Naganeubseong Folk Village

Naganeubseong Folk Village is a charming and very unique folk village in Korea. Considered the best preserved Korean fortress town in the country, we took a quick walk around the place

At Naganeupseong Folk Village, we had the rare opportunity to understand Joseon administrative design within its original enclosure. The walls stand, the roofs remain thatched, and the town continues to function within the perimeter first drawn centuries ago.

Naganeupseong Walled Town is located in Jeollanam-do, and contains a fortress town that is over 59,504 ㎡ in size. The fortress walls were built using square-shaped stones to reach 4 meters in height, 3 to 4 meters in width, and 1,410 meters in total length. 

The village is overall well preserved, allowing visitors to observe houses and lifestyles that have all been passed down from the past. The town is highly valued as a historical and cultural resource for studying traditional folk customs.

 

Boseong Green Tea Fields ( Korea)

The most beautiful and famous tea-fields in Korea can be found at Boseong Tea Plantation in the Jeollanam-do region, near Suncheon and Gwangju. Whether you are a nature lover, a tea lover, someone on a wellness retreat or just looking to get away in Korea, don't miss viewing the Boseong green tea terraces. This is a must do in South Korea. I have seen the green tea fields in Bundung and in Bali. This is another experience for me. The path is easy to walk and the view is spectacular. 

Starting the walk around the green tea fields

Path leading to the entrance of the tea field

Picture Postcard

Boseong is Korea’s largest green tea producing area, accounting for almost half of Korea’s green tea.

The view is so pleasing to the eye that the photographer in me was just framing the pictures and immersing myself in the moment.

 Picturesque tea-fields

Such a relaxing view

Time to take a break

Being a matcha gal, I could not resist green tea ice cream and the iced green tea latte. Simply delicious and refreshing. 

Wando Abalone Picking & Tasting Experience (Korea)

 

Wando is an island in the southern part of South Korea known for its production of seaweed products and its high-quality abalone. We were reminded that it will be very cold, out in the open sea as we geared up for our abalone picking experience. 

The walk toward the boat

Here we go - the boar ride towards the open sea. Weather was manageable. Could feel the cool breeze in your face. 

Here is where the abalone are caged. Seaweed is used for their feed. The young abalone are implanted into their cages. Farmers periodically take boats out to their cages and feed the abalone. 

From the moment of stocking the abalone in cages, it takes an average of two years to grow out before it is ready for harvest and shipping.

The abalones are taken out from their cages

We had the opportunity to pull out the abalones from their cages. There was no resistance. It felt like something hard being stuck to the surface.

Fresh abalones from the ocean - this is how they look at when they are pulled out from the cages

Then the abalones have to be washed and scrubbed clean for consumption

The harvest for us 

The efficient supply of seaweed for feed is crucial to strong growth rates of the abalones.

The fresh raw slices

Our Korean tour guide

Cooked Abalone

This is the first time I am eating a fresh abalone from the open sea. It was delicious. I had 3 pieces.