where I will be staying there for 3 days 2 nites. I checked out Seoul Green Residence at 6.35am.  Left my big luggage there and brought a big haversack with me. I will be staying in Seoul Green Residence again when I returned to Seoul on 13 Oct. *Sleepy

I took the subway from Euljiro 1(il)-ga station instead of Myeongdong Station to Gangbyeon Station, exit 4 for Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. I will need to make a transfer to line no.2 if I have taken the subway from Myeongdong station. Had to rush my way to catch the bus that departs at 7.20am becos I left the hotel late. Managed to reach Dong Seoul train station at 7.15am.  It was 7.18am when I bought the ticket.  Phew..
Actually, I hesitated to buy this ticket becos I was afraid that the bus will drive off before I reached the platform. I decided to take a risk! Hahahaa  Don't be like me.  Arrive earlier so that you can have time to go to the toilet as well.

State of mind  = Panic  = Crumpled ticket 

This bus to Sokcho was full!  I knew this was the hiking season but I didn't expect to see so many people. In fact, I felt 75% of the bus terminal was packed with hikers.  Everyone except me(of course) looked like seasonal hikers!  All geared up in their hiking wear, hats, backpacks and hiking sticks!  Fortunately, I brought my waterproof track pants and a light weight jacket  ㅋㅋㅋ

My seat was the last row, sandwiched between two guys. Its going to be a very uncomfortable 2 hours and 10 mins journey...Well, I should be grateful becos at least I was not given the middle seat of the last row.  Somebody arrived later than me and he got the middle seat.   

It was drizzling in Sokcho.  At about 9.05am, our bus reached a bus terminal but I couldn't see the name of the bus terminal.  A majority of the hikers and bikers got off the bus and the bus moved on after 5-10mins. I wondered where were they heading to. Yeah, autumn is a great season to hike.
That was the first stop made during the entire journey.  I changed to another seat since the bus was almost empty by then.  At about 9.12am, the bus driver said something in Korean and I only caught the word "오른쪽" which means right side.  I turned to my right and was so delighted to see this magnificent view right in front of my eyes.  This picture was poorly taken but the view was really breathtaking even though I was looking at it from the bus.   At about 9.23am, the bus stopped to let a passenger alight.  

I'm not sure whether I will be there but wait for me!!! 

It was only a slight drizzle but it was darn cold..
Staying in the bus terminal was better but I wanted to get to the hotel fast.

Taking pictures of bus schedule is important to me! ㅎㅎㅎ

Taking note of the bus schedule back to Dong Seoul. I hoped to catch the 12pm bus since my check out time on 13 Oct is 11am. 

Actually, I was planning to drop by Gangneung and Jeongdongjin after I checked out the hotel becos Gangneung and Jeongdongjin are not far from Sokcho. I changed my mind after day 1 in Sokcho. You will see why later.

If anyone needs to know...

Out from this doorway and turn right to get to the bus stop.

Very very very cold.....

Walk straight and you will see the bus stop as indicated by the arrow.  About 2 mins walk from the bus terminal exit/entrance.  

This is the bus stop to take bus no. 7-1 to 설악산 Seorakan.

Buses available at this bus stop.

There's a petrol station across the road. It became a landmark that I used for the next few days ㅋㅋㅋ

I think I paid cash KRW1100 for the bus fare.  

I can't wait to reach the mountain top!
*As though I was a seasonal hiker after just ONE trip up to a mountain called, Gatbawi waahahahaaaa