Gwangyang international Maehwa festival is held when the apricot blossoms are blooming!! Usually the period would be around early spring in March. This festival is situated in Seomjin village whereby it has the largest number of Maehwa trees in the whole South Korea. The flowers only lasted for 1 or 2 weeks and at the same time also marks an end for the Maehwa festival. So, you can imagine that there were koreans from all over korea and tourist from all over the world for this big event!!

Bus ticket from Gwangju Bus station to Gwangyang.. It takes about 1 hour plus to get there.

Before taking the next bus to the festival, we saw a cherry blossom (sakura) while we are waiting for the next bus. This is the FIRST sakura tree I have ever seen in my entire life! It looks like Maehwa too, but it has more flowers compare to Apricot blossom. I could not get any close-up pictures as there were many bees around the tree. It's a bit dangerous.

Due to festive season, there were shuttle bus from Gwangyang to Seomjin Village every hour. Journey takes about half an hour.. (not including jam!!）

When the bus is close to the destination, we spotted many Maehwa trees around and some bazaar here and there. So, we left the bus and drop by to one of those bazaars. Though is not very big, these bazaars is  a korean snack heaven!! Lots of korean food and street snacks can be found here.

Here are some special food found there.
BIG oyster (bigger than my palm).. I didn't ask for the price, but I think it wont be cheap coz the oyster is really very big. Koreans eat it with a special sauce.

     Uncle opening the fresh oyster!
My new friends here. All are Malaysians except for one of them who is a Japanese.

As I mentioned before, Ginseng is famous in Korea. Therefore, there are many ginseng stalls on that day.

 Grilled octopus. It tastes a bit raw, but it's famous in Korea too. Many people love this. Uncle is heating up the grilled octopus.

Of all snacks in Korea, I think this is the worst one! This is silk worms. It's so common that almost every town in Korea sell this too. To me, it stinks and I hate the smell of it. It really disgust me sometimes, so don't ever call me to try it. However, (many) Koreans love it and they find it tasty and yummy!!

Ohhh.. This is ILLEGAL in Malaysia. Grill pork in the the public!! This piggie is big and fat!! Hohoho~~

In the centre of the bazaar, there were some entertainers to entertain the crowds. I didn't sit there to watch as we don't have so much time.

 The entrance of the bazaar..


Blossom trees are all around the place!!! This is like just 1% of the whole village!! It is so nice to just look at it from the top!

Taken by other photographer. Thanks to him!!


Some close-up pictures of the apricot blossom!


 I spotted a cute couple there. They were wearing couple shirt and picnic in the middle of the blossom trees!! How sweet!! Btw, many koreans brought their stuff and picnic there too. How I hope I can try it too. This would be so great!!

My friends from MMU, cyberjaya.


Super love these pics.. The petals were falling as if it were snow!!


And yeah, first time see so many blossom trees in front of my eyes is so exciting!!

  

This river is called SeomJinGang. It is one of the 4 major rivers in south korea.





Along the way to the top of the hill, there were many stalls beside the road. You could buy some art, photos, and buy some flowers to bring home too! The whole place is very happening. Lots of thing you could buy there!

This is so fantastic. It's really a big festival here. Therefore, if you happen to come to korea during Meahwa festival. Don't forget to pay a visit to this place!

Okay, this post is so long!! Im gonna end it here. Spring is coming! I guess the next post would be sakura?? and roses maybe.. who knows?? Stay tuned for more flowers!! Spring is a great season!