𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓫𝓸𝔂'𝓼 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓹

November 21, 2018

the group can get from seoul to their destination via ktx/bus in about three hours. since it's a large group and i'm not sure who can drive or has a vehicle, public transportation was their best bet. the ktx is clean, comfortable, and niko booked everyone first class seats in order to travel in style. the area they're going to be visiting is called hoengseong. it's known for its hanu beef, clean countryside air, and large forested areas, one of which they will be inhabiting for the remainder of the week.

upon arrival at the holiday pension, bedrooms would have been chosen (no fighting unless it's housewife style; also note that birthday boy snagged one of the masters with a tub), but as you'll see in the accommodations tab the living room is large enough for the inevitable blanket forts. additionally, there would have been the option for the brave to set up tents outside. this was up to each guest's preference. people were urged to pack warm clothing for outdoor activities, bathing suits for the pool/jacuzzi, and cozy pajamas for all the cute sleepovers they're going to have!

November 22-24, 2018

accommodations

local tourist attractions

uribyeol observatory. since there is little pollution in the area, you can see the stars very clearly at this astronomical observatory. they also offer various astronomical and constellation programs. with the indoor astronomy course, you get to experience the constellation of the four seasons through a virtual astronomical dome (project dome) and learn about all the star signs, planets, galaxies that are visible in each season. outdoors, the participants get to have campfires and seasonal delicacies.

hoengseong lake road. this is a 27km long road that has 6 routes around the beautiful hoengseong lake with a view of the mountains nearby. among those routes, the 5th route is said to be the best one. this is because it starts at the 'hill of nostalgia', which was built to commemorate the five villages that had to be submerged with the construction of the hoengseong dam. this route extends along the lake and will take about two hours to complete.

jangsongmo ceramics research institute. feel what it's like to be a porcelain master! master jang songmo created this wonderful learning site to offer people an opportunity to learn and experience the gangwon province's porcelain culture. visitors can actually turn the potter's wheel, participate in the first firing process, and make their own goryeo celadon and joseon white porcelain. there is also a porcelain museum, where visitors can view pottery, celadons, ceramics and other pieces.

welli hilli park. while it's still a little early in the season for skiing, visitors can enjoy sledding all year round at this recreational hub. additionally, the following facilities are available: golf course, tourist gondola, game center, indoor swimming pool/sauna, bowling alley, indoor gym, outdoor stage, fine dining restaurants, billiard room, karaoke, and more. this would be a good place for a full day excursion during the week since there's so much to do.

forests, valleys, mountains. hoengseong is full of beautiful nature to explore. there are countless recreational forests and mountains to hike if you're so inclined. this list includes byeongjibang ravine, mt. cheongtae, dunnae, joocheon, and hoengseong recreational forests, and the following mountains: mt. taegi, mt. dongchiak, mt. bongbok, mt. balgyo, mt. unmu, mt. eodab. you can find out more about each of these as well as the other destinations listed here at this website.

the birthday week

so this trip was all about luxurious relaxation in a rustic setting, meaning there was no predetermined itinerary everyone was expected to follow. the only real set in stone event was the dinner on the first night. this was a huge endeavor put on by suhee and niko and prepared by them ahead of time for many weeks. given there were nine courses it would have been a long and merry evening of feasting and drinking. any help in the kitchen and with cleaning up afterward would have been greatly appreciated, as even super suhee needs a hand sometimes!

the aesthetic of the decor would have been in keeping with the the zodiac/astronomy theme of the rooftop party, this time with a focus on the planets. guests could choose to either eat at the dining room table indoors where it was warmer or outside with a view of the mountains and the stars. either way, they all would've ended up in a starry blanket fort by the end of the night to clutch their full bellies and tell ghost stories around an led nightlight projector.

speaking of ghosts, there would have been an ouija board tucked safely away but available to be pulled out if anyone had a hankering for some scares. if that's not your thing, niko also made sure to provide plenty of games for the group, including traditional korean ones like gonggi and yutnori as well as global classics like clue, monopoly, and scrabble. if anyone wanted to bring any other games they would have been encouraged to pack them or suggest ones to play without requiring any supplies (like charades, hide and seek, tag, the pepero game, etc.)

overall, guests were welcome to explore the home and the area as they wished. if anyone wanted to spend a night or multiple nights actually out in the wilderness instead of in their glamping palace, there were tents and supplies available to use. excursions to the local tourist attractions could have been organized and decided on as they went, with no pressure to leave the cozy nook of the pension if people would rather rest. a fun but laidback experience was the goal!