Amidst the Terraced Fields of Daraengi Village

In addition to relaxing by the beach and eating grilled beef at the Namhae Garlic Festival, we also took a few short tours. My favorite destination was Daraengi Village. 

This village is known for its beautiful terraced fields of rice and garlic. Men and women were busy in the fields, cutting and bagging the ripe garlic.

I wish we would have had more time to meander through the sloped paths and stairways of this village. It would also be a great place to revisit at different seasons or sunset.

This photo is for my Dad, who will always be a farmer at heart.

Bagging up the freshly harvested garlic

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Beach Time in Namhae

Although I spotted a few brave souls in the water (actually, a few more who were thrown in by their friends), Namhae beach was a popular place to be. Making sandcastles or mounded snacks, spotting crabs, flying kites, or simply relaxing by the beach were ways people amused themselves on this extended weekend. At night, firecrackers, soju, beer, and s'mores were popular. I enjoyed seeing some non-Americans toast marshmallows and sandwich them between graham crackers for the first time.

Most Koreans tended to be shaded under an umbrella, while some foreigners chose the lobster method. I enjoyed seeing parents - especially otherwise busy dads - take time out to spend with their kids.

Here's even one of me with a friend.

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Nahmae Island, Hindenburg-style

As part of the Namhae Treasure Island Garlic Festival, we participated in its lantern release. The large one was still made out of mulberry hanji paper supported by a wire frame, but foreigners at the festival were given white balloons illuminated by a LED light - eliminating fire hazard. When the officials lit the main lantern, we were asked to release our balloon.   

Although it wasn't quite as picturesque as traditional sky lanterns would be, the balloons still made a pretty sight.

 All eyes were on the large lantern, as it floated into the sapphire night sky. 

Moments later, the lantern exploded in a ball of flames and its skeleton descended back to earth, reminding me of the Hindenburg.

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Garlic Sculptures at Namhae Garlic Festival

My favorite part of the Namhae Island Garlic Festival was inside one the main exhibit hall. Here we saw sculptures decorated with different parts of garlic. "Frozen" was featured in several entries. Other animated characters also received attention, such as Iron Man and Popeye. More traditional Korean themes such as Admiral Yi, the famed turtle ships, and the country's traditional hanbok clothing were some other subjects cleverly portrayed. Which is your favorite?

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Namhae Garlic and Hanwoo Beef Festival 2015

As part of our meetup group's trip to Namhae Island, we went to the 10th annual Treasure Island Garlic Festival. Indeed, garlic was big on the minds of most Namhae residents, as their major crop on terraced fields was being harvested. After spending several leisure hours on the beach of the island, it was a very unique outing.

This year's festival was held in conjunction with a Hanwoo (Beef) promotion. Our extended weekend trip included the cost of a grilled barbecue at the festival. We lined up at the window of the barbecue station where each pair of participants received a shrink-wrapped styrofoam tray of thinly sliced raw beef. Drinks and a tray of veggies was extra, but quite affordable. One of our table members became the honorary barbecue meister, grilling the beef, garlic, and a few veggies. Using chopsticks, we picked up the beef pieces that were done to our liking and wrapped them in a lettuce leaf with desired veggies. Yummy.

Lanterns here came in the shape of garlic, reflected on the pond. For a fee, one could paddle a raft across the small pond.

Inside the expo hall, prize garlic was neatly arranged. One could also buy garlic in various forms of consumption as well as medicinal. 

I've been to quite a few festivals in Korea; this was definitely one of the most unusual ones I've attended.

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