Hawaii of Asia – JEJU Island <21.8.2008>

After the workshop in Seoul we had 3 more days to explore the country. Where you can get most impressions in such short time gathered ideally in one place? Impossible? No – the answer is Jeju Island!

It is situated in the very south of South Korea ;-) and is called to be the “Hawaii of Korea” (even Asia, but I am not so convinced in that)
Just 40min flight time and you arrive in a different world: No skyscrapers, no pollution, lush forests or huge rice fields and several volcanic spots.

We stayed around Jeju City in a real nice Inn which was recommended by our Korean colleagues. The place is called YEADOOM and is a family run Inn which is very close to the north beach and just 10min from the airport. It is really nice and they prepare gorgeous black pig BBQ! Check out http://www.yedaoom.com/

In Jeju City you can find good places to shop, colorful fountains were kids playing & nice places to eat local specialties:



Coming to culture and places of interest – what is typical for Jeju?
1st is the “grandfather stones” – which you will find everywhere in different shapes and sizes:

2nd there is the Jeju-Toilet – which I don’t want to describe more in detail … see yourself and guess:

Than there are the volcanic sights like the world longest lava tube (>8km), huge waterfalls and an impressive coast line:

For those who want to discover yourselves – I can recommend you a spiritual journey via one of the offered temple stay in the south.

And there is a lot more to see like old women diving 20m deep without scuba gear; mystic roads where you roll uphill (unbelievable but true); huge craters and colorful aquatic life at the southern dive spots.

For those who want to see more of it - please check Lea's homepage for dive pics:
http://japanmeetslea.blogspot.com/2008/09/jeju-island-koreans-hawaii-aug-208.html


To explore the island you need a car – but don’t forget your international driving license otherwise you won’t be able to rent one.
We were really lucky – we were guided by the hotel owners father over the 2 days and he showed us placed you won’t find by yourself.
The magic of the grandfather stones ;-)

Thank you Grandpa