Sorry that it’s been a few days since I posted…I’ve had Internet connection problems…but I’m back with destination #2! South Korea 🙂
Though I haven’t spent a lot of time in my recent years in Korea, I still do feel very connected to the country and the culture. Many people probably think of the Korean dramas and TV shows or the intense study regime of students there, and while those exist, there is so much more to the country than that.
South and North Korea are technically still at war with each other; they signed a cease fire in 1953, but never ended the war. In recent years tension has been up when North Korea has threatened to disregard that cease fire. Despite that, Korea is a country that deserves attention for its many positive aspects.
Seoul, the capital city, is a very busy city, with high-rise apartments, international businesses, and people from all over the world. The Incheon International Airport has been awarded Best Airport Worldwide by the Airports Council International five years in a row! So if the country itself isn’t a big enough draw for you, if you are a frequent traveler and airport connoisseur, come to wander around the airport for a while! But don’t worry everyone else, there’s plenty to do outside of the airport too.
There are many historic palaces, temples, and traditional buildings scattered around the country, that are definitely worth the visit. I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures, but the architecture and designs are incredible! The country isn’t that large itself, so you can get most places pretty easily on public transportation, or you could rent a car if you really wanted to. Korea is a peninsula, so if you like the ocean, be sure to spend a day at the beach. If you wait until night time, you might be able to catch yourself some crabs!
Jeju Island is right off the coast of the mainland, and it is a wonderful destination for a relaxing retreat. Known as the “Hawaii of South Korea” it is paradise for nature lovers, but there are also amusement parks, resorts, and other fun things to do on the island for those who prefer a more luxurious vacation.
One cannot travel to Korea without tasting the food. If you like spicy foods, Korea is the place to go! Kimchi, spicy fermented cabbage, is a staple at almost every meal, of course with sticky rice. Dduckboggi a spicy rice cake dish, it popular among students, as vendors sell it quite cheaply along the road. If you’re a little more adventurous, you can try spicy squid. For those who aren’t too interested in the spicy foods, there are so many other choices, from bulgogi (delicious thinly sliced marinated meat), chapchae (glass noodle salad), and kimbap (Korean sushi). For those with a sweet tooth, in the summer patbingsu (a Korean-style sweet ice dessert) is a great way to cool off, in the winter bboonguppang (a warm fish shaped pastry with sweet bean paste inside) is superb. And any time of the year, dduck (rice cakes) can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, at any store.
Some parks or historic areas will host festivals and showcases at different times of the year, when you can see traditional dresses and hear some traditional music, which is very interesting. The DMZ is also a place to put on your “to see” list. Though it is a very real reminder of the technically ongoing war, it is also a beautiful area, as it is a nature reserve. Dongdaemoon is a great place for those who love shopping, especially if you like flea-markets and such. There are numerous malls and Western food chains and stores in the city too.
If the language barrier is a worry for you, don’t worry about it! Many people, especially in Seoul speak English; if you speak a language other than English, you should also be able to find someone who can help you. Customer service is a very highly held value in Korea, so you will most likely be very impressed by the way you are treated in most establishments.
While I do highly recommend that you venture outside of the big cities, a plus for Seoul is that you can stay connected to wifi throughout almost the entire city for free!
South Korea is a great place to visit for sightseeing, vacations, business, and almost any other occasion~~
Delectable 