Take me to the volcano!!!

GETTING THERE!

  We decided months ago when the Japan trip fell through, that we wanted to head to Jeju-Do Island.  We've been told by everyone it was a "must see" before you leave Korea.  They were right!  We also chose to go after school was out since Galen has had to study during just about every vacation we've taken.  She has earned a true break here.  Amidst all this packing for our return to America, we take a break and head for Jeju.

  Through various sources the trip has taken on an unusual but very local feel.  Thanks to a teacher friend we are staying in a Pension, Korea's answer to the Bed and Breakfast.  With the help of our Korean teacher we made a reservation.  The room included a rental car.  Jason managed to negotiate the Jin Air website and get our tickets (the website is totally in Korean).  From another friend that traveled to the island recently we received the name of a driver.  We are all set for a unique experience!

  The day starts with a brave move, we decide to take the mass transit to the airport instead of a taxi.  We ended up at the airport with plenty of time and at a fraction of the cost;  6000W per person except David he was only 4000W due to his age.  We had a good laugh when we realized the seats on the bus were bigger than the seats would be on the plane!

  Once at the airport, we easily found our airline and checked in.  Once at the gate we realized we had purchased priority boarding.  I'm so glad we did!  It turns out, priority boarding gets you on the plane in zone A (the front of the plane) and first on the plane.  Since it was no assigned seating we were relieved that we did the whole priority thing.  In addition, if you are a foreigner that has purchased priority boarding, they give you extra attention to make sure you don't miss the announcement.  We had an attendant give us updates on boarding every 5 minutes and he actually came to get us first before the announcement was made to make sure we didn't miss it.  We were practically the first ones on the plane.  Turns out your luggage is a priority as well.  Once in Jeju our bags were the first off the plane too!  From what I've heard in the news, airlines from America could sure learn a thing or two from Korea!  The clincher is we only paid 15,000W extra per person, total, round trip for this service.  It was fantastic and a great start to the trip.

JEJU-D0

  We hit the ground running in Jeju.  We knew we only have 2 days on the island so we had a schedule and a driver to save time.  Our first stop was the Mysterious Road.  It was indeed a stretch of roadway that appeared uphill.  The driver stopped the car and put it in neutral.  Slowly the car started going uphill!  Then the driver pulled over and parked.  We got a bottle from a local stand and rolled it down the hill.  Part way down the bottle stopped and went back up the hill.  Jason is still trying to figure this one out!

Explanation of the Mysterious Road phenomenon.

  Our next stop was Halla Mountain.  A volcanic crater complete with a lake.  It would be really fun for me to finally see a Volcano!!  Igneous rock formations are my favorite!  Unfortunately, a cloud also wanted to see the mountain and the top was completely fogged in.  In addition, we found out that to get to the crater lake it was at least a 2 hour hike... one way!  We bailed on this one and went on to the next.

Cloud at Halla Mountain.

  The last stop for the day was the lava cliffs.  They were breathtaking.  I could have watched the waves against the cliffs for hours!

Columnar joints at the lava cliffs!

Fun with Jeju Island statues!

We get close enough to touch the lava!

Goofy kids on a shell.  They started a trend and by the time they got off other kids were starting to get on.

  Exhausted from the days travels were checked in to our room and collapsed!

  Day two started with a lively discussion between Jason and our driver.  Mr. Yoon apparently didn't like one of our destinations for the day.  Nothing is more interesting than Jason and someone in a discussion.  Add a language barrier in there and it can be pure entertainment.  Once everything was straightened out, the driver thought we wanted to go on a 7 hour hike instead of just visiting a statue, we were on our way. 

Cliffs and some coastline along the Lava Island.

More coastline along Lava Island

Great family shot on Lava Island.

  Stop number one was a Lava Island with a view of Sunrise Peak.  More lava coastline and even more spectacular views. 

View of Sunrise Peak from Lava Island. 

  Onward and upward as we headed to the actual Sunrise Peak.  We did the climb in quick fashion so we could marvel at the views and the crater at the top.  Truly amazing to see the actual ash layers and the deep crater.  On the way down, David and I begin goofing off and sitting on every bench we see.  David then uttered what would be the catch phrase of the trip "Don't worry Dad, it's just me and Mom being kids". 

Climbing Sunrise Peak with a break to get David off the "edge".

It's a crater!

Amazing views from the crater of Sunrise Peak.

One more great, but exhausted, family shot.

You can see the layering of the ash within the crater.

The climb back down!

  Next came David's favorite of the whole trip.  In the effort to save time we had lunch at Dunkin Donuts at the base of Sunrise Peak.  Yes, my son will remember Jeju for his first (and last) doughnut lunch. 

  After the quick lunch we headed to the Submarine Ride.  This was a true submarine ride.  On top of it all we got VIP treatment.  An attendant came and got us and made sure we were the first ones on the sub.  We took a boat out to the sub and again they made sure we were the first ones on the sub.  They only sold half the seats on the sub so you could sit on either side and nothing was missed.  A boat was sunk to create an artificial reef and a diver swam by several times.  We went as far as 40 meters down and saw lots of fish and coral. It may have been one of the more expensive things we did on the trip but worth it.  We spent a total 55 minutes completely under the ocean!

Sail bridge near the submarine dock.

A trail you would NEVER see in the States.  In some places you had to jump.  Of course the "monkeys" ran ahead!

Our sub!

The view from on the sub.

David on the boat coming back from the sub.

The island the sub went around from the transport boat.  The Korean flag framed a nice shot.

  Our last stop at Jeju included another steep climb but so worth it at the top.  A Buddist Grotto has to be a truly peaceful place.  The chants inside the rock resonated so well with the sounds of the springwater falling.  The details in the statues were mesmerizing.  I don't want to know how they got those large pieces of stone up that steep a hillside.  It would break the spell for me.  I don't mind just sitting back in amazement. 

Climbing to the Grotto.

The peaceful Grotto at last.  So worth the hike.

View from the top!

  At some point during the day it started to rain but I hardly noticed.  We were having so much fun as a family.  It's hard to believe that this is our last trip closing out our year in Korea.  I'm glad Galen got to enjoy a trip without having to study!

  Both nights we decided to skip the local fare and eat at an international restaurant called Geckos.  When you bring a picky eater on vacation some things have to give.  David was so happy eating his plain burger and not having to try anything new!  It's hard to complain too much when the food really is good.... and the beer is cold!

  Back to the room, we listened to it rain and watched a movie.  Sunday we packed up, went to the airport and made our way back to Bundang.  Now let the packing begin!!  The movers come Wednesday and we head to Seoul Wednesday night for our last days in Korea.  It's been a great year and it's hard to see it come to an end and yet be excited about coming home.