Wando Beach Party

The teachers living in Wando last weekend organized a beach party. I have been to Wando once before last summer and it has an amazing beach. When I went, it was packed with Koreans and teachers and was a pretty happening place. I was expecting the same things this year when I arrived too.

Wim and I hopped the early morning bus from Mokpo to Wando. It takes about two hours by bus to get to Wando from Mokpo. Alex, Annie  and her two dogs, and Teihsa were coming from Naju to meet up with us in Wando as well. There were also other Mokpo people coming later and a few Mokpo people already ar Wando. It had the makings of a great weekend.

We met up with them and make our way by taxi to the beach. The actual beach is not in Wando, but is a 10,000 won cabride outside the town.  We got to the beach, set up our tents, dropped our bags, and grabbed our beer and proceeded to relax on the beach. A group of nearby Koreans came and offered us some food. The food consisted of gim, kimchi, and some raw and still alive sea creatures. Alex was the brave one who tried to eat the moving animals. The kimchi was pretty good I thought. The same group of Koreans also brought over some beer and cooked clams that were amazing!

Later on, the same Koreans brought me, Alex, Wim, and Ian over to play Mal Du Bakki (spelling incorrect). The game means break the horse’s back. The youtube videos should be pretty self explanatory.

The game ended and we went back to the beach and relaxed and more Mokpo people showed. Stories were shared, people drank, and people swam. The ocean was beautiful! I didn’t want to get out. The dya progressed and eventually the Beer Olympics were started. This consisted of wrestling and other games (I was a bit too drunk to remember). The day progressed into night and into a large beach bonfire and more drinks. I ended up back in my tent around 1 in the morning. But only then did I realize I brought no pillow or blanket and had a very cold and unpleasant sleep.

woke up at 7 and wandered the beach, taking pictures and collecting shells. Wim and I hopped the 9 am bus to Mokpo. I got into my apartment and collapsed into a comfortable sleep. It was a great Wando weekend and I do hope to make it back this summer.