Leaving Mokpo

Leaving mokpo at 2pm to catch the tide meant we didn't go far before anchoring for the night. Same again the next day. leaving the mainland islands didn't mean there wouldn't be any currents, so it was hard work to make a group of islands half way to Jeju. We had been told the harbours here wilder too shallow for our yacht and itnwould be best to anchor outside the breakwater . However the winds were strong and onshore, so we had a look inside. To our surprise it was showing at least three meters und our keel. Two attempts at anchoring failed, then a fishing boat indicated for us to tie along side......BONUS....fresh fish for dinner...... We stayed rafted up the next day as winds were still very strongly and of the wron direction . Early the next morning the fishings boats were off...so with bleary eyes we left also.
We had been given good information about Jeju Island, but between coastguard, harbour control and radio Jeju, things became a circus....even the pilot boat took us to a wharf we could not stay at.
Eventually we were taken to a small marina....we tied up, customs and immigration visited ( why immigration?.....who knows....)woe were taken into the office, given coffee and told this was a private marina and staying onboard was nota allowed....but itnwas late so for one night we were given the okay to sleep onboard.
The next day we headed south toward Kim Nyeong Marina , fourteen miles away. It took us five hours beating intoma head wind..to get to this new six berth marina.....we were on our own.
Going tomthe wrong marina first had it's good points. Mr.Ra, ( the owner) came to check that all was okay. Then he tookmus to meet Fred, into his lovely new Mercedes and off to Freds.
What a character ..Dr.Fred built a Maze with many unique features..600,000 visitors each year attest to its attractions.
After a while of ' getting to know each other' a dinner date was organized at a lovely Korean Beef Stew restaurant...so off we went....Fred,Mr.Ra, Kenny Kang(. Marina developer, Benateau agent) Stefan and wife, office lady.......,the food and the companynwas fabulous......The next day was overcast but fine...so Welty cycled off to the World Heritage Lava Tunnel Complex.....being of a certain age we were given free entrance and also a volunteer guide with good English joined us. One kilometer of the tunnel is open to the public...iet is amazing.......the strata showing the path of over eruptions was amazing and beautiful....very impressive.
Frees amazing maze is on the same road....so we call in to say hullo and enld up dining on cheese burgers and chips and supping on strawberry smoothies....yummy.......
Some time in between this Fred has told a retired priest about us. (father) Jerry came for a visit and invited us to have lunch with him. at the Retreat we had a lovely three course meal, wine and apple pie and ice cream...........
Tis cruising life does have it's hardships!!!!!
No tv interview this but we were interviewed by the Jeju News. Some people are disappointed that we are leaving so soon, but we are meeting upmwith NZ friends this April in Taiwan.
Before leaving for Japan we had dinner with Stefan and his wife in their lovely house that he built half way upmthe mountain...the outside appears as an ordinary two story brick bungalow...but what he has done to the inside is magnificent.
In return for all this hospitality we reciprocated by inviting our new friends for thank you dinners onboard.........

WE HAVE SPENT TEN MONTHS IN KOREA, WE HAVE STOPPED IN APPROXIMATELY SIXTY PLACES, WE HAVE VISITED MANY TOURIST SIGHTS, AND MET MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

THANK YOU KOREA.....WE HAVE HAD A FANTASTIC TIME