Ara's hidden corners of Sokcho.

The cute puppy we found that we wanted to keep

A pretty garden

The ferry (it costs 20 cents!), also known as the gaet-bae

Paul helping to pull the ferry across (a length of rope runs through it)

Our friend Ara has lived in Sokcho almost a year now, and he goes walking often. Today was rainy and gray (now that the monsoon season has started), but still good for a walk around town. Today he took us around Cheongcho Lake (where several men were fishing) and along the port where the squid boats are (Every night in Sokcho boats go out into the sea and fish for squid, using strings of lights, which attracts them). We also went through some back seaside neighborhoods and along the old eastern railroad (that goes to North Korea, but is now defunct). It was around this spot that I spotted the puppy above. About 5 Korean boys were taunting him and we stopped to pet him. We couldn't tell if one of the boys owned him or not, or if they were just "playing" with him. We were strongly tempted to take him home--he couldn't have been more than 3 months old. But we didn't :(

We peeked into some shops and fish restaurants, then headed up to the International Passenger Ship Terminal, where lucky Koreans can take a ferry to Zarubino, Russia (a 23-hour ride). Sadly, Americans are not allowed this opportunity. But we could see all of the Korean cars prepared for export!
After that, we wandered through the fish market to the Sokcho Lighthouse beach, where there are many large rocks smoothed over by the tide that you can climb on. The waves were crashing in and Ara, Paul, and I walked out on the rocks for a better view of the sea. From here we could also see the Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion.
After Paul and Ara got pretty soaked from sneaking out onto the rocks (and being hit by waves!), we left to check out Jugang Market, where Ara bought some fresh tofu (it's so cheap here--$1 for a huge block!) and some salad greens. We finished the day off with one of our favorite Korean meals--gamjatang (pork spine soup with potatoes). Thanks for the cool sites, Ara!