Experiencing the Tidal Flats in Gangwoldo
How did you spend the May holidays?
Our family used to go somewhere every May, but this time we stayed in Chungcheongnam-do.
While everyone else went to amusement parks, we chose to experience the tidal flats!
I had wandered around the tidal flats before, but this was my first time participating in an organized experience.
We made a reservation through Seosan Birdland for the experience offered by the Cheonsuman Ecotourism Council.
The experience time was communicated to us based on the tide schedule.
I was worried because it rained and was cold during the holidays, but fortunately, May 5th was bright and sunny.
I noticed that many new structures, like the observation deck in front of Ganwoldo, had been built.
I had come to Ganwoldo for fresh air, but it was my first time doing the tidal flat experience.
The sun was quite strong, so a hat was essential, and the sea breeze was chilly, making the chest waders very useful.
The experience site was a bit away from the Ganwoldo observation deck.
Families with children were waiting in groups.
The parking lot was right next to the experience site, where we parked and received our waders and tools for the tidal flat exploration.
If you don’t have chest waders, wearing a long-sleeve jumper or shirt would be a good idea.
Before entering, we received a brief orientation.
Since this is a working area for local fishermen, they said that if we don’t wear the experience vests, an alarm will sound.
Last autumn, they planted young clams, and now is the harvest time, but due to climate change, they mentioned that the harvest hasn’t been good.
Fishermen who grew up in the village can harvest dozens of kilograms a day, so I was excited to see how much we would collect.
As we walked into the wide, drained tidal flats, the experience began at the designated site.
There were quite a few stones in the tidal flats, but a local resident gently scraped with a hoe, and clams came out in abundance.
I couldn’t believe how many there were!
If I hadn’t received an explanation, I would have thought the dark shapes were just stones.
They were much darker than the clams we are familiar with.
The color of the tidal flat is dark, which is why the clams are that color.
There were some dead clams filled with mud that looked fine, so it was a skill to pick those out.
We started off thinking we’d catch ten, but with this amount, it seemed we could have enough for dinner.
The mothers settled down and began to dig for clams diligently.
Time flew by as we searched for and sorted the clams.
The children, while digging for clams, soon found more joy in catching crabs.
The sounds of children squealing, the distant waves, and the crunching sound of the hoe scraping the tidal flats were oddly comforting.
Most importantly, the weather was perfect.
The sun was warm, and the breeze was gentle, so I didn’t break a sweat.
The children caught crabs, snails, fish, and found sea cucumbers.
The tidal flats truly felt like a wonderful playground and ecological learning space.
When it was time for high tide, we concluded the experience with a guide.
We rinsed the mud-covered clams in saltwater a few times and put them in a container.
These need to be kept in dark water for a day and then rinsed in fresh water to clean them properly.
Seeing the mud still coming off even after washing at home made me realize how convenient and affordable it is to buy cleaned clams from the market.
After a fulfilling experience, it was past 2 PM.
There are many delicious clam rice restaurants in Ganwoldo, and it was a treat to eat after working up an appetite.
The children, having just finished the experience, enjoyed the clam rice and clam pancakes, saying they were delicious, even though they usually don’t eat such foods.
Wanting to play more, the children insisted on going to Birdland.
They enjoyed various activities, including air bounce and cotton candy, making the most of Children's Day.
However, standing there for a bit, I felt how warm the asphalt was under the hot sun.
I was grateful for the tidal flats for absorbing the heat.
In May, when the sun is warm but the humidity is low, it seems like the perfect time for a tidal flat experience.
If you’re a beginner like me, I recommend participating in a paid experience to learn tips and enjoy the fun of catching clams.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224284888794
No comments yet.
