Day 13. What does Jeju Do hold today? 16 April 2024.

First task this am was to rewrite yesterday’s blog which froze at upload. ‘Not happy Jan’ was an understatement.

Breaky was extensive and had a cute kids section which captured our attention. All low for kids and the dumplings were different animals.

Alex talked to us about the Stone Grandfathers (reminiscent of the Rapa Nui Maui)

Stone grandfather-dol hareubang are dotted around the island. They are a form of totemism. In the mainland the totems are wooden. The Stone Grandfathers are often standing in a couple, both men. The man on the right side has his right hand up signifying military/bravery/strength and left hand down. Left side man has left hand up signifying scholar/knowledge. It’s a yin and yang thing. These are found at entrances/gates to villages etc. There is no definitive history of how and where these began. Although some info I sourced suggests 1754 as origin. We saw a few in different places we visited throughout the day.

The woman divers we hope to see dive along the coast for octopus and shells. However, this is a dying culture and the divers are all elderly. They are also regulated and only able to dive when the wind, waves, weather is safe to do so. So no guarantee to see them.

As we were driving along the coast Susie M spotted some birds on the black volcanic rocks. A bunch of cormorants, then an Egret. A little further along a Pacific Reef Heron. I’ve tried to capture a few. (too many) also some shells on the shore too.

A brief stop at a viewpoint for the peak.

Then it was off to Sunrise Peak Seongsan Ilchulbong. Saw a cool butterfly at the base and a range of flora also.

It was rather a good climb up the mountain with views of the crater, coast, city and sea.

Susie M decided not to climb given the stairs. She went to a viewpoint and was lucky to spot the Orange buoy of the female divers – so she took off down steps and cross country to get a better look. So these photos are hers. Unfortunately by the time we descended the women were selling their catch to the tourists for lunch. We got some land shots. The cove they were diving in was beautiful.

Then it was on to a Black Pig restaurant for lunch – Premium Origin Pork From Jeju. According to the sign out front a ‘Good Restaurant’ we all agreed. A thick pork steak a more loiney piece, plus king mushroom and some stems. The steak was at least 5cm thick. The waiter cooks it on the central cooking plate over the coals. The steak was seared then he cut it down to smaller sizes and it cooked perfectly. Then dip in salt and eat – scrumptious. There was also a seafood soup (prawn, pippy and crab) with vegetables and tofu to share. Then all the sides – spring onion, onion, garlic, bracken, stem of something, delicious red bean and vegetable paste, rice, lettuce, sesame leaf, pickled radish plus other things I can’t recall.
The tables have the hole in centre for coals and cooking, plus a drawer at one end for chopsticks, spoons and serviettes. We also shared a 375ml TWENTY ONE PERCENT alcohol bottle of Soju. Alex can’t partake as he is driving. This is a Jeju Soju (rice wine) and Alex explained that all Soju was once this percentage however some of the companies are now reducing the alcohol content as the young ones can’t handle/don’t like the other. So Jeju Soju is one of those keeping it traditional.

Black Pork is a Jeju speciality and is renowned for its rich, distinct flavor and tender meat. The meat is well-marbled, which enhances its juiciness and tenderness. The pigs are typically raised in an stress-free environment.

Alex then shouted us some ice cream. They are Samanko Crunch with a Smile. A fish shapes outer layer almost like soft cone/wafer. One was filled with vanilla and red bean paste, the other was chocolate. Both delicious and a nice ‘little something sweet’ to follow lunch.

The Hueree Flower Garden had some Stone Grandfathers at the entry and some displays of Hydrangeas, Black Pigs, Canola/Rape Seed and other.

The whole garden is set up to cater to the Korean people’s obsession with the ‘me me me photo and selfie’ (Way in excess of my selfie addiction). There are views of Mt Hallisan, but it was cloud obscured today.

Two stops before days end. Firstly Seogwipo Maeill Olle Traditional Market. A very clean market with lots of citrus stalls. We are seeing citrus trees all over the island – grapefruit and we assume some mandarins, oranges and tangerines. We purchased 3 of two types to try tonight.

I saw two women making some sort of ball – with bean paste in the middle of a green type of doughy substance then dipping in yellow bean substance. Bean paste is in almost everything so it was good to see it as a paste.

Lots of stalls selling Black Pork in all forms. I will let the photos do the talking.

Second stop was Daiso. Aunty Sue is hunting for particular things for her shoes and some ties for phone cords. Alex was excited and likes Daiso too. I bought some Glue for $1.

Then hotel. We had a look at rooftop for a bit of sunset.

Then the bar for a drink and some Truffle Fries for dinner.

Back to room for tangerine/mandarin dessert and then pack up for 8:50 pick up in the am.