They say that when you
love the things you are doing it seems like time flies really fast. It feels
like you are chasing with time because you don't want things to finish as soon
as possible. Just like this, the 2015 Korea Rural Tourism Supporters Program is
approaching its end. It might have been so hard for everyone since we will need
to separate ways. Nonetheless, the friendship we shared in this amazing program
was just too superb that I think everyone will forever cherish.
We held our third
(final) Famtour last November 21, 2015 in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. We
visited two places, Jeonggangwon and Uiyagi Wind Village. The experience
programs in these places was so memorable for me primarily because it was also
my special day (if you know what I mean).
From Seoul, Pyeongchang
is almost a three-hour bus ride but it depends on the traffic condition,
sometimes it might take longer.
Experience something traditional in
this contemporary time at Jeonggangwon
Brief
Introduction about Jeonggangwon
It was established with
the primary goal of promoting the value and excellence of traditional Korean
cuisine culture to the world. The place also offers a picturesque architectural
view that everyone will surely love. The Hanok or the traditional Korean
House gives a traditional ambiance to the place as well as it makes the place
cozier and relaxing.
Getting there
by public transportation
From Dong Seoul Bus
Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Jangpyeong (장평).
Travel time is roughly 2 hours. The bus starts from 6:32 in the morning and
ends at 8:05 in the evening at 30 minutes to 1 hour intervals. From Jangpyeong
Bus Terminal, take a taxi to the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine (or
Jeong Gang Won). From the bus terminal is it 3 km drive.
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| Entrance to Jeonggangwon |
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| Kimchi Jars |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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Note: I edited the name because it does not sound right to me
(Original was "The Institute of Traditional Korea Cuisine", the spelling
of institute was "institutete" and I change the wording from Korea to
Korean) |
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| Inside the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine |
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| Hanbok exhibit hall (Women area) |
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| Replica of Traditional Korean hair accessory |
Experience
Programs
1.
Hanbok-wearing experience program
Hanbok which
literally means Korean Clothes ('Han' for Korean and 'bok' for clothes) is the traditional Korean
dress. Often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets.
Historically worn everyday but in contemporary times this clothing can
only be seen in special or particular occasions such as wedding ceremony,
funeral, first birthday celebration for children, 60th birthday for adults,
special functions or festivals, and traditional cultural events that require it
to be worn.
Historically speaking
the color and type of Hanbok that can be worn differs depending with the social
status of the wearer. Red and gold colored Hanbok and often made of Silk is
technically associated with the Royal Family for instance.
For
detailed information about Hanbok visit Korea Tourism Organization writing
about it available at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_1_2_1.jsp
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| Modeling with hanbok |
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| Priscilla wearing her chosen Hanbok |
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| Frienda in men's Hanbok |
Curious why
you should visit this place then check this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOJtwXLlbiQ
2.
Bibimbap-making experience program
Bibimbap literally
mean mixed rice ('bibim' is the verb which means 'to mix' whereas 'bap' means
'rice'). It is considered as one of the traditional Korean cuisine. Often
characterized as a healthy Korean cuisine for it is mainly composed of sautéed
and seasoned vegetables, ground meat, fried egg and spices. In contemporary
Korea, one can see a variety of bibimbap but the most popular is the original
one which is just composed of pure vegetables and rice.
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| Entrance to Jeonggangwon |
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| Interior of Jeonggangwon |
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| Interior of Jeonggangwon |
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| Interior of Jeonggangwon |
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| Dining table inside Jeonggangwon |
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| Interior of Jeonggangwon |
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| pre-cooked rice with sesame seeds |
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| Seasoned vegetables and strips of fried egg |
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| Seasoned vegetables and ground meat |
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| Chili Pepper paste and seasoned vegetable |
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| Pre-mixed bibimbap |
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| bibimbap |
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| Priscilla with her newly made bibimbap |
Aside from
making bibimbap (비빔밥만들기) the
center also offers different traditional food making experience programs (전통음식만들기체험) such as
'Making red pepper paste' (고추장만들기), 'Making
kimchi' (김치만들기), 'Making mackerel ssamjang' (고등어쌈장만들기) and
'Making other traditional foods' (그 외
전통음식 만들기).
Fulfilling one's craving at Uiyaji
Wind Village
Brief
Introduction about Uiyaji Wind Village
A mountain village situated on the highlands of Pyeongchang county the location
for the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics. The Uiyaju Wind Village is considered
among one of the first places for skiing in Korea due to its abundance of early
winter snowfall. In here visitors can enjoy various types of winter activities
that ranges from snow sledding, sleigh-rides and even snow rafting. Visitors
surely will be mesmerize by the sight of wind-mills that stands high above the
frozen plain specially during winter season. Moreover, another unique
experience offered to visitors are cheese and ice cream making experience
program.
Getting there by public transportation
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Hoenggye (횡계). The bus starts from
6:32 in the morning and ends at 8:05 in the evening at 30 minutes intervals. From
Hoenggye Bus Terminal, take a taxi to Uiyaji Wind Village. Travel time is
approximately 10 minutes and depending on traffic situation the estimated taxi
fare is roughly 5,000 Korean won.
Experience
Programs
1.
Cheese-making experience program
Making cheese requires
strict observance of the cooking instruction given by the instructor if one
does not like to eat an unpalatable cheese. Ingredients needed for making
cheese are fresh milk (fresh from the village backyard), emulsifier, apple
vinegar, lemon extract, clean cloth, Tupperware molder, 2 clean bowls (where
you will need to prepare the cheese itself). Moreover, it is important to note
that the secret for a tasty cheese is the proper maintenance of the level or
degree of heat. The ideal one is 160 degree Celsius.
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| milk with lemon extracts |
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| molder with flower petals |
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| Freshly drained cheese |
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| Our freshly made cheese with flowers |
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| with my Singaporean buddies |
2. Pizza
and ice cream-making experience program
Making pizza is way
easier, you just need to put all the ingredients as artistic as possible. Put
in oven for about 25 minutes. Afterwards enjoy your delicious and tasty pizza.
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| Freshly baked pizza |
Making ice cream
requires energy and patience. Since you will need to beat the milk, sugar, and
preferred flavor for a couple of minutes in a continuous manner. The secret to have
a delicious and very smooth ice cream is to mix everything in one direction
with the same phase. If you start faster you need to continue with the same
phase all the way. All you need to have is one big bowl of cube ice, 4 table
spoon of rock salt that you will put in the bowl of ice (this will serve as
your improvised refrigerator), small bowl for mixing the ingredients, one table
spoon of sugar, 3 table spoon of powdered flavors (chocolate, vanilla,
strawberry and the like) and of course 1 small pouch of milk.
First you need to pour the milk to the small bowl followed by the flavorings
and sugar. Mixed in up-and-down motion while other person is shaking the bowl
with the same phase as you beat the ingredients. Three to four person is
required to do the process: 1 ingredient mixer, 1 small bowl shaker, 1 big bowl
holder, 1 photographer. After bubbles formed and you think the ice cream base
hardens a bit remix them again with a spatula and continue shaking for about 5
minutes and your ice cream is all done. Enjoy the ice cream with bread or just
as it is.
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| Ingredients for making ice cream |
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| ice cream flavorings in powdered form |
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| Fresh Milk |
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| cube ice with rock salt |
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| fresh milk with chocolate powder flavoring |
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| thickened ice cream base |
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| second half: full speed shaking the ice cream base |
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| Photo with the owner |
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| our finished product |
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| cute sheep stuff toy |
For more
details visit their website available at http://www.windvil.com/
or call 033-336-9812. (Note: The website is all written in Korean).
After these experience programs we headed back to
Seoul which means the end of my special day and Korea Rural Tourism third fam
tour.
Overall, the Pyeongchang tour was a blast.
Everyone had fun especially with the food that we had that day. Never thought rural Tourism will be this fun.
