Korea’s been blessed with a super-holiday this year and flights are too rich for my blood so I’ve been dreaming up the perfect staycation for months now and it’s just days away.

Two good friends from my days in Jeonju 전주 are hopping an intercity bus to Busan 부산 and we’re going to live the good life for a few days. For me, that means a routine of morning exercise, discovering new spots, and then watching the sunset with friends.

I’m calling the morning exercise plan the Camino del Chuseok because it’s inspired by the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Chuseok 추석 is a major family holiday in Korea and many Koreans will visit their ancestral hometowns to practice rites with their families. Since the three of us don’t have ancestors to visit here, we’ve had to make alternate plans~

Each day, Megan and I will trek a part of the Galmaetgil while Tessa goes sightseeing and then we’ll meet up for a drink at the beach in the afternoon. We’re staying 4 nights on the east side of Busan near Course 1 and 2. Originally I wanted to pitch a tent each night and look up at the full moon, but I’m sure I’ll appreciate a soft pillow and a warm shower at the end of each section.

I’ll be posting throughout the week with our anecdotes as well as some useful info for future Galmaetgil hikers.