Foto: The striking rock formation a landmark in South Korea (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
South_Korea - Around ten o’clock, land appears: Donghae, South Korea. Most passengers prepare to disembark, including us for a brief visit. After docking, passengers heading to Japan disembark first. Miscommunication leaves two of us in the regular line, losing the advantage of quicker customs clearance. I take the opportunity to exchange currency for Korean won. Across the bay, an old pavilion stands. We take a taxi there, driven by Kim Yong Bom, a friendly and cheerful man. We ask him to wait, then go to Chuam Beach, which he seems to recognize. Along the way, he calls someone who speaks English and hands us the phone. We agree he will pick us up at 4 p.m. Chuam Beach features Chotdaebawi Rock, a “candlestick rock” and a tourist hotspot. The rock is used as a backdrop on Korean television. Children play in the water while parents relax under umbrellas. It is extremely hot, so we take refuge at a terrace with drinks. Prices are high, especially in this tourist area. At 4 p.m., no taxi appears, so we ask Tourist Info to call another.
