Friday 4 March 2016

(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Gotjawal buttress root

I think one of the magnificent beauties in Gotjawal forest is buttress root. 
It is a type of a root of tree spread out on the ground which couldn't penetrate into the ground because of thick lava rocks under the ground. The strength of root looks like Jeju ancestor who has come over through though times. 



(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Jeju travel tour program4

* Hi!. Are you looking for a tour program to feel a real Jeju island?
Then, congratulation! Because you have come to the right site. As I am an expert of Jeju island I have thoughtfully selected the places where you can feel and experience deep inside of Jeju. Whichever courses you take, it will save your precious time and you will feel real Jeju island. I am sure this program give you more pleasure than those of any other agencies.
 
Daily tour course4 (Western part of Jeju island)
 
Price: 270.000KRW(base on 3 people)+40.000KRW for each additional person.

Included: English speaking tour guiding, Transportation, Entrance fee for the touristic attractions.
 
Excluded: Accommodation, meals.
 
Tour duration: 9am~6pm
 
*Notice- This is a trekking program
Tour courses4 (Western part of Jeju island)
1. Baelitnae cliff & Chenjeyeon waterfalls
2. Sanbangsan
3. Lunch
3. Hwasoon gotjawal(lava forest)
4. Songaksan volcanic crater
5. Arttre used to be an air field during ww2

 
Point of the Tour course4: Do you want to avoid touristic attractions? Are you ready for taking a walk in oder to feel deep inside of Jeju island? Then I strongly recommend this program. In this course you can see real Jeju island. We will start from Baelitnae cliff(star cascading cliff) to Chenjeyeon waterfalls in the morning. There are mysterious shamanic shrine and buddhist temple on the way.
 
In 1564, Hamel and his crews got shipwreck on the shore near Sanbangsan lava dome. After 13 years later they went back to their country and got western people know about korea first time. We are going to walk Sanbangsan and visit Hamel museum as well as climbing a beautiful volcanic crater.
 
Jeju island is a biological heritage of the world by UNESCO because it is a habitat of diverse plants from tropical to tundra ones in the lava forest. We are going inside a lava forest that is regarded a natural botanical garden.
 
Japan used Jeju island for defend their territory against Allies and it became a last defence line. For attacking to China, Japanese built a huge air field on the west of Jeju island. You can imagine how serious the war was. In this course we are going to see and feel the vestiges of the war.



1. Baelitnae cliffs & chenjeyeon waterfalls

Baelitnae means star cascading cliff and it is located in an estuary of Chenjeyeon waterfalls. Walking through luxuriant forest you will stop by a shamanic shrine and buddhist temple. It take around 1 hour to finish this course.



2. Sanbangsan


Sanbangsan is an gigantic lava dome located on the west of Jeju island. It has a natural cave which has been a buddhist monastery for 800 years and on the foot of the open sea there is 'Hamel museum'.
You can learn knowledge and bit of history of Jeju island in this place.
Sanbangsan & Yongmeri coast are UNESCO Geopark.


3. Hwasoon gotjawal(Lava forest)


Gotjawa means lava forest in Jeju dialect. There are 4 Gotjawals in Jeju island.
Hwasoon Gotjawal is one of them. They are UNESCO biological heritage of the world. Walking through Gotjawal will be precious experience in Jeju travel.



4. Songaksan volcanic crater


The volcano erupted twice 80,000 and 7000 years ago in Songak Mt. It is a double volcanic crater. Altitude of the Mountain is not high but the crater itself is so deep and it gives a magnificent view. You can see the most southern island of Korea named 'Marado' at one view. This crater was used as a military base by Japanese during world war 2. Military exavations and bunkers are still remain.
Songsak Mt is a worth place for not only scenery but also history


5. Arttre used to be an air field during ww2


Arttre air field was built for a military air base by imperial Japan in order to invade China in 1930s. The Japanese Zero sun fight taken off from Japan stoped over here to supplement fuel and bombs and bombard in Nanjing in China. By 1940s the war expanded into pacific ocean this air field became a main target of Allies.
The Japanese final defending operation called 'Kamikaje' was trained in this Arttre air field. 20 airplane hangers, a control tower, and several under ground bunkers are still preserved.


Contact e-mail: donghak1008@gmail.com


(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Hi! This is Jeju English speaking tour guide Mr.Dee






My name is Hyun Donghak(Mr.Dee), Jeju English speaking eco- travel guide. 
As you know Jeju Volcanic island has been registered as World Natural Heritage Property, Bio Sphere  Reserve and a Geo-Park by UNESCO. And it is also one of the New7Wonders of nature of the world.
Hiking up South Korea’s highest mountain, Hallasan, or the incredible tuff cone Seongsan sunrise peak and meandering along  beautiful Jeju Olle Trails can be your best choice. You also can plunge into blue oceans to view coral as colorful as the sunsets, and dig into Jeju’s unique cuisine.
Jeju island also had been an independent kingdom before Korea dynasty occupied Jeju island in 1105 so that Jeju island  has its own unique different culture, dialect and food from any other places.  That’s why Jeju island is the place most people want to visit.
Does Jeju Volcanic island appeal to you to make a best plan to travel? Do you want to have a best experience from travelling in Jeju island?   However, Are you browsing the internet in all directions to get some information of Jeju island and still don’t have any idea what to do? I want to say if primary purpose in your travel is getting a first-hand experience and you are highly interested in special travelling into Jeju island, don’t waste time searching for other tour guides or companies in the internet.
You are looking at a right page and a right person at the right time. I am writing down all the information about Jeju island as long as I can and you can refer to this web site as your personal travel guide. You can also find not only all the information but also fun episodes I have experienced. I hope that you can have unforgettable experience in the natural beauty of Jeju isalnd such as lush subtropical forest, lava tubes, sandy beaches, spectacular craters and the grand Halla Mountain poised silently in the middle of Jeju island on travelling with this web site.  You can also ask any questions through my e-mail while you travel.
However, if you need a Professional eco-travel guide, I am supposed to fit the bill. I will give you a perfect travel along with professional explanation of the history, culture and geological theory of Jeju island. 
According to Latin words the word ‘Travel’ comes from ‘travail’ which means ‘hard working’ and the word ‘tour’ comes from ‘turn’. People call a sight-seeing bus ‘tour bus’ because you can have a sight-seeing just seated in the bus, which just turns around touristic attractions. You might wonder why I am telling this story. Because I  call my program ‘Travel’  rather than ‘Tour’ so that walking and exploring are necessary to feel Jeju volcanic island.
People say ‘ If you want to know the culture, eating  the food is the best way’. So, do you want to taste exciting food? Well, then don’t worry about that……because I am going to introduce an exclusive and exciting Jeju traditional cuisine such as black pork barbecue or diverse seafood.
Anyway….one day I hope to say “Welcome to Jeju island” to you at the airport.
Thanks
P.S: I also introduce a hallah food restaurant if you are Muslim
E-mail: donghak1008@gmail.com

(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Tour course 5.

* Hi!. Are you looking for a tour program to feel a real Jeju island?
Then, congratulation! Because you have come to the right site. As I am an expert of Jeju island I have thoughtfully selected the places where you can feel and experience deep inside of Jeju. Whichever courses you take, it will save your precious time and you will feel real Jeju island. I am sure this program give you more pleasure than those of any other agencies.
 
Daily tour course5 (Southern part of Jeju island)
 
Price: 270.000KRW(base on 3 people)+40.000KRW for each additional person.

Included: English speaking tour guiding, Transportation, Entrance fee for the touristic attractions.
 
Excluded: Accommodation, meals.
 

Tour duration: 9am~6pm
 

Tour courses5 (Southern part of Jeju island)
1. Sesokkak estuary
2. Chenjiyeon waterfall
3. Oedolgue
3. Lunch
4. Saeyeonkyu bridge
5. Beomseom(Tiger island)
6. Yakchensa(water medicine tmeple)
 
Point of the Tour course5: There is a city named 'Seogwipo' which is known for most beautiful one in Jeju island. It has 'Hanlla Mt' on the back and open pacific ocean in front. We are going to see throughly this city in this course. There are several waterfalls in 'Seogwipo' due to lots of cliffs by diastrophism.
We will start from 'Sesokka estuary' which is formed by lava flows to 'Yakchensa'(water medicine temple) which has the biggest Daeungeon hall(main building of the temple) in Asia.
 
'Oedolgue' has become one of the most popular tour spot. A legendry story about 'a halmang(grandma) become a solid rock waiting for her husband' and a history from 'Mutiny of Mokho(mongolian descendant) will be displayed in 'Oedolgue'
 
We will take a ferry boat in order to tour of the island consisted of lava joint columnar named 'Tiger island' which is the most treasure of Seogwipo and 'Saeyeonkyu bridge' which is the landmark of Seogwipo.
 
'Yakchensa temple'(water medicine temple) has a biggest Daewoonjeon(main building of a temple) in Asia. This temple contains lots of story on Buddhism. Why don't you get to know about Korean Buddhist story?


1. Sesokkkak estuary



Sesokkak is an estuary that is formed by lava flows and erosion over thousands years. This place is divided into two parts: the upper region is a stream surrounded rocks and down stream is a sea water lagoon.


'Sesokka' became a touristic spot now but even 10 years ago it was considered as a holy place. Locals came togather here to give a ritual for rain in drought days and not allowed to swim or play.

3. Oedolgue & black cliffs


Oedolgue is a solitary rock on the ocean. The volcano eruption come through the water petrified into a stone pillar. Two stories are from 'Oedolgue'. One is that Halman(grand mother) became a solid rock after long waiting for her husband who drowned in the sea and the other one is that General 'Choi Yong' disguise the rock as a giant fighter in oder to put down mongolian mutiny. Not only 'Oedolgue' but also magnificent blacks cliffs and caves are worth touring.


2.Chenjiyeon waterfall



The height of 'Chenjiyeon waterfall' is 22m and the depth is 20m.

Beside of the waterfall itself, a subtropical forest around adds its more beauty. 'Chenjiyeon waterfall' is also a habitat of 'mutae eel' which has been registered as natural monument No 27.


4. Saeyeonkyu bridge



saeyeonkyu bridge opened in 2009. It is designed for taking a walk with enjoying a view of Seogwipo harbour. It is connected with Saeseom(bird island) and even you can see Sepseom, Moonseom and Beomseom.
Subtropical forest in Saeseom island is preserved for local park. It takes around 20 minutes to look around it.
There are Seogwipo fossil layers which is valuable natural asset for geology near Saeyeonkyu bridge. It is UNESCO Geopark.

5.Beomseom(Tiger island)


Beomseom(Tiger island) is consisted of lava columnar joints. Taking a boat 30 minutes you can see this treasure island. It is called 'Tiger isalnd' because it looks crouching tiger. There are 4 eroded caves. Trachytes on upper and basalts on down part assemble this island. People used to live until 1960 on the flat land on the island. When Mokho(Mongolian) rose a rebellion(1394), General 'Choi-Yong' put them down in 'Beomseom'. It is preserved as a natural monument.



6. Yakchensa(Water medicine temple)


'Yakchensa temple'(water medicine temple) has a biggest Daewoonjeon in Asia. It has started a small buddhist temple and now it becomes a one of biggest temple in Korea. The height of the Daewoongjeon is 25m and 3 stories building. And the murals in the building describe the story of buddhism. The water from wells in the temple is known for medicine water which contains lots of minerals.

 Contact e-mail: donghak1008@gmail.com


(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Jeju island

*Notice- This article is written by non-native English speaker.
Jeju island is a volcanic island. The volcano started erupting 1 million 300 thousands years ago and it had kept erupting for more than 1 million years constantly. That’s why this island has 368 craters and more than 120 lava tubes. There is the highest mountain in South Korea called Mt. Halla (1,950m)  which is also a volcanic crater  in the middle of   Jeju island. There are two big cities one is Jeju-si and the other one is Seogwipo-si. 2/3 population in Jeju live in Jeju-si because it is a capital and administrational city and Seogwiposi is more like touristic city. Diverse kinds of tangerines are grown in Seogwipo-si and they are exported to mainland and carrots are grown on the eastern side and potatoes are on the western side.  There are two big industries. One is agriculture and the other one is tourism. Actually In 1960s to 1980s Korea was under the military dictator ship, so that people didn’t have free to go abroad for tour. Instead of going to aboard, people chose Jeju island for an alternative. Since then tourism has started growing up. Now you can’t imagine Jeju island without tourism.


(Jeju travel) jejugosarisam

If you are interested in plants, you would like this
plant. A name of this plant is jejugosarisam.
You can find this plant only in Jeju island.


(jeju travel) I love travelling with Mr.Dee

Frankly speak, I am still nervous to meet my clients at first.

I suppose they feel as same as I do.

Well, through my experiences travel always starts like that.


Whenever we meet people first impression is very important. When first impression is not good I saw lots of things went wrong.

I tried to figure out their purpose and meaning of coming in Jeju island, whether they come here for just sightseeing or for a real traveling.

Surveying for few hours brings a decision on what kind of travel it will be.


Rosemary is a Korean-American who moved to US at age 3. It is a first visit for her to her mother country since she moved away. I could see that she was expecting a lot in Jeju island.


When you think of honeymoon, it remind you of delicious foods, exotic atmosphere, and relaxing beaches. And if they are looking for those things, they might not need a tour guide like me. They need a tour assistant. But they need me because they want a real travel.

​​​

Even though I been tour guiding for a long time I still don't know what is a right way for a honeymoon couple.

A cousin of Rosemary asked me for a special tour for the couple. Then I made a special plan for them. Well, It's easy for me to make a nature friendly itinerary and also makes me feel comfortable.



Make a good memory and find a meaning of coming of this island is more important than just taking a rest.

"We didn't have time to make an itinerary for the tour, sorry" the agency told me. I said "no problem at all, some times no plan makes a better tour" Actually it is true.


Jeju island is one of best places for food tour in Korea. The culture is very different from main land. And So is food. Food is a part of their own culture.

'Korean food is always spicy and chilly' well, that is a prejudice. 'Koreans always sit on a floor on having food' that is another prejudice. Once you abandon the prejudices, you will enjoy Korean food more than you expect.



Last thing we did was climbing Mt Hallasan. We had a hard tour rather than easy sightseeing. And we had local foods rather than touristic foods. That was successful!



My clients will assess my tour. I don't know if they give me a good point or not. However, in my opinion a tour guide must have his/her own philosophy or pursuit to the right tour.

We can't satisfy all clients but we should keep consistent the right way

(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Stone cultures in Jeju island

Jeju island.
The island which is abundant in winds, stones, and women. Actually, It is my home island which can be explained with these three things. Among those I am going to explain about stones.

When I look back on old days, I can remember vividly there are so many rocks in everywhere. Rocks, I was quite interested in.

I played with my friends stacking stone walls dividing into two sides and played a war game with throwing stones at each side.
Now a days, young kids who are more interested in video games can't imagine how we played with stones.

Probably, stones has influenced on not only kids but also every aspect of Jeju people's life.


​Some people think volcanic soil is fertile but it's far from it. The volcanic land is barren because rain water always penetrates into the ground and doesn't hold on surface. And the barren land has given Jeju people hard life.

Land give us food and the food in Jeju island infers a culture of it. So, you can peep their life through the food.




Upon thinking of Jeju island, what is the first thing come up to you? There are so many but probably one of them it might be a 'stone grandfather' which rigidly stood in front of a gate.

'Harbang' is a local language for 'grandfather'. According to a record, it was called 'Wooseokmok' or 'Beok-su head'. Now, it is called as 'Dol-harbang in general.

There are various views about its origin.

First view is that it came from superstitions. When people believed in shamanism, they created their god figure took after man's penis. Which means it is a kind of phallus stone.

Second view is that it came from Mongolian culture. There is a similiar stone to 'stone grandfather' in Mongolia called 'Hunchollo'. Jeju island had been occupied by Mongolian for 150 years. It might influence on Jeju culture.

Anyway its function was to give people property and prevent from evil spirit. It maintains a close relationship with the lives of the people in Jeju.




There are many abbreviations in Jeju language. For example, We call 'San' for a grave('San-so' in Korean). And a stone wall surrounding a grave is called 'Sandam'('dam' means wall).
One interesting thing is that according to Jeju custom people stack up a stone wall around their ancestor's grave.

When I traveled in other island, I was surprised to see a grave stone walls. It was a round shape stone wall while it is square shape in Jeju island.

Originally, they have stacked up stone walls surround the ancestor's grave to prevent wild animals from coming into or fire spreading on the grave.

Now a days a size of stone wall shows an achievement during their ancestor's life time.



Another peculiar funeral custom in Jeju island is a child stone.

In Jeju island the old always is accompanied by a child. The reason is that there are few schools in those days, so that a child need to have chances to learn. They need each other for learning for children and preventive measures for an emergency situations for the olds.

Generally, funeral and death always show apathy of life, cold and solemn. But Jeju island's funeral shows warm and relax to part their loved ancestors.





Jeju stone mill which is called 'Molgorye' in Jeju word. 'Mol' means a horse, and 'gorye' means grind.

This is one of stone cultures in Jeju island extinguished now a days. It was was operated by a horse or cow power to grind crops in a communal place. Now, it is displayed on a corner of a village only use for welcoming tourists.


There is a funny joke. If horses on the mill don't work diligently, people put a female horse in front and male horse on the other side to chase each. then it works well.




When you travel in Jeju coast lines, you can see stone labyrinths. Fish come in during high tide and couldn't get out in low tide. It is called 'wondam'

(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) Olle market

*Notice – This article is written by non-native English speaker.
I went to the Olleh daily market in my town Seogwipo today.
The old name of the market was Seogwipo daily market but it has been changed to Olleh market now.
Well…. the name ‘Olleh’ is quite popular in Jeju island these days since the ‘Olleh Trekking’ courses has been developed.
Anyway we have two traditional markets in Seogwipo city.
One is ‘Olleh daily market’ and the other is ‘Five days traditional market’.
Let’s have a look around ‘Olleh daily market’



It is an entrance of the market with loudly neon signs.
They think this loudly neon signs attract tourists but it is not a traditional market any more for me which I went with my mom. However, it became modern and convenient and seems more people like it.
Even though people tend to shopping mall or convenient store to buy things these days, it is no wonder that local market is an important place to buy things.



Small sushi restaurants are quite famous in ‘Olleh daily market’.
They will cook sushi immediately before you and the food is very delicious with low price.
Do you know that? there are so many restaurant got success from here. The famous ‘Twin Sushi Restaurant’ started business from this market.
Do you want to start business? then start from a traditional market.



Do you know ‘So-ju’ ? ‘So-ju’ is Korean traditional rice distilled wine.
Locals get together at the corner of the market and drink ‘So-Ju’ with well sliced sushi in hot summer night. It is a kind of their joy they can get after hard work of the day.
The restaurant’s warm hospitality always put people in a relaxed mood and have time goes so fast as they enjoy night time with drinking alcohol with good food and they forget the hot weather.
It is a life of local people in hot summer night.



You can’t miss street food in a local market.
My mom always got the food in my hand when we went to a market together. Then I always smiled at her with satisfaction. Now my little boy always asked me to buy street food.
Well…. I do same as my mom did.





Fruits store…..
One of the most popular places in a market.
The sign in the store says ‘ Hallabong is cheap’. Hallabong is more like tangelo which is a bog tangerine.
I didn’t ask the price but I assume it is very expensive because summer is not a season for tangelo.
However, if you want to buy fruits I recommend the seasonal fruits such as watermelon or peach.




My town Seogwipo is very famous for tangerines and they are rich in vitamins
In Jeju island we grow most tangerines in Korea and export them to the main land.
The price is 5000 won for 1 small fruit basket. I think it’s reasonable price.
I hesitated to buy them and decided to buy until it comes right season.




The local market was out door but it becomes a indoor market now.
The ceiling is so artistic and it has even fountain in the middle of the walking path.
It looks like shopping mall rather than a traditional market in my eyes. Now you can hardly see people are crowed shouting and busking. However, becoming a indoor market is very useful when it rains.





This is Jeju traditioanl Gal-ot market.
In old time Jeju didn’t have much materials to dye cloth so that in summer time people dyed cloth with persimmon. Now it becomes Jeju traditional working clothes.
This clothes is good breathable and natural friendly and still people enjoy wearing them.


Abalone is one of the best Jeju indigenous product.
They are displayed according to diverse sizes. Abalones are caught by diver-woman traditionally but now they are grown in a sea farm. Natural ones are so expensive these days.
However, abalones are common side dish on the local dining table in Jeju island thanks to sea farm.


This corner is a small version of NamDaeMun market which is the largest clothing market in Seoul.
There are diverse and not expensive clothes you can pick up any time in here. They are very economical and fashionable.
I was very tempted to buy one of them…..


This is Kimchi market.
You can taste all kinds of Kimchi here. They even deliver their kimchi to all over the country.
I think the Kimchi in this store is famous in the entire country.


This is fish market.
Normally in Jeju island we dried fish like this to eat.
Well….. This Olleh market is not much different from other local markets.
I think most of traditional market in Korea become standardized domestically which is I don’t agree with.
I hope we have more unique market in Seogwipo…..
When I was young the market street was jammed with cheerful and happy crowds sounds. The sound of selling and busking was never discontinued.
I miss the sounds which brought me back to memories of happy years.
But it has gone now…….


(Jeju travel) Japanese airfield during ww2

*Notice - This article is written by non native English speaker.

Korea had been occupied by Japan from 1919 to 1945.
The world war2 was broken out at the end of recolonisation. In that time Jeju island was called 'last defence line of the inland of japan'. Japan kept losing the battles in the pacific ocean war and at last it faced the landing of US navy. They had decided to make up 'Kamikaze worriers'.
Actually the word 'kamikaze' means 'God of Wind' and it came out during Mongolian empires' invasion 800years ago.

About 800years ago, the invincible Mongolian empire conquered most of the world but Japan.
The reason they couldn't conquer the japan is that Japan is island country and Mongolian worriers never experienced fighting on the water. However, they had prepared the invasion to Japan for several years. 


Their first invasion was failed by a big typhoon. Of cause most of solders were drowned into the water.
Mongolian empire couldn't bear the disgrace of losing the war.
After ward, they invaded Japan the island country again with 100,000 solders and same number of Mongolian pony horses. 
Thanks to God for Japan, there was another extremely strong typhoon again. 
No one survived the such strong storm.

Since then, Japan has worshipped the wind and call them 'Kamikaze'.

                                                          
They excavated the caves and built an air field for suicidal boats and warplanes around shores in Jeju island. May be Japan wanted to make their won kamikaze. They might wish it would be another 'Kamikaze' like 800years ago. But it's not 'Kamikaze' it's just sacrifice of innocent people.

Jeju island still keep these historical sites not to forget the cruelty of the war.
Why don't you come to Jeju island to see and feel the sight of the war?Japanese air field


(Jeju travel Mr.Dee) about Jeju isalnd


Jeju island is an absolute volcanic island.

In Jeju island, there are more than 360 diverse volcanic craters as well as 120 lava tubes formed by volcanic activities. Furthermore, it also has the highest Mt in South Korea called Hallasan.

Various scenic view from volcano is magnificent comparing to other volcanic places.

Due to the recognition of the natural scenery, geological and biological value, Jeju island has been registered by UNESCO as natural, geological and biological heritage of the world.
It also has been designated as one of New 7 Wonders of nature.
Needless to say, Jeju island is a treasure island in Korea.

However, I want you to know we have different culture and life style from the main land(Korea) and other rest of the world.

Jeju island has not only beauty of nature but also has a long history of Tamra kingdom.

Jeju island had been use to be exile prison since kyore dynasty with a prohibition of going out of its island for 300 years.
Thanks to this ironic history Jeju island has most traditional culture. And it has been known as a rebellious island because there were rebels and suppressions repeatedly.


Jeju island keep stimulating interest of foreign visitors with gut,myth which Korean society still doesn't have generosity of understanding.


You can access to the freshest food in Korea because it is an island.

So, slow food is possible. People get gather at 5 days market to buy Jeju red carrots, potatoes, dropwots etc.

Jeju island has been known for abundance in winds, stones and women.

Islanders have been venerable to nature to struggle against wind. The land is barren to dig out numerous stones for farming.

And women always had been outnumbered to men dud to lack of men.
Nowadays 3 abundant things are beautified for story telling in Jeju island but actually they shows the pain of Jeju history.

But... We are making electricity by winds and we have stacked up stones to make walls which now are agricultural heritage of the world.
Jeju island has become a place where people from all over the world are interested in.
 

As time goes by, Jeju island has turned to be modernized and the ratio of man and woman becomes half to half. And the profession of woman diver endangers which is supposed to be registered as an intangible heritage of the world by UNESCO.