Jeju Island: Part IV

Our last day in Jeju we walked to a waterfall within a pretty park.

 

 

 We made our way back through the artsy area of Seogwipo, the southern city where we stayed on the island.

 

Then we packed our things and headed to Oedolgae Rock.  We also made it our mission to find a semi-secret swimming hole that the owner of our favorite Indian restaurant had told us was a must-see.

Down a hidden path...

 
 

Jumping in! 

 
 

 

We miss Jeju already, but know that there are many tropical islands in our future.
Two and a half weeks!

Jeju Island Part III: Udo Island (plus the spiciest meal ever)

On our third day in Jeju we jetted over to nearby Udo Island.   This two square mile island has no traffic lights, just an abundance of volcanic rock and white sand beaches.

We hopped on a scooter and zipped around the natural sights.

 

 

 

 

 After our day on Udo, dinner back in an artsy area of Seogwipo City was baby octopus and shrimp.  

On fire.  

We'd spotted the crowded restaurant our first night on vacation and knew we wanted to try it out.

"It's spicy," the waitress warned.  

"We're ok," Ryan and I answered, exchanging that knowing look.  

At many Korean restaurants we're alerted to the "spice" of the food, which is often about as overpowering as looking at a bottle of Tobasco sauce.  

This time however, they weren't kidding.  

What simmered on the table in front of us was the spiciest meal we've ever eaten.  Once we realized the locals around us were drinking milk (and that the restaurant actually sold milk to counteract the spice) we realized we were in for a spicy treat.   

Bring on the maekgeolli, we said. 

The creamy drink toned down the heat a bit, but gulping it down made for a staggered three block walk back to the hotel...   

Could it have also been the beer and special Jeju soju?

Smiling through the pain, delicious as it was. 

And yes I'm wearing a bib.  

It was necessary.

Jeju Island Part II: Mt. Halla

Ryan hiked Korea’s tallest mountain, a dormant volcano, on our second day in Jeju.  He woke up early and boarded the first bus to Seongpanak trail, a path leading to the top of the mountain.  General guidelines state it's nine hours round trip for this trail.  Of course, Ryan did it in five.

 

As he set out, Ryan enjoyed seeing other hikers along the trail.  Koreans have a true passion for hiking and he shares their enthusiasm for nature and outdoor pursuits.

  
In turn they wondered what was wrong with his feet.

It was interesting for him to observe his surroundings in a personal way, as it was his first long solo hike, although he did meet a few friends along the way.  One fellow hiker spent a few years living in our very own Portland.   

    
It certainly is a small world.

 

Changing variations of flora caught Ryan's eye as he changed elevation.  His temperature lowered as his altitude rose and he welcomed the break from sweating at sea level.  The humidity on the island was ridiculous.

 

A single track railroad paralleling the trail for moving goods to the top.

Almost there! 

 

At the top!

 

Back at the bottom.

 

Look who he found for a midday hike around the area. :)

In the evening we cleaned off and relaxed at a jimjilbang in Jeju City and indulged in the best Indian restaurant we've been to yet.  The food, service and atmosphere at Bagdad Cafe are impossible to beat.