The Food

Throughout the duration of the tour we had many meals at various restaurants through-out the city. The food was for me personally mediocre, it was not the best but not the worst, often a buffet style on the table and not so much meat.

The guides always used to sit together by themselves but were always on hand to help us if needed. I asked our western guide why they sat alone and not with us, he told me that it was because its their time where they also can have a break. The guides did work very long hours, so it this was understandable. 

At the majority of the restaurants, towards the end of the meal the waitresses would often start singing 3 or 4 songs for us with a choreographed routine, they would often start with the hit 'pan gan sumenan' which in Korean means 'nice to meet you'. This song is still in my head even weeks after coming home! On one occasion the entertainment was very elaborate with many masks and costume changes, sadly though we did not know what they were singing about on most occasions.

Most evenings ended with a few beers at the various bars in the hotel, on most evenings we were in bed by about 1am and up at 6am the next day, the schedule of the tour was very demanding but at the same time fascinating.