Story of My Life - Busan Travels

Busan (pronounced and formerly spelled as Pusan) is one of the most popular locations to visit in Korea, second to Seoul was on my list to visit before I leave Korea. Although it is recommended to visit this city during the summer time for the beach, it is definitely worth it to make a trip down South to dodge the cold weather in Seoul for a couple of days. With the weather slightly warmer than Seoul, it is almost impossible to see snow in Busan, but of course that wasn't the case for me because I would go during the coldest week of the year!


For starters, Busan is known to be the summer capital of Korea with six beaches in the big city. The most popular, Haeundae, is the one must visit in Busan. There is also Gwangalli Beach and the popular Grand Gwangan Bridge. With restaurants, bars, cafes, and so much to do along the beach, it is definitely worth it to take a stroll during the day and especially at night to enjoy the amazing view and lighting. Lastly, the Taejongdae on the opposite side of town faces Yeongdo is known for it's natural park with amazing cliff views that is popular for many tourists. 

Hiking in Busan is also on the top of the list for many. Going to Geumjeongsan for a weekend hike is one thing that many locals and travelers like to do in Busan. The main Korean Buddhist Temple is also in close distance in Beomeosa. Dongnae-gu is the most wealthy and traditional residential area in Busan which is worth visiting. The one recommendation that I will make is going to Yongdusan Park, where Busan's highest building is. The Busan Tower is located by the Lotte Department Store where you can find a water show at every hour. Be sure to also check out the Christmas tree festival that is in the area of the shopping streets. Just like the Myeondong of Seoul, there is a lot to pick up and a handful of cheap goodies (even cheaper than those in Seoul). 

When in Busan, it is important to eat what they are known for. Seafood, fresh sashimi is number one on the list. You can find all types of seafood and fresh fish to order from. A second yum, dongnae pajeon 동래파전 is a different take on the Korean pancake made with seafood and a thicker wheat flour mix. Another Busan eat is milmyeon 밀면 which is like the cold buckwheat noodle soup of naemyeon. One recommendation that is a must try is the Dwaeji Gukbap 돼지국밥 which helps to warm any stomach during a cold winter day. This pork soup rice is made with thick slices of pork and a white soup base which hits the spot after any tourist visit. 


Be sure to make a visit to Busan when visiting Korea. You don't want to miss out on the amazing views and great food they have to offer. The one problem that you may have with communication is the different dialect. Locals have their own pronunciation of certain Korean words so getting around can be tricky, but totally worth it!

Story of My Life - Jeju Travels

Labeled as the Hawaii of Korea, this island South of Seoul is only and hour away by plane. With constant flights almost every hour of the day heading out, it is practically recommended for a weekend trip. Although a weekend in Jeju is not enough time, and it is recommended to stay a week, it is still worth the mini weekend vacation.

Jeju is known for their many beaches and awesome views. With regular sandy beaches as well as black sand beaches, the view that surrounds the beach is phenomenal. This includes the highest mountain in Korea, Hallasan. I didn't get to hike the mountain this time, but I will return again to do so.

The several famous attractions in Jeju Island include the lava caves which is great for a hot summer day. The caves are dark and cool so you will stay refreshed. The one tip is to bring and umbrella or rain coat because the caves are dripping with cold water.

Another popular tourist spot for many is Loveland, an exhibition like the Sex Museum, but with a handful more of statues and figures to see and take goofy photos of. It definitely is not a place for children, but there are children walking around there. Next door to Loveland are a few museums to explore as well.

For those traveling with family, the field maze is recommended for running around and getting lost. It is a human maze made of plants that children absolutely love running through. One last recommendation for Jeju is to eat black pork. This meat can be cooked up in a variety of ways, which includes BBQ. This pork is the famous eat, but some restaurants may still have the fur of the pork on the meat so be mentally ready!

Nonetheless, it is a must visit for anyone who is traveling to Korea, especially those on vacation. It is the ultimate honeymoon spot and a place for couples. With so much to do in Jeju Island, it is recommended to stay around for a week. I will make a few trips back to knock out a few other things that are on my list, including the highlight of the year, Jeju Olle's Walking Festival which is the peak time to visit Jeju Island.

Story of My Life - Boryeong Mudfest

The annual Mud Festival held in Boryeong, South Korea is one of the most diverse, foreigners-filled event ever. It is a must attend event at least once in your life to experience a day of Boryeong mud, music, food, and fun and games of course! This two week event is extremely popular amongst foreigners as well as Koreans, the whole family included.

The festival is a free festival to attend, but there is an enclosed area of mud pits, pools and a handful of obstacle courses to enjoy. For just five dollars, it is a definite recommendation in my eyes. One thing to look out for is the water pool which is to clean off all of the mud that you absorb. This was probably the best, yet most contact attraction there is. There is a warning to all before entering the water pool which is to cross with caution. I didn't take that as seriously as I should have an being the first girl to walk from the group, I was dunked and splashed by a group of Koreans. At the end of the day, it's all fun and games because revenge sure is sweet, but it can leave a few battle scars!

The best thing about mudfest is getting down and dirty, absorbing all those great natural nutrients into your skin and taking a dunk in the Daecheon beach. Washing off all the mud and allowing for your skin to take in the natural salt water will help to clean the dead layer off your skin, leaving you with a silky smooth texture. It is great for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin. I was even able to clear up my psoriasis patches with just a few hours of mudfest and beach fun.

In addition to the awesome mudfest and beach water, there is a great fireworks show by the water in the layer hours. An even more exciting event this weekend was the concert which featured a handful of Korean singers and djs as well as the hit Korean group, Wonder Girls. The highlight for the night, for most foreigners, was Akon. It was definitely perfect weather for an outdoor concert and brought me back for a moment, it's been a whole Akon.

Nonetheless, this mudfest weekend was amazing, full of fun and games and definitely beat my expectations. I've heard a handful of bad reviews and comments about mudfest but I am glad that I went and experienced it for myself. It is definitely an event worth attending, especially because Daecheon is one of those must visit beaches in Korea.

Story of My Life - Sokcho Travels

Sokcho is a must visit for those who are looking for a clean and clear blue water beach in Korea. Located in the northeast region from Seoul, it is a bit of a hike to get to, but definitely worth it. With buses running from two of the main stations in Seoul, the travel is roughly three hours. It is a good rest to have after a long day of tanning and body surfing.

 Although Sokcho is far from Seoul, there are a number of tourists and foreigners that visit the area. In addition to the physical appearance, you can distinguish the locals from the rest by beach habits. Koreans are usually hiding from the sun, in every way possible, so there are a number of tents scattered around. In addition, although bikinis are recommended for the beach, Koreans will jump into the water fully clothed. An alien feeling to us, but you will see some locals in bathing suits and swim wear, with minor influences from foreigners.

With all the peculiar habits of Koreans that we are not used to, there are a handful of benefits as well. This includes the drop off menus as you tan for delivery services of all kinds-fried chicken, pizza, full meals-the best is McDonald's. If you thought New York was convenient with cold drinks and icecream, McDonald's in Korea has someone walking around to take your order and deliver it, everything but cones that is. I wouldn't get too picky since I can still order an Oreo McFlurry with my full value meal!

For those looking for an authentic meal in the area, seafood is the big recommendation. Seafood includes king crab, there are a number of restaurants serving up fresh crab, as well as a variety of other seafood (fish, octopus, squid, conch, and more) that is cut up and served fresh when you order. Talk about good sashimi! There is also a bunch of other dishes which includes the Squid Sundae (squid roll), Potato Pancake, and Naengmyeon 냉면 (cold noodle).

Nonetheless, Sokcho is a must visit, being that it is one of the top beaches in Korea. It is easy to plan and have a one day getaway without knowing any English. As a heads up, there aren't as much coffee shops as there are in Seoul so be ready!

Beach 101

Beach Tips

It’s beach season, and if you’re like me, you are probably at the beach as much as you can. A few tips for you beach bums!

•  Be careful of glass. A lot of people have a tendency to walk barefoot on the beach which is perfectly fine, but you must be careful of broken glass that is in the sand. If you do get a cut, go to a nearby life guard for band aid and alcohol wipes, do not risk a chance of an infection!
• Always wear sun block, even on a cloudy day. I know you want that tan, but trust me you can still get it with sun block on. You definitely don’t want too much sun at the beach and catch skin cancer while you’re at it. Another bad thing about too much sun is the increase of wrinkles and saggy skin, definitely not what you want. If you think there are no rays on cloudy days, you thought wrong. The sun’s rays are just as strong on a cloudy day as it is on a sunny day.
• Use a lip balm that contains a minimum of 15 spf. Your lips need protection from the sun as well because it will probably be the first to dry up. Remember to bring a chap stick with you to the beach, best if it contains a spf to keep you protected from the sun.
• Stay hydrated. You have no idea how much the sun absorbs from you. The best thing to do is bring a cooler or a little cooler bag of water. The best way to not have the sun take all that energy is to bring a spray bottle with you and spray your body to keep you cool.
• Rub your feet in the sand. The sand may be extremely hot, but it is definitely worth rubbing the soles of your feet into. Think of it as a free scrub at the beach. The more you exfoliate the sand into your skin, the more dead skin you will remove from your feet.
• Get tanned faster in the water. There’s just something about the sun and salt water that will get you tanned a lot quicker than just laying there. So if you’re pressed for time and want to get a real tan in, get in the water. Plus, it’ll keep you cool when the sun is beaming on you.
• Bring an umbrella. On the really sunny days, water and sun block just may not be enough for you. Always have a backup plan and have an umbrella with you to hide from the treacherous sun when is just too much to take in. If you’re traveling alone and an umbrella is just too much …
• Wear a hat. The hat will not only protect your face from the sun, but it will also keep your scalp from sunburns. The sun and salt water will dry out your hair so the hat will help, but remember to go home and condition right after.
• Don’t fall asleep with your sunglasses on. I don’t know about you, but I’ve done it before so try not to get those frame marks tattooed on your face. If you do choose to sleep on the beach, I suggest covering your head with a towel or shirt. This will reduce the amount of redness on your face. If you are one who gets fever blisters while absorbing too much sun, this would be a great solution for you while you have a comfortable nap.
• Have aloe vera gel handy. The last thing you want is to scratch and turn red before a day of work so always have aloe vera hand so sooth the itching and redness after a day at the beach.
• Put deodorant on the night before if you’re afraid of sweating. A day at the beach is extremely hot which will eventually lead you to sweating. If you’re afraid of sweating too much, you can pop on some deodorant the night before going to the beach so it will absorb in your skin better to reduce the sweat.
• Wear flip flops. I don’t know how many people I have seen go to the beach in sneakers. It is extremely uncomfortable and you will not remove all the sand from your sneakers. It is definitely a no no when you are coming from a friend’s car. You will only bring him back the gift of more sand which is difficult to get rid of.
• Wear waterproof makeup. If you must put on makeup before hitting up the beach, remember to put on waterproof mascara and eyeliner to last you through the day. There's even a few seal your makeup products that you can use to hold up that eyeliner.
• Do not wear makeup on your face. You should keep the face clean of makeup. You do not want to go in the water and have your makeup run all over the salt water where kids are playing. Plus, you're at the beach for a tan, makeup will only get in the way. 
• Bring snacks. This is probably my ultimate favorite! Yes I am a big fat ass and I love food. If you’re like me and you love going into the water, you will get hungry quick! It is best to prepare healthy snacks of course like cut fruits that will keep you refreshed, but it doesn’t hurt to bring a bag of chips to the beach.

Lastly a list of what you should bring to the beach: sun block, towel (one to lie on and one to wipe yourself dry if needed), flip flops, chap stick, water, hat or bandana, and optional of: umbrella, snacks, iPod, book, sunglasses, beach chair, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, band aids, and a change of clothes. If you're traveling with kids, you should probably pick up sand buckets and bottles to collect shells to keep them entertained.