To celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, we traveled to Jeju, a volcanic island about 60 miles south of Korea, with a subtropical climate. Jeju is a popular tourist destination, with good reason. It is beautiful! So much so that we’ll dispense with a lot of narrative for this post, and turn instead to the photo blog format.
From Jeju City, where the airport is, we traveled to the opposite end of the island, to the city of Seogwipo, which has some of the most beautiful of Jeju’s scenery.
Our first night out, we walked around the harbor area, tried the black pork barbecue for which the island is known, and got beer at a little restaurant on the harbor.
First full day, walking around Seogwipo.
And in motion.
We spent our first full day hiking along a section of the Olle trail system, which covers the whole island.
The next day we traveled to Seongsan, home of the famed Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak a volcanic cone with a distinctive concave top. Seongsan is another popular tourist area. Unfortunately, this day and most of the following it rained, often fairly hard. We walked anyway.
Around Seongsan on another section of the Olle trail system.
The next day we got up early to hike to the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong, as we had to travel that day to Jeju City and also because there was a break in the rain forecast from about 7 to 10 am. The rain mainly stayed away, though it was still very foggy.
The same day we traveled to Jeju city, where we started. It was our anniversary and we had a big Korean meal featuring Jeju specialities–mainly fish. Teresa does not generally like fish, but the meal had enough other dishes for her as well. Compromises keep marriages happy.
Speaking of compromises, the following day we split up. Teresa spent some time relaxing and touring Jeju City, and I rented a bike to ride the entire circumference of the island.
My route and some pictures from the ride.
Meanwhile, Teresa visited the Jeju governor’s palace.
The next day, we left early for the airport. Goodbye Jeju! We hope you all can visit sometime.
Somehow the “historian’s” poetic description of the Governors Palace (when asked to date its origin) says it all! We send cheers for your finding such a fine way to celebrate these last 25 years and we are delighted you got in a bike ride. That seems a perfect way to get the real feel of an island. The spreads of food were glorious. Now on to a good summer session of school!