Korea 2013 - Jeju Chapter 1

Arrival

After a series of flights lengthened by shifts in weather and plane delays, we finally arrived at the lovely island of Jeju, and checked into our lovely abode for the next 9 days, the comfortable Goodstay December Jeju Hotel. We were warmly welcomed by the owner Mr Kim, a kindly man whom our boys came to love over the course of our stay there.

Enjoying our lovely room in the
Goodstay December Jeju Hotel

Famished, we headed out for a late lunch, and promptly bumped into a lady who personally recommended her restaurant. Since it was located just next to the hotel, we quickly settled in for a hearty meal of bibimbap (a Korean staple of vegetables served over rice in a hot pot), sundubu (chilli tofu stew - I ordered this to remember our first Korea trip during which Sue and I came to love this dish) and seafood stew.

After lunch we took a drive to scenic Samyang Beach. However it was already twilight by the time we arrived; moreover the weather was getting rather chilly by then. So we headed back to our hotel for an early night's rest in preparation for the next day's travels.

1st Korean meal in Jeju

Sleeping Beauty E -
tired out from the flights.

Sangumburi Crater

The next morning we awoke all refreshed and recharged. Heading to the southeast of Jeju, we arrived at the Sangumburi Crater, one of the most scenic places on our trip. The official Korea tourism website describes the crater as such:

Sangumburi (산굼부리) is a crater with a circumference of over 2 km, and has been designated as a Natural Monument. It is located on the southeast side of Jeju-si, and is a flat crater, about 650 meters wide, 100 meters deep, and 2,070 meters in circumference.

After travelling for more than an hour, our boys were eager to get on their feet and exercise their muscles. And we were bowled over by all that we saw...

The Lim family preparing to ascend the
Samgunburi Crater

With E sitting snugly in the backpack,
Daddy and Z begin their walk to the top.

Sue, her mum and sister Andrea stop for a photo.

Andrea enjoying the walk.

A lovely swing at the top of the crater.
Only Koreans would appreciate beauty in such a manner!

Tired. One down, one more almost drifting to dreamland.

Our brave boy Z tirelessly descending the crater.

It was almost lunchtime when we finally returned to the car. Then it was off for lunch and onward to our next site - the Manjanggul Lava Cave!

Click here for the next part of the Lims' Jeju adventure.

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