Many of you know I am a huge fan of the Danish artist Thomas Dambo. He is a recycle artist who creates large trolls using recycled goods. Many trolls are found in the United States, but Dambo has reached many other parts of the world, namely Pocheon, South Korea.
Poncheon is a bit of a drive from Seoul. I tried using the suggested Klook app to hire a private driver, but the clunkiness of their site made it hard for me to figure out how to do it. They have set tours, but I didn’t know how to order a fully customized trip.
Determined to see the trolls, I asked the hotel how to get a private driver, and they gave me a booklet with an explanation on how to contact them from the room. The front desk agent assured me they could help me.
The request I made included same day service, so I had hopes without assurances this plan would come to fruition. However, I called and Julia answered. She instantly sent me a message through WhatsApp, and we communicated that way. It took about fifteen minutes, but she found a driver who could leave at 10 am. Yes, please!
My driver arrived a little early, found me waiting, and invited me to begin. The bonus for me was the company took credit cards. With only 1.5 days in South Korea, I did not wish to get tons of cash. I paid, and we were on the way. The language barrier kept us from a great conversation (and I love conversation), so I took the time to look out the windows.
I was able to take photos of the drive, AND I asked myself many questions that might never receive responses. The most burning question was, “Why are these blue foam pieces attached to so many cars?” Yes, my questions pertain to incredibly academic subjects 😂.
Google spouted its wisdom at my query. Apparently, the manufacturer is supposed to remove these after construction, but South Koreans enjoy the safety of them. Tight parking lends itself to more door dings, so many leave them on to protect everyone’s cars. Additionally , it displays the owner’s excitement at having a new car.
The drive seemed much like driving in the U.S. The lanes look the same, and many of the signs look similar. An unusual observance is the left turn arrow illuminates for all lanes, but it only seems to work well if several drivers want to turn left. There doesn’t seem to be a dedicated left turn lane. I’m sure I’ve interpreted incorrectly, but it seemed as though the lines stopped when a car had to turn left.
The views, however, amazed me. South Korea looks to be the bridge capital of the world. I can’t grant that title, but there were so many which were so varied in look. I loved them and the tunnels too!
After nearly two and a half hours, I reached my destination…Pocheon, South Korea. I wore my Dambo troll shirt in case there would be a language barrier, but it seems the workers were ready for another foreigner looking for the trolls.
The park had recently been purchased and turned into an animal park, a.k.a. as a feeding excursion for the locals. The grounds had a particular beauty and yet things seemed to be overgrown in places. The areas also were decorated with Chihuly inspired art. I loved walking everywhere.
Everyone else spent time feeding animals. On the back of my map included a price list of all the vegetables you could buy for a nominal fee. You would pick up a basket and tongs, put your food in the basket, then proceed to the feeding areas.
The facility had goats, teddy bear cows, miniature cows, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, sheep,dogs, and several other animals. I did not feed them as I was on a troll hunt, but the children loved it. There were even animals on the second story lounging in chairs!
I spent nearly two hours at the Animal Park (after all it was quite the drive). In addition to the gardens, I discovered trails to hike. In that discovery I recognized my poor planning. I forgot my bug spray at the hotel. Honestly, I did not realize how annoying the bugs could be. Note to self: bring bug spray!
Troll Hunting
The first three trolls stayed within the main path. Their bug to person ratio remained quite small. However, I knew there had been five trolls at one time because of the Dambo sites I’m on (yes, obsessed). When I asked the lady at the front desk, she agreed there had once been five trolls, but the other two were gone. I asked her where they had been located, and she swept her hand over the map indicating they had been within the trees. That, my friends, became my introduction to the bugs and the start of my quest! I just had to look.
The park had a boardwalk that led to the forest, so I followed it. It ended and a dirt path began. After about five minutes, I saw a troll peeking through the trees. As I started to get closer, I heard a sound. Looking down, I saw a snake slithering through the slats on the foot bridge. It was trying to avoid me, and not knowing what kind of snake it was, I avoided it as well.
The troll’s jaw had deteriorated and other parts sat disconnected but nearby. Dambo’s goal has always been to let the trolls go back into the earth, and this provided the best example. I wasn’t even sad. Instead I felt contentment that his goals would be met.
Now, I had just one more troll to find. The snake increased my caution but did not decrease my desire. Many of the trails had started to return to nature, so I followed them as far as they allowed and I felt comfortable. Eventually I found an area with wooden chaise lounges. I felt it in my bones I was close. Up, up, the hill I went. Sweat poured off of me, and bugs loved me, but I persevered. And…there it was! Originally holding a flute, this troll had severed feet, no face, and no instrument. The joy in finding this troll still filled me up. I had completed my mission—five trolls.
Because some trolls are in disrepair, I took a screenshot of each troll from trollmap.com. Those photos each have the name printed.I have labeled each troll’s photo shoot as well as provided a little more information. These trolls found their home here in 2018 and were within Dambo’s first thirty trolls created.
Okay, read on and look to the end for troll pics and descriptions!
I stopped by the gift shop to see if Dambo memorabilia could be found. Instead I encountered a large section of Anne of Green Gables items. I had heard she was big in the Asian countries, but seeing the books delighted me—especially since my niece and I just finished our Anne journey in Canada. I should mention The Little Prince had displays, and books, but Anne…
I tanked up on some water then we began the journey home. I decided to try my hand at a Google Translate conversation. It was a huge success! I would type a message in my phone then play the audio. The driver would speak into his and play it for me. I sat there amazed at how wonderful technology could be. He showed me the stadium being built for the Olympics. He told me about Lotte Tower. And we talked about how I happened to be in South Korea sitting in his car. And, I have Google Translate jokes. There were times I’d explain things to him, and he would genuinely laugh. That felt encouraging!
So, for my first full day as a solo tourist in a foreign land, I felt accomplished. Yes, I had Burger King, and, yes, I returned to my hotel quickly…but I:
- Had a conversation with a local
- Walked the streets to my (American) restaurant
- Used a kiosk to order my food
- Exchanged U.S. money for cash
- Had a really good day
Reba Roams the World 
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