3.049 Pan-Grilled Scallops and Smoked Duck

3.049

23 (Thu) February 2012

Pan-Grilled Scallops and Smoked Duck

2.5

by me

in our condo

(Alpensia Resort)

–Pyeongchang, Gangwon, Republic of Korea-

with W and DJ, K and S families

3rd Retreat with DJ’s Daycare Families (Day 1 of 3)

In Korea, a popular type of accommodation for vacationers is the time-share condominium.  It’s referred to as “condo.”  Ranging widely in size and quality, a typical condo is pretty much exactly like a typical apartment: living room, bedroom(s), kitchen, bathroom(s), balcony.  Prices range, but would typically be cheaper than a hotel room of similar size, not counting the cost of the membership itself.

Here, the 3 families are sharing a 3-bedroom suite for 2 nights at 505,500 won, just 84,250 won per family per night.

The biggest benefit of staying in a condo, and the thing that sets it apart from a hotel, is the kitchen.  At a minimum, it’s typically equipped with a refrigerator, rice cooker, microwave oven, gas range, kettle, pots and pans of various sizes, knifes and cutting boards, cooking utensils, silverware, glassware, bowls and plates of various sizes.  Guests often pack additional gear, such as a tabletop stove and grill for Korean BBQ.  Most condo buildings or complexes have fully stocked supermarkets on the premises, with everything from instant noodles to raw meat and fresh vegetables.  Not only do guests prepare their own meals in the kitchen for the obvious reasons of convenience and cost (though of course it can be more of a hassle and more expensive), some find it simply more fun to stay in and play house (these would be people who otherwise don’t live together and don’t have to cook everyday back in the real world).

For various reasons, the most important of which was capability, I took it upon myself to buy all the groceries (split 3 ways) and do all the cooking for the trip.  3 families, consisting of 5 adults and 5 kids (W stayed home due to ill health).  We’ll be saving a lot of money, and the quality is assured, not to mention the logistical convenience, but it means that I’ll be in the kitchen for most of the time.

(See also FOODS)

(See also PLACES)

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