Misty-Eyed - IL Boriam Temple

I had wanted to go to 보리암 Boriam Temple on Namhae Island for a long time but just never got around to it. When I asked Deok Soon if the International Ladies could go on my last hike it sounded like a great idea. Mother Nature threw us a curve ball, but we went with it.

Although Boriam Temple rests at the top of 금산 Geumsan Mountain, we drove to the parking lot near the top. The short walk up to the temple didn't seem so short with the wind and the mist.

The ladies were such troopers.

This is a lookout area. The view usually looks out at 한려해상 Hallyeohaesang National Park in the South Sea, but today the view was absolutely white.

Boriam is known as the temple among the clouds, but not the clouds like these. These clouds just obstructed our views.

The fog was so dense we could hardly see the buildings until we were right on top of them.

Boriam Temple, also known as Boriam Hermitage, is thought to have one of the most prestigious prayers spots in Korea for the worship of 관세음보살 Gwanseeum-bosal. Legend has it that visitors to this temple will be granted one wish.

The "Enlightenment Hermitage" was founded in 683 by the Buddhisst monk 원효 Wonhyo. It is said that he lived in the hermitage in complete solitude, away from worldly pleasures. 

Even in bad weather the monks are still going to work praying.

 The Bell Pavilion is called 종루 Jong-ru.

Boriam became well-known as the site where King Taejo, the founding king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), performed ritual prayers. It is believed that King Taejo stayed at the hermitage for 100 days to seek guidance to sufficiently lead his new kingdom. 

On the way there the Korean ladies wanted to stop at a place to grab these delicious snacks at one of their favorite spots on Namhae Island. Of course the women were generous to share their favorite treat with everyone. Turns out they were filled with bean paste; quite disappointing.

Ancient Chinese writing decorated this big rock.

This statue that overlooks the South Sea is dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal and was added in 1969.

The other buildings are just right there, engulfed in the mist and fog.

front row: Nadine, Sandy, Deok Soon
back row: Kate, Trish, Mimi, Joanne and Shelley

Once again, the view of the South Sea from 만불전 Manbul-jeon Hall is usually phenomenal. Well, on normal days anyway.

After the temple we went to coffee and shared our snacks, as per usual.

I am so thankful I got to know this group of ladies. Days spent with them are always filled with laughter and smiles. They would go out of their way to do anything for you. They would give you the shirt off their back. You seriously cannot out-give a Korean. 

Hyunsil, Trish, Deok Soon and Mimi

Deok Soon gifted me a framed photo of one of our outings.

I gifted the group some hiking ribbons. You always see them tied to trees on hikes. JinSaIWA stands for Jinju Sacheon International Women's Association, a title we coined  one morning whilst on a hike.

On the way home we drove through the American Village. Also something that has been on my list. I heard it was basically just a few homes, and that's pretty much all it was. But the architecture did look very American. And of course Lady Liberty welcomed everyone driving through.

Lunch in the German Village topped off my last International Ladies hike. I'm not crying, you're crying.

[June 28]