Don't Forget the Marshmallows!

This past weekend, Sarah and I went with a group of our close friends up to Pohang for an experience we had yet to embark on during this year in South Korea- CAMPING!

The campsite

Sarah and I had both been discussing how much we had been missing camping in tents in the midst of nature, and we were determined to find a cool place in and around Daegu to set up some tents, roast some hot dogs and marshmallows, and enjoy some good old community with our friends.

The ladies settling into their weekend home

This led us to Chilpo Beach, a very secluded and beautiful beach in the city of Pohang. It was equal parts woods and secluded areas perfect for pitching a few tents, as well as a beautiful beach that we were able to enjoy almost exclusively with our group of friends.

Brad taking in some waves at the beach

It was so refreshing to be away from buildings and busyness, to be able to lounge around on a beach, catch some waves in the ocean, and sit back and relax around a fire with some beef franks, cheap beer, and smores...all alongside good conversation with remarkable people! This is the stuff of life!

Sitting around the fire at night

If you are ever in South Korea or you currently live here and need a weekend 'away', Chilpo Beach is the perfect backdrop to a time of relaxation, meditation, and renewal.

Our morning view from the campsite 

I'm just sad it took us this long to find this place!

Some nighttime fun with sparklers and John's expensive camera with cool features!

City & Beach

These past few weeks and weekends have been filled with loads of adventure and fun!

Our good friend from the states, Kersti Bury, got to visit us in Korea from May 24th-May 28th. We got to show her around our hometown of Daegu and then headed out with some friends for the weekend to the wonderful wide world of Seoul!

Sarah and I with our friend Kersti in downtown Seoul

There we partook in some of the traditional tourist excursions- Namsan Tower and cable car, the ancient palaces, Taco Bell (he he he!), and the Korean War Memorial.

(L to R) Lisa, Sarah, me, Jennifer, & Tom making the letters to "Korea" at the Japanese prison camp in Seoul

We also got to experience a few new things, visiting an old Japanese prison camp that was used to hold (and sometimes execute) Korean patriots during the Japanese invasion, and we also got to experience our first ever dog cafe!

Me and the most gigantic husky in the world at a dog cafe in Seoul

During the week after our trip to Seoul, Sarah and I were invited to perform a set of songs at a Canadian delegates gathering at the Novotel Hotel in downtown Daegu. We were even introduced by the Canadian Ambassador to Korea himself! Definitely a once in a lifetime kind of gig! We did some cover tunes including Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, and Sarah McLachlin, among others.

Sarah and I performing at the Canadian delegates gathering in downtown Daegu

This past weekend we took another trip with our group of friends down to Busan for the annual beach Sand Festival. If you have not witnessed a Busan Sand Festival and you live in or plan to visit Korea, you NEED to check this out!

One of the crazy cool sand sculptures in Busan during the Sand Festival

We spent a good chunk of time at Haeundae Beach, and I must say that this was my favorite trip to Busan yet! It really becomes the place to visit in summer time.

                                             Sarah and I taking in Haeundae Beach in Busan

In the evening on Saturday we wined and dined and celebrated our good friend John's 25th birthday, followed up by some much needed karaoke!

(L to R) Tam, me, Jeff, John, Lethan, Sarah, Alexa, & Lisa in a karaoke room in Busan

All in all, we've been staying busy this month and look to continue staying busy into the heart of summer!

3 months away from being parents, and Sarah and I are on cloud 9! God is good!