Korea Trip Reflection: Memories, Mishaps & Moments with Family
By a daughter capturing her travel memories in South Korea
This recent trip to South Korea turned out to be a wonderful mix of fun, food, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos. It was especially nice to experience a different side of Korea than what we saw during our last visit. Every family trip adds new memories, and this one was no different.
Photobooths, Keepsakes, and Caricature Fun
One of the highlights for me was definitely all the photobooth pictures we took. I know I was the one pushing (or some might say forcing 😅) everyone to pose multiple times, but now that we’re back, I’m really glad we did it. We now have so many unique keepsakes from different moments of the trip. Those little sticker photo strips and digital snapshots are probably going to be my favorite souvenirs.
And continuing a long-standing tradition in our travels, we also got more caricatures drawn. We’ve been collecting them across different countries, and it’s become something we all secretly look forward to. The ones from Korea were especially detailed and full of character — a great addition to our growing collection!
The Struggle of Hailing Cabs
While most of the trip was smooth, I have to say, hailing taxis was unexpectedly stressful. It’s not just the language barrier — although that definitely didn’t help — but also the uncertainty and rush. I somehow ended up being the “designated cab-caller,” and let me just say… I don’t want that job ever again. Next time, someone else can take over!
Busan’s Coastal Charm & Typical Travel Joys
We spent a good portion of our trip in Busan, and I have to admit, the weather there was amazing. Being near the sea meant cooler breezes and a much more refreshing atmosphere compared to other parts of the country. Walking through the streets with that slight ocean chill in the air felt really calming.
Of course, as with every trip, there was a lot of shopping and eating. It’s kind of our family travel formula — wander through markets, try street food, buy too many things, and repeat. Korea did not disappoint on that front! The variety of snacks, unique fashion finds, and skincare hauls made sure our bags were full and our stomachs even fuller.
The Tourist Attractions We Missed
If there’s one thing I’m still a little disappointed about, it’s that we didn’t manage to visit many of the major tourist attractions. It seems like that always happens on our trips — we get so caught up in enjoying the small things, or time just flies by, and we end up missing out on the big landmarks. Hopefully next time, we’ll finally tick those off our list.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, even with the minor mishaps and the usual travel chaos, I truly enjoyed myself. Spending time with family, making weird and wonderful memories, and just being in a new place together — those are the things that make a trip special. Korea gave us another chapter in our family travel story, and I’m already thinking about what the next one will be.
Here’s to more photobooths, fewer taxi dramas, and all the unexpected moments in between.