Summer Series Part 3: A K-wave experience to remember

Welcome to the final post of my 2024 Summer Series. We’ve already had our first snow in Korea but better late than never as this series wouldn’t be complete without sharing the enjoyable time my Cape Town visitors and I had over the summer. Part 1 covered the awesome English Olympics summer camp I ran for my students and Part 2 was a tale about my trip to Taiwan to see my brother and his family.

My friends, Angelique and Gary, visited two weeks before the second school semester started. Angie had spoken about visiting since I arrived in 2022 and finally, after some saving and planning, she made it happen, bringing her husband along with her. And what an enjoyable time we had!

Reunions in Jeju

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Some background to our friendship 

Angie and I have been friends since 2006. We met at Stellenbosch University, where we stayed in the same section (Kushi Pako) of our student residence, Metanoia. It was one of those friendships that worked from the get-go despite us coming from different worlds, Angie from a small town called Piketberg in the Western Cape and me from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town. We had different friend groups yet we always had a connection. Angie gave me remedies for a cold, shared her heater during winter and invited me out dancing whenever her friends went ‘kuiering’ (socialising). So it wasn’t surprising how sad I was when she decided to leave Stellenbosch and move to Bloemfontein (another city) to live with her sister and complete her studies there. She’d become one of my closest friends but more so, I think of her as a sister. The first time she walked into my parent’s house, she announced she was hungry, went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to see what she could eat. Because of that comfortability in our family home, her relationship and bond with my family was cemented right there and then.

Metanoia Huisdans circa 2006.

At the time, Angie worked for the long-distance bus company, Intercape, where she worked as a hostess. On one of her shifts, I joined her for the 4-hour bus trip from Cape Town to Mossel Bay and back. I loved it. Doing nothing but enjoying the ride. As she prepared for her move to Bloemfontein during the December break, I travelled with her and we ended up doing an unplanned epic bus tour. After a few days in Bloemfontein, we travelled by bus to Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, back to Bloem and then to Cape Town. We were 19 and 20 years old at the time. We stayed at friend's and family’s homes while visiting the various cities. All unplanned. During the trip to Joburg, I even met an online friend, whom I had been chatting with for about a year. Angie encouraged me to meet him so we did and had the best time ever! He was as lovely in person as he was online (and still is today as we’ve continued our friendship for all these years). It was one of the best weeks of my life! Two friends travelling the country by bus and having a ball of a time!

One of the few photos we took during that trip. This was 2006 so phone photo quality was not the best! 

What’s even more special about that bus tour is that she met Gary for the first time during our return stay in Bloem and I was there with her! We had returned so that Angie could register at Free State University for her new course and then we headed to the airport to buy her a plane ticket for her return trip from Cape Town. And that’s where the beautiful love story begins! Gary was working at Mango Airlines at the time and was the person who helped her. If I’m not mistaken, Angie gave him her number and it was history from there! So our friendship goes a long way and having them come from home to experience my life in Korea was truly a blessing. 

From Cape Town to Daejeon 

After their missed connection in Ethiopia, Angie and Gary finally arrived at Incheon Airport. Though they arrived a day late they were in high spirits and excited to be here. I booked a hotel for them to stay at so they could be comfortable after the long travel. 

Pick up at Incheon Airport...

This was their first time in an Asian country so everything was new to them. I introduced them to Korean food, some of the sights and everyday life here. Their adventurous taste buds and willingness to try all kinds of food were really impressive and something I truly appreciated. Being open-minded about the food while travelling makes the experience so much better. 

Our first Korean dinner together. Going big by eating wagyu beef!

Checking out the popular Sky Road.

Walkabout in the historical Dongchundang Park near my home. 

Trying my favourite Korean dishes at a local restaurant. Gary's chopsticks' skills were impressive!

I can't get enough of what good eater's these two were. Cleaning the plates!

Walking around Expo Park in Daejeon.

Daejeon's mascots, Hankkum and Kkumdori.

Water show at Expo Park. A must-see when visiting Daejeon.

Reunions in Jeju-do!

After a few days in Daejeon, we flew to Jeju island where we stayed with Mbali for a few days. Fun fact, Mbali was also a resident in Metanoia in 2006 and knew Angie too so we had a Matie (Stellenbosch University students) reunion in Jeju. So what do you get when you bring four South Africans from Cape Town, Piketberg, Bloemfontein and Joburg together… nonstop laughs, constant chatter, some scolding, some complaining, some teasing and an experience to remember! 

Always eating LOL... meal before our flight!

Showing off the Green Mamba!

Those who fly together stay together!

First night on the island. Calls for beer, catching up and fried seafood! Yum.

Mbali’s place is so big that she could host all of us. She lives in a lovely little port town outside of Jeju City so it was nice to be there and get some fresh ocean breeze. Jeju is a popular tourist destination for locals and foreigners so we did extensive sightseeing and walkabouts, and a tremendous amount of eating. While Mbali attended a training workshop on Friday, the three of us visited the Snoopy Garden and Songaksan Mountain. The Snoopy Garden was interesting. They had indoor exhibitions, a park and a garden where you could observe various scenes or episodes of the Peanuts cartoon. It was really well done and I highly recommend a visit if you're keen for a bit of nostalgia.

Yes!

There was even a little adventure trail we could do. So much fun!

Doing some more walking to Songaksan Mountain. 

Then on Saturday, Mbali had a travel plan for us, that had us up early in the morning. First, we visited the Spirited Garden and then the Osulloc tea fields and museum. Spirited Garden is home to hundreds of bonsai plants and volcanic rocks. The garden was started in 1963 by Seong Beom-yeong who came to Jeju and cultivated the wasteland full of rocks to this impressive garden. While visiting, we even got to meet Mr Seong! It was a beautiful garden, wonderfully taken care of and so very peaceful. The garden's tranquillity made me feel like my mind and body were being recharged.

One of many 'fun' photo poses poor Gary had to endure!

The Osulloc Tea Museum showcases the popular tea brand in Korea. The museum has a tea gallery, a rest area outside, and a café where visitors can enjoy a variety of tea-based desserts like matcha green tea ice cream. Next door, we also visited the Innisfree House, a popular Korean cosmetics brand.

Visiting the Osulloc tea museum — now a world-renowned premium Korean tea brand.

Innisfree. The fragrances in this building were wonderful. 

Osulloc tea fields...

We eventually got Gary to come and pose in the tea fields too! 

We decided against renting a car and had to take long bus trips everywhere around the island but they ended up being the most fun, especially because of Gary. There were a few times when he had close calls for the bathroom because of eating and drinking too well and then getting on a 1-2 hour bus ride. During one ride, Mbali had to lie to him about how much time was left till our destination. I just kept quiet and willed him to hold it in! Luckily, the bus driver stopped midway and let him use the driver’s toilet. We had such a good laugh after that! Shame, the relief must have been epic. It was also just fun to skinner (gossip) in Afrikaans and laugh at some of the cultural differences. For instance, people don’t talk on buses and they will scowl at you for talking just a little bit loudly. On one bus ride, the driver even stopped to tell us to be quiet. We were laughing too much! People are also not as friendly in Korea but it’s for various reasons. For instance, some Korean people think you want something from them if you smile or greet them randomly. But it’s because they’re cautious about scammers and think you might want something from them. Also, spitting in public, it's so gross. People often spit anywhere in the street. It’s super disgusting and something I will never get used to!

Our third stop for the day was the Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo. We were so tired at this point but Mbali's plan had to be followed regardless! It was lovely to chill for a bit and feel the cool spray from the waterfall as Korea was still really hot and humid.

Visiting the Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo. 

I was glad we could visit Mbali for a few days. We laughed at the thought of her neighbours being shocked to see so many foreigners. On our last day, we had a beach day, where I also tried surfing as a parent of one of Mbali's students is a surf instructor. I epically failed but it was so much fun. My dream of being a surfer girl is still alive and well!

Getting a quick lesson on the basics of jumping up on a surfboard.

Stepping into the water with all the confidence in the world...

Looking the part.

And this is as far as my surfer girl dream got! :):):)

Maties vir altyd.

After a day at the beach, we had a lovely lunch, eating one of my favourite Korean meals and then finally went home for a rest. In the evening, we returned to the beach to enjoy the sunset and a final supper before heading back to Daejeon. I told you we ate a lot! Calorie counting for who?!

A meal fit for Kings and Queens! Having Gamjatang (pork bone soup) for lunch.

Trying Makgeolli for the first time, a milky rice wine.

Last evening together watching the sunset.

Can't say goodbye without a final Samgyeopsal (Korean barbecue) for dinner.

Cool down in Daejeon

My visitors stayed at my home for the rest of their trip. Angie cooked us home food as we were all tired of eating so much Korean food. It was fun sharing my space, showing them around my neighbourhood and having people around to do the everyday things with. There was a day when Gary and I went out to get something to eat while Angie stayed home. We popped into my favourite toastie shop. The owner was so surprised and thought Gary was my boyfriend. I said no, "This is my friend’s husband," which made her really confused! She looked at us clearly shocked and couldn’t understand who he was to me. In Korea, men and women hardly mix if they aren’t together or married. So I don’t think she could understand why I’d be alone with my friend’s husband. It was so funny and another cultural difference to note. 

Eating Buldak (Korean: 불닭; lit. fire chicken), a spicy barbecued chicken dish.

Walking me to school one morning. 

After a few days in Daejeon, we planned the rest of the stay which was in Seoul. But before that, they had to meet Sel. It was a short but sweet time together. Without missing a beat, Angie asked him about 20 questions in 1 minute, making it as awkward as she could for him! My guy took it like a champ and did not fluster when she asked him the tough questions that only friends are allowed to ask!

Meet and greet with Sel before we headed off to Seoul.

🖤

Seoul escape

Our time in Seoul was short but sweet. We did all the touristy things we could fit in. The only thing Angie had on her must-do Korean list was to go to a palace and wear hanbok, Korean traditional clothing. So that was top of the list. But there was no doubt we were all tired. From all the eating, travelling, kuiering and being around each other 24/7. I was tired after being on the go since school ended and my trip to Taiwan. My social battery was dead. But still, we had fun, walked around the city and did a few interesting things like visiting a meerkat café. Only in Korea!

Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace! 

Gorgeous!

Photographer for the day! 

Visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village.

Meerkat Friends is a little place where you can see, pet and feed various exotic animals like meerkats, wallabies, foxes, cats, and raccoons. The handlers bring them out and let the visitors feed the animals. You can also sit in an enclosed space with the meerkats. This was really cool but also a bit scary. Most of them were sleeping but it felt like they could all just jump up any moment and attack!

 Meerkat Friends café in Hongdae

Gary getting his chance with the raccoon.

'Timone' seemed to really like me!

For some reason these little guys wanted to by me.

Gurrrllllll.

On our last day, we ate nothing special. Everyone was tired of all the rich Korean food. We ended up sitting in my favourite café, A Twosome Place, and talking about the trip and what their experience was like. It was a good way to end our time together as we could also hash things out, and laugh at some of the annoying moments, especially Meryl ‘skelling’ (scolding) Gary because he can’t take good photos! 

We also commended Gary for handling being the only guy amongst so many women the entire trip, especially in Jeju when it was 3 against 1. He was told what to do constantly, for example taking countless photos everywhere and being made to dance for videos. He didn’t complain too much, which I applaud him for.

Some last shopping in Namdaemun Market.

A final note

It was wonderful having my friends around. It’s even more wonderful to have people visit with whom you share a long history. There’s no need to pretend. Angie and Gary are two of my closest friends whom I appreciate dearly. I was there when they met and I was a witness when they married 12 years ago. We’ve seen each other during the highs and lows. If I look at birthday or graduation photos, the two of them are there. We have years and years of memories together, spanning Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and now Korea. 

While I’ve been in Korea they have made an effort to visit my parents as they know how close I am to them. That's how strong our bond is. Before I had to leave them in Seoul, I cried as having them around for a bit was fun but also very comforting, even just for a little while. 

Dankie julle. Sien gou weer.

Thank you for reading as always.

Till next time.

Meryl Joy Burgess

Ps. When leaving a comment, please add your name (instead of anonymous) so that I know who is commenting and can respond in kind. 🖤