Jeju-do

Welcome to South Korea, “Hawaii of Korea” Formed by outpouring of lava about 2 million years ago.

We received the warmest welcome as we stepped off the ship and going through the security they handed each of us a large map of the island along with two small square wrapped chocolates. But there were no “moneychangers” to be found as we were told. Even the ship didn’t have Korean “Kwan” so we had to fend for ourselves. But as it was 8:00 AM and no banks opened until 9:30 and the ATM’s mostly only take Korean cards, not international.

But we were lucky again. There were taxi’s lined up, and there was one woman guide standing nearby that was able to translate for us and hire us a cabbie that was willing to take US money, including he would pay our entry fees and we would just pay him at the end of the trip. We were thrilled as this is our only day here and it means we don’t get stuck with Korean money to bring home as souvenirs.

Speaking of souvenirs, we still haven’t found any. We barely can find a postcard. and a few places when we do they are really bad quality. Surprising in the Camera Countries of the world. If anyone loves traveling and want to come to Asia I have a business opportunity idea for you.

We showed our driver where we wanted to go on the map from the ship. This one spoke no English so it was a bit more difficult than our last adventures, but luckily with map in hand we were able to communicate that much.

The whole island is made up of over 360 volcanic craters and mountains of various sizes. Once we got out of the city we had a 4-hour tour of beautiful countryside. Because of the volcanic soil it is a botanist paradise.

First stop was Sangumburi Crater. We beat the crowds being the second taxi to arrive. At the opening arch, and the logo image of the whole island is a Dolharubang, a stone statue of a Grandfather, with buggy eyes, flat nose, tightly closed mouth, two hands on fat belly, and no legs. (First statues carved from lava rock in 1750 and placed outside fortresses. Today 45 real ones exist and are found around the island, but also many many replicas and fakes as it is now the island mascot.)When you find these at the entrance he is a guardian, symbolizing the spirit of Jeju people who overcame difficulty and hardship. Our guide took our picture. But then he just kept moving us from one photo stop to another. He would point where for us to stand to get the best picture, motioning for us to do this or that. Before the tour was over he actually wore out the batteries on all three cameras. We didn’t know how to tell him we didn’t need a picture of each and every direction and stone.

Then on to Seongup Folk Village. We were expecting something like Polynesian Cultural Center, but no….people really live in these very small hut type dwelling, called Choga, made from lava walls and straw thatched roofs. We walked the yards of some of them. Again they wanted to take our pictures of us with various backgrounds and traditional household choirs. Fun one of Kriss and I carrying a Mulheoboek, which is a jar in a basket the women would carry on their backs when they had to walk a long way to get water. They each have a gate to their home as three long logs sticking in two lava pillars. The Jeongnang of their houses would tell passersby’s if they were home: one log meant “returning shortly”, two meant “returning later” and three being “gone all day”. I still don’t know if it was logs up or logs down??

We thought we were headed back to ship as that is all we had “bargained” for but the taxi driver took us for 4 more stops---basically “Kodak moments”. Seongsan (Sunrise Peak) then drove us beach side around about ¼ of the island on our way back to the city. One stop was a shell store….the whole outside of the building in thousands of albacore shells about 8 x 10 inches. Then inside were perfect shells you could purchase in amazing colors and shapes and sizes. But as we had not a Kwan to our name we left empty handed.

Full round trip four-hour tour for 4, $100 including entry fee to crater. (Ship cost tour for only first 2 stops $78 per person.)

We are trying to save up our money for Japan. Ship tour instructor says, “Money Flies in Japan.” Kagoshima here we come!

LPGKE