This will be the last time I write about Korea (for now). Thanks for coming along to this unique part of the world!
If you want to read up on the whole trip you can do so here.
Here are some highlights and thoughts now that I’ve finished blogging about it.
My top 3 highlights:
Highlight #1: Watching Canada Win Gold in the team figure skating event
Attending the 2018 Winter Olympics was at the top of my list when visiting Korea came up. It was always the goal to visit and that in itself should/could be its own highlight. However, when we picked the events we did, we never imagined that we’d have an opportunity to witness Canada’s first Gold Medal at the Olympics. We initially thought the team event would be a good “sampler” for all things figure skating. But it was so much more. We were able to watch Canada’s very best take to the ice. This included Katelyn Osmond, Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford, Patrick Chan and Gabrielle Daleman all giving amazing performances.
By this time, Canada had already clinched the gold and last to Skate was Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, considered to be the best in their field. They performed an absolutely magnificent dance which earned them top marks. I can appreciate a powerful performance, and there were times during this one that gave me chills! I later learned that this was the same routine they performed in their individual event to earn them their own golds. It was a great way to kick off our Olympic experience and something I’ll remember for a very long time.
Highlight #2: DMZ
Another unique attraction that I really wanted to see was the DMZ, and it didn’t disappoint! However, it also wasn’t what I expected. As you get closer to the DMZ, you start to realize that there is still a military divide between the two countries. And the military buildup to the southern limit is pretty intense. But once you’re past that, it’s actually quite “peaceful” and pretty. I guess, in my mind, I pictured barren land, wreckage and evidence of war, but instead I got a serene countryside with very minimal hints of security. Past this realization, getting to see the iconic buildings that straddle the border, being able to step on “both sides” of Korea were also memorable things. All in all, it left me with a greater appreciation of the Korean war, and a desire for the reunification of both sides.
Highlight #3: The day at the beach and the Olympic Cauldron
This whole day was a highlight. Our intention was to revisit Gangneung and explore around the city since our only interaction thus far was for Olympic events. I really enjoyed the time Suzy and I got to spend visiting the beaches, walking along the water and even stumbling upon the Firefesta which had amazing art on the beach. We’d only explored half a day and still had plans to train into the mountain area to visit the Olympic plaza.
There we got to witness a medal ceremony, a Kpop performance and a drone show (all very unique experiences!). Finally, to top it all off, we got to see the Olympic Cauldron in all its glory. Being an Olympic junkie, it’s an iconic symbol of the games and I really enjoyed seeing it in person.
Overall, I chose this day because it was a great summary of my entire visit to Korea. It touched on the Olympic elements but also the exploratory elements of the country and its culture as well.
Favorite meal:
If I had to pick just one meal that truly stood out to me above the rest, I would have to pick the soup noodles and dumplings at Myeongdong Kyoja. Maybe because it was during a part of our trip that this meal satisfied a craving, but I just remember I really enjoyed it! It was after a long day of walking through Seoul and visiting Namsang Tower that we had a chance to sit down at this dumpling spot for dinner. I remember that when the food showed up on our table, I was ecstatic. I’ve always enjoyed soupy noodles and am a sucker for dumplings and these did not disappoint. I’m pretty sure we were in and out of there in record time since we devoured the food. It was super trasty, service was fast and everything was positive.
If I could change the itinerary, how would I change it?
All things being equal, I would have shifted our dates a little. Admittedly, I realize (in hindsight) that we got to experience some pretty amazing things (like the Gold medal) with the dates we had. One conflict that crept up on us was the Korean Lunar New Year. Because it overlapped on some of the days we had a Korail train pass. We found it difficult to get availability on some trains. This actually limited some of our destinations and forced us to look for alternatives. While I enjoyed everything we did, if there was a way for us to shift our dates so we wouldn’t conflict, it would have been ideal and we likely would have been able to explore more places in Korea (Like Busan).
What surprised on this trip?
There’s a lot more spicy Korean food than I anticipated. I understand that Korean cuisine does have an element of spice to it, and I fully expected that. However, on our first few days, it felt like the only food options available to us were spicy foods and I think it took my stomach a few days to fully get use to it. Normally, I’m ok with spicy things, but I think in this case, it was just a little too much, too frequently. I’m not complaining, because everything we had was tasty, I was just surprised at how much spice plays a part in their everyday meals.
One memorable story from this trip
Meeting Phil Kessel’s dad, twice! We were all on a bus headed to the Women’s hockey venue, and it started with an innocent conversation with a fellow olympic goer. We got to talking about where we were all from, what we’d experienced thus far and eventually about hockey. It wasn’t until he mentioned that his daughter was an athlete that we got even more intrigued. Eventually he made a comment about watching his son at previous olympics, which really got us interested. We eventually realized that this was Phil and Amanda Kessel’s dad. For those unfamiliar with hockey, Phil Kessel is a professional NHL hockey player on the Pittsburgh Penguins. So it was a pretty chance encounter, but a very cool one nonetheless.
It was made even cooler, when the next morning we bumped into him again on the train. Because Korail does not allow for you to pick your seats, one of us ended up with the seat next to, you guessed it, Mr. Kessel. After a bit of shuffling, we realized that between Suzy and I, Mr. Kessel and his wife, and two norwegians that we all had 6 tickets to 3 pairs of seats together. So with a bit swapping we all ended up sitting with our friends. It was pretty neat to not only meet him, realize who he was, but also bumping him the next day.
Did I pack adequately for this trip?
No. Only because it was so cold and we had to spend some time in the mountains. Before leaving, I loaded up on thermal base layers and winter gear. And because I knew we were going into the mountains I packed some heavier (than normal) duty outerwear for it. However, when it came time to visit the mountains, I ended up wearing most of what I’d been wearing from previous days and never ended up using the heavier winter gear I bought.
Alternatively, while fashion isn’t normally a big consideration for me when travelling, I felt a little underdressed when roaming the streets of Seoul. Korea is a very fashionable country and everyone is very well dressed and trendy. For me, the issue was compounded by the fact that I chose more functional wear (for the temperature) and didn’t pay as much attention to trendier attire. This resulted in a lot of layered technicals, hiking pants and runners throughout my trip. Next time, I’ll likely bring a collared shirt or two to wear when out and abouts in the streets of Seoul.
Regrets?
Missing the Golden Train! Being somewhat of transportation enthusiast, I was quite excited to ride the “G-Train” with its spa like facilities and heated floors. If we had left our place a little earlier, we likely would have made it in time to catch the train. Unfortunately we didn’t and had to take a “normal” train out to Gunsan. So I never got to experience that train. I’m still curious what its like and will certainly make an effort to ride it the next time I’m in Korea.
Advice for people considering similar trips/destinations?
Korea is a big country. You could probably spend a good chunk or all of your time in Seoul and not regret it. There’s certainly lots to see and every neighbourhood is different. However, with the way our trip worked out, we got the chance to see different parts of the country. I think if you have the time, plan a few trips outside of Seoul. There’s a lot to see, and the countryside is quite pretty. I don’t think that the other regions in the country get as much fanfare as Seoul (and rightfully so), but they’re unique and beautiful in their own right. So spend some time outside of Seoul, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Final thoughts?
This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only did I get to explore a new country, but I also got to experience a world event such as the Olympics. It will likely not happen again in Korea in a very long time and so, I’m glad I got to attend. Past the Olympic memories, Korea itself is a fascinating place. On the one hand, the history of Korea and its present political circumstance makes for an extremely unique experience. Learning about the Korean war, and seeing the most prominent evidence of it, the DMZ, afforded me a very interesting lens for which to view the country.
However, on the other hand, its diverse pop culture, fashion and beauty centric population and technological advancements offers another (sometimes contrasting) view. I witnessed rabid Kpop fans and amazingly fantastical music productions. I’ve seen beauty products that I don’t even understand the function of. And I’m jealous of the release of new cell phones before I can even get them in North America.
All this goes to show is how varied and rich Korea as an experience is. There’s a little something for everyone and that’s probably why it’s such a popular destination for tourists.
I want to take this time to thank Suzy for accompanying me on this trip. This has been a trip where I’ve spent the least amount of time planning and that’s a credit to Suzy and his familiarity with the area. He was pretty much my guide for the entire trip and I can’t thank him enough for such a memorable experience.
All in all, I am continually grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and explore this beautiful world, and I look forward to what my next adventure will be.