Jeju Island Tour

I thought it was a funny coincidence that i chose that "rainbow" shirt from the wardrobe the same day i met these four stallions (Don't judge me!)

When i asked my friend (a fanatic Korean Television Serial) to go go South Korea, she immediately told me to go to Jeju island, since it was the shooting location of some movie that she liked. I honestly had a doubt about it. But when i started to went through seriously about Jeju Island, i was convinced that the trip should include a visit to Jeju island.

Jeju Island offers so many beautiful landscape, history, and indoor attractions. We booked a day tour by YEHA and took its East Tour that explore the east part of the Island which mainly a beautiful landscape. The next day, we planned to explore the west part of the island. The map below shows what places we visited that day on the eastern part.

East Jeju Tour (source: http://www.yehatour.com/eng/)

Trick Art Museum

  I felt unsure at first about visiting this place. I saw so many pictures of people in This Museum whenever they visit South Korea (and Jeju) and i wasn't that amused about it all. But, big but, when i was there and saw those 3D paintings, it really intrigued me. Of course the effect was surprising, but what surprised and amused me is the so many ideas and varieties the artists came up with.

The art of enjoying the museum was how to insert yourself to those 3D picture and create a kick-ass photos out of it ;)  These are some of my favourites 3D creation in the museum.

Seongeup Folk Village

Seongeup folk village is a Jeju heritage village that is well preserved. On that village are traditional houses as residence, The houses are made from rocks and clay, and the roofs are made from woods and bamboo. The roof shape is not sharp on it's top, instead it's more of curvy on the top edge. In the village, we can see how the indigenous people do their day-to-day activities such as making food, the handicraft, and many other things. The other unique thing about the village is that you will see so many statue made from stone. This human statue is called Harubang.

This village became so popular thanks to Korean Movie drama Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum) that was shot in this place. The movie itself one of the most popular Korean drama movie.

Woman Diver Show

 At that time, we were taken to the museum instead since weather was getting worst. The Haenyeo (sea woman) Museum is the museum that preserve the traditional life of the woman diver. Korean woman diver was popular in 18th century. Before that, male diver was more popular and the majority. For several reasons includes war, the woman started to take the role to continue their life and dive. This is then continued and at some point it outnumbered the male diver and became more popular. 

Depends on the weather, one Haenyeo can stay for hours in the sea. Their capture includes sea shell, algae, oyster, etc. They are equipped with plastic swim suit, googles, gloves, and catching gears. It's hard not to admire them. These women are very resilient and strong willing, something they are famous of. In the museum, the catching gear are on display, as well as the traditional house, and the statue mimicking their activities, as well as audio visual tour enable us to put our feet on theirs. It was such an eye-opening experience towards their culture.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

This is actually part of the trip that i was waiting for. Seongsean Ilchubong is a peak emerged about 100,000 year ago caused by volcano eruption. It has 600 meter diameter and 90 meters high. It was such a beautiful landscape and i could just seat for hours and soaking all up.

Manjang Cave

Our last destination was Manjang Cave. The 13,422 meters long cave was only 1 km open to the public since the temperature can be very low. It was a long walk into the cave, dark obviously, and very wet ground. I didn't take many photos as they most of them were blurr.

Overall, Jeju is nice and friendly place to visit. If offers many attractions from landscape, history, food, and many others. If you still planning your trip and have a doubt about visiting Jeju. Doubt no more, race your way to Seongsan Ilchubong Park ;)