Hi all...
On Friday we hiked Mount Hallasan (shield volcano)! A local saying: "Jeju Island is Hallasan, and Hallasan is Jeju."
The day's story begins by being picked up by three Korean businessman that are friends with a colleague's aunt! They drove us to the mountain! One of them owns a burger place (and pretty much half of Jeju Island) and bought us burgers to take on our hike! Not only that... one of the men actually escorted us on our hike. He was definitely a pro and told us about the vegetation and history of Mount Halla!
Burger Place!
Awesome tour guides... getting ready for our hike!
Amazing!
Literally in the clouds...
Usually you have granola bars and a sandwich... we had black pork bugers!! haha
Natural spring water! Cold and refreshing!
Made it to the top! (of our trail... hiking to the top of Mount Halla requires an expert hiker, proper gear and STAMINA)!
The descent...
We did it!
Absolutely breath-taking views!
We rested briefly at the bottom. After being totally spoiled already... we learned our day was just beginning... our new friends brought us to dinner!!
This little guy greeted us in the garden!
Authentic Korean!
All vegetarian... AMAZING FOOD!
Lilly pad leaves grown in the owner's garden!
Such a great place... so thankful!
I'm telling you... these statues are EVERYWHERE!! =)
Thinking we were finally heading home... our guides for the day had yet another surprise in store for us!
Lotus flower pond!
Such a sanctuary! Unfortunately, the flowers bloom in summer... we were a bit late... I certainly hope to return to see this place when the flowers are in full bloom! =)
Our adventures for the day didn't end there either...
Such an amazing sunset! We tried asking our guides the name of this place... they said there wasn't one! Hidden gem!
After a fairy tale day... the girls decided to go explore the city hall area in Jeju-si some more!
The Factory! Really fun... lots of ex-pats!
Please note: Seize the day behind us!
Bathroom reading...
Kamsahamnida (thank you) for an unbelievable day!
Love,
K.
