Jeolla, the southernmost province in South Korea, had only recently opened its doors to international tourists. According to our tour guide, Singaporeans were the first to set foot there after the pandemic. This comes as no surprise, considering Jeju Island had long been done and dusted by those seeking a laid back alternative to Seoul.
It makes sense to explore Jeolla on a guided tour, not least because of the sweeping distances you would otherwise have to cover on a road trip. So extensive was our route that we watched both the autumn foliage and banchan (Korean side dishes) evolve as we headed northwards. The latter is particularly elaborate in Jeolla as the palace cooks used to live here. Fertile soil, flat land, and rivers have done wonders for its produce, and even the ubiquitous kimchi is distinct here.