Page 20 - Explore Spring Summer 2019

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SEOUL

UNEXPECTED

SURPRISES

It seems like only yesterday that I took and an assortment of vegetables).
up a three-year advertising industry The ritual of preparing food at your
assignment in Seoul, South Korea, but table and the fun of negotiating
what an exciting adventure it turned noodle-eating add to the experience.
out to be for me, my wife and our two I even learnt to enjoy kimchi, the
young children. Seoul is so different traditional Korean fermented cabbage
to New Zealand in many ways, but we dish, which is an acquired taste for
soon found our feet and have many some but always worth trying.
happy memories.
If you enjoy bustling nightlife, abundant
As a place for keeping children happy, shopping, clubs, karaoke and oodles of
Seoul didn’t disappoint. We made noodles, then check out the Myeundong
several day trips to busy and bustling Shopping District (a favourite with the
Lotte World, a large indoor amusement younger generations), and Itaewon,
park in the Songpa-Gu district of the city a particular favourite of ours. It’s
with rides and activities for the young there I had a cashmere coat and a
and not so young. Lotte World is South dinner suit tailor-made for me. Terrific
Korea’s version of Disneyland complete craftsmanship, quality and great value.
with a massive shopping mall selling
everything you can imagine including For those who enjoy culture and history,
high-tech gadgets, clothes, furnishings Seoul has many palaces and temples.
and eateries for every palate. Check out Gyeongbokgung, the royal
palace in the central city – in many ways
Seoul is also blessed with many terrific it’s Seoul’s equivalent of Buckingham
hotels which always put lots on for Palace. There are daily tours of its
guests and the general public. The grounds and many grand rooms. It even
skating rink at the top of the Grand Hyatt has a changing of the guard parade that
Seoul hotel during the winter months
was another notable hit with the kids. is worth watching.
When we lived in Seoul we regularly
Every weekend, we would explore
another aspect of Seoul life. It’s a city headed for the South Korean countryside
that offers extreme contrasts: on one which is full of green pastures, lakes
hand you are surrounded by modern and mountains. Our favourite trip was
high-rise buildings, great hotels, to Seoraksan National Park 150 km
bustling shopping malls, 24/7 nightlife northeast of Seoul and if hiking is your
and world-leading technology. On thing the park will not disappoint. On
the other hand there are historic your way to the top of Mount Seoraksan
sites, green spaces and markets and you pass pristine streams, lakes and lush
restaurants all around the city. One vegetation and negotiate wire bridges
area we always enjoyed exploring over high ravines. It’s not for the faint-
was Insadong, a mecca for antique hearted but the views are breathtaking.
Korean furniture, arts and crafts, Before we left South Korea, one final
pottery, fabrics, restaurants and cosy adventure had to be taken: a visit to
little Korean teahouses. Our home is the DMZ, the most militarised border
adorned with many items of furniture in the world. After signing papers that
we bought in Seoul. absolved the US Government from
Another great market is the any responsibility should something
Namdaemun Market, which is very happen to us, we stepped into the Joint
popular with tourists and locals alike. Security Area and met North Korean
In addition to the standard market and South Korean soldiers on guard. It
offerings Namdaemun boasts a real was scary but exhilarating to stand on
Korean street food experience. Among North Korean soil and the soldiers, fully
our favourites were traditional Korean focussed on their role, did not move a
barbecues prepared on a hotplate muscle or say a word. It was one of many
on your table, noodle dishes and unforgettable experiences in a truly
bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with meat fascinating land.

Laurie Wilson, a former resident of Seoul, offers an insider’s guide to the fascinating capital of South Korea.

18 HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : SPRING/SUMMER EDITION