Jinhae Cherry blossom festival – Korean Spring Bloom

After a tortuous and frosty long Korean winter of almost six months, when all the trees shed their greens and stand out like bald grieving statues which is a sobering sight indeed,  I got a pleasant surprise one fine morning to see all the trees along the roads, boulevards and streets covered with flowers. Mind you not a single green leaf in sight, it is only flowers and flowers as if to welcome the onsetting Spring. The hills are also covered with shades of whites, pinks and reds…where ever one looks. Lovely sight to behold for somebody used to the bald and ghostly looking trees all the while during the winter. 

Jinhae is a coastal city in Korea which celebrates this blossoming with an annual festival  coinciding with it, which is celebrated with lot of gusto consisting of massed bands, marches, dance and music. People come to droves from all over the country and abroad to foresake this rich tapestry of colours which is indeed marvellous. The narrow streets of the city are jam packed with vehicles of all hues and cries from all the country. It is a time to celebrate, to eat, drink, to shed your inhibitions (and clothes as well) and enjoy yourself. The attached photos tell their own story.

During this occasion, the main Korean Naval base in Jinhae which is also a training centre is opened up to the general public including foreigners and the Naval ships are also  thrown open for visitors. You can find me standing under a huge 5 inch gun of a Korean naval destoyer in one of the pix!

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Author: Cdr GP Mallya(Retd)- South Korea