29 May 2022
The longer way around
Short hike up and over Apsan
When I last came to Daegu, I climbed up Apsan to the city observatory. It was not far at all, in fact in an attempt to brag, I called it a recovery hike as the day prior had been a much longer one. Well today I was after a shorter hike so I had time to do my laundry, so I decided to go around the back of Apsan and over the top to the observatory. A bit longer than the last time, but still under 2.5 hours in total. Now that I have an app that shows hiking trails, these sort of things are easier, and there are hundreds of trails and in this mountain park they are all very developed.
It being a Sunday, the place was heaving with people, especially the lower hessian rug trails that link temples. I am pretty sure I got caught urinating in the bushes at one point by a very happy looking auntie.
As you shall see, reconstruction of this part of Daegu is also in progress, perhaps the poor city found some money.
After descending and observing people walking backwards, I re-traced my steps from last time down the side of a suburb on a hill, past a US army 'fort' as they like to call it.
Then I provided some entertainment by doing my laundry, more on that below.
Last time I was here the monorail was under construction. It is now completed. I should probably go on it at some point. I am having a flashback to a cow being cut in half under the under construction monorail last time.
Whatever this place is, it is roped off for repair, Daegu - city under repair.
Crossing under the road, there is a tunnel full of paintings like this. How many times did Japan do bad stuff to Korea? Or are these guys Mongols?
The path around the back of the mountain along a valley is very flat, and rug covered. There are a series of temples and public toilets to admire through the trees.
Eventually it is time to go up, this starts with rug covered stairs.
There were many outdoor gyms today. This one has 6 or so benches with full size weightlifting bars and big weights on them. A nice place to hang upside down for a while.
Here I am about halfway up the back side of the small mountain. It was a steep staircase most of the way, well over 1000 stairs in a row.
The view down was nice. There is definitely less pollution today, but I am doing what I can to improve the sharpness through the smog in these photos.
Another good spot for a view along the ridge to the highest point.
Still had to get to that tower, but it is not far, however it was hot in the sun, but cool in the shade, nice breeze hence less pollution.
More view.
And the view from the top. Now I was anticipating the view from half way down the front side of the mountain where the city observatory is, it is a good thing I did not rely on that view as you shall see.
The aforementioned tower at the rocky summit. All Korean summits have missile launching equipment.
It wasn't all staircases and hessian rugs, heres a nice rocky bit to give your metatarsals a workout.
There is a cable car. Pfft. Actually I recall last time I thought the cable car no longer existed. Looks like it does but I did not find it last time.
The city observatory! Under reconstruction. The view from there is excellent. It used to be a glass deck... I wonder what happened? The area between here and the cable car is very developed, lots of what looks like function halls to rent out. I had originally intended to climb up here at night to look at the city lights, but decided I am never awake by the time it gets dark. It would have been disappointing if I tried that plan.
After descending down the front side without a view to be seen, I arrived at yet another temple. Prayer of some kind was in session with chanting and gonging so I did not venture too far in.
After crossing the road I passed the Flintstones / SpongeBob SquarePants mashup cafe. Sadly closed.
And just as I did last time, I walked down the flag covered street in the middle of nowhere. This time I investigated. Grilled Tripe Street! Every restaurant serves nothing at all except bits of tripe on a stick that you self grill. Popular enough that you need a flag covered street with 50 places to grill some delicious stomach lining.
And as suggested, this left time to do my laundry. More than enough time as the dryer only took 20 minutes somehow. Anyway, I put my dirty clothes in my suitcase and walked out of the hotel. The check-in lady who speaks no English was worried I was checking out. I told her and pointed at the laundromat over the road, but I don't think she understood.
So then I go to the laundromat, and a crowd of old folks who spend their day out the front of the 7-eleven next door not buying anything formed to watch me load my underpants into a machine. A lot of comments were being made and one old lady whistled. I took out my camera and they fled!
So then I go back to drop my bag back in my room so I could go to the supermarket while my washing was going, and the check-in lady wants me to talk to someone on the phone, I showed her a pic of the laundry on my camera and she let me go without talking on the phone... Then I put my clothes from the washing machine into the dryer, and went back over the road to the hotel to get my suitcase, and this was just too much for the old check-in gal, she threw her hands in the air, put them on her head, let out a huge sigh and then put her face in her hands on the desk. 5 minutes later I returned with my clean laundry in my suitcase, and she was still facepalming on the desk.
Such a tough day for her trying to deal with someone who does not speak Korean and does not want her help.