Yeoju to Suanbo>
May 8, 2023
Another day and another astounding breakfast and we were wheels away. The sun was out and while chilly, the day promised to be spectacular and it was. The ride through the small hills connecting river valley bike paths and routes took us through some of South Korea’s most beautiful countrysides.
Population in South Korea is concentrated in urban areas and suburban sprawl does not seem to exist. Rural areas are given over to intense agriculture that utilizes every scrap of land as well as recreational areas for the people living in high density accommodations. The typical North American single family dwelling or even duplex with a third of an acre yard is a very rare bird here in Korea. Your will find some but they are almost always attached to some form of agriculture and that third of an acre is not growing grass. Instead you see vast developments of many unit high rise apartments and condos. Green space is valued and protected with an almost religious like reverence.
They have even found a less land intensive way to practice a form of golf. I saw it as a mash up of golf, pickle ball and croquette. On a chip and putt sized fairway the golfer uses a driver style golf club with an over sized head to hit a pickle ball sized ball made of wood that sounds like a croquette ball when it is struck. The ball stays mostly on the ground aiming for the green where it is putted into the hole. An ingenious way to fit an eighteen hole course into a small area. On the Monday afternoon when I rode by such a course it was packed with what I shall call neo-golfers.
Two interesting things along the way. First was a building being built with a traditional pitched roof made of concrete. Maybe I am not up on the latest trends in construction but I have never seen a roof of this style made of concrete. The second was a business called Fishy Aroma. Not a large place but interesting enough that a few of us stopped in for some iced coffee. The hostess and owner did not speak English but she had an abundance of hospitality. Charging us for only the coffee she brought out roasted sweet potatoes and fresh fruit to go along with it. Then is a move that surprised everyone she proceeded to produce colourful buffs and presented one to each of us. She refuse payment and even a tip for all the goodness she provided, Just a proud business owner wanting to show foreign visitors the finest of Korean hospitality. Never found out why it was called Fishy Aroma. It did not smell fishy to us.
There were a few gentle hills today and some perfect views. Even the bridges were stylish. For a mostly industrial nation they certainly have made the best use of what nature they have.
