Seopjikoji & Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju-do

Date of Visited: 14th September 2011

NOTE: This post suppose to be scheduled earlier but I was too busy being hostess and bring my friends from KL and her friend from USA after they back from climbed Mount Kinabalu. I also met another blogger, Fie-nuts for the very first time. 

On the second day in Jeju Island, we opt to hire a taxi driver instead of taking public bus. Public bus might be cheaper but it will waste your time of waiting and takes longer time to reach your desired destination as it will keep stop at few locations.  Plus, you might facing language barrier in terms that most of the bus drivers in Jeju-Island doesn't speak nor understand English much. Hiring a taxi driver for a day which costs 120,000 won per day might be a bit pricey but you can maximise the places that you want to visit instead of taking public bus.

TIPS: 

1. Before get a taxi driver, it is advisable to write down the places & attractions in Korean language because most likely the driver in Jeju-do doesn't understand English much.. And if you didn't prepared that, you can request the hotel to write it down for you. 
2. 120,000 won of hiring the taxi driver is only for the fuel and it might not included the car park and their lunch. Some of the driver request to provide lunch. So, you might need to spare more money to treat them for lunch and pay for their car park fee. It is only hiring up to 8 hours. More than that, you might request to pay more. 

Because the normal hiring rate for taxi driver in Jeju-do is up to 8 hours only, I can only listed down 5 places that I really wish to visit and see in Jeju-do. Jeju-do has lots of attractions that you might need at least 4 days in here. So, in this post, I am going to share the first two out of 5 places that we went.

1. Seopjikoji

Seopjikoji is situated at the end of the eastern shore of Jeju-do. "Seopji" is the old name for the area whereas "Koji" literally in Jeju dialect means a sudden bump of land.

#1: A beautiful church with a white horse makes this photo such a masterpiece.

Seopjikoji is well-known as one the picturesque in Jeju-do that offers impressive scenery where the blue ocean, black cliffs and green fields comes together. As we walked along the fenced trail of up and down, we by the lovely ocean and striking cliffs on the right side while a wide green pasture with horses in on our left side.

#2: At the end of the trails, there is a white lighthouse. The pathway to there seems so far away, so we just stopby in the middle for a photo.

#3: That's Seongsan Ilchulbong (sunrise mountain), the place that we will going next can be seen from Seopjikoji

#4: Although the weather was pretty fine and I do love the colour of the blue sky, but it was so hot. Thank goodness I wore long sleeve, or else, sunburn.

#5: It's not only a church but it is also part of the convent for a drama. 

#6: Seopjikoji is also known for the film location for popular K-drama "All In", which starring by Lee Byung-hun (you will know him if you ever watch G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) and Song Hye-kyo (famed for her acting in Autumn in My Heart and Full House and also a spokesperson for Laneige). To visit this "All In House", it requires separate admission fee. 

#7: According to our driver, most of the tourists who came here are mostly from China.

We didn't stayed long at Seopjikoji because the weather was extremely hot that day, it was like 36 degrees. Next, we heading to Seongsan Ilchulbong which just situated very close to Seopjikoji.

2. Seongsan Ilchulbong


#8: Seongsan Ilchulbong is not just one of the scenic landmarks of Jeju Island but has been listed as one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage.



Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as "Sunrise Peak" which rose from under the sea by a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. There is a huge preserved bowl-like crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.


The admission fee for adult is 2,000 won while for children and youth is 1,000 won.


The view of the city of Jeju Island from the middle while walking to the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong.

We didn't managed to reach to the top because besides of the hot weather, two of my friends were exhausted. So, I could only took this diagram of how Seongsang Ilchulbong looks like taking from the top.

There are few souvenir shops nearby. We bought their famous hallabong (citrus fruits) chocolate before moving on the next stop. It's highly recommended to buy those chocolates as souvenirs. Taste good, according to my boyfie.

[Credit To: 2012 Expo, Official Site of Korea Tourism Org, Everythinglbh.com,]

Foodie Friday: Nok Thai Restaurant, Damai

Talking about authentic Thai restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, there are not many choices and as far as I know there are two which I came across, one in Damai and one in Api-Api Center. So hereby I introduce to you the one that I tried few times in Damai since I worked nearby there previously. I tagged my mom and bro along on a fine Saturday afternoon for a lunch with my boyfie.

#1: Located in between of Huge Cafe and AA Stationery, this eatery ever featured in one of the local newspaper for their awesome foods.

#2: Cosy and clean restaurant that decorated with Thai culture.

Since there are four of us, we decided to order their ala carte. Most of the time, my boyfie and I just ordered their set lunch. Now, it's the best time to try the other delicious dishes.

#3: Pineapple Fried Rice - One of the dishes should order when visit Thai restaurant.

#4: Tom Yum Gung - Very spicy but they are very generous with their prawns. Seems like there are more than 10 prawns mixed with other seafoods includes squids and fish inside the soup.

#5: Tua Hu Sam Rod - Deep Fried Soft Bean Curd with Thai Chilli Sauce

#6: Tod Man Pla - Thai Fish Cake

Can't comment too much on their foods because all of them are simply delicious and scrumptious. Plus, the price of the above four meals are reasonable. If you prefer for value meals during lunch time, why not try one out of their 3 different sets of lunch meals which serve with drink, soup, fried rice and 2 of your preference meals.

 

#7: A set of lunch that cost RM11.50

 

 

#8: Last but not least, free cendol is given regardless whether you order ala carte or the set lunch.

Location:

Lot 45, Block D, Damai Plaza,

Phase 4, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Tel: 088-538 055

Teddy Bear Museum, Jeju-do

Date of Visited: 13th September 2011

Although I am not those kind that love to hug my teddy bear when going to bed, but this Teddy Bear Museum is one of the attractions that I shouldn't miss out when visited Jeju-do. So, once we done with check-in procedures after back from visiting Cheonjiyeon Falls, immediately we went to nearer bus stop to wait for bus that will take us to Teddy Bear Museum. However, after waiting for more than 15 minutes and didn't saw any sign of bus was coming, we got no other options but to take the last resort, took a taxi ride.

In South Korea itself, there are 5 Teddy Bear Museums; in Namsan (Seoul), Gyeonju, Seorak, Heyri and Jeju-do. Too bad we didn't managed to viste the one that located on the top of Namsan Seoul Tower because we ran out of time.

#1: A taxi ride for almost half an hour and cost us more than 10,000 won (approx. RM30), finally here we are in front of the Teddy Bear Museum.

#2: The admission fee for adult is 7,000 won whereas for children, senior and disabled person is 5,000 won per person.

#3: A wedding couple bear - which can be seen once enter the museum.

The gallery is divided into 3 sessions: The History, The Art and Teddy's Forest. In the History Hall which is the first session that we entered, we got to witness and learned the 100-year history of teddy bears including famous scenes, popular teddy bears of different eras and antique teddy bears.

 #4: Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and The Ford Model T, the world's first affordable automobile.

 #5: Many kinds of teddy bears that will not only touch the heart of the kids but the adults too.

#6: More and more teddy bears that I captured through the glass case.

It’s not just about the glass case after glass case with old teddies on display. There are even hundreds of teddies are dressed up as famous people and scenes from pivotal historical are recreated too. There are some displays of valuable collections of character bears from years gone by. Take a look the photos below:

#7: Superman; Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Tarzan.

 #8: Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe

 #9: The Beatles

 #10: Michael Jordan

 #11: The Royal Wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles

#12: Teddies in Disneyland

 #13: Happening celebration in Chinatown

#14: Teddies even in playing cards

In the Art Hall, this is where the masterpieces and latest artworks of world's famous designers and painter recreated using these teddies as display to the public.

 #15: Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam; Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa; Auguste Rodin's The Tinker

#16: One Heart, One World 

 #17: If you are fan of K-drama and ever watched this drama known as "Goong" or "Princess Hours" before, the bears which featured in the drama are also being displayed here. 

#18: At last, I managed to take a photo with the bear inside the gallery cause majority of the teddies are display in the glass case which caused reflection and not nice to seen in photo.

#19: Besides the galleries, there is a museum gift shop that offers more than 300 gift items. I bought myself a pouch and fridge magnet for my collection.

#20: We took few minutes break in Lotteria (a chain of fast food restaurant that founded in Japan but more well-known in South Korea) before move on to the next stop.

#21:Visit Teddy Bear where he plays with his friends in nature.

#22: A giant and fluffy teddy bear. I wanna bring it home with me.

#23: Let's go fishing.

#24: Korean black bear family

#25: Make a wish in Love Fountain

#26: Or even enjoy a picnic with teddy and his family.

#27: Amphitheater featuring a Pontiac car and 1950's architecture.

#28: Taking a few shots under the hot and scorching sun, we're rushing back to the gallery for a cool air. And also we're so lucky to be on time for Elvis's show.

#29: Final shot before we seriously bid goodbye to Teddy Bear Museum.

We spend roughly more than 2 hour in this museum and well thought out, it is a pleasant and entertaining visit museum. Some said that this museum is specially dedicated for those who adore teddy bears so much, but in my opinion, even if you are not, you should try and visit this Teddy Bear Museum because it's really an eye opener. 

How To Get To Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju-do:

Take an airport limousine No.600. Get off at Yeomiji Botanical Garden in Jungmun sightseeing complex. (15 minute interval, 50 minute ride), then walk for 5 min.

[Credit To: Official Site of Korea Tourism Organisation, Jeju Island]