A Visit to Korea (February 2003)
This trip to Korea was a happy and indeed a place that I learnt much. I learnt skiing as well as something about the metals business of other companies. The visit indeed made my impression to Korea changed from the time I went there before. Despite the numerous problems caused by language, the Korean people there helped us solve the problem. Here are the 5 days trip summary:
3/2/2003 (Monday) HK: SUNNY KOREA: BRIGHT SKY + COLD
Departure from Hong Kong International Airport at 1315 (HK TIME) and arrived at Incheon International Airport at 1730 (KOREA TIME) by a Boeing 777-300, Flight KE 604 (Korean Air) with 3 big luggages and 3 hand-carries plus one bag. (2092km)
We checked-in in Central at 1100 (HK TIME) and took breakfast afterwards. We took the Airport Express to the airport.
In the flight, I sat on Seat 36E and I ate Fish for the meal at 1500 (HK TIME, a tea time I suppose but it seemed that I am hungry....) but remember, never sit on Seats 35-38 on Korean Air since there won't be much food left on the aeroplane for you. For us, we should have chicken and fish and when it got to us, there was only fish left!!!
We got out of Immigration at 1815 and one of my dad's business partner in Korea, Mr. B. Kim took us to SIHEUNG TOURIST HOTEL in the city of Siheung. We ate dinner at a beef restaurant and have Boogogi (Beef) which was a little spicy bu also very tasty. We went back to the hotel to rest and prepare for a Ski ride on Tuesday.....
4/2/2003 (Tuesday) KOREA: BRIGHT SKY + COLD
Departure from the hotel---> Yong Pyong (Ąs„) Skiing Resort
Mr. Kim got us up at around 1000 (KOREA TIME) and then we went to the resort. It was a 3 hour journey and we stopped by at a stopping area on the way and have some Walnut Cakes and Fruit Tea. Upon arriving, we went to the condos and have a light lunch at a pizza restaurant. Then at 1700, we (my parents and me) learnt how to ski and Mr. Kim taught us how to ski. He was a very good tutor and I got the opportunity to ski in a high area as well (but it is still a beginner course!!). I nearly banged into the trees since I am not too experienced in skiing on high lands though I have learnt how to ski before in Whistler in Vancouver, Canada. I went into a whole instead........<_>. Also, I don't know how to turn myself as well!!! We skied until 1930 and Mr. J. Kim (another business partner of my dad and working in the same company as Mr. B. Kim) came with his family to join us for a light dinner of udons. Then, we got back to the condo and Mr. J Kim's wife cooked some supper for us which made us all full. The food was boogogi (beef), some fruit salad and a special Korean pancake. Remember one thing: if you want to have fruits in Korea, take Strawberries. It is really sweet!!!
After the delicious supper, we went to bed on a Tatami (a traditional kind of bed used in Korea) and slept. The heater was hot though which made me a felt uncomfortable.
5/2/2003 (Wednesday) KOREA: BRIGHT SKY + VERY COLD
Yong Pyong Skiing Resort
We carried on the skiing after a breakfast buffet in the hotel and Mr. B. Kim taught Mr. J. Kim how to ski as well. I gradually learnt how to turn and finally got up to the high area for 4 times to ski. There were many HK people and they are complained on unable to ski. They are always making fuss and so I went up to the high areas to get away from their loud and hateable voices.....HAHA! However, the cost for the ride was very expensive-->7000 Won per ride (around US$7; HK$49) per ride!! Mum and Dad went for a tour around the high mountain areas with Mr. B. Kim and I stayed in the skiing resort. We (Mr. J. Kim and his fainly and me) all skate until 1600 and went back to Siheung city at night and joined my parents as well as Mr. B. Kim for dinner at the hotel, Siheung Tourist Hotel. I ate steak at the restaurant..........funny to have steak at Korea, right?
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6/2/2003 (Thursday) KOREA: BRIGHT SKY + COLD
Daechang Industrial Company Limited
My dad got to visit the company that the two Mr. Kims worked at and we all went to Daechang. I saw the whole Import Team members and I found I know quite a lot of the members since we have already meet during their trip to Hong Kong (like Mr. R. Kong, Mr. K. Cho, Mr. J. Choi and Ms. L. Kim). We then visited the president of the company, Mr. Cho, which was my honour and we had dinner together at the same restaurant we ate on the first day's evening. Korea is special for beef and so we ate quite a few types of boogogi with Mr. B. Kim, Mr. J. Kim and Mr. K. Cho. After that, we visited the warehouses of Daechang as well as some other factories with Mr. B. Kim and met some other people. We went back to the hotel later on. Then, at around 1700, Mr. J. Kim brought us to E-mart (a department store ran by Samsung) to buy some food and souvenirs. The day ended with a dinner with the export team in a Chinese Cuisine. Mum and dad ordered some of the food as well as Mr. B. Kim. A spicy dinner indeed! We were given another Suite at this day.
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7/2/2003 (Friday) KOREA: BRIGHT SKY + COLD
Seoul Art museum and Back to HK
The director of Daechang Export Team, Mr. Kim met my parents in the morning. He was injured deeply and he paid a visit to us even he was hospitalized. We ate breakfast together and then, Mr. J. Kim brought us to Seoul and director Mr. Kim left.
Mr. K. Cho and his family joint us in Seoul and we all went to Seoul Land's art museum. There was a lot of art work and I am sure those who like art will enjoy looking at the works of the artist. I brought some of the souvenirs there and afterwards, we dine together at a restaurant and ate Shabu Shabu (Korean Style).
We said good bye to Mr. Cho and his family after the dinner and Mr. J. Kim brought us to the airport at 1500 and arrived at Incheon International Airport at 1700. We had a bit of tea together later on and board the plane at 1850. I brought some more souvenirs there.
Here is a little tip, upon going through immigration, make sure you have preapred time to get through the immigration since it takes time.......
On the flight back, I sat at Seat 37C, food was again a problem and we complained........
I bought something in the DFS (Duty Free) and the plane arrived at Hong Kong at 2230 (delayed by 20 minutes!!). We got out of immigration at 2330. The journey ends on the Airport Express we took and the taxi back home at 0000 (8/2/2003).
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Feelings:
The journey was a happy one. I learnt how to ski, I learnt to eat Korean food and some special food of Korea. Though spicy, the food tasted well and the service seemed to be quite good also!
I met lots of people and I got to know more of the world outside. Although I am not a grown up to be a businessman like my parents are but I learnt more about the business they do in this trip.
I found that the people in Korea treats tourist well and that they serve tourist well. Hong Kong people have to learn how to be a tourist guide and a good server to tourist indeed!
Korea was a horrible place to me 10 years ago. But this visit changed my impression to her and thanks to Mr. B. Kim and Mr. J. Kim and the whole Import Team of Daechang for all their help and hospitality. I did have a great time in Korea, especially at the skiing resort and I will like to come back again next year for this ski. However, it all depends on whether I have the time since I got the public exam in February 2004! I hope I can come to Korea next year for the ski indeed.
To conclude, Korea is a good place for you to visit. But remember to learn a few simple Korean before going and your visit will be more fruitful. "Kamsahamida" (Thank you) to you all and see you later, Korea!
Written by: Conrad 8/2/2003
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Want to view "Photos of the trip"? Click Here and !
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