'Days gone by'

The final sun of 2007sets over Pohang.
The first sun of the new year rises over the East Sea.

It's a popular tradition in Korea to watch the first sunrise of the new year, and Pohang is the Eastern most point in the country. Seeing as it's only a two hour train ride from Daegu, we decided to check it out. As we stepped off the train, we were greeted by a blistering, freezing wind - by far the coldest day we've seen in Korea. And after being ignored by two taxi drivers who apparently didn't want to deal with foreigners, we took a ride to our hotel - the Ramada Encore. It was a very Western establishment and we were able to walk on carpet. That may not seem very cool, but after ten months of walking on cold, dirty linoleum everywhere we go, we may as well have been walking on gold. Despite Cate not being able to sleep and eventually having to crash in our bed, the night was great. That's a lie. The night wasn't great. It was long and frustrating. If you've never shared a small hotel room with a two year old, I'd compare it to trying to sleep in the same room as an espresso-drinking spider monkey. It was that relaxing.

Nonetheless, we answered our sixoclock wakeup call, bundled up and headed to Bukbu Beach. There were already hundreds of people on the beach, shooting fireworks and huddled around campfires. We found a spot, set up the camera and waited. And waited. We stood around, freezing our lips off before the big moment finally arrived. After taking it all in and contemplating life - and doing all the things you do when you experience such a natural wonder - we headed to Family Mart to warm up. There were hundreds of people crammed inside already, all of them eating ramen. It was one of those you have to live in Korea to understand the humour in this situation kind of moments. Despite not being able to move my fingers and being reduced to tears in the taxi ride back, it was well worth it.

Then it was back to the hotel for a 40 minute shower before we headed back to Daegu, where we are now enjoying the remainder of Carmen's vacation in the comfort of our own, tiny, lovely home.