2023 Spring Asia Cruises II - 9-Day Kyushu Spring Flowers Cruise, Roundtrip Yokohama, Japan
March 19, 2023 (Saturday) - Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korean
As our ship slowly moving towards the island of Jeju, the most southern tip in South Korea, we could see it vaguely on this foggy morning. This will be our first time on this island and we are certainly excited!
Jeju in sight on deck.
As we docked around 10:00 at the cruise terminal, we could hear the drum banging and music sounding right next to the ship and this was what we saw... Apparently, our ship was the first cruise back docking at Jeju port after the pandemic and there was a huge welcoming festivity going on at the port.
Reporters waiting to record the event.
Police on horse back were there to greet us also.
Very special, indeed!
A modern and new cruise terminal. We were presented with beautiful gifts and souvenirs as we walked out of the terminal. A nice gesture indeed.
Originally, we were just planning on getting to downtown Seogwipo to explore the market and the waterfalls nearby. Transportation is lacking at this port and the shuttles provided by Diamond Princess were expensive. Fortunately, there were taxis trying to get business for the day tour outside the cruise terminal. Somebody flagged down a driver with a van as soon as they were aware of our need, a vehicle that fits all 8 of us. The negotiation ended with a one-day tour of some important sights on the island for about $200 USD (which we had to pay in Korean currency). Not bad for the 8 of us, so we were off for our exploration. The driver had places in mind and he discouraged us from going downtown claiming there is nothing in town that's worth our time there. He would take us to the most eastern side of the island and also to a cultural village instead. We really didn't know any better so off we went.
Seongeup Folk Village
The first stop we were taken to was a place called Seongeup Folk Village, where the very popular TV series "Dae Jang Geum" was filmed. It also gives a good historical and cultural background of people who used to live here many years ago.
Entrance to the Folk Village
Main Gate
The two statues of their Land Gods guarding the village.
The government official on the left and the military official on the right.
Grinder
Houses with roof made of reeds.
What is he doing?
Guarding against the black pigs that each household would raise while going to the restroom.
Some important wares that women used in the past.
"Dae Jang Geum"
Selling products of the village.
Beautiful flowers all over the island.
After our visit to the Folk Village, we were brought here to this restaurant that is just outside the Seongsan Ilchulbong for lunch.
Korean pancakes
many small dishes of appetizer
Main dish, assorted fresh seafood pot with abalone, prawns, octopus, sea snails, and a whole belt fish underneath. Some of the seafood was still wiggling and alive.
Grilled Belt Fish. Seems like Belt fish is an important dish serve here.
Famous abalone porridge.
What an unusual and wonderful meal!
Their signature dish.
Seongsan Ilchulbong
This site is at the very east of the island, therefore, famous for their sunrise as indicated in the name Ilchulbong (Sunrise Summit). There were many visitors here, mostly Koreans, visiting this place on this Sunday. Jeju is also know as Honeymoon Island, so many newly weds or lovers enjoy spending time here.
A shot that I took from the door of the restaurant where we had lunch of the summit.
This is a huge park with one side to the top of the mountain for a fee and there is an observation deck on the left with the women divers show on the left that is free.
Walking down to the Women Divers Show by the water.
Beautiful site!
A lot of walking though.
After the summit, the driver was going to take us to another site but seeing that our time was running short, we told him we will skip and just get us back to port. We never want to cut too close to all aboard time. Before dropping us back in port, he took us to a quiet factory that makes chocolate covered orange and orange cookies. We were able to try and buy some delicious local treats.
We ended up not seeing much of the downtown area even though the driver drove through parts of the city as we were going back to port. We were happy with what we did on this short day. I think for someone who knew what they want to see may tell the driver where to go but for us we really did not know where we should go, so it was OK that we spent our day just as the driver suggested. Jeju is a beautiful island! We really enjoyed the scenery as we drove through the many parts of the island from port.
Back at the cruise terminal, they had some vendors selling local products both inside and outside the building before we had to go through the immigration process to exit the country. We should be back in Japan tomorrow.
Dinner was good, with enough choices for our different taste buds to end our interesting day in Jeju.
For video of the day, please click here.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." -- Acts 4:12
