Korea's National Flower - "Mugunghwa" (Rose of Sharon)

According to records, Koreans have treasured The Rose of Sharon as a heavenly flower since ancient times. In fact, the Silla Kingdom called itself Mugunghwa Country. Love for the flower was further heightened when "Mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeo gansan" ("Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of beautiful mountain and river land") was written into the national anthem in the late 19th century. As the Rose of Sharon has been an important part of the Korean culture for centuries, it was only natural that the government adopted it as the national flower after Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule.

A friendly neighborhood farmer

Giant Korean Spiders!

How would you like to come across this critter on an early morning walk?! Spider webs are all over the place (near bushes, telephone poles...) and sometimes the spiders are half the size of my fist! It's almost enough to make me think, "Maybe I'll start walking to the beach later in the day!"

The beauty of Korea! A few pics taken on a walk to Chilpo Beach early on August 21st.