The Salt Flats of Jeungdo, Korea

Jeungdo is South Korea’s Official Slow City

It was also the first place I visited while filming Get Lost in Korea … my National Geographic Channel TV show. This is my travel journal from filming in Jeungdo.

When we first visited Jeungdo 13 days ago, the skies were covered in clouds and the landscape shrouded in a dense fog.

This time, the vista couldn’t have been more different!

The salt flats of Jeung Do in the Jeonnam Province of South Korea — A beautiful day of filming at the salt flats of Jeung Do in the Jeonnam Province of South Korea

Biking Around the Slow City

Jesse and I started our day by renting bicycles from a friendly South Korean local.

For the next few hours, we explored the countryside on two wheels; while stopping for lots of photos and laughs along the way.

Jesse and I in Jeung-Do with our bicycles

A Photo Shoot in the Taepyung Halophyte Garden

While wandering around the Taepyung Halophyte Garden, an impromptu photo shoot broke out.

After hamming it up for a few shots, Jesse decided to do his best Street Fighter II flying kick impression. It resulted in one of my favorite photos yet!

Kung Fu Jessie Day does his best Ken and Ryu impression

Native species in the Jeung-Do salt flats — Is this the missing link?

The marsh of the Taepyung Halophyte Garden of Jeung-Do, South Korea — The marsh of the Taepyung Halophyte Garden

A crab in the Taepyung Halophyte Garden of Jeung-Do, South Korea — A crab in the Taepyung Halophyte Garden

Jeungdo: the Slow City

According to the Official Site of Korea:

“Jeungdo Island (증도) was the first city to be designated a ‘slow city’ in Asia thanks to its unspoiled nature and clean waters. It was assigned as a biodiversity conservation area by UNESCO.

Jeungdo Island also has Korea’s largest salt fields. At Taepyeong Salt Field, you can experience real life in a fishing village. There is a tour of the salt museum and hands-on programs for tourists to make the experience more personal.

There are some 90 uninhabited islands and islets neighboring the Jeungdo Island. The Wujeon Beach Resort offers a magnificent view of the horizon. The mud hopper bridge, which stands in the mudflats, along with the relic of a historical monument and wetland ecology exhibition hall, are some of the things you can see on the island of Jeungdo.”

One of Jeung-Do's many mud flats an hour before sunset — One of Jeung-Do’s many mud flats an hour before sunset

A tourist stops to enjoy the Taepyung Halophyte Garden

I’m Filming a TV Show with National Geographic Channel

In case you missed it on previous posts, this is what I’m doing in South Korea:

Over the next three weeks, I will get to know the “real” Korea by taking the road less traveled, meeting locals, photographing everything I see and reacting to whatever dramatic curveballs the producers throw my way.

Filming alongside me will be Jesse Day: a Canadian-born rapper and actor who calls Korea home.

…click here for the whole story of how I got the job…

My last photograph of the day: a majestic view over the ocean from Sunset Point

A single boat on a foggy day in Jeung-Do, South Korea — A single boat on a foggy day in Jeung-Do

Jesse and Jeeyon walk through the main gate to the Jeung-Do salt flats on our first day of filming Get Lost in Korea

A bridge over Jeung-Do Island in South Korea — I sure do love bridges!

The Treasure Island ship in Jeung Do, South Korea

GET LOST IN KOREA

In 2013, I was hired by National Geographic to film a TV show in South Korea … following my adventures as a travel blogger and photographic storyteller.

The single-episode show offered a mix of humor, tradition, adventure and stunning imagery; as I teamed up with Jesse Day: a Canadian entertainer who lives in Seoul and raps in Korean.

Here are the highlights from filming Get Lost in Korea …