Day 0/1: EMA Group’s Seoul Adventure: Day 0/1 – The Journey Begins!
Ah, the thrill of adventure! Our EMA group’s martial arts trip to Seoul for the Global Hapkido Association’s (GHA) Korea Martial Arts and Culture Tour kicked off with all the excitement of a high-energy training session. From the moment we boarded the shuttle bus to Melbourne Airport, we knew this was going to be a trip to remember. Let’s dive into the highlights of our Day 0/1!
The Shuttle Shuffle
We piled into the shuttle bus, filled with anticipation and excitement. The drive to the airport felt like the opening scene of an epic movie—friends chatting and laughing, some ridiculous jokes being thrown around. Cue the laughter!
Flights of Fancy
After check-in and a few rounds of airport selfies, we boarded our flight to Singapore. As we settled in, we made sure to have our travel essentials ready: neck pillows, snacks, and—most importantly—queueing the martial arts movies for the flight!
Layover in Singapore
Once we arrived in Singapore, we marvelled at the airport, unfortunately though, it was quite late, so a lot of the shops were closed. We had just enough time to get some snacks, have a quick look around and have a rest before we had to board our next flight. Between movies and snacks, we cheered each other on as we navigated through our travel fatigue and excitement.
Touchdown in Incheon
Finally, we landed in Incheon, and the excitement hit us like a roundhouse kick! We were met at the airport by Grand Master Choong Woo Lee, the head of GHA Korea, who organised the quick shuttle bus ride that brought us to the Yongsan Ibis Ambassador Hotel. We felt like true warriors as we checked in, ready to rest up for the martial arts adventures ahead.
Exploring Yongsan Station
With introductions done, we set out to explore Yongsan Station, a bustling hub of shops and eateries. We divided into small groups, with some of us on a quest for the best Korean snacks, while others were simply trying to navigate the signage (which was a fun challenge at times!). The excitement of being in a new city was palpable, and we couldn’t help but capture it all with our phones.
Greeting Grand Master Lee
After a bit of freshening up, we gathered to meet the legendary Grand Master Lee (founder and President of GHA International) and Master Tom Adam (Canberra Martial Arts Master and Vice Chairman of GHA Australia). They greeted us with warm smiles and a sense of humour that instantly put us at ease. We could already feel the energy shifting; we were in for an inspiring experience!
Group Dinner
After our adventures at the station, we gathered for dinner with the tour group. The feast was a delicious introduction to Korean cuisine. We dove into bibimbap, bulgogi, and, of course, the mandatory kimchi. As we passed dishes around, jokes flew as fast as chopsticks, and we bonded over shared stories and, for some of us, soju.
Evening Stroll along Cheonggyecheon
To wrap up the day, we headed to the stunning Cheonggyecheon Stream. The illuminated waterway was the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll, and the atmosphere was magical. As we wandered, we took turns posing for goofy photos, capturing the essence of our adventure. We even had a spontaneous martial arts poses by the stream—complete with exaggerated moves and lots of laughter!
Wrapping Up Day 0/1
Exhausted but exhilarated, we finally made our way back to the hotel, already reminiscing about our day. From the laughter-filled shuttle ride to meeting our esteemed masters, every moment was filled with joy and camaraderie. We crashed into our beds, dreams swirling with martial arts moves and the promise of more adventures to come.
Stay tuned as we continue our journey through Seoul and the GHA Martial Arts and Culture Tour — who knows what tomorrow will bring? One thing’s for sure: with this group, it’s bound to be entertaining!