Monday, 19 Aug 2013
[Photo, clockwise]:
1.KVA monument in Otaki 2.Mayor of Kapiti Coast District 3.Ambassador Park delivering a speech in Otaki Primary School
4.Korean War Vet- erans
A ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice was held in Otaki on Monday 5 August.
This event was organized by Mr. Des Vinten, President of Wellington KVA and attended by 100 par- ticipants including 60 Korean War Veterans and their families, together with the Mayor of Kapiti Coast District Ms. Jenny Rowan, Otaki School Principal Mr. Chris Dervridge, General Manager of VANZ Brigadier Rick Ottaway, Captain David Gibbs representing the Chief of Defence Force and Command- ing Officer of 16Fd Regt Lt. Colonel Mat Weston.
Ambassador Park and President Des Vinten unveiled a new monument dedicated to the Veterans of the
I. 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice in OTAKI
[Photo]: Prime Minister Hon. Henry Puna and Ambassador Park at the Korean Embassy in Wellington
Ambassador Park met with the Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Henry Puna, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ms Myra Patai and High Commissioner HE Mr Tekaotiki Matapo at the Korean Embassy in Wellington on 13 Aug. During this meeting, the PM expressed the Cook Islands’ gratitude for ODA provided by Korea and discussed ongoing cooperation projects between Korea and the Cook Islands.
II. Meeting with Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
Special Departure, Oct 26 - Nov 3, 2013.
In June 2013 Adventure South were fortunate to be invited by the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) on an exploratory ride in Korea and in doing so discovered a wonderful new cycling destination. The South Korean Government has in- vested heavily in dedicated cycle paths & trails of a very high quality in recent years (currently 1500 kms of a planned 2500 kms of trail are completed) and cycling has been enthusiastically taken up by the locals. By combining these great trails with the good climate, excellent food, an interesting modern culture and a friendly and welcoming people,
South Korea is soon to become a very popular cycle tour destination.
Adventure South have created an eight night/nine day cycle tour in Korea, with scheduled departures starting in April 2014. However, to get early momentum in Korean cycle touring, the KTO have offered to subsidize a special one-off de- parture in October, 2013. The timing of this tour coincides with the autumn season when the weather is good and the fall colors will be in spectacular display (its a little known fact that 70% of Korea is covered in natural forest, rivers, lakes and mountains). This departure is guaranteed to run and is offered at a one-off price of NZD $2,940 per person, bike rental included.
• the tour is based around the new cycle trails alongside the Korean river network
• ride on easy cycle paths from the centre of cosmopolitan Seoul to the traditional heartland of Andong
• collect stamps in your souvenir Korean cycle tour passport
• learn about Korean cuisine and enjoy delicious Korean BBQ’s
• sample the excellent coffee and local teas at purpose built cafes on all the bike paths
• visit the Hahoe mask museum and stay overnight in a traditional Hanok house
• visit the very interesting bicycle museum in Sangju
• take a hike amongst the mountain trails in the centre of Seoul with awesome city views
• eight nights / nine days staying hotels, motels and a traditional village