SKI EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH KOREA!

It was an exciting day for all of us Korea-ASEAN Tourism Partnership Program delegates to experience ski and gondola ride. We live in tropical countries and we usually do not have snow nor gondolas. Nonetheless, KTO gave us this chance by bringing us to Jellabuk-do Muju, a well-known ski attraction in Korea composed of resorts and ski facilities.

We were all excited! Some even claimed it was a dream, lol! I mean, c'mon everyone who lives in a tropical country would want to experience it, see snow for the first time, feel it, much more lie on it and even roll on it! And we did!

It was quiet an experience for everyone experiencing the ceremonies involved in renting the ski gears, selecting your size and color and trying it on for the first time! Whew, we never knew it could feel so hot in spite of the very cold weather - the ski gears truly rocks! From the jacket, gloves, the ski boots, the pole and the ski! Whew!Wind-proof, wet proof and cold proof  I could say. We were even sweating while out in the snow! And it was minus 3 degrees at that time!

The facilities in Muju Dyeokyusan Resort was very good and systematic. There were lockers for rental (at 1,000 KRW) and too many choices for selection.


Skiing is not easy though yet quiet enjoyable. We all tried our best to ski and learn the basics from proper walking, how to stand up when you fall, how to brake and how to control the pole and the ski itself.  It was really a new experience for all of us! We really maximized the time and enjoyed it.

So what are you waiting for? Go come to Korea as well and experience ski for the first time!

MYEONGDONG, KOREA'S SHOPPING HAVEN!

 If you happen to visit South Korea, it is a must for you to experience shopping in the country's biggest shopping district called Myeongdong. It is the mecca of  shopping in South Korea with a daily influx of between 1.5 to 2 million visitors. It expands more than a few kilometers of shopping from mid priced to high-end brands both local and international. It is indeed a must for any tourist to experience Korea's shopping haven!

Located in the heart of Seoul Myeongdong Market is a stunning shopping district with countless shops, restaurants and even street foods! They say its wild popularity has given other Korean districts to come up with their own.

Two anchor department stores - Lotte and Shinsegae along with other large shopping malls offer unprecedented shopping experience one can only imagine possible in Korea.  Shops for clothing, cosmetics, electronics, restaurants of all kinds, cafe shops, street foods abound in all sections and corners of  Myeongdong. The area truly breathes with shopping in mind.

I have been there quiet a few times and I could say each visit is an experience. Due to stiff competition, each store offers varied promos and offerings. I could not get enough of Myeongdong. One thing, tourists also enjoy tax free shopping where you can get refund at the international airport thereby reducing the price of an already good buy.

At 5pm, slowly, the street is slowly filled up with various stalls from clothing,jewelries,  cellphone cases, street foods, etc. Name it, they sell it. New stores are also up for opening anytime so new attractions can be had the next time you may visit. Simply, Myeongdong is a living and changing shopping haven!

Come visit and for sure you will be amazed as I did!

KARAOKE IN KOREA! A MUST EXPERIENCE, TOO!

Korea's karaoke or what they call as nolaepang (spoken as doraebang) is another must try when in Korea!

There are various karaoke establishments in Seoul and I was able to enjoy it with my other co-participants from other countries and our songsaengnim (Korean teacher) who organized it for us! 
The karaoke Gogo! was right in the middle of the famous shopping mecca in Seoul - Myeong-dong! So easy to find and just a walk from subway stations and other means of transportation.

Korea's karaoke facilities are of the latest technologies, comfortable seats, with disco lights and you can even wear colorful wigs, performer inspired wigs aka Bob Marley, lol! and shiny costumes if you really want to feel like a professional performer. And Karaoke singing  here s not that expensive!

Feeling like Bob Marley - a friend from Indonesia!

Cheers!

Singing the Oppa Gangnam Style~

The remote control used in selecting songs!

This instrument helps elevate the singing party!

This karaoke room can fit at least 20 people with comfortable seats
and two TVs!

The said karaoke joint offers both Korean and English songs so it was no problem for us non-Korean speaking guys! We even tried some K-pop songs it felt good! Also, you can easily watch your remaining time on TV as it is constantly displayed so you can really maximize your time inside the  karaoke room!

Now, time for you to experience it!

KOREA's DRIED POLLACK SOUP, A MUST TRY!

Korea is indeed full of surprises! While on our 4th day of tour in this beautiful country, we were able to sample their famous dried pollack soup. Now, this is not just an ordinary soup.

The Dried Pollack Soup is a popular soup in Korea. It's commonly called HaeJangGuk (hang over soup), because its very soothing after drinking alcohol. This soup is extremely light on the stomach, and cleans all the alcohol toxins from the previous nights fever. It is cheap and healthy.   What makes it more special is the fish as its main ingredient. The fish called pollock or pollack is a common dish in most Korean's household. They say, since it is dried for many months, it turns really dry and hard. When eaten as a soup though, one can instantly feel it fights on the bite as it a chicken. And indeed, it was! Love its light taste and chicken-like feel when eaten. No wonder it is ever available in most Korean restos here!      According to Agra Food website who produces dried pollack, the very soup that is most popular among Korean drinkers is also one of the easiest to cook by housewives on a hectic morning. The hero is “bugeo-guk” (dried pollack soup). These days, the soup is getting even more popular as many women in foreign countries, including Japan, learn that bugeo-guk helps make porcelain-like skin. In Korea, there is no fish like the pollack that has so many various names. The freshly-caught pollack is called “saeng-tae,” frozen pollack - “dong-tae,” the salted one - “yeom-tae,” the one that is frozen and thawed more than 20 times through midwinter is called “hwang-tae.” Dried pollack has several names as well: the fully-grown one (when dried for about 60 days) is referred to as “bugeo,” while the young dried pollack is called “nogari,” and the half-dried one - “kodari.” Finally, the one that becomes swollen with yellowish flesh due to the temperature difference is also known as “hwang-tae.” Koreans traditionally have haejang-guk (a soup eaten to relieve hangovers) the day after drinking. Among various hangover soups, bugeo-guk is the most popular, along with kongnamul-guk (bean sprout soup). Koreans believe that the clear stock and soothing taste of bugeo-guk can relieve their upset stomach. With the addition of soft tofu or eggs, it can be all the better hangover soup. Those suffering from a hangover can consume protein and thus detoxify the alcoholic substances remaining in the body. The most important stage in the cooking process is the very first: beating a whole pollack with a bat to make the dried fish soft. After thrashing, a cook must peel the fish scales, bone the fish, rip the flesh roughly, macerate it for a moment, and then boil it. In Korean TV dramas, it is quite common to see scenes in which a wife makes bugeo-guk early in the morning for her drunken husband. This scene connotes some of the contradicting feelings the wife has: she seems to vent her anger at her husband for drinking heavily and coming home late onto the fish by pounding it up with a bat but, deep in her heart, she wants to help relieve the hangover her husband suffers from with the elaborately made soup.   Now, do not ever forget to try this simple soup when in Korea!

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE EXPERIENCE IN KOREA!

Have you ever experienced staying in a mountain village in Korea? I did!  There are many villages of this kind but I was lucky enough to experience it in Cheongungol Ecovillage. Here are the pics:



Beautiful mushrooms I found in the mountain!



Wrapped myself in a blanket as it was chilly cold in the mountain village!



Have you ever stayed in a house where the roof is made up of tree barks?

RAIL BIKING IN KOREA!

I Love rail biking in Korea!

It is the only one ever in the whole world where you also get to experience a scenic view of the mountain peaking its autumn look and the countryside view is fantastic!

 

 

Want to experience it again!

DMZ! A MUST-VISIT IN KOREA!

A historic spot in South Korea is the DMZ! Lucky enough to experience this tourist destination which is a must-see when in Korea!

Envy my pictures!


A memorable pose in DMZ!

 



The KATPP Group in Dorasan Station, DMZ!




Who would not want a view of North Korea from the DMZ, South Korea?