Unforgettable Memories from My Sokcho Travel Experience

(Part of my 30-Day Backpacking Journey in South Korea)

First Time in Sokcho 

Day 1: Seoul → Sokcho (Sunset, Squid, and Suds)
I finally left the guesthouse at 10 AM, backpack on, slightly rushed, slightly unapologetic. Dian and Yeni from Indonesia were heading out shopping, while I boarded the intercity bus to Sokcho.

Upon arrival, my T-money card decided to betray me. Cue K-drama timing: Jeff Lee, a staff member from a 5-star hotel in Seoraksan, stepped in to help. Hero with no cape.

My backpack was heavy enough to question all my life choices, but Jeff (again) helped me get off at the right guesthouse stop. I arrived at Smile Guesthouse around 4 PM and immediately headed back out. No rest for backpackers pretending they’re not tired.

I wandered to the marina and waited for sunset. Just as the sky softened into watercolor shades, rain started to fall. I ducked into a café, sipped coffee, and let the drizzle pass before heading back.

That evening, I met the hosts’ sons, TG and TI, and shared a warm family dinner in their basement cafeteria. But the night wasn’t done yet.

We went out to the harbor for beer and squid sundae, then somehow ended up with two more glasses of Miller at a local hof. I won’t lie. I got a little tipsy. A very Sokcho welcome.

Day 2: Rock Trails and Tteokbokki

I extended my stay by one night, all for Seoraksan. Huge thanks to TG for calling my next guesthouse in Gangneung and rearranging everything for me.

I spent four solid hours hiking the Ulsanbawi Rock Trail. Steep, exhausting, and absolutely worth it. The views were unreal. The kind that makes your legs forgive you.

Back at the guesthouse, I crashed hard. Slept at 5 PM, woke up two hours later to tteokbokki for dinner (TG, once again, saving lives).

I was the only guest that night. Somehow, the place felt more like home than empty.

The evening was chill: Black Mirror, then a full Korean TV buffet: 1N2D, Running Man, and Muhan Boys, followed by Liverpool vs. Manchester.

Tech win of the night: I finally backed up my travel photos using TG’s laptop. My hard drive is now officially full. Full of memories.

Day 3: Bye (For Now), Sokcho
Even though my 7 AM alarm failed, I woke up refreshed.

Eomma (the guesthouse owner), sweet as ever, insisted I drink coffee before leaving. She even woke TG just to see me off. She called me “baby.” I melted.

On the bus to the Intercity Bus Terminal, surprise! The only other passenger was Jeff, the same kind soul who helped me days earlier. At the Intercity Bus Terminal, he carried my backpack, talked to the driver, and even saved my seat while I ran to the restroom. The 10:10 AM bus actually waited for me.

My heart was full.

Back in Sokcho (After 17 Days)

Day 1: Jecheon → Gangneung → Sokcho
The bus from Jecheon to Gangneung felt endless, with too many stops. After nearly an hour of waiting at Gangneung Bus Terminal, I finally caught the bus to Sokcho. Only a 40-minute ride this time.

I took a taxi to the guesthouse, where TG welcomed me with bread, peanut butter, and milk. I don’t usually drink milk, but kindness changes rules.

The room was huge. I spent some quiet time uploading a paragliding video sent by Sang Woo, my Jecheon host, and wrote him a Couchsurfing reference. Well-deserved.

Then suddenly, a 30-member youth baseball team checked in. The guesthouse transformed into a mini dorm in the blink of an eye.

That night, I thought dinner downstairs would be the end. I was wrong.

Before 9 PM, TG and I spontaneously headed to Yeongnangho (Yeongnang Lake). We walked glowing paths, played with a hula hoop, climbed up to a closed lighthouse (because why not), and laughed like kids.

We stopped by E-Mart for chips, drove through the night with music on and windows open, and ended the evening watching “The Man from Earth.” Strange, thoughtful, and perfect.

It was one of those days, full without trying.

Just grateful.