Day 10 – Solo Korea Car Camping Trip: Yeongdeok → Samcheok

2021.06.02(Wed)

Good morning.

Today’s destination is Jangho Beach in Samcheok.

On the way, I stopped at Mangyang Rest Area to throw away some trash. But of course, since I was already at a rest stop, it felt wrong to leave without grabbing a snack, so I went for a little wander to see what I could find.

That’s when I stumbled upon serendipity—one of my favorite words, meaning an unexpected joy.

This rest stop had a unique setup: to get to the bathroom, you had to go down an outdoor staircase. And from those steps, the view of the ocean stretched out before me, completely breathtaking—honestly, unbelievable.

I’ve seen countless seas throughout this trip, but none have struck me quite like this one. To think I’d find a view that felt straight out of Jeju Island, just on the way to the restroom at a random highway stop—it was a perfect little gift from the road.

The water was so clear that I could see straight into the sea even from a distance. The crashing waves sprayed white mist into the air, and the towering rocks stood like guardians of the shore. It was truly a breathtaking view—but no photo could ever capture even half of its beauty.

I stood there for a long while, soaking it all in, letting the ocean recharge me before finally getting back into the car.

This is why people always rave about the East Sea of Gangwon-do. Even the drive itself felt like a gift—the scenery so stunning that I didn’t even notice the fatigue of the road. Before I knew it, I had arrived at Jangho Beach.

The beach was beautiful, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a suitable spot to camp for the night. With no other choice, I changed my plans and headed for Yonghwa Beach instead.

And what a good decision that was—hardly any people around, crystal-clear water, and the perfect place to park. I spread out my mat on the sand, basked under the flawless weather, got in a solid tanning session, napped, and even managed to read for a while.

The water was so crystal-clear that I couldn’t resist the urge to swim. For about ten seconds, I debated the hassle of dealing with the aftermath—wet clothes, sand everywhere, the inevitable mess.

But then I thought, forget it. I bolted straight into the ocean. The rest I’d figure out later.

The shock of the cold water was far beyond what I expected—it was the kind that made me wonder if my heart might just stop. Still, once I was already soaked, there was no turning back. I plunged my whole body under and started swimming.

After all, what kind of traveler follows the coastline without ever swimming in the sea? I wasn’t about to let that be me. So without a second thought, I dove in.

Don’t think twice, it’s all right.

After spending half the day at the beach, I headed toward the restroom—only to realize it was closed due to COVID restrictions.

For a wanderer like me, water is essential, and without it, this place didn’t feel like the right spot to stay the night. So once again, I packed up and moved on.

I had planned to slow down in Gangwon Province, taking baby steps and savoring every moment. But reality had me moving faster than I’d hoped, bringing me yet another step closer to home.

My final destination for today: Maengbang Beach.

Before settling in, I stopped by a convenience store to reward myself for the long day—beer and jerky, simple but perfect. Then I drove off to where I’d be spending the night.

That night, I ended the day the same way I often do—watching a movie with a cold beer in hand.

As someone who absolutely loves drinking, especially beer, I had been on a sort of forced sobriety lately since driving every day left no room for alcohol. Maybe that’s why just one can left me feeling a little tipsy—though perhaps it was only in my head.

Still, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. Of all the pointless prides in the world, “alcohol tolerance pride” has to be the silliest. And tonight, mine took a small hit.

Even so, the day was filled with happiness and gratitude.For that, I can only say—thank you.

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9. Not everyone who works hard will succeed. But everyone who has succeeded has worked hard.”

They call it success obsession syndrome.

I’ve always been laid-back by nature—easygoing, not one to fuss over trivial matters. Yet, there was one thing I was deeply obsessed with: success.

From a young age, I carried an overwhelming hunger for the word itself. I always felt the need to learn something new, to keep pushing forward. If I ever stopped to rest, I grew anxious, almost terrified, as if time slipping away meant failure. Only much later did I realize—it was a kind of obsession.

Looking back, I think my expectations for myself were simply too high. To me, “successful people” meant figures like Warren Buffett with immense wealth, Steve Jobs who shook the world, or Martin Luther King Jr., respected and admired by all. Against such giants, I could only see myself as small and insignificant. No wonder I was always restless.

But time passed. I met new people, lived through new experiences, and slowly my perspective shifted. I came to understand that success isn’t about an absolute standard—it’s relative.

Success doesn’t mean ranking myself against others’ stories, but rather measuring where I stand within the conditions and circumstances given to me. In other words, I don’t need to run 100 meters in 9.58 seconds like Usain Bolt. If it takes me 30 seconds, or even a full minute, shaving off just a second compared to yesterday is still a success in my book.

I’m no longer trapped by the rigid definition of success I once carried. Still, I crave the kind of growth that comes from challenging my limits. And for that, perhaps the words ring truer to me now than ever:

“Not everyone who works hard will succeed. But everyone who has succeeded has worked hard.”

Thanks to the me from five years ago, I’ve gained yet another lesson to carry forward.

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