A Night In The Ferry! :)

How funny! I wrote few travel posts on Jeju but I didn't mention how we got there! Ommo! There are a few ways to go to Jeju. Take an airplane if you are a person who doesn't like waiting at a red traffic light; or hitch on a night ferry ride if you would love to experience total darkness in the open sea and a slight feel of 'titanic'; or lastly swim across the ocean if you have the stamina of the Hulk or Captain America (post-Avengers dilemma).

With me having the time and wanting to be a little adventurous, my cousins and I decided to take the long night ferry from Busan. Tickets cannot be bought earlier, we have to be at Busan to buy it. Of course, our hostel owner was kind enough to help us call and book :) There are 2 types of ferry and it departs on different days, so make sure you buy the correct ferry on the day you aim to depart :)

The jetty

It will be a 10 hour ride, so we can choose to stay at 1st class, 2nd class, or 3rd class. 1st class was way too expensive. 2nd class you'll get a bunk all to yourself and 3rd class? 3rd class is like this:

Sharing the whole floor with more than 100 passengers (If there really are that much)

Seeing that we want to have a great morning when we reach Jeju and we didn't want to place our bets that we'll be fine sleeping on the floor, we took the 2nd class. It's quite similar like Malaysia KTM night train! We had our own reading light beside us, and the bunk was wide enough for us to toss around, to turn left and right. Sheets were clean, pillow was comfy enough and the blanket was thick and warm.

This is how it look inside. Very comfy!

There's a restaurant in the ferry, a very simple one which serves simple meal. As long as it was filling to the stomach, we were happy. Cost us about RM18 each per person, quite pricey for such a meal but what more can we ask for when we were on a ferry. We had chicken, soup, and another dish which I forgot what it was, I think it was ddeok-bok-gi aka spicy rice cake.

Every room has about 8 to 10 bunks, and our rooms are not locked. Some times, some locals tried to play some tricks. They might purchase the 3rd class ticket, but then walked into the 2nd class area to check which bunk is empty, and they'll gladly take it. Smart move.

View was quite nice when we just got on board around 6 to 7 in the evening. We still get to see the bridge, the fishing boats, and other ferries. When the ferry ventured further into the sea and time started ticking away, we starting to see small yellow dots around us; those are other ferries, or fishing boats.

But later on when it's about 10, it's total darkness. To some extend it's quite scary and the scene of titanic ship hitting the unseen iceberg disturbed me so I ran into my bunk and sleep! Thankfully I was so tired that even the TV was switched on because some ajosshi wanted to watch some funny programme, I dozed off quickly. And it was a good sleep. I woke up, went on the deck and thanked God for creating such a beautiful scene for what was in front of my eyes:

And there it was, Jeju Island :)

Jeju: In Search of KhunToria at CheonJiYeon Falls!

Remember this?


Which hallyu fan can say that they do not love the KhunToria couple after watching We Got Married reality series?

When I was at Korea, I took an 8 hours ferry ride from Busan all the way to Jeju, and made sure I visit Cheon Ji Yeon falls! Just to get a feel of how 2PM's Nichkhun and F(X)'s Victoria was feeling when they were at CheonJiYeon :)

CheonJiYeon is best to visit at 5pm when the weather is chilly. The scenery was just like how it was when KhunToria was there!

God's pond

Cheonjiyeon, meaning "God’s pond," derives its name from the legend that the seven fairies serving the King of Heaven came down to the pond on stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean waters. The waterfall is 22m high, 12m wide and it dives 20m into the pool below.

When the weather is good, it felt better to take a walk along the path towards the falls. The streams made me feel so peaceful, especially with those cute ducks and huge kois swimming around each other! If you are a nature lover and have a special spot for waterscapes, please jot this place down into your notebook! Or feel free to bookmark this page on your smartphone! :)

Along the way you'll usually see lovely Korean couples like how you'd see in Korean dramas; or perhaps cute young families with little ones running around. The hot young mommie will then yell "야 뛰지마! ya, ddwi-ji-ma! don't run!"

If you love playing "Find the Treasure" type of games, try finding for the Smiling Stone Face along the streams. It's made up of half a stone and it's reflection, which seems like a smiling face :)  I caught a picture of it below, does it look like it's smiling? Or laughing perhaps!

The reason why I encourage travellers to visit CheonJiYeon at 5pm is because you can stay til around late evening when the lights around the falls lit up. If you bring your tripod with you, you'll be able to take amazing pictures during photographer's glory hour! Such a pity that I do not own a DSLR...

If you stay till late night around 7PM, you'll be able to see some cultural performances at the garden near the falls, for free! Mostly dances and songs. :)

Anyway beware, you might be beaten by 모기 (mo-gi; mosquito) during the summer when night falls. So remember to bring repellent! Or else you'll end up like me, the poor little lady sitting at the corner feeding 모기 while waiting for the waterfall lights to light up....

Cutesy pic for all Kpop lovers out there to end this post!

We couldn't laugh as happily as this when we were standing on the cliff!

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS

Who Should Go?
If you are a nature lover, or...purely wish to fantasize seeing KhunToria on the top of CheonJiYeon!

How to Go?
In Jeju, it's best if you have an international license so you can just scooter around. Or, take a cab. Public transportation like buses are hard to wait.

Address:

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Seogwipo-si Cheonji-Dong 666-7

Entrance Fees:

Adult: 2,000 Won
Child: 1,000 Won

Opening Hours:
07:00 - 23:00 

Jeju: A Glimpse Of Heart Strings Drama At Trick Art Museum!

How many of you watched Heart Strings? I watched it purely because it was Park Shin Hye & Jung Yong Hwa. Ever since some of us wished they were both together in "You're Beautiful", finally "Heart Strings" made our dreams come true!

Remember the very first date they went during "Heart Strings"? If you don't, let me refresh your memory!


Yes you got it right! The Trick Art Museum! I guessed they went to the Seoul's exhibition! However the one I went was the original Trick Art Museum at Jeju Island!

If you are a fan of fantasies, illustrative art, and 3D stuff, this is the exact place you should visit when you are at Korea! With just 8,000 Won (USD 8), this optical illusion filled museum made me lived up my dreams for a day! Let me share some snap shots with you!

TICKET TO LIVE OUR FANTASY FOR A DAY: 8,000 Won per person

 BALLERINA WISH: Looks like I'm not too bad

 MY FAVOURITE

ASPIRING BREAK DANCER: Always wanted to do a perfect handstand.

 THE POWER OF ANGLE: We got to take this shot outcome because there's a special angle to it

NARNIA WENT TO KOREA: Doesn't this feels like a scene in Narnia movie?

MICHAEL JACKSON FANS: This room allows us to do this!

INTO THE DARK: This made me thought of the movie National Treasure

LEAP OF FAITH: Cousin jumping in! 

I really had a fun time playing and snapping pictures at Trick Art Museum! A time to just let yourself go crazy and ignore what others think of you because you are meant to pose weird poses there anyway!

For more pictures please view my Facebook Photos Here

TIPS FOR TOURIST
Who Should Go?
If you're someone who love camwhoring or taking awesomely-one-of-its-kind-photo, mark this destination on your itinerary!

How to Go?
In Jeju, it's best if you have an international license so you can just scooter around. Or, take a cab. Public transportation like buses are hard to wait.

1. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an Intercity Bus bound for Dongbugwangong Road and get off at Seongeup 1(il)-ri (first bus 6:10 / last bus 21:30 / 20 min interval / 1 hour ride).

2. From Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, take an Intercity Bus that runs on Il-ju Road to the east and get off at Seongeup 1(il)-ri (first bus 6:30 / last bus 20:30 / 20 min interval / 50 min ride).

Address:
Jeju Special Self-Governing Provice Seogwipo-si Pyoseon-myeon Seongeup-ri 2381

Entrance Fees:
Adults - Individual 8,000 won / Group 7,000 won
Teenagers - Individual 7,000 won / Group 6,000 won
Children, Disabled - Individual 6,000 won / Group 5,000 won
*Group : 20 or more people

Opening Hours:
09:00 - 19:00

Website:
http://www.trickart.co.kr/

Reliving "Goong 궁" At Teddy Bear Museum, Jeju!

ROYAL FAIRYTALE: Of love, politics and scandals.

I heard someone screamed "이신 Lee Shin!!!!", or "이율 Lee Yul!!!!". Yes, if you tell me you weren't impressed with "Goong", there's something wrong with you, I can list out 10 reasons why I (and most of us) love this K-series so much!

"Goong" has been one of a hit drama few years back and it made Teddy Alfred and friends went famous!

GOONG BEARS: A teddy affair?

In 2010 I've been to the Teddy museum at Namsan Tower, Seoul but the Teddy Bear Museum at Jeju Island is way better! The museum showcased important milestones in human history and those teddies seriously potrayed the story in such a cute manner! It just makes me so in awe how delicate these bears were made! Some big history which we are familiar with:

TEDDIES RULE: The day when man landed on the moon

 TEDDIES FIGHT: World War 2

 TEDDIES PLAY: The launching of Disneyland!

The museum was so huge and properly planned for its storyline so that visitors will have a great time there like how I did! After all these amazing human history flash back there came iconic bears people! Bet you definitely can recognize everyone of them below although they've been teddified!

When you walk further you could see teddy bears in traditional 한복 han-bok (Korean attire), working around the 한옥 han-ok (Korean House) as well. It depicted Korean village life in the olden days. Not forgetting, these teddy bears are moving as well! You'll be able to see them picking up bricks, moving around the house, or aimlessly pointing here and there. At some area you might be able to see baby bears running around. :)

KOREAN WEDDING: Even the Teddy Bride has pink cheeks!

TEDDY WITH KIMCHI: A typical Han Shik lunch among the Koreans

 FATHER & SON: Preparing to go fishing?

Talking about Han-ok like these, I'll be blogging soon about the real Han-Ok, where Koreans are still living in such traditional houses, soon! You won't be able to believe it when you see it with your eyes. I thought places like that were for tourism purposes but there are still people living in it!

I like how the designers put every pieces into one so meticulously, so delicately, so detailed! Most importantly, everything is so similar and so alike! Mini slippers, baskets, spectacles, hats, hanbok, bowls etc! I think they are seriously gifted with super talented hands for things like these! My pics here may be big but note that the size of the bears are some times just as big as your palm, or even smaller! At some point of time you'll also be able to see some adorable designs like below!

Contrary to the Namsan Seoul Tower Teddy Bear Museum, this museum has a huge outdoor garden. And yes, there are teddy bears out there too! I had some fun fooling around with the big bears out there! When I say big, yes they are really big! 커 keo (big)!!! They are taller than me at least!

Teddies teddies teddies, how can I miss mentioning the most important character of all teddies? The one where Chae Gyung hugged so tightly in 'Goong'...

Yes it's this teddy who has it's own royal chair in its own royal cube!!!!!

 :)

With the craze of such Teddies after every episode of the drama; last year's "Playful Kiss" K-drama also had their teddy scenes after every episode and I screamed over it again! Kim Hyun Joong is a bomb, Hyun Joong bear is cute too!

PLAYFUL KISS K-Drama

The teddy experience might not be such a satisfying one for my cousins but for me it was worthwhile, although a little pricey at 8,000 won (USD 8) per entrance. However, glad that we did something stupid though when we saw two big bears at a corner, with no one around! Please do not report me to the museum authorities!

GREAT ENTERTAINERS: Having one crazy time with the bears

So why did I say reliving "Goong"? Because every Teddy I saw it just made all "Goong" episodes flashing back in my head!

For more pictures please view my Facebook Photos here.


TIPS FOR TOURIST

Who Should Go?
If you are into "Goong" teddy bears and you like teddy bears or anything cute and miniature. If not, don't waste your time.

How to Go?
In Jeju, it's best if you have an international license so you can just scooter around. Or, take a cab. Public transportation like buses are hard to wait.

Address:

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Seogwipo-si Saekdal-dong 2889 (Jungmun Tourist Complex)

Entrance Fees:

Adult: 8,000 Won
Youth: 7,000 Won
Child: 6,000 Won

Opening Hours:
09:00 - 20:00 (High season July 18th to August 23rd 09:00 - 22:00
(Tickets are available for sale until 19:00)

Website:
http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/Etc/English.asp

Hyeopjae Beach Reminded Me of Simple Joy

Anyong!

드디어 (deu-di-eo | Finally), I have some time to jot down my memorable moments in Korea again! So afraid that one day I'll forget everything ommo I better jot down everything before all of them vanish!

Today's post is again some part of Jeju island! I'm a beach person, I love the sand, the sea, the breeze! You can read up my previous Haeundae beach moments at Busan here! Haeundae is all warm and sunny, it reminded us about getting out there in life to enjoy what life brings us, be all warm and outgoing, enjoy and live life to the fullest! But Hyeopjae beach in Jeju island brings me a different meaning. You'll know why as you read on.

From Seogwipo, we took an intercity bus ride of 1 hour to the west side of Jeju island. There's a bus from Seogwipo city to Jeju city every 20 - 30 minutes so do not be afraid if you missed a bus! :)

PROUD BACKPACKER: Me and my backpack, on a very old bus. No aircond.

I must say, there were many old people going to Jeju city! I don't know why but all the passengers were definitely 50 years old and above except me and my cousin brother. It's quite a scene as you can see all of them were slowly wriggling up the bus, finding their seats. Some even have big parcels or clothed packages in their arms. The feeling was like those weird scenes in K-dramas where the main actress was surrounded by nothing but elderly, and she had no idea what was going on, you know that kind of feeling? Yeah, that was how I felt. Plus, that bus had no air cond, but thankfully the air was fresh and crisp! I wanted to take a picture of what came to my view but I felt it's a little disrespectful, so I rather not. :)

Once we reached the bus stop, there was no sound of splashing waves. Disappointed. Then to my amazement, the beach was obviously not supposed to be like beaches in Busan. I stood in awe in front of this calming, peaceful, heavenly like place...I went "oh my gosh...", "oh my gosh so pretty!!!". It felt so unreal.

GUARDS OF JEJU: Never in my life I thought I will end up in such place. 

Now Maldives is possible to me!

My cousin bro and I just stood there for more than 5 minutes, with our backpacks on! Somehow the beach in my picture doesn't look as amazing as how I viewed it with my own eyes! But I guarantee you it's really a breather for those searching to get away from the city! The view just made my mind go blank, I was just focusing on what's in front of me, nothing else. And that made me so happy, so contented :) 

EXTRA SAFETY: The water is actually rather shallow.

If you are someone who prefers cycling, do pick a hostel that provides bicycle rental. It's not really easy to travel in Jeju unless you cycle or you rent a scooter. To rent a scooter you must show them your international license, which sadly we do not have! Ended up we paid 10,000Won (USD10) for a bike to cycle the whole day! Cabs are very expensive, trust me. We cycled past 3 villages in Jeju city, I think it was around 3 hours, seriously fun!!! But excruciating during the night, my thighs were screaming!

RELIVING CHILDHOOD MEMORIES: Used to cycle in my village when I was a child, cycling at Jeju made me meet my long lost innocent child in me again!

LONELY PORT: Ships waiting for their owners to bring them out to the sea at night

So the actual Hyeopjae beach has a really low and slow tide as you can see :) Some part of the sea actually reaches the beach, but some have yet to. It's quite amazing that you can see some people still standing in the middle of the sea on that small little mounted land! It's one beach where parents can be more relaxed with their kids playing around as the tide is so low and calm; one beach where elderly can stand firmly together on the sand to reminisce old times, one beach where couples will not be disturbed by the strong waves, but marveling together at such peaceful place. 

LEAVING MY PRINTS: Rue @ Hyeopjae

I've only been to Perhentian, Langkawi and Pangkor in Malaysia; Bondi in Australia, Koh Samui in Thailand and Haeundae in Busan. I must say Hyeopjae is the very first beach I've been, which is as clear as drinking water!! I was so crazily fascinated that I could see my feet in the water among all those seaweeds. Must had look very stupid in front of the locals. But heck it, I was enjoying every moment! Wait til I meet the next best beach, Hyeopjae is topping my list still :)

FRESH FROM MOTHER NATURE: Seaweed at the shore

I learned something when I was at Hyeopjae, via human instinct. Apparently when a person is standing among the seaweeds, the temperature was less colder. If you happened to be just standing among the seawater, it's really cold! It took some time for me to get used to the cold. I then linger quite a while among the seaweeds because the temperature felt better then! You should really try it if you ever go to Hyeopjae! :)

NATURE'S GIFT: Seaweeds are best roasted to be eaten with rice!

I'm a fan of seaweed, roasted seaweed to be exact! When I was in Korea, I would always roll my rice with roasted seaweed. How on earth simple stuff like that could taste so good? I still remember how I felt when I held this fresh seaweed in my hand. I remember the touch of it and the fresh scent of it. 

Weird yet surprising, I felt happy and contented, for the view I had in front of me. It's funny how this seaweed translated a simple message to me, that simple happiness in life is always around us. We just need to pause, slow down our pace in life to take an extra look, to listen, to feel, to touch; and we'll find unexplained joy in the very simplest things in life. That was how I felt when I held this seaweed in my hand. 

That's my encounter with Hyeopjae Beach at Jeju island :)