Year: 2019

What to Expect at a Hanok – A Traditional Korean House

When exploring South Korea, odds are good you're going to stumble upon many hanoks- traditional Korean houses. These buildings have been constructed in Korea since the 14th century and are present in almost every city in the country.

We saw a good number of these when exploring the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul (where they are mainly homes, B&Bs, and historical museums) as well as Jeonju (where they are used as a mix of B&Bs and modern businesses) and rather enjoyed the ambiance of walking around the streets full of these unique buildings.

As many hanoks are open as guesthouses, we decided to stay in one during our brief stopover in Jeonju and wanted to share what the experience is like in this one!

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How to Hike Naejangsan National Park from Jeonju

Naejangsan National Park is one of the gems of South Korea and is a 76,000 square kilometer park located less than two hours south of Jeonju.

We decided to take a day trip from Jeonju to Naejangsan National Park to hike through the park's famed fall foliage. While we arrived a bit too early for peak colors, we still had a pretty amazing day out in the park all the same!

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Trekking in Sapa – Be Sure to Bring Rain Essentials

Often considered the number two destination in Vietnam behind taking a Halong Bay cruise, is Sapa.  The Northern mountain town is the go to spot for trekking, near immeasurable quantity of rice terraces, and visiting local tribal villages. 

Of course, visiting Sapa at any time of the year puts you in for a very high risk of being caught in the frequent rain storms the region enjoys. 

This shouldn't be a deterrent, as hiking in Sapa was one of my favorite experiences, even if it did require a bit of extra preparation when rainy.

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Getting a Custom Suit Made at Yaly Couture in Hoi An

At some point during my first long-term trip I began thinking about what I'd have to do once I returned home. While considered a general no-no for long term travel, as one can often get fixated on the unknowns of life, some thoughts began to cross my mind.

One of those was interviewing for jobs once I returned, and I realized that my wardrobe was absolutely lacking aside from a nondescript off-the-shelf variety suit jacket. 

So I began shopping.

It all started with silk ties in Yangshuo during my visit in China Golden Week, which are said to be great quality at reasonable prices.  I found two amazing silk ties that I scored for a deal of $7.  Knowing that I could not get one real silk tie at home for less than three times this, let alone two, the quest to put together the best custom suit began.

It wasn't until I arrived in Hoi An, Vietnam, just a few weeks later that this quest really kicked into gear, and this only happened because this town was serious about one thing and one thing only: custom suits.

I quickly looked up the best places to go, and was on my way.

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