Jeju island English speaking tour guide

Hi! people.

How have you been doing?

Today I want to tell you the story about a private tour from cruise ship.

I guided two decent clients from cruise ship

and their name is Stephen Arthur Jennies & Mary Ann jennies come from

English, London, Chelsea....where I used to live in once.

These days we are getting more and more cruise tours in Jeju island.

Well, owning to most of them are chinese, as we are English speaking tour guide,

they are pie in the sky.

Anyway the type of the tour is getting  popular in Jeju island.

My hope is that the people in a cruise ship come from all over the world, not only from china.

Actually it's been a long time to meet and talk with British people.

London is the second most place I spent time in my life so I like to talk with people come from there.

I like English British English rather than American.

And of cause I love British romantic comedy movies.

Well, I don't know why I am talking this....

According the schedule, we were supposed to meet at 8:30am

and I arrived at the meeting place 10min before.

But they were already waiting for me.

They said they had been waiting for me more than 30min.

I was so embarrassed and sorry for them.

The waves of today were so rough.

It was said a typhoon was coming up.

Just my luck! Today would be windy day.

The itinerary for today is Mangjanggul-Seongsan ilchulbong-Seongup folk village.

Once we start a tour, I have to finish a brief explanation about Jeju island.

After people understand Jeju island briefly, they feel easy to have sight seeing.

However, a topic in a car had changed to a small talk of London.

They gave me some news over there such as they got a tube in Chelsea last year.

It reminded me of life in London. Well, I had been to Chelsea a few times.

One thing very inconvenient over there is that there was no tube the area is located in central London though.

The price of the land is sky rocketing now thanks to a new tube station.

I think the way of people live is same all over the world.

On the way to destination we are planed, I try to explain not only the places we are going but also places we are passing by.

The places 'Seonhuel' and 'Songdang' on the way are the good places to give people a piece of information of Jeju lava forest.

People seemed to be pleased when they get to know about Jeju Gotjawal or typical plants.

After 40min driving we finally arrived at Mangjanggul lava tube.

Lots of people said they never been inside of a lava tube even though they travel a lot over the world.

The Jennies asked me a lot about lava tube.

They asked me a lot  which means they are curious and it means they are interested in.

I feel like to be their Jeju teacher and they were my students.

If you ask me where the most beautiful coastal scenic lines are.

I will say 'Woljungri' and 'Sehwa'.

Just in time we were passing by the places and they were so amazed by the scene.

Actually, I think the places are a small version of Jeju isalnd.

Ocean, stone walls, volcanic craters, and woman divers....

​

Because of the windy weather we couldn't see woman divers working.

However, when we passed by woman diver's house and I showed them the equipment with explanation of usage.

I know just explanation is not enough but they somehow seemed to be satisfied.

We saw a bundle of squids being dried at the coner of a coast road.

They looked like dancing with wind and grinning at us.

Happy day!

Most of people surprised at looking the people on the line near the top of Seongsan ilchulbong and on the other hand they already worried about their climbing.

However, You trust me.

Once they hit the road, you will realize it's a piece of cake.

Anxiety comes from only your mind.

​

Just do it!

The view of Seongsan village from near the top of Seongsan ilchulbong.

It was a separated island before.

When it was low tide people could cross over, and in high tide water filled up. So people couldn't cross it.

But during WW2 Japanese military ​connected the places with concrete for military usage.

​

​One shot on the top!

What a happy English couple they are...

​

They were always show their affections each other by holding hands and hugging.

Even though the natures are so beautiful, people will get bored soon by seeing only natures.

It's like a photos.

If a photo doesn't have people in it, it seems dull and barren.

I like show my clients how local people live in a village.

That's why I take a village tour with my clients.

Seongup village is not a museum, it is a village people live in.

Why do foreigners like this village?

I think this village is different from their villages.

​

I heard Arthur the husband is a house builder. so he was very interested in Jeju traditional thatched house.

​

When Jeju people knead mud to build a house they put thatches and they board them  in the basalt rocks wall to make it solid.

​The durability of a house depends on what kind of thatch are used.

It was quiet and tranquil in the village. It was good atmosphere to stroll around.

They are pleased to see local people living there.

​

When we ran into a perssimmon tree Mary told me she never seen a perssimmon before.

That might be true. Actually I had never seen a persimmon in London.

Traditionally, Jeju people have dyed cloth with perssimmon.

Then a color of the cloth becomes darker and durable.

In Britain there are similar method for dying clothe to Jeju way.

They laughed when I compare Jeju traditional clothes with British Barbour Jacket.

The 6 hours short tour had finished.

It's always shame not to have enough time.

I hope it may give people another chance to come Jeju again.

Most of cruise tour is a group tour, and an agency or tour guide tend to take the people to a shopping shop.

Actually clients grudge the time rather than money.

The Jennies said they have been disappointed by taken to the shopping mall.

They said it happened since they started from Tokyo.

But they really thanked me to show beautiful Jeju island.

They gave me a best compliment of my guiding.

Well, I know they were pleased by Jeju island not my guiding.

Anyway I am really happy for that.

Their pleasure is my pleasure.

A group photo on the top of Seongsan ilchulbong.

Normally I am not taken a photo with my clients.

However, I enjoy being taken a photo on the top of Seongsan ilchulbong.

Because climbing is sweaty work under the hot sun.

Hello, people.

How are you? Thanks again for reading my blog post.

I have had some story I want to write about.

But I have been busy or lazy and put it aside on a corner of my diary.

I told you many times I had many diverse experiences thanks to

my job of a tour guide.

In this time, I had a chance to be a coordinator for promotion of Jeju island.

I couldn't find appropriate word for a 'coordinator'.

May be you can say 'location hunter' instead of 'a coordinator'

Anyway the project is sponsored by Jeju Tourism Organization and it will broadcast to 49 countries in 5 languages through Euronews channel.

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In early August I got a mail from EU-media.

It said they suggested me to help making Jeju promoting film.

Well... I don't need to hesitate to decide for that.

Immediately I think this project is really cut for me.

So I more than welcome to take the offer.

Few years ago I had helped Mikael Karakis make his art work inspired by Jeju Haenye(woman diver) and it was avreally  good experience for me.

So, it was rather my pleasure to be a coordinator for his project.

And the art work became big successful.

Now it has an exhibition running over the world.

Even though it is not my own work, I am really proud of that.

So, This time, I had been looking forward to this project.

I received a phone call right after accept the proposal.

It was an Italian guy named 'Adrea' who has very strong Italian accent.

After short talking with him I recognized that he is little talkative but very humorous

And his assistant Daniel is a quiet guy but he has an excellent sense of humor.

Some times his sense of humor made people can't help bursting into laughter.

He teaches how to make a movie film in Nepal and a freelance photographer as well.

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Few days passed...

I met a girl named Park Ines who I had a talk through a phone few days ago.

She is much younger than I imagined and a beautiful woman.

It was so nice to have an assistant and I suddenly felt easy with her.

You know what?

Some times working with Korean people is more difficult than working with foreigners.

Because the ways of taking a tour between Koreans and foreigners are quite different.

Besides of that, If there are Koreans who came to take foreign clients only for treat, they probably already get stressed.

And They tend to throw a tantrum to a tour guide.

It drives a tour guide crazy.

But Park Ines is not a kind of person at all.

Rather, we became very good friends after few hours talking.

I hunched that the working to make a project would be going to be excellent.

Exchanging talking, laughing and waiting for Andrea and Daniel, We saw there were two people coming through a gate with a load of camera equipment.

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The time was almost 4pm.

It is a common sense if we want to take a good photo, we need not only good spots but also appropriate time and light.

So we had quick greeting and hit the road.

We were heading for 'Yongduam' where is closest touristic spot from the airport.

Not much special thing happened over there.

And then we went to 'SamSeongHyul' which is a shrine for mythical Jeju 3 founders.

Well, there are so many welcomers waiting for us.

They are mosquitos.

They suddenly rushed upon us like saying "We are very welcome"

This filming includes not only pictures but also sound.

When you hear the slapping sound, it is a sound slapping mosquitos.

Later, we boastfully showed spots bitten by mosquitos each other.

Where do you think is the best place for sunset?

Answering to the question two places come up to my mind.

One is Hyup Jae beach and the other one is Chagwido.

Right after filming of 'Samseonghyul' we ran down to 'Hyup Jae' beach expecting to catch a beautiful sunset.

Upon arrival at 'HyupJae' beach it already became dark.

Too shame for out of luck.

But we had a good night filming instead of sunset one.

We enjoyed lights from squid and oar fishing boats which make a Jeju unique scenary.

Next day, we went to 'Manjanggul lava tube'

Showing of my personal opinion  I think 'Mangjanggul lava tube' is the only natural heritage in Jeju which differentiate Jeju island from other volcanic islands.

Even Hawaii doesn't have this much long and magnificent lava tube like 'Manjanggul lava tube'

This UNESCO natural heritage shows even vivid signs of lava flowing occurred hundred thousands years ago.

We had to finish filming before other tourists flocking to the cave.

Above all, water was kept dripping from ceiling.

Anyway we were strolling down with filming to the end of the tube and finally met a lava column known as the biggest one in the world.

They said they got a good shot.

Actually 'Sepjikoji' was not on the list.

But I thought if there is no 'Sepjikoji' on the Jeju promotion film, it wouldn't be a good work because the place is considered one of the best scenic places in Jeju island.

They willingly agreed with my opinion and we headed to 'Sepjikoji'.

However, 'Sepjikoji' is one of most controversial places in Jeju island at the moment.

Because a lot of touristic resort buildings are building on the beautiful place.

The more touristic resort buildings they build, the more 'Sepjikoji' got sick.

News papers say lots of financial investment are going on this area.

Many people complain there is a dull and stupid looking building blocking the view of 'Seongsan ilchulbong' but the company insists that the building was built by very famous architect.

Well, who cares? I don't care who built the stupid building.

The point is that people are irritated by the building.

I am sure if it keeps going on, 'Sepjikoji' will be a resort complex in 5 years.

We must take measures before not too late.

She looks very elated.

As you see the picture, she is a really happy girl and always cheerful

But I felt sorry to hear that it was the last day of her staying.

I think it is a very dynamic scene. ‘having nature into a camera'

When I finished explaining about Jeju horse, they started interested in Jeju horses.

And we were looking for horses eagerly.

Suddenly a horse grazing on a field came to Daniel and it seems to be taken picture of.

Well, he seems to make friends with a horse.

I hope he gets a good shot of it.

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The duration was almost a week.

We had more episodes besides of this one. But I should cut the story now.

The other episodes continued in a next one.

Hello. people.

How are you today?

Today I want to introduce one of my experience from my job.

I can say that my occupation which is English spekaing tour guide offers diverse experiences.

But don't get me wrong.

in terms of income of making money, this job doesn't bring much financial profits because of touristic low seasons.

​

They say Jeju isalnd is packed with tourists but most of them are Koreans from main land and chineses.

Well, this means they are not for me. It is a just pie in the sky.

However, I got an interesting suggestion from an event company to have a chance to go into the cruise ship.

They asked me to be their translator between Korean stage producers and foreign stage operators. 

And the fan meeting is supposed to be sponsored by Lotte Duty Free.

And... The heroine of the stage is 'Park Shin Hye'.

Actually She is one of my favorite actress.

Do you like Korean drama or movie?

Actually, Korean entertainment business is so popular in Asia.

If you saw the movie ' a gift from room 7' or TV drama show 'the heirs'

You might see her. She is the main heroine on them.

In fact I didn't concern who would be a main person on the stage when I got this offer because I was interested in the experience rather than the event itself.

But when I heard the main heroine is 'Park shin hye',

I was suddenly looking forward to seeing her.

However, the reason I agree with the offer is that one is to build my experience and the other is that I really wonder how it looks inside of a cruise ship.

I had led lots of tour from cruise ship but I've never been inside it.

Well, the interior of the ship is no less lavish as much as exterior.

​

Being inside of cruise ship made me so excited and it remind me of the famous movie 'Tatanic'

Am I a really hillbilly? May be....

I felt like to run across the ship to measure the size but I just walked around one part of the corner and took some photos.

​

That's all for touring of the ship for me.

The time to work already came.

​I already told you my job for today is to break language barrier betweem Korean stage producers and foreigne stage operators.

A first meeting was awkward, so I had to break ice between them.

I introduced each other and then we immediately went to test of the equipments.

​

​

The fan meeting had finished and a Photo time came.

​

People were swarming onto the stage to be taken photo with her.

I could see 'Park shin Hye 'is quite popular with chines.

Have you heard of the term 'Hanru'?

​

'Hanru' is a term for Korean cultural popularity and China is the heart of 'Hanru'

​

Why there is no 'Park shin Hye" photo?

They forbade people from taking photos because of a portrait right.

​

And the working atmosphere in the panel box was really serious, so that I couldn't make time to do it.

Do you want to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of the stage?

MC and Park shin Hye seemed happy with exchanging laughing and talking on the stage but the tension was so serious between a producer and staffs behind a stage.

The producer was almost yelling at them through an in ear phone.

And It's so noisy everywhere.

​

Even I was so strained and before I knew it I raised my voice as well.

​I joined this project with my colleagues.

Due to my position in control panel box I didn't have time to talk with my colleagues.

Actually I didn't have time to have dinner.

But my colleagues brought some food from cafeteria.

One thing I wanted to see is the cafeteria in this ship.

It was really shame...

However, I appreciate them for showing their companionship.

I think I am a kind of a person to enjoy this kind of job.

What do you think of Jeju tour guiding job?

Does it seem so enjoyful experience?

​But I hope you don't misunderstnad me.

This job English speaking tour guiding is not a glamorous job

​

I have posted good sides of this occupation rather than dark sides.

But there are so many hard working involved.

​

I will post some dark sides of tour guiding job later.

Some thing is so shameful or embarrassed to tell people.

​

I hope my posting will help you have a glimpse to tour guiding field.

I am quite happy when I have young students clients because first, I taught English to students before and second, they make me feel coming back to my school days.

The clients are foreign students in Yonsei University but half of them are second generation of U.S immigrants.

I ask them why you came to korea to study and they answer they like Korea and they want to learn about Korea. Well, wise answer for stupid question.

They seem they felt awkward one another and I got to know that the acual summer school haven't started yet. That's why they are awkward.

The purpose of this tour is not only for sight seeing of Jeju island but also for learning about 4.3 massacre happened in 1947 to 1953.

I had to look up lots of reference books so that It also offered lots of information about 4.3 to me.

I was little surprised with students showing reverential attitude to the sacrificed.

They seem really embarrassed by this horrible massacre happened in peaceful island. I saw some students even sobbing with sorrow and some was having a heated controversy.

Actually, it's not easy for me to bring clients here because there is still ideology struggling existed in Korea and It's difficult to explain exact happening in those times indirectly in order not to hurt the people support conservative party.

There are diverse responses. Some people show sympathy to the sacrificed and some show to defend the police and soldiers who indiscriminately killed the innocent people.

Still 4.3 is not solved question yet to Jeju people.

There are two places to enjoy the nature in the itinerary given to us.

One is Songak Mt. and the other is Saroeny forest walking path.

The first day of climbing Songak Mt made students excited to have a feeling conquer the top crater and enjoyed the view of Jeju island.

But next day for walking path in the forest couldn't make them feel like the day before.

There is must-eat food in Jeju island when you come to with group tour.

It is 'Black pork with vegetables in Seonup folk village.

I think the food is quite good quality for the price.

But....

The people have to cook the food by themselves so that if it is a first time for them, they are embarrassed with the fire from portable stove.

Sometimes it comes out suddenly and make people startled.

And the restaurant looks cheap and filthy. If the people expected more, they might be disappointed. So the food in this village divided into pro and cons.

However, they seemed they had lunch deliciously and even they wrap the grilled pork with lettices.

they said that they saw how to eat Korean food in Korean drama.

Some one thumb up for the food.

I felt sorry not to take them better restaurant and I appreciate them eating food delicioulsy.

I always feel mixed emotion when I part with my clients.

Good thing is that I finally finished my work and Bad thing is that I have to send them.

Some students said that they are very sorry not to stay longer.

They wish they could stay couple of days more.

But If there is time to meet then there must be time to farewell.

If you believe in Karma, we are going to meet again.

I bid farewell to them with gratitude of reminding of my school days.

And go back home my family waiting.

*Notice – This article is written by non-native English speaker.

As I am a English speaking travel guide sometimes I do a translator job.

My job was not a tour guide in this time. I was their translator.

However, I still vividly remember that I had a very good time with Palauan baseball team last year. Frankly speak, I didn’t know where Palau is. Even I’d never heard of the name of the country “Palau” until I met them. I was so curious about them....

Anyway…..The Palauan baseball team visited to Jeju island again this year.

Most of them were familiar to me and some of them were not.

I was very happy to see them though. The leader and chair-man of Palauan congress Millip gave me a big smile with padding on my shoulder.

Well…. Everybody welcome to Jeju island. Actually it’s not that easy to meet same clients again in my profession.

One inconvenient thing is that location of their hotel is remote from down town because they would be bored at night.

Palau is very small newly independent country in south-west pacific ocean with 25thousands population. I knew that they must want to enjoy a night culture in Jeju island. In the long run, as I assumed they made a big trouble at night. Front desk of the hotel phoned me that Some members of Palauans knocked the Chinese girls room to wake them up without any reasons at mid night. I knew it would happen in any time.

They are from a small island country and still live with primitive culture. One day one of them said that they don’t have strict morality to moderate in sex with girls which means they have sex with any girl at the first sight if they like each other. In that time they were drunken and no where to go in the evening. Luck to them, Chinese girls forgave their misbehavior and they gave a word do not knock the door again.

Same as last year, The baseball union subsidized on 800,000KRW(800usd) for 25 people for 6days. It was not enough for the amount of people for the long stay. I had to divided the money day by day and I was looking for cheap restaurants as possible as I can.

Finally I found a good restaurant in which bus drivers usually go next to the stadium.( The name of the restaurant is ‘Gisa Beffet Restaurant’. ‘Gisa’ means driver. Price is 6000KRW per person)Even though it’s so cheap they really enjoyed the place, especially an ice-cream. What happy people they are!

Once they were under the control by Japanese, so that there are many players who have Japanese name. And quite interesting thing is that they enjoy the play card game named ‘Sotda’ which Korean people enjoy with. Even they divide into two groups in ‘Red Team and Blue Team’ at a sports festival same as Koreans and Japanese do.

I was interested in that even though we are different races and have different culture and language we have something in common. Well, I had mixed emotion.

Baseball is the national sports in Palau….. Well, it’s rather to say it is the only sports they play. They don’t have a proper couch to teach or any famous player playing in other country.

However, they are very passionate in playing baseball. They went to semi-final last year in Jeju international baseball tournament but in this year they lost to Japanese team who plays with technique. I can say that it is a bit pity that they couldn’t go to the final but it’s happy lost because they had a chance to go on Jeju tour.

After finish the baseball tournament we had a barbecue party at the front yard of the hotel. As has been well said, they are party animals. They stayed up all night with drinking, eating and dancing. I felt sorry that I should have enjoyed with them more to make a good memory. I came back home and fell in sleep right away hoping nothing would be happened.

Just in my luck! My phone rang constantly in the middle of the night. The phone was from the front desk of the hotel and he said some of Paluans were banging the store’s door to open to buy alcohol. Well,It seemed they tested my patience. It really irritated me to come on the line being disturbed my sleep. However, nothing happened that much except that.

Next morning everybody had hung over at the airport. At last it was farewell time. Actually I always feel mixed emotion with the airport. It is an airport I have first meeting with my clients and it is also an airport to have farewell with them.

This time we had an awkward farewell because lot of Palauans left their stuffs at the hotel. They kept asking me to do something for it. So I called taxi in a hurry and had their stuffs brought to the airport. It was skin of the teeth to approach the departing time. After settle down we had chewed “Pitletnat” which is Palauan version of chewing cigarette and had taken breath for couple of minutes.

Then they went into the check point to board and said with a big smile “You must come to Palau. We invite you” . I answered “Ok, thanks. see you in Palau”. I don’t know If I can have a chance to go to Palau or if they can come to Jeju island again. Any way it was nice meeting.

<Palau is located at the end of west pacific ocean. Since 1543 Palau had been under the influence of Spanish empire because she is close to Philippine. In 1899 German purchased her from Spain but She was sold to Japan after WW1. She had been a colony of Japan until 1945. After world war 2. She became belong to USA. Since 1986 she went through a self governing province then finally became independent in 1994.10. from USA.> from Naver knowledge encyclopedia.

*Notice- This article is written by non-native English speaker.

Today I went to climb on the top of  Halla Mt though ‘Seong-pan-ak’ route with Luce scholars.

Luce scholars is a kind of program which contribute each one’s talents for one year in one of  Asian countries after graduate from university.

In Korea, lots of students participate the program named ‘Working holidays’ to do the same thing. I think Luce scholars is a similar program to Working holidays.

Just now we just arrived at ‘Sokbat Shelter’.

This area was a grass field before but now it is covered by pine trees.

Some of them exhausted asked me whether this is the top of the Mt.

Well, well, well, we haven’t started yet.

We took some rest here.

It is a path to Sara orum.(Orum means a volcanic crater in Jeju dialect)

There are diverse Orums in Jeju island. Which Orums have water on the top among them?

Baerokdam which is top of Halla Mt, Sara Orum, Mul-chat Orum, Mul-yong-a-ri Orum…. I can name them. Could you name any other Orums with water on the top except above ones?

I couldn’t resist to be the top of Sara Orum….. due to lack in time I got ahead to the Baerokdam.

I should come back next time.

Walking, walking, walking….. It’s so boring on under the sizzling sun.

I am just hoping to take a rest in a minute when I get to the next shelter.

Hooray!!!!. I finally arrived at Jin-dal-lae shelter.

I was so happy to see this building.

This is another notice. You shouldn’t go ahead after 1 o’clock and you should come down before 2:30.

This rule is very strict. Mt guardians never give you leeway. Not even one minute.

You can have cup ramyun here. It might look very different and awkward in your eyes. However, it’s really temping to have some spicy food.

The price is 1500won for one and you can buy only two at most.

Having a piece of Kimban and a gulp of spicy ramyun juice…..

It remind me of have ramyun in military training center ‘Non-san’.

Now I filled up the energy to go to the top. Let’s go…..

1700m above the sea level…..

Now I have 200m more……

You are here……

bite the teeth and go on…..

I can see the top vaguely…..

But….

It’s still too far….. Panting, Panting.

I am well on the way….. Right?

The clouds are under my feet in no time.

Achievement! I almost make it!

Now I can see the feeling of climbers. Achievement!

The temperature of today is over 33 degrees.

Feeling like exploding the heart.

Desperately climbing up, up, and up……Why?…….to get achievement.

Now I have only 50m….

I want to see ‘Baerok-dam’. come on…..

A roe deer is grazing right under the top of Hallasan.

It may drink some water inside the Baerok-dam after people go away.

May be the legedary white roe deer was like that.

At last…..

The top is on my sight….

It is the top of Halla Mt. The name is Baerok-dam.

Due to hot weather and drought there is little water.

However, the magnificent scenery is impressive.

Jeju city over the clouds is vaguely on my sight.

The monument engraved on a Korean fir tree.

Wow, The group came before is already having some snacks. Feel little bit betrayed…..

By the way….. There is everybody? Less than half of them made it on the top.

I knew it would be……

What the heck! UFO?

It looks like landing on the clouds.

It is a security office of Baekrok-dam. It looks very special.

Taking a photo of myself….

frowning face….. too hot and exhausted….

Brief explanation on Baekrok-dam.

1950m above the sea level. length from east to west is 600m and south to north is 500m

The address is….

Hae-an-dong Jeju city Jeju island Korea.

Another group picture on the top of Halla Mt.

Congratulations! I am very proud of you!

It took 9 hours to come and go down.

It is more difficult to go down than going up.

You should be careful.

Otherwise…..

You have to ride on a mono rail like on the picture.

Not everyone can ride the mono rail……. Only in case you have injury.

Thanks for reading.^^