Saturday, October 30, 2010

3 days 2 night in Jeju-do #2

1st December 2010, Wednesday

1) Mt. Hallasan National Park
Mt.Hallasan stands tall in the middle of Jeju Island. It is also called Mt.Yeongjusan, meaning a mountain high enough to pull the galaxy. Mt.Hallasan is widely acknowledged by scholars for its research values. Designated as a National Park in 1970, there are 368 parasitic mountains called "Ohreum (peaks)" around Mt. Hallasan. From its warm climate to the cooler areas, Mt.Hallasan is famous for its vertical ecosystem of plants. Over 1,800 kinds of plants and 4,000 species of animals (3,300 species of insects) are known to exist here, and due to the well-developed climbing course, you can carefully observe the surroundings. Mt.Hallasan is a short climbing course. Less than 10km in length, it is possible to reach the peak and come back down in one day. But the weather conditions often change and there is a lot of wind, so you must be well prepared before going up the mountain.




Hiking Course
- Seongpanak course: Seongpanakpath → Top of Dongneung (9.6km / 4 hrs and 30 min for one-way)
- Eorimok course: Eorimok → Wiseoreum (4.7km / 2 hrs for one-way)

Operating Hours
-Seongpanak: Overnight hiking is prohibited, From the azalea field is under control
* ascent 6:00-9:00 / top 13:00 / descent 12:00 (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec)
* ascent 5:30-9:30 / top 14:00 / descent 12:30 (Mar, Apr, Nov, Oct)
* ascent 5:00-10:00 / top 14:30 / descent 13:00 (May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

- Eorimok
* ascent 6:00-12:00 / descent 14:00 (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec)
* ascent 5:30-13:00 / descent 15:00 (Mar, Apt, Nov, Oct)
* ascent 5:00-14:00 / descent 16:00 (May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

Local Transportation
1. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal (+82-64-753-1153, Kor), take an intercity bus bound for Seongpanak (first bus 6:00 / last bus 21:30 / 10 min interval / 35 min ride / 1,700 won). Get off at the entrance Seongpanak.

2. From 516 Road Terminal (+82-64-762-4346, Kor), take Seongpanak bound intercity bus (first bus 6:00 / last bus 21:30 / 10-12 min interval / 30-40 min ride / 1,900 won). Get off at the entrance of Seongpanak.

3. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Eorimok bound intercity bus (first bus 6:00 / last bus 16:50 / 1 hour and 20 min interval / 30 min ride / 2,200 won). Get off at the entrance of Eorimok.

3 days 2 nights in Jeju-do #1

Highlights of some attractions

29 November 2010, Monday

1) Jeongbang Falls
Jeongbangpokpo Waterfall is the only water fall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. On the wall of the water fall, there is an inscription written “Seobulgwacha”, referring to Seobul passing by this place. Seobul was a servant of the Chinese Emperor Jin (BC 259~210) who was ordered by the Emperor to find the substance that would make him immortal. Seogwipo is also said to have gotten its name to mean Seobul headed back west. Jeongbang Waterfall is situated by a high cliff by the sea, and an old evergreen stands there leaning back as if it would fall into the ocean. Go east for about 300 meters and you will see another waterfall called Sojeongbang Waterfall. It is a great place to relax during the summer. There is an observatory at the top of the cliff, from which you can command a fine view of the sea.
Local Transportation
1. From Jeju Airport, take a limousine bus and get off in front of Paradise Hotel. Walk 5 min following the sign of Jeongbangpokpo Waterfall.
2. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Seogwipo-si and get off at Square No. 1 station (10-15 min interval / 1 hour ride). Take taxi for 5 min.
Operating Hours
Summer 7:30-19:00 / Winter 8:00-17:30

2) Cheonjeyeon Falls
Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, named 'The pond of God', consists of 3 parts. Around the falls, a variety of plant life thrives, such as the rare ‘solipnan’ reeds. To the east, there is a cave where cold water pours from the ceiling to create a waterfall. The water from the first waterfall becomes the second and third waterfalls and flows into the sea.
In Cheonjeyeon Valley, there is the “Seonimgyo Bridge” (arch bridge that has 7 nymphs carved on the side) and the octagonal “Cheonjeru tower”. The Seonimgyo is also called “Chilseonyeogyo”(meaning seven nymphs) and it connects Cheonjeyeon with the Jungmum Tourist Complex. On the surface of the Cheonjeru Tower, there is a painting that tells Cheonjeyeon’s legend of the nymph and mountain god. Every even-year in May, the Chilseonyeo Festival is held here.
Local Transportation
To the Falls
1. From Jeju Airport, take Airport Limosine Bus No. 600 that goes via Jungmun and Seogwipo and get off at Yeomiji Botanical Garden (15 min interval / 50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min to the entrance of Yeomiji Botanical Garden. Purchase tickets there.
2. Taxi takes 30-40 min from Jeju Airport.
3. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Seogwipo bound intercity bus and get off at Jungmun Resort (50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min.
4. Taxi takes 30-40 min from the bus terminal.
Operating Hours
March - October 08:00-18:30
November - February 09:00-17:30

3) Jusang Jeolldae
On the south coast of Jeju Island, not far from Depo-dong is a cliff along the Jisatgae Coast which has some remarkable rock formations known as the Jusang Jeolldae. They are unusual rock formations that were formed when lava from the eruption of Mt Halla flowed into the Sea of Jungmun. The rocks have been segmented into pillars with a hesagonal or square cross section and which form columns of various heights that step away into the ocean. The formations have been listed as a cultural monument of Jeju Island.
Local Transportation
1.At Seogwipo Bus Terminal, take the Jungmun bound bus (20 minute ride). Get off at Jungmun. 15 minute walk.
2. At Daepo-dong Bus-stop (last bus stop), Seogwipo-si, walk along the road to the east side, or at the entrance of Jungmun Folk Museum, walk along the farm road to the west. 7-8 minute walk.
Admission Fee
Free

4) Yongmeori Hyen ( Dragon Head Seaside )
Yongmeori Beach is a place where Mt. Sanbangsan stretches into the ocean and it looks as if a dragon’s head is going underwater. This area is made of Sa-am stacks, built up over millions of years. There are Gulbangs here which are depressed into the shape of rooms, and wide rocks stacking up on one another along the seashore cliffs which create a majestic scenery by the sea. Along the road down to the seashore, there is the Hamel Castaway Memorial, in remembrance of Hamel who drifted to this place in 1653, and to the rightside of the beach, there is soft and dark sandy beach. You can meet the women sea-divers of Jeju who sell sea cucumbers and stroll on the road that spreads along the seashore.
Local Transportation
1.Jeju-si -> take a bus headed to Sanbanggulsagan, and get off at Yongmeori Coast. Takes about 55 minutes
Admission Fee
Adults (20-64) : 2,200 won/1,700 won (individual/group) Teenagers, Children(19 and younger): 1,100 won/880 won
Because Sanbanggulsa and Yongmeori Coast belong to the same tourist district, one ticket will enable you to visit both places.

5) Oedolgae Rock
Oedolgae sits not far from the shores of Sammaebong Seougwipo City. It is an amazing rock 10 meters in circumference and 20 meters in height and is also known as the Changgun Rock. It is surrounded by beautiful islands such as Bum Island, Sae Island and Seonnyu (fairy) Rock. Oedolgae was also a filming location in the 2003 TV drama series, 'Daejangguem' where Hansangoong (Mee Kyung Yang) faced her death under a false accusation while being carried on Daejanggeum's(Young Ae Lee) back. Fantastic rocks of Oedolgae and fields of reeds in the extensive ranch is a perfect place to go trekking. The sunset of Bum Island, which can be seen from Oedolgae, has long been an essential stop for tourists going to Jeju Island.
Local Transportation
1. There are few buses from Seogwipo to Wedolgae. Running time: 06:00~22:00 20mins interval(5 mins)
Admission fee
free

6) Cheonjiyeon Falls
A waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea. Literally, the name Cheonjiyeon means sky (Ch'eon) connected with land (ji). It is one of the main tourist attractions on Jeju-do. It is 22 meters high and 12 meters wide. Though water always falls in one particular area, depending on the amount of recent rain, the water may spread out. Large volcanic rocks form landbridges that allow tourists to pose for photographs in front of the falls. The waterfall is one of the three famous waterfalls of Jeju, the other two being Cheonjeyeon Waterfall and Jeongbang Waterfall.It is the most popular at night, because the falls are illuminated. The Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is also known for its diverse plant and animal life. Just before reaching the falls on the path, one must cross a bridge from which a wide variety of coy fish can be seen below. Along the way are three piles of stacked or balanced rocks that are a common sight throughout the whole of South Korea. In olden days, a person would place a small stone under a larger stone and pray for the health and prosperity of their family. Its pond is known for being a habitat of the marbled eel, which moves only at night.

안녕하세요 ahn nyeong ha se yo

Finally, i have made the domestic flight booking to Jeju Island. It was formerly not in my itinerary as a travel agent told me that there is nothing much there. But after surfing and gathered the info, i plan to have a 3 days 2 nights trip in this island which is given a name Korea Hawaii or Honeymoon Island ... anyway, i will be alone to explore this romantic island :))

ARRIVING : Monday, November 29, 2010
Asiana Airlines ( Flight Cost : $56.60 USD)
Departure : Busan Gimhae (PUS)
Arrival : Jeju Airport (CJU)

LEAVING : Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Asiana Airlines ( Flight Cost : $72.60 USD)
Departure : Jeju Airport (CJU)
Arrival : Seoul Gimpo International (GMP)



Accommodation : ( 2 choices )

1 ) Hiking Inn (22k won) -( Take a limousine bus from Jeju International Airport (1 hour, 10 minutes / Fare: 5,000 won) → Get off at Seogwipo bus stop (Sunbeach Hotel)→ Walk ahead in the direction of Cheonjiyeon Falls and it’s on the Right (a 3-minute walk))

2) Yeha Guesthouse (19k won)
( By bus: Take the number 100 bus (1,000KRW) at gate no.2 of the 1st floor, Jeju airport and get off at Hankuk Hospital (next to Jeju bus terminal) . From there, it is a 2 minute-walk. By taxi: Take a short distance taxi (Around 3,500KRW))




Places to visit (29/11) -- SouthWest Jeju (Seogwipo-si)
  1. Jeongbang Falls
  2. Cheonjiyeon Falls
  3. Oedolgae
  4. Jusangjeolli Cliff
  5. Cheonjeyeon Falls
  6. Yongmeori Hyen ( Dragon Head Seaside )
  7. O'Sulloc Tea Museum ( if time permitted )

* Submarine tour ( approx : 90 minutes 45k won ; runs every 45 mins for 15 times a day )

Places to visit (30/11) -- Middle Jeju

  1. Mount Hallasan National Park
  2. Sangumburi Crater*

Places to visit (1/12) -- East Jeju

  1. Seongsun Sunrise Peak
  2. Seopjikoji
  3. Seongeup Folk Village
  4. Sangumburi Crater *
  5. Manjanggul Cave
  6. Maze Park
  7. Mysterious Road
  8. Loveland

Just finished writing to the Yeha Guesthouse, i would spend my nights there after considering a few points

  1. graded 97% from the customers' reviews compares to 71% for Hiking Inn
  2. nearer to the airport
  3. travelling time to Hallas Mount & East Jeju by local bus almost the same as from Hiking Inn
  4. cheaper by 3k won per night (but HK Inn is private ensuite and YG is dorm )
  5. 6k won discount on submarine tour
  6. free breakfast & free internet access :))

SCHEDULE CHANGES
Places to visit (29/11)
Miniature Theme Park
Sangumburi Crater
Seongup folk village
Mysterious Road
Loveland

Places to visit (30/11)
Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Seopjikoji
Manjanggul Cave
Seogwipo Harbour

Places to visit (1/12)

Jeongbang Falls
Cheonjiyeon Falls
Oedolgae
Jusangjeolli Cliff
Cheonjeyeon Falls
Yongmeori Hyen ( Dragon Head Seaside )

* I have made some changes on the accommodation as well. I will spend a night respectively in Yeha Guesthouse and Hiking Inn. As the Hiking Inn is really closed to some of the sightseeing spots which can be reached by just couple minutes of walk. ( Bookings are confirmed :))

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

挣扎

人的一生中
难免有些时刻
会为了一些事情
而举棋不定
或许是为了家庭
也可能为了事业
要不然就是情感
抑或是未来......

徘徊在问题的边缘
得取或捨呢?
得进或退呢?
毅然做了决定
籍时间淡化过去
然而并非想象中那么地容易

真的是一种很玄的东西
如影随形
逃也逃不了
甩也甩不去
尤其在夜深人静时

选择了放手
还是防守?
暮然回首
依昔无法逃离原有的领域
只因坠入了另一个困境

原来所需要的是勇气而不是逃避..........

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

For You & Me

6 PRINCIPLES OF LIFE

No point using limited life to chase unlimited money.

No point earning so much money you cannot live to spend it .

Money is not yours until you spend it.

When you are young, you use your health to chase your wealth ; when you are old, you use your wealth to buy back your health . Difference is that, it is too late .

How happy a man is, is not how much he has but how little he needs .

No point working so hard to provide for the people you have no time to spend with