Asian Games Tour by KTO.
September 2014 in Korea was well
awaited for me and many others as Korea hosted the Asian Games 2014 at the
lovely metropolitan city Incheon. As huge number of tourists planned to witness
these games, it was indeed a good opportunity and yet the responsibility of
Korean Tourism Organization KTO to facilitate these tourists.
KTO arranged a one day tour to
watch one of the exciting games from Incheon Asian Games 2014, to visit main
stadium built for Asian Games in Incheon named as ASIAD, and to visit the
village and the festival held near the ASIAD stadium during the Asian Games
2014, including the Korean Cultural Festival and Asian Food Festival, with some
great Korean Performances.
Yes it was indeed the package
tour having all things which were mentioned above.
The day stated when we reached to
the KTO headquarters in Seoul, having our snacks to eat we entered one of the
two buses arranged for us. Lucky to have my friends with me as the travelling
for me is a bit boring and a naughty company of your buddies, makes even the
punishment, exciting and enjoyable.
First destination was a match
venue of game Spektak kraw, the game may not be familiar to many but sooner it
will be. It was unknown to me as well, so in short, I called it a foot
volleyball. Yes it was like volley ball and you cannot use your hands. That’s why
acrobatic skill are required and players should fit and flexible like of gymnastic
players. There were three matches, and two were very close. The match between
Korean women and Japan was too close and full of ohhz and ahhzzz. We all
enjoyed the game and had a group photo outside the gymnasium.
The next destination was the
ASIAD main stadium of Incheon Asian Games 2014, It is stadium where the spectacular
opening and closing ceremony of the Incheon Asian Games were being held. The stadium
is huge and magnificently build. The whole venue is designed splendidly and architecture
is of no match. There were stalls and marketing events by the official sponsors
of the Incheon Asian Games 2014 neighboring to the stadium. There were also
many stalls of different handicrafts and like local market of any Koran
festival. There was live performances stall as well broadcasted live by Incheon
city television channel. The stall by Hyundi and Kia was very inspiring. There
were public trial and demonstrations of next generation video games using brain
waves. It was a unique experience for all of us. The stall by KTO was also full
to crowd. KTO stall was providing information materials for tourists, then some
cultural handicrafts. There was also a card making table with cultural stamps.
We made some for us. There was medical checkup camp inside the KTO booth
providing full body scan with individual diet and exercise plans along with
some massage facilities.
There were two halls, one having
segments of Korean culture experiences for all the visitors with a lots of
segments like Korean marriage, Korean food making etc. The other hall was Asian
Food Festival, having food stalls of many Asian countries like Thailand,
Indian, Chinese, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Iran etc. Iranian food was Halal, and Arabian
styles food. We enjoyed the delicious Iranian kebab with rice in the afternoon.
KTO arranged a dinner for all of
us at a nearby Korean restaurant. There was special food for vegetarians. After
dinner we came back to the ASIAD main stadium venue for a free showcase
performance NANTA, at the open stage.
NANTA is famous in Korea and also worldwide because of its unique type. The comic
musical of NANTA was indeed the best way to end a full day of excitement.
It was indeed a day full of
memories and enjoyment. Thanks KTO, and Incheon Asian Games organizers to
arrange such a tour for foreigners here.
