JEJU!!!!!!

JEJU!!!!

  

Friday was the big day. I was able to get a day off school so I could make sure I made it to the Airport in time. I think it was an airport. It looked like one but it didn’t feel like one. No lines, security was shockingly weak. Being used to airports in America where you have to take off your shoes and can’t carry liquids on the plane and you get asked at least a question of where you are going. This airport had none of that. It was the most relaxed environment. It was very different from the security in American airports. When we arrived our friend John from the TALK program was waiting for us and took us back to his place so we could drop our bags off and get some dinner. We went to an Indian restaurant called Bagdad. It was delicious, authentic Indian food served by Korean waiters whom speak great English. Then we went to a karaoke room and met up with other JeJu people whom we haven’t seen since September. It was great to see them.

A little cold

only a sweatshirt. Bad idea

The crew!

Fun way down

We woke up the next morning at 530am after getting to bed late. But that is what we had to do in order to maximize our time on the island. Our first destination was the base of Mt. Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea. It was raining and cold and windy, we all bought a poncho at the bottom to stay a little dry. The trail was soaked; at times it was like walking up a running stream. We jumped from rock to rock in order to not get our boots/shoes soaked. Almost the whole hike up we were stepping from rock to rock. When it started to get somewhat dry it became just rock stairway and very steep. Hallasan is a dormant volcano. There were no switchbacks it was just straight up. At a stop about ¾ the way up there was a tv with the weather information. The wind was 0 Celsius or 32 Fahrenheit. The wind was about 22mph. That was only ¾ the way up we still had about 500 meters in elevation to climb. So I can only imagine what it was at the top.

random cute fat cat

old lava

Can't see across the bridge

The top, wow freezing cold, winds gusting, and snow flurries flying. It was so cloudy that we could not see more than 20 feet in front of us. So we were 1950 meters (6398ft) up and the view was non-existent. It was still worth every second and every bit of ice growing on our faces. Once you’re up you must come down. And that was very dangerous. Every step was like walking on black ice. We had to be extra cautious about each and every step. It was scary because my thought was if I fell I am just going to roll down the mt. which would not have been good. But after about an hour on the ice it finally started to clear up. But that slowed us down drastically. On the way down we crossed a bridge that we could not even see half way across. All this fog was creepy to start with but the fact that there were ravens everywhere increased the creepy factor.

cave diving

Hallasan!

As we descended the fog started to clear and we heard a meow meow and out came a cute cat that we played with for a few minutes. Becca was the bravest to pick it up and just love on it. Then we stumbled upon a cave. On the side, there were ropes that said to stay on the trail but we didn’t listen. We had to get in the cave. It was huge and beautiful with holes from the top giving light it just kept going and so did we until there were no more holes and we would not have been able to see anything. Knowing that animals live in caves we decided it was the safest decision to leave. The rest of the way down was easy and we completed the 19km(12mile) hike in 8 hours.

Then we got in a taxi and he took us to the mysterious hill. Turned the car off put it in neutral and we coasted up hill. I am not kidding you it was crazy. It looked as if we were going uphill. There is something with the magnetic poles I think that cause it to happen. Then back to the main city and time to eat. We found an all you can eat place for 7.50$. It was amazing but we didn’t have long to eat we had to get our stuff from Johns place and get moving out to the next destination.

great morning

decent picture of sunrise. 

We got bus tickets for our bus and we look and it’s pulling out. So there are four foreigners running at this bus. Luckily the bus stopped and picked us up. Did I mention it was the last bus to our destination for the night? We’re going to a jimjalbong. It’s like a bath house with a sleeping area. The bathing areas are separated and you have a small locker room and then showers and a hot and cold tub and a sauna. Which is perfect after a 12 mile hike it was great for my legs. Then when you are done there you go into a big common room grab a mat and hopefully a pillow and find a spot to sleep on the floor. Sound bad but I like it. Just bring your Ipod and something to cover your eyes and you will be out all night.

Next morning was another 530 wake up in order to see sunrise peak. We got and taxi and boom we were there. Looking at wondering what we were thinking. It was about 500 meters up and it was basically and straight flight of stairs and after yesterday our legs felt dead. But we all pushed forward and eventually all made it up. And the view was totally worth it. We watched from no sun visible to a full sun above the horizon. A great way to end a great trip, next stop was the airport. I am glad I went with three new and good friends Becca, Hannie, and Krissy.