When I think of Auraji, I think of the rice fields. Criss-crossed by tiny roads more often walked than driven upon, they fill the valley with brilliant green leaves rustling in the breeze. Mountains ring the valley, visible with the absence of the haze which can plague Korea’s urban areas. It is a valley where the slow life remains. Not an easy life, for the people work the soil and run their shops to get by, dependent only on themselves and their neighbors for most day to day needs. But life is slow there, removed from the madness of city streets. When I think of Auraji, my soul finds a lingering fragment of peace.
I think of a row of pastel colored houses lining the railway tracks, tracks which no longer serve trains, but allow caravans of beaming, waving Korean tourists to peddle past on rail bikes before disappearing into a yawning tunnel. I think of meat sizzling on the barbeque, a guitar passed around in the company of friends and strangers under the stars, and the omnipresent chirping of crickets. Morebul Pension–the little pastel houses in which we stay–will always be linked with Auraji, and Auraji with Morebul Pension. I could not imagine one without the other.
When I think of Auraji, I think of the gleaming sickle of the moon bridge spanning the river. I think of the path along the banks walked by families and giggling couples. The moths which flit and flutter and perish by the thousands in the tranquility of the valley. I think of the tiny town, with its quirky buildings built in the shapes of fish and insects.
How about you? Is there a place you cherish and look back on for the wonderful memories? Where is it? What makes it so special?
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What a beautifully written post! I love stories that transport you not just to a physical place, but to an emotional one as well. Kudos!!!
Thanks! 🙂
Wow, for some reason this post made me tear up a bit… The connection of places and friends, and how they are so important, really resonated with me. I really want to go to Auraji now and have bookmarked the pension. I have holiday at the end of July and this would probably be a great place to spend my time. Looks fantastic.
Thanks, Meaghan, I’m glad you liked it! This was a really personal post, one I’ve wanted to write for a year and a half. I love that place, haha. If you stay there, let me know what you think!
What a beautiful place! We will definitely have to check it out sometime this summer. ONE of my favorite places in Korea (it’s so hard to choose!) is Byeonsanbando National Park, specifically Gosapo Beach. Such a scenic place and the beach seems to stretch on forever.
Ooh, that’s one I haven’t heard of before. I’ll have to check it out, thanks!
I love all the green and the beautiful colors! Makes me want spring to hurry up and arrive here in MN. This was beautiful and makes me think of my little country town, with all the rice fields and surrounding mountains. Thanks for bringing back some good memories!
Yeah, I’m sure it’s been pretty cold in MN this winter. I’ve been missing Korea a lot lately, planning on going back for a visit in the fall. Do you have any plans of returning?
Loved the story you told! I feel that way about Geoje Island, summers spent there with friends in a pension on the beach. I’ll never forget it, although we’re going back next month! 😀
Nice! Looking forward to the pictures from that 🙂 I meant to go to Geoje Island, but never made it over. One more thing I’ll have to do when I go back to Korea.
I really liked your photos and the way you told your story. Although I have to be honest that while I was reading this and looking at the photos I was thinking twice about whether this story was still about Korea. It’s sooo beautiful and I’m surprised that I’ve never heard or read about this place!
I hope my family can go there one day. It seems like such a beautiful place to relax and unwind, a perfect temporary getaway!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s such a tiny little place; a friend’s girlfriend set up the trip for us the first year we went, then came along with us the second year. I’m trying to get over there this year, but we’ll see if it works out 🙂 Hope you make it there someday!
Okay if I ever make it back to Korea, Auraji is at the top of the list. I’ve never heard of it until now but everything you describe makes it sound like the perfect place for me. I could easily imagine how it captures everything that I love about Korea. Thanks for making me long to go back!
Thanks, Matt! It’s my Korean happy place, that’s for sure. Any plans of going back to Korea eventually?
I appreciated walking through this place through your post. Gangwon-do has some of the coolest places in this country and it makes me happy that some of them, like Auraji, are truly hard to find. Thanks for sharing this. I hope you’ve got more posts like this one up your sleeve. A welcome read for my tired Friday eyes.
Thanks! 🙂 Gangwon-do is my favorite province in Korea, there’s just so much spectacular nature up there. I got lucky with finding Auraji–a friend’s girlfriend set up our first trip there.
I like reading about places in Korea that is away from the usual tourist spots. This is a nice town and hope to be able to visit sometime. Our time here is limited and my hunger for other countries may take precedence. I love the importance you put in friendships and how that makes this place even more special.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Charisse! It was definitely my memories of my time with friends there that made Auraji such a special place.
Which country do you plan on visiting next?
Auraji sounds like such a lovely place to relax and go hiking. Your photos with the plants and flowers in the foreground are so beautiful, I’m not surprised you still think about them.
I sometimes drift back to Fiji, but now my most special memories are probably from living in the woods in Bolivia or with the people I met at Casa Aida in La Esperanza, Ecuador. They were all beautiful places where I hope I’ve made friends for life. I’d love to go back and I hope you return to Auraji one day too.
Nice! Yeah, I really enjoyed your posts about those places 🙂 I hope you make it back someday!
Auraji is a nice place to relax. I really like the rail bike experience
Auraji Rail Bike