Janelle in Jeju

📍Currently in: Jeju Island, South Korea

[janelletakeskorea]

09.24.2017 - Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls

The weather was decent this weekend so Justin, Tommy, and I decided to head to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls! This tourist spot was about an hour and 45 minute bus ride from our place - having left around 2pm, we didn’t have much time to explore before sundown.

After about 45 minutes of walking around after lunch, we finally found it! Some kind old lady led us to the area where you can actually observe the waterfall. Cheonjiyeon literally means sky connected to land, which is befitting to this gorgeous landmark! There was a strong sense of calm nature surrounding this waterfall and I was surprised that such a marvel existed just under a bustling town. 

Dol hareubangs, also called tol harubangs, hareubangs, or harubangs, are large rock statues found on Jeju Island off the southern tip of South Korea. They are considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons travelling between realities. These things are literally everywhere here in Jeju! 

[janelletakeskorea]

09.16.2017 - My Weekend

My original plan was to explore today but unfortunately Jeju Island is being affected by a typhoon... so lesson planning time it is! Peep at my calendar- teaching 15 classes a week can get confusing so I need visuals of what needs to be done.

[janelletakeskorea]

09.01.2017 - Memory of Wind Cafe

We found a neat cafe right across from the beach. I thought the interior was super unique- they even had cups that resembled the “grandfather” statues of Jeju! 

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09.01.2017 - Lookout point

This lookout point was about a 20 minute walk from the base of the beach. We were lucky enough to catch the sunset and even found a bed of flowers!

[janelletakeskorea]

09.01.2017 - Hamdeok Beach

Decided to spend our weekend at Hamdeok Beach - the most popular tourist beach here in Jeju. It certainly did not disappoint! The water was clear and lukewarm, and from miles away you can see the emerald sea. Although the swimming season was over, tourists and locals were still here to enjoy the beach. 

I was sick so unfortunately I couldn’t go swimming... but that didn’t stop me from taking a dip into the lukewarm water! The low tide made a little island in the middle of the water, making it easy for kids and adults to play without getting too wet.

Pathway leading up to an endpoint of the beach. 

Cafe along the pathway! We got to enjoy this famous loaf of bead which is dipped in a zesty whipped cream. Also got to try a cup of “Udo peanut” ice cream! It was delicious and not too sweet. 

[janelletakeskorea]

08.29.2017 - Cute puppies outside a restaurant!

Puppy appreciation post because I love dogs~ During our provincial orientation, we had lunch at a restaurant near the folk village and beside the parking lot was a little caged area with all these puppies. They were literally the cutest things ever! The dog in the picture above is my favorite- if you look closely enough you’ll see that his paws are actually submerged in the pale of water. 

So, so, so adorable and makes me miss Charlie.

[janelletakeskorea]

08.28.2017 - Food post #1 “Dombedon”

If you’re planning to go or live in Korea, one of the must-try-foods is Samgyeopsal, which is essentially pork belly that is grilled and eaten wrapped in a huge lettuce leaf. Jeju is actually famous for black pork, which has a strange story surrounding it’s name.

A long time ago, pigs in Jeju were fed with the family’s poop (yes, you read that right, poop) which resulted in a unique taste and hence, “black pork.” Nowadays obviously, this is no longer the case but the locals have cultivated their pork to taste very different from pink pork. I have yet to try it, but for now I will stick with pink pork.

Korean cuisine is well known for it’s extravagant, and sometimes simple side dishes. The picture above is more than one would usually get in a restaurant. They had seasoned mini crabs and even injeolmi (the brown powder beside the red sauce.” I wasn’t sure why there was injeolmi powder but I tried it anyway.

Another Honey Butter Bread! This time it’s from a different cafe just across from the restaurant. It was a good price (only 4,580W which is about $5.) Normally it is around 6,000W. Nevertheless it was quite yummy! 

[janelletakeskorea]

08.28.2017 - Tapdong Promenade

My friend and I decided to check out “Tapdong” and ended up getting off on the wrong spot- luckily we were able to find this hidden gem right by the bus stop! It’s amazing how such a neat spot is in the middle of a very busy area.... There is a wooden bridge that hangs over the water, but unfortunately I think it is closed to the public due to structural problems. 

This was the seating area right by the water. We ended up eating some “Hotteok” which is a syrup filled Korean pancake. Super relaxing after walking so much in 30+ degree weather.

This sunset was taken right at Tapdong Promenade, which is a huge walking area that extends out into the water. We pretty much just found a spot on one of these huge cement things and sat for about an hour. 

Found this quote on the lighthouse: 

“The Hobi Tribe has no tense for past, present, or future. It’s all the same. What does that say about time?”

This quote lingered on my mind for a while- I thought it was thought provoking and really questions the concept of time.

[janelletakeskorea]

08.26.2017 - Loveland

Loveland- probably one of the most R-rated attractions in South Korea, is located on Jeju Island. To be honest I didn’t know what to expect of this place... after paying 8,000W (roughly $8.50,) I was on my way to a bizarre feast of statues. 

The entrance to Loveland is adorned with hearts, strangely innocent from the rest of the park. A cute spot for a candid photo! 

After the somewhat romantic wall of hearts, you are immediately exposed to these uhh, water fountains (no, I didn’t drink from it.)

A beautiful spot to take pictures, or so I thought- it took me a while to notice the suggestive statue right in the middle of the pond. On the left is some sort of sexual toy mechanism (only for girls.) You’re supposed to ride it and move the pedals with your feet. What happens after that is history.

Ending this post with a picture of me on a giant...... churro.

[janelletakeskorea]

08.25.2017 - Cafe by Hyeopjae

One of the things that I find quite interesting about South Korea is their obsession over quaint little cafes- anywhere you go, you’ll find unique or franchised cafes scattered all over the streets. Even in rural areas, you’re bound to find one or two cafes, which to me is very cool! Who needs restaurants when you can just go to a cafe, right?! 

That aside, we were very lucky to stumble upon this little gem right by the beach. This cafe had 4 stories and at the very top was where the best view was! We arrived here around sunset and as you can see in the picture it was very picturesque.

“Honey Butter Bread” and some kind of peach ade drink. Honey Butter Bread is very big in cafes here in Korea... it’s essentially two fat pieces of toast (drenched in something delicious,) topped with a crapton of whipped cream and sprinkled with almonds and caramel. And yes, it is as delicious as it sounds. 

To be honest the only downside to these cafes are the pricing. This was around 14,000 won which is about $15. Talk about dishing out cash just for an aesthetic pic. 

But seriously- this was yummy AF.

Night view of the beach- the string lights made for a nice picture so I got a snapshot before leaving. I. Will. Be. Back.

[janelletakeskorea]

08.25.2017 - Hyeopjae Beach

One of the more well-known beaches in Jeju, about an hour and 10 minutes from my place which is at the city center. Upon arriving I was mesmerized by the emerald water and the fine sand, something that I don’t encounter much in Vancouver.

We rented a huge inflatable unicorn- costs about 10,000W which is about $11 CAD. Not bad for getting to use it the whole day! 

If some of you didn’t know, Jeju is essentially a huge volcano... meaning that these black rock formations are very common here. They are very visible even when you are riding the bus- truly beautiful when you see them up close (although I’m trying really hard not to fall here.)

[janelletakeskorea]

Finally done my 3 week orientation in Daegu. Three weeks of class from eight in the morning until seven in the evening on some days. Super tired but after an hour flight from the mainland, I’m now here in my new home for the next six months! 

Views from my new home in Jeju- so lucky to be placed in a not-so-rural area... in South Korea’s little Hawaii and top honeymoon destination! Took me a few days to get my apartment ready for pictures so for now here is my rooftop view. Yeah, beautiful, I know.

[janelletakeskorea]

08.24.2017 - Welcome to my home!

My humble home! The past TaLK scholar didn’t leave much for me.... so everything you see here is bought by me (except for the furniture.) I essentially had to buy my kitchen stuff as well as my bedding and pillows. Fun fact: Bedding is EXTREMELY expensive here- one blanket is about $50-$400.. the most annoying thing is they don’t have SETS! Everything is bought separately which means for one set you’re looking at about $200-$1000.

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Some of the cafeteria food from orientation! To be honest 65% of the time the food wasn’t too my taste... it seemed like the food didn’t taste as good as it looked... but these are definitely a few of my favorites! 

[janelletakeskorea]

1st official day of my orientation to become a certified EFL teacher to elementary students! Here is a snapshot of my dorm room at our orientation venue, Daegu Haany University (about 1.5 hours away from Seoul.) 

As you can see in the pictures there are two beds- we all have a roommate of the same gender (of course) 

Tired, but excited!