Before I forget about this, I think I better blog something about Jeju island. Jeju island aka Cheju Island (제주) is a volcanic island that is located at the most southern region in South Korea. Jeju-do is sometimes referred as the "Samdado Island" (which means "three many") because of the abundance of Rocks, Woman and Wind.

To get to Jeju island, there are 2 ways to go there.


1) By plane (fastest)
-If you are in Seoul or places that are nearer to the north area, I recommend you to go there by plane. This is also the fastest way to get to Jeju Island. Sometimes, if you book the flight earlier, it could be very cheap. Below are some suggestions for the plane to Jeju island.

a) Jeju Air
This is the cheapest flight. Cheapest could be around 45,000won from mokpo to Jeju (appx. RM135). Be sure to book it earlier so that you could enjoy discounts for the flight. *Note: if you are in seoul, you should go for Mokpo > Jeju *
Don't worry, the website is now available in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. It shouldn't be a problem for foreigners to book.

b)   Korean Air
Korean Air also offers flights to Jeju Island. The website is available in Korean and English.


2) By ferry
You can read more information here.
Since I stay in Gwangju, my friends and I took ferry to Jeju Island. We took a express bus to Mokpo port and took the ferry to Jeju Island. Time is about 6~7 hours (2 hours bus from gwangju to mokpo and 4 hours ferry from mokpo to Jeju). You can book it here. The price is around 60,000 won (appx RM180) for 2 ways.


We went there for 4 days. Below are my itinerary in Jeju.

Day 1:
Trick Art Museum (트릭아트뮤지엄)

Day 2:
Teseum (제주테지움),
Soingook Miniature Theme Park (소인국테마파크),
Columnar Joints at Daepo Coast (대포주상절리),
Yakcheonsa Temple (약쳔사),
Oedolgae Rock (외돌개),
Cheonjiyeon Falls (쳔지연)

Day 3:
Hallasan (한라산)

Day 4:
Gimnyeong Maze Park (김녕미로공원),
Manjanggul Cave (만장굴)


Below are some pictures I took in Jeju Island. I guess some of you might have seen most of them in my facebook.

Trick Art Museum (트릭아트뮤지엄)

Save Me~~

Acting like we are some sort of hungry ghost..


Yeah!


 I have a pair of beautiful wings =D


Grrrrrr..!!




Catch some fish!

It was a great time in Trick Art Museum. We managed to took many photos there and spend about 1 or 2 hours there. It's a great place to visit too!

Information of Trick Art Museum:
Entrance Fee: 8000won (appx. RM24)
Directions: 

* Take the airplane from Gimpo airport (Seoul subway line 5) to jeju. From Jeju Airport, take bus No.100 to jeju intercity bus Terminal (it takes 10-15 mins by taxi) 1. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an Intercity Bus bound for Dongbugwangong Road and get off at Seongeup 1(il)-ri (first bus 6:10 / last bus 21:30 / 20 min interval / 1 hour ride).  2. From Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, take an Intercity Bus that runs on Il-ju Road to the east and get off at Seongeup 1(il)-ri (first bus 6:30 / last bus 20:30 / 20 min interval / 50 min ride).

More information can be found here.



On the second day, we took a whole day cab to travel around. Therefore, we are able to cover up more places.

Teseum (제주테지움)
There are a few teddy bear museum in Jeju Island. This Teseum is recommended by the taxi driver because he said they are much more bigger teddies to hug while in other teddy bear museum, most of them were placed behind the glass (but other teddy bear museum is bigger).

 Our group photo.. =D We are all Malaysians!!

 Teddy Papa and Mama..


Security Guard Teddy..



 One of our group photos too =D

This Teddy Bear family reminds me of “Goldilocks and the three four bears” story..

Yes, I Do =D



 Beautifully decorated with Teddies..


 This is the BIGGEST teddy bear in the museum! I think it can fit almost 10 people on it.

Biggest teddy bear!

This is the first time I've been to teddy bear museum and I love it. It is so exciting to see so many teddies =D We were so excited that day! Usually girls would love it. But I don't know if boys would like it or not..

Information about Teseum:
Entrance Fee: 7500 won per person (appx. RM22.50)
Refer here for more information.


Soingook Miniature Theme Park (소인국테마파크)
If I am not mistaken, there are 2 miniature theme park in Jeju island. One of it is Soingook Miniature Theme Park. There are many miniature buildings in Soingook Miniature Theme Park such as the great wall from China, Eiffel Tower (Paris), and Pisa Tower (Italy).. etc... Well, to me, I personally think it's not so worth to go since there are many similar miniature theme parks all over the world. This theme park is a little old and is much smaller than those I went in other countries.


 My hair is so damn messy! The wind blew too strong that day..





 Journey to the west..
 China!??




 Owhhh... New York!

 London Bridge

 KBS company




Aladdin..and.... Can you see the white-gold mosque behind? It's Malaysia mosque which is located in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

 China's Great Wall.

Information of Soingook Miniature Theme Park
Entrance fee: 9000won (RM27)
Directions: From Jeju International Airport or Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 95 to Seogwang Sageori (Intersection). 
Bus Schedule: 20min intervals / Travel time: 30-35min
Refer here for more information.


Columnar Joints at Daepo Coast (대포주상절리)
One of popular place to visit in Jeju island. This seaside has a very unusual occurrence form from the volcano larvae thousands of years ago. Although there is only a simple lookout point, it is quite worth it to look at the special formations of rocks that is so unique.







Information about Columnar joints in Daepo Coast:
Entrance Fee: 2000won (RM6)
Directions: 20 minutes by public transportation from Seogwipo terminal (Jungmun Port) -> exit Jungmun, 15 minutes walking. 


Yakcheonsa Temple (약쳔사)
The biggest temple in Jeju island. The temple is very big and beautiful. It is beautifully decorated with chinese cravings and the temple is very colorful.

It's chinese name is called 药泉寺..


 Entrance of the temple..

So called "Holy Water"..


Pink water lily lanterns...



I personally feels that it is very nice but there were too many temples in this world. So, I don't feel as excited as I am in other places. If you love temples very much, this is indeed a beautiful temple, but I bet most youngsters would feel that it's kinda boring.

Information about Yakcheonsa Temple:
Entrance Fee: Free
Directions: From the Jeju International Airport (Bus Stop 1), take Bus 600.
Get off at the Yakchunsa Temple bus stop and walk 300m to the temple.More information, refer here.


Oedolgae Rock (외돌개)
Also called 独立岩 (which means "lonely rock") in Mandarin.This place is also a very popular attraction in Jeju Island. Oedolgae Rock is a very popular tourist attraction. For Jeju, the site is a part of history with different legends about its origin. Centuries ago, the locals fought against their Mongolian occupiers. The Mongolians retreated to Bumsom (Tiger Island). The Jeju general Choi Young Gogureyo disguised Oedolgae Rock to appear as a giant general. When the Mongolians saw the massive general, they are said to have committed mass suicide. Oedolgae can be translated to "lonely rock". Local legend has it that a woman committed suicide fearing her husband had been lost at sea. Soon after he husband's body supposedly washed ashore at the very spot she threw herself into the ocean. The pillar itself is the embodyment of the woman waiting for her husband while the base of the rock is symbolic of her husband’s body.

 Oedolgae - lonely rock



One of the scene in 大长今 is filmed here..

I personally think that is nothing special too. It's just a rock that we stood in the middle of the sea and we could not even get closer to it and touch it. But anyway, it's a free entrance, so.. Why not?We walked along the hills for about half an hour. One could enjoy the Oedolgae scenery while doing a little bit of exercising.

Information about Oedolgae:
Entrance Fee: Free
Directions:
At Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal 
Take a bus bound for Seogwipo and get off at the Dongmun rotary stop. 
Go west along the Jungjeong-ro street for 130 m to bus stop.
Take bus 8 bound for Oedolgae Rock 

At Jeju International Airport 
Take airport limousine bus 600 and get off at New gyeongnam hotel stop 
Take a taxi to Oedolgae Rock(5min) 

At Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal 
Take bus 100 and get off at Yeoseonghoegwan (Women’s center) stop (travel time apprx.50min) 
Take bus 8 and at the bus stop on the opposite side of the street and get off at Oedolgae stop.(3 stops away)

More information can be found here.


Last destination of the day...

Cheonjiyeon waterfalls (쳔지연)
One of the 3 famous waterfalls in Jeju Island apart from Jeongbang waterfalls (지징방폭포) and Cheonjeyeon waterfalls (쳔제연폭포). Waterfall in Jeju island is a must-visit tourist attraction for tourist.

In case you are interested with the other 2 waterfalls, you could refer to these links.
1) Jeongbang waterfalls (지징방폭포) - refer this link
2) Cheonjeyeon falls (쳔제연폭포) - refer this link

 Group photo with Dol Hareubang (also known as "stone grandfather").. The symbolize protections and fertility from God. The tourist guide told us that by touching it's nose, it helps one to give birth to a son, and it's also believed that by touching it's mouth, one can give birth to a daughter.

I want a son =D

Dol Hareubangs is widely found in Jeju island.


Along the way to the waterfalls..

Group photo with Cheonjiyeon waterfall.





Information about Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls:
Entrance Fee: 2000won (RM6)
Directions:
From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal

Take the bus 516 heading to Seoguipo (run from 6am to 9:40pm/12 min interval) 
Get off at the last stop and take a taxi to Cheonjiyeon waterfall (3-4 minute ride). 

Or Get off at Dongmun rotary stop and go to another bus stop to transform to bus 1 
(cross the ChungJeongro street and then Gyeongbangro street and walk along the Chungjeongro street for about 30m to bus stop) 
Take bus 1 bound for Cheonjiyeon and get off at the last stop.

More information, click here.


Day 3:

Hallasan (한라산)

Hallasan is the highest mountain in Korea. Usually, people takes about 9 hours to hike this mountain. Ohw, i have lots of complicated feelings towards that mountain. The mountain is actually a volcano mountain in thousands years ago. Therefore, the entire journey is FULL of rocks (lava rocks formed long time ago). The journey was hard, but i'm so satisfied to rock the highest mountain in Korea. Actually it's a sudden plan change here. Actually, we plan to go to other places instead of Hallasan. But during our stay in our guesthouse, we met some great people and some are the staffs from the guesthouse. Since they were on leave that day and planned to Hallasan, we changed our plans and follow them to Hallasan. And also, during our journey up to the top of the hill, we met 2 Singaporeans, Nicholas and Gifford. They were very kind and friendly =D And we all hike to the mountain together and became great friends!

 Get ready to rock Hallasan!!!


 first milestone...

 At one of the rest stop on the way to the hill..


 Almost reach the top of the mountain!

 another 100m to climb!

 Finally...

 the top of hallasan!

 Here I Am!
 My new friends from Singapore - Gifford and Nicholas, they were good hikers!


New friends I met during my trip to Jeju - 이수정, 최학선, Gifford, Nicholas

On the way down...

This place is definitely worth going if you like hiking! It could be more beautiful if you go during summer (but I bet it would be VERY hot!!). I went there during spring time, so it's still a little bit cold on top and still very dry.

Tip: Do NOT hike this mountain on the first day of your trip, advisable to hike on the last day or the day before you leave Jeju. Else, you may have difficulty to walk to many places cause your leg will be in severe pain!

Information about Hallasan:
Entrance Fee: Free
Directions:
Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal – Eorimok
Take Bus 1100 (Jeju, Yeongsil, Jungmun), and get off at the entrance of Eorimok Trail.
Bus schedule: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:20, 13:40, 15:00
(April-October: two additional buses are operated at 6:30 and 16:00)
Travel time: 35min

Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal - SeongpanakTake Road Bus 5.16 (Jeju, Seongpanak, Seogui), and get off at Seongpanak.
Bus schedule: 06:00-21:30, 10-15min intervals
Travel time: 30min

More information, click here.


Last day at Jeju island:

Gimnyeong Maze Park (김녕미로공원)
There are 2 maze park in Jeju island. Another maze park is bigger than Gimnyeong Maze Park. It's called Maze Land (메이즈랜드). This bigger Maze land is the most famous one, and it's the one that Running Man went for filming in one of their episode.

In case you wanna know, this is the picture of Maze Land. It has 2 maze here. For more information, click here.

Gimnyeong Maze Park, which was the one i went, was a smaller version maze park. We went to this maze park because it's nearer to our next destination. And due to time constraint, we chose Gimnyeong Maze Park. Although it is smaller, I still get lost inside and at last we used the map to find the exit of the Maze Park.

 The map!

 Entrance to the Maze!

 On the way to find the bell (exit)..

Finally...




Information about Gimnyeong Maze Park:
Entrance fee: 3300 won (Appx. RM9.90)
Directions:
From Jeju International Airport take bus No. 100 and get off at the Intercity Bus Terminal (제주시외버스터미널). Then take a bus for Manjanggul Cave (만장굴행) and get off at the parking lot by the cave entrance (만장굴 입구). The trip will normally take 50 minutes.

From Jeju International Airport take bus No. 38 and get off at hamdeok-ri (함덕리). Take a bus for the East Coast (Dongilju 동일주) or catch the Eup-myeon Circulation Bus (읍면순환 버스) and get off at the parking lot in front of the Manjanggul Cave (만장굴입구). Walk along the old road leading to the cave for 15minutes.

Refer here for more information.


Last destination in Jeju Island:

Manjanggul Larvae Cave (만장굴)
This is a MUST-SEE tourist attraction in Jeju Island. This larvae cave is the longest Larvae cave in the WORLD. Well, I haven't seen any larvae cave before, therefore, I found this interesting. Below are the picture I took. Most of the descriptions shows the formation of the rocks inside.















 Close up of the Rocks..







 One of the volcanic crater in Manjanggul Cave...



Information about Manjanggul:
Entrance Fee: 2000won (appx. RM6)
Directions: 
From Jeju Bus Terminal, 
Take the Donghoe Line Intercity Bus to get off at the parking lot near Manjanggul Cave Entrance. (app. 1hr 20 min.) 
At the parking lot, take a bus bound for Manjanggul. 
20 minute walking distance from Manjanggul Cave Entrance(The parking lot) to Manjanggul Cave. 

From Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, 
Take the Donghoe Line Intercity Bus to get off at the parking lot near Manjanggul Cave Entrance. (app. 1hr 20 min.) 
At the parking lot, take a town bus bound for Manjanggul or a taxi. 
20 minute walking distance from Manjanggul Cave Entrance(The parking lot) to Manjanggul Cave. 

* Three minute ride by taxi from the parking lot to Manjanggul Cave.

Note: It's also located beside Gimnyeong Maze Park.

More Information, Please refer here.



Some other tips to travel to Jeju Island:
Apart from transportation to Jeju island, transportation within Jeju island is not as convenient as seoul and busan where there are subways all over the city. All attractions can only be reached either by Bus or Taxi. Therefore,

1) it is advisable to stay in guesthouse / Hotels that are NEAR to the intercity bus terminal or nearby airport to save transportation cost (bus). I stayed at a guesthouse that is only 1 minute walk to the intercity bus terminal, if any of you are interested, you can contact them at Sum Guesthouse to ask for reservation.

2) if you plan to visit to many places in a day (without wasting much time), use the cab! There are cabs that offers a whole day transportation + tour guide service in a price.
Usually starts from 9am to 5pm, where the taxi driver will pick you up from the guesthouse and send you back by 5pm.
Prices are approximately:
a) 100,000won (appx RM300) - for 4 people
b) 150,000won (appx RM450) -for 5 to 8 people
c) 200,000won (appx RM600) for 8 to 11 people
*However, you could try to negotiate the price with the taxi driver, but the difference wouldn't be big.

3) If possible, the travelling time by cab should not pass 5pm if you are taking a day trip cab. Because they will charge you 20,000won (appx RM60) per hour.

4) If you can't speak Korean, there are only a few taxi driver that can speak chinese or little english.  One of the taxi driver that we met that day, can speak fluent chinese. If you are interested, you can contact him at

*Note: I am not helping him to promoting, just to share to you guys if you think you have problems communicating in Korean and wanted a Chinese speaking Taxi driver.

5) Famous food in Jeju
a) Black Pork 黑猪肉 (not cheap!)
b) Seafood pot << Highly recommend!! (With side dish and the seafood pot <pic below> and the raw seafood <pic below>, it only cost about 13000won per person ~ appx RM45 for such big feast!!)
 This is the seafood pot that i mentioned, it's FULL of seafood inside this pot!! You will be VERY full after this meal!

  This is RAW! We ate it RAW! I felt so scared at the beginning, but after I tried it, it doesn't taste as bad as I thought it was! Must try!!

6) Usually there are basically less no activities you can do after 5pm.. There is a downtown nearby the intercity bus terminal (around 10 minutes drive), and there are lots of shops and coffee shops. You could hang out there at night!


Overall budget in Jeju island for 4 days would be around 200,000won to 350,000won which approximately RM600 to RM1000 (exclude ferry or air ticket to jeju island) per person and depending on the place that you plan to go and transportation taken.


Well, that's all for today's blog. I hope you guys enjoy reading and hope these info helps if you are planning to come!! Hohoho...