A picturesque holiday camp stands on the shore of Lake Yonphung, a scenic spot.

The camp built in a distinctive style to blend in with the lakeside landscape is a holiday resort for scientists of the State Academy of Sciences.

Occupying an area of more than 119 000 square metres with a total floor space of over 100 000 square metres, the Yonphung Scientists Holiday Camp has all conditions and environment needed for recreations, including nine camp buildings, a general service centre, multi-purpose outdoor sports ground, beach volleyball court, boating area, resting area, pavilion and indoor and outdoor wading pools.

The paths are paved with precious blue stones to help campers relieve fatigue, and the lodgings and service buildings are all connected by access corridors for their convenience.

The multi-purpose outdoor sports ground has volleyball, badminton and tennis courts, and the tennis court turns into a skating rink in winter.

The indoor and outdoor wading pools are equipped with showers and various kinds of underwater ultrasonic massage devices.

“We are doing our best to promote full relaxation of the scientists who contribute to the country’s prosperity by dint of science,” said Pak Un Chol, director of the holiday home.

According to him, the holiday camp is able to cater for more than 50 scientists and technicians at one term and nearly 600 a year.

A holiday at the camp begins with a reception for the vacationers. Their scientific research achievements introduced on this meaningful occasion are the epitome of the prospering and developing country as well as a sign of its bright prospects.

Everything needed for their holiday life is provided at the highest level at state expense, Pak said.

Their day begins with a morning walk in the forest surrounding the camp.

“We often go for a walk. When we are stuck with a bottleneck in research, we take a walk to get our thoughts into shape even at dawn or at night,” said Kwak Man Su, deputy director of the thermal engineering institute of the State Academy of Sciences. “But strolling here in the camp was different. While walking along the shore of the lake hazy with clouds of spray and through the thick forest where pheasants, roe deer, squirrels and other animals saunter about, a rhyme rather than a formula popped into my head.”

He added that he really admired the holiday camp located in such a perfect place rich in natural beauty.

A volleyball competition between camp buildings is held in the multi-purpose outdoor sports ground surrounded by enthusiastic rooters, while some others display a spirit of rivalry on the badminton and tennis courts.

Meanwhile, the general service centre is crowded with joyful campers playing table tennis and billiards, taking photographs to keep the memory of their fun-filled vacation and getting their hair dressed in the barbershop and beauty parlour.

In the indoor wading pool, they literally lose track of time.

“I get fully reinvigorated in the pool,” said Ju Se Bong, researcher of the geology institute. “After taking a shower and various kinds of water massages, I feel over the moon like a child.”

According to the campers, the most impressive part of the vacation is boating.

It is an enjoyable pastime to row in the vast lake, but it is really wonderful to have a barbecue on pleasure boats while taking in the natural scenery, the holidaymakers say.

As they leave the camp, they give the camp staff a promise that they will “make greater research achievements and come back again”.

“It is said that happiness is satisfaction without regret. I’m really satisfied with the holiday and I don’t have any regrets, but I’d really like to come again,” said Jo Song Phil, section chief of the integrated circuit institute, as he left the camp in November.

It is the unanimous desire of the campers to repay with greater scientific successes the favours bestowed on them by the state which provided them with flats in Wisong Scientists Residential District and vacations at such a wonderful holiday camp.