Welcome to Jeju Island! Some people call this island "the Hawaii of South Korea". The symbol of the island is Dol Hareubang, or "Stone Grandfather" (above). No one knows for sure why these statues were made, but they are sprinkled all over the island. Most of the statues look like an old man with a big flat nose, a "mushroom" hat, and hands placed on his abdomen - some with left hand on top, some with right hand on top. Many people think that the statues were placed to guard a house or a village, protecting it from evil.
Jeju is a volcano. In the center of the island is Mt. Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea. It is a favorite hiking spot - most hikers take most of the day to get up and come down a little faster, after viewing the large crater on top. Around Mt. Hallasan there are 360 additional cones of extinct volcanoes.
The entire island is made of black volcanic basalt. With an unlimited supply, the inhabitants of Jeju have used the black porous rock to build everything: walls, stone walkways, stairs, and cobblestone streets.
First of all, we came to Jeju to inspect apartments of missionaries - so we were off to the dwelling of Elder Cronin and Elder Wilson. They are both basketball players, so you can imagine that they might bump their heads as they duck down to go into the bathroom...(door behind them).
Next we noticed that in this apartment
there was an oven! There are no ovens in Korea, so this is really great!
...except that the oven and stove are missing a few knobs! Luckily, the elders have devised a way to turn on the burners or the oven, with a rusty old pair of pliers. (see below)
One more missionary apartment and we hit the road - first stop: Manjanggul Cave
Manjanggul Cave is one of the finest lava tunnels in the world. A lava tunnel is formed when the lava that was deep in the ground spouts from the peak and flows to the surface. Manjanggul Cave has a variety of interesting structures inside including lava stalagmites, lava tube tunnels, stalactites, and stone pillars. Only 0.6 miles of the 8.5 miles of tubes are open to the public. On the map above, the cave system looks like a purple "check mark" on the upper right corner of Jeju Island.
The opening of the cave tubes is large in some places, and it is fun to find interesting formations on the cave walls, ceiling, and floors.
The lava flows through the tubes and slowly hardens when it cools.
This formation is called "the turtle", and many people think it looks like Jeju Island with Mt. Hallasan volcano rising up in the middle.
These walls looked like ropes.
At the end of the open portion of the cave, there is a lava column, where the lava slowly seeped through the "ceiling" and hardened connecting the floor and ceiling. This cave column is the largest one in the world!
Lots of cave creatures live inside - mostly bats and spiders.
We love caves!
The next stop is "Kimyoung Maze Park", right around the corner.
As you can see, the trimmed trees forming the maze are taller than Bryan, which means you can't see over.
"Where am I?"
If you reach the end in the center of the maze, you climb a bridge, and ring the bell! Hooray!
Back into the car and off to the next stop:
Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak. (this aerial photo is not mine)
Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak is a tuff cone crater that was formed when a volcano erupted under the ocean. It rises steeply on the East side of Jeju. (this photo is mine)
A favorite tradition is to climb to the peak at sunrise, and especially on January 1. The trail was so steep that stairs were built. An ascending and descending trail now make it easier to get to the top.
At the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong there are 99 chiseled rocks in a crown-like formation. Between them in the crater is a large meadow.
Part of the "crown"
Dating couple
Steep sides of the cliff
At the top:
Coming down - notice the craggy sharp rocks around the top.
The view coming down is lush, green, and peaceful, as the sun lowers itself in the sky.
We missed the sunrise, but how about a sunset?
We drove to Seogwipo on the south side of the island, taking the beautiful and more interesting route along the beach. By the time we found our hotel, it was 10:30 pm.
The next morning, I went to the window and opened the black-out curtains and looked out to this:
"Paradise!" I gasped!
We went outside to check out the grounds around the hotel and down to the beach. This view is the front of the Kal Hotel:
There was a traditional Korean house, a river with a bridge, and a water mill among the plants and flowers.
A smooth pond was surrounded by perfectly manicured trees.
Looking back at the hotel:
The beach is made up entirely of black lava rock.
Beautiful day!
Next stop: Missionaries' apartment. Meet Elder Yoo and Elder Stewart:
This little "house" is adjacent to the Branch building.
We took the elders out to lunch - their choice:
We love them.
Just up the street from their apartment, we walked to the actual house of Korea's most famous artist, Lee Jung Seob.
He lived here for two years during the Korean war. His wife and two children were literally starving, so he sent them to Japan. He lived in Jeju alone, drawing and painting - lonely and miserable.
The museum was around the corner, so of course we had to go! The adjacent street is "Lee Jung Seob Street", and has this column (made of black lava rock) and his face on the front.
This sculpture of cupid, bow, and arrow sit at the bottom of the street, and art shops were open and ready for customers on both sides of the street.
Now for the really important destination of the day:
(Just kidding, but had to take a picture)
The remainder of the day and night was devoted to: Waterfalls!
The first one was a short walk along the beach - Cheonjeyeon Falls:
The next one, Jeongbang Falls, was bigger and taller and more slippery and dangerous. Please note this sign of caution:
Since we didn't want to be died with a heart attack, we didn't swim.
Bryan took pictures of me at Jeongbang waterfall.
It looks deceivingly small, but is actually ten meters across, and thirty meters long!
Beautiful and fun! People are playing in the ocean, but the beach sand is pretty rocky and tough on the feet. Crash! The waterfall is noisy.
Down on the rocks, under a tent, are some Grandmas (Harmonies) who will sell you a fresh catch (in this case raw sea urchin or sea squirts), if you are hungry and you don't mind the spiny part.
The next waterfall had a series of three...
You can see all three from the top of this bridge. Sculpted in white are seven nymphs. The bridge connects Seogwipo and Jungmun (our next stop)!
Front view of bridge:
#1
#2
#3
Fantastic rock formations, turquoise blue water, the ultimate serenity...
One more missionary apartment and we hit the road - first stop: Manjanggul Cave
Manjanggul Cave is one of the finest lava tunnels in the world. A lava tunnel is formed when the lava that was deep in the ground spouts from the peak and flows to the surface. Manjanggul Cave has a variety of interesting structures inside including lava stalagmites, lava tube tunnels, stalactites, and stone pillars. Only 0.6 miles of the 8.5 miles of tubes are open to the public. On the map above, the cave system looks like a purple "check mark" on the upper right corner of Jeju Island.
The opening of the cave tubes is large in some places, and it is fun to find interesting formations on the cave walls, ceiling, and floors.
The lava flows through the tubes and slowly hardens when it cools.
This formation is called "the turtle", and many people think it looks like Jeju Island with Mt. Hallasan volcano rising up in the middle.
These walls looked like ropes.
At the end of the open portion of the cave, there is a lava column, where the lava slowly seeped through the "ceiling" and hardened connecting the floor and ceiling. This cave column is the largest one in the world!
Lots of cave creatures live inside - mostly bats and spiders.
We love caves!
The next stop is "Kimyoung Maze Park", right around the corner.
As you can see, the trimmed trees forming the maze are taller than Bryan, which means you can't see over.
"Where am I?"
If you reach the end in the center of the maze, you climb a bridge, and ring the bell! Hooray!
Back into the car and off to the next stop:
Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak. (this aerial photo is not mine)
A favorite tradition is to climb to the peak at sunrise, and especially on January 1. The trail was so steep that stairs were built. An ascending and descending trail now make it easier to get to the top.
At the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong there are 99 chiseled rocks in a crown-like formation. Between them in the crater is a large meadow.
Part of the "crown"
Dating couple
Steep sides of the cliff
At the top:
Coming down - notice the craggy sharp rocks around the top.
The view coming down is lush, green, and peaceful, as the sun lowers itself in the sky.
We missed the sunrise, but how about a sunset?
We drove to Seogwipo on the south side of the island, taking the beautiful and more interesting route along the beach. By the time we found our hotel, it was 10:30 pm.
The next morning, I went to the window and opened the black-out curtains and looked out to this:
"Paradise!" I gasped!
We went outside to check out the grounds around the hotel and down to the beach. This view is the front of the Kal Hotel:
There was a traditional Korean house, a river with a bridge, and a water mill among the plants and flowers.
A smooth pond was surrounded by perfectly manicured trees.
Looking back at the hotel:
The beach is made up entirely of black lava rock.
Beautiful day!
Next stop: Missionaries' apartment. Meet Elder Yoo and Elder Stewart:
This little "house" is adjacent to the Branch building.
We took the elders out to lunch - their choice:
We love them.
Just up the street from their apartment, we walked to the actual house of Korea's most famous artist, Lee Jung Seob.
He lived here for two years during the Korean war. His wife and two children were literally starving, so he sent them to Japan. He lived in Jeju alone, drawing and painting - lonely and miserable.
The museum was around the corner, so of course we had to go! The adjacent street is "Lee Jung Seob Street", and has this column (made of black lava rock) and his face on the front.
This sculpture of cupid, bow, and arrow sit at the bottom of the street, and art shops were open and ready for customers on both sides of the street.
Now for the really important destination of the day:
(Just kidding, but had to take a picture)
The remainder of the day and night was devoted to: Waterfalls!
The first one was a short walk along the beach - Cheonjeyeon Falls:
The next one, Jeongbang Falls, was bigger and taller and more slippery and dangerous. Please note this sign of caution:
Since we didn't want to be died with a heart attack, we didn't swim.
Bryan took pictures of me at Jeongbang waterfall.
It looks deceivingly small, but is actually ten meters across, and thirty meters long!
Beautiful and fun! People are playing in the ocean, but the beach sand is pretty rocky and tough on the feet. Crash! The waterfall is noisy.
Down on the rocks, under a tent, are some Grandmas (Harmonies) who will sell you a fresh catch (in this case raw sea urchin or sea squirts), if you are hungry and you don't mind the spiny part.
The next waterfall had a series of three...
You can see all three from the top of this bridge. Sculpted in white are seven nymphs. The bridge connects Seogwipo and Jungmun (our next stop)!
Front view of bridge:
#1
#2
#3
Fantastic rock formations, turquoise blue water, the ultimate serenity...
Close up of volcanic rock formations
Basalt cliffs by the sea
Our third day on Jeju Island began at the Yeomiji Arboretum:
Notice the two strangely carved cypress trees.
Japanese Garden:
Korean Garden:
Italian Garden (notice the amazing fountain)!
French Garden:
Hanging orchid balls in the inside garden:
At the risk of taking too many pictures of flowers, we move on to:
Jeju Folk Village
Jeju is famous for black pigs.
The whole village was restored by moving old houses on Jeju Island. This thatched house is a barn - cows in the side yard, and hay inside.
The doors are very small, and the tool to the left of the door sweeps the dirt so that the ground is smooth and even before planting.
Flowers and Stone Grandpa!
Dolmen and hollyhocks (two of my favorite things)
Thatched huts in the village
Bryan being very patient
Brenda having fun
Mud mixed with clay and lava rock are the best building materials.
Jeju is famous for ferns. People eat them prepared a certain way in Bib 'n Bop.
Close up of volcanic rock formations
Basalt cliffs by the sea
Our third day on Jeju Island began at the Yeomiji Arboretum:
Notice the two strangely carved cypress trees.
Japanese Garden:
Korean Garden:
Italian Garden (notice the amazing fountain)!
French Garden:
Hanging orchid balls in the inside garden:
At the risk of taking too many pictures of flowers, we move on to:
Jeju Folk Village
Jeju is famous for black pigs.
The whole village was restored by moving old houses on Jeju Island. This thatched house is a barn - cows in the side yard, and hay inside.
The doors are very small, and the tool to the left of the door sweeps the dirt so that the ground is smooth and even before planting.
Flowers and Stone Grandpa!
Dolmen and hollyhocks (two of my favorite things)
Thatched huts in the village
Bryan being very patient
Brenda having fun
Mud mixed with clay and lava rock are the best building materials.
Jeju is famous for ferns. People eat them prepared a certain way in Bib 'n Bop.
What's wrong with these things?
#1 ticket office
#2 Fastry
#3 Jerky
Goodbye Jeju.
This place is amazing! Truly paradise! No wonder all the missionaries want to be sent here! Broken oven and all. How beautiful! And wonderful that you got to go!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure-beautiful island with grandpas, flowers, waterfalls, and temples-they have it all. What a wonderful "working" get-away. FABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteSign me up for Jeju trip please! So pretty and beautiful! Another amazing adventure. ✅ You can never take too many floral photos-just so you know.
ReplyDelete