Asia Adventures!

As we're sitting in Seoul airport waiting to take off for Vancouver in a couple of hours, I thought it would be a perfect time to reminisce about my time in Korea and share some photos from the last couple of weeks too!

It's a wonderful place, filled with friendly, amazing, and at times interesting people. My experiences within the last 2 weeks have only shown me once again that all of these things are very much true and it is those experiences that I want to share with you before I take off.

The beauty of the place and the people has hopefully been extremely evident throughout my blog's history and I hope it once again shines through in these photos. Each photo has a story that I hope you enjoy

I was so lucky to catch a festival one day last week while walking from the hospital to get food for Austin and I. I start hearing loud drums and all of a sudden hundreds of Koreans in traditional dress are marching past me. That was interesting enough, but then they gathered in the square and started singing and dancing around and around in circles. The joy was radiating from their faces. Women were laughing and holding hands while skipping about and the men were drumming and dancing right along with them. It was a truly amazing moment on a beautiful sunny day that displayed both the beauty, inside and out, of the people of this country.

Once we knew our time in Korea was being cut short, I made a plan to make sure to visit certain areas in Seoul that I hadn't got a chance to see yet. One was Insadong. I had been to one part of this area of the city, but definitely did not see the entirety of it. I spent the day wandering around this "art district" of Seoul and I fell absolutely in love with it. Art work,crafts and antiques were everywhere and the vibe was extremely cool.


I met an old man named Shin and an even older man named Sukchen, who were traditional fan painters. Sukchen was the one busy painting, while I like to call Shin, the acting salesman. He spoke a bit of English and was able to hook me in a second into purchasing a beautiful Korean fan done right then and there by Sukchen. They were both very friendly and Shin explained to me the details that go into making and painting the fans and the meanings behind the Korean words on my fan itself. I hated to leave them, but I signed their guestbook and was on my way to explore the traditional village that is within Seoul called Namsangol Hanok Village.


This was a village set up to make you feel as though you were in Korea a few hundred years ago. Between the basket makers, traditional clothing and the ancient houses and furniture--they succeeded.
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It was so riveting to see how a country as modern as Korea used to be and how the traditional and modern still coincide. These next couple of photos show how old and new are both existing simultaneously during present time--both in architecture and through the Korean people themselves. I didn't just see this at the village though, I saw it throughout my stay here. At times the 2 seem conflicted. For instance, independent and stylish women still have to live with their parents until they're married with a curfew as well (usually around 10 pm!), but there are also the times where the mixture of old and new adds beauty to the culture. Examples of this are the combination of modern with old architecture (huge skyscrapers with ancient palaces scattered throughout as well) or going out to dinner and still eating on the floor with charcoal burning in front of you for a traditional bbq. It is this old and new fusion that makes everything so interesting!
(old seoul-ancient roofs --new seoul --seoul tower).

Finally, what made my stay and I know Austin's as well, even better was the people we met along the way through his work. All of you --you know who you are--are truly amazing people and we will miss you. Thank you for welcoming Austin into your clan and me as well when I arrived. The next few are of a Korean BBQ and Norebong (Korean Karaoke) we had with good friends and great people --not everyone could make it, but you were there in spirit!

I will remember all of these extraorindary experiences, things and people forever. They will be missed. Austin and I will also miss counting the matching outfits that couples wear (yes this is common), and the funny english signs or sayings on tshirts that make absolutely NO sense, but are rather comical. I'll personally also miss seeing so many tiny Lola dogs with dyed fur and expensive clothes on. We both will not miss not being able to throw toilet paper in the toilet--although I was kind of getting used to it and we probably won't miss almost being run over my mopeds, motorcycles, people and cars each time we left the apartment.

In all seriousness though, I have another mind blowing (in a good way) trip under my belt that I am so thankful for. Yesterday when we were at the hospital getting Austin's staples out and getting him ready for the flight home, the old lady I mentioned in my previous blog found me. Again, telling me how much she loved me and trying so hard in Korean to wish me well (as her grandson informed me). I gave her a kiss and hug goodbye and she gave me a candy. I thought this was a simple, yet perfect way to end my trip.
Korea--you've been grand. Back to Canada we go...

As most of you know, Austin hurt his ankle a couple of weeks ago, but you may not know the what, when, where, why, and how of it. The truth be told, we don't really seem to comprehend it either and the last couple of weeks have been a complete blur! However, amongst our sadness about Austin having to leave his job early, the pain of having to go through surgery, and having to postpone our Thailand trip for now… there have been many things that have made a relatively bad situation into at times, a pretty funny one.

Firstly, the basics. We were quite pumped up to go to an LG twins baseball game on a random wednesday evening. This turned into doomsday, but the actual game was a great time. Baseball games here are officially insane. Fans are raving mad. The stadium is packed and the cheerleaders, yes cheerleaders, are out shaking their booties off.



However, a little while after this very happy and healthy picture of Austin, disaster struck. A bathroom fall on very wet floors, led to Austin limping around and us all thinking it was just a sprain. This was the beginning of our Korean medical (mis)adventure! The next day when we realized is was definately NOT a sprain, seeing that it was grossly huge and black and blue, to the clinic we headed. To make a long story shorter, in terms of the medical prognosis...At first we were told surgery, but a quick recovery (YAY).Next we were told more surgeries and a longer recovery, but he could still work (kind of yay). Finally, after the surgery, when they realized the severity of the fracture and torn ligaments we found out there was a long road of surgeries, healing and rehab ahead for Mr Nicholls and thus the reason for going back to Canada next week.

That is enough of the nitty gritty facts. The real stories come from the hospital stay. Austin was in the hospital for 8 long, but definitely interesting days. The Korean medical system is very good, but some of their practices quite strange. The hardest thing was the language barrier, but that is also what made for the ridiculous situations. Many of these stories cannot be shared (at least not on here Ha-ha) and unfortunately they are the funniest ones, but I can divulge in some about the people we met and things that happened.

Hospital Hours:
You know how hospitals at home have visiting hours and quiet hours? These do not exist in Korean hospitals and we found that out the hard way the very first night we were there! Not only was I allowed to spend every night there on my nice comfy wooden cot (I totally recommend these), apparently there was no number cap on people. In our room of 4 patients there were probably 9 people altogether.

We managed some privacy with our curtain, but this did not stop us waking up from the custodian cleaning at 2am and 5am with the florescent lights a-shining! Or Austin getting an IV in, with no emergency at all, at about 4 am or the lovely breakfast that one got every morning at 630 am. This also explains why we got these sexy masks to wear...


Hospital Food:
Firstly, it is important to note that, as in many Asian countries, Koreans do not differentiate between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Austin luckily loves Korean food, but even his love for it was greatly tested during this experience. The reason? HOSPITAL FOOD QUALITY IS THE SAME EVERYWHERE. I could walk across the street and get him delicious Kimchi, but the stuff they were feeding him there was a little bit on the nasty side and he got it everyday morning, noon and night. Credit must be given where credit is deserved though, and they did switch it up a bit. For breakfast he may have been served dumpling soup, and for supper noodle soup. The real funny part of this particular story though is when on the 7th day we were told there was a "B" menu, which was Western food. Being the only white guy in a huge hospital, you'd think we would have been told that a little sooner? haha

The People:
You get to know people quite a bit in 8 days. Koreans go and stay in the hospital for the slightest ache. It seemed to us that they kept people in a lot longer than people would be kept in the hospital at home too. Because of this, we were in the hospital with people that we saw all of the time for our entire stay.
We had great neighbors, for the most part. They seemed to like to feed us, and we were very appreciative (You can see why from the above paragraph).
For a couple days we had a nice man staying on the cot because his young son was in the hospital. Thanks to him and his ability to speak English, we got through some sticky situations. After they left a nice man came in and his wife and 2 small kids (a baby girl and 3 year old boy) came in everyday with good food and iced coffees for us. We returned the favor by giving the kids some toys and playing peek-a-boo around the curtain each day. The latter being a good time for the little boy, but rather frightening for the baby girl. A young man staying in the room behind another curtain also fed us goodies quite often, which made up for him and his 5 friends, who stayed with him in the corner each night, laughing until 2 am. Pizza and chicken wings can let anyone be forgiven!

I met a little old lady who stayed in the hospital for about the same amount of time as us. She was looking after her son or grandson. She was about 90 years old and quite spry. She spoke little English, but every single time she saw me she would rub my face and go "baby, baby, something in korean". Her son/grandson told me she was saying I was pretty. She would hug me and tell me she loved me on a continuous basis. She was the sweetest lady, but was always trying to speak Korean to me even though she knew I did not understand a word she was saying.

Many older people would sit by me while I was on the computer and just blab away. After I said, english, english, they just kept speaking. My smiling and nodding was perfected during this time.

Finally, the nurses... oh the nurses.and Doctor McDreamy (Yeah there was a Dr Mcdreamy).
For the most part the nurses were extremely friendly in their matching uniforms with black bows in their hair. The stories are endless about the nurses, but let's just say they really liked Austin as a patient!! In all honesty though, even with some odd methods, the staff treated us very well. It was a frustrating situation for all involved, but they stuck it out, as did we, and in the end it really wasn't that bad!

That is about all that can be shared for now about the hospital stories! (Make sure to ask me to tell you the really funny ones though:P )There will be another blog to come before we leave Korea. I plan on fitting a lot in this week and seeing what I can of Seoul!

Before I go and on a serious note:
Austin is doing fine and keeping his spirits up. He loved his job and the people here very much and is disappointed that his adventure is being cut short, but we're both making the most of the situation and looking forward to getting home and getting his ankle back in tip top shape

I hate to admit this, but until yesterday I was ignorant to the situation currently in Korea and the history of the division. I knew of the Korean War in the '50s from American movies and TV shows. I knew that North Korea was currently in a dire situation with poverty, human rights crimes. I also was aware that they are possibly the makers of nuclear weapons and that their leader Kim Jong-Il wouldn't be somebody I would want to run into on the street. I knew that people like Lisa Ling's sister get arrested after being accused of spying and that Bill Clinton gets them out, but like I said--the entirety of the situation was not something that I was ever truly aware of. I did not know that a million families- wives from husbands, children from parents, brothers from brothers, were still separated from each other to this day.

So I will share what I was taught yesterday both about the history and the current situation. I will try to describe my experience in a way that will express what was being felt yesterday while there.

North and South Korea are still currently at war. There is a stand-still at the moment, a kind of peace agreement, but it is still very much an active war. I didn't quite realize this until at the DMZ ((Demilitarized Zone). I signed up for a tour…a popular tourist activity while visiting Korea, wanting to know more about the situation and see what was really up, but thinking it would be a relatively mild, if not a "fake" portrayal of what was really going on. I was wrong. It was very real.

As we took the hour bus trip up North we were explained to by our tour guide what we would be seeing and the history of the divide. After WWII Korea was still a unified country. However shortly after for seemingly no reason at all the Northerners pushed south and took Seoul in 4 days. They eventually took the entire south of the peninsula with the exception of 10% in the very south in less than 3 months. UN troops came in and pushed them back up North and this was the beginning of a back and forth battle that lasted from 1950-53. What we all know as the Korean War. After this there was an agreement to make the DMZ, a 4 km wide zone that stretched across the width of the country with 2 km divided up to each side. Inside this there would be a joint security area (JSA) where neutrality would be accepted. That is a very quick and general overview but it brings us to the first stop on the tour.

We went to a little place that was almost like a truck stop 15 mins from the DMZ. With North Korea in sight, we knew we were getting so very close. Other evidence was the barbed wire that went along one side. This place was a place of memorial. To remember the Korean war in the 50s. It was also a place of hope for unification.


Beautiful ponds and landscaping make it a place where people would want to come and hope that at some point the 2 parts of Korea will be united again.

It also has artifacts from the Korean War, such as this train that was destroyed at the time.

After we left this place and got back on the bus to go to the DMZ, we went along a bridge that was made by the founder of Hyundai. Unfortunately until we got into the JSA, we were prohibited from taking more pictures until told too, but this is his interesting story sans photos. He was from the North and defected to the South after selling cows and stealing some of his parents money, he left his entire family and escaped. He began selling rice from the side of the road in the South and that was the beginning of Hyundai Motors, the 2nd largest company in SK until his death and further separation of the company to his children a few years ago. In the 90s he built this "Unification bridge" and sent over 1001 cows and other aid to North Korea.

As we were driving, and passed the first passport security check stop, the landscape got more and more stunning as the tour guide's speech got more and more frightening. It was strange looking out the window of the bus at lush mountains and greenery and swamp land with beautiful white cranes flying around and resting in the water by the hundreds. It was strange because at the same moment, we were being explained to that we were surrounded on either side by live land mines and the things we were driving under every so often were full of bombs (see picture below ....first grounds defence). Any enemies trying to enter or leave would "hopefully" not get far.

We were also being told about the rules and how we were to not leave the group, make any gestures to North Korean soldiers, use any cameras that have a large zoom and not get out of our lines of 2 until told. We did not want to give the "North Koreans any reason to snap" our South Korean guide said "don't think they won't because they are", as she said "crazy and can and WILL snap if given any reason to at all" including thinking for any reason at all that we were containing weapons or that we were spies. This is what we knew as we crossed under the sign to Camp Bonifas and got out for our debriefing before entering the DMZ.

We later found out the ironic serenity of the place was because there is nobody that lives near that area (unlike the rest of the very populated country) except for in one little village called Freedom Town that is located in the DMZ area. It is very small and it is made up of mostly rice farmers, but the men are exempt from the compulsory 21 month south korean military service and the citizens do not have to pay government tax. The only other people in that area are the soldiers from the states and south korea that live at Camp Bonifas. Again, no pictures were allowed to be taken at camp bonifas, but there is an interesting story as to how it got its name. The area you will see photos of soon within the DMZ is the Joint Security Area. The JSA was as I have mentioned before neutral when formed. The base is a little outside of this area, but the soldiers from it would have worked in the JSA. Neutrality disappeared in 1976 when a poplar tree was blocking 2 of the 4 checkpoints the North Koreans put up within the JSA. It was ordered by 2 american officers to trim the tree that once stood here where this memorial now stands.

Because it was a neutral area, major weapons were not allowed inside, but on this day workers came in with axes to do the trimming. KPA (North Korean soldiers) came in and took the axes and brutally murdered the 2 American officers, Bonifas and Burnette. This is why the base camp is now called Camp Bonifas. Luckilly, there has been few tragedies within the DMZ area since then.

We then made our way into the JSA. One half now North, one half South. Sadly, in the middle there is a peace tower that was made for families to have reuninions--this has never been used. The last time anyone could openly change locations was when POWS were released in the 50s and allowed to cross this bridge to whichever side they please, on the condition they never return.

We got out of the bus now with military escorts and walked through the South Korean side main building's front entrance to the other side of it and we walked down some steps and saw blue buildings and a building similar to the one we just walked through. The blue buildings are the only neutral things left. We saw North and South Korean soldiers guarding their individual side. An interesting fact is that Northerners are much shorter because of the lack of Westernized (hormone filled) food. It is also interesting when looking at the pictures to think that these men never speak to each other or make contact. They are both ready to jump on one another at a seconds notice and the scarier thought is that they could even be brothers.
This picture shows what I saw looking over to the North side. That is their main building. The soldiers closer to that building are Northerners. The ones facing the building and that are standing closer to me are from the South. All that separates them is a risen beam on the ground.

We then entered into that blue building on the lefthand side. Once inside we could walk around to either side of it, meaning YES I was indeed standing on North Korean (tile) soil. As you can see I was protected by a Rock Soldier (standing in a tae-kwan doe fighting position).

Once inside I managed to get a photo of a North Korean soldier through the window. He is not putting on a show like the guards do in front of Buckingham palace. He is very much prepared to fight at given (or not given?) notice. They are trained in such a way that is almost, if not, brainwash. The South Koreans have a mandatory 21 month army placement, the North Koreans have a mandatory 13 years, where they are not allowed to go home and see their families at any point in time.

We went back outside and stood once again on the steps of the building that looked almost identical to the one we were looking across too. All of a sudden, the strangest thing happened. I haven't felt that particular feeling inside since being in Rwanda and hearing the tragic stories from people who were apparently happy, but had the emptiest eyes I had ever seen. This was a different situation, but still left me with a pit in my stomach that I cannot put into words. We were looking across snapping pictures for our limited time to the North side when North Korean tourists came down their steps and proceeded in doing the exact same thing. On the surface it is rather a funny thing- 2 groups of people snapping photos of one another, I mean these people have probably never seen white people before in person let alone been so close to them. I was expecting to be a tad close to a soldier, but I never expected I would be standing so close to so many everyday people, just like you or I. We can stand across from one another and take photos, but we cannot allow families to be reunited and peace be returned? War is a very, very strange thing, especially in modern times. No matter at what point in time though, always so awful.

Also, we noticed the Northerners had much larger cameras and had purses and bags with them too. We were allowed to bring nothing except a small point and shoot camera. The North Koreans made these rules and the South Koreans are careful to oblige.

We then turned around and walked inside. The North Korean tourists did the same. We got back on our bus and I am sure they did too. We went and had lunch and because of the time of day, I am assuming they did too. It's a crazy world we live in, isn't it?

Although not a trip to the park, I recommend this experience to anyone in South Korea and those who ever plan on visiting. It is one that makes me thankful to live where I do and also see how remarkable the South Koreans are to have stood up to the North Koreans and proceed in becoming an economical and societal powerhouse, especially when their main city, one of the biggest and most modern cities in the world, is a mere hours drive to the "demilitarized -sure!" war zone.

• Unfortunately the blog site was not letting me enlarge my photos today. I believe you can go to the side of the blog page though and look at photos separately and by clicking on them they get larger!*

Warning: This entry is a bit more reflective and lacking in the photo department compared to others, but this weekend led to some interesting occurrences that I would love to share with everyone

I once read in a novel about chance meetings. More specifically, it was about chance meetings with strangers. It was about how random encounters, even ones that last mere moments or seconds, can leave lasting impressions.

These meetings sometimes go by without even taking much notice. A simple glance or small words spoken, which hit an odd nerve inside of the body. It is a feeling that makes you think that whatever act it was, was somehow important, or will at least be remembered.

I find these moments happen a lot when travelling. It is one of my absolute favourite things about the adventure. Whether it's asking for directions, brushing against someone on the subway, being stopped on the street and being asked "Hey where are you from? Oh Canada? Montreal Olympics, you know?" (Yes, yes I know, but NOT because I was there…. eek:s) or one that made up for that one "Oh you Mr and Miss Canada?" ---they all make the experience that much richer, real, and at times comedic.

The reason I am blabbing on about this is because this past weekend Austin and I had two random meetings. They were both more than a simple glance, but both entirely different. One involved an eighty year old woman on the subway and another a 60 year old music producer in downtown Seoul.The first was on our way home from Lotte World (which will be discussed later on, with I promise--some pictures!) We were a little tired after a fun-filled day at Seoul's Disney-like amusement park and all we wanted for the 45 minute subway ride home was a seat. Unfortunately, there was solely one. Austin, being a gentleman, gave it to me. Not long afterward a little old lady walked by (in good shape mind you, but still!) and thus, I got up and gave my seat to her. She smiled and said "Kamsamnida oh THANK YOU", which is odd for anyone to say here in English, but especially an 80 year old woman. We smiled back and the ride continued….
Before too long seats on either side of her opened up and she moved over so Austin and I could sit down together. As soon as we sat down, it did not take long to figure out she knew English alright! She started up a conversation, that I won't get into in detail, but I will tell you the gist of it. She told us about her life under Japanese rule in Korea, and how she was lucky enough to learn English when most of her fellow students were learning only Japanese (with the KOrean they would be learning at home). She told us how she always went on "tours" and had been everywhere except Africa and South America. She told us that when you travel you must SEE, SEE! As she was sitting there with a big smile on her face telling us how we were beautiful people together and how we need to be happy and "see, see", I could not have agreed with her more and I personally I thought she was one of the most beautiful people I had ever met. Even at 80, she wanted to (but was afraid she couldn't) make the trek to Brazil. After maybe 15 minutes, it was her stop and she was gone. Firstly, I want to be this lady in 60 years. Secondly, it is amazing how a simple word like "see," can impact one so much. So, I will see. I want to see. I will go places and truly SEE (and yes she was making gestures with her hands and widening her eyes with excitement as she said it) them and of course be happy doing so!

The second encounter was on Sunday afternoon in downtown Seoul. We went into the city to get Austin's guitar looked at at the shop where he bought it from. As we left the shop a man came up to us who also had a guitar with him and asked Austin if he would like to "jam". We hadn't been heading anywhere in particular so we agreed and went to a funky hang out spot in an area called Sinchon where Austin and George played music together for a couple of hours. We found out that George worked in the music industry and had lived in Australia for many years with his wife and girls, but was now back in Seoul working. He knew all of the classics --"Hey Jude," "Wild World," some Simon and Garfunkel and some Neil Young (all with a korean accent haha). Austin played all of his covers too and we enjoyed a beer (which you buy at the 7 11 and then drink wherever you want) and some chips. George liked hearing the "younger generation" stuff and they managed to play a couple together too. People sat around listening and bobbing their heads, the weather was nice and it really was a great moment. The meeting with George continued on over a nice dinner at a korean restaurant across the street, afterwards a cup of coffee and who knows, will maybe continue on in the future for another jam.

I found these meetings both interesting, even though both were so different. George I may see again, or may not. The old lady on the subway I doubt I will ever see again, but I will listen to her and I will make sure to open my eyes and really SEE things. Both meetings were moments in time we'll never forget. Hope you enjoyed these chance encounter stories too, but now onto a little talk about LOTTE WORLD!

Ever since I got here I wanted to check out Lotte World. I knew it had the castle and I knew it had the roller coasters and that was enough for me!!
We got there and half of the park was inside (West Edmonton Mall-esque) and half was outside.

The line ups were insane and therefore the amount of rides we were able to enjoy was limited, but we managed Pharaoh's fury (a track ride through ancient pyramids--Indiana Jones style), a big roller coaster called the French Revolution and a trip around the galaxy in a space ride. We listened to some pretty funny music (Jailhouse rock in half korean/half English?),

and did some corny things like ride peddle boat swans (haha)

and in general, had a pretty fun day acting like 6 year olds.

I will be heading to the DMZ tomorrow. A blog entry will follow shortly after that, I am sure. I doubt it will be rainbows and butterflies, but I can almost guarantee it will be pretty interesting. I'll try my hardest not to end up in a North Korean prison, but make sure someone contacts Bill if I do!!
(This is Austin in a prison at Lotte World.. him and the head honcho leader in the background...I promise this will not be me tomorrow:P It is a completely safe day tour by the way!!)

Will check in soon<3

Beautiful beaches + stunning scenery + warm weather + wonderful people = Busan, South Korea.

Austin and I jetted off, or rather KTX'ed off, to Busan for a birthday getaway! The KTX is a high speed train that got us to the other end and side of the country in a mere 2 and a half hours! I know Korea is small, but not THAT small. That train was a rollin'!

We stayed in an area called Haeundae Beach. It almost had a jersey shore-esque or Miami feel to it- A little tacky, yet amazing all at the same time!
The beach was FILLED with people even though it wasn't quite beach weather yet. Some of the people were building sand art, many couples and young Koreans were snapping pictures left, right, and centre and children were pretending to be brave as they ran into the water until it hit their toes and they ran back out again. (okay, okay..so Austin and I may have done those things too... :p )

Dongbaek Island (that is no longer technically an Island) is off of Haeundae beach and although it is Tourist central, it was eerily peaceful. It is famous for the mermaid statue that sits off of its shores (the sister of the famous Mermaid statue in Denmark) watching the ships in the distance, but one cannot forget about the rest of the Island's beauty too.

For comic relief: One thing I have noticed about Korea, is that every restaurant, hotel, coffee shop etc, has amazing decor, even when it is not a high-class joint! Our hotel was very nice and we were in an Indian themed room, and something like that at home would cost much more money. Although Korea is not cheap in general, hotels can be which is nice. One morning, we really wanted a big breakfast so we found the ritziest place in town (The Westin, located right on Dongbaek Island ) to ask where we could FIND a relatively inexpensive breakfast meal. We walked in, a little out of place and asked the clerk behind the desk about breakfast. The arrogant front desk manager told us to maybe look for TGI Fridays. We were so offended, thinking they thought we were gluttonous, but poor North Americans and unworthy of being in the swanky Westin resort. We walked out and continued our way along the beach, only to find out that there really was a TGIF's in town and yes, we enjoyed it completely (hah!)

Another fun thing we did in Busan was go to the largest Aquarium in Korea. Penguins, sharks, lots of fishies, not to mention the worlds longest indoor underground tunnel, made for lots of entertainment!

My actual birthday was spent at Beomosa Temple. We took the subway a little outside of the main part of the city and then got into a very hyperactive cabbies taxi to make our way up a steep mountain to the temple. The thousands of colourful lanterns celebrating the birthday of Buddha, spectacular mountain views, and a gorgeous outdoor hike through a wisteria-filled forest, made the ear-popping taxi ride more than worth it!

Finally, we spent some time in Gwangali beach area. We went to a fair where we managed to get ourself into some funny situations, such as riding on this mechanical bear contraption around the fair grounds and not being able to stop it or steer it, while Korean children and adults alike laughed hysterically at us.


We finished up the trip by soaking in the sun. I can't wait to go back when the summer heat hits Seoul hard and some beach relief is needed! All in all, an unforgettable birthday I am entirely thankful for <3