2013.03.17 - Ok(po) wedding

Ms. Ok's wedding in Okpo, Geoje Island

Been a while ... let's see; a couple of weeks ago we went down to Busan for a bit of síghtseeing with Zohreh, Kasra and Nika in Seomyeong - Busan's "new" downtown. without any real agenda, we had a nice afternoon in good company. Spring has come early in Korea and we are really enjoying the warmth of the sun. Wont be long before the cherry trees will light up.

I have had a bit of a break from volleyball after crashing out while skiing over Lunar New Year but have been busy on the bike and on the squash court. Paula joins me on the court and we are also either joined by Michal or Serhiy. A few of my other colleagues have joined us for squash but have not returned ! Paula is still going at it with Pilates and zumba.

Last weekend Paula and I drove down to Okpo for our secretary's (Ms. Ok) wedding. Okpo is the small town on beautiful Geoje Island which houses the large Daewoo shipyard. It is a town loaded with foreigners and is therefore also blessed (?) with many a bar and western restaurant. Paula and I had only been to Okpo once, during the summer holiday in 2007. We were keen to return for a closer and less crowded look at the town.

The wedding took place at Benikea Hotel overlooking the town. It was a nice ceremony although somewhat incomprehensible for the attending foreigners ... as well as the groom - orka from Spain, who needed several hints and clues from the bride during the Korean-only ceremony.

After the ceremony the party continued at Tracks - one of the pubs downtown. Along with my colleagues we spent the afternoon and evening bouncing between the various bars in town. A good evening which we left at it's own pace shortly before the day was over.

Next day we decided to explore the south of the island, which we did not yet know. It was a really nice trip but maybe not one that you should undertake the day after a big night out..... the coastal road is curvy to say the least and after a couple of hours of rollercoasting I had had enough. So a quick cafe-break in Gohyeon (the home city of Samsung shipyard) before heading back home again.

Friday evening Saint Patrick was celebrated at the compound clubhouse. HAIL was playing and as usual the support was good. It's great to see everybody down there. The band now has two very good female lead singers, which basically changes the game from a Rock&Roll scheme to a chick-band. Still good though. And then Dave takes over for a few songs and it's back to good ol' rock&roll!!

Saturday it was bike ride first (3.5 hours with Leif and Bart) and then Alexander's birthday at the clubhouse. As we don't have children ourselves we are clueless when it comes to childrens' birthdays. We learn a bit here and there, but it is basically useless knowledge for us ! Anyway, we enjoyed the food, snacks and the magician !!!

In the evening we had plans to hook up with Agniezska and Michal, but they were tired from dancing all night the day before (so was Paula) and we were worn out by the children (and the bike ride), so it became a night on the couch instead.

Today it was volley in the morning followed by lunch at Sarah and ian's place. A big pot of mussels, mackrel and Daim icecream cake for dessert ! Yummy !!