And just like that, we’ve come to the end of October 2021. It’s been nearly 2 years since the start of the pandemic, with travel curbed and socializing limited. I am grateful that my family has not suffered from the tentacles of the COVID-19 virus, appreciate that there is food on the table and entertainment on the screen.
But it cannot be denied that I long for those pre pandemic days, where I would now be excitedly planning and counting down to our family’s year-end holiday.
So to comfort myself, I am looking at my trove of holiday photos to the 2 countries that I have visited the most- England and Korea.
England is well known for the large number of castles. Not all are in perfect condition as it is very expensive to maintain them. Some have became derelict or abandoned as wars were won and lost. This is Richmond Castle in Yorkshire. It commands a breathtaking view of the Yorkshire Dales.
Korea and Japan are well known for cherry blossoms. This was the one and only time I managed to see the cherry blossoms in Korea. This was taken at Seoul Grand Park near end of April. It really did made me happy just looking at the full bloom of cherry blossoms. No wonder people planned parties around them.
Besides castles, England is also well known for it’s cottages, with baskets of flowers and roses blooming outside. Taken in Hovingham Village, a tiny, beautiful little village in Yorkshire. There was only one bakery/ ice cream shop when I was there. The street lights are off at 7pm. But there is a lovely stream just outside the house we were staying. Very idyllic.
Hanok are traditional Korean houses. Unfortunately I have never stayed in one but it is on my list should I go back to Korea again. Buchon Hanok Village in Seoul is well known. Many of them are residences but there are enough quaint teahouses and trendy cafes to keep you entertained. A wonderful way to while away an afternoon in Seoul.
I love market days in England. During holidays, there will also be fairs, like this Christmas fair. Much like Singapore’s pasar malam, but the stalls at these fairs are so much more diverse. From food to clothes to decorations. I was really tempted to buy one for my home but I didn’t think I could stuffed one into my luggage. Aren’t these reindeers cute?
On the other hand, Korea is probably well known for another type of market. This is Gwangjang Market. One of the most vibrant, well known traditional market in Seoul. From raw food to clothes to cooked food. Everything is there. Almost everything is available. This stall is selling banchan (반찬) or side dishes. All fresh.
Not many people would think of visiting England for it’s filming sites but it is the filming site for one of the most successful book adaption movie franchise, and it is still on going. This is Warner Brothers Studio just outside London. It is where the ‘Harry Potter’ movies were mostly filmed- from Pivet Drive to Diagon Valley to the Great Hall in Hogwarts Castle. We were just thrilled to be there. And yes, we had butterbeer.
Hands up those of you who visit Korea to check out filming sites. Jeju became tremendously popular because of ‘Winter Sonata’. ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ was filmed in Pohang and the producers had to put out a statement recently to beg the fans to stop disturbing the owners of the houses that were used as filming sets in the drama. I visited Naju Samhanji Image Park in 2007 because of Bae Yong Joon’s ‘Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi’ (The Legend). It’s a big place and has been used to film ‘Jumong’, ‘Goblin’ and ‘Scarlet Heart’.
What is travel without food. In fact, some of my friends travel to eat. The English Breakfast, with it’s decadent offering of sausage, bacon, ham, hash brown, mushrooms, eggs and beans are legendary. But scampi and chips is a stable pub food. Always a favorite with my girl.
I had Andong Jjimdak (soy sauce braised chicken) when I first went to Korea in 2003 and have loved it ever since. But none of those I’ve tried in Singapore taste just as delicious. Is it the chicken? The sauce? The way that it’s cooked? Or maybe it’s because I was on holiday. ^^
The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) has allowed people to travel between Singapore and UK without quarantine and a similar arrangement with Korea will start on 15 November 2021. There are rules and documents to fill, so make sure prepare beforehand so you spend as little time as possible at the airport filling up forms.
Stay safe, travel safe.
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