A young Korean couple are on the road to Chile from Fraser Lake and are making their way there on 125 CC Suzuki’s.
Sewang Choi and Hyojin Ham quit their jobs in Korea last year and have been riding since the start of 2019. They began their journey in Central America. Guatemala was their starting point where they purchased their bikes and then rode to Alaska at the end of February. The couple were in Fraser Lake last weekend, meeting their aunt and taking a four-day hiatus before they started making their way down to Chile.
Ham said she expects them to take a year to complete the trip. “We are going really slow. Just taking our time and enjoying the beauty Canada has to offer. I was really impressed by the Northern Rockies in general. And then there is Liard Hot Springs and Salmon Glacier. We didn’t expect the glacier to be as magnificent as it was. In Korea, we can’t see that view,” she said.
The 31-year olds got married two years ago and thought that this was the perfect time for them as a couple to undertake the journey. Ham said the journey has helped them connect with each other better.
“We are camping through the way. Everyday we write in our diaries and then read it out to each other. We play games and are connecting with each other a lot more,” she said.
Meanwhile, Choi is a programmer by trade and Ham is a professional chef and owned her own restaurant which was called Pole Pole. The restaurant had to be sold to be able to have enough funds for the trip, but she said it was worth it.
As Ham enjoys travelling a lot, she once got hired as a chef in a Korean embassy in South Africa for two and a half years. She said she loves being creative with her food and always makes custom creations for her customers.
“For example, if a Canadian came to my restaurant, I would make a dish that would be inspired by both Korean and Canadian food styles.”
Since the two have been travelling on this side of the world, she said they have gone hiking, kayaking, trekking in the vast natural playground that British Columbia offers.
She said people have been kind on their way and have given the couple good information in regard to spots to visit or food to try out.
Ham said her parents were not surprised by her decision to leave everything and travel for a year, but she added that Choi isn’t the same way.
“His parents were a little more surprised because he doesn’t just quit his job and decide to travel,” she said.
The couple left Fraser Lake on Monday, July 29 and Ham said she is going to cherish this experience for the rest of her life.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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