Namhae's European ambiance owes much to the German Village on the island and its adjoining international gardening park -- House N Garden.Located on the eastern tip of Namhae, the German Village is a retirement spot for Korean retirees who migrated to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s as nurses and miners. At that time, Korea was one of the poorest economies in the world, with an unemployment rate of up to 30 percent, according to the Namhae German Exhibition Hall, the museum for the historic legacy of these workers. With sweat on their brows, they earned foreign currency in the alien land to feed their families and their nation.While some of the retirees married German spouses and settled with them, the others chose to return home. Those who returned created the German Village, which features German architecture and the Western European country's gardening style, in memory of their youthful days in the European country. The building materials are brought from Germany, a local Namhae resident said, adding that the inhabitants of the German Village are some of the wealthiest retirees of their kind.As of the end of 2015, the German village nested a total of 39 households, about 20 of which offer lodging in their adorably furnished guest rooms.Right next to the German Village is the German Plaza, where the villagers sell German beer and side dishes. This is one of the most popular venues for Korean men, most of whom love German beer.The House N Garden is a highly picturesque complex, which features home gardens from different countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and Korea.
The French house has vivid red animal decorations and rooftop flower beds. Any Korean would easily recognize the German house, with modern artwork inspired by "The Town Musicians of Bremen" -- a German fable that every Korean kid reads at least once. A herd of sheep miniatures and a kangaroo statue are found at the Australian house.
The Korean house is instantly identified by "jangdokdae," or a terrace with multiple giant crock jars called "jangdok," a traditional kind of storage for fermented vegetables and various sauces and pastes that are soy-based. Next to the jangdokdae is a small garden for "bongsoonga," or red touch-me-not flowers, with which Korean women used to dye their fingernails in the old days, when Western products were considered exotic.
One of the most popular pieces of architecture is the Netherlands house. On windy days, the Dutch architecture wows tourists with a beautiful windmill and pink flower petals.
Namhae is also known for "yongwang," or the ancient sea dragon god. The islanders have held rituals every year wishing that the supernatural being will save Namhae seamen from storms and fill up their fishing boats. During the reign of King Gongmin, the last king of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the seaside villages were often pillaged by pirates from present-day Japan, according to records provided by the Namhae municipality. Even when the Goryeo courtiers temporarily moved inland to Jinju, the residents of Namhae stayed and fended off the invaders.
Not all visitors to Namhae are tourists.
Starting in July, South Korean parents nationwide flock to Boriam Temple, situated on the southern tip of the east egg of Namhae, to pray for their children's success in entering their dream colleges. The earliest praying session at Boriam Temple begins at 3:30 a.m.
"Only if the kids knew how much their parents cared for them, (they wouldn't waste a minute slacking off)," a female tourist in her 40s said.
Married with two children, she came to visit Namhae with her husband who teaches at an elementary school in Seoul.
"I've been to famous Buddhist temples on mountains, but Boriam is my favorite because I can enjoy such a beautiful sea view without having to exhaust myself mountain climbing."
Some uninformed city visitors came overly equipped.
"I was ready for a tougher route," said a 40-year-old male tourist, arousing laughter from his friends.
The business owner from Seoul was laden with a heavy-duty backpack filled with climbing spikes and other climbing equipment.
Run by female Buddhist priests, the temple has one of the peninsula's big-three pray alters dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The other two are in Naksan Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, and Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan.
The local folklore says that the stone statue of the Goddess of Mercy in Boriam answers people's wishes. But one has to be careful, since the goddess only hears one prayer in his or her lifetime. According to the founding tale of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Joseon founder Lee Seong-gye seized the crown after praying at this temple.
Around 5 a.m., the temple greets its first batch of tourists who come for the sunrise over Eunmorae Beach, or the silver sand beach. During the night, the mountain trail to the temple is illuminated by artificial lighting. In the heavy fog before sunrise, tourist
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