This island only boats to land 31 days out of the years and today was one of them. It was not a bright sun shiny day. In fact the waves were over two meters. After pressing against the waves for three hours we could dock at Dokdo.
The minute I stepped foot on this island I realized why Koreans are so pationate about Dokdo. This land was the first land taken away during Japanese colonial times and the last land for Japan to recognize as Korean land. Stepping on this land represents to Koreans complete independence and freedom from Imperial oppression.
Although the island looks like a few giant rocks it is actually the home of two civilians and dozens of soldiers. These soldiers welcomed us when we docked. Our boat landing was the highlight of their day. These soldiers like, eat and sleep on the island like Luke Sky Walker in "the Last Jedi." The island is also an important habitat to sea animals and birds. Years ago seals came to island to rest, but they were all hunted by Japanese fishermen.
This was the first time I crossed the ocean from boat instead of from plane. I saw great waves splash over the boat. I saw areas of seaweed and I also saw plastic bottles. I wonder if I should just toss my plastic bottle out the boat instead of throwing into the garbage can. This way I could cut out the middle man. The state of the ocean is serious an even great issue than the Dokdo territorial dispute. As years pass the big great world I was understood is really a very small planet surviving on a delicate balance.
I was proud to wave the Korean flag which represents this balance.
I made a quick video to show the island:
Love always,
