Seongsan-ilchulbong written in Chinese character and this is in Korean ->  성산일출봉. Entrance tickets counter open for business right in front of the car park spaces.

Similar to my other earlier posts about Jeju hotspots, how could I never mentioned the Jeju abundant! Yes, it’s the WIND! See how the young girl in front of me seems surprised by the strong breeze.

All walks of life – the walking trail which heading towards Seongsan was crowded with local and foreign tourists.

Here is where plant being protected. Thumbs up from me, for the effort to preserve the natural beauty as well as maintaining Seongsan from the Unesco’s list.

 Stones of various mystic shape were on display along the stairway to the top.

Wow, seems we were quite high above(half-way) the ground after less than an hour walk. Pics above is a ‘right’ view towards the ground. Those look like ants are actually tourist that just start to walk on the trails to the  top.

And this is the ‘left’ view. Notice that Seongsan is connected to the main island with some some narrow land only.

Ahh.. finally we reach the top! However, we can’t get the bird view of Seongsan of course. This shot is actually only able to show some part of the whole crown like rock formation highlighted above. We were not allow to walk down to the lower ground anyway.

If you are not an active mountain hikers (like me), you could opt to not hike mount Hallasan and choose only Seongsan for a more relaxing trip. Of course, no pain no gain. I read many good reviews of Mt Hallasan for it’s good scenery which I think would be worth a visit if your stay on Jeju is long enough(as there are quite a lot to explore here).

After spending some time chilling around and photo shooting session, we walk down from the top back to the ground again.

I read from somewhere that horse riding is a ideal activity here but I could not spot any horse that day. The scenery here is just stunning until we spend too much time chilling around and we had to give Seopjikoji a miss! :’(

Moreover, we almost forgot that we haven’t had anything for lunch yet! We managed to try some snack at the gate before looking for lunch nearby. I forgot what is the name of this snack that my wife bought.

Hmm.. I found something more interesting.. meat! haha, it’s normal for a guy to pick meat snack and girl to pick dessert type snack. This looks like Korea version of Satay sized XXL.

Yummy!

Location Name: Seongsan Ilchulbong

Name in Korean: 성산일출봉

GPS Coordinate: N 33 27.738 E 126 56.154

Tel : +82-64-710-7923, +82-64-783-0959 (Korean)

Entrance Fee: 2000 won

Business hour : 1 hour before sunrise – 8pm (Winter ) , 1 hour before sunrise – 9pm (Summer )

Address: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Seogwipo-si Seongsan-eup Seongsan-ri 114

PS: If you wish to vote Jeju Seongsan as the new 7 wonders of nature, please do it here http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2

In fact, the time I reach there by following the gps devices attached in my rented Avis car, I spent some time to figure out which is the Dragon Head(Yong Duam) rock at the seashore. It was a windy, cold and late evening after dawn and I finally spot a dragon like rock head looking at me. However it seems this is not the actual dragon head rock I thought too much.

I decided to walk around and finally I found it! I know this is not the best angle to get the dragon head shape but because of the cold wind and it was getting darker, it decided to head for dinner as my stomach was making sounds ..

Location Name: Yong Duam Rock (Dragon Head rock)

Name in Korean: 용두암

GPS Coordinate: N 33 30.956 E 126 30.719

Tel : ??

Entrance Fee: free

Business hour : 24×7 (better not at night )

Address: Jeju-si Yongdam-dong

Ok, let’s go to Oedolgae Rock at Seogwipo-si. Again, the time I reach here is at dawn and it’s not the best time to take great photos. There is a park for you to stroll before reaching the spot where we could get the best view of Oedolgae rock.

Look at the clear water and the scenic view here. Even we were alone at the park at that time, we still able to enjoy  the great view here. I believe a passionate photographer would be able to capture the view here very dramatically. Yes, it’s not me.

Rock, rock and rock and roll..

We watch  Dae Jang Gum (大長今) on purpose before visiting Jeju because many parts of the movies filmed at several spot in Jeju. This include Oedolgae rock!

I could feel the spirit of Dae Jang Gum here.

Location Name: Oedolgae Rock

Name in Korean: 외돌개 공원

GPS Coordinate: N 33 14.446 E 126 32.813

Tel : ??

Entrance Fee: free

Business hour : 24×7 (better not at night )

Address: Seogwipo-si Seohong-dong 791

I’m not sure if it was the wind that caused this flower pot collapse ^^

But I think this bonsai appearance is not caused by the wind even it looks like it

I wonder how to make bonsai to grow in such way.. or it’s something natural??

At some point of time, we decide to take a shelter from the wind in the covered subtropical garden.

We were just like this cute tortoise that hiding under it’s shell.

The temperature in these covered garden are well controlled for tropical plants and animals

This park more than ordinary park when there is actually a real cave that we could explore (Hyeopjae & Ssangyong caves).

This is the real wind&rain shelter! I treat this as a mini Manjanggul Cave since we didn’t manage to visit the longest larva-tube cave itself.

 Jae-Am Folk village would give you an old scene of the old days village of 1890′s if you not manage to visit the “Jeju Folk Village Museum” like we did.

The bird garden also offer some bird species for animal and bird lovers. Wow! The white peacock is so pretty!

Stones.. which is the second of the 3 famous plenties in Jeju also available in this park for your eye feast

Great collection of stones which appeared to be in some interesting shapes like the one above – a bird that drinking water

a smiley side face

E.T. or CJ7 stone

Jeju stone with head

The third plenties in Jeju – women which complete the infamous Samdado – island of three abundances. Jeju women divers statue dedicated to the important women roles in Jeju island. Hmm, in case you don’t know, in old times women was the head of families and earn the living from sea products. The real Girl power!

Lesson of the day – 1 of my favourite PS3 game Bayonetta originate from a plant name

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Click the image above to browse the pictures I took at of Hallim Park!

Location Name: Jeju Hallim Park

Name in Korean: 한림공원

GPS Coordinate: N 33 23.441 E 126 14.267

Tel : 064-796-0001~4

Entrance Fee: 8000 won

Business hour : 8:30am – 6:00pm (summer, 8:30am – 7:30pm)

Address: Hyeopjae-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-do

Website: http://www.hallimpark.co.kr/engli/main.htm

Hmm, if not mistaken this is miniature of Catholic Church at Saenamteo

A realistic looking miniature of a vessel which looks like Pirate’s ship.

The ship’s bowsprit

This one focusing on the main deck

Easter Island Head : Hey Dum Dum, You give me gum-gum!

mini version of Erechtheion Temple

Isn’t this Mount Rushmore National Memorial sculpture?

Namaste Taj Mahal. I didn’t visit the real Taj Mahal when I was at India so the miniature is here to compensate ^^

Is this Paris? May have a plate of Ratatouille?

I finally found an architecture from my homeland – Malaysia! Tanah tumpahnya darahku.. from the description, Kuala Kangsar – where the Mosque situated sounds so near to Ipoh.

I find it a bit funny when Aladdin and Princess Jasmine seems from Malaysia ^^”

After a long time of outdoor strolling and photo taking session, I finally reach the end of the park, and enter to a building which seems to lead me to the exit.. but there is something more here in this dim lighted building

My wife and me was alone here and got a shock when we first discover someone seems sitting idle in one of the glass window. Then we realized it was actually wax figure ^^

After meeting the auntie, we discover more and more ‘people’ including mr barber with his kid client..

someone having nice meal with kimchi of course

and even a pretty girl having a photo shooting session – probably shooting for passport photo

Say cheese…!! Those antique cam looks real

Welcome.. please be seated. Want some delicious bakkwa?

Teacher, I got a question. Why do boys need to shave to bald?

Location Name: Soinguk Miniature Theme Park

Name in Korean: 소인국테마파크

GPS Coordinate: N 33 17.361 E 126 19.302

Tel : 064-794-5400

Entrance Fee: 7000 won

Business hour : 8:30am – 7:30pm (winter, 9am – 5:30pm)

Address: Seogwang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

]]> http://www.fullat.com/2011/07/jeju-miniaturesoingook-theme-park/feed/ 0 Soingook_00001 Soingook_00002 Soingook_00003 Soingook_00004 Soingook_00005 Soingook_00006 Soingook_00007 Soingook_00008 Soingook_00012 Soingook_00011 Soingook_00009 Soingook_00010 Soingook_00013 Soingook_00014 Soingook_00015 Soingook_00016 Soingook_00017 Soingook_00018 Soingook_00019 Soingook_00021 http://www.fullat.com/2011/07/jeju-teddy-bear-museum/ http://www.fullat.com/2011/07/jeju-teddy-bear-museum/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 08:37:05 +0000 admin http://www.fullat.com/?p=440 I still remember i had a teddy bear toy during my childhood. Until my recent visit to Teddy bear museum, i dunno much about Teddy bear’s background and history. This museum which houses lotsa Teddy bear collection located in Jeju Jungmun Resort. It was my first experience to visit the museum of this kind. Please be warned that I’ve attached quite a lot of picture of the museum collection in this post below Hope it wont make your 7000won entrance ticket wasted if you are planning to visit it in your coming trip.

Who says Teddy bear is not hot and sexy?

Charlie Chapbear

Jack Bear and Rose Bear – I’m the King if the world!!

Superbear that saves the world

Saving Private Rybear

Mickey Bear – I thought Mickey is a mouse

Terracobear

Micheal Jorbear slamming the dunk and sticking his tongue out

Thinker bear – you can’t touch him else would distract him from thinking

The Kiss bear couple

The Creation of Adam bear

Mona Lisa bear

Tiny bear couple that stands on the planet earth with love and hope

And here comes the most expensive LV bear in the world!

LV handbag that not for sale

Mahatma Ganbear

There an displaying Teddy bears which you could bring home! of course after you paying the price tag attached

Beautiful building structure

This is how it looks like from outside

It was raining when I tried to stroll at the garden outside the museum. Can I take a shelter from the rain in the teddy car?

Angel bear pond

Some Polar bear has migrated from Arctic to Jeju

Love Teddy bears, love real bears. Bears are cute and don’t let them gone from earth.

You could save them!

Location Name: Teddy Bear Museum

Name in Korean: 테디베어박물관

GPS Coordinate: N 33 15.030 E 126 24.761

Tel : 064-738-7800

Entrance Fee: 7000 won

Business hour : 9am – 8pm (18Jul ~ 23Aug, 9am – 10pm)

Address: Jungmun resort, Saekal-dong, Jungmun, South Korea

]]> http://www.fullat.com/2011/07/jeju-teddy-bear-museum/feed/ 0 JejuTeddyBear_00024 JejuTeddyBear_00001 JejuTeddyBear_00002 JejuTeddyBear_00003 JejuTeddyBear_00004 JejuTeddyBear_00005 JejuTeddyBear_00006 JejuTeddyBear_00007 JejuTeddyBear_00008 JejuTeddyBear_00010 JejuTeddyBear_00011 JejuTeddyBear_00012 JejuTeddyBear_00013 JejuTeddyBear_00014 JejuTeddyBear_00015 JejuTeddyBear_00016 JejuTeddyBear_00017 JejuTeddyBear_00009 JejuTeddyBear_00018 JejuTeddyBear_00021 JejuTeddyBear_00020 JejuTeddyBear_00022 JejuTeddyBear_00023 JejuTeddyBear_00019 http://www.fullat.com/2011/06/3-waterfalls-in-jeju/ http://www.fullat.com/2011/06/3-waterfalls-in-jeju/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:57:38 +0000 admin http://www.fullat.com/?p=396 There are 3 well-known waterfalls in Jeju. They are

You may wanted to add into your list if you are planning to Jeju for vacation or honeymoon. I wished to visit all 3 on the first day I reach Jeju, but however it was too rush to make it. In the end, we were only visit the first 2.


The first one we went is Jeongbang falls.

There are 2 entrance to the falls, this is the walkway which lead us to the entrance of the fall.

The garden besides the way.. seems there’s a church in the garden but we didn’t enter and continue walking.

After we purchase the entrance ticket and a little bit of stairs walk, the waterfall is within our sight.

The sea water is crystal clear which you give us a clear view of the rocks under the waters.

We walked closer towards the waterfall, wishing could feel it better…

or probably could taste of the falls

After photo session over at the waterfall, we return to the car park and discover in fact there is a museum. Here we could learn about that Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) emperor ordered a servant named Seobul who passed by this waterfall during his attempt to find the elixir of immortality.

Beautiful lotus that grown at the lake outside the museum. Then, we head to the second waterfall, Cheonjiyeon.. dun mistaken with the third which have the similar name, it’s not typo error.

Cheonjiyeon has a nice garden for us to stroll before reaching the waterfall site.

You would meet alot of this guy.. Dolharubang means stone grandfather, in fact you will see them anywhere in Jeju. In old days, people believed that Dolharubang would protect them from bad things to happen.

an interesting small bridge to cross the river at the garden.

It’s getting nearer to the waterfall, you could get some nice view of the small cliff there

Opps, i forgot to take the photo of the waterfalls alone. my wife’s arm could be seen here and the cropped part of waterfalls is out of focus

Here’s another one

On our way back, we saw a wishing tortoise pot where you could throw in some lucky coins and make your wishes.

If you are bad in aiming with coins, you still could make your wish here. Find a rock (but it’s not easy) and place it here before making your wishes. Beware not to destroy others’ wishes by collapsing those nicely arranged stones there! I saw someone did that ^^

Back to entrance of the waterfall, there are many snack stalls such as dried/bbq octopus and squid

colorful corn..

and .. what is this? wood worm!? dare to try? seems saw this at thailand too.

The car should go downhill right? My thought was same as you, but in fact, my car was moving BACKWARDS! I tried it with my water bottle and it moved to the same direction. Hmm, sometimes just don’t fully trust your own eye!

GPS coordinate : (N 33 27.027 E 126 29,277) on Road 1100

The earliest Arex train started at 5:30am and the flight we book departed at 8:05am. Eastarjet required passenger to check-in at least 40 minutes before the departure time. We wonder how are we going to spend the night at Incheon airport before heading to Gimpo airport the next early morning with our huge luggage! I found this hotel online which is near to Incheon airport named ‘Incheon Airport Guest House‘. At the price of KRW 50,000(RM140.73) per night for a double room and they do provide free shuttle bus service from/to Incheon airport. This is a great deal! Credit card payment is acceptable upon arrival.

After booking the room on their site, all you have to do is print the confirmation slip and call them upon your arrival at Incheon airport. You could ask the girl at the information desk at the airport to call them for you. Since the guest house is very near to the airport, they would take around 10mins to reach the airport after you call them.

The twin room we booked(double room fully booked) is spacious at it’s class. Look at the some photos I took from the guest house below. Click it to view it in full screen.

Did you notice there is a kitchen within the cabinet? Moreover, there is a washing machine inside the bathroom and a heater(table fan look alike beside the tv). The guy that manage the guest house advice us to take their free shuttle bus to Incheon airport at 5:45am(first trip for the day) instead of taking a cab which would cost us 10k won for midnight surcharge. He suggest that we would able to catch our flight which depart at 8:05am.

He leave me an impression that Korean is helpful and thoughtful. Another point to support this impression is the design of their toilet paper roll. We found that removing the paper wrapper of the toilet paper would flip open the tissue roll as well – bcoz the end of the wrapper paper stick to the first piece of the tissue roll
Don’t laugh at me because this kind if design not found in Malaysia(if not mistaken), maybe it’s the same at some other country haha.

Lastly, we were able to catch the Arex train from Incheon airport to Gimpo airport and heading to Jeju!

All you need to do is, get yourself a international driving license before you leave your country. If you are a Malaysian, just pay rm150 at JPJ office and you would get it on the spot. Although South Korea is a ‘right-hand traffic’ country and Malaysia is a ‘left-hand traffic’ country, there is no hassle in getting an international license. Then google any car renting company at Jeju such as Avis that provide an online booking service in English. Watch out for promotion period! I was unlucky to miss the promotion period because it ended after I got my international license the license number is needed during the account registration in their site. Jeju Avis URL

Remember to get the basic insurance coverage during your car booking. You don’t want to put yourself in risk since driving in other country especially if you are not familiar to drive in right traffic.

When you reach Jeju airport, there would be an Avis counter right inside the airport itself where you could show them your booking details. After getting the booking slip from the counter, head to the free Avis shuttle bus outside the airport and head to their main office which is just few minutes ride away.

We required to make the full payment at the office before the car key is given to us. Payment by credit card is accepted. 4 days full days rent cost us KRW225,200.00(RM633.86) including the basic insurance. After payment being made, go and get the car!! Yippie!!

Avis employee would show where my rented car is and I notice the car arranged for is actually a new Chevrolet Matiz. ODO showing only 350km! and of course it’s a white car. In fact, 9 out of 10 cars in Jeju is white in color! Korean like white so much ehh..

Yeah! I finally got my cute little car and what next? Next is the challenge to adapt myself to cope with right traffic and roads in Jeju. How to get to my hotel?!

Prior reaching Jeju, I’ve save all the locations I wish to go in Garmin installed in my Nokia 5800. However, Avis do provide a free GPS navigator in my rented car. However the software menu is in Korean but the voice in English. After some explanation from a guy in Avis center, I know how to search for a location by just using phone number! eg, my hotel phone number. Hmm.. how nice..

I open my own Garmin together with the Gini gps and heading to my hotel. At certain point, I ignore Gini and follow Garmin which guiding me the direction to the hotel. However I notice, I’m taking a narrow and winding road to Seogwipo. Then I realize, Garmin choose the shortest route but Gini would pick the highway toward Seogwipo. As the result, my first right drive in Jeju was hairpin road drive all the way to Seopwipo from Jeju-si!

Gini would be able to let us know the speed trap location(there a lot!), and warn if your current speed exceed the limit! The maximum speed allowed in Jeju is just 80km/h, 50km/h at school area! Moreover, almost all bump locations in Jeju are updated in Gini. What a good driving companion ^^

Even my journey is longer by taking the mountain road right beside Mount Hallasan, consolation is some fascinating scenery and dreamy view along the way

I’ve read some blog mentioned that the most dangerous people in Jeju is tourist who driving a rented car! The author mentioned it came out in some local tv news and it’s true! Haha, I ran into the opposite lane at some junction and luckily able to avoid the coming traffic. Lastly, if you are planing to drive in Jeju, I wish you would have a safe and enjoyable experience there!