Boryeong Mud Festival

July 19-20, 2008- It was the last weekend for the Boryeong Mud Festival so although the weather forecast said heavy rain ( because there was a typhoon brewing or raging in the Pacific) we still went. We were ready for some mud and lots of fun! It took us a little more than 3 hours by bus from Kwangju and we got there before noon. We looked for our mimbak (guesthouse) that I’ve booked a week before and were a little disappointed that it was not right on the beach like the picture in the website led us to believe. But it wasn’t so bad as the mimbak was only 5-7 minutes walk to the beach.

It was sunny when we got there but by mid afternoon it started pouring but the rain did not deter the revelers from enjoying the activities like mudslide, mud prison house (you get inside this small prison-like structure and you get hosed down with mud) and other such fun ‘mud’ activities. And there was body painting too.

And there’s the beach of course where you can wash off the mud and the paint anytime you want. The waves were big so it was an added fun in the water.

Some people rented ATVs (all-terrain vehicles or four-wheelers) and raced on the beach.
Others enjoyed the indoor mud spa and massage. And for a lot of people there, fun included getting so drunk.

We stayed up late and enjoyed the beach at night. People enjoyed the beach concert and the fireworks.

The only terrible thing about the whole thing was the sand fleas’ bites. Mike’s feet were swelled up so bad that we had to go to the doctor right after we got back from Boryeong. Mine were not as bad but we itched and scratched for almost a week after the festival.

But I’d still go back if I could next time. I’d just make sure to cover up good or slather anti-bug lotion if I’d be staying late on the beach.