Korea Trip: Day 3

17.04.2006

We started our day at a local restaurant where we had abalone porridge, a speciality on Cheju Island. Following that, we went across the road and went to Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock).

Yongduam Rock

Yongduam is a volcanic rock that was created from an eruption about two million years ago. It is 10 m high, and 30 m long. It is named so because of the legend that a dragon (“yong”) living in his dragon palace tried to ascend to the heavens and got stuck. Because the shape of the rock resembles the shape of the dragon’s head, it is called Yongduam. The rock now has only its body parts, because during a heavy storm a while ago, the head part of the rock was hit with lightening and fell off. A short trail has been carved out going down the cliffs to give several views of the rock. Several old women sell fresh seafood in the area. They were known as the "Hai Nyeong".

We walked down the short trail to see the rocks from different directions. Honestly speaking, I dun really think it look like a dragon maybe I need to be more imaginative. We took a lot of pictures here and following that we proceed to Seongsan Sunrise Peak

Seongsan Sunrise Peak

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption about 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 hill with grass that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge is good for walks and for horse riding as well. A hefty climb brings visitors to the top of the peak.

It takes about 20 minutes or so to climb up. Guess what, my mum, my sis, Yinmei and I manged to climb up to the top and we were the fastest in the whole group to do so. The stairs got steeper and steeper as we went up the hill but the view was really magnificent. The air was so fresh n the sun was up in the sky. Wo........ Then we took about 15 minutes or so to get down, following that, we went to buy the local specialites which was chocolate. Special one includes catus and mandarian oranges. Then we also buy some special mandarian oranges.

After that, it was lunch time. Another korean meal coming up and its bbq pork this time. Same as previous night, unlimited refilling of meat and side dishes. Kimchi, my favourite was being refilled twice. What a full lunch....

After lunch, we went to the Seongeup Folk Village which was exactly what it was many many years ago. The government do not allow them to tear down the houses or move away. There were a total of 188 families living in there if I remembered correctly.

Seongeup Folk Village

Located at the foot of Mt. Halla, Seongeup Folk Village has perfectly preserved Korean tradition. With its vast amount of cultural property, this place is designated as a Folk Village. Many cultural properties such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, stone statues, millstones (run by horse), fortress ruins, and stone monuments, and intangible cultural assets such as folk plays, native foods, local folk craftsmanship, and the local dialect are handed down to date. The several-hundred-year-old zelkova trees and nettle trees standing in the middle of the village are designated as natural monuments. Wandering around this area, you will feel as if you travled back to the past. It is a popular place for foreigners to experience the unique Korean native culture. Located on Cheju Island, Seongeup Folk Village shows the unique residential culture of the island; the poorly made windscreen stone wall (black lava rock), the straight but curvy Ollae (narrow alley) to block the wind, and the stone statues which have become the prime feature of the landscape. The local black-haired pigs and tongsi (pigsty / restroom) are especially well-known indigenous products. The local pigs, which feed on human feces, are very nutritious and famous for their great tasting meat. These traditions, which cannot be seen elsewhere today, make the Folk Village a novel experience.

Even though the oustide of the house looks the same as before but the interior actually changed to more modern floorings and facilities. These 188 families survived by making and selling honey. We were being introduced to the millstones, the baskets and the lady there also sang us the famous "On-Na-Ra", theme song from Da Chang Jin. A few scenes in "Da Chang Jin" was also filmed here and many residents there also acted as part-time actors/actresses. Following that, we were being introduced to the honey. My mum bought 1 bottle of honey only, too heavy for carrying, somemore still got so many days to go.....

Next, we moved on to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, one of the 3 famous waterfalls in Cheju Island. There is a serene path leads from the park entrance back to the falls, following alongside the stream made by the waterfall, and separating the tourists from those coming and those leaving. There were many people taking pictures at the waterfall, so we had to join the crowd and tried to take same pictures. The scenary was nice and the surrounding was quite peaceful. As we were leaving, many students were just entering the place. Luckily, we were fast or else, we will even have a harder time taking pictures.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls

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 by stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean water. Apart from the wild Dampalsu trees, designated as natural monument no. 163, the wooded area also contains a great variety of rare plants such as brambles, Songyeopnan as well as Gusiljappam trees, Sanyuja trees (Chinese lemon trees), and camellias which are all specified as natural monument no. 379. Walk along the subtropical path towards the Cheonjiyeon Falls for a kilometer to hear the magnificent sound of waterfalls. The waterfall is 22m high, 12m wide and 20m in depth.

Following which, we proceed to Oedolgae Rock. "Da Chang Jin" was also being filmed here. the scene was "Han Shan Gong died on Chang Jin's back was filmed here". Oedolgae Rock can also be known as "Gu Du Yan", "Wang Fu Shi" or "Jiang Jun Shi". Oedolgae Rock looks as if a lady is carrying a child on her back and waiting for her husband to come back. There were many views where you can view the rocks. Of course, we also went to the nearest point to the rocks and took pictures. It was a very nice place.

Then it was time to go to the Mysterious Road. In Cheju Island, there were 3 such roads. A parked car on the road seems to move up the hill by itself. This rare phenomenon, earned the road its nickname, "Mysterious Road". There was a plantation beside the car-park where our bus parked. The group of us went in without knowing we have to pay n in the end Lisa say she will pay for us. Lisa asked us to go n see what's special with the road but most of the team members actually ended up buying things from the roadside stores. We did go n see the road but it's just like a normal road but vehicles really can move with its engines off. What a special phenomenon.

Then we went for dinner at a local restaurant but we are having cooked pork meat with side dishes instead of BBQ. Another style of Korean meal. Then we went to the "Family Mart" which was like our "7-11" to purchase some items and necessarities.

Then it was back to Cheju Oriental Hotel for resting tonite. There was a casino which locals cannot go it, so its mainly for tourists from other countries. My sis, Yinmei and I bought my mum and aunts went to the casino for a look before the 3 of us went out for a walk on the street. We went to a shopping center but the things were quite expensive. So we just walked around and see see only. Then we went back to the hotel to use the laptop before we went back to our rooms to pack our bags n rest for the nite.