21 December 2003

We touched down at the Incheon International Airport , Seoul , in the morning of 21 December. We received a warm welcome from the Exchange Director of FFS and our hosts at the airport. A welcome lunch at a Korean Restaurant in Insa-dong, a renowned area for Korean antiques and fine arts, was scheduled for the next day.

22 December 2003

We stayed with our Hosts to learn about each other's culture, customs and way of life. Being a hospital club, they also organised several activities to introduce Korea to us. The first place of interest that we visited was the Gyeongbokgung Palace , built in 1395 by the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo, one year after he moved the capital from Gaeseong to Seoul . It was one of the many famous and magnificent palaces one can find in Korea . After the tour, we took a one-hour ferry cruise along the Hangang River at Yeouido. The evening scenery along Hangang River was simply breathtaking.

23 December 2003

We had the opportunity to try out snow sledding at the Hanwha resort in Yangpyeong today. For many of us, it was the first time we got to experience snow and the activities that came with it. Lunch was another gathering at a Korean restaurant in the resort. All of us had the same item on the menu – Bulgogi , Korea 's famous dish cooked out of beef. We took a walk along the greeneries and slopes near the resort after lunch. The cool, fresh air was certainly a refreshing “dessert”.

24 December 2003

It's Christmas Eve! Sightseeing was the highlight this afternoon. Together with fellow ambassadors and their hosts, we visited yet another famous palace - Changdeokgung Palace , which was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The back garden and numerous pavilions attest to the Korean tradition of design where structures are harmonized with the natural surroundings. After the tour, we went to the crowded Namdaemum and Dongdaemum (famous traditional markets) to celebrate Christmas with the locals.

25 December 2005

Today's Christmas and no activities were planned as it was a day for us to spend and celebrate Christmas with our hosts. Some ambassadors got to do more visiting at places of interests while others joined their hosts in their families' gatherings.

26 December 2005

The highlight today was a formal farewell dinner at Yuhan Building . Other than the delectable spread, there were also several performances. The most memorable was the traditional dance by a group of professional Korean dancers. Dressed in their traditional costume, the Hanbok, the dancers moved graciously along with the music. We had a go at Korea 's traditional dance as well when we were invited us to join in the dance! To reciprocate, FFN put up a song to thank FFS for their kind hospitality. The Ambassadors also had the opportunity to thank their hosts for the efforts they had made just to make our stay an enjoyable one. The dinner ended on a high note with the Korean traditional toast of Soju, a famous Korean liquor.

The cross-cultural interactions that I had with my hosts, my fellow ambassadors' hosts as well as Koreans I met on the streets had made this visit a unique, enriching and memorable experience.

Koh Peili
Ambassador
for Korea Exchange 2003