Showing posts with label Jeju Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeju Island. Show all posts

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Jeju Island - Part 5



The next stop on our way around the western half of Jeju Island was Miniature Word. It's a place that has miniature replicas of famous architecture from all over the world. At first, I wasn't too interested in the miniature architecture but what did catch my attention was the Korean families. This place was a major photo op for them.


Here is some of the architecture.


Scenes like these were extremely fascinating to me.

So we ended up taking pictures of Koreans taking pictures.

Everywhere we went, we heard "hana, tul, set" which translates to one, two, three. In the U.S., the usual phrase is "say cheese." In Korea, we've been saying, "say kimchi."




This was the youngest photographer we saw. It took her a few tries to get the camera into position. It was a little too heavy for her.

Mount Rushmore located in South Dakota in the U.S.

They really wanted the little girl to kiss the dwarf.


I guess she needed a little help. I wouldn't have wanted to kiss that dwarf either. To be honest, I can't recall the last time I saw so much picture taking going on.


We also noticed that some couples wore identical shirts. This is a common practice among couples that are dating but I hadn't seen it in married couples.




The next stop was O'Sulloc Tea Museum. Admission is free and features tea related items that span from the present to thousands of years ago. They also sell many different kinds of tea. When you have finished your tour of the museum, you can sit and enjoy some green tea products like green tea ice cream.


The final stop before heading off to the airport was the Bunjae Artpia which is a park that houses bonsai trees. There are over 2000 plants which range from 30-250 years old. I really enjoyed reading some of the signs in the park. I like the statement, "Do not make a thoughtless evaluation." Only if we all could live our lives that way.

How old do you think this tree is?












This is me in a swing we found in the park.




As we were leaving the park, we saw these women picking weeds with their hands. Back breaking work. It doesn't look like they use weed killer.



I never knew all the benefits of bonsai trees.




Lava trees.



As you are leaving the park, you cross over this pond of koi fish.

We saw this little boy come with some fish food that he had bought. The koi went wild for the food. Some even tried to jump out of the water. It was a feeding frenzy.


Our taxi driver wanted a picture with us so of all places, he had us pose at one of the statues at The Museum of Sex and Health. I can't believe where they put their hands. I didn't know that until after we had returned home and I downloaded the pictures.

Our taxi driver turned out the be a celebrity in his own right. He was the personal driver of former President George Bush six years ago when he visited Jeju Island. He spent two days with the President and said he was really a very nice man.
Curt (hubby) had to snap this picture for proof. He had it on the glove box in his taxi. He asked us how we liked his car. He owns the car and was really proud of it.
It was a wonderful getaway. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much during the hot summer. The weather was perfect. We also were surprised at how little traffic there way. It is really rural in most places. We are deciding where to go next. I'm thinking of Bali.
I am definitely becoming Korean. I did something Saturday that was VERY Korean. I even have the pictures to prove it. I know my mom will disapprove but I did it anyway. How's that for a tease?

Friday, May 9, 2008

Jeju Island - Part 4

The second day was dedicated to the western side of Jeju Island. Our first stop was Chonjeyon Waterfall which is located in the tourist area of Chungmun, near Yomiji Garden. This is Curt (hubby) in front of a beautiful pagoda.


This is the view from the pagoda.


This is the front of the pagoda.

A close up of the ceiling.





A picture of me in the pagoda with the beautiful landscape in the background.

A view of the waterfalls from the bridge. You can see a couple of people on the stone walkway in the lower part of this picture. We're heading that way.


The bridge to the waterfalls. It was STEEP!


A view from the top of bridge looking straight down.


Another view looking straight down.


A view of the bridge from the other side.


The stones you had to walk on to get close to the waterfall. I passed but Curt went for it. He did miss a rock and got his shoe and sock wet. I don't know how anyone could make it across.


He's coming back.



She decided to play it safe like me. Sometimes the best pictures are right in front of you.


The waterfalls.


Curt got a better shot.

While waiting for Curt, I made a new friend.






Stairway to nowhere.


The next stop of the day was the Museum of Sex and Health. This wasn't a request of ours, in fact, I didn't even know there was one. The outside of the museum has a bunch of statues. I'm only showing some of the less risque statues.








You are not suppose to take any pictures inside the museum but I just couldn't help it being the crafty girl that I am. Can you tell what this dress is made out of? Sanitary napkins!
I never knew they came in so many colors. You could even practice if you wanted. I was surprised at all the older Korean couples we saw at the museum. It was pretty hilarious.


I also had Curt take a picture of this chastity belt. Ouch! Stay tuned, still more to come.

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