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.

* Notice- This article is written by none native English speaker

The weather was perfect today.

I had decided to climb up to the top of 'Darangshi' crater with my family.

Actually a friend of Facebook recommended that I should go to the musical concert on the crater.

It is said that first time for concert on a cater.

The crater 'Darangshi' has been chosen to give a concert because it is known as a queen of crater in Jeju island.

'Darangshi' literally means a cater holding Moon.

The union for conservation of Jeju craters hosted to organized this project.

The concert on the top of crater? well, it made me looking forward to it.

The name of the band giving a concert is 'La fotre' which means 'forest' in french.

Jeju island, crater, Darangshi and La fotre...

I think they are well harmonized quartet.

I been up to the top of this crater more than about 50times for five years thanks to my job.

But it is first time for me to bring my 5 year-old kid.

I was little bit worried about the steepness of this crater to my kid.

However, I knew he could make it.

Once you hit the road to climb on the cater, a magnificent scenic of panorama is starting spreading before you.

The small carter is 'Aggun darangshi' which means a little 'Darangshi' and there are 'Seng-San sunrise peak and Udo' shown beyond the crater.

This is a top of the crater.

Finally we made it. So proud of my son.

I knew he could climb very well.

I think he has a talent to be a professional climber in the future.

I have been taking him many small craters around my town such as 'Gogeunsan' 'Sol-orum' since he was 4, but it is the first time for him to be on this big crater.

'Yong-Sil' was the last one he been up on a big mountain.

One of my opinion for being a friend with nature is that people should be close to nature since they are young.

And Jeju island is the best place for it.

I think an education on nature in school in not enough for kinds, especially in Seoul or big cities. Parents' role is crucially important in this part if they want their children to being like nature.

When we got to the top of the crater my kid saw people flying on a paragliding and he got a sudden future dream that he will fly on a paragliding when he grow.

" Can I try to fly on a paragliding?' my kid asked staring at the people fying

"I am sorry, you should be over 30kg if you can fly" one wonman in a group preparing to fly answered.

My kid went to be disappointed a lot, almost cry

My wife comforted him saying "from now on you should eat a lot then you can fly soon. Ok boy?"

I hope it made him eat a lot.

Another scenic panorama on the crater is a crater itself.

The cater is more 100m depth on the hill of 380m.

It is a really magnificent crater in Jeju island.

When I was here 20 years ago, there were groups of cattle inside of the crater.

Actually it could be best shelter for them.

Now it became a restrict area for conservation of nature.

This is a picture of my family.

My look is so awkward with sunglasses.

As time comes to play music lots of people flocked in crowds on the top.

​

The concert would be clumsy without wit of Oh-SeongJong a leader of the band.

Because the atmosphere was distracted by exhausted people climbed up and badgering children.

However, people went to calm and be realdy for concert.

I realized that the people who love nature love music as well.

​

The music 'Moon river" had been resonating on the top of the crater.

The band prepared music even for children "a family of 3 bears".

The children were suddenly applauding with joy.

We seemed the tiredness from climbing had gone away.

​​

The more beautiful thing is that the distance between audience and the band is less than 1m.

I never seen this kind of concert.

It made us to be a family.

The feeling was so awesome.

I gave up my seat for people who want to enjoy in close to a band and went back to have a view of Halla Mt and groups of craters.

​

The tango muscis 'Por una Caveza' which reminded me of my favorite movie 'Scent of woman' was resonating from behind.

​

Why don't you enjoy 'Daranshi Concert' next time.

I will invite you.

YonHwaJi is the pond of lotus flowers.

YonHwa means lotus flower in Korean and Ji means place.

Actually the flowers blossom in July and August. So, the time I visited at the place the flowers already have been faded. 

Well I feel little shame for that.

The story says that the pond YonHwaJi was a small pond in Korea dynasty and in 17th century they reconstructed.

 After that it was built again in 1950s for 2years and it became current a lotus flowers pond.

The west southern part of the pond had been used to be drinking water and rest of places for live stocks.

Actually this lotus pond is a park for local people.

There are so many identical parks in Korea.

They look a little letdown.

However, if we make unique park in Jeju island, it will be great sources for tourism.

You will see full of lotus flowers and hydronic flowers  in July and August.

Not only plants but also there are so many kinds of aquatic animals and plants.

This is a small natural eco system.

At the entrance there is a warning for taking care of children.
If you bring children you should be careful.

The depth of water looks shallow but actually it's quite deep.

Some time the accidents are happened.

There is a beautiful school next to YonHwaJi decorated in rainbow color.

The name of the school is 'Deoduk elementary school'.

I asw some tourists tried to go in to take some photos of the school.

I think it is an interesting school.

I wish I have a house like this school.
Well, this school became the model of my future house.

Have you ever heard of 'Lee Joong-Sep'?

He is known as Picasso of Korean and one of most famous post modernism artists in Korean.

He moved to Jeju island from Wonsan in North Korea and he left many master pieces of his life in Jeju island during Korean War which is the most sad period in Korean modern history

after Korea got independence from Japanese' colonization.

His actual staying in Jeju island was only 11 months but the beauty of Jeju and simply life of locals inspired to his artistic instinct a lot.

When you see his works you can see his motivation of his works come from a family.

Even though he was suffering from family separation.

The painting above describes the happiness of family while they are refuging from the war.

The most sad situation but it shows his happiness being with all family members.

'The bull' shows sad eyes but muscular body.

Actually it shows himself.

The eyes are for the situation he was at and the body shows that his eruptive inspiration.

He got married to Japanese woman and it made him difficult to love her

 because the situation of antagonism between Korea and Japan didn't allow him to do it.

His letter to his wife shows his sincere and sad love to her.

Lee Joog-sup was born in 1916 in Pyungyang in North Korea.

And he died in 1956 in a Red corss hospital by malnutirition.

Even though he died by malnutrition he was suffering a lot from emotional damage. 

His works is particular western style with strong color and lines.

However, his works contain lots Korean emotions and grandure and infinitive world.

They are medical doctors and students.

I like students clients because I can see through them that they want to learn something about Korea and Jeju island.

So that suddenly I want to show them a real Jeju island.

Out of sudden, one of them asked me about K pop.

Then I just got an idea " A-ha there is common topic between us, that is a K-pop and drama".

"Ok. Let's start talking with this"

"Do you know Yu Jae-suk?" "Do you know his nick name?" "Do you know Moohan doJeon?" Well, they already knew about lots of thins on Korean TV program.

Well, there is no special things to break the barrier of the religions or cultures.

Just show them our things slowly then they will show us theirs.

I think it is a way of breaking cultural barriers.

Like this when we travel together we are the one.

We are going to share thinkings, We find our common things as well.

We went to the restaurant which serve Jeju traditional food.

The food name is 뚝빼기 they never seen abalone shells before and they were amazed by the beautiful inside of the shell.

They brought the empty shells to the wash room and wash them to keep them as a Jeju survirnior.

I think it is a good idea to have them from their food.

We hiked 'Youngsil' on the first day after abalone lunch.

They said they didn't have much experience to hike on the mountain.

We counldn't go to the top of the mountain. 

However, we enjoyed enough the beauty of Valley of mountain.

On the third day. It was rainning and windy.

I asked them if still going on the trip? At first they hesitated then I insisted to keep going. Well, they told me this is like a military training, fun training. they seemed happy. I should be a leader of the traveller. that is my job. some times push them, some times pull them up.
One thing I have more than they have is that experience and what they want is that my experience.