Geoje Windy Hill is one of those places that looks like a postcard even on a cloudy day. We came for the famous windmill and the sea view, and stayed for the snacks: whelks, turtle hands, and a hot dog you can only taste here.
The walk up
There is no parking right at Geoje Windy Hill, so we parked at a distance and walked. Along the way we passed a giant jellyfish floating in the sea and a row of food stalls.
The stalls sell whelks, turtle hands, and beondegi. We asked the vendor what tasted best and bought whelks, with a few turtle hands thrown in out of curiosity. The turtle hands look just like their name, with a chewy boiled-squid texture, while the whelks were excellent, a must-try snack here.
Windy Hill hot dogs
Just before the climb stands the Windy Hill hot dog shop. The prices are not cheap, but it is the only place that serves them, so we ordered a hot dog and sikhye.
The twist is coconut powder instead of sugar on top. It is a regular hot dog otherwise, but eating it on the way up the hill makes it taste special. One letdown: there are no trash bins along the path, so bring a bag for your wrappers.
The windmill and the view
At the top, everyone was busy with selfie sticks and tripods. We had neither, so we took plain selfies in the humid air.
The landmark windmill draws constant photo lines. Up close you can see names carved into it, a habit that has thankfully faded. On a clear day the view must be stunning; the fog was our only regret.
Hakdong Black Pearl Beach
On the way back we stopped at Hakdong Black Pearl pebble beach. I dislike beaches because of sand, so a beach with no sand at all felt perfect, and the water was crystal clear.
Swimming is off-limits after 6 p.m., so we only dipped our feet and promised to return the next day. That wrapped up our first day in Geoje, from Geoje Windy Hill to the pebble beach, before heading to the cinema in town.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in August 2016 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.