En route to Kwangju

I'm at the Jeju airport now waiting for my 9am flight. The check-in lady said that the flight is overbooked or something due to bad weather in Kwangju, but hopefully it won't be delayed. Airport here is just like the airports at all the other places I've been to thus far... very clean and modern with lots of space.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to make it out to watch the sun rise at Seongsan Ilchulbang because the hotel I stayed at was full of mosquitos which kept me up all night. And I've got lots of bites. So I informed them that I'd be checking out later that day (at 12ish) and proceeded to look for another.

I stopped by a tourist info booth somewhat near the hotel and got lucky. The workers there - and most of the people I've interacted with in Korea have all been very helpful and friendly. They all think I'm Korean and are fascinated when I tell them I'm Chinese and from the states. When I mention New York... forget about it.

Anyway, one of the workers brought me to a hotel just next door... Hotel Echae (www.echaehotel.com). It was the bomb. A boutique hotel not far from the airport and where my previous hotel was and very modern and chic. I highly recommend it if coming to Jeju City, although it doesn't seem as though there are many bars and night entertainment in this part of Jeju City. The good news though is that the happening spot is somewhat closeby via taxi which is cheap all over the place.

Anyway, I booked a room and proceeded to find abalone jook on a nearby street, a traditional Jeju-based food. It was good and I'll post pics when I can. After eating and moving my bags from old hotel to new, I proceeded to Seongsan Ilchulbang.

I tried taking the bus, but got a tad lost as I fell asleep on the bus from lack of sleep. Fortunately though, I got a cab which took me to the nearby bus stop which goes to Seongsan. The bus ride lasted 1 hr and 20 min in which case I took another nap. This time though, I woke up ahead of time and just in time to enjoy the beautiful scenary. A lot of small local farm fields bordered by mini lava rock fences that look to have been put up by hand. Very impressive. Green fields, lava rocks, blue skies, beautiful clouds...

And then the old lady next to me pointed to Seongsan in the distance. I need to read up on the full story about it but it seems to be another volcano formed almost-island that is connected to the main Jeju island. To get to the top is quite a hike, but well worth the view. It's got a great view of the ocean (?) and has a volcanic crater near the top called a "tuff cone". (I think the translator was using "tuff" instead of "tough".) Now, the crater is filled with green.

Anyway, I actually have to grab my flight now, but more to tell about Seongsan Ilchulbang, the fresh sushi I had from the "women divers" of Jeju and the Manjang Gul caves.


MDS