Australia

Hobart’s Biggest Summer of Fun Events

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Tasmania in the Summer

When you think of Tasmania, what springs to mind? For most people it’s the incredible natural wonders such as Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park, Gordon River and the surrounding World Heritage Listed forests, or Cradle Mountain and Lake Sinclair. Even Hobart and Launceston, Tasmania’s biggest cities, are considered big, sleepy towns rather than thriving metropolises.

While the natural attractions are clearly Tasmania’s biggest assets, there’s more to the Apple Isle than meets the eye. Every summer Hobart bursts into life with a host of events that any mainland city would be proud to call their own. No matter what kind of event you’re looking for, Hobart has something just for you. From major sports to the finest cultural events you can imagine, the state capital doesn’t disappoint. So if you’re thinking of heading down for a holiday, the best time to head there is when the sun is shining. That way you can enjoy the best of spectacular scenery and action packed events.

Summer 2016/17 may be over, but it’s not too early to start planning for next summer!

To help you plan your big summer trip to Tassie, here are the top five summer events that should be on your hit list.

sydney to hobart yacht race

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Constitution Dock comes alive for the finish of the world’s greatest ocean yacht race. After their gruelling trip down Australia’s east coast and across the notorious Bass Strait, the boats are greeted by a festival in full swing as they sail up the Derwent River for the finish line.

The Hobart Race Village is a free family-friendly event where you can watch the epic race unfold in comfort. Sit on the village green or lounge areas and watch the race on the big screens, and indulge in delicious food and beverages. If the race isn’t enough to keep you entertained, there are live musical performances every day. Plus, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, you can take part in Yoga, Zumba and Bootcamp style classes as well.

Not to be outdone, the Nippers-to-Skippers children’s area has a DIY cupcake bar, circus workshops, face painting and other games and activities to keep them happy and occupied.

WHERE: Constitution Dock, Hobart

WHEN: Late December every year

WEBSITE: www.sydneytohobart.events.com.au

taste of tasmania food festival

Taste of Tasmania

Tasmania is globally renowned for the quality of its food, and the Taste of Tasmania is a spectacular celebration of local produce. Located on the picturesque Constitution Dock where the Sydney to Hobart yachts can be found after the race, it’s the perfect location for such an event. Take your pick of culinary delights from over 70 stalls featuring the best in seafood, fruits and cheeses to name just a few products on offer. And wash it all down with a selection of boutique and premium quality wines, beers and ciders.

But it’s not just your tastebuds that will thank you, your ears and eyes will be pretty happy as well. Free live performances are held every day and night, with over 100 buskers, musicians and DJ’s adding to the festival atmosphere. And the kids will be just as happy as the adults with a dedicated Kids In The Park space, located right across the road on the lawns of Parliament House. The little ones can take part in classes, dance performances and activities during the day, and watch family-friendly movies in the evening.

WHERE: Princes Wharf No. 1 Shed, Hobart

WHEN: Late December – early January (times vary)

WEBSITE: www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au

falls festival tasmania

Falls Festival

One of the biggest and most loved music festivals on the Australian calendar, the Falls Music and Arts Festival, is a ‘must-do’ for any music lover. Held over three days including New Year’s Eve, the farm location is quintessentially Tasmanian, with incredible views over Marion Bay, Maria Island and the Tasman Sea.

The world-class line-ups each year include a selection of international headline acts, plus plenty of Australia’s favourite performers. Add the 30 local Tasmanian acts on the homebrew stage and you’ve got a festival that stands up against any other this country has to offer.

And to put the cherry firmly on top of this decadent musical dessert, camping within the grounds is free for all three days. It’s a spectacular location with unbelievable views from just about every site, but it is Tasmania so you would hardly expect anything less, right?

WHERE: Marion Bay, Tasmania

WHEN: December 29-31 each year

WEBSITE: www.fallsfestival.com/marion-bay

hobart international tennis

Hobart International

Every year many of the world’s leading female tennis players descend on Hobart to finalise preparations for the Australian Open. Serena Williams, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, has graced the Hobart International before, as has stars such as Dinara Safina and Australia’s own Sam Stosur. In 2017, former world number one Jelena Jankovic will be joined by defending champion Alize Cornet and world number 22 Kiki Bertens.

WHERE: Domain Tennis Centre, Hobart

WHEN: Early-mid January

WEBSITE: www.hobartinternational.com.au

kfc t20 big bash hobart hurricanes

KFC T20 Big Bash

Get your cricket fix with a night at Bellerive Oval to watch the Hobart Hurricanes take on the world’s best T20 players. Featuring at least four homes games every year, there are plenty of opportunities to watch superstar players in action. Past and current players include the cream of the T20 crop such as Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara, plus local stars including Tim Paine and George Bailey.

Over and done in three and a half hours, the fast paced all-action style of the Big Bash League is the perfect night out for the whole family. With sixes sailing into the crowd and wickets tumbling regularly, there’s no chance the kids will ever get bored!

WHERE: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

WHEN: December and January

WEBSITE: www.hobarthurricanes.com.au

Which event will you attend?

As you can see, there is literally an event for everyone during the summer months in Hobart.

You can be served the finest dishes by the highest quality chefs; have premium beverages prepared by incredibly talented mixologists with RSA Tasmania qualifications (The RSA qualification (SITHFAB201 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol) can be completed online or by correspondence by Express Online Training (Course RTO 40592); and be entertained by some of the world’s most accomplished musicians and athletes.

While Tasmania may be small in stature compared with its mainland Australian counterparts, it certainly punches above its weight when it comes to natural beauty and summer events.

So do yourself a favour, when it comes time to plan your next summer vacation, don’t discount Tasmania. Booking your flights for Hobart may be the best holiday decision you’ll ever make.

Looking for more Australian inspiration? Don’t forget to check out the Definitive Aussie Bucket List.

Europe
Budapest castle hill

Budapest – A Traveler’s Paradise

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Budapest is a place where you can lose yourself in the past while still being in the present.

Located between two banks of the River Danube, the city is Hungary’s capital and was the home of the Romans in the first century. After the union of two towns, Buda and Pest, this fascinating city came into being.

When you visit this engaging city, you will find remnants from WWII. From bullet pierced walls to the Danube memorial, everything in Budapest will remind you of the torment the city had been through in the past. Every nook and cranny in the city has a story to tell, you just need to dig deeper to find what you are looking for.

If you want to be baffled by magnificent architecture while also being amused by natural beauty, Budapest is a must visit. Apart from its impressive history, Budapest is a popular stag do destination. For all the party lovers, it is a city that has a lot to offer.

Budapest-Parliament-Building

Budapest’s Best!

Millions visit Budapest every year to witness the raw beauty and historical sites of the city. From art galleries to fascinating museums, the city is packed with sites to see and places to explore.

  • Parliament Building

If you want to see the best of Budapest’s historical architecture, make sure you visit the Parliament Building. The Parliament Building is massive and ranks as the third largest parliament building in the world. The gorgeous Neo-Gothic architecture of the building makes the visit even more impressive. The building is home to 691 rooms with breathtaking stairs and corridors.

  • City Woodland Park

Head to the City Woodland Park to explore the beautiful lake and the lush green fields that surround it.

This spot is a popular recreational space for both locals and tourists alike. The park spans over 302 acres of land with impressive 19th century architecture.Prepare to spend a full day at this expansive park that is home to some amazing recreation including the Municipal Zoological and Botanical Garden, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Palace of Art.

Witness Europe’s oldest collections of scale model railways in the Transport Museum of Budapest located within the park limits.

The mystical Vajdahunyad Castle is also located within the park.

  • Castle Hill

Visit Castle Hill to explore Budapest’s finest castles and monuments. This hill is located next to the Danube and is a place where you will find lots of museums to learn about the rich history of the city. The best structure on the hill is the Buda Castle, an 18th century building that is home to more than 200 rooms. Bring your camera along to capture the beautiful buildings and monuments.

Budapest castle hill

Partying in Budapest

When the sun goes down and you are done exploring the city, it is time to unwind. If you are looking for nighttime entertainment, you will be glad to find out that Budapest offers tons of it. The most well known spots in the city for partying, clubbing, and stag dos include downtown Budapest and the outside areas.

With plenty of clubs, bars, and pubs, Budapest is a place where you will experience a night full of fun and entertainment.The following is a list of best nightlife entertainment to be a part of in Budapest:

  • P2 Club

In the mood to chill out? Visit the P2 Club in Budapest, which is known for its cozy atmosphere and superb service. There are exotic dancers all around, and you can enjoy local and international cuisine.

  • Raktar Bar

This cool bar is the right place to spend your night packed with entertainment. It’s an international bar with youthful ambience and trendy music being played at all times. If you are in Budapest with your friends, this is a bar you must visit.

  • State Opera House

It is not just the bars and clubs that offer night-time entertainment to travelers. Budapest also has a strong cultural scene. If you are interested in music, opera to be exact, you must visit the State Opera House. Apart from its mesmerizing architecture, the show itself is super impressive.

Budapest is not only a popular place for architecture, art, and history lovers, but is also a city where people from all around the world come to celebrate stag parties. In fact, there are many clubs and spaces specially made for stag parties like Stag Republic and many event planners who organize stag dos.

budapest state opera building

Experiencing the Best of Hungary’s Cuisine in Budapest

Hungary is known for its sophisticated style of cooking that is also the finest in all of Europe. If you are a foodie who wants to expand their palate, Budapest is the place to be.

  • Onyx

Onyx is one of Budapest’s finest restaurants that serve Hungarian and international cuisine.From the ambience to the quality of food, everything about this restaurant is on point. The restaurant also serves some of the finest Hungarian wine selections. The restaurant also received a Michelin star in 2011.

  • Borkonyha

Borkonyha is a Michelin starred restaurant offering contemporary Hungarian cuisine. What makes this restaurant ideal for tourists is that its menu changes every two weeks, making room for a diversified gastronomic experience.

Your Say

Budapest is a city that is easy to explore, yet full of pleasant surprises. From its beer gardens to its museums, the city is packed with places to visit and things to experience.

What are your experiences in Budapest?

Asia, Thailand

Tasting the Digital Nomad Life in Chiang Mai

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The Digital Nomad Life in Chiang Mai

As you know, I’ve been living quite the nomadic lifestyle for a while now.

Despite this, I still find myself daydreaming of going full digital nomad in a backpacker hotspot such as Ubud or Chiang Mai someday.

I’d heard a lot about Chiang Mai, and that it was like a spiritual meeting place for nomads like myself, so a couple of years ago I thought I’d take a look and see what all the fuss was about.

I even took a Thai cooking class!

I’d been thinking about doing a more expensive trip, but since it would require some additional resources I thought I’d save that for later in the year. Chiang Mai’s cheap as chips, so off I went.

Located 700km North of Bangkok among the highest mountains in the country, Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand. Based on the Ping River and close to many major trading routes, historically it was an important city. Now its population sits at around 200,000 residents which more than doubles during the peak tourist season.

It’s a long way from the sea in the south, so I knew it was the perfect contrast to my time in Phuket.

Arriving in Chiang Mai was easy

chiang mai airport

Traveling there was easy. I flew to Kuala Lumpur and took a 3-hour AirAsia flight to Chiang Mai airport.

At the airport, I got myself a 15-day tourist sim with TrueMove, one of the major local telcos, which for around $25 AUD gave me unlimited calls and 8GB of data.

I slipped the sim into my phone and ordered an Uber, which had recently arrived in Thailand itself. I headed off to my pre-booked AirBnB just out of the city centre. The trip cost me a few dollars and was just as good as taking an Uber in Australia, so I was pretty impressed.

The airport is only a 5-minute drive to the city. On the way, we passed the biggest, newest Starbucks I’ve ever seen. It even had a drive through. Yeah, I can see why the nomads might like it here. Not exactly roughing it, I see.

Airbnb accommodation in Chiang Mai

piern pierne bnb chiang mai
PIern Piern B&B

I stayed at a great little AirBnB place called Plern Plern which is just 5 minutes north of the main city area. I could have roughed it a little more, but I paid around $50/night and got a deluxe room with a king-sized bed and daily service, and it was fantastic.

The owner Add was a delight and she cooked me breakfast every morning, along with other guests from all corners of the globe. It was fun to sit around the breakfast table and chat with people visiting from France, and Germany and tons of other places. Some were in town for a few days, some for a few weeks.

piern piern breakfast chiang mai
Breakfast every morning was a treat!

Scooter Hire

The day after I arrived I headed over to Mango Bikes Rental and picked myself up a 125cc scooter for 7 days for 1,100 baht, or about $45.

I got pulled over by the local police 10 minutes after I picked it up, along with every other scooter rider on the main road. They were obviously out to raise some money for Friday night drinks. I whipped out my International Driver’s Licence, but they told me it was expired (it wasn’t) so I forked over the 500 baht fine ($20) and went on my way. Not worth arguing the point, I thought. For anyone familiar with South-East Asia, it’s a pretty common occurrence. Just a fact of life.

Nomad hot spots

camp chiangmai co working space
Camp is one of Chiang Mai’s many digital nomad co-working spaces.

Right. Time to check out all the local nomad hotspots. I thought I’d start with Punspace, one of the popular local nomad co-working spaces. Sure enough, plenty of Macbooks, USB microphones, and chargers filled the various desks. Nomads were wandering around discussing apps and websites and all the rest of it. The place looked pretty clean and tidy and I could definitely see myself setting up shop there if I was in town for a few months.

Next up I headed over to Camp, a huge coffee shop + restaurant + nomad-den located on the top floor of the new Maya shopping mall. This place was first class, like most of the mall actually. Everything was new and shiny and I loved that every table had a power point next to it. I bought a coffee for 100 baht, which gave me 4 hours of complimentary wifi.

After that, I checked out half a dozen more coffee shops and cafes and, yeah, nomads everywhere. I can see why too. It’s easy to get around, safe, pretty clean and tidy, easy to get set up in, and simple if you want to stay one night, one month or one year. The visa situation isn’t that bad, and you can get a 1-year Education Visa for around $1,200 to study Thai or Self-Defense, which includes class fees and visa fees. Good value.

Food

cheap thai food
This delicious feast cost me $3.50!

The food and drink everywhere I went was ridiculously good. I ate most of my meals at cheap little corner restaurants, and I reckon I paid about $3/meal on average. My absolute favourite was the khao soi, a Thai coconut-curry with egg noodles, vegetables and optional chicken (yes please).  If you get to Chiang Mai, you’ve gotta check out a restaurant called Khao Soi Mae Sai. Out of this world.

Verdict

I could go on and on but seriously, I get it now. I’m keen to go back and stay longer. Definitely, recommend you get there and check it out for yourself.

 

Korean Festivals, South Korea

A Year of Korean Festivals: A Guide to South Korea’s Cultural Festivals

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A Year of Korean Festivals

More so than anything else, Korea is a country obsessed with festivals.

A year round calendar of festivals means that, if you’re game, you’ll rarely have a weekend where you won’t have the option to get out of town and soak up a little bit of the local culture.

You’ll find them for most anything, ranging from religious inspired festivals such as Seoul’s Lantern Festival (for Buddha’s Birthday) to debauched borderline orgies such as the (in)famous Boryeong Mud Festival.

While it’s true that a lot of the Korean social experience for expats seems to revolve around consuming vast quantities of alcohol and making out with your peers, there’s also a lot of opportunities to get out and interact with people without the influence of alcohol.

hwacheon ice festival
Image courtesy of Christopher John SSF.

January – February: The Hwacheon Ice Festival

Winters in South Korea can be a tad unpleasant, but the Hwacheon Ice Festival aims to turn the cold and snow into a celebration.

Stretching for two weeks in January and February, the festival boasts a program that includes ice sledding, ice fishing, ice sculptures, a carnival, a winter village, and a lot more.

Fancy a game of ice soccer, some trout fishing in the frozen rivers, and the epic challenge of plunging into icy water to try and catch a fish with your bare hands? It’s all on tap in this very Korean way of celebrating the bitterly cold winter months.

While it might not have the gravitas of the Harbin Ice Festival in China, it’s certainly a novel way to spend a winter weekend.

jeju fire festival
Image courtesy of Noby Leong.

March: Jeju Fire Festival

As if you needed more reasons to visit South Korea’s Hawaii, volcanic and tropical Jejudo also boasts the visually impressive Fire Festival.

A New Year’s festival to encourage a good harvest, the Jeju Fire Festival sees fields set alight in a display reminiscent of the volcanoes which give the island province its distinctive landscape.

While local revelers twirl incandescent cans on wires around their heads, a procession of torch bearers solemnly sets the mountainside alight in a truly awe-inspiring (and hair singing) display of fiery piety.

hampyeong butterfly festival
In late April and early May, the sleepy town of Hampyeong is transformed by the Butterfly Festival.

April: Hampyeong Butterfly Festival

Ostensibly a celebration of Hampyeong’s butterfly population, the Butterfly Festival is more of an insect themed carnival than a display of nature’s beauty.

My visit to the festival in 2009 was more wandering between various food vendors and cheesy sideshow attractions than anything.

I have a blurry recollection of a tiny Ferris wheel, a hall full of insect displays, and an assortment of gigantic model insects with chipped paint and dead eyes.

It’s not one I’d go out of my way to see, but if you’ve been cooped up all winter – it might be the escape you need.

jinhae cherry blossom festival
Jinhae’s Cherry Blossom Festival marks the start of warmer weather in South Korea

April: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

A true celebration of Spring’s arrival, Jinhae’s Cherry Blossom Festival is one of many such festivals around South Korea and East Asia in general. The eye-catching pinks and whites of the sakura transform the dour winter colours in a way that energises the soul.

The festival itself is more like a county fair than a genuinely themed event, with the drifting petals and lightly fragrant trees acting as a backdrop to a celebration that includes musical performances, bustling tent restaurants, games of chance, market stalls, and other such novelties.

Read more about my experience at the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival.

jindo moses miracle festival
Image courtesy of J Mook.

April: Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival

If flowers and games of chance aren’t your thing, the island of Jindo has a rather unusual event that takes place each April.

Sometimes called the ‘Jindo Moses Miracle Festival‘, this unique cultural event sees tens of thousands flock to the normally sleepy town to walk a land bridge that appears only once each year.

The 2.8km walk is muddy and a little crowded, but the festivities before and after the seas part are worth the trip as well.

My own experience with the Jindo Moses Miracle had us being turned around halfway due to the tide coming back in sooner than anticipated, but I’d had my fill of walking on a narrow strip of earth surrounded by silty water.

boseong green tea plantation
Image courtesy of Byoung Wook.

May: Boseong Green Tea Festival

Despite living in Gwangju for two years, I never did make it to the nearby green tea fields of Boseong.

Each May, Korea’s largest producer of green tea opens its doors to allow visitors to get a hands on introduction to the beverage that graces so many tables around the country and across the world.

Activities include exhibitions, a Hanbok fashion show, tours of local plantations, the opportunity to pick and brew your own tea, and classes in how to make everything from green tea infused foods to tea bowls and beauty products.

While it also has the trappings of other crowded Korean festivals, the Boseong Green Tea Festival is a tad more cultural than your average festival.

umf ultra musical festival korea
Image courtesy of MIXTRIBE

June: Ultra Korea

Festivals don’t have to be cultural affairs to be worth a look, and June sees modern Korea come to the fore with Ultra Korea.

The country’s largest EDM (electronic dance music) festival takes over <> every June for two sweaty, bass pumping days.

With international artists such as Martin Solveig, Tiesto, Avicii, David Guetta, Galantis, Snoop Dogg, MIA, Empire of the Sun, and Skrillex having graced the decks over the festival’s five year history, it’s one not to miss.

boryeong mud festival
Image courtesy of Jirka Matousek.

July: Boryeong Mud Festival

Hands down my favourite Korean festival, the Boryeong Mud Festival combines a few elements that all but guarantee an unforgettable weekend: summer on a beautiful beach, cheap alcohol, and oodles of mud.

Started as a celebration of the sleepy little seaside town’s mud and its various skin benefits, the festival has become an animal all of its own. Every summer, thousands of foreigners and young Koreans descend on the town for a weekend of mud-wrestling, mud-fights, concerts, and regrettable decisions.

Whether you’re in it for a Mud Festival party or just a laid back Boryeong Mud Festival escape, it’s one that you definitely need to check out.

Muju Firefly Festival Bandiland
Image courtesy of Republic of Korea.

August: Muju Firefly Festival

At the heart of swampy land in which marsh snails act as tempting meals to lightly glowing fireflies, the village of Muju plays host to a week long celebration of the enchanting insects that have inspired so many writers and musicians around the world.

While Muju is perhaps more famous for its nearby ski-fields, the Firefly Festival is a highlight on the Korean festival calendar that sees the town put on a packed festival program full of performances, demonstrations, and markets.

andong mask festival
Image courtesy of Jordi Sanchez Teruel.

September: Andong Mask Dance Festival

For fans of traditional Korean culture, the Andong Mask Festival is a celebration of traditional Korean dance and masked performance.

More than fifty events pack the festival’s program, including dance performances, puppet shows, mask competitions, theatrical performances, mask making classes, and more.

It’s one of the more culturally relevant festivals on the Korean festival calendar, and one I’d sorely like to experience for myself.

jinju lantern festival
Image courtesy Nerissa Alford.

October: Jinju Lantern Festival

A real highlight of the Korean festival calendar, the Jinju Lantern Festival is a dizzying display of brightly coloured lantern floats forming a river of light as they drift through the heart of Jinju.

With a history dating back to the 1592 Japanese invasion of the region, the festival these days is more celebration than commemoration. While the parade of lanterns down the Namgang River is the festival’s highlight, a huge variety of stalls, restaurants, entertainments, and displays are also on hand to enchant both young and old.

busan international film festival
Image courtesy of Paradise in Service.

October: Busan International Film Festival

A celebration of cinema in much the same way as Cannes or Sundance, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of Asia’s largest and most significant film festivals.

Far from being a stuffy affair, BIFF attracts large crowds of young moviegoers as well as up and coming actors, filmmakers, and writers. While Korean cinema obviously holds a prominent place in proceedings, the festival is a celebration of Asian and global cinema, and a great chance to explore Korea’s second largest city while checking out some world-class movies.

The three of us hard at work at creating our masterpiece.
The three of us hard at work at creating our masterpiece.

November: Gwangju Kimchi Festival

Alongside galbi (Korean BBQ), kimchi is without a doubt Korea’s most famous contribution to the global culinary scene. The unassuming fermented cabbage (and other vegetables) has made its way into western palettes in the form of all manner of interesting fusions, but remains a staple in Korean daily life.

My former home, Gwangju takes this love to exciting new levels each year with the annual Gwangju Kimchi Festival. While kimchi themed mascots roam and visitors sample local handicrafts and foods, the highlight is the chance to make your own kimchi from scratch.

I was lucky enough to visit the Gwangju Kimchi Festival in 2013 and had a fantastic time.

seongsan sunrise jejudo
Image courtesy of Justin De La Ornellas

December: Seongsan Sunrise Festival

New Year’s is a special event no matter where you celebrate it, but seeing the first sun rise of a new year over the jagged peaks of one of Jejudo’s volcanoes at the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is a pretty special way to start the next trip around the sun.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is a beautiful spot year round, but there’s something special about seeing the sun crest the horizon against the same backdrop that people have been visiting since the Goryeo Dynasty.

While the weather in December/January is chilly, it’s undoubtedly the warmest you’ll get during the Korean winter.

PIN ME

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As you can see, Koreans love their festivals. While I’ve listed the highlights up above, there’s plenty of others: the Slow Walking Festival being the strangest I’ve encountered. So get out, check Facebook and tourist websites regularly, and soak up some of the local flavor!

Your Say

Have you been to any of the above Korean festivals? Have I left out a personal favourite?

South Korea

Travel Tips for South Korea: The Do’s and the Don’t’s

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The Do’s and Don’t’s of South Korea

South Korea might not technically be my backyard anymore, but I was lucky enough to call the land of kimchi, soju, and noraebang home for two and a half pretty remarkable years when I first hit the road back in 2007.

A lot of people completely overlook South Korea when they’re planning their Asian adventure. It’s not as historically interesting as China, as zany as neighbouring Japan, or as exotic as the Southeast Asian nations.

What South Korea lacks in ‘wow’, it more than makes up for in a kind of all around charm. There are few countries as friendly, welcoming, and off the beaten path in all of Asia.

What follows are my do’s and don’t’s in South Korea gathered from two and a half years as an expat and a subsequent visit as a traveler in 2013.

Do sample Korean food

ddeok galbi south korea
Ddeok galbi is a dizzying blend of chewy rice cakes, vegetables, and spicy chicken. Image courtesy of Teach ESL Korea.

Korean food really doesn’t get a lot of play around the world. While every man and his dog is familiar with Japanese sushi, Mongolian BBQ, and a good kung pao chicken from the local Chinese take out – the world really hasn’t been treated to the wonders of a good galbi meal, some spicy kimchi, or the icy sweetness of patbingsu.

I’ll admit this about Korean food – it very rarely looks appetizing. This is not a country obsessed with creating food that looks good, but don’t let that fool you. My mouth literally waters at the thought of a spicy ddeok galbi lunch or a hearty bibimbap breakfast to kick start my day. If you have a little doubt about their food, you can check for restaurant deals in Seoul and discover trending food places with good reviews. With the eatigo app, you can also make advance reservations for a more comfortable dining experience.

But enough of my yammering. I’m not going to do Korean food justice in a short entry. Let some pictures and a few of my older entries on Korean food and Korean street food do the talking for me.

Don’t eat bosintang (dog soup)

Far be it from me to judge a country that chooses to eat the cute and cuddly dog. I come from a country where both of the animals on our national crest (the kangaroo and emu) are regular features on the menu. I’ve got no qualms about a country’s choice of meat.

But bosintang, a soup made from the meat of Jindo dog, crosses a bit of a line for me. Say what you will about the way in which cattle or chickens are killed in developed countries – dogs that are bred for meat in South Korea are literally beaten to death.

Why? Because Korean cultural lore says that the adrenaline in the dog when it dies will go towards increasing a man’s stamina. And I don’t mean his ability to run a race.

Do get out and experience South Korean festival culture

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival South Korea
Celebrate the arrival of Spring by visiting Jinhae for their annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

This is a country that loves a celebration. In fact, one of the most engaging aspects of your visit will undoubtedly be attending one of the many South Korean festivals. Don’t believe me? Here’s just a few of the many, many festivals you can find around Korea during the year.

And that is literally just a handful of the bigger festivals on show each year. There are dozens and dozens of them, and there’s even overlap (multiple cities host cherry blossom festivals and lantern festivals) so you can miss one and still make its sister event later in the year.

Each festival offers a unique insight into some facet of Korean culture, but it’s also a great opportunity to try some new foods and see a new corner of Korea.

boryeong mud festival
Time to hit the water? I think so

Don’t cling to the Western world

Korea, like much of Asia, has made rapid strides to fit into the Western world.

You’ll find a McDonalds on virtually every corner and there are Western clothing outlets from Gap to H&M to Forever 21.

Sometimes these comforts from home are a necessary evil. You might have had a rough day and the only thing that will stave off the tears is a juicy Whopper and a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

european frico cheese lotteria korea
A sinfully good European Frico Cheese burger from Lotteria.

But it’s easy to slip from occasional indulgence to ‘home away from home’ while you’re in Korea, and you’re not only depriving yourself of the true Korean experience – you’re likely to put on a whole bunch of weight in the process.

Getting out to explore some hole in the wall kimbap joint or a smoky soju bar lets you get in touch with the real Korea and the real Koreans who inhabit it. You’re far more likely to meet a unique character in a Korean restaurant than you are queuing for a sub at Quizno’s in Itaewon.

Do drink

Korea is a country with a rich drinking culture.

Between soju being dirt cheap and available virtually everywhere, employers encouraging their employees to come out on nightly visits to soju bars and noraebangs (singing rooms), and the lack of an open container law – Korea really is a drinker’s paradise.

noraebang south korea
Myself and Jesse (his English name) rocking some Bon Jovi in 2008.

Events such as the Boryeong Mud Festival are borderline hedonistic, but even your average weeknight in Korea will see locals and foreigners alike carousing in the bars and in the streets.

The bright neon lights that line most Korean streets put you in mind of Las Vegas, and the illusion is supported by the seemingly limitless supply of soju bars, hofs (beer & food joints), foreigner bars, cocktail lounges, noraebangs, and restaurants serving up libations ranging from locally brewed beer to imported whiskeys.

If you like to imbibe, you’re going to have a great time in Korea. It’s a country where drinking is every bit a big a part of life as eating rice three times a day and loving the taste of kimchi.

fruit soju south korea
Fruit soju. Manna from heaven.

Don’t be a bad representative of your country

I don’t say this in a confrontational or derisive way – but South Korea is still a somewhat insular nation with a very out-dated view of the rest of the world. If you look at their history of being invaded by all and sundry though, you can understand their over-arching cultural xenophobia.

That’s not to say the average Korean is a foreigner hating maniac. The vast majority of Koreans I met were very excited to be meeting somebody from another country. There’s a pervasive fascination with all things Western in South Korea, but it’s tinged with a kind of innocent ignorance that can be offensive to some.

When I told my employer I was dating a South African girl, for example, he mimed waving a spear above her head as if the nation was full of savages.

I once had a student proudly proclaim to be: “Obama is a nigger”. He didn’t even realize the word’s negative connotations, but he’d obviously heard it somewhere.

Dealing with this feeling of being an outsider is all a part of the Korean experience, but you don’t make things any easier for yourself or for others if you play the part of the evil foreigner. It’s one thing to enjoy a drink and have a good time and another thing to get drunk and pick a fight. It’s one thing to make a tiny cultural faux pas and another thing to flaunt your cleavage in defiance of Korean tradition.

hangover korea
Koreans completely understand a good hangover, but remember that you’re an ambassador for foreigners everywhere.

Do take the chance to soak in Korea’s immense natural beauty

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Bigeumdo island off Korea’s SW coast is usually much sunnier than this spooky picture might indicate…

It might not be immediately obvious amidst the towering sky-scrapers and the neon lined streets of Seoul, but the Korean peninsula boasts a lot of truly beautiful natural landscapes.

While Jejudo’s volcanic mountains and beaches are the most famous of these, there are secret places all over the nation that will capture any photographer’s imagination.

There’s beautiful Daewonsa Temple outside of Gwangju – where Tibetan Buddhist ideals blend seamlessly in with the gorgeous mountain scenery. There are the countless tiny islands dotting the west coast of Korea such as Bigeumdo; beautiful beaches such as Gwangali and Boryeong; snow capped mountain peaks such as Muju; and the vast national park of Seoraksan.

Hikers are going to be in heaven in Korea as well. The mountainous peninsula takes full advantage of the many peaks that scar the landscape with walking trails criss-crossing the nation.

daewonsa south korea
Beautiful Daewonsa temple outside of Gwangju in the country’s South West

Don’t believe everything you read

Western media loves nothing more than to beat up the hostile relationship between North and South Korea. It seems a month couldn’t pass without a concerned friend or family member asking me if I would be fleeing the country in light of recent incidents.

“What incidents?” I’d ask.

Truth is, while the papers of the US and the UK love to talk up the brewing conflict between the two Koreas – those of us on the peninsula barely ever even heard about it.

While there is obvious tension to be felt when touring the DMZ, the fear quickly fades once you get away from the line that separates communist North Korea and the democratic South. The general feeling in the South is one of sadness and pity towards their starving Northern neighbors, and talks of unifying the peninsula are always at the forefront of the political agenda.

Relax. You’ll be fine.

dmz blue room south korea north korea
Risking life and limb in the blue room

Do explore

If you only follow only one of the do’s and don’t’s in South Korea I give here, make it this one.

Korea is a small country, but they cram a hell of a lot into it. Believe me, there is no shortage of things to do in South Korea.

crazy kids korean private school
This has nothing to do with the article, but aren’t Korean kids adorable?

Korean culture is such a fascinating mixture of thoughts and beliefs – a wonderfully confused blend of thousands of years of tradition and the rapid absorption of Western ideals and beliefs.

You’ll never truly experience it without roaming off the beaten track, stepping outside of the safety of the ever growing foreigner community, and taking a few risks.

But isn’t that true of everywhere?

Your Say

What are the do’s and don’t’s of your country?