Wednesday, November 30, 2011

South Korea: Jeju: Gimnyeong Maze Park

Destination: Gimnyeong (Kimnyeong) Maze Park
Location: Jeju-si Gujwa-eup Donggimnyeong-ri
Website: http://jejumaze.com/eng.html
Date Visited: 2011 November

We arrived at the place together with busses of students touring around the area. What I remember about this place -- it was on a maze when "Edward" (Pattinson) was killed in one of the books of Harry Potter.

And yes, I did not bother to get into the maze -- for a definite reason that I'm afraid! And still my guide insist, "I will help you get out! Really, i will help you!"

If I'm with someone, maybe I have tried it.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

South Korea: Jeju: Haenyeo Museum

Destination: Haenyeo Museum
Location: Jeju-si Gujwa-eup Hado-ri 3204-1
Date Visited: 2011 November

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. [Reference]

I first knew about the Jeju Women Divers from an episode shown in Travel Living (TLC) and Arirang channels. It is their type of work to be able to send their children to school. They dive without gears and can stay for 1-2 minutes underwater.
Most Jeju haenyeo work under water to a depth of 10 meters without the aid of any modern breathing apparatus, although some are capable of diving to twice depth. They hold their breath for about one minute, although some are able to remain underwater for as much as two minutes. When surfacing to breathe, they cling to a life buoy known locally as a taewak in order to take a brief rest before the next dive.

We have not seen an actual diver in the area, but having this museum gives a tribute to them and this simply shows how proud they are for their locals.




Other Museums in South Korea: 





Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Seongeup Folk Village

Destination: Seongeup Folk VillageLocation: Seogwipo-si Pyoseon-myeon Seongeup-ri, Jeju
Located at the foot of Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Seongeup Folk Village is a small town that holds a vast amount of culture.
I learned from Arirang channel, the photo on left side means that the house owner just left and will be back after 30-60minutes. The photo on right means you are not welcome to enter his house.



Daejanggeum (Jewel in the Palace) (Sep 2003 - March 2004)
Many of the scenes in which Jang-geum learns medicine as a maidservant for the Jeju local government from episodes 27 to 32 were filmed on this Folk Village. [Reference]

After roaming for around one hour in the Folk Village, we were given the traditional lunch with a choice of: Jeju black pork barbeque or vegetable bibimbap.



Date Visited: November 2011

Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

Destination: Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (Sunrise Peak)
Location: Seogwipo-si Seongsan-eup Seongsan-ri 114
Date Visited: November 2011

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well. [Reference]

After almost an hour road trip from the city, we were able to reach the Sunrise Peak. I'm geared for this trip but not on this day... when I step out from the bus, there's the chilling effect of the very cold and strong wind. In less than 5 mins, I'm literally having runny nose, I can't take my photo as every second, that thing is flowing from my nose. It’s a very long walk of climbing the active volcano with both seaside and grassland on the background.

When I say a lot, yes really a lot of people are coming to his place. When we were there, about 9-10 buses full of tourists came in too.

Can you imagine me walking with a mass of people. So decided to stop at a point and some of them also stop on the same place where I was. Too bad because I have runny nose that I can’t immediately take a photo of myself.

I’m in Jeju, but it felt like walking to a demilitarized area. Some military men are also visiting the place.
The place is really picturesque.








Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

Saturday, November 26, 2011

South Korea: Jeju: Yeha Guesthouse

Yeha Guesthouse (http://www.yehaguesthouse.com)
Yeha Tour (http://www.yehatour.com/)
Book Goodstay Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju Island in Agoda
Date Visited: November 2011


I would recommend Yeha Guesthouse if you are looking for a place to stay in Jeju – for a positive note that they have a very good English guided tour. I commend Zin for his very informative and clear English on my West and East coast tours – courtesy of Yeha Tours.

The website shows true and good information and they answer my inquiries/email quickly. They also offer special discounts on accommodation and tours like early-bird booking, etc. There are dormitory and private rooms to choose from.

I booked at their site last July for my stay this November. Upon check-in (until 10pm) to their place, they requested for a 10000krw as deposit which I also got back on my check-out (11am).


Good thing that I got room 201 just near the stairs and take note that they do not have an elevator. The room is a typical Korean room, which you have to take off your shoes and change with your indoor slippers.


I’m happy with my room, I don’t need an air-conditioner but good thing they still have fan – in the middle of 13 degrees Celsius. They have television without cable channels, refrigerator, hair dryer, small towels and mosquito repellant. They don’t have cabinet to place in your clothes, but they have wall hangers. Good thing that have also have clock on the room.

For the bathroom, they provide toiletries, tooth paste, soap, shampoo and conditioner. It looks like there used to be a bathtub on it, but they removed it and I prefer if they could add shower curtains.

I so loved my bed – its soft, silky, clean, and it has its own heating pad which you can easily control.




The other facilities they offer are “do it yourself” breakfast, snacks or noodles you can buy, and open entertainment room (games, television, chess, computer and internet). If you don’t want to make your own breakfast, there is Paris Baguette just across the street which is always open.



You’ll notice that most of the memorabilia from the guests are all over the place, from the stairs to the walls. And, I also add a piece on my own – pinned this Manila postcard just near room 201.


Their front desk has very good English. I was also able to buy postcards and stamps from them. It feels like home on their place and I would really recommend this to you if you are looking for a place to stay.

Location



Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Teddy Bear Museum

Teddy Bear Museum
Location: Seogwipo-si Saekdal-dong 2889 (Jungmun Tourist Complex), Jeju
Website: http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/
Entrance Fee: 8000krw = 320php, 2011
Date Visited: November 2011

At the end of the tour, our guide (Zin) allowed that I can be dropped off at Teddy Bear Museum. The one in Jeju is the actual location place of Princess Hours, but I’d say that I appreciate more the one in Namsan Tower than this museum in Jeju.

The Birth of Teddy Bear: “Teddy Bear” was named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. The story begins in November 1902 when Pres. Roosevelt was bear-hunting in the state of Mississippi.
There are 3 galleries at this museum.

First, The History: Teddy Bear takes a journey in time. Ride the time machine with Teddy Bear Marty and learn the history of the past hundred years. Enjoy the quirky combination of history and teddy Bear charm.



South Korea: Jeju: Jusangjeolli Cliff

Destination: Jungmun Daepo Coast Jusangjeolli Cliff
Location: Seoguipo-si Jungmun-dong 2663
Date Visited: November 2011

The Jusangjeolli are stone pillars piled up along the coast and is a designated cultural monument of Jejudo Island. The Jusangjeolli was formed when the lava from Mt.Hallasan erupted into the sea of Jungmun. They are rock pillars shaped like cubes or hexagons of various sizes and almost seem as if stonemasons had carved them out. - http://visitkorea.or.kr/


Sunday, November 20, 2011

South Korea: Jeju: Yakcheonsa Temple

Yakcheonsa Temple
Location: Seogwipo-si Daepo-dong 1165, Jeju, Korea
Website: http://www.yakchunsa.org/ (KR only)
Date Visited: November 2011

Yakcheonsa Temple, largest Buddhist Temple in East Asia, located in southern area of Jeju.



South Korea: Jeju: Saeyeon-gyo

Saeyeon-gyo (Bridge) is located in the southernmost Korea as the landmark of Seowipo tourism port and the longest pedestrian bridge (168m). This is also having a meaning of making new relationship between the main Jeju island and islet of Saeseon.










I see this as a good place for locals to spend their mornings - having a long walk or riding with their bikes together with friends and family.




Date Visited: November 2011

Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Cheonjiyeon Falls

Cheonjiyeon, meaning "God’s pond," derives its name from the legend that the seven fairies serving the King of Heaven came down to the pond on stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean waters. [Source]

Cheonjiyeon Falls
Seogwipo-si cheonji-dong 666-7, Jeju, Korea

Date Visited: November 2011

Along the way going to the falls, while we were above a bridge we saw some ducks and fish.



Another nice thing is these blocks on the water, which also serves as a bridge. Having this is really a nice opportunity for tourists to take their photos.



More than the falls itself, I like better the view below on the water spring in layers.





Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

South Korea: Jeju: Hallim Park

There is much to see at Hallim Park, Jeju and I was only able to visit the left wing of the park at a given time of less than 1.5 hours.

First we visited Hyeopjae and Ssangyong Caves, formed by the eruption of Mt. Halla and there are stalactites and stalagmites which were seldom found in lava caves. These are more of basalt rocks than limestone. It looks to be a living cave as water is still dropping from the ceiling. Also, the temperature in the cave is at 17 to 18 degrees Celsius all year around.Next, I visited…




Jeju Stone

Bonsai Garden

Flower Garden



Water Garden

Hallim Park Location: 300 Hallim Road, Hallim, Jeju, Korea
Website: http://www.hallimpark.co.kr/engli/main.htm
Email: jeju@hallimpark.co.kr

Date Visited: November 2011


Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:


Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
Day 1
Take out from McDo
Lunch on Tour
Day 2
Paris Baguette
Lunch at Seongeup
Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3
Joongang Cathedral
Flight to Gimpo Airport
Four Seasons House
Coffee Prince Restaurant
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4
Coffine Gurunaru
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5
Angel in Us Coffee
Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul