Day 2: Settling In

Gwangot to Gimnyeoung Beach

Distance: 20km

It's a chilly night, nonetheless, I sleep better than the previous nights and wake up to sunrise. The sun is warming me up quickly and before I have even fixed my coffee, I feel quite comfortable.

I'm in no hurry to leave. When I eventually do, I more or less bump straight into a lady walking her dog. She invites me to her home to freshen myself up. An offer I gladly accept. A few minutes later, I sit in their kitchen, talking to her husband, eating my first Hallabong (a Jeju citrus fruit). Sweet, yet a bit sour. I love the taste. An egg and tea follow, before I have a quick wash and hit the trail again. What a wonderful start into my day. 

The sun is shining as the trail number 19, which I am following today, passes a busy beach town, a quite fishing village and eventually heads inland through forest. Some nice, proper hiking trail without anyone else around. Out of the forest, I pass through farmland. It's also where I hit my daily low. It's early afternoon, I am hungry and already miss the sea.

Eventually, I am back at the coastline. The ending point of Trail 19. Right next to it, a restaurant. Perfect!

As usual, the menu is only in Korean. What eventually ends up on my plate always a surprise. Today it is a fried Mackerel with many side dishes. Super tasty and very affordable. For the 6 Swiss Francs I paid, I wouldn't even get a coffe and croissant back home. 

Anyway, after I bravely tried to eat the fish with chopsticks (but eventually had to surrender), I once more hit the trail. With plenty of energy, the last few kilometers to the campground were easy going. 

Earlier than I anticipated, I pitch my tent on a massive open field with fantastic views of the ocean. 

I grab my book and some snacks at the nearby Seven-Eleven and settle in for a cozy evening.