Mudfest Korea 2014

Much hype swirls around the yearly mudfest of Boryeong. The vast amounts of mud, mud activities and fun with friends would be a huge draw for anyone looking to have a good time. Sadly I feel this event is presented with a gross discrepancy as to how the events will actually be occurring. 

As far as I was concerned, we were going to arrive at a large mud hill in the middle of nowheres land. Your clothes etc would all need to be replaced afterwards; this is the level of sheer muddy ridiculousness that I was expecting. 

Mudfest actually occurs in a real city. There is little mud, no hill, some small inflatable obstacle courses and about three quarters of Seoul. Definitely not what I was anticipating in the least. Had I hae been better informed as to the actually happenings of the 17th Boryeong Mudfest I would have taken a hard pass on this event. 

I came. I saw. I can now cross it off the list. 

to be Canadian

Had to run to my embassy this morning (purple line 5, exit 5, Seodaemun Station). Felt great to be around Canadian-like niceness and English/French signage again.

Noksapyeong

I've heard chatter that there is an area with even better foreigner foods than there is in Itaewon. This weekend I took the opportunity to go out, train it and explore the area. Noksapyeong Station was actually a super rad place! Much smaller than I had pictures in my mind, though epic nonetheless. 

The day was spent basking in the humidity and overcast sky whilst wandering aimlessly through backstreets and apartment parks speckled with children. The halal food was amazing!

The evening found us at The Thunder Bat. Luckily we caught that evenings band warming up. What am incredible group they were too. A large, American military, African American playing a bodiless violin and a scrawny Caucasian playing guitar made the group. They were incredible. We even heard an amazing rendition of the Game of Thrones theme song. 

It was an amazing day of wandering!

 

German Haus

Whilst wandering around Uijeonbgu during my last weekend in this city, Blake and I stumbled upon this amazing German restaurant. Within was an incredible distillery as well. The shiny brewery paraphinelia was quite a surprise to say the least. We spent the day chatting all afternoon while soaking in the sunrays on the patio. Was a truly lovely day. 

Canada Day!!!

Cellied up a storm over here in Korea! We even learned the national anthem.

Naksan take 2!

Ah the adventurer and pre planner in me has done it again! I first came upon the beauty and serenity of Naksan after my 15.5 hour hike of Seoraksan - what a trek that way! This town has such a relaxed feeling, very chill, yet bustly too. Oh an do not forget all the delicious seafood! Mmmm, mmm good! Blake and I share in crab, sashimi of I don't know what and may other delights!

Surprisigly the beach and town were relatively dead. I wasn't complaining though. The hotel was much improved this time around; we actually had a bed! No floor sleeping for these high rollers! Haha

Through my own detectiveness we took the Uijeongbu bus to Sokcho, transferred to Naksan which is in Yangyang. Across the street was a big museum place. Cool to check out. We were only a five minute walk from the hotel as well!

The trek home was a bit more difficult. Took a bus to Sokcho though didn't end up at the right bus terminal without extra guidance of local bus drivers, transferred in Seoul to the subway as we were afraid Blake wouldn't make curfew. Luckily all ended well!

It was such a lovely getaway. Checked out the view from Naksan Temple again - always breathtaking and had some much needed relaxation. Oh and some fireworks and good eats too! And sun!!!;)