A short flat day by bike. A highlight of travel. From crab to war to steel.
The first main stop was a recent war memorial. It’s near where they discovered the wreckage of Roks Munsan, a South Korean carrier, and the 770 student soldiers who died. Simply and well done it makes you pause and think about two countries (USA and Russia) dividing one country and the continuing fall out. Not to mention the casualties on both sides (840000dead or missing soldiers, estimated 2.5 million civilians. A time to be quiet.
A large manufacturing plant was a reminder some countries still make things at scale. Turning away from the sea, we continued until a steel works appeared on the opposite side of the river. It seemed to go for days. Ponang steel works. Built from 1970 onwards. One of the world’s largest – it’s output is 5-7times greater than Port Talbot in recent history. Makes you cringe why we’ve lost our steel industry and this thrives. It was colourful too.
First good bit of rain soon passed and was a nice reminder we’re on the shoulder of the season – heading into the wet spell. By the width of the river banks there’s a lot of rain to come.
Street art was fun throughout. Amazing what a spot of colour or some quirky statue does to perk a place up.
Gyeongju is our rest day tomorrow, before the final day of cycling in South Korea.
Travelling reflections 