The nights are drawing in, and it’s damp, grey and cold in England. What little summer we had, is a fast fading memory. I was fortunate enough to escape for three weeks to South Korea with the family.

In contrast Korea in August is HOT and HUMID. We flew into Seoul and then quickly flew south to Jeju Island off the south coast, where we could cool off in the sea and relax by the pool. Jeju is beautiful and tropical and we spent a day exploring the major sites, before settling back into overeating, swimming and reading.

Jeju was followed by a flight to Gwangju to visit family — we were thoroughly spoiled, and had even more incredible home-cooked food, with the best home-made kimchi.

From Gwangju we got the bus to explore Korea’s second city, Busan. Very large, bustling, but still more laid back than Seoul, and spread out along the coast, with several beautiful beaches. Amazing markets, including the largest seafood market in the world (or so they claim). It was here that we started to understand the multitude of rules around swimming in Korea, and the penny dropped that most Koreans cannot swim.

Next we visited the historic city of Gyeongju, ancient capital of the Silla kingdom, and full of history, architecture and art works. We stayed in a beautiful traditional Korean wooden house.

Our last night was spent at the Paradise City hotel near Incheon airport — famous from the TV show Singles Inferno, a sort of Korean version of the UK’s Love Island, except that the most risqué behavior is holding hands!

Memories were made. Fat was laid down for the winter. The family bonded a little closer.

What a trip!

감사합니다