Paragliding in Korea

Paragliding in Danyang

PRICE: 80,000 WON (with 20% discount we got through meet-up --> Paragliding in Korea)
               +20,000 WON if you want to video the flight

PLACE: Danyang, Korea (2-3 hour drive away from Seoul - you get picked up if at sports-complex if you go with Meet-up and then it's 25,000 WON for the drive both ways. If not there's a direct bus from East Seoul Bus Terminal to Danyang at 13,000 WON per ride )



It kind of just happened really.

One day I was kinda tired and disappointed at myself for spending weekends after weekends just eating lunches and dinners with friends rather than going out and really exploring or "doing something" as I had promised my self  I would once I get to Korea.

Feeling rather blue about how dull my life had become, I was scrolling through 'meet up' suggestions when I stumbled across "Paragliding in Korea" and signed myself up +1 (just in case I could get ANYONE to tag along).

I had expected my brother to want to tag along but he said he was busy/broke that weekend... but as soon as I had asked my coworker she immediately responded with "YES - it's on my bucket list of things to get done!"

So.. off we went - luckily on the clearest day - with just enough wind to fly my ass up up up into the sky.

The meet-up group! There was a lot more people (around 13 in total I think) so we had to split the group into two so that one could go explore the cave first (photos in the end).

The view on top of the hill/mountain was gorgeous - but it did fail to impress the swiss guy... way to be a mountain snob (although the alps.. kinda does make any mountain seem puny and unimpressive..)

We got our own pilots that would fly with us and proceeded to gear up in sky-suits to brace ourselves for the chilly wind. The ridiculous number of seat belts that were attached to the suit did comfort me... as there were no way I was going to 'fall off' with these many shackles... Plus the pilot reassured me that he had been doing this for over 15 years and he's still alive! Yay!

All ready to go! 

 

It was FANTASTIC!  Unlike Bungee jumping or sky-diving, which were filled with such adrenaline pumping and heart stopping adrenaline ride... This was just so calm and soothing flying through the air as if I was literally a bird. The view as well as the cold wind were so liberating and refreshing.... it really made me understand how some people are so obsessed with the notion of flying. It is truly an experience that you don't forget...

We were lucky enough to have a long ride of around 15 min. I've been told it really depends on the wind and on the day. The pilot also did some crazy swirls and what he called "vikings" towards the end that made me kind of dizzy but also dying of laughing out of sheer childish joy! Was GREAT! :D

As part of our trip we also did get to go explore a cave called Gosu Cave (고수 동굴) which was nearby. I had never been inside a cave like this one... and although some parts of it was rather 'gothic' an freaky looking, it was definitely an interesting walk inside (plus only 4,000 WON entrance).
If you do end up going to Danyang for paragliding it's definitely worth the quick trip into the cave (although it does get rather humid/hot in there!) 

 I'm not quite sure how i'm going to top paragliding in the near future... but i'm sure i'll find something as interesting if not entirely different to paragliding to 'sparkle' my seemingly 'mundane' life as a 20 something year old working in Korea.

:)

Lazy Day Trip to Peng Chau Island

I've realized being without family to celebrate CNY with leaves you hating the holidays... you miss your family, all the shops are closed and you're left being bored in your room.

Anyhow to escape the holiday-boredom, we decided to take a day trip to Lamma Island the 3rd day after Chinese New Year. At least majority of the shops were going to be open, and we thought it would be a nice relaxing day at the beach! But alas, apparently family obligations for the Chinese last only till the 2nd day or so, because there was an incredible hoard of Chinese Tourists everywhere in Hong Kong! To make matters worse, apparently Lamma Island was one of the top tourist destinations... and the queue for the ferry ride was too long for us to bother with it.

Changing the plan at the last minute, we decided to take the ferry to the Peng Chau island instead... which was not a bad idea except for a fact that we did not know anything about the island beforehand. The ferry ride cost around 40HKD each way, and takes around 30 minutes... but the boat ride is quite pleasant and reasonably steady.. :) 

Surprisingly, the island turned out to be lovely. There wasn't much to see, but the island was quiet, lazy and perfect to walk around. There were so many of these lovely deserted crumbling old houses as well as narrow alleyways that were so much fun to photograph!

Oh and make sure you take the hike up the Finger Hill for a nice walk and a beautiful view overlooking the Hong Kong island. We got there around 2pm and left the island around 6pm as there weren't too many options for dinner... but we did have a very cheap and yummy lunch at a local restaurant!

If you ever need to relax and run away from the hustle and bustle that is Hong Kong, this is the place to spend a day hiding away with a friend or two. :)