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Castle Mt Sunrise peak; Seongsan ilchubong / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 9. 15:47 | Story of Jeju/UNESCO Natural heritages
*Notice- this article is written by non native English speaker


'Seongsan ilchulbong' hydro crater is the most famous tourist spot in Jeju island.  
it rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 5,000 years ago and this crater is the youngest one in Jeju island. Seongsan ilchulbong means 'Castle Mt Sun rise peak'.
It is registered by UNESCO as natural, geological heritage.

Eroded cliff on the crater


 Actually at first when it was erupted it was normal shape of crater but it has been eroded almost half of them for 5000 years. Geologists say that the eroded cliffs on the crater is valuable to study hydor volcanoes because it shows all the process of eruption. They can see the clear sedimentary layers on the rock. 


It shows different figures on different angles


It is located the eastern end of jeju island that's why it is called 'Sun rise peak'.  Every new year day the top of 'Seongsan ilchulbong' is crowded with people to see sun rising. If you are lucky you can see the magnificent sun rising but most of the days are clouded.
The similar volcano to 'Seongsan ilchulbong' is  'Surtsey' in Iceland. Comparing two volcanoes is that 'Surtsey' is too young to show all the process of eruption on the cliff while 'Seongsan ilchulbong' shows clearly.


Surtsey island in Ice land

After 5000 years later 'Surtsey island' will be like 'Seongsan ilchulbong'  I guess. The steepness and narrowness of the cliff make 'Seongsan ilchulbong' more visually appealing. It takes around 30min to go to the top and  during your climbing up , you will get a quite cool view of Seongsan village. Actually 'Seongsan ilchulbong' was independent island from jeju but Japanese has connected it in early 1940s to use this crater as military base.

view of Seongsan village


Not many people know that 'Seongsan ilchulbong' is a second crater. First crater is located on the east side of 'Seongsan ilchulbong'. It was erupted 300,000 years ago and it has been almost eroded. One interest thing is that the colours of rocks of the first crater is red because when it was erupted the level of sea was much below. And that atmosphere made the lava cool down slowly. 

the first crater in Seongsan ilchulbong


You can see the points on the top. There are 990 points on the top. When you see 'Seongsan ilchulbong' from the ocean it looks a huge castle because of the points. 


I think 'Seongsan ilchulbong' is the place worth to visit in jeju island. Try to be a geologist, then it intrigue your interest. Don't you think so?
more information click here http://en.wikipedia.org 


저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Fun travel with Tina from Philippine / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 9. 15:30 | Travel episode
*Notice- this article is written by non native English speaker

This time I had a travel with Christina. Her name is Maria Christina San Jose from Philippine 
She is a neurologist, medical doctor. Sorry to her, first I thought she is a Chinese.
In this time, actually I had two customers, one was Christina and the other was Korean girl( I forgot her name). The Korean girl didn't want to take a walk because it was cold outside(well,it's shame).


First, we went to Teddy Bear museum, where lots of girls like, however, it's not my type of place. She seems like the place. "That's right! she is a girl" I thought.


After Teddy Bear museum, we went to the west part of Jeju island. The place in the picture is a Japanese military excavation. As she is from Philippine, I thought they have similar history with us by Japan. That is the reason I wanted to show her this place.
By the way It's quite funny that she always shows 'V' with her fingers when she is being taken picture of( I mean she is very cute) because I thought only Korean or Japanese do that. May be showing 'V' in the picture would be popular internationally one day^^.  
There are more than 500 Japanese military excavations in Jeju island.( If you wan to see more you can click here Japanese military excavations in jeju island)



We have 386 craters in Jeju islands. Geologists say Jeju has most craters in the world among island. I choose to climb one of them. There is a crater on top of 'Songak Mt'. It probably was hard work for her to be there especially in that day with strong wind and cold. Actually she was so passionate and energetic to travel. Despite bad weather, finally she made it to be the top. I asked her " Are you proud of yourself" " Yes, I am" she said with smile.
'Songak crater' is not that big carter comparing to other craters in Jeju island. However, it is one of the youngest crater in jeju island. It was erupted 7000~5000 years ago. Even though it was erupted near the sea, it had lots of red volcanic rocks(scoria) and it is double crater which means it was erupted inside of the bigger crater. It is also registered by UNESCO as a Geo-park. If you want to see more, click hereSongaksan_(Jeju)



This is the place named 'Yeongmeri coast line'. Actually, It is my favourite place in Jeju island. You might see this place on the front page of blog. She also likes this place. It's quite amazing that once you start walking here the scenery grows more exciting. Well, you see the picture she shows 'double V' which means likes very much?^^. 'Don't you think so?" Anyway I was happy to see that she starts to like jeu island.


I hope she can recognise herself in the picture.



Taken picture with a tour guide(me)


It was getting dark, so I was little bit hesitating to show her more or not. But I decided to show her as much as I can. Even though she said "I will come back with my friends", it might be her last chance to see jeju island. In fact it's my job to show people around Jeju island. "Am I too proud of my job?^^"
This is 'Oedolgae' which means lonely rock in English. It is underwater crater. Can you see the circle between two rocks?
By the way Quite interesting is that a monk was playing the flute on the down of the rock. We just wondered how he climbed down the rock? As I know there is no stairs to the down.

Any way It was very good travelling for me with her and I hope she likes the travel with me as well. Who knows I might visit Philippine one day.


저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Capital of Jeju politics & culture; Mok-Gwan-a / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 9. 00:24 | Story of Jeju/Jeju cultural stories

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


After seeing my clients off at the airport, I went to 'Jeju Mok-Gwana' which was a government official building in old times. This castle was used to be a centre of Jeju city. But during Japanese colonisation, they demolish most of them. In 2005, Jeju local government has remodeled this castle. Just half of them were completed so far.
 Actually the Jeju Mok-Gwana, Jeju provincial office in the Joseon Dynasty, was located around Gwandeokjeong. People presume that there had already been some main office facilities in this region since the Tamna Kingdom Era.


Gwandeokjeong is the oddest governmental building in Jeju, was built in 1448 as a place for training soldiers. It is said that competition of shooting arrow was use to be held here annually. Originally this building was a centre of the castle. But now it has a big street next to this pavilion.


Mangfyengru is the place where the people honoured the king whit gratitude looking toward Seoul where he stayed. It is located in northern part of this castle because King lives on the north from Jeju island.


This is 'Dolharubang' which means stone grandfather in Jeju dialect. 'Dolharubang' were placed in sets face to face at the site of castle gate entrance as a guardian to keep from evil spirits and misfortunes. Some times they defined castle boundaries and worked as an exit and entry control signpost as well.


저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Clenching tiger island 'Beomseom'; the island consisted by lava joint columns / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 9. 00:04 | Story of Jeju
* Notice- This article is written by non native English speaker

Some times we get bored to just walk and ride a car all day long.  To get some refresh we have decided to take a ship to see around parasite island. This time I went to Beoseom(tiger island) with my customers.
We start from 'Seokwipo' harbour. 'Seokwipo' is the city of south of Jeju island and my home town. There is 'Seokwipo sedimentary layers' near this harbour which is UNESCO Geo-park. If you are interested in geology, don't miss the place.


We took a ship named ' Paradise'. There are full of people on the deck. It's quite fun to mingle with diverse people in a confined place for a while(50min) but the Korean explainer was terrible and some times people sing a song on a mike.


When we approached the island, twin caves was shown. Their names are  'tiger's nostrils'.
It's very amazing that nature made the caves exactly same shape.


As you see the pictures, there is no way to go up but climbing cliffs. However, people used to farm on the top of island for living until 1960s. The top of this island is quite flat. 
According to the history, 700years ago, at the end of Mongolian empire, the mongolina remnants stationed here confronting with Korean soldiers. If you want to know about the history. 


It is the island covered by lava columns.This cave name is South gate because it is located on south part of this island. There are four caves in this island and this is the biggest one. 
If the wave is not high, the ship goes into the cave. Water is dripping on the wall. Hexagon, Pentagon shape of lava column on the ceilling. It's quite interesting.




Once we turned around, there was another island. It has more lava columns than the other one.

      Not many plants live in this islets because too much sea water hit the rocks.


Actually BeomSeom(Tiger island) consists of two islands. This small one is a skirt island. People call this islet 'skirt island' because it looks woman's skirt. Can you see so many lava columns on the island? It is one of best place for scuba-diving or fishing as well.


저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Chenjiyeon waterfall; a habitat of giant eels / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 8. 17:02 | Story of Jeju/UNESCO Geo-parks

* Notice- this article is written by non native English speaker


Today I will show you one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jeju island named 'Chenjiyeon waterfall'. Actually there are four waterfalls in Seokwipo city. When you see a geological shape of Jeju island the southern part is tilted which means there are lots of cliffs on the south. That's why you have to go to southern part of this island in order to see waterfalls.


This is the entrance of 'Chenjiyeon waterfall'. As usual as other touristic spots there is a souvenir shop at the front. Whenever I pass the area I can't resist having an ice cream. Browsing souvenirs with having ice cream is good fun in here. Just flat road leads you to the waterfall from here, so it can be a nice walking.


Enjoy fresh air in the forest. Even in summer time you feel cool temperature. You can see lots of tropical, temperate and tundra plants in here because Jeju is subtropical island and it is very cold in winter time. If you are interested in plants you will like this place very much.



You will see small reservoir on the way to the waterfall. This place was used to be a hydro power plant 30 years ago. There are some signs of the plants so far.


Now you see the waterfall. 'Chenjiyeon' means 'sky and earth in a pond'. According to the legend fairies descended to here to take bath. Actually people use to swim here before 1970s.
This place is a habitat of giant eels and designated as a national monument and Geo-park by UNESCO. 




저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Sanbanggulsa; a lava dome with myterious legend & Buddhist monastery / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 8. 13:00 | Story of Jeju/UNESCO Geo-parks

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

We had very sweet rain yesterday. I think every Jeju people would enjoy the rain because draught has been lasted for 2 months.
I was also very happy to see the rain. After rain I suddenly felt like heading to Sanbang Mt, with my new camera NX210.
When I got to Sanbang Mt, there are lots of teenagers at the entrance of Yongmeri coast line. And they seemed come to Jeju island for school trip from main land. They were just chatting and laughing. Some boys were running and jumping around. they might not realize how lucky they are because normally Youngmeri is closed for 3~4days a week due to big waves. and It is a Geo-park by UNESCO. Well, may be they don't care about that.

I decided to direct to Sanbang gul-sa. The way to Sanbang gul-sa was so quiet and tranquil.
There are 482 stairs on the way to Sanbang gul-sa. I like the stairs to Sanbang gul-sa but I prefer the old ones. The old ones were rough and dull though. However, they made more visually appealing and even feeling of walking was better.

 

Sanbang Mt is one of 3 great mountains in Jeju island. And rest two are Halla Mt, and Sungsan sun rise peak. There is some explanation about Sanbang Mt: 
Sanbang Mt is a large lava dome, rising 395m above sea level. It is a lava dome which results form the slow effusion of very sticky lava from a volcanic vent. The stickiness of the lava prevents it from flowing far from the vent and made it to solidify quickly and creating a dome-like shape. Sanbang Mt lava dome is composed of lava columns about 800,000 years ago.
When it was growing there was a local explosion and collapse of the dome. Sanbang Mt has a significant value because lava dome is very rare in Korea and it makes beautiful scenery in the southwestern part of jeju island.

 


You can see Youngmeri(dragon head) coast and brother islets at the entrance of Sanbang Mt. 
Youngmeri(dragon head) coast is registered as geo-park by UNESCO.

 




The story of the name of Dragon head coast is named because it look like a dragon going into the ocean with head up. Actually It really looks like a dragon jumping into the ocean.
According to the legend a giant dragon was heading to the china and the chinese emperer worried about that. So he sent a general to here and cut the tail of dragon and it couldn't head to the china any more.


        
       

 

Right under the Sanbanggul-sa, there is Tafoni which is deep cavities or hollows produced by cavernous weathering in the sides(including the undersides) of rock outcrops and boulders. They usually occur in groups. Individual hollows range in depth and diameter from a few centimetres to several meters. "Honeycomb" weathering is a common description for this pattern of parallel rows of smaller pits. The origin of tafoni is not well understood. The consensus is that they result from weathering along joints, fractures, and other lines of weakness, particularly from exposure to water. The hollows are thought to be enlarged by progressive flaking of the interior surfaces and granular disintegration, probably as a result of crystallisation of salt carried to the rock by wind or waves.
They has been eroded a lot and after tens years they will be gone. 
      

 


Sanbag gul-sa is located in a natural cave. I don't know if it is a kind of Tafoni or not. However, it's so amazing to have this kind of natural cave in the middle of the lava rock.

Around 800years ago a buddhist monk named 'Hae-il' practiced spiritual discipline in here and entered nirvana. And Sanbang gul-sa is the first buddhist monastery in Jeju island. If you look around this monastery you can see a tree which rooted in the tree. I am alwyas amazed by vitality of nature. When you look up the ceiling water is dropping. According the legend  a lady named Sanbagduk-i who couldn't made her love in her life is dripping her tear.
The tear became medicine water. They say if you drink the water you can live 10 more years longer. Why don't you drink the water when you visit 'Sanbang gul-sa'.  

    

 

저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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Yongmeri; legend of dragon head shore / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 8. 12:25 | Story of Jeju/UNESCO Geo-parks

     *Notice - This article is written by non navtive English speaker

 

 

I visited 'Youngmeri' earlier today. 'Yongmeri' means Dragon head.

People named this volcanic tuff ring 'Dragon head' because it looks a real dragon is jumping into the water with head up. This tuff ring with a dragon head shape is one of the most famous tourists attractions in Jeju island. If you like Korean TV drama you've probably seen this magnificent natural sculpture on TV. Quite a few Korean TV dramas were filmed here.

There are two entrances to 'Yongmeri'. Either way is OK to go in but I recommend you to enter the south gate because from the south gate the scenery is approaching the climax.

 


Yongmeri is the oldest volcanic crater in Jeju island. About one million years ago there were huge hydorvolcanic activities. Afterwards, wind-blown sand accumulated above the tuff ring over a long period of time. So it is a giant accumulation of lava debris.

 


You can see old haeneys(dive women) who sell see food on shore. The food is quite simple; sliced tuff shell, boiled octopus and some Soju(Korean distilled rice wine). And it's quite fun to have experience exotic food because food contains their culture ,life style even history.

 


When you go into it becomes more and more bigger and greater. The beauty of nature is just amazing.
There are some man made bridges which connect each tuff rings. Even though they are man made they make this nature more visually appealing. The steepness and narrowness of the cliffs make it look falling down in any time.

 


The water is so clean. You might feel that you want to jump into the water.
Imagine how long has it taken to accumulate this much in the past and now they are been eroding. What is worse is that level of sea water is rising up due to global warming. When it is full tide this place is closed. So they normally open this place 3~4days a week.
By the reason of that many people who visit to Jeju island go back without seeing this beauty.

 


Which one is first between 'Sanbang san' or 'Yongmeri'?

'Sanbang san' was made 800,000years ago and 'Yongmeri was made 1 million years ago.
Geologists say 'Yongmeri' is the one of the first volcanic eruptions in jeju island.

 

 
This is another entrance or exit. I recommend you to use this path as exit. It might be little bit hard to climb up but it give you more beauty of Yongmeri if you use the other entrance.
Any way this part is the tail of Dragon. According to legend, one Chinese general cut the dragon's tail not to head to china. Nobody believes a legend. However, when some nature has its myth, it can be more interesting and lively.

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The queen of crater in Jeju(Darangshi Crater) / Jeju travel

2013. 11. 8. 00:37 | Story of Jeju

* Notice - This article is written by non-navtive English speaker 

Today I want to introduce one of the most beautiful craters in Jeju island.
The name of the carter is 'Darangshi Crater' as known of the queen of crater in Jeju island.
It is located in eastern side(Gujwa) of Jeju island.
We have 386 craters around Jeju island and this island is known as a paradise of craters.
If some one ask me to introduce the most beautiful crater in Jeju island, I will say that 'Darangshi' is the best crater without any hesitation.

 

 

In jeju island we call the crater mound 'Oreum'.
About 1millon 2hundred years ago, volcano started erupting all around Jeju island like boiling bubbles in hot a porridge. Each cater has it won face. Some looks horse hoops or some looks bowl upside down. Actually we call the cater itself 'Gumburi' in Jeju dialect.
So Jeju locals call a mountain or mound as 'Oreum' and crater as 'Gumburi'.
Jeju people made use of 'Gumburi'(crater) for raising cattle because it prevent the wind and once cattle gathered inside 'Gumburi' , they don't want to leave the warm and cozy place.

 

 

After 10min climbing through the pine tree forest you will meet open space. First thing is 'little Darangshi'. it looks like a cute doughnut or gentle man's hat.
Even you can see the famous under water crater 'Sungsan ilchulbong'(Castle mountain sun rise peak) at a distance.

 

 
The highest of 'Darangshi Oreum' is 382m and the depth of the crater is 115m.
It take only 30min to get to the top but you have to pull your strength to climb a steep ridge.
And it never show the astonishing scene unless you get to the top.
The cater actually is hidden on the top.
 

 

This time I climbed 'Darangshi' with my customers from the U.S whose profession is a lawer.
Like every one does, they felt very hard to this steep hill at first. But once the got to the top, they really thanked to me to bring them there: it always travelling guide's pleasure to show beautiful places.
I just smiled and told them " Well...no pain, no gain". I think it's true. Most of nature contains its won beauty but it never show any people. It shows the beauty to the people who want to see them and it takes efforts.
Especially in jeju island you have to walk and climb all the time to see the true beauty. However, it is a kind of pleasure of travelling I think.

 

'Darangshi' has not only beauty but also it has a tragic story.
Korea didn't have proper government for 3years(1945~1948) after independence from Japanese colonisation.
There was a big confrontation between communists and capitalists in those times in South Korea.
Communism had been prevailed in poor communities in Jeju island as well.
And police and solders tried to put down the prevalence of communism and the method was cruel.
Lots of demonstrations occurred due to harsh putting down.
The police and soldiers put down not only demonstrators but also innocent people. Actually it was not putting down it was just killing people indiscriminately. It caused huge anger from the public. In a mean time about 30,000 innocent people were killed by the government.
The U.S just looked over the massacre. Before the massacre there were several villages around 'Darangshi' but none of the villages remained any more. Most of people live here were killed or moved to other villages. There is only memorial stone stands near the entrance and some graves on the mountain ridge.
Whenever I come to here, I try to imagine the village which once peaceful people used to live.Darangshi crater

 

 

저작자표시 비영리 변경금지 (새창열림)

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