Olle 15
8 December 2024: Olle 15B
This was my eleventh Olle. It was one of the ones organised through work, though only three of us turned up. I would;d have preferred to have done 15A rather than the B route which is both shorter and less ascent. It is under 15 km and only about 7m of ascent. It did however allow time for lots of photography and a good lunch. It starts at the port of Hansu-ri, where a lady was laying out the fish to dry. Perhaps the weather had put some people off, but I found the windy conditions energising and it created some spectacular waves.
The route follows the coast past the Haeunsa Temple, along very quiet streets and good paths.
The route follows the coast past the Haeunsa Temple, along very quiet streets and good paths.
At one point the route passed by some rocks where there were several Japanese Cormorants, (Phalacrocorax capillatus). I probably could have moved a bit closer but I did not want to keep the other two waiting. The rocks were very grippy but a bit awkward with a camera in my hand.
The route passes numerous cafes, one of which had very interesting outside walls. I was surprised to see the stamping trail at the end. I really was ready to do the same distance again. I was not overly keen to continue along Olle trail 16, as I had done it just a few weeks earlier.
I feel that I should go back to do Olle 15A.
6 April 2025: Olle 15A
I decided that I should walk every variant before collecting my completion certificate. On the B route, I carried my 300mm prime lens. On this occasion, I carried my 20-40mm zoom and I am glad that I did! It was great to travel light, but I wish that I had taken my tripod to photograph the inside of Seonunjeong Temple. AS it was, I placed the camera on the floor and on benches and using the dip in my upside-down sunglasses to support the lens at the right angle. This did produce surprisingly sharp photos and while I would have liked the option of shooting from higher up, the upward tilted lens does result in more of the ceiling details being included in the shots.
After doing some photography at the harbour, including a diver removing fishing net from the bottom of a pleasure boat, presumably from the propeller of the rudder, I headed off at a good pace. I was carrying my Highlander Bolt-lite Hydration Pack that I had bought using a voucher that I won for being runner-up for a walk report on the Walkhighlands website. It holds, a 1.5 litre hydration bladder, a lightweight waterproof jacket, my Olle passport, Garmin GPS, glasses and a few snack bars. I passed some walkers taking a break more than once.
The A-B split was well signposted.
On Jeju, there are many water towers that would be ugly and of little interest was it not be for the paintings on them that goes some way to helping them to blend in to their surroundings.
Onions in Jeju, Korea, are often dried after harvesting. This process, commonly called curing, is essential for extending their shelf life and enhancing their flavor. After being pulled from the ground, onions are typically laid out in the sun for several days to allow the outer layers to dry and the necks to seal. This helps prevent rot and decay during storage. The image shows rows of freshly harvested onions, likely undergoing this drying process on what appears to be a concrete surface, which is a common method used in agricultural practices to facilitate air circulation and sun exposure. It does not leave much room for pedestrians though.
Gazania rigens or treasure flower.
I think that most Olle walkers pass Seonunjeong Temple. I am glad that I took the time to check it out. While I was there, most of those I had passed probably caught me up, but that does not matter. This was the highlight of the walk. I ventured inside that seemed to be the main part of the complex. The light was not great and I try to avoid bumping up the ISO, even on a camera that works relatively well at slightly higher ISOs. I therefore found a suitable surface on which to place the camera, including benches and even on the floor, supporting the lens with my sunglasses and strap so that there would not be too much floor in the shots. I am very pleased with the shots. That said, I may Mae a point of carrying a tripod with me the next time I walk Olle 15A.
While I was taking photographs, what I took to be a priest walked in. I thought that I might get into trouble. I remember asking for permission to photograph the iconostasis in an Orthodox Church in Taraz, It was not the priest that I asked but some men who seemed to have some role in the church. When the priest saw me with my tripod, he was not happy about what I was doing. His wrath was directed at the two men, not myself. I remember him saying (in Russian), "This is the house of God, not a museum!"
This priest greeted me with a smile and a little later asked me where I was from, before then inviting me to lunch!
I initially thanked him but politely declined. I then saw the canteen which seemed to be open to the general public. I ventured inside, saw a simple buffet and through Google Translate asked how things worked. Did I just help myself and then they look at my plate and say how much. The lady crossed her arms and said "No money!" It seems that dining there was free. I did ask about making a donation instead and she said "Pig!" and gestured towards three of the biggest piggy banks I have ever seen.
This has led me to doing a bit of research.
There a several explanations regarding the used of ceramic pigs to collect money, including some originating from Germany, with the name stemming from a type of orange-colored clay called "pygg" used for making pots and jars, which were then shaped like pigs as a play on words.
In Korean Buddhist temples, you'll often see piggy banks, which are used for donations, and the practice of giving is a core part of Buddhist tradition. This may be linked to Chinese culture, where pigs symbolise wealth.
This priest greeted me with a smile and a little later asked me where I was from, before then inviting me to lunch!
I initially thanked him but politely declined. I then saw the canteen which seemed to be open to the general public. I ventured inside, saw a simple buffet and through Google Translate asked how things worked. Did I just help myself and then they look at my plate and say how much. The lady crossed her arms and said "No money!" It seems that dining there was free. I did ask about making a donation instead and she said "Pig!" and gestured towards three of the biggest piggy banks I have ever seen.
This has led me to doing a bit of research.
There a several explanations regarding the used of ceramic pigs to collect money, including some originating from Germany, with the name stemming from a type of orange-colored clay called "pygg" used for making pots and jars, which were then shaped like pigs as a play on words.
In Korean Buddhist temples, you'll often see piggy banks, which are used for donations, and the practice of giving is a core part of Buddhist tradition. This may be linked to Chinese culture, where pigs symbolise wealth.
The midway stamp seemed a long way. It is in fact at about the 11km mark of a 16.5km route. The usually clear signage seemed a little confusing. There seems to be an optional loop that goes into geumsangson-won a wooded area with the usual steps and posts connected by rope, though the seemed older and soon in need to replacement. It was very pleasant after so much road. There was a lot of twists and winds and ups and downs. I didn't take any photographs. I think that woodland photography is something I need to work on. There is a stoney path leading directly to a historical site. From the information board, it suggested that is was some sort of sacrificial site, but there is not indication as to what was being sacrificed. Whatever poor beasts were being sacrificed it seems that the local village voted to stop such practices in the 1990s.
Further on, my gpu file shows a different route to that marked on the ground. The ribbons take you along a route that skirts Gonae Peak at 175m. I headed up some steps and then a good path to the top to do an additional loop. I am curious as to why this is not included in the route as it was a definite highlight, especially at this time of the year, with so many trees in blossom. At the top is an observatory platform and some communications installations. The descent was mostly down a gentler gradient that my uphill route and the baths were covered in matting. It passed the usual sentry box that seems to be found on most of the oreums.
Lower down. I came across the second temple of the day, Bogwansa.
It was then all downhill along lands and roads to the port of Gonae and the finish stamp. I definitely enjoyed this one. There was enough variety and places of interest, especially with the little additional detours.