Seokjeong Hot Springs Hue Spa
Okay, this is not Caribbean Bay, but if you live near Gwangju, or Jeonju or anywhere in between, this is the place to go for families with young kiddos! Don’t bother if you are adults looking for excitement, but for family time (or adults looking for some quiet time) with a bit of excitement… this is the place to go!! This was our second year coming here. We first came, while living in Gwangju, for our daughter’s birthday. She loved it so much that she asked to come again for her birthday this year. We now live in Seoul, so quite a trek, but we combined it with a visit…
Where to Escape the Heat in and Around Seoul this Summer
Korean summers are hot and humid, and if you can walk out the door without breaking a sweat, you’re a tougher person than I! I am Australian. I have lived through 30 something summers with 40° celsius days, but I’ve never felt as uncomfortable as summer in Korea. It’s the humidity! Still, there are plenty of places to cool off and beat the heat. Of course, there are beaches and mountain streams and even shady spots or air-conditioned oases within the city. Here are the top places I’ve found, so far, to escape the summer heat! I’d love to hear your ideas to add to my repertoire. Hit the Beach…
Where to Beat the Heat in Jeollanamdo this Summer
Hit the Beach After living in Gwangju for two years, we’ve done our fair share of beach trips and beach camping weekends. There are plenty to choose from but here are some of our favourites. Hampyeong Dolmeori Beach Just 40mins drive from Gwangju, I think Hampyeong Dolmeori Beach is the closest. There’s also an intercity bus from the bus terminal then local bus 500 will take you right to the beach. Due to huge differences in the tide, they’ve constructed a wall to keep an area for swimming, even when the rest of the beach is mudflats – also fun for crab hunting if you’re into that. There’s even a…
Overnight trip to Tongyeong with Kids
After a night in the countryside at the Grandparents’ house, we set off for an overnight trip to Tongyeong on our way to Busan. The kids and I struggle with long car trips, so it’s always better to break up trips into smaller sections. The port city of Tongyeong seemed like a perfect stopover for beauty, culture, sea, and history! We chose a smallish hotel with pretty average reviews but a very decent price and views across the bay. It turned out to be clean, comfortable and waking up to watch the fishing boats come into the port was good fun. Tongyeong Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong Naval Station During Joseon times,…
Overnight trip to Gyeongju
On our way home from Busan last month, we stopped over in Gyeongju overnight to break up the trip. The last time I was here was in 2007 with my parents. A LOT has changed in that time. Back then, we struggled to find a spot to stop for a pre-dinner beer or any restaurants that looked especially interesting. We did have a great time and resorted to Norebang (karaoke) for our nighttime entertainment. But now! Now Gyeongju is full of microbreweries, hipster bars and quaint cafes. Some complain about the gentrification of this small city, but the excellent rooftop pizza and gelati shop might make up for it! First…
3 Days in Busan with Kids in the Rain
We had wanted to visit Busan for years. When the opportunity suddenly arose for a few days away, we decided to go for it. We then found ourselves in Busan, with kids, in the rain. Having packed for a beach trip, we had snorkels, buckets and spades, inflatable beach toys but only one light cardigan each. Oops. We were now on the hunt for indoor activities to keep us busy. Gwangalli Beach Haeundae might be the most popular beach in Busan, but we chose to stay at Gwangalli Beach, and we sure are glad we did. Gwangalli Beach is a long, curved stretch of sand lined with tiki umbrellas and stunning…
Hongjecheon Stream, Walking and Cycling Trail in Seoul
There are so many fantastic walking and cycling trails in Seoul. Hongjecheon stands out due to it’s ease – you can easily walk or cycle here with children – and also the number of unique stops along the way. You can start and finish wherever you wish, but this tour begins at Sangmyung University (or at least the bus stop at the bottom of the hill to Sangmyung University) and ends at the Han River. You could take it the opposite direction, or jump in anywhere in between. Palseongsaeng Chinese Restaurant On the corner of the street leading up to Sangmyung University is this fantastic restaurant. If you start or…
Ansan Cherry Blossom Walkway
So, I’m a week too late with this post. The blossoms have disappeared and new leaves are budding on the trees. But the tulips are in full bloom and it’s still a beautiful place for a walk or a picnic. We walked along Hongje Stream from Pobangteo Market, near our new house, and about 30 mins later we reached the waterfalls that signal the entrance to the Ansan Cherry Blossom Walkway. We could have crossed the stream to find the entrance beside the waterfall, but we entered via the street next to Seodaemun-gu Office. Missy moo needed the toilet! The whole area is spectacular when the cherry blossoms are in…
Where to eat in Gwangju, 11 Family Faves
If you are visiting Gwangju and looking for traditional Korean food, this is not the list for you. We cook a lot of Korean food at home or when we get food delivered. So, when we go out, it’s usually because we’re craving something a bit different. Here, I’m listing some of our family favourites! Most are downtown or in Nam-gu, because that’s where we live. I’d love to hear recommendations in other areas. Let us know in the comments! In no particular order… First Alleyway The kiddos are young and adaptable enough that they rarely mention missing Australia. What they do miss is Grandma and Grandpa, babycinos, and fish…
How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs with Food from your Kitchen
Look, I would prefer chocolate eggs (Cadbury Creme Eggs – if only!!). But, let’s face it, chocolate easter eggs are hard to find here in Korea. I know you can order them online, but I’m just not that organised. It’s Friday today, and I only just remembered that Sunday is Easter. Well, since today is Good Friday, it’s technically already Easter. Hence, we’ll make do with a couple of Kinder Surprise eggs and some hard-boiled ones for our little Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday morning. I also don’t have food dye. I already said I’m unorganised. The same thing happened last year, and we discovered a genius solution that we…
